🌂 Totes Compact Travel Umbrella: Your Ultimate Automatic Companion Review

I had it for a few months. It hasn't rained much in New York, I've literally used it less than half a dozen times. Today I just noticed that the fabric is already tearing and I don't know why. Low quality material. I have cheap $3 umbrellas I bought off the street and they hold up better. So, objectively speaking, this umbrella is no better than a cheap $3 outdoor umbrella. Buy another brand.

I wish I had known about this umbrella years ago before I tried so many cheap ones that flip over and snap a rib at the slightest breath of wind. This one is really durable and has withstood some strong winds. As far as I know, umbrellas can't be recycled, so it's especially frustrating when they break. I hope that with proper care this will serve me for many years. It was a good buy.

The strap that wraps around the umbrella to secure it is marked with a bright yellow warning label. If you're using an umbrella, yellow looks silly against a black umbrella. You cannot cut off the entire label; The yellow part is sewn on with the same seam as the velcro. They had to make the part that couldn't be cut black and attach the yellow part to the end that could be easily cut off. The umbrella itself works well.

Bought to replace another umbrella said to be designed to protect against gusty winds. This Totes umbrella is much better, although not vented, because it uses rather thick metal ribs instead of the Gustbuster's plastic ribs. The metal fins seem flexible enough to withstand the wind, but won't break like plastic fins. Obviously not for gale force winds but great for heavy rain.