totes Auto Open Wooden Review

The totes Auto Open Wooden brings together high function with high style. It is both elegant and reliable, scoring well in all metrics except ease of transport, which, due to its relative length and weight, makes it more cumbersome than what is currently standard for today's on-the-go market. The materials used are polyester, aluminum, and wood. Even though wood adds to the style, it is a heavier material to use and less resistant to visible wear.

Performance Comparison

Rain Protection

The Auto Open Wooden scored high in this metric thanks to its 42-inch diameter and 10.25-inch depth. These dimensions create approximately seven square feet of coverage, one of the largest models in our lineup. We measured the arc length to range between 45 and 49.5 inches from the shortest to longest points. The circumference is 130 inches and is comprised of an octagonal shape.

The deep and wide canopy of this umbrella protected us very well. For a single-person canopy, you can't expect much more coverage without using a giant bubble, and that would make daily life terribly awkward. Too, we have found that the lack of folds on straight-shaft models makes them easier to shake dry, reducing pockets that could hold water and drip on a car seat. This model is a great example of this, aided by the smooth polyester canopy.

Ease of Transport

As one of the largest in this review, the Auto Open suffers the most in this metric when compared to others. However, what it lacks in ease of transport, it makes up for with an old-school crook handle. You can easily hook it on an arm to free up your hands while browsing or paying for coffee. It is also easy to hang on the back of a chair or banister. Warning: if toting around an umbrella is not in your normal scope of practice, it may be easy to hang it somewhere, but just don't walk off without it.

With a packed length of 36.5 inches, this model really isn't convenient for tote bags, backpacks, or even the front floor area of a car. Space is a big requirement when transporting, and if you don't have a generous back seat or the desire to hold it in your hands, then this might not be the best umbrella for you. In addition, if you're commonly walking through narrow places or even among trees and tall bushes, having such a wide and spacious canopy can become a nuisance for catching onto things around you.

Construction Quality

The Auto Open proved to be impressively durable throughout our wind tests and daily use. The fiberglass framing makes it fairly strong and resistant to damage. However, there are reports online of users breaking the wooden shaft. This did not happen to us, but in our testing, we discovered that the handle did scuff relatively easily, revealing a much lighter color underneath. So, while this product has a nice wooden veneer, it is not a solid hardwood handle. Some users find this product to be handy as a pseudo-cane, but with rumors of the shaft snapping, we don't feel comfortable putting much of our body weight into it, so proceed with caution. However, the metal tip will hold up to periodic tapping on the ground as you walk with it or set it in a stand.

Nevertheless, this model displayed an impressive resistance to inverting in the wind, and during our high wind test, we had to slow down the car (from 30mph) out of fear it would rip our tester out the window before anything else. Mary Poppins would certainly approve.

The deploy button is powerful and responsive, much more than others in this review: it is fast, tight, and smooth. It reliably deploys with the same power every time; most of the other automatic umbrellas would hiccup and hesitate, or the stretchers would stick at some point in our testing. That said, using wood inherently lessens durability due to its very nature. Wood just isn't as strong as steel or fiberglass, and with the fairly thin way it is used on this model, there is potential for it to break. Overall, the materials used are of notable quality.

Ease of Use

When the winds kicked up, we found this contender to be incredibly strong. The crook handle helps with the steadying and control of the canopy, which we appreciate because of its large size. When closed up, the handle also helps free up the hands, as previously mentioned, by hanging it on an arm. Again, however, the larger canopy diameter can make it hard to fit through narrow spaces or when you have to deploy in small spaces.

We really like the automatic deploy feature and manual collapse combination of the Auto Open. The button makes a very satisfying “thunk” upon opening, and we didn't observe any noticeable changes in consistency during our testing. The slider collapses easily and doesn't require a ton of muscle like many other compact models often need.

Versatility

The Auto Open Wooden has a classic, elegant design that garnered many compliments at coffee shops and downtown shops. It deploys with grace and fluidity and is suitable for any event, fancy or otherwise. If the distinct style makes you feel too much like a grandpa, make sure to check out the more modern, smaller umbrellas in our review. Thus, given its distinct style and stature, versatility might be limited. The length alone isn't as ideal for travel as, say, a compact model would be.

Should You Buy the totes Auto Open Wooden?

A major concern is how easy it is to forget and leave this umbrella behind since you can't stash it inside a backpack or handbag when sitting down for lunch or taking a break indoors. Brushing aside these fears, we appreciate the high taste without the major price tag. Being so affordable for such high quality offers excellent value. It is a pleasant reassurance in the rain. We originally weren't sure how it would compare to the rugged designs of trekking models and the convenience of compact ones. Putting it through our rigorous tests, however, we've become quite smitten with this product: it is strong, has a vintage appeal, and offers reliable protection from the elements.

What Other Umbrellas Should You Consider?

If classic isn't really your thing, but you appreciate the stick design, consider the more adventurous, high-performing EuroSCHIRM Swing Trek LiteFlex. Or, if you'd rather consider an auto-open compact model, we highly recommend the Balios Double Canopy.