Stylish, classic, and so much nicer than umbrella hats. The Hands-Free Shoulder Umbrella could be As Seen on TV, if it failed to fulfill its function.

I hope I’m not the only one who has tried holding normal umbrellas with backpack straps, only to drop everything I’m carrying when the handle smacks me in the head. Nobody? In any case, this umbrella will save you much embarrassment. Fitted with an adjustable left shoulder strap, the Hands-Free Umbrella balances over your head with ease.

This umbrella makes it easy to carry groceries or text books and stay dry. And sold only in black, you can even wear it to funerals. At 40″ wide, this umbrella keeps out all precipitation without making you look like an astronaut. Seriously, have you seen the alternative?:

The Hands-free Shoulder Umbrella is available from Amazon.com for $10.99.

It is imperative for any Samurai to remain dignified, yet there is no dignity in carrying an umbrella. For centuries, this has been an intractable problem for the Samurai who wants to keep dry. No longer: behold the Samurai Umbrella.

Mounted over the aspiring warrior’s shoulder via strap and nylon sleeve, this will persuade any passer-by that you are a Katana-wielding Bushido-follower who would sooner commit Seppuku than let a drop of rain splash past your defences. Law-enforcement officials will treat you as their superior, and the dishonorable will cower in subservient fear.

It might not actually function as a sword, but it certainly feels like one with its finely detailed handle. Its instant push-button mechanism delivers the perfect synthesis of the Samurai Sword and The Umbrella. Its proud owner becomes the symbiosis of modern urbanite and ancient warrior.

There is no longer cause to fear the rain. With the Samurai Umbrella, the rain will fear you, from $32 | £20 | €24.

If the Brobdingnagian Sports Chair is a little large or exposed for your liking, this regular-sized version called the Infinitely Adjustable Umbrella Sports Chair has quite literally got you covered – for everything from pitchside spectating to relaxation in the garden. Featuring a color-coded umbrella that attaches to the backrest on either side, it provides shelter from the sun, rain or wind on any angle thanks to its full 360º rotation and 180º tilting abilities. Casting up to 7.75 sq ft of shade and blocking 99.7% of harmful UVA and UVB rays, the Infinitely Adjustable Umbrella Sports Chair also features soft 200-denier polyester fabric, a 3/4-inch of padding in the lumbar region and armrests and is available now – including cupholders – from Hammacher Schlemmer for $79.95.

With the days getting hotter, the nights warmer and Summer just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about an umbrella to help us enjoy our extra time outdoors. This 9-Foot Aluminum Lighted Umbrella will not only provide shade during the daytime (as any good umbrella should), but also lights-up at night for evening entertaining under the stars. Including a thermometer built into the handle for proof of just how hot things are getting, the umbrella has an easy-to-clean polyester canvas, a wind vent to help resist gusts and is available now (rated 4.4/5 from 423 reviews) over at Overstock.com for $99.99.

A combination of strong winds and rainstorms are exactly when you need your umbrella the most, yet it is under these very conditions that they often let us down – turning inside-out and breaking. Solving this longstanding problem comes the Wind Defying Umbrella, which is able to resist wind speeds as extreme as 35mph – getting you to your destination drier and tidier.

Providing reliable protection during tempestuous downpours, the Wind Defying Umbrella incorporates a patented vent system which disperses wind through reinforced mesh pockets in its lower canopy – keeping you dry, whilst preventing those embarrassing inside-out moments.

Featuring corrosion-resistant fiberglass ribs and spreaders, pinch-less runners and a 190-thread count nylon canopy, this super umbrella is sure to provide many years of dependable wet-weather protection ahead (provided you’re careful who you lend it to).

Including a rubberized handle with one of those awesome auto-open buttons that make you feel like a magician, the Wind Defying Umbrella is available now in 44″, 48″, 58″ and large 62-inch “room for two” sizes from Hammacher Schlemmer where they’re blowing out the door priced between $29.95 and $39.95.

Source:
Hammacher Schlemmer

It’s no fun being in a crowd when it’s raining. If you use an umbrella, you’ve got to maneuver it around other people and if you brave the rain, you could lose an eye to the careless masses. This gadget, called the Polite Umbrella aims to solve this problem for all concerned by folding in on itself slightly upon a tug of the handle.

The Polite Umbrella was designed by Jooyoun Paek and essentially morphs into a dome-like shape when the corded handle is pulled, occupying less space on the sidewalk. Quite a clever design, but unfortunately a two-handed operation – which is not ideal if you’re lugging things around with you.

Sources:
Ignant via GearFuse

Designer Shiu Yuk Yuen has developed an ultra-compact umbrella that will easily fit in a trouser pocket, but for this convenience you must get your creative juices flowing and improvise your own canopy when it starts to rain. Discarded newspapers, cardboard or plastic bags are ideal.

The umbrella is yet another design to take advantage of recycling but is best suited for cities like London where the weather is very unpredictable and free newspapers are readily available.

The operation is quite simple as you can see in the photo below. From one end of the tubular casing extends a stick and handle, from the other comes the support structure and a screw-in spike that secures your improvised canopy.

It was designed for short distances like the walk from your tube/subway station to your home or office but can also be used for longer distances by using clips at each end of the umbrella to stabilize it further.

This design sure would suit people like me who hate lugging bulky things like umbrellas around with them.

Source:
Yanko Design

The Parasolar is an ingenious invention. It looks just like a regular beach umbrella, but the cloth that makes up the canopy is embedded with photovoltaic panels which convert the sunlight into energy.

The generated energy is transferred to the handle where you can plug in your favourite gadgets to keep them charged up.

The device could prove even more useful perhaps when out camping. As well as charging your gadgets, it has been theorised, that it may be able to provide enough energy to power small lights, heaters or fans.

The Parasolar is apparently an improved design of a product created by Isreali, Oded Shorer, for the Greener Gadgets Competition.

The charger/battery and energy transformer are stored in the base which helps to give the Parasolar more stability when open. The tubular pole utilises a regular telescopic structure.

The energy generation/transformation process is automatically initiated when the parasol is clipped to the base. You can tap into this power source via a 12 volt output and two USB 2.0 sockets.

The wide base acts as not only a stabilising stand, but also a convenient, easily transportable storage case for when the canopy is not in use.

The Parasolar is only a concept thus far but hopefully we’ll see it in stores soon. Even if people aren’t impressed by its solar capturing abilities, the unique carry case alone could shift units.

There are also plans for an enhanced version which would allow businesses such as restaurants and hotels to capture energy during the daytime to provide lighting at night.

Sources:
Core77
EcoFriend
Geek.com

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