RS Umbrella is it worth it?

I didn't find it anything special. I did a search last year for 'best umbrella' and ended up getting both the Rebel & RainMate from Amazon and like both of them a lot. Check them out on the reviews on Amazon.

“Lean and mean”is a good raincoat with a hood. Unless, you absolutely can’t picture yourself without an umbrella, I’d skip it entirely.

Carol I absolutely always travel with an umbrella - the hats - and if it’s warm who wants to wear a coat ? Also umbrella is good for shade .

Just did 5 weeks in Europe ( London pristine Paris and greek islands ) mid May to mid June and packed a light rain/ windbreaker and a light fleece , never wore them once , but did you my umbrella more than a few times lol

Including a link about umbrellas from the Forum in April. It doesn't answer the question of the quality of the RS umbrella but it gives some information on what may be good umbrellas.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/packing/umbrellas-really

good raincoat with a hood.

Good in cool weather, but if its mid 70's + in a downpour an umbrella is a good thing to have. And when its 90 plus and you're in shadeless Pompeii or a Greek ruin, having your own bit of portable shade cannot be had with a hooded raincoat.

Each has its uses.

Not have any firsthand experience with the RS umbrella

I bought the RS umbrella and have taken it on 3 or 4 trips. Very durable and not that lightweight, as you pointed out. It’s fairly compact and fits in a pocket in my crossbody bag.

I used it in London, Dublin and Amsterdam when it rained for 5 - 10 minutes when I was not wearing a rain jacket on that particular day.

A little rain water ain't suppose or gonna hurt you on one trip. Don't over think it. if it ain't one thing it is another excuse to buy something.

Here in the UK, I haven’t carried an umbrella with me for several years. I take a lightweight waterproof jacket if it looks like rain.

It surprises me that he is selling an umbrella since he even suggested in one of his shows that you buy one over there so you don't have to carry it in the airplane.

I agree with Nestor.
Buy it there for 5 Euros if you need one and then throw it away before you get on the plane if it’s toast.

For me, an umbrella is just one more thing to carry, not so much while its stowed away, but I find it hard to carry an umbrella and follow a map or my phone for navigation. I do agree than raincoats are uncomfortable in warm weather. I may bring an umbrella for our upcoming trip to Italy, but more to use for shade. One tip I can offer for a raincoat is that I often wear a visor or baseball cap under the hood to offer a little more protection for my face and glasses. It also helps to keep the hood from flopping around so much.

Probably someone already mentioned this - at the first drop of rain, the umbrella vendors come out and you can buy one for a couple of Euro.

Or, if you want to bring one from home, they do sell mini tote travel umbrellas at Walmart and JCPenney and places like that.

Another option is to purchase a rain hat.

Umbrella ok for female (gentle) rain, light drizzle no wind and walking in an civilized environment.

Waterproof rain jacket with hood essential for male (violent) rain, intense with strong wind and walking out in the bush. And if really in the bush (hills, moors etc) waterproof rain pants and waterproof boots.

Rain jacket for warm conditions. "Breathable" membrane and well designed vents.

http://ehillerman.unm.edu/node/1781#sthash.Mrz8beDp.dpbs

In traditional Navajo belief, a thunderstorm with torrential rain is
considered a male rain. A gentle, slow-moving rain, accompanied
perhaps by low clouds and mist, is a female rain. In general, male
rains are associated with the violent seasonal summer storms known as
the monsoons, whereas female rains are associated with the stirring of
the seasons when spring rains bring the high desert to life....

Thank You all for your feedback & helpful suggestions I appreciate it. Sounds like I'll be skipping the purchase.

I pack very light, but I always pack my lightweight Columbia raincoat. Last year when I stayed in Arezzo, it poured the first evening. I had my raincoat (there were no umbrellas being sold at night), and I wanted to walk to a restaurant my B&B recommended and walk downhill for gelato afterwards.

I have packed umbrellas on trips where I expect lots of rain. Otherwise, I'll pack a waterproof rainshell and buy an umbrella on the road if the need arises.

If you must pack an umbrella, make sure it's a portable folding umbrella. Not only is it easier to pack but you won't have any issues taking it into a museum.

An actual review of the RS umbrella:
I've purchased two of the RS umbrellas from his website, one for me and later one for my daughter. I like mine. Pros: studier than most smaller compact umbrellas, ie, the expanded handle holds firm and doesn't wiggle, and the fabric so far hasn't inverted in high winds. the tines seem strong, and hold tight when expanded. Also: It is quite compact, and packs small both in my suitcase and in my day purse. Cons: a bit heavier by maybe an oz. or two than some others. So far, it's gone with me on 5 trips to Italy, and used on every one. Still in great shape. Not particularly large canopy, but enough to keep me mostly dry. Guess it goes with the "compact" territory. I would definitely purchase it again. I wear glasses so really like to use an umbrella, rather than a rain shell. My daughter also likes hers a lot, too, and has taken it with her to London and Portugal.

Personally I don't like to monkey with umbrellas and most rain jacket Make me unbearably sweaty. In Texas a recent thunderstorm made s good excuse to duck inside for s fancy coffee. In Italy however it was pouring on a day we were leaving one town and walking to train station with pre purchased tickets, was glad I had a hooded poncho that also covered my back pack

Thanks to jmauldinuu & judyb who have actually purchased & used the RS umbrella. I really appreciate you sharing your 1st hand experiences with the product. That is exactly what I was hoping for. There is something to be said for a quality product. And for all the other comments thank you for the advice & recommendations on other umbrellas & rain suits. I appreciate everyone's time. So now I left with with decision to buy or not to buy HaHa. Thank You

If you plan on going during another European heat wave, an umbrella could come in handy to protect from the sun.

I've travelled with a RS Umbrella for years and it's always worked well. I've found it to be easy to travel with. So far I've never had to deposit it in the bin at the end of the trip.

A year ago, when going to Spain, I looked for the smallest umbrella.
I bought
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B075JGH1SW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It has been good.
My wife wanted a similar one but with a pattern.
The pattern added weight and bulk.

I use the mini umbrella by Davek, it's not cheap but it has a lifetime guarantee and so far over the last 2 years it was worked when ever I need it.

If you're going to buy an umbrella, I say buy it from a company that actually specializes in making them (instead of the cheap throwaways off the street or paying for the RS brand). I've had good results with this umbrella, and it has a very good guarantee behind the product. It's also super light.
https://www.amazon.com/EEZ-Y-Compact-Umbrella-Windproof-Construction/dp/B079M4SLTK

Waterproof rain jacket with hood essential for male (violent) rain, intense with strong wind and walking out in the bush.

I live in Florida, home of a summer monsoon season where it can be 85F during a storm with a two inch an hour rainfall rate. I have a thin Goretex-coated raincoat that folds up very tiny in my bag and was originally designed with runners in mind. It does breathe as advertised, is waterproof as advertised, and while not cheap (I think the clearance price I paid was about $90) it is awesomely ideal for the climate I live in.

What Agnes said. I travel with a lightweight compact umbrella that is double canopied in order to be as windproof as possible. The RS umbrella doesn't look like that at all; the description doesn't even mention the word "wind" let alone describe wind durability.