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I Was Skeptical About The Price Of This Umbrella — Until It Saved Me In A Windy Downpour

It’s actually windproof — and it’ll last me forever.

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by Erica Kam Contributor, HuffPost

Erica Kam is a freelance contributor for HuffPost Shopping based in New York City.

I’ll be honest; I never thought of umbrellas as a product worth splurging on. I used the same one for years, even after it was effectively broken and constantly inverted at the first sign of wind. All the umbrellas I owned were like this: an old one lent to me by a friend, the half-broken one I kept using and a cheaply made (yet still expensive) replacement with an uncomfortably short handle I bought in a pinch at the train station. And I was fine living like this — at least, until I tried out the Shed Rain Vortex V2 compact umbrella. Now I don’t think I’ll ever go back.

Erica Kam/Amazon

Yes, I know $40 is a pretty steep price for an umbrella, but hear me out. I don’t think I’ll have to buy another one ever again, and not just out of my own stubbornness, but because this one is truly built to last. The heavy-duty steel frame is anti-inversion, and the vented canopy allows for airflow, also preventing inversion. Together, this design allows the umbrella to withstand winds of 75 miles per hour without flipping inside out, according to the brand.

I’ve seen this in action for myself during some of New York City’s windier days. Before, it wasn’t uncommon for me to be fighting with my umbrella on a street corner after it had gotten flipped (and defeating its purpose of keeping me dry in the meantime). With the Vortex, I’ve never had this issue and it’s been a huge weight off my shoulders.

Amazon

Another perk of this umbrella is how easy it is to open and close, thanks to the automatic button on the handle. Compacted down to just 12 inches when closed, the button immediately expands the handle and opens the canopy, so there’s no delay when I’m ready to head outside. The button also automatically closes the canopy. I do still have to manually compact the handle, but I’m still saving time and energy overall.

Speaking of the canopy, it comes in two sizes: compact (43 inches) and jumbo (54 inches). I find the compact size to be perfect for my needs, but reviewers say the jumbo is better for those who want more coverage (though it is a little heavier, and compacts down to 15 inches instead of 12). Regardless of which size you pick, the canopy offers UPF 15 sun protection, making it useful year-round.

Shed Rain also offers a lifetime warranty for their umbrellas, making this a practical purchase that’ll keep you covered in case of defects. You can choose from four colors, including neutrals like black and white, or brighter colors like orange and blue. (I own it in a neon yellow that’s currently sold out.) This umbrella has been a game-changer for dealing with the rain, and I can see myself reaching for it for a long, long time to come. Below, check out some more reviews of the Shed Rain Vortex V2, from shoppers who have put it to the test.

“The Real Deal. I’ve used this about a year now and I love it! No issues, so far, and it seems robust. Open and close mechanism works great and it’s very compact for the opening size. I’m totally happy with this purchase.” —JM

“I bought 3 of these to take with my family on an extended vacation driving around Ireland, Northern Ireland, Iceland and Scotland. It rains almost every day in these places and the wind is really something to add to it. These umbrellas withstood everything we went thru on a daily basis. Hard to argue with quality. You get what you pay for. If you are looking for an umbrella to withstand high winds and rain, look no further!” —Larry8241

“I liked this SHED RAIN umbrella so much that I purchased another for my wife and soon after that, I purchased 15 more for my children and grandchildren. It’s the best umbrella I’ve ever had, especially while getting back into my car during a heavy rain.” —Iowa boy

“This is an unbelievable umbrella. I recently traveled to Ireland for 13 days where it was rainy and windy every day. This umbrella stood up to the fiercest of winds throughout the country, even on the Cliffs of Moor! I watched others’ umbrellas being ripped inside-out in the wind and rain, and mine remained a vortex against the elements! It is oversize yet compactable. Dries quickly, and folds effortlessly. You will not be disappointed at all! Absolutely love it!” —gamma

Get it from Amazon for $40+ (available in two sizes and five colors).