I had a Travel Smith folding umbrella that weighed about 4.5 oz. It was very easy to carry in a purse or backpack, but it blew inside out and broke, and is now in a trash can in VCE. :(

Recommendations?

I have a small, fold-flat umbrella made by Totes that fits in my computer bag perfectly. I don't know what it weighs, but it's very light and, sometimes, my wife will put it in her purse.

Got a mini-tote at wal-mart for under 10$. It fits in the side pocket of my laptop backpack.

JP

I like ShedRain umbrellas. Despite their ad slogans these are not wind-proof but reasonably wind-resistant and I've had good luck using them in moderately windy conditions. Links are to Ebags.

I like this ShedRain WindPro® Flat Vented Auto Open & Close Mini (http://www.ebags.com/shedrain/windpro_reg_flat_vented_auto_open_close_mini/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=45289) for moderately windy conditions and I'll bring it if I anticipate some type of rain for the trip.

Conversely this ShedRain Flatwear (http://www.ebags.com/shedrain/flatwear_fits_in_a_pocket/product_detail/index.cfm?modelID=3251) umbrella is small and light enough that I would just leave it permanently in my travel bag. That way if there's unexpected rain you have something. It doesn't have the second canopy for windy conditions so it's not as practical as the first.

I also have a small purse sized Shed Rain umbrella that has been very good to me. It's not an automatic, but that just means that it's smaller and lighter.

Carries some very nice ones. I got mine at the IAH airport Brookstone. Very small and light.

I buy mine at Target. Cheap! When they fail I throw them away and worry not at all.

As with Oldpenny, I buy the cheapest I can find that meets my needs. They get lost so easily.... it is one of the things I actually look for oversees.... they are more ingenious about smaller products. :)

As with Oldpenny, I buy the cheapest I can find that meets my needs. They get lost so easily.... it is one of the things I actually look for oversees.... they are more ingenious about smaller products. :)
I love to get them overseas that way you have something different from everyone here.

As with Oldpenny, I buy the cheapest I can find that meets my needs. They get lost so easily.... it is one of the things I actually look for oversees.... they are more ingenious about smaller products. :)
I love getting them overseas. That way I have something different.

The cheaper the better...the more time I spend trying to find the best of something small like this - the quicker I lose it. But, when I buy the cheap one or the first one I see, I've got it forever. Like that $10 pair of sunglasses we all have floating around our cars!