Step away from the mini umbrellas!
Rain or shine, our umbrella expert Claire Wilcox says you should leave that teeny-tiny umbrella at home. In our 10 years of testing, we’ve found that mini umbrellas (aka ultra-compact umbrellas) are not all that impressive. In fact, in a previous version of our guide, Wirecutter writer James Austin went so far as to say that an ultra-compact umbrella was “no better than a wide-brimmed hat.”
To be clear, when we say “mini umbrella,” we don’t mean just any compact umbrella (that is, an umbrella with a telescoping handle). We’re talking about extra-small compact umbrellas, models often called mini or ultra-compact umbrellas, which fold up to about half the size, or less, of a standard compact umbrella.
The biggest issue with ultra-compact umbrellas is, well, their canopies are often too small to keep you dry. Our guide writers (and other people who don’t want to get wet) have determined that an umbrella should at the very least keep your head and shoulders protected — and, depending on the angle of the rain and your height, possibly even your torso.
Our research and testing — which involved talking to experts, conducting wind tests, putting a mannequin in the shower, and having lots of real people walk around New York City in the rain — found that an umbrella’s canopy should be at least 37 inches in diameter to provide adequate coverage for most people.
We also found that ultra-compact umbrellas aren’t as sturdy as more standard-size umbrellas, which means they’re less likely to hold up against the wind. This is partly because mini umbrellas tend to have fewer ribs than full-size umbrellas.
Take the Davek Mini. Although we’re fans of some of the company’s high-end umbrellas, such as the Davek Solo, the mini version just couldn’t compete with any of our favorite umbrellas. Inadequate 34-inch canopy aside, the mini umbrella had only six ribs, in contrast to the eight ribs of many standard umbrellas and the nine ribs of some of our top picks, including the Repel Windproof Travel Umbrella and the buy-it-for-life Davek Solo. The extra ribs made those umbrellas sturdier, a big plus in our testing.
And don’t expect a mini umbrella to last for the long haul. They tend to break more easily than larger umbrellas. Like a Transformer that rolls up into a tiny ball, these little guys have lots of joints — typically each rib has four joints instead of the usual two. If your knees have started to disappoint you, then you already know: Joints tend to give way early. They’re one of the weakest spots in an umbrella, so more of them means more possible points of breakage.
The takeaway: With drawbacks ranging from inadequate coverage to weak construction, mini umbrellas simply aren’t worth it, no matter how much space they may save in a bag.
What should you get instead?
Although none of our favorite umbrellas fit in the palm of your hand, we do have some small-ish options if you’re looking to throw an umbrella into your suitcase or backpack for travel or commutes.
We continue to stand by our decade-long pick, the Repel Windproof Travel Umbrella. It isn’t ultra-compact, but when folded down it measures just under a foot, fitting into most backpack water-bottle pockets. And when opened up, it has a respectable, 37.5-inch canopy. In fact, it was the shortest umbrella we tested that had a wide enough canopy to offer adequate protection against the rain.
Top pick
Despite its name, this Repel model isn’t really windproof — that’s because no umbrella is fully windproof. Still, like other good compact umbrellas we tested, it can stand up to strong winds; in our tests, we had to use a leaf blower to invert it. Afterward, it easily flipped back to its regular ol’ self without breaking. At 11 ounces, it isn’t the lightest umbrella available, but it is lighter than many of our other picks.
If you truly want a more compact umbrella, the Davek Commuter is our favorite umbrella with a canopy that measures less than 37 inches. Our umbrella guide highlights it as a model that we think is worth considering.
Unlike the flimsier Davek Mini, the Davek Commuter has the same robust apparatus as its big sibling, the premium Davek Solo. Despite the Commuter’s diminutive, 35-inch canopy, many testers still said they could get their head into the arc of the umbrella — though our taller and larger panelists didn’t like its smaller handle or canopy. The Davek Mini, meanwhile, was met with skepticism by our paid testers, who liked the idea of a packable umbrella but ultimately dismissed it, joking that it was good only for covering a hairdo.
Top pick
Worth considering
If none of those options work for you, consider going rogue. In crummy weather, especially when I’m biking or sightseeing in a downpour, I often skip the umbrella entirely. For me, it’s a raincoat and rain pants or bust.
This article was edited by Hannah Rimm and Maxine Builder.
