I used to have an old Taylormade umbrella which walked away on it's own (at a church of all places), and I've been trying to find a suitable replacement ever since. However, name brand golf umbrellas seem to carry a hefty premium to them. I realized that they don't manufacture their own umbrellas and just add their branding to a 3rd party, which is how I discovered ShedRain, which partners with Taylormade, at a fraction of the price.

One crucial feature of the old umbrella which I've found is rare, was a rubber tip on the end of the umbrella. With an umbrella this size I tend to use it like a walking stick when not in use, so a metal or plastic tip would eventually get all scuffed and dinged. I'm happy to report that this umbrella has said rubber tip.

I also wanted the double canopy and a contoured grip, which this umbrella carries. I like the gel grip, but I wish it was a bit firmer as it tends to give a bit and you lose some control of your umbrella in windy conditions. I also don't know how to feel about the square shape - I don't really see a benefit or improvement over the typical circle, and I think you lose a bit of coverage when trying to also cover someone walking next to you. I also wish it was a tad bigger, though I believe my previous umbrella was 64" round, so this one just feels small until I get used to it.

This is a large umbrella-- golf or doorman-sized-- in an attractive black and white geometric pattern reminiscent of the coat of arms of the Dominican religious order. It has a comfortable gel-filled handle (straight, not curved), which appears sturdy enough not to spring a leak if handled roughly. The only downside is that with an umbrella of this size, a strong gust of wind could pull the umbrella from your hand, or if you hung on, introduce you to the joys of parasailing.

I was very excited when I first opened this monster up. The handle is a lot softer than I expected, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. After all, the grip was one of the main selling points! Unfortunately, I used it only twice before a small slit was bored into the umbrella's shaft. As a result, the latch no longer holds the umbrella shut and I need to wrestle it closed before relying on the two Velcro straps to keep it together. With the extremely brief use I got out of it and the inconvenience caused by the defect, I can't recommend picking this item up if you intend to use it on-the-go.

Pros. Seems solid and has large square canopy.
Cons:
1. Heavy - beyond going from door to car this umbrella is too heavy for walking.
2. Noisy - flap at top flutters with each step - never had a noisy umbrella before.
3. Gel Grip - this is just a bad idea. Umbrella weight and fat sloppy grip make using it unpleasant.

Bought this November 2012. It lasted two years in Seattle rain and wind which is good. Usually I'm replacing my cheap umbrellas twice a year on an easy rain season. I'm giving it 3 stars because one of the ties snapped within the first 1 year but it was still useable up until today's wind storm when the stitching tore and a hole opened up. Another reason for the 3 stars is this thing is heavy and if you don't have a good grip on it and a big gust catches it, you're going to get whacked with this monster. That all being said I'm buying the same umbrella to replace my broken one. I love the size and shape.