Balios Double Canopy Review

The Balios is a nice-looking umbrella with solid construction at a low price. It is made with a 300-thread-count water-repellant fabric, steel, fiberglass, and wood. With the press of a button, the canopy automatically deploys. With another press, it collapses, only requiring some muscle to telescope the shaft back toward the wooden handle.

Rain Protection

The Balios is one of the better collapsible umbrellas for its performance in the rain. This model has a relatively large and adequately deep canopy to allow you to nestle inside and have decent coverage. The diameter is 40 inches, one of the larger spans of the group. The depth is nine inches, giving it extra structure to protect you from the rain. The circumference measures approximately 124 inches and is octagonal. The canopy also has wind vents, promoting air to flow through the umbrella instead of inverting it if things get gusty.

With a deployed length of 25.5 inches and a more expansive canopy, you wouldn't necessarily think this is a true compact model, which I found impressive. This allows for more versatility in the elements, ranking above average compared to the others in our group.

Ease of Transport

Due to its size, the Balios is not a lightweight, compact umbrella. It is heavier, weighing in at 15.5 ounces—the packed length measures 14 inches, which is alson't as compact as others. Nonetheless, the sturdy design and quality materials are worth the additional size and weight.

Despite the extra heft and length, this model is relatively easy to travel with due to the telescoping design. It also comes with a handy zippered sleeve that makes it easy to slide the umbrella into, making it quicker to access or stow without much effort. The wooden handle is also very pleasant to hold and improved our experience when toting it around. This smooth feel made us more likely to reach for the Balios when I wanted a compact umbrella for the day. For us, a good score for “ease of transport” means that I favor a product due to an agreeable set of features that make it enjoyable to take on a variety of casual adventures. The Balios fits this bill decently and is easy to carry in a bag, backpack, or hanging from its zippered sleeve with its sewn-in leash.

Construction Quality

The Balios has a fairly solid feel, as much as a telescoping shaft can feel. The wooden handle is classy and durable, notably well-made. We prefer products that hold up well with time and use, and, better yet, those that look good while doing it.

The telescoping shaft is made of steel. The ribs are mostly fiberglass, but the stretchers and the ribs' inner segment are also steel. This is not our favorite use of steel — I prefer a more flexible material here, such as fiberglass or carbon fiber. If the steel stretchers become damaged, it is often irreversible, as the metal will bend and snap.

In our high wind test, however, this umbrella performed relatively well. It wasn't particularly strong or confidence-inducing at 40 mph (with the canopy directed head-on into the wind), and it inverted at 25 mph when I had the canopy catching the wind. It did, nonetheless, revert easily and without any signs of damage. Roughly two-thirds of the ribs are made of fiberglass, with the rest of them steel, and this appeared to be adequate to resist damage to the metal parts. The double/split canopy design helped diffuse some of the energy of the wind as well, helping to avoid true damage. Of the compact umbrellas, this model is among the best for its quality.

Ease of Use

As mentioned before, the telescoping design of the Balios means it is easy to pack and carry, making it all the more useful. I also like the auto-open and auto-close functions of this umbrella. It is easy to deploy at the press of a button and collapse the canopy with a push of the same button. You still have to telescope the shaft closed manually, which takes a little muscle. The best way to do this is to put the flat top of the umbrella against one palm and the edge of the handle against the other palm, then compress everything together in one motion. You cannot redeploy the canopy with the shaft extended, so you'll have to reset everything when you want to reopen it completely.

Everything remained consistent during our test of opening and collapsing 30 times in a row. The mechanism felt strong the entire time. The button is slightly more work to press than some of the other compact models, but not by much.

Versatility

The Balios received very high marks for style and versatility. The wooden handle is timeless and classy, offering an elegant look and feel. The black canopy is also classic, and of course, more versatile and unassuming.

This model comes with a sleeve to make it slimmer and more tidy-looking, and it features a half-zipper to aid in packing and unpacking. Great for fancier events and a casual commute through town, we feel the simple yet tasteful design is much more likely to appeal to the masses than particular patterns or bright color blocks. The fact that it is compact means that it can be easily traveled with and is more likely to be used for varying activities, like walks in the sun, for example, as the dark canopy will provide shade.

Should You Buy the Balios Double Canopy?

Good looks and a fair price combine here for a great value. We think this competitor is a steal for the quality you get and cannot recommend it enough. It is a good collapsible umbrella with subtle but notable style features. The mechanics of the auto open/close function are sound, and the materials are of notable quality. This is a great option for dressing up, if needed. All around, it is functional and travel-friendly, and the canopy design will more than adequately protect you from the elements.

What Other Umbrellas Should You Consider?

Suppose you want more pop and color than this. Consider the Repel Windproof Travel for an alternative, well-performing model. Or if style is strictly your priority, then models like the SY Compact Automatic and the Lewis N. Clark Travel will offer numerous colors and patterns.