I looked for years for a compact umbrella that was larger than the standard 42" and yet folded up to a size that I could easily keep in my briefcase.  After years of putting up with the 42" size not keeping me dry, I finally found this one and have not been disappointed.  It opens up to 55" and yet folds down to about 14", which fits easily in an outside pocket of my briefcase.  I have not had any rain seep through the umbrella, as some other reviews mentioned, and it has held up fine so far against the strong Chicago winds.  Just what I was looking for.