Knirps, the German-born folding umbrella. How to find the size and features that suit you

A morning with no rain, but rain forecast for the evening. A day when it's raining, but you don't want to carry a long umbrella because you'll be hopping on and off trains frequently. A day when you're heading out on a longer trip and want to bring an umbrella just in case. This is where a compact folding umbrella comes in handy. You do need to fold it up after use, but if it's easy to pull out and carry when needed, and sturdy enough to last, it can become a treasured item you use for years.

Knirps folding umbrellas have features that make them easy to use for a wide range of people—business professionals who commute and travel for work every day, those who want to keep their load light while shopping or running errands, people who love to travel, and students who want to bring one to school. The lineup is also wonderfully varied.

In this feature, we'll take a detailed look at the characteristics that make Knirps so distinctive, and how to choose the umbrella that's right for you.

(Article updated: January 20, 2023)

Knirps Folding Umbrella T.220 Ame

"An umbrella small enough to fit in your pocket"

Knirps was invented in 1928 and is the brand behind the world's very first commercially produced folding umbrella.

The founder, Hans Haupt, had trouble walking and found it inconvenient to go outside on rainy days. To solve this problem, he devised "an umbrella small enough to fit in your pocket"—and that was the beginning of Knirps.

Hans Haupt

True to that vision, the umbrella he developed was astonishingly small—small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. From there, Knirps went on to become widely known as a brand of compact folding umbrellas. Today, in Germany, the name "Knirps" is so closely associated with folding umbrellas that virtually everyone recognizes it, and it remains a beloved brand used by many.

Knirps, an umbrella that has also become a part of fashion

A folding umbrella of astonishing compactness. 　Knirps Folding Umbrella X1 (Mat Cross)

Light, yet strong. The durability of Knirps

When people pick up a Knirps umbrella for the first time, many are surprised at just how light it is. But while lightness and compactness define Knirps, the umbrellas are also engineered so they won't easily bend or break.

One-Touch Folding Umbrella T.220 Ishidatami (Gray)

The first feature is the shape of the shaft. Knirps shafts are made thicker toward the tip than at the handle, creating a structure that stabilizes the upper part of the umbrella—the area that bears the most stress when the umbrella is opened.

Knirps Folding Umbrella Fiber T2 Duomatic (Country Granat)

The second feature is the ribs that radiate outward to support the umbrella's canopy. Made from glass fiber, a material with high flexibility, these ribs bend to release the force of strong winds rather than breaking. The joints connecting the ribs are made of rust-resistant stainless steel, designed with long-term use in mind. In fact, wind-resistance tests conducted by the manufacturer showed that the umbrella doesn't break even when subjected to winds of 150 km/h (41.6 m/s)—typhoon-force winds.

Easy one-touch opening and closing, plus a safety system for secure handling

Among Knirps folding umbrellas, there is a series equipped with a one-touch opening and closing function: press the button and the umbrella opens automatically; press it again, and the canopy closes. This convenient feature lets you pop the umbrella open instantly even in pouring rain, and close it again with just the push of a button whenever you need to.

>> Series equipped with one-touch opening and closing: Topmatic SL, Fiber T2 Duomatic, T.200, T.220, TS.220, T.320, U.220

Press the red button on the handle, and the umbrella opens automatically

Press the button again, and the canopy closes automatically. 　All-Weather One-Touch Folding Umbrella U.220 Sansan

In addition, the following series come with a "safety system" that prevents the shaft from suddenly springing out even if you let go partway through closing and stowing it. With automatic opening-and-closing umbrellas, the spring mechanism is quite strong, which can make closing difficult—especially for women or children. This feature makes it possible to close and stow the umbrella safely.

>> Series equipped with the safety system: T.220, TS.220, T.320, U.220

Which size suits me? Choosing from Knirps' extensive range of umbrellas

ZUTTO carries a wide lineup of Knirps folding umbrellas. Each one differs in size, pattern, and manual/automatic opening and closing, so please choose according to your favorite design and the situations you'll use it most often.

① If you want an umbrella that's above all small and light

Among Knirps umbrellas, the X1 series is made to be exceptionally small and compact. It's a manually opening and closing type, and when folded, its total length comes to less than 20cm. It's so lightweight that you'll barely notice it in your bag. It's perfect for when you head out thinking "it looks like rain," and it also works well as a spare umbrella to keep at the office. Even though it's light, rest assured that its strength is fully maintained.

Another nice feature of the X1 series is that it comes with two matching cases—a soft case and a hard case, both made of the same fabric as the umbrella. So even if you put it away while still wet from the rain, you won't need to worry about getting your hands or the inside of your bag wet.

Knirps Folding Umbrella X1 Hakuu

The Folding Umbrella X1 Hakuu features a pattern inspired by passing showers. It's a design by "NUNO," a textile designer known for their original style.

② A chic one-touch model that's easy for business people to use

For business people using an umbrella for their commute or at work, we recommend a chic, one-touch style umbrella that won't stand out among your peers. To keep your suit and bag from getting wet, it's convenient to choose a slightly larger diameter when opened.

Folding Umbrella T.320 Large Duomatic Safety (BLACK)

Among the umbrellas ZUTTO carries, the T.320 Large Duomatic has one of the largest diameters (105cm) when opened. Made from a basic black fabric, it works not only for business settings but also for formal occasions such as weddings and funerals. Despite its somewhat larger size, it folds down compactly, making it convenient to carry.

Knirps Folding Umbrella Topmatic SL

This one also comes in black fabric, but with a luxurious touch thanks to a handle made of maple wood. The handle resembles that of a long umbrella, yet it has a button for automatic opening and closing, and folds away just like the others when not in use. Because of the handle, it's somewhat larger in size, with a total length of 43cm and a weight of 525g, making it a folding umbrella with real presence.

Folding Umbrella T.220 PINSTRIPE BLACK

If you're looking for something other than a solid black umbrella, the PINSTRIPE BLACK, featuring a fine pinstripe pattern, is also popular among business people. The thin stripes aren't too flashy and pair well with a suit. Its diameter when opened is 97cm, slightly smaller than the two models introduced above.

③ A one-touch model in cheerful patterns, easy for students and women to use

If you're a student or a woman choosing an umbrella, we also recommend a fun, brightly colored pattern. We've selected lightweight, one-touch models that are easy to use.

Folding Umbrella TS.220 SOLID

This one has a plain design, but the key feature is its warm color. It brightens things up the moment you open it, with a soothing color palette that also makes it popular as a gift. In addition, the TS.220 has a 6-rib construction, making it lighter than the 8-rib type and easier for women to handle.

Folding Umbrella T.220 Kelly

The polka dot pattern, cute without being too flashy, is also recommended for students wearing school uniforms. Even when carried along with a bag, your belongings won't get wet, and it folds up compactly for storage, making it a handy choice. It's recommended not only for women but for men as well.

No need to worry even with a wet umbrella—dedicated covers

When putting away a folding umbrella, the wet fabric is what tends to be a concern. If you hold it directly, your hands get wet, but you also can't just put it in your bag—many of you may have run into this dilemma. Every Knirps folding umbrella comes with its own dedicated cover, but even if you happen to lose it, you can purchase a replacement cover on its own.

Knirps Dry Bag Mat Cross

The inside of the Dry Bag is made from a fabric with water-absorbent, quick-drying properties. Give the umbrella a light shake to remove excess water before putting it in (please note it is not completely waterproof). It can hold umbrellas up to 29cm in total length.

Don't worry if something goes wrong—Knirps' warranty

Knirps folding umbrellas purchased through ZUTTO come with a 5-year warranty from the date of purchase. In the unlikely event that a malfunction occurs during normal use, after-sales support is available as long as it's within the warranty period. Please contact ZUTTO Customer Support first to discuss the matter.

■ To contact ZUTTO Customer Support, please click here.

▽ You can find the full list of Knirps products here