Comparing How Two People Use It: KOMIYA "Sun & Rain Folding Umbrella, Chambray Coating" Edition

This is our "Comparing How Two People Use It" series, where we introduce how two different people feel about using the same item. This time, it's KOMIYA's Sun & Rain Folding Umbrella, Chambray Coating, with its refreshing chambray pattern. In an age overflowing with things, what you wear or carry is entirely up to you—but when different people end up choosing the very same item, there must be a reason why. We dig into the appeal of this umbrella, which keeps gaining devoted fans among the ZUTTO staff.*The umbrella shown in this article is the 55cm type, before the specification change. It is now 50cm, so please check the product page images to get a sense of the current size.

Why Two Different People Each Chose the Same Folding Umbrella

This time, our two users are as follows.

(Left) Product staff member A: Has used it for 2 years. Taught by her mother, she is especially careful about UV protection. Mother of one.

(Right) Editorial staff member S: Has used it for 1 year. Sweats easily and doesn't do well in the heat. When shopping, she's the type to research thoroughly before deciding.

—You both use this same sun umbrella. What made you choose this KOMIYA umbrella?

A: It started when I saw a coworker who had long used this KOMIYA sun umbrella, and thought, "That looks good!" so I bought one.

S: Actually, for me too, it started when I saw A and other staff members using theirs and thought it looked nice. When we actually went out to lunch together and I got to share the umbrella with them, I realized this one was different from other sun umbrellas.

—What specifically did you find good about it?

S: I think its sun-blocking ability is excellent. It's cooler under this umbrella than in ordinary shade.

A: My mother has always been strict about sunburn and UV rays, so I'm quite careful about it myself, and this sun umbrella is really good.Even though it folds up small, it's large enough to fully cover your body, and unlike cheap sun umbrellas, it's sturdily made, so I can use it with peace of mind.

S: What gives me peace of mind about this KOMIYA sun umbrella is that it'sa "first-class sun-blocking umbrella". The back side of the chambray cotton fabric is coated with a black laminate that absorbs reflected heat from the ground, and apparently thisblocks 99.99% of UV rays. I had never come across such an excellent umbrella before, so I decided to buy it without hesitation.

—I see, so you were both drawn in first by its functionality as a sun umbrella. Is there anything else you like about it?

A: The design works for both men and women. Actually, I originally bought a gray one for myself and used it regularly, but I bought a blue one too. Since my husband is in charge of dropping off and picking up our daughter at daycare, he uses it when he's carrying her to and from school. He says it's his first time using a sun umbrella, but he actually likes it quite a bit. (laughs)

S: What I love isthe refreshing chambray pattern that goes with any outfit. I used to find cute-looking sun umbrellas didn't match the clothes I usually wear, so I was never quite comfortable with them. But I was still worried about UV rays, and wanted to have a proper sun umbrella on hand. This KOMIYA umbrella's design was exactly what I was looking for. Honestly, if you like cute things, you'd probably go for one of the colorful, showy sun umbrellas out there. But I like thatthis one looks elegant even with casual striped tops and jeans—that kind of design is what appeals to me.

—Both of you have gray umbrellas. Did you have a hard time choosing the color?

A: With a sun umbrella, since it covers such a large area and makes a strong visual impression, I wanted a color that wouldn't stand out too much, so I chose gray. Since my husband uses it, I gave him the gray one and use blue for myself. Gray, blue, and pink all look somewhat whitish and don't really assert their color once you're outside, so I think it's fine to choose based on personal preference.

S: I like blue, so I did consider it, but in the end I bought gray. Since I tend to bring a lot of color into my clothes and shoes, I thought a monotone would be better for an umbrella I use every day. But when I saw A carrying the blue one, I thought, in a good way, that the color wasn't too assertive, and I found myself liking it. (laughs) Pink is also a warm, lovely color, and I'm thinking of giving one to my mother as a gift.

Differences Between the Two in How They Hold and Use It

This Sun & Rain Folding Umbrella, Chambray Coating, is designed for both sun and rain. Since it's primarily meant to be used as a sun umbrella, users are advised not to use it in the rain for extended periods. Do the two of them differ in how they hold it, or in how often they use it?

—Since it's a sun-and-rain umbrella, it does give a certain sense of reassurance. Have you actually used it in the rain?

S: I have! I often bring it along on weekend outings, and I've used it when caught in a sudden shower. Unlike an ordinary sun umbrella, it's coated with laminate, so it didn't soak through right away. That said, it does soak in gradually and gets heavier, so it's still best not to use it in the rain for a long time. After getting caught in the rain, I made sure to dry it thoroughly.

A: I've done the same. The surface got a bit damp, but there was no problem.

—It's a two-stage type that opens with a snap. How is it in terms of size?

A: It's plenty big! My husband uses it while carrying our daughter, and it's a size that gives him room to spare.

—Now that you've actually used it, what points have you found to be good?

A: More than anything, it's cool. Also, something else I discovered isThat my eyes don't get tired. Because the underside of the parasol is black, it stays shaded and direct sunlight doesn't reach my eyes as easily—it's not quite like wearing sunglasses, but I often feel it's much easier on the eyes.

S: Along with the functionality and design, I think what really matters is the sense of ownership that comes from having a "good item" where you can feel the craftsman's handiwork. For someone like me who wasn't familiar with parasols, this one—with its high functionality, versatile design that goes with anything, and the care put into making it—has become one of those things I can't do without now.

Things fellow fans want to secretly ask each other: "How do you handle this?"

① Do you fold up your folding parasol and put it back in the pouch every single time?

A: I often don't put it away. I do put it away once I get home or to the office, but since the tip goes inside the handle, while I'm out and about I sometimes just close it without extending the ribs back down.

S: When I want to put it in my bag or carry it around, I fold it up, but honestly, I might not fold it that often either... Since it has a cord attached, sometimes I just hook it by the entrance and leave it as is. Since I'll be using it again the next day anyway, I suppose I think of it less as a "folding parasol" and more as a "parasol that happens to fold."

A: KOMIYA's parasols are convenient because you can tuck the tip into the handle, right! This isn't the recommended way to use it, but sometimes after putting the tip in, I forcibly gather it with the fastening cord to make it stand like a cane. (laughs) It's not the neatest look, though.

S: I do that too! (laughs) I gather it up like that when the train gets crowded.

② How often do you use it?

S: Since I work indoors on weekdays, I put it in my bag especially on days when the sunlight is strong. On weekends, I carry it around with high frequency. Being foldable, it's very convenient because it doesn't get in the way even in crowds. The parasol has a cord attached, and sometimes I go out just holding it by that.

A: I carry mine every weekday. On the other hand, on holidays I walk hand in hand with my daughter, so I tend to wear a big hat instead and keep both hands free. On weekdays, I make sure to bring it even when I'm just going to the convenience store for a small dessert. When I stop using it, my scalp starts to feel like it's burning, and that scares me...

③ Aren't you worried about stains showing on a light color?

S: I've been using mine for about a year, and stains really don't stand out at all. And I use it quite a lot.

A: I've used mine for two years and barely see any stains either. Maybe it's because it's water-repellent so it can also be used as a rain umbrella? Since it's such a light color, I was worried at first, but it's been completely fine.

The Chambray-Coated Sun/Rain Folding Parasol, chosen by both staff members as an item that matches everyday outfits while offering more than enough functionality as a sun-and-rain umbrella. Whether for the staff member who already had a UV-protection routine or for the one trying a parasol for the first time, this piece seems to have become an indispensable item for both. Comparing the two of their experiences with it, we feel we've rediscovered the appeal of this folding parasol all over again.

▶︎ The item featured this time: Chambray-Coated Sun/Rain Folding Parasol (available in 3 colors)

KOMIYA is a brand from Komiya Shoten, which started in Tokyo in 1930 as a maker of Western-style umbrellas and shawls. Since its founding, the company has focused solely on Western-style umbrellas, continuing to make domestically produced umbrellas, which have become quite rare in Japan today.

The surface is a chambray fabric, woven with colored thread for the warp and white thread for the weft. The natural, faintly speckled white appearance is an expression unique to yarn-dyed weaving. As a folding parasol, it collapses down compactly, but when opened, it's large enough that even men can comfortably shelter from the rain while carrying it. The refreshingly cool chambray color, paired with black on the inside that pulls the whole look together, makes it suitable for business settings too. The main ribs are made of lightweight, rust-resistant, and flexible glass fiber that bends well and holds up even in windy conditions.

We've gathered soft, pale colors: pink, blue, and gray. Suitable for both men and women, the Chambray-Coated Sun/Rain Folding Parasol is also recommended as a birthday gift, or as a present for Mother's Day, Father's Day, or Christmas.

▶︎ Comparing How Two People Use It: PATRICK STEPHAN "3-Way Leather Pochette" Edition