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Choosing a folding umbrella ahead of the rainy season. We compared length, diameter, handles, and more.

As June approaches, the rainy season is just around the corner. When it comes to must-haves for rainy days, umbrellas top the list. Folding umbrellas in particular are handy rain gear for those days when it isn't raining as you leave the house but the chance of rain is high, or for trips where the weather is unpredictable. In this article, we've picked out some points that can help you choose a folding umbrella.

In recent years, more and more folding umbrellas have become highly specialized in function, and it's easy to choose one based on novelty and features alone. Here, though, we'd like to go back to the "basic points" for choosing a folding umbrella and introduce the folding umbrellas carried at ZUTTO with those in mind.

"I want something compact, with a short overall length."

"I want a large diameter so I don't get wet."

"I want something lightweight."

"I want a handle that's comfortable to hold."

And so on—naturally, the points that matter most differ from person to person. If you choose while thinking about the situations in which you'll use it most often, you should be able to find the best folding umbrella for you. When you choose something you're truly satisfied with, you naturally tend to take good care of it, and since these folding umbrellas are already sturdy to begin with, we think you'll be able to enjoy them for even longer.

How big is it when open? The key points are "diameter" and "ribs"

The larger the diameter of an umbrella when open (also called the "spread"), the better it covers your body, so you're less likely to get wet. On the other hand, the advantage of a smaller-diameter umbrella is that it's less likely to bump into people around you, making it easier to walk with. This is recommended for those who frequently pass through crowded places.

Another point to consider is the "ribs" (oyabone), which refers to the rib portion that runs along the umbrella fabric.

Koshu-ori (Koshu weave) Rain-or-Shine Folding Umbrella Kasane (Green/Camel)

The longer the ribs, the larger the umbrella's surface area, and the "55cm" or "60cm" figures used to indicate umbrella size actually refer to the length of these ribs. For women, 58/60cm is common, while for men, 65cm is the typical rib length.

As a test, we compared two umbrellas with about a 10cm difference in diameter and rib length. Here's how it looked when held by a female staff member who is 162cm tall.

Left: Rain-or-Shine Folding Umbrella Chambray, Special Order BLACK, Right: Ajisai (Hydrangea) Rain-or-Shine Folding Umbrella, Antique Green

If you prefer a compact size with only the essentials, we recommend the 【left】wakao folding umbrella, and if you want to make sure you stay dry, we recommend the 【right】hatsutoki folding umbrella.

● Compact to standard-size folding umbrellas

・Rain-or-Shine Folding Umbrella Chambray(wakao)

・Miratore 2-Fold Folding Umbrella Gray / Red(KOMIYA)

・Rain-or-Shine Folding Umbrella Stripe Organic Shade(KOMIYA)

・Rain-or-Shine Folding Umbrella(ZUTTO)

● Full body coverage: folding umbrellas with a diameter of 95cm or more

・Women's Folding Umbrella Check GREEN(wakao)

・Koshu-ori Folding Umbrella Aoi(KOMIYA)

・Rain-or-Shine Folding Umbrella Three(KOMIYA)

・MAKITASTANDARD Folding Umbrella Herringbone(Makita Shoten) ★Recommended for men

・Ajisai (Hydrangea) Rain-or-Shine Folding Umbrella(hatsutoki)

・Guy de Jean Rain-or-Shine Folding Umbrella Dog V.ROSE(Guy de Jean)

・Folding Umbrella Topmatic SL(KNIRPS) ★Recommended for men

If you want to choose an umbrella that fits in your bag, check the "overall length"

Many people choose a folding umbrella because a long umbrella is too bulky to carry. In that case, the thing to check is the "overall length." Before choosing an umbrella, it's a good idea to check what overall length will fit in the bag you usually carry—that way you won't end up with something that doesn't fit. If the folded length is under 20cm, it's compact and easy to fit into almost any bag, but in that case the diameter also tends to be smaller.

Rain-or-Shine Folding Umbrella

On the other hand, folding umbrellas of 30cm or more are on the larger side among folding umbrellas. But in exchange, they offer functional advantages, such as being properly large when open, or being easy to carry without folding.

Here's how much of a difference there is when you line up folding umbrellas of different sizes.

From left)Miratore 2-Fold Folding Umbrella Gray, 50cm/8 ribs, Rain-or-Shine Folding Umbrella Chambray, Special Order WHITE, Koshu-ori Rain-or-Shine Folding Umbrella Kasane, Green/Camel

Here's a comparison with a larger 700ml plastic bottle.

If you're using a business tote that fits A4 paper, an umbrella up to about 【30cm】 can often be placed inside standing up. Anything longer than that can often still fit if placed sideways or at an angle, so first check the size of the bag you usually use.

Rain-or-Shine Folding Umbrella Chambray, Special Order WHITE(See the bag here >>)

Light versus sturdy. What about "number of ribs" and "weight"?

Folding umbrellas tend to be more vulnerable to strong winds than long umbrellas, and some of you may have experienced a sudden gust turning your umbrella inside out. There can be several reasons for this, but "number of ribs" and "weight" are among them.

Women's Folding Umbrella for Sun and Rain

A typical folding umbrella has 6 to 8 ribs. Fewer ribs make the umbrella lighter and easier to carry, but this can also mean it's more vulnerable to wind. If you want to choose a sturdy, dependable folding umbrella, we recommend one with 【8 ribs or more】.

The one we're featuring here is KOMIYA's Koshu-ori Folding Umbrella for Sun and Rain, Kasane. It's a great choice for anyone looking for a sturdy folding umbrella.

8 ribs / Diameter: approx. 94cm (main rib 55cm) / Overall length when folded: approx. 41cm / approx. 313g

With its full length, it's hard to call this umbrella lightweight or compact, but with 8 ribs and a diameter equal to that of a long umbrella, you can carry it with confidence. The main ribs are made of lightweight, flexible fiberglass, a material that stands up well to wind.

It's also convenient in that you can carry it around without folding it up. This makes everyday moments—like ducking into a building for a short while or stopping somewhere on a whim—that much easier.

Designed so the tips of the ribs can be gathered together at the handle.

A Variety of Handle Shapes and Materials

The last thing to pay attention to is the material of the handle. Try imagining which suits you better—a shape that's easy to grip firmly, or one that folds down compactly for storage.

Folding Umbrella for Sun and Rain, Chambray (Special Order BLACK)

When it comes to wakao umbrellas, the bamboo handle is the signature feature. They use knotted kanchiku (winter bamboo), which is now made by only one company in Japan. The handle is slowly bent over time, giving it a comfortable feel in the hand along with beauty and a sense of quality—qualities you can truly appreciate for yourself once you hold it, the kind of comfort that comes only from handmade work.

A shape that's easy to use, whether carried alongside a bag or hung from something.

The handle of ZUTTO's original umbrella for sun and rain is made slightly longer so it stays comfortable to hold even though it's straight. It takes up little space in a bag while still being easy to use—a well-balanced handle in every way.

Folding Umbrella for Sun and Rain (Orange Green Check)

We chose a rattan handle with plenty of length and thickness.

This year's rainy season is forecast to be shorter than usual, but there are also expected to be periods of heavy rainfall. To prepare for sudden downpours, why not choose a folding umbrella you can rely on and use for a long time?

>> See more folding umbrellas