The Totes Golf Stick Umbrella: A Product Review

I don't know why it's so hard to find a quality, durable umbrella, but it is. I mean, it rains in most parts of the country for at least part of the year. Most people own an umbrella of some sort. And yet, if you go shopping for one, all you ever find at 90% of the stores is those cheap little ones in the $10 range that break apart in the first good gust of wind. And if there's no wind, they'll spring a leak from the center within six months. I think most people feel the way I do about umbrellas - we'd gladly pay a little more to get something that's built well and that lasts, but it seems like there's almost nothing out there even if you're willing to fork over a good amount of cash.

So I was initially excited when I learned about the Totes Golf Stick Umbrella, which is sold at Macy's stores for about $20-25 depending on sales and such. It seemed to have a reputation online, based on user reviews, for being very durable and reliable. It's also made with a vent that prevents inversion in a strong wind, and the usual irreparable breakage that goes with it. For only about $10 more than what Walgreens was charging for a large but crappily made umbrella, it seemed like a worthwhile investment, particularly with the lifetime warranty offered by the manufacturer.

Unfortunately, the only size that Macy's offers is "huge." This was literally the only men's umbrella they stocked, and it opens to a span of 68 inches. Folded up, it stands at a bit over three feet and weighs two pounds. Unfolded, it's easily big enough for two people to stay totally dry under, maybe even three if they're all skinny. So it's not the greatest choice if you're navigating small and crowded streets, and you can expect at least a few looks and comments about it. Personally, I say eff the haters with their Umbrella Envy. They're going home with wet ankles and squishy socks, and you aren't. Plus, you have plenty of room to offer nice young ladies and other appealing companions an escort, like a true gentleman should. If you regularly carry a backpack or messenger bag with electronics that you don't want getting wet, this thing leaves you reassured that they are covered and dry as well.

I wish I could say from here that the umbrella was as well-made as expected and it turned out to be absolutely perfect, but that's not true. It was as good as advertised for about ten trips out in the rain, in the moderately strong winds in San Francisco. Then, one of the supports for the topmost flap snapped. I was able to fix that one up with some Gorilla tape with no real problem. But then, a couple of rainstorms later, a different top flap support developed a problem. The fabric connection at the outmost point of the support separated, leaving a hole in one section. This was a slightly more complicated on-the-fly repair involving some strong thread, a dab of Gorilla glue to seal the knots, and another wrap of Gorilla tape to add another layer of protection and support. None of this is noticeable from the outside and the umbrella still works fine, but these incidents got me to more closely inspect the whole thing. What I've found is that while most of the umbrella is solidly constructed, for some reason, they skimped on the whole top canopy section that pops up to act as a vent when the wind blows in. The stitching and connections are way too weak for something that is meant to be taken in storms with high wind regularly, and the little plastic struts of the top canopy are too thin and brittle.

The manufacturer does offer that lifetime warranty if you mail the umbrella back to them, which I will take advantage of if any more problems develop (which seems inevitable given what's already happened to the top canopy.) This is a well-made umbrella for the most part, but it doesn't stand up to strong wind the way it is advertised to. Unless you're ready to do some reinforcing on your own, if you live in a windy city I'd keep looking for something better.