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.
Disclosure:
Product(s) discussed in this article were either purchased by Brian Outdoors from a retailer or otherwise provided by the manufacturer at a discount/donation with no obligation to provide media coverage or a product review to the manufacturer(s). I do not accept compensation or donated product in exchange for guaranteed media placement or product review coverage without clearly denoting such coverage as an “ADVERTISEMENT” or “SPONSORED CONTENT.”
Brian Outdoors 
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLike
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person