The EuroSCHIRM Swing liteflex trekking umbrella, which has been a part of my gear system for nearly 1½ years. It would probably be the most used piece of gear I own. Unless I’m dead sure that I won’t see any rain on a hike then it is a permanent item on my gear list.
It weighs 225 g and I supplement it with the ULA Equipment rain kilt (81 g) and if the wind is blowing sideways, like it was on my last adventure, then I use my Berghaus Hyper Shell Jacket (89 g).
Total rain protection = 395 g which probably weighs less than most traditional rain jackets.
I prefer to pack one of my trekking poles and just hold it instead of a fastening system on my pack. This is also good when the wind gets up and I simply angle the umbrella into the wind. I’ve used it in fairly stormy conditions and it holds up to the task.
It is also UV 50+ rated on the top silver side, so you can use it in heated summer weather as well for shade. I also use my umbrella as shelter when cooking in heaving rain, which I have done on occasions.
I guess I would say that I never leave home without it.
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Hey Brian,
nice to see this short review and your personal experience with this umbrella.
Personally, I have never fancied to use/carry an umbrella (for multiple reasons), but I can imagine that up there in the rainy north Europe, sometimes is very annoying to hike all day long under the rain (despite using rain jacket/slacks).
I might give it a second thought about using an umbrella. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with the rest of us.
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Thanks for commenting. It’s worked out for me so far, but nearly all of my hikes are on the Skåneleden and in “protected” forests. I would’t think that it would be much help in the far north of Sweden or anywhere above tree line for that matter.
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Indeed, where there might be high winds, I guess using an umbrella is not a good practice.
Nevertheless, in case of a thunderstorm, hiking above tree line it can be dangerous if not fatal.
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