Pendleton Umbrella Review

The Pendleton Umbrella is made with polyester and unknown metal components. The canopy is octagonal, which is fairly standard for compact models. The construction is sufficient for casual, everyday rainy needs, just not the best of the best when compared to all the others in our review.

Performance Comparison

Rain Protection

We measured the canopy diameter on the Pendleton to be 37.5 inches with a depth of around 7.5 inches. This is on the smaller side of the spectrum compared to others, made more apparent by its shallower depth. Other models that were similar in diameter had a greater depth to compensate. Because of this, the canopy doesn't offer as thorough of protection. Wind resistance was average as well, as determined by our high wind test, which is discussed in the Durability metric. Having average performance scores, mind you, doesn't necessarily mean a lack of effectiveness. We still think that average is adequate and very much useful.

Ease of Transport

This metric is where this product scores the best. We measured the packed length to be 11.9 inches, which is pretty standard for compact models. We measured the weight to be around 13 ounces, which is heavier than is traditional for the compact size, but not to the degree that is cumbersome. You can easily pack this umbrella into a bag, backpack, or large purse, especially when it's slimmed down by its sleeve.

Durability

The metal on the Pendleton is durable enough to feel sturdy while in use. During our high wind test, the canopy inverted at 15 mph, which we found to be typical for compact models. When directed head-on into the wind, the max speed before it began to collapse was 40 mph, which was also standard for most of the models in our review. This shows that the durability is fair and notable, just not as outstanding as some of the key players.

Ease of Use

Despite its compact and automatic design, we found during our testing that this umbrella was consistently difficult to use. The auto-deploy feels strong, and the canopy was taut every time, but collapsing the canopy is where some of the issues started for us. The grip for pulling the shaft down toward the handle is on the smaller side and has to be brought quite close to the edge of the handle itself. Since the handle is made of wood, it has sharper, more defined edges to it, so the motion of bringing the runner down to the handle often ended with our hand getting pinched. The button also doesn't automatically collapse the canopy for you --there's no way around having to manually perform this motion. Too, the auto-open feature means that tension is required for it to function, needing a lot of muscle to close and reset everything. Not particularly convenient in our minds. Lastly, the handle itself is slippery when wearing gloves and overall too smooth for optimal control.

Style

At face value, style is high for this model, as expected from a brand like Pendleton. In true brand theme, the patterns used are indigenous and geometric, and therefore fun and versatile. The wooden handle also adds a bit of elegance. However, it's difficult to talk about this brand without mentioning their ethical past and present. For a more thorough discussion on how the brand has and continues to appropriate cultural designs, we encourage doing some added reading.

Value

We're not exactly sure why the price is as high as it is for such a basic product, but our inclination has to do with the brand name. Based on its performance in our review, we don't recommend this model for anything in particular unless you're set on the style. You won't be disappointed with its function, but there are better products out there.

Conclusion

Easy to travel with, the Pendleton Umbrella is undeniably stylish and practical. With sufficient yet average rain protection and durability, it simply isn't the best of the best. Yet, if all you're looking for is something functional and trendy, then this fits the bill.