High Sierra Topix

Ray Jardin recommends hiking with an umbrella (as probably everybody who reads this BBS knows), and after (a.) trying to hike in a poncho on a warm day and getting drenched in sweat, and (b.) cutting a "poor-man's umbrella" leaf in Costa Rica last week while hiking in a downpour, I'm kind of inclined to give it a try. Anybody else tried umbrellas? The GoLite version seems to have a web price around $20-30 plus shipping -- anybody tried that one, or have another favorite? It weighs in around 8 oz., so it would have to be pretty damn good (my poncho weighs less than 4...).

I tried an umbrella on a few trips. Honestly, I really liked it. I used the golite one simply because of its price and because it was mostly (if not all) plastic (lightening... :retard: ). I tried it as a 'sunbrella' - it was dissapointing in that regard. In a downpoor while hiking, setting up camp, or walking/sitting around camp it was very handy. I also used it to hold up bug netting over me when I sleep, and to block out wind at the end of my tarp.
I don't often carry it anymore, mainly becuase a poncho covered me and my pack better while hiking in the rain. But on occasion depending upon what sort of shelter I bring, I'll throw it in my pack.

I carried the GoLite umbrella with me on my JMT trip in 2003. It worked great while hiking, or sitting out a downpour. It really didn't work well when trying to set up a tarp (try to use both hands on the tarp, hold the umbrella while bending over, and not getting water down your back). Seeing as how we got 11 days of rain during the trip, it was not the best experience.