No More Guesswork: How to Choose an Umbrella 【Knirps Folding Umbrella Edition】

A folding umbrella is just right for the coming season.
Having one folding umbrella in addition to a long umbrella, and using them depending on the situation—
a long umbrella if it's raining from the morning,
a folding umbrella if it only rains on your way home—can be quite convenient.

But if we're honest, many of us bought our folding umbrella just to make do at the time,
without giving it much thought.
And it might feel like it doesn't really matter which one you choose anyway...
Does this sound familiar to you?

This time, our theme is exactly that: "How to Choose a Folding Umbrella."
We'll be featuring Knirps,
the German-designed folding umbrella brand that has long been a bestseller at ZUTTO.

The German-born folding umbrella "Knirps" began in 1928, when
Hans Haupt invented the folding umbrella.

Hans, the father of Knirps, had trouble with his legs,
and found it inconvenient to carry both a cane and an umbrella on days when rain seemed likely.
To solve this problem, he came up with the idea of "an umbrella small enough to fit in a pocket"—and that was the beginning.
In 1928 he devised the structure of the folding umbrella, and in 1934 he obtained a patent for it.
Today, Knirps has become synonymous with smart, sophisticated umbrellas.

The design appeal of Knirps
has kept it in the spotlight not merely as a tool for keeping off the rain, but
as a fashion accessory in its own right.
It's also a product meant to make rainy days more comfortable and enjoyable.
In German weather forecasts of the 1950s,
雨が降る日を"Knirps Weather（クニルプスウェザー）"と呼んでいたそうですよ。

Apparently, they call rainy days "Knirps Weather."

Not only in Europe, but in department stores and specialty shops in major cities around the world,
if you ask a store clerk, "Where can I find Knirps?"
you'll be shown to the umbrella section or recommended a folding umbrella.
In Germany, Knirps has become synonymous with folding umbrellas,
so much so that German dictionaries list "Knirps" as meaning "folding umbrella."

The Knirps folding umbrellas we carry at ZUTTO
come in four series in total.

X1:

The X1 series is one you'll want to keep in your bag at all times.
It's the most compact and lightweight of the four series, making it especially recommended for women.
It comes with both a polyester inner pouch and an EVA resin case for storage,
which dries quickly and helps release moisture to the outside.
The case comes with a holder strap,
so you can feel at ease even when you don't want to put a still-wet, closed umbrella straight into your bag.

Fiber T2 Duomatic:

This model features a one-touch automatic open-and-close body.
Despite its slim body, once opened, the umbrella is plenty large enough for men as well.
Since the shaft (handle) is made of aluminum,
it's a good choice for those who prefer a larger size than the X1 but still want it to be lightweight.

Fiber T3 Duomatic:

In addition to the same automatic open-and-close system as the T2,
this model features a "Safety Shaft" design that stays firmly in place
even if you let go partway while closing the shaft.
Since it uses steel, it's a good option for those looking for a sturdier type.

Topmatic SL:

A folding umbrella with a chic wooden handle.
With a total length of 42cm and a weight of 520g, it has a substantial feel even among Knirps umbrellas,
giving off a gentlemanly impression.
It's a one-touch open type—just press the red button on the handle to open it.
Thanks to its sturdy steel frame, it also feels remarkably stable in your hand.

A folding umbrella, so handy in the coming season, also makes a wonderful gift.
Since Knirps offers a wide range of patterns suitable even for business settings,
many women choose one as a gift for the men in their lives.

But it can be hard to know what the recipient actually values in a folding umbrella.

Would they prefer a lightweight type, or a larger one even if it's a bit heavier...?
To help solve this dilemma, we compared the series from a variety of angles.

First, let's consider the height of the person who will use the umbrella.

Left: A man about 170cm tall. Since he has a slim build,
the T2 series, with a 95cm diameter, comfortably covers his shoulder width.

Right: A man in his 180s (cm) tall. Because of his greater height,
his shoulders are also broader, so the T3, with a 105cm diameter, offers more peace of mind.

Next, a surprisingly overlooked point is the size of the bag you normally use.

What matters most with a folding umbrella is being able to carry it with you at all times.
Ideally, it should fit inside the bag you use every day.

For those who always use a small, compact bag or a body bag,
we recommend the X1 series.
If you commute with a relatively wide business bag or backpack,
then a size of T2 or larger should be fine as well.

Based on size and function, here is a comparison of the X1, T2, T3, and SL series
Once you've decided which series to choose, it's time to pick a pattern.
The especially popular T2 series comes with a wide variety of check patterns,
along with basic stripes and cross-style patterns.

For men who often commute to work in a suit,
check patterns remain the most popular choice.
Of course, any pattern can be used both on and off duty,
so we recommend choosing one that matches the style of clothes you usually wear.

Once you've found your favorite umbrella,
let's master a slightly more advanced technique.

Have you ever had an experience like this?

You're out with your favorite bag, and suddenly it starts to rain!
Luckily, you remembered to bring your umbrella.
You pop it open and stride confidently through the city streets.
But when it's time to close the umbrella and put it back in your bag,
you start worrying whether the inside of your bag will get wet.
After all, it's got your laptop and leather wallet inside.

So, what do you do?

A folding umbrella is convenient, but
carrying it around while it's still wet can feel a bit unpleasant.

If you want to think ahead about storing a wet umbrella,
pairing it with a Dry Bag is a great solution.
This Dry Bag can hold a folding umbrella up to 29cm in total length
and up to 17.5cm in circumference.
For Knirps, it's perfect for the T2 and T3 series.

For those who usually rely on a smaller folding umbrella,
we recommend a combination approach using a larger umbrella as well.

For example, even if you normally use the X1 folding umbrella,
on business trips when you're pulling a carry-on case,
you might switch to the larger T2 or T3 series.
Since its diameter is larger, you can hold it behind you as you walk
Your carry case and luggage are less likely to get wet.

Also, T2/T3 is recommended for times when you're moving by car rather than by train.
Since it opens and closes with just one touch, when getting in and out of the car
you can hold the umbrella in one hand while using your free hand to operate your car keys or door.

And here's something that's surprisingly not well known:
Knirps umbrellas can be used for both sun and rain.

Many men may not be in the habit of carrying a parasol, but
if you always keep one Knirps in your bag,
you can use it as a parasol on scorching summer days
and as a rain umbrella when it rains—getting two benefits from one item.
That's exactly why Knirps is perfect for men
working hard on both hot days and rainy days.

1: With the auto open-close model, you can close the umbrella with one hand, which is convenient.
Press the button on the handle, and once the umbrella is closed, give it a good shake to remove the moisture.

2: While pressing down on the tip of the umbrella with your palm, shorten the shaft.

3: Push the shaft in until it clicks into place.

4: Hold the umbrella's fastening strap and rotate it around once in a full circle.
At this point, making the folds of the umbrella even will give a neat finish.

5: Once you've gone around once, secure the strap with the Velcro fastener as it is.

6: Lightly adjust the folds.

You've managed to fold it neatly.
It may take a little while to get used to at first, but
if you shake off the water well and then wrap it up with the fastening strap,
your hands are less likely to get wet, so it's said to be recommended even in winter when you're wearing gloves.