An umbrella is such a small, minor accessory that it’s only that much more frustrating when it lets you down. Go out after a rainstorm in New York City and you’ll see the streets littered with carcasses, the totems that broke down exactly when they were needed. Minimal investment, provided you weren’t price gouged in the crucial moment, lessens the blow of discarding your umbrella. But how often have you done this, and does it really need to be this way?
The aptly named brand Weatherman has come forth with a reliable but not inexpensive umbrella. Rick Reichmuth, Fox News’ chief meteorologist, founded the company after years of being dissatisfied with his options for covering weather out in the field. Weatherman has five models of umbrellas, with diameters ranging between 38 to 55 inches; prices range between $69 to $94; and there’s no shortage of color options.
