I was interested while reading a book called Beyond Backpacking by Jardine when he raved about using an umbrella on his 3 month long walks.
I thought this was rather strange, why would a guy that started the lightweight trekking trend in the USA use an umbrella.
I tried using a light umbrella in my walks and discovered I really liked it. Actually walking with an umbrella is fun. I found that I did not have to wear a heavy parka and hood and sweat in rain. I could wear a very light highly breaverable windshirt with no hood and not sweat and really enjoy the walk. Something about using a hood seems to enclose you in somehow.
I also found walking with an umbrella when the sun was hot was much better than a hat. One kept a lot, lot cooler. Jardine in his desert walks added some light space foil to the umbrella with rubber bands to reflect the heat.
You do get real strange looks when walking with an umbrella on a bushwalk. Of course, some walks in scrub and rainforest are not so suitable for an umbrella.
Please note not to use an umbrella with a steel shaft in a thunder storm.
Has anyone in this forum tried an umbrella bushwalking?