I've been backpacking on the AT for the last 27 years and have been through my share of gear as a minimalist backpacker weight is important and this umbrella meets just the right compromise of utility with a small weight sacrafice. It's now always with me and still holding up well after 2 years of use.

This is pretty much the same Umbrella sold at GoLite now MyTrails. It weighs 8oz with the added case, which I never carry. So the overall weight of the umbrella is less than a canned drink.

The dome shape is sturdy against strong winds and provides a spacious ammount of cover from the rain. I've used shock cords in the past to secure the handle of my umbrella to my pack's shoulder straps. I bought a clip that snaps on to the arm of the umbrella and secures it to my pack. Completely hands free protection from the rain without the hassel of jumping in to rain gear.

Please note that I am 6"2 and at my height and length this umbrella gives me plenty of clearence and coverage.

I've attached 3 pics of my first trip with this umbrella on a 11 day section on the AT. In one pic I am eatting lunch on the side of the trail under my umbrella.  Another a hiker I kept running in to and I found some trail magic  (sodas) that were left for the hikers my umbrella is clipped to my pack, and the 3rd pic shows how compact my umbrella is an how I store it in my pack.