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I’ve always thought of the umbrella as a good example of our throw-away culture. After every rainstorm in the city, you’ll be sure to find a blown-out, discarded umbrella on the street. A properly built umbrella is an investment in a product that won’t fall apart and will guarantee to keep you dry for years to come, not just through the next rainy day. Bulletproof and hard-wearing workwear manufacturer Filson applies their rugged and practical design standards to the Cover Cloth Umbrella. It’s made with heavy-duty construction and water repellant Cover Cloth material which will only look better with age. Available in Tan at Blackbird and Otter Green directly from Filson.
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This umbrella by 25togo from Taiwan has a goggle-shaped window for seeing (or spying, as is suggested), no doubt helpful when you want to keep dry yet not crash into other pedestrians. Topped off with a periscope-shaped cap, it’s cute enough to get some smiles and funny enough to be admired (no scoffing allowed).

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Sure, there’s the Brelli and then there’s the SUNbrelli (or rather sunBRELLI). The latter will protect you from the sun’s rays as well as the rain, with the same biodegradable plastic canopy.

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If you plan your outfit right down to your weather accessories, you might have heard of London Undercover. Established by designer Jamie Milestone in 2008, they offer a fair selection of stylish umbrellas to keep you dry, and perhaps best of all, all the umbrellas are made using recycled materials and minimal waste.

Recycled canvas fabric, recycled metal shafts & frames, recycled and biodegradeable handles and recycled packaging and tags.

Yes, an umbrella made from cork. Really. Cork is naturally water-resistant and eco-friendly (as it is a sustainable resource), so it’ll keep you dry and happy.

Designer: Sandra Correia
Made in Portugal.
Cork with cotton lining, a metal frame, and a wooden handle.

On dreary rain-drenched days, watch this black and white umbrella change to colorful splatters.

The paint splatter pattern on this umbrella’s exterior changes from white to bright shades of green, yellow, blue, pink, and orange when wet, creating a vibrant rainbow on a rainy day.

Size: 37″ span

You know those pointy ends of umbrellas that poke you in the face or that you poke other people in the face with? Well, no more. Enter in the Blunt Umbrella, with rounded corners that will keep you from injuring others and possibly also from injuring yourself. Plus, it’s got a few fancy reinforcements (radial tensioning system and double struts) to keep the structure intact when strong winds strike.

Available in three different sizes for individuals, couples or golfing.
Colors: Black, blue or silver.

[via designboom]

Because it has a carrying case and it’s funny.

You too can bring honor to your family with the ninja umbrella featuring a samurai sword handle. Comes with carrying case for dramatic effect (and easy transport).

MATERIALS: nylon
SIZE: 24″ canopy

$30.00, Buy it here.

I’m sure everyone’s seen a movie or show where an umbrella is used as a weapon, usually by someone whacking a thief/ruffian over the head. I see this as a smart, modernized version of that same idea.

Each handle is individually CNC cut in a 5 hour process by the enduring Mr Liu.
The umbrella itself is provided by the good Guy de Jean of France.
And finally packaged in the boxes designed with the good Snorri Már Snorrason here in Reykjavik Proper.

225 € + shipping, Buy it here.

This gets points for being biodegradable (< five years) and beautiful.

“The Brelli is sustainably made from bamboo, a renewable resource, and features a unique, patent-pending biodegradable clear canopy…Unlike conventional umbrellas it withstands heavy downpours and high winds; furthermore it is beautiful and durable.”

Available in two sizes: 35″ diameter “small” version, and 52″.

A clever addition to a common accessory against the rain:

“Umbrellas of yore have a point and are placed into a corner to stand when it’s closed. Not this little fellow here, it comes with 3 little feet that add impressive stability and make it stand on its own, so whether dry or wet, he needs not lean against anything to prevent him from falling into the dirt.”

Available in Black and White.

This makes so much sense for stormy days. Sadly, US customers (and non-EU residents) will have to be patient, as storm umbrellas cannot yet be shipped outside the European Union. via core77

“SENZ Umbrellas is proud to introduce the first game-changing innovations in umbrella design. The aerodynamic SENZ Original easily resists storms up to wind force 10! From now on, you’ll experience rain as liquid sunshine! The SENZ Mini is unique for always finding the best position in the wind, which requires minimum force.”

Isn’t it a really bad idea to golf while it’s raining, what with the veritable lightning rod that is created with the swinging club? Anyway, you don’t have to use this while golfing–it’s a nice little umbrella.