Fulton Folding Umbrellas

Its like an answer to all my umbrella dreams. No, really! And somewhere within the range, you should find one that answers your dreams as well. I'm not sure my exact one is sold anymore, but it is quite close to a Superslim. It measures 22cm when closed (they range about 15-23.5 from what I can see) and a mere 50cm when open (the lowest current one is 86cm?). With just a 3cm diameter it fits in almost all of my handbags, no mean feat. Its super lightweight, amazingly sturdy, and has a nice round handle. The funny rectangle ones just don't *work* in my hands! However some of the other ranges allow for square handles, or "standard' ones, and slightly bigger umbrellas. This is often for the price of a bit more weight, but most people will hardly notice the difference.

Both my current one and my near identical previous one had patterns, but they have plenty of plain colours as well as a variety of both interesting and cheesy patterns. My previous one was a victim of the same crime that lost me my handbag and ridiculous amounts of contents, and the umbrella was one of the last things I managed to replace, as foolishly I hadn't noted the brand first time around. Neither have ever shown the least signs of breaking, over a collective three year period (the current one is about two years of age).

It does a fairly good job ending itself to being put away properly, the cover is easy to use, awesomely matching, and makes putting it away wet no problem. I seldom dry it afterwards, although its never truly a bad idea. My cover was very recently lost in a bus stop accident, and I miss it, but until that moment it was very useful! Its not your standard golf umbrella, and you won't easily fit another person under it, but this makes it even easier for darting around in the city with. 100% Win.

Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 2
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 10
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 8 (I wouldn't bash it against walls when open, etc)
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 10
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 8
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 7 (Increases with increasingly awesome patterns. I've averaged the two I owned, but seen some others that would ramp that right up...)
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 6 (Depends on your patterns. Hardly uncool, though, on the whole).

*Do I think its the best in its field: YES
*Could I live without it: YES, BUT MY LIFE WOULDN'T BE AS GOOD (I would, without one, be living without an umbrella entirely... it is doable, but not ideal)
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Male, Female, Most ages, City (Living or travelling)

Disclaimer: No financial interest in this company and no-one else asked me to do this review.