Hiking with umbrella?

[ULWalkingPhil]

Curious to know what everyone's thought on using a umbrella on your hikes, and what brand. particularly in hot climates.

Reading overseas forums and notice umbrellas appear to be popular with some hikers. I used to use a Umbrella on my walks in my twenties, I've started hiking again in the past year after a 20 year break. I don't know why it's taken so long to get back into hiking, I guess I've forgotten just how great it is.

I use to carry almost 10 kg in photographic gear on my hikes, where I found an umbrella came in handy, particularly when it rained. I could still setup a tripod and take photos in torrential rain using my umbrella.

Lately I been reading up on ultralight backpacking, and came upon a couple of interesting subjects on weight, in particular on a mention when it rains, how water soaked into your backpack can increase the weight your carrying by a surprisingly high amount. Many use pack liners, including myself and allow our packs exposed to the elements. Many overseas hikers also use a umbrella on there walks as well as pack liners, the extra weight of a umbrella actually works out lighter overall after it rains because your pack is not saturated with water. I guess this will also depend on the pack your carrying. I'm currently using a One Planet McMillan made of canvas. On some of my recent hikes during heavy rain, I've noticed just how heavy my pack feels when it's soaked.

You could always use a pack cover to help overcome a soaked pack, but the use of a umbrella in my case has some huge benefits such as shelter from the heat in our QLD summer. Recently on a 4 day hike at Fraser Island we has two days where the temp got to 36 degrees celcius, on this day I hiked from Kingfisher Bay Resort to Lake Mckenzie, with a km left to go into camp, I struggled to complete, the heat knocked the life out of me, I had to lay down for an hour after that walk to recover from the heat. I often wonder if I had an umbrella if this would have been the case.

[gayet]

I generally take a cheap umbrella with me, day or multi day, because of the benefit for photography as well as keeping me slightly drier when the walking is easier in the wet. Shove it in some gear loops or a pocket if there is a need for alternate uses of hands etc. I also carry a pack cover on multi day trips which provides greater protection than a small umbrella (I don't use the golf size variety) particularly at the lower end of the pack. It is a weight penalty but I feel that cost is offset by dry lenses, head and pack top.

[cdg]

Im a fan of the umbrella.

I bought an expensive travel micro transformer umbrella at snowflake or paddy pallins and it failed the first time the breeze blew. i bought a cheap ugly (tartan) umbrella in a two dollar shop and its lasted since 2004.

[Capt DropBear]

On the first major hike I led with my rag-tag bunch of mates, one brought along a huge Bunnings umbrella, strapped to the side of his pack.

We laughed pretty hard at him and gave him plenty of stick for it - but when the heavens opened up a few hours into the walk, out of the five of us, only two of us had any sort of water proof/resistant packs, and only one had a rain jacket...

...so guess who suddenly became the most popular member of the party?

[dannnnn]

i guess if you stuck to wide tracks that were free from vegetation it would be ok

using an umbrella on narrow tracks with overhanging branches would suck tho

[ULWalkingPhil]

i guess if you stuck to wide tracks that were free from vegetation it would be ok

using an umbrella on narrow tracks with overhanging branches would suck tho

I would have to agree with you on that one. It's the open tracks that will be of great benefit, particularly in the hot summer days.

[Earthling]

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Birdiepal-Hi ... 43a7cbefdc

I bought one of these a while ago, but havent used it on the trail yet...meant to be the lightest out there.
Walking around town with an umbrella and how comfortable it was made me think, why not for the trail as well when its raining?
Im sure it would also help on those hot sunny days.

[etrangere]

One aspect of hiking in hot weather that gets overlooked quite often is the color of your clothing. Yes white/light colors reflect heat much more than you think, you dont realise how much till you wear black out in the sun.