{"id":2105,"date":"2021-07-29T10:13:18","date_gmt":"2021-07-29T10:13:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theflamingohiker.com\/?p=2105"},"modified":"2021-12-15T19:26:08","modified_gmt":"2021-12-15T19:26:08","slug":"best-hiking-umbrellas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theflamingohiker.com\/fr\/best-hiking-umbrellas\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Hiking Umbrellas (And Why You Should Use One)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Heatwave in May or pouring rain in the middle of August, we see it all and need to be prepared for whatever the weather throws at us. However, the last thing that comes to mind when it comes to hiking gear is an umbrella! But don’t be a fool, umbrellas are becoming trendy and start finding their place on the hiker’s backpacking list. In this article, I will show you the best hiking umbrellas for your next adventure and why you should use one. So come under my umbrella… ella… ella… hey! \u2602\ufe0f<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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At a Glance: Best Hiking Umbrellas<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you are in a hurry, here is a summary of the best hiking umbrellas. I go into more details in this article. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Why should you use a hiking umbrella?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before we dive into the best hiking umbrellas, let’s answer some questions and look at their benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 – Sun protection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When we think about an umbrella, we straight away associate it with rain. However, a hiking umbrella can also protect you from the sun and the damages caused by the ultraviolet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

All umbrellas are not born equals. While a classic umbrella UPF rating is 30 +, the hiking umbrellas are rated 50+ which means that they block 99% of the sunray. As they reflect the sunlight, the temperate is 15 degrees less than the outside temperate under the canopy. Just imagine what it would feel like when hiking by 30 degrees!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This also means that you sweat less and therefore you drink less. As a result, you can carry less water than you would normally have (and take fewer toilets breaks). The lighter your backpack is, the faster you can walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hiking with an umbrella will make the summer heat more enjoyable!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To know more about tips for hiking in the summer heat, click ici<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 – Rain protection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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When it starts raining, the common thing to do is to put on a rain jacket and a pair of over trousers. However, none of these options is perfectly breathable or ventilated, even if the technology has made tremendous progress. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you add more layers while it is already hot outside, you start sweating more which creates condensation and your clothes which are protected from the rain from the outside start getting damped from the inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With an umbrella, no need to add layers (which is the last thing we want to do when it is hot and humid)! The canopy protects you from the rain and offers the ventilation and breathability your body needs to stay cool and sweat less. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So now think. Which one weight more: An umbrella or your rain gear?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3 – Shelter, defence and saving grace<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An umbrella not only protects you from the sun and the rain but can be used as s a defence weapon against wildlife. Even though it is not that typical to encounter animals on a hike near London, we do sometimes have to cross through farmland and we never know how animals could respond to our presence. The element of surprise of an umbrella opening in front of their face can definitely work in your favour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can also act as a last-minute shelter should it start snowing (quite unlikely in the South of the UK), hailing (much more likely) or pouring down so heavily that you can’t keep going (extremely likely). Additionally, it will provide you with a safe place to read your map either on paper or on your phone, but equally with a dry spot for lunch as your sandwich can’t get wet under an umbrella.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lastly, should you hurt yourself or simply forgot your trekking poles at home, an umbrella can be used to lean on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4 – When not to use it<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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When hiking in the summer, the weather can turn really quickly, and the bright blue sky suddenly becomes a big black cloud with thunder and lightning. Make sure you do not keep your umbrella open in such weather conditions as the frame attracts lightning and it very well may be fatal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using a king umbrella is ideal for open fields or above tree line trails but not for forested areas. It can get trapped in the branches and cause damages, tears and holes in the canopy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, a hiking umbrella cannot be used in ice conditions. As for the vegetation, the ice can be the cause of damages on the canopy but more importantly, you need your two hands to use your ice peak, so how are you gonna hold the umbrella?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to look for when buying a hiking umbrella<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before we dive into the factors to consider when looking to buy a hiking umbrella, let’s have a look at the anatomy of an umbrella to familiarise ourselves with the vocabulary. This will make the following buyer’s guide easier to understand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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When choosing a hiking umbrella there are a few factors to take into consideration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 – Weight<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are two types of hiking umbrellas: <\/p>\n\n\n\n