Embrace the rain with a go-anywhere umbrella built to last

If you were to ask me what you should invest your rainy day fund in, I have two answers. The first is a highly diversified index fund with fees of less than 1%. The second is a nice umbrella. For a variety of upsetting reasons, the weather is getting more unpredictable, so I think a nice umbrella needs to be easily portable, deployable and able to stand up to the rigors of everyday carry. The Davek Solo exemplifies all these qualities. I’m Jon Chan, a tester and reviewer with over a decade of experience writing buying guides about pocket knives, bath towels, laundry detergents, and just about everything else in your home. My Davek Solo has seen me through a year of New England’s chaotic weather, including a nor’easter, so I feel pretty confident recommending it to anyone who wants to invest in a nice umbrella. *** Why the Davek Solo umbrella is worth the investment Interactive Photograph: John Chan/The Guardian Related: The best bath towels in the US, from fluffy to quick drying – tested The first thing that stuck out to me is how compact the design is. It is less than a foot long and slightly wider than a soda can when retracted and furled. In day-to-day terms, it can slip into the water bottle pocket of a backpack and weighs just 1lb 2oz (0.5kg). When deployed, the Solo gives you about 37in (0.9 meters) of rain coverage from end to end. That means it has plenty of room for personal coverage without the need to wobble and dodge your way down the sidewalk to avoid poking someone’s eye. The shape of the Davek Solo helps divert wind, which also makes me feel pretty cozy under it. While the clip on the handle digs into the hand a little, the lightweight design keeps it from being too much of a burden. The canopy is made from a 190-thread-count microweave coated with a water-resistant coating and stretched across a fiberglass and aluminum frame. This, all par for the course of higher-end umbrellas, translates to a very light but strong shield against the rain. $115 at Davek $115 at Amazon The spring that deploys the canopy is surprisingly robust. On a day with wind gusts up to 30mph (48km/h), the top unfurled into the gale without a problem, at just the touch of a button. And with another push of a button, you can retract it just as easily. Finally, Davek backs all its umbrellas with a lifetime guarantee. It covers the cost of repair or replacement, sans shipping, for all registered Daveks. And if you manage to lose it instead, they will sell you a replacement at half cost. *** The verdict You can blame the climate crisis, the funding cuts at the National Weather Service, or shake your fist at the sky, but rain is not going anywhere. Having a quality umbrella small enough to keep in your backpack or carryall is a surefire way to ensure you don’t get soaked. The Davek Solo is a perfect choice. Its compact design makes it super portable yet belies how sturdily built it is. The microweave canopy, aluminum frame, steel shaft, and zinc-brushed handle mean this Davek will keep you dry for years to come. Related: Travel essentials: eight items to pack for your next trip – and what to leave at home *** Specifications Coverage: 37in across Closed length: 11.75in Weight: 1lb 2oz Available colors: Black/Pale Blue, Navy, Classic Black, Black/Wasabi Green, Black/Lavender *** Jon Chan is a writer with over a decade of experience reviewing products. During his time at Reviewed, he headed the Testing Labs, where he put home appliances, textiles and cleaning supplies through their paces The Filter US series Buy it for Life recommends high-quality products that are built to last. Have a buy it for life product recommendation – or disagree with our review? Email thefilter.us@theguardian.com.