The Gossamer Gear The One is a good choice for backpackers seeking to lower their base weight but want an enclosed shelter with rain and bug protection. Choose Express delivery and you can start using gear the very next day. Add your own review And winds on exposed terrain could be a problem. See our full review here: https://www.cleverhiker.com/blog/outdoor-research-helium-rain-jacket-amp-pants-review, Need a gift for the outdoorsy person in your life? A low weight and easy to use design make this a great alternative to waterproofs. So why not an umbrella? But on a well-cleared trail, the Rain Walker does well. So I carried the new ultralight Rain Walker SUL from Six Moon Designs in the rain. With my new Waymark Thru 40 backpack, used for my AT thru-hike, I experimented with several of these new/old clips as well as my own bungee design. And by attaching the umbrella shaft to my shoulder strap (see hands-free options below) I can still use my trekking poles. It offers a shield from the rain, shade from the sun, can act as a micro-shelter, and can even be used as an anchor point for your tarp or tent. This product was donated for purpose of review. Redesigned for 2019, SMD has expanded the Silver Shadow into a line of umbrellasthat offers avariety of options and prices. The umbrella shaft pops out of the cliptoo easily and the bungee can also slide off the handle. But, at just 5.5 oz., the Rain Walker is only about half the weight of its ever-popular sister product, the original Silver Shadow (8.9 oz. NOT REFLECTIVE - The Rain Walker provides excellent shade from the sun, but it isnt quite as adept in this area as the Silver Shadow and the Silver Shadow Carbon. Above Treeline: I wouldnt even think of using the Rain Walker above treeline because of greater lightning exposure, especially on the Colorado 14ers. So yes, $60 seems in line with the high price of ultralight carbon fiber gear. Once folded, a strap by velcro holding it closed. It sticks out above the top and will invariably snag on overhanging branches, deadfall, etc. We're Dave & Annie, the outdoor adventurers behind CleverHiker. It's designed to be paired with any pack, not just those sporting daisy-chain webbing. The regular Silver Shadow can be found on sale for only $24, making it a much more palatable option for a weight penalty of only a few ounces. Your review*document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "aaca1c32a02a65381176f235674c3e29" );document.getElementById("a0c44efc67").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Returns and Exchanges, Warranty Information, please check out our Returns & Exchanges Policy and Warranty Information here. Shipping Information Swing liteflex is a Euroschirm's Light Trek Umbrella is the first professional hiking pocket umbrella. Made of carbon fibre, it protects against both rain and sun. Ideally such coverings can take the abuse instead. A PackGearGo Gift Voucher could be the ideal present for that outdoors person in your life. With its manual opening, this umbrella is reliable and robust. It also doubles as a pack cover, tent pole, privacy screen, and large animal deterrent. Trekking umbrellas are one of those new, trendy thingsbut I'd tend to agree with the hype about them. Since 2017 she has completed the Te Araroa, Colorado Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Arizona Trail, Long Trail, and Appalachian Trail. But I wanted to highlight a few of the design details that have changed over the years, as well as my own redesigns in pack attachment and best practices for long-term use, which I've learned after a lot of trail and error. The Rain Walker is made of carbon fiber, a material used for ultralight gear. The end of the umbrella is also equipped with EVA foam protection. Through the Green Tunnel: You may have to open and close the Rain Walker frequently if youre on an overgrown trail or one that has blowdowns you need to duck under. Theres simply fewer things to break or malfunction. Buy now. LESS DURABLE THAN SOME - While this umbrella has been tested in high winds, hail, and other extreme conditions, the ultralight frame and 10 D Silnylon Canopy require a bit of extra care in the field. The broad canopy protects your upper body from sun and rain, making the Rain Walker crucial equipment on long desert slogs or days of hiking in the rain. NEW Rain Walker SUL (Super Ultra-Light) Umbrella.Weight: 137g, The minimum purchase order quantity for the product is 1. 20% VAT removed at checkout for non-UK orders. Product successfully added to your shopping cart, You have successfully subscribed to this product, SIX MOON DESIGNS Rain Walker SUL Umbrella. Overview/Specs: The Silver Shadow Carbon Umbrella is just one of four different umbrellas in the Six Moon Designs lineup. If you reside in an EU member state besides UK, import VAT on this purchase is not recoverable. Carbon Fiber Shaft is ultralight and reduces the chances of your umbrella serving as a lightning rod. For all orders above 300, we deliver within EU countries at no cost by standard courier service and with parcel tracking. Or using small bungee cords. Outdoorline s.r.o. The handle material is smooth, easy to grip, and it doesnt absorb water if it gets wet. An umbrella can also help shield you from the sun in exposed areas without the need for extra clothing or sunscreen on your upper body. Were proudly donating 100% of our revenue from today to the following organizations to address social justice and policy change. It wasn't due to any one event, such as hitting a tree, but rather the cumulative effects of thousands of miles. It offers a shield from the rain, shade from the sun, can act as a micro-shelter, and even be used as an anchor point for your tarp or tent. Have you used this? That amounts to about 5,700 miles that I carried this one umbrella, before the poor thing finally gave out. CleverHiker.com 2022 - Privacy Policy - Terms of Use, We stand in solidarity against systemic racism, discrimination, and violence. Carbon Fiber Frame is ultralight and reduces the chances of your umbrella serving as a lightning rod. By buying this product you can collect up to 70 loyalty points. Terms and Conditions If providing shade is the primary reason you want an umbrella, it may be worth the extra bit of weight to select one of the other Six Moon Designs offerings. ), and its 1.3 oz. It offers a shield from the rain, shade from the sun, can act as a micro-shelter, and can even be used as an anchor point for your tarp or tent. So you can make informed choices about the kit for your next adventure. It costs a bit more than heavier umbrellas, and youll have to be a tad more careful to make sure it doesnt get damaged in high winds. Its coating sheds water easily, eliminating the need to wear sweaty rain gear. Fortunately, the basic and classic "Chrome Dome" design has also come down nicely in weight and price. Monday to Friday 10am-12am & 2pm-6pm (GMT +1), Special Price The National Weather Service classifies a wind of 8-12mph as a gentle breeze, capable of setting leafy tree branches in constant motion and blowing a flag out straight. Size: Thin profile when closed, easy to stash in a pack side pocket. 220.00. Thats enough area to fully shelter one hiker and their backpack from blazing sun or relentless rain. Even Hyperlite Mountain Gear is jumping on the trekking umbrella bandwagon, as I saw a yet-to-be-released version brandished by a company rep on the AT this past summer. Other Cottage Gear manufacturers, including Zpacks and Gossamer Gear, offer similar rebranded variations, all centering around the original GoLite "Chrome Dome" design. And in rainy conditions, you have a great mini shelter for checking maps and guidebooks or even snapping pictures. Leah Harman is an avid long-distance thru-hiker. 2022 Ultralight Outdoor Gear. An umbrella is one of the most versatile pieces of gear you can own. I hadn't even realized how much the umbrella had suffered through until I stopped to do the math. Contact. Sags when wet, but still provides protection. Through the Desert: Although not UPF rated, the Rain Walker should provide shade and protection in the hot sun. 64.95. My main reason for the switch to the SMD Silver Shadow Carbon umbrella was simply the weight savings of a few ouncesand also the fact that after 5,000 miles, it was about time to retire my first umbrella (actually, I gave it to a friend on the CDT and as far as I know, he's still using it). Six Moon Designs Rain Walker SUL Umbrella Review, Six Moons Designs Rain Walker SUL Umbrella. However you strap the umbrella to your pack, keeping the canopy as close to you as possible provides the best protection. Euroschirm says Whether for a short stroll or a long hiking tour, the light trek umbrella is always the first choice when the weathe, EuroSchirm's Birdiepal Trekking Umbrellas offer the regular user a tough and reliable umbrella for protection against sun, wind and rain. Trailspace's community of gear reviewers has field-tested and rated the top accessories. So why use an umbrella when I have a raincoat? Sign up to get our curated emails with the best content from CleverHiker and around the backpacking world. Weight: At 5.5 ounces, Six Moon Designs says the Rain Walker is the lightest full-size hiking umbrella on the market. Easy to Use: Opens and closes by moving the canopy slide up and down. I was initially pretty disappointed when my first Silver Shadow broke. New videos, trip reports, gear reviews, inspiring stories and more. With a diameter of 94 centimetres, it also helps to stay dry when it rains. December 10, 2021 This adds no cost to our readers and helps us keep our site up and running. 43.00, Regular Price: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a modest commission if purchases are made through those links. All Rights Reserved.Company Registration Number 6315295 VAT no. Heather Eldridge is an accomplished backpacker and camping aficionado. I caught this fellow hiker coming around a bend and boy does he make a great prop! This was especially painful on parts of the AZT and GET, where every desert plant has some sort of thorn/barb/hook/spike and love to encroach the trails. This was one of my favorite shots from the hike. Made with durable carbon fiber and a 10d silnylon canopy to protect you on the trail. NOTICE: While we have tested this umbrella in high winds, hail, and other extreme conditions the ultralight components that make up this product require extra care when using this umbrella in the field. A number of Cottage Companies (Gossamer Gear, SMD, Zpacks) also market umbrella attachments accessories, most of which are some variation of a clip and bungee cord. I wrote at length about the many benefits of a hiking umbrella in my first review, so I won't go into as much detail here. The Rain Walker SUL is a great alternative to traditional rain gear, especially in hot and humid climates. Lightweight backpacking video guides and reviews of the best ultralight tents, backpacks, sleeping bags, stoves, and more. I was lucky that my broken Silver Shadow could still deploy, providing about 3/4 ths protection. NOTICE: While we have tested this umbrella in high winds, hail, and other extreme conditions the ultralight components that make up this product require extra care when using this umbrella in the field. Your email address will not be published. Reduces need for rain gear and pack cover, saves weight, New ergonomic handle interferes with pack attachment. . Wind river part three. Attaching the umbrella to your shoulder strap means you could be taking your pack off frequently. EFTPOS in store. Something went wrong. Here are the specs on my SMD Silver Shadow Carbon: A unique thing about the SMD lineup, besides the carbon shaft, is an ergonomic handle. You'll be turned on to new videos, trip reports, gear reviews, inspiring outdoor stories and much more. ULTRALIGHT - A hiking umbrella is a luxury item since its complementary to proper clothing, like a lightweight rain jacket or a sun shirt. The internet has innumerable suggestions for fastening an umbrella to a pack. I wound a strap around the Rain Walkers shaft and backpack shoulder strap, although this method takes awhile to undo. Hold it in your left hand and your left arm is well protected, while the right arm has some exposure. A study by the Journal of the American Medical Association found that black umbrellas blocked at least 90% of ultraviolet radiation, with white umbrellas blocking 77%. Weight: At 5.5 ounces youll barely know youre carrying the Rain Walker. The new handle is smooth, allowing the shock cord to slip more easily. Ease of Use: Opens and closes easily. Receive our latest updates about our products and promotions. I made due for years using my own system, which was a pair of converted tent clips and some shock cord. Cost: Among the highest-priced umbrellas I could find. Please allow additional time if international delivery is subject to customs processing. Delivery times may vary, especially during peak periods. Act Blue - Bail Funds More moving parts mean more frustration and failure points. It's an easily-deployed shelter from the sun and precipitation. A sleek, carbon fiber shaft, spreader and ribs drop the weight of this umbrella to a mere 6.8 oz while maintaining full coverage.