GustBuster Classic 48-inch Umbrella

<---Short Test Video of Metro 43 Inch, not the larger 48 Inch Classic. The GustBuster 48 Inch classic stick style umbrella is probably the last umbrella you may need to buy. Granted you take good care of it and do not leave it on a bus or train. The umbrella (automatic version) is easy to open, is light weight, and above all lives up to its "gust-busting" claims of very high winds. Although I do wish it was just a wee bit larger, perhaps 52 inches, it is still large enough to shield most of your upper body in moderate downpours with light winds without having to play umbrella chicken with other folks passing by. It is a nice one person umbrella...but not for two. However, for a taller man, the lower legs may still catch some of the rain run off. But not too bad. While I found the quality of the fabric just average, the handle, stick, and ribs of the product feel strong and stable; ready to tackle high winds. Each outer spoke attaches the upper canopy using elastic bands. The lower canopy seems to be more rigid and attached to the main frame. When the wind does get under it, both canopies separate allowing the wind to just flow through the large holes, all while keeping you dry. The elastics let the upper canopy stretch upwards which seems to work the magic preventing the umbrella to invert. The reason I am writing this review is because it passed its real test just yesterday when here on Staten Island, New York, we had heavy rain with wind gusts of up to 50 MPH. (the GustBuster claims it handles 55+ winds). I figured this was a good opportunity to give it a try. In between the Supreme Court building and 130 Stuyvesant Pl is like a wind tunnel on days like this. There are always destroyed umbrellas in the garbage bins on either side of the street. My Gustbuster did its job impressively while everyone else around me had their umbrellas blown inside out. Before the Gustbuster, I had a Hammacher Schlemmer "wind defying" umbrella which was sort of ok in light to medium winds (25 MPH or so), but did blow inside out on me twice, the second tearing part of the fabric off the ribs. So, for folks who want a true wind resistant umbrella. Go with the Gustbuster. And also keep in mind that the classic stick style has the best overall quality build. Just don't lean the umbrella into the wind (as if shielding yourself) since this does put pressure on the ribs, and try and keep it half-open to relief pressure and extend the life. Don't walk into an EF 1 or higher tornado with it either, ha ha! Also, the Metro 43 Inch version that I bought as a spare seems a bit flimsy and not as strong as the classic stick version...the parts on the metro feel somewhat cheaper. Didn't give that one the test yet though... I'm not sure about the larger 62 inch umbrellas. Hope my review was helpful for those considering this product. ======= UPDATE! SEE SHORT VIDEO TEST Above ("METRO" MODEL) ======= Just yesterday (3/13/10) we had extremely strong winds here on Staten Island, New York with reported gusts over 65 MPH. I figured that this was yet another great opportunity to give my 2 Gustbusters another wind test. My Classic 48 Inch umbrella performed the same as usual...but it was the smaller 43 Inch Metro that I wanted to test. Although having somewhat of a lesser construction quality, it held up pretty good. The winds on Fox 5 news were reported around 30 to 35 MPH sustained with gusts of up to 60+ MPH. The Metro did a very good job at holding together for the most part, but...a very strong gust, probably 55 to 60 MPH I'm guessing, did manage to cause it to finally invert, (not shown in video). However, no major damage occurred and I just faced it back in to the wind to correct it again. So, these umbrellas WILL invert, but only in gusts that are extremely high! I live right near the coastline so our winds were some of the stronger gusts. In these cases don't even bother using an umbrella since you're going to be wind-soaked anyway. Overall, I still rate the Classic stick style at 5 stars (the Metro at 3 1/2 stars due to lesser quality) and trust me that they do perform as advertised. But do expect them to blow inside out in those rare 55+ gusts as it did in my test run. After all they are labeled and wind tunnel tested at 55+ MPH, so that is pretty accurate and honest advertising. Hope this update was helpful!

I never thought I would be sitting here typing up a review on umbrella and I never thought I would be spending more than $10 on a umbrella. My research for umbrella started when I found out when all the old cheapo umbrella broke. This has lead me to this umbrella the gustbuster classic just seeing that name you already know its going to be one awesome umbrella that will keep you dry in a storm!! Features at a Glance: In bullet list form. Handle 55+ MPH Wind Wind-Release Vent Strong lightweight fiberglass ribs Pros: Handling 55+ MPH wind Easy to open/close Lifetime warranty Cons: Price This is my first quality umbrella as for spending $30+ on it. I can say its differently worth spending on as for the first test I have use it out in 30+mph wind with a bit of light rain for about a hour in those condition this umbrella stand up to the test while other people around me with walmart quality umbrella had problem with the frame inverting inside out or the umbrella cover coming off. I let my friend hold the umbrella also an they were definitely impress with the quality. I will say Three people can fit into it with everyone staying fairly dry but I think two people would have been better suited for this size. I like the wooden handle design and material used that curves like a J shaped its been a while since I seen these type of umbrella as now days modern umbrella usually comes with a black plastic handles so it was a selling point for me seeing the J shaped handle + wooden material. I have fairly large hands as for me the handle fit comfortably and perfectly in my hands without feeling uncomfortable. The length of the umbrella is pretty long an I would not say its travel friendly unless its meant to be use for the walk from car to the store and back. I believe there is other options for a travel friendly compact umbrella because when this umbrella is close its still pretty long. If you are looking for a umbrella to handle strong winds give coverage for 2 people from rain I would recommend this umbrella as its not too expensive compare to the other brands. If you are looking for a compact travel umbrella I don't recommend this as its too long an heavy for travel friendly.

With this umbrella my off arm no longer gets drenched, and I have fairly wide shoulders. It's very big but not excessive for one grown man to walk under. Just be prepared to dodge other people's umbrellas if walking downtown. It looks very stylish and has gotten a few glances. So far wind hasn't "pulled" on it at all. It stays vertical and easy to hold where my old cheap umbrella would get whipped around and have to be wrestled with to control. I have yet to deal with fierce gusts, but it seems very sturdy and I'm not worried. It's a little harder to secure closed than I would like, with a bit of force needed to catch the latch and keep it from popping back open. It's a minor annoyance in an overall fine product.

I bought a black Gustbuster umbrella in 2007. I still have that same umbrella now in 2016. That's nine years. Imagine going nine years without losing an umbrella! — QUALITY — While this umbrella has endured these past nine years, there are a couple of things from my experience that you should know about it. One, when you pop the umbrella opens there is a mechanism near the top that keeps it open. This mechanism works most of the time, but sometimes it doesn't lock into place and your umbrella top goes bouncing up and down until it randomly locks into place. I hope they have fixed this in the nine years since I bought it. Second, the button that unlocks the umbrella, on the shaft right above the curved handle, wore down over time and broke off, affecting the structural stability of the fiberglass shaft slightly [see photos]. This means that the umbrella will open automatically when you un-Velcro it, and when you close it it takes a little effort to hold it in place while you put the two Velcro straps back on. Minus a star for these two issues, but these two things don't affect the functionality of the umbrella, much. Besides those two mentioned points, the umbrella works fine, and its condition still looks like the day I got it. The fabric looks the same, no seams have come undone, it looks great. The wooden handle looks weathered but is still as strong as ever. The umbrella tip end has worn down over the years from being dragged on the ground, but that has no effect on its use. — WIND RESISTANCE — Gustbuster's wind resistance was the primary reason I bought one. I saw their video testing this umbrella to 55+ mph winds and that impressed me. Their tear drop shaped vents and two layered top construction keeps wind resistance to a minimum. Wind blows and flows right through the holes. During a few extra windy days this umbrella did invert, and didn't break apart. It reverted back to its normal shape like nothing ever happened. Like a boss. — FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS — As an Industrial Designer, here's my two cents as to how to improve future models: One, fix the mechanism that keeps the top in place so it works at all times. Two, use better materials for the button and shaft that opens the umbrella up, or maybe use different mechanics. Three, maybe use a waterproof material for the fabric (website says it's waterproof, but maybe they added that later since the time I bought it); that way it will add another selling point: being wind and water resistant. — HOW NOT TO LOSE AN UMBRELLA — Honestly, I don't know how I managed not to lose this umbrella this entire time. However, one of my tricks whenever I take this umbrella out was constantly thinking to myself, "this is an expensive umbrella, don't lose it!", or, "you're carrying $40 around, don't lose it!" And thus, that's how I prevent myself from forgetting about it. There were a few close calls of me nearly forgetting it somewhere, but this is still with me. — WARRANTY — Gustbuster offers a "Limited Lifetime Warranty". If something happens to your umbrella, you mail it back with a $10 check, and they will send you a new or repaired one. Considering it probably cost $10 to ship it back, the total will likely cost you $20. A new umbrella cost $40. Whether that's worth it is up to you. This is a quality umbrella—with the exception of the top portion that locks it in place when you close it, and the button on the shaft to open it. I will continue to use it, and should it eventually fall apart and be irreparable, then I'll probably end up buying another Gustbuster to replace it. Recommended. *** NOTE *** I noticed that this umbrella now has a lot of color options. Check Gustbuster's website for the official colors available for each model. I have a feeling some of the colors are third party manufacturers and sellers trying to cash in on Gustbuster's name. Buy it from Amazon as the seller, or from a reputable source.

I unfortunately had to give this item only a 1 star rating in order for my review to stand apart from all the others so buyers can be aware that when they receive their umbrella, should they take the time to read the product description tag that's affixed to it, the 9th red bullet point down on the left says, "Exclusive rustproof ribs and 'DUEL' spreaders." I didn't understand what this umbrella had to do with stopping a fight between quarreling duelists, so I called the company to inquire but the representative explained the writer of the pamphlet meant to write "DUAL" spreaders, yet expressed no desire whatsoever to correct the error which he claimed was in existence for 17 years! Further, he claimed the last sentence on page 3, which mentions how the umbrella is not warranted by acts of "god", was spelled using a small g (as opposed to "God") because it was written like that on his insurance policy. Personally, I've never seen God's name written with a small g before, except when describing false gods and idols, so I found it somewhat offensive even though I'm not even a true believer. I was taught the name of God is ALWAYS a capitalized proper name regardless of whether or not you believed in the existence of such a being. Regardless of that, the aforementioned "duel spreaders" (which says the umbrella can be used to keep fighting men with weapons apart) is certainly incorrect. My review therefore is more about this company's lack of customer service since my complaint, although absolutely valid, was treated with a great deal of indifference. I felt I provided them with valuable information they should have been thankful to receive yet I was left feeling I wasted my time in pointing out their error to them. Whenever I find a company that couldn't care less about the way their product(s) are represented, disregarding such things as their using wrong or misspelled words in their printed materials, I always have less faith in their product's performance. After all, if a company isn't concerned about their products' written descriptions, who's to say how much they care about the products themselves or better yet, about you, their customer. Even if they have no intention of correcting their label, I should have received an apology for the error and a sincere-sounding thanks and belief that this information will be passed to the appropriate level within the organization. Instead, I was left knowing I wasted my time in advising them of their error. Writing this review was the only way I could receive some compensation for my wasted time and the basically rude treatment I received. As far as the umbrella's functionality is concerned, I suppose it deserves 5 stars with one removed for their lack of caring about their mis-written tag. You expect this kind of language abuse in foreign-made products, but this is supposed to be an AMERICAN product so you'd hope English is used properly throughout the reading material. What a shame nobody cares anymore about writing. I can only hope they care more about the product itself.

I bought this GustBuster umbrella March 30, 2011, but I didn't have an occasion to use it until earlier this week (April 19, 2011). Normally, I ride my bike to work, but I knew that there would be torrential rain, wind gusts, sleet, and snow on the 19th. So, I retired my bike, donned my rain boots and took my GustBuster out for a spin. I have to say, I was skeptical. I read all of the reviews before purchasing the umbrella--especially, the reviews that mentioned how fickle it is in construction (i.e. breaking easily). I didn't have that experience with this umbrella. It held up under the absolute worst weather conditions. It got sleeted on, hailed on, and rained on. All the while it kept me super dry. Not only that, but it held up in the face of serious gusts of wind. I had to hold the umbrella with both hands because I was afraid it was going to rip right out and float away. It was that bad. The umbrella jostled a bit, but I was able to keep it over my head and it never flipped. I thought it would, too! The cool thing about the umbrella is that it has a second layer of flaps that thread the wind. When the wind gusts hit, the flaps opened up and let the air through. It was pretty cool to watch, actually. So, needless to say, I made it to work (about a one and a half mile walk) totally dry and smiling confidently. I walked by a lot of people that were fighting with their umbrellas and I saw a lot of flipped umbrellas as well. By the way, the umbrella is very nice aesthetically. I don't particularly care for the color pink, but it's not really a bright pink. It's much more understated--like a carnation pink, so it's attention-grabbing, but not in a bad way. The curved wooden handle looks so elegant (and it really comes in handy when the wind starts to act up). Also, I really like the little button on the stem that allows me to open the umbrella quickly and effortlessly. I'm happy to give this item five stars. All I could think about on my way home from work on the 19th was the awesome review I needed to write about this umbrella, because it really does get the job done.

The rain beat down upon him. It started as a drizzle, the mists of the morning dew arisen gently tickling his face, but it soon grew into a fierce downpour that soaked him and chilled him to the bone. He gripped the umbrella at his side, ready to unfurl it but waiting until he had to. Clouds darkened and thunder struck, the rain intensifying, and finally the moment came. He grasped the umbrella firmly, and like a dueling samurai he drew it from its fitted, protective sheathe, letting the momentum of the draw carry into the spokes to expand it to its full diameter. He was a warrior of light facing the murky rain as it pounded upon him and everything, laying siege to the earth. He stood his ground firmly, thrusting his umbrella in defiance at the sky. He was answered with another spit of thunder, aimed for him, but he would not hear of it. His umbrella was his instrument of the divine, and it had a fiberglass shaft that thunder dare not touch. Still the storm tried, and whips of lightning crackled around him, burning the wet ground at his feet. He was buffeted by wind, another attempt to break him. But it passed right through the patented design of the umbrella, smoothly, effortlessly, harmlessly. He was an ethereal wisp, yet a shining fortress, a beacon of hope for the surrounding drowned terrain. Finally, he had had enough. The sky was busying itself with yet more futile gestures, while he jumped up and took to the skies in an impressive show of Poppins-esque aeronautics, the mere possibility attributable to the light weight of the umbrella. He flew towards the dark clouds above like a rocket, firmly grasping the comfortable wooden j-handle. The storm, caught unawares, was only briefly shocked as it was struck by the high-impact end cap of his umbrella. It was punctured; the dark cloud deflated like a rogue balloon, and finally parted to reveal the beaming sun, straining to heal the wounds of the storm and to evaporate the deepest puddles. The man and his umbrella, however, kept soaring higher and higher, and days later he landed gently on the moon, where the daring style of his umbrella led to his widespread acceptance among the entire lunar community, particularly Albert Einstein, George Washington, Spock, and Stephen Colbert.

I fold, as in, "I give up." I've owned my share of "wind-resistant" folding umbrellas and none of them lived up to the claim. Even GustBuster makes a folding umbrella but I was drawn to this one's classic beauty. It's not so bulky that you can't take it everywhere and the canopy is the perfect size for him or her, or in a pinch, him AND her. The real wood crook-shaped handle gives it a touch of class. The opening mechanism relies on the proven coil-spring system, but that's where the similarity to other solid-shaft automatics ends. Fiberglas takes the place of metal in the parts that might attract lightning, making the GustBuster light for its size but just as sturdy. Unzip the two Velcro straps, push the button and two canopies pop open to shield you from the rain. The raindrop-shaped openings allow the wind to pass between the canopies. Then aerodynamics take over, forcing the canopies to retain their shape instead of turning inside out. Elastic straps hold down the upper canopy, eliminating a gap where the rain might sneak in. A video of GustBuster's wind-cannon testing confirms their claims. You can see it at GustBuster's website (just tack on the ".com"). Combine this high level of engineering and thoughtful design with GustBuster's affordable pricing on all their umbrellas and it adds up to possibly the best umbrella value.

excelete lo recomiendo

After enduring years of using umbrellas that were keen on flipping over in order to provide me with a unwanted shower just before arriving at work, I'm happy to report that the Gustbuster has completely taken the worry out of walking outside during stormy days. My commute consists of a half hour walk through patches of literal 'wind tunnels' created by the tall buildings in my area and whenever the weather is unpredictable, and this happens quite often here in the east coast, I will always see a wide assortment of flappy umbrellas held haplessly by their drenched owners as it is being mercilessly torn apart under strong wind gusts (my own included). I looked for sturdy windproof umbrella that can break the cycle of umbrella churn and this product definitely fits the bill. Likes: - Feels solid in hand. Personally, I found the weight to be pleasant and reassuring. - Canopy does not flap in windy conditions. Cannot emphasize this enough. The entire canopy may bend under pressure, but will not flap or flip over like so many other brands. - Stylish golden trim. Don't expect complements, but this does add a nice touch and makes the Gustbuster look better than an ordinary umbrella. - Reasonably priced for what you are getting. For me the math was simple, either spend money to buy 2 or 3 umbrellas a year only to see them break. Or spend a bit more and buy a product that will help inspire greater confidence in my ability to deal with the elements. - Strong lifetime warranty: Though I don't think this will ever be needed. Dislike: - The wood handle chipped slightly from scratching against a metal surface, exposing the wood underneath. A minor caveat for sure, but I wish coating on the wooden handle was better at absorbing scratches. Overall: Probably the best umbrella you can buy at any price.

Llevo con él casi un año, así que más o menos puedo dar una opinión bien formada de él, y empiezo por las pegas: -Pesa bastante...no es que sea un muerto y se puede llevar cómodamente, pero no es un paraguas ligero. -Has de tener cuidado con el doble forro si lo dejas en el paragüero, para que no se enganchen otros paraguas en la tela. Sobre las ventajas, pues la principal es que es sólido. Pero que muy sólido. Es un poco absurdo llevar paraguas los días de viento por eso de que la lluvia te viene casi de lado, pero al menos algo cubres. Mientras ves al resto de la gente sujetando el paraguas por la zona del cierre, tu vas tan campante, mientras esquivas los restos de otros paraguas que han ido quedando rotos en la calle. Por lo demás, tiene aspecto de ser duradero, no muestra señales de óxido como otros paraguas en la zona de los remaches, y el mecanismo de apertura es de bastante calidad. El eje o como se llame el palo que va desde el mango a la punta es de algún tipo de plástico o fibra pintados de marrón, pero de unas dimensiones generosas, lo que le da bastante rigidez y el mango es de madera, que quizás peca de un barniz un poco endeble -el mío ya tiene alguna marca por falta de cuidado- pero es lo suficientemente resistente. En comparación con otros paraguas que he tenido, no veo problemas en que aguante bastante más de 10 temporadas de uso...si no me lo olvido o me lo afanan antes en un descuido; volvería a comprarlo.

I've never bothered with an umbrella before, but following a couple of recent soakings on my commute I decided it was time to invest in one. I had a couple of reservations, it had to withstand strong wind - I hate the idea of them blowing inside-out - and it had to look presentable enough to carry on a daily basis to and from work. A bit of research led me to decide on the Gustbuster Classic, and a few weeks (and showery walks) later I'm impressed with it. A press on the spring-loaded button opens the umbrella instantly, an impressive and handy function. Once opened, the design is very clever, the main canopy is vented and the upper canopy (which you can see on the imagery as the darker material) is securely strapped over it. In effect, this allows wind to come under/into the umbrella and instead of turning the whole thing inside out it escapes through the vents. One of the things that sold me on the Gustbuster was a video on YouTube of it being tested on the back of a 4x4 driven at 50mph - it really does withstand abuse without relenting. In practice walking in strong wind and rain it matches that performance, and I can't ask for more than that. It's a good size. It more than covers the shoulders and has a good arc to it, providing excellent coverage to the upper body when the rain decides to blow in at different angles. The wooden handle and pointed tip give this umbrella a really traditional and classy look, and it's perfect for carrying when not in use - far better-looking than most others I've seen, and a stylish accessory to take on your travels. It comes with a sleeve to keep it in good condition when not unfurled. Overall, as the title of this review says, the Gustbuster Classic is a good mix of function and style, and I'm looking forward to using it more. Bring on the rain!

I had the smaller gustbuster previously but left it overseas. Nothing beats these umbrellas, they're the best in class. This one looks classy and works really well.