Reader Reviews

Rating: 5 / 5

I'm in complete agreement with Ray Jardine concerning hiking with an umbrella. They are the best thing going. As often noted, with an umbrella you can dress for the temperature, not for the rain.

Ok, they weigh in around 8 ounces. But I can often leave other raingear at home if I will not be exposed and do not expect high winds.

We just got back from hiking the Na Pali coast and the Pihea Trail on Kauai. This is reputed to be the wettest area on Earth, averaging around 480 inches of rain per year.

We were just about the only ones carrying umbrellas. Others we met hiked along in their full waterproof/breathable rain suits, and looked positively miserable. The rain comes and goes there, and as it is a hassle to stop and take off or put on the full rainsuit every half hour they all just wore their rainsuits the whole time.

We on the other hand were continually dry and comfortable (except our feet, mainly because of the many stream crossings!). The umbrellas go up or down in seconds. We just hiked in synthetic shorts and short sleeve shirts, both of which dried quickly, even if it was raining (it was fairly warm).

Wake up everybody...carry an umbrella!

Rating: 5 / 5

I am sold on using an umbrella too(I use the Golite Dome).
By using an umbrella you don't create your own personal climate underneath traditional rain gear. I will wear a rain jacket, in addition to my umbrella, only if it is chilly and windy - about %10 of the time.
I was out a few weeks ago on the AT just south of Woody Gap. It was coming down! My buddy and I brought out our umbrellas and kept going in our poly shirts and running shorts. We passed a couple guys in full rain suits (and HUGE packs)... they looked perfectly miserable.
And umbrella also works great to close off an end of a tarp if necessary.

Rating: 5 / 5

I use the reflective silver Go Lite Dome for hiking in sunny weather. I tried all types of hats (Tilley, baseball cap with drape, etc.) but they were all too hot. Nothing beats a "parasol" ("for the sun") for keeping the sun off and the air circulating.

And if it rains, you keep dry while, once again, keeping the air circulating instead of walking around in a stifling, humid "wet" suit (Goretex etc.).

But wait there's more. I cut down a small section of PVC pipe and ram it into the ground above my bivvy (tarp over quilt over ground cloth/pad). Then I can open the umbrella and put it in the pipe and it will stand up straight and keep me dry if some light rain comes up during the night. YMMV - the ground may be too hard, or the wind too high.

Rating: 5 / 5

I really like Silver Dome umbrella, when its hot it will keep the sun off my head and upper back and when it rains it shield me too. When you use a umbrella you can dress for the temperature. I brought a umbrella on the JMT and it helped me walk more comfortably on several occasions. I did get the odd look from other hikers but I was not sweating like them in there heavy rain shell jackets I was was skipping down the trail with a 3.5oz Golite wisp jacket and my awesome Golite Silver Dome. Eccentricity is way overrated. Always check the weather report before you go backpacking. "High Five"

Rating: 5 / 5

I would trade any piece of UL gear for one of these umbrellas due to its sheer practicality. Nothing can replace the effect of a sun-reflecting umbrella at 15000' in the Andes or high up on the Continental Divide. There's rarely a day hiking when I don't take my umbrella out for either rain or snow for at least a few hours.

I seriously can't understand why everyone doesn't hike with one of these. In 99% of conditions an umbrella and a rain skirt have proven ideal for dealing with rain. Having one also means no more sunscreen, no more serious burns, no long sleeved shirts and hats just to protect yourself from the sun.

Mine has lasted 80 hiking days so far and is still going strong. There are a couple small manufacturing imperfections, but they are slight enough to ignore.

ADDED APR. 2010:

I hiked with this on my 2010 PCT thru-hike. I've now tossed it after it's developed numerous holes in the fabric along the creases at the top of the dome. Also, much of the reflective surface (perhaps 30%) had worn off.

This is an excellent product and I have already bought another one. I used it on the PCT on a daily basis, often for hours a day.

Edited by Legkohod on 04/22/2010 08:12:14 MDT.

Rating: 5 / 5

3 Months ago my wife and I were walking the Wilderness trail out to our car on a rainy Sunday morning. As we walked down the trail we were approached by a traditional packer wearing a kilt (yes a male skirt) AND HE MADE FUN OF OUR UMBRELLA'S. But did I care? Nope I was dry and comfortable on that warm, rainy and humid morning b/c I was under my umbrella. Besides winter trips I never leave home without it. In addition to rain protection it provided amazing sun protection on the JMT and works wonderfully as a partial tarp door blocking any spitting rain. All in all a great tool in my outdoor adventutres.

Edited by Jkrew81 on 09/15/2009 17:25:30 MDT.

Rating: 5 / 5

We carry the GoLite umbrellas for long hikes where rain is likely. We've used ours for ~30 weeks of hiking in England, Wales, and France (7 trips). I concur with prior reviews about the comfort and convenience.

Key thing to add - the GoLite Umbrella's simple design and construction is very sturdy, and it is field repairable. If the fabric catches a gale and blows off completely, you can easily reattach it.

http://amyl.smugmug.com/Backpacking/200907-WalesEngland-Hike-1/11962520_JU74E#847575733_CYkFK