Essential Umbrella

I tried this umbrella today for the first time and like it. It is much lighter than my trekking poles and easy to carry while hiking. Later I will try attaching it to my backpack, but it's so light I never tired of carrying it on my 2-hour hike. Carrying made it easy to switch sides depending which side the sun came from for maximum coverage.

When I reached the exposed ridgetop, I was slammed by gusts of wind of 40 mph, strong enough to blow my hair and shirt-tail up in the air. The umbrella never inverted, strained, or tugged. Instead, it felt lightly lifted. I used 2 hands to brace the umbrella for the worst gusts, not because I was in danger of losing it, but to keep the shaft from swinging into my face when the wind wanted to blow it around like a sail.

Heat zaps me faster and more thoroughy than ascents. The heat is worst in exposed areas that get windy. An umbrella that was not strong in wind would not be as useful. It was a hot day so the air was still warm, but instead of both baking in warm air and roasting in the sun, it felt like baking only. I don't like wearing sunscreen or hats so this gave good sun protection, and I liked feeling the wind in my hair. I think this will be a good solution for me.

Shedding rain will be an added perk. It did not snag when some shrubbery lightly encroached on the trail.

I am training for a hike in the Dolomites. Portions of my trail have zero shade and bright white rock. I am training in Spokane, where hot sun dissuades me…

My wife and I picked up this umbrella for our summer backpacking trips this year to give our 9-month-old son some added coverage. We're very happy we did. We originally had one from Six Moons, which has the same stats (weight, diameter), but broke down in moderate wind or gusts. The baffled design on the Hyperlite was way sturdier and held up to moderate gusts even near the summits of Mt. San Jacinto, Mt. San Gorgonio, and Forester Pass. Not to mention the abuse our son dished out. Plus, Hyperlite customer service was super responsive helping us fix an issue with the little velcro strap. 100% would recommend.