Totes Blue Line Golf Size Auto Open/Close Umbrella, Water Repellent Canopy, Black

I love this umbrella, I have three of these. The span of the umbrella is perfect; its big enough where Im covered even when its a down pour, but small enough where I dont feel like I have to constantly adjust for other pedestrians in NYC. The auto open and close feature makes this umbrella so easy to handle. The only thing that could improve this umbrella is if it had that extra wind resistant layer on top.

Not very tough it broke after a gust of wind hit it and almost turned it inside out. Also didnt like the fact that it didnt lock in its open position so even in light wind you could feel it wavering and trying to close

Sadly this umbrella did not hold up; it broke during the first use rendering me partially protected

I purchase this umbrella about a year and a half ago, and after using it in a torrential downpour last night, felt compelled to write a review for this fantastic item. In the eighteen months I have owned this umbrella, it has kept me dry in countless rainstorms in New York, including ones with significant wind gusts (such as those found in the wind tunnels that form between the citys skyscrapers). Not once has the canopy or the aluminum supports failed, even as Ive watched those around me ditch their crumpled, destroyed umbrellas in sidewalk trash cans. This is especially amazing given how big this umbrella is, canopy-wise. It really is golf-umbrella sized, and as a 63 person, it keeps me fully dry from the knees up in raining sideways storms, and fully dry in vertical rainstorms. Despite its impressive reach, it still folds down to a very compact size - bit slimmer than the 17oz Swell bottle I keep in the other side pocked of my backpack. The included sleeve is also very nice for storing the umbrella, wet or not. And finally, Ill mention the opening and closing mechanism. It is so great to be able to pop it open with one click, and not have to worry about fighting a slider to push up the canopy. Moreover, as youre approaching your destination, it is quite easy to click the button again just as you open the door, and have the canopy collapse down. No more fighting to close an umbrella outside, resulting in you being as wet as you would have been had you not had an umbrella at all, just before getting to you destination. A quick click of the Totes, and you can walk in easily, staying dry throughout.

I had this same line of auto umbrella for 6 years. Where Im at it rains 150 in/year and umbrellas are common, however this size auto umbrella is not found anywhere near me. All are those small purse type that covers half of ones body, and in my case useless when theres wind. This umbrella is small when closed and golf sized when open and closes quickly when I need to get in the car. Perfect. I needed another umbrella because I lost my original one. I read somewhere that the typical life of an umbrella is 2 years. While this lasted me longer, its not bullet proof. I took good care of it over the years and it kept me dry. Of course Id recommend it.

Lasted a season, maybe two, before it broke. Submitted a warranty claim which involves mailing a form with a portion of the umbrella cut off and included. Never received any replacement or correspondence back from Totes after several months. I would not trust their warranty claim, and will look for a more durable umbrella.

It allows me not to get wet in the rain

Works well.

Its definitely not one of those umbrellas you buy from a street vendor, but from Totes, Id expect better. It was probably the second or third time using the umbrella when one of the support arms swung down and hit me in the head. When I inspected it closely, one of those super weak looking eyelets had broken and a portion of the support arm came loose and swung down. I was going to go through the whole return process but learned it takes WEEKS and actually costs you money to ship the FAULTY umbrella back! I just used some pliers and threaded a sturdy paper clip through where the eyelet was, bent down the ends and clipped off the extra. Good as new, no, probably better than new as I fully expect other eyelets to break. So far, after a few months, no more have broken but this thing carries a lifetime warranty. Youd expect it to be made better.

Seriously, it is a pretty good umbrella, as Totes usually are. I keep one in my bag for commuting and use it occasionally, but I have had to replace it every couple of years. I do not use it very often or for long periods of time, but it has failed. A good breeze will easily flip it inside out and it wont be long until one of the frame arms bend/break. For the money, I just keep buying new ones, as needed.