How many times have you been caught in the rain and the downpour has nowhere to hide? When you arrive at your destination, all you can think about is how could you be so dry if you brought an umbrella. To make matters worse, when you brought an umbrella, the wind was so strong that it brought down your little shelter and you still got wet. Although seemingly low-tech in this wireless age, an umbrella is still the most practical way to stay dry when you have to go somewhere, no matter the weather. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when buying an umbrella.

If possible, you want to open your umbrella before buying. A common mistake people make is buying an umbrella without looking at the stitching. With cheaper models, light can be seen through small pinholes because the material is cheaper. The suture itself should be taut and securely fastened to the rib cage. Pinholes and loose stitches cause leaks every time. A quality umbrella should be impervious to water, so it needs quality materials and taut stitching.

Umbrellas can collapse in high winds due to cheap or poorly made ribs. Thin ribs made of substandard metal cannot withstand the pressure of nature for long. An umbrella that can't handle winds of at least 35 mph isn't worth having.

The ribs should be thick and slide smoothly along the shaft. Well-crafted ribs made of high-quality materials will slide up and down on the shaft and then lock into place. The locking mechanism on a high-quality umbrella should also be thick, made of high-quality materials, and have a high-pressure spring capable of withstanding high wind conditions. To test the quality of a rib, try hitting the rib with your hand to stimulate the blunt force caused by high winds. If the umbrella collapses on hit or even looks fragile, move on to the next model.

Finally, the umbrella handle needs to be sturdy and made of high-quality materials. Umbrella handles made of plastic are prone to cracking and deteriorate rapidly. While these will be cheaper, it's important to remember that umbrellas sit dormant in the closet most of the year. Plastic handles tend to dry out because the oil in them evaporates quickly. Umbrella handles made of wood or hard rubber evaporate much more slowly and therefore last longer.

Buying an umbrella is not difficult, there are just a few things to keep in mind: Find quality materials; taut stitching; quality, well-made ribs that slide along the shaft and won't collapse if you hit them; and finally, made of wood or handles made of hard rubber. Keeping these simple points in mind when buying your next umbrella may help ensure you stay dry for years to come!

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