Rain
Snow
Sleet
Sun
Exposure
All part of a hiker’s life.
A lightweight hiking umbrella is standard in my backpacking kit. It can fend off heat stroke and exhaustion. In rain, it is the difference between being soaked to the bone or slightly wet.
Many of you have asked, “How can I hike with an umbrella while using poles?” or “I just don’t want to continually hold the handle of the umbrella while hiking, how can I hike hands-free?”
I have tried many different combinations of ties, pads, and small bungies. All have been okay, but moved around a bit. My latest system works perfectly. The system is balanced, stays in place, easy to attach and take off, inexpensive, and lightweight. The straps used to attach the umbrella were recycled off old packs and gear.
Materials:
- narrow velcro strap like this one or this one
- about 6 inches of 1/8″ cord with a mini cord lock (we used cord with a slight stretch)
Note: Two cords with a mini cord lock would work also. The velcro strap just seemed to keep the umbrella in place better.
Assemble:
- attach velcro near top of shoulder around pack strap (be sure this is attached to the pack: loop or suspension strap)
- attach small bungie below sternum strap around vertical webbing, loop, or whole strap
Attach the Umbrella:
- slide umbrella handle through velcro
- IMPORTANT AND THE SECRET TO SECURING: slide umbrella handle under clipped sternum strap
- slide end of handle in cord
- tighten both sternum strap and cord
Note: Dan likes to loop the umbrella handle cord under bungie and sternum strap, so the cord does not flop around.
Examples shown below are on the new Gossamer Gear Gorilla and Mariposa, but these variations will work on most packs.
I tried this system yesterday in 90 degree weather in the Santa Cruz mountains. It worked much, much better than the umbrella technique I used before in Spain on the Via de la Plata giving me greater visibility and less on-going adjustment.
I tried Dan’s approach of threading the sternum strap through the umbrella’s cord as shown in the photo. The big advantage I found was in using the umbrella’s cord lock (which you can see in the photo) to adjust and stabilize the umbrella height without it being held entirely by friction. This was a far greater advantage for me than just to keep the cord from flopping around.
Hi Christy – enjoying your current posts from NM -interesting route! I also came up with a system for my umbrella, but I used part of an old tent pole, which will join in with the bottom of the umbrella once you cut the very bottom open. A piece of shock cord holds them together (like tent pole pieces), and folds out of the way when not needed. This piece extends down to the waist belt, where I used half of an old PETZl e-lite case for it’s rest. Similar to yours, a velcro strap secures it to my pack strap up high. Sounds complicated, but it’s not! Used it many times in Grand Canyon and Sierras – could have sold it many times, too 😉
Thank you for posting this for the readers. This sounds very sturdy and creative.
Maybe I can post a pic – worth 1000 words 🙂
Please do, Bob 🙂
OMG! Tucking handle under sternum strap .. .. .. Duh! Sometimes the simplest solutions are last to come. Carrying what I have come to call my “parasol” has been a godsend here in the Arizona desert. Have yet to use it in the rain. HA! Thanks for your photos, they made all the difference.
I know!!!!! It is the trick. Seriously. Makes all the difference. Yep, umbrellas are my jam too.
Thank you for commenting.
All these tips would be great except for the fact that lightweight backpacking umbrellas are always sold out! Please bring back the Chrome Dome.
Hello Sunburn Ed,
Boy I feel your pain. It was hard at one time to find one online. Luckily, Gossamer Gear has the Chrome Umbrella for sale. It is identical to the discontinued Golite Chrome Dome. Click here to get one of your own: http://goo.gl/1TqS1H
Gossamer Gear was out, but just got an email that a new shipment has arrived. I believe that Six Moons also carries it.
Awesome news they are back in stock! Hope an umbrella works for you.
Pictures are worth a thousand words, I saved the pics to a folder on my mobile, now a have a reference for the future, you most certainly rock! Thanks.
I am with you on that one. Glad the pics are helpful.
Our 2nd Alaska summer coming up – thanks for this post – looking forward to giving it a try!
I am told that mosquitoes are vicious there. Hummmmm…. I wonder if an umbrella can be useful for those little pests?
Thank you Christy. I will et busy at the weekend. The photographs really help.
Helen, Love to hear how it works!
building miles in New Mexico and was
wondering how your century ride fared
LOKI
LOKI,
I loved the ride through rolling hills and wine country. It rained the first half of the ride and cleared up for the second 50 miles. Good ride!!!
Thanks Rockin! I’m going to try this on my daily hikes as it isn’t getting any cooler here.
Hope it works. If not, some variation of this will work.
I just might have to try this. I have a love/hate relationship with my umbrella. I’ve carried it in the closed position for sooooooo many more miles than I have had it open. It doesn’t quite seem worth the weight. But it sure has kept me warmer in the few rain storms I have walked thru. And I used it every day this past February while day hiking in Death Valley. Congrats on a successful Lowest to Highest and thanks for sharing this tip. Why Not?!
Why Not,
You are so funny! and a bad ass. Who needs an umbrella when YOU hike so fast and far? Rain, wind, and sun just slide right off. Hope you are well and so want to hike with you someday.
Let’s make it happen. I would LOVE to hike with you. I don’t know what I’m doing this year. 3 thru hikes in a row has left me with lots of undone things on the home front. But my feet are getting itchy!
Great post! I needed a better description with good pics to see how this was done. Thank you. Hope you are coming right along after your tussle with Mt. Whitney!
I added another pic that might help of the bungie and strap. I would be glad to answer any particular questions or clarifications you need. 🙂
Great technique and advice. I’m presently making the adjustments to my pack :)……Loved your new you tube video !!!!! missed them.
How goes the healing ?
Brian aka Loki
Loki,
Awwwww. I am so not a video editor, but they are super fun to make. You have given me motivation to make a couple more. Namely, Mount Russell and Scotland. I am ALL healed and riding in a bike century this weekend. Thank you. Let me know if I can help or answers any questions about the pack.
Very timely as I continue inventing McGyver solutions but haven’t found the perfect solution yet. I’ll give this one a try. Thanks!
Well, I certainly have tried quite a few combinations. The trick is to tuck the handle under the sternum strap. Why I didn’t think of that before I have not idea. Hope it works for you. Anxious to hear.