Umbrella and Rolling Suitcase: Handle, Wheels and Both Hands
Anyone travelling with a rolling suitcase who suddenly gets caught in a rain shower faces a practical problem: one hand guides the suitcase, the other is supposed to hold the umbrella. But which umbrella style suits this situation? How can you safely handle luggage and weather protection at the same time? And what matters when it comes to handle and weight so that you can walk through the rain comfortably?
Walking Umbrella or Folding Umbrella: The Handle Question
A walking umbrella with a straight handle can be comfortably tucked into the crook of your arm whilst you pull the suitcase handle with the same hand. The hooked umbrella slips away less easily than a round knob handle. However, you need both hands to open it, which can be awkward on the platform or in front of the hotel. Pocket umbrellas with automatic opening open at the push of a button with one hand and disappear into your hand luggage after the rain in a space-saving manner. Their shorter shaft makes them lighter, but you lose the option of tucking the umbrella in.
Span and Weight in Balance
A span of 95 to 105 cm covers your upper body and rucksack without the umbrella becoming bulky. Models with eight fibreglass ribs weigh between 300 and 450 grams and bend in the wind instead of breaking. Make sure that the umbrella is no longer than 30 cm when closed so that it fits into the side pocket of your suitcase or handbag. A weight over 500 grams becomes noticeable in the long run if you carry the umbrella for longer distances.
Automatic and Manual Operation
Fully automatic Umbrellas open and close at the push of a button, which is ideal if you do not want to let go of the suitcase handle. Semi-automatic models spring open at the push of a button but have to be pushed together by hand. Purely manual umbrellas require two hands to open, but are often lighter and have less susceptible mechanics. For travellers with wheeled luggage, fully automatic is the most comfortable solution.
Wind Stability in Draughts and Gusts
Railway stations, airports and street canyons create wind tunnels in which even moderate rain comes from the side. An umbrella with flexible ribs gives way and returns to its original shape instead of turning inside out. Models with nine or ten ribs distribute the wind load more evenly than classic eight-spoke designs. Before travelling, check whether the umbrella rights itself after a gust of wind or whether you have to bend it back laboriously.
Drying and Storing After the Rain
A wet umbrella does not belong in the suitcase pocket immediately. Shake off water drops and leave the canopy open to dry as soon as you are indoors. Polyester dries faster than pongee silk; both materials can tolerate being folded up damp as long as you spread the umbrella out at your destination. A protective cover with a press stud is more practical than a Velcro fastener, which is difficult to close with one hand. Make sure that metal parts are wiped dry after salt water or spray rain so that they do not corrode.
Spare Umbrella in Your Luggage
Anyone travelling for longer packs a second, lightweight folding umbrella in the main compartment of the suitcase. This way you have a replacement if the first umbrella is damaged in a gust of wind or you leave it in the taxi. A model weighing around 200 grams hardly adds any weight to your luggage and can be given away if necessary if you need space on the return journey.
Related items: Jean Paul Gaultier, Pagoda umbrellas, Romantic. The complete range: umbrellas.
Related categories: Jean Paul Gaultier, Pagoda umbrellas, Romantic. The full range: Umbrellas.
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