when you thought you had it all, you find....

[Kiwi-family]

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Backpackers in the US have been using umbrellas for many, many years. Golite made a popular model, until they went out of business; other manufacturers have taken up the slack.

 

[Mobilemejen]

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Ok...mainly a lurker but I have to come clean on this one. I have purchased and am really enjoying one of these handsfree UV umbrellas. I start the Camino in Sept so be forewarned fellow pilgrims, mine is silver. My daughter recently saw me walking with it and said it was an astro hooker umbrella. With a UV of 50 and pale skin, I'm bringing it anyway!

 

[Anemone del Camino]

I love my Euroschrimm handsfree umbrella. Perfect for those wearing glasses in the rain.

 

[Kanga]

Ivar is stocking the Euroschrimm handsfree umbrella in his shop (see the masthead - "services in Santiago by Ivar").

 

[Mobilemejen]

Ivar is stocking the Euroschrimm handsfree umbrella in his shop (see the masthead - "services in Santiago by Ivar").

That is where I ordered mine---very happy with the product and excellent service

 

[trecile]

I found my Euroschirm hands free umbrella to be invaluable to protect against sun on the Meseta. It's a little heavy, but weight well worth carrying.

 

[hel&scott]

Ha, love it... My dad took to using an umbrella as a walking stick (it was a big golf umbrella) and he would lean on it or open it up and use it while he waited for us kids to catch up. Years later I found myself packing a collapsible one in my pack and using it a lot on a very wet Portugues Camino, it only cost a few euro and I could stick it in the back if my pack so the canopy gave me excellent coverage, no good in the wind and I did look a complete pillock!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I've loved carrying my cheapie collapsible umbrella on my Caminos as it came in handy for a few quick sprinkles or 5 minute rainshower without donning my wonderful Frogg Togg rain gear. All the great posts on the special Euroshirm brand have me wondering if I should invest in one. However, since I only use one pole while walking I've not had any issues with just holding the umbrella and having the backside rest on my pack. Hmmm, decisions, decisions.

 

[gerardcarey]

I've loved carrying my cheapie collapsible umbrella on my Caminos as it came in handy for a few quick sprinkles or 5 minute rainshower without donning my wonderful Frogg Togg rain gear. All the great posts on the special Euroshirm brand have me wondering if I should invest in one. However, since I only use one pole while walking I've not had any issues with just holding the umbrella and having the backside rest on my pack. Hmmm, decisions, decisions.

On the Portuguese I took the Euroschirm "Telescope Handsfree" model, no 16 in their catalogue. Selected as I must have trekking poles, and it collapsed to a length that would fit in my pack - important due to long flights and the need to protect it from damage or theft at other times.
It worked extreemly well, but I seldom used it - hardly any rain and the sun wasn't that hot in spring.
389 grams is a lot of extra weight when there is no compensating reduction in rainwear (Frogg Toggs).
I'll probably take it again but will savagely reduce my pack contents to compensate.
So - if I was looking to buy again I'd still look for a short, handsfree model. But a lighter one for sure.
Regards
Gerard

 

[fraluchi]

Bought this one in Burgos. No fuss

 

[Elizabeth_B]

I have carried and used the Euroshirm swing liteflex - very light at 207 gm. I found it very good for both hot sun and rain. I tuck it through my pack strap so I can be hands free.

 

[domigee]

I have that hand-free umbrella, bought for the Via de la Plata but also used it on the Camino francés and this year on the Via Francigena. Invaluable when the sun starts hitting hard, don't think I could have walked after 11 am without it (on bad days from 10 am!). Very useful in the rain too
I compensate the extra weight by not taking a poncho. Worked perfectly.