It's a bit early for a full review since I've had the umbrella only a month and haven't used it in "gusts" yet. But, it is handsome, clearly well designed with the flutes to dissipate gusts, very strongly built, and opens crisply. My only disappointment is that it is smaller than I'd expected and need (I am 6'6" and need a larger umbrella to keep my feel/legs from getting too wet). The dimension quoted in the ads is not the diameter across the opened canopy (which would have sufficed), but the distance from rim-to-rim with the tape laid on the canopy, meaning the actual diameter is smaller. 5 stars

Being a college student, I needed an umbrella for all the walking I did. On those days that there was only a chance of rain, I didn't want to lug a big umbrella around. I wanted an umbrella that could fit in my backpack for easy carrying and keep me reasonably dry. All the ones I tried in the past either didn't fit in my backpack, keep me really dry, or broke when the winds got strong.

Then I tried the Gustbuster. This umbrella is the best one yet. It fits in my backpack and has kept its shape in high winds, and thus keeps me dry. It has worked prefectly for me and I am very satisfied with it. 4 stars

The GustBuster was the first of the "wind-proof" umbrellas and remains one of the best. I especially like the fiberglass "ends" and the way they are attacted to the umbrella by elastic "bands" that help cushion the shock of a suddent gust of wind.

Two minor cirticisms: I HAVE had problems in the past with the rivets popping loose. And I think the handle is just a bit on the small size. You notice this when it gets really windy and you are "struggling" to hold onto the umbrella. But other umbrellas would have folded up at this point.

Overall, a good value. This is my second one. My first still sits in the car and has taken a lot of abuse over the years. It still works fine. 4 stars

I ordered this thinking it was a sturdy version of the standard mini-Umbrella, that can fit in a jacket pocket when retracted. However, the photos don't do justice to its size. It's much bigger than the standard mini, and quite a bit heavier too (3 lbs according to product desc). When folded up, the top of it is noticably bigger than the handle end, as the sturdier frame and two-layer fabric canopy make it bulkier than standard umbrellas (which are typically cylindrical when folded). It just barely fits in my messenger bag, and shoulder strap for the fabric case now makes sense.

That said, this is a *solid* umbrella. It's big enough for walking around in a downpour, and doesn't even budge in a wind. I found the handle and shaft to be plenty sturdy, and you can tell the underside canopy supports are not going to bend and break like the cheapo aluminum ones. All told, this umbrella, though slightly hefty, does a great job and will probably last a long time. 4 stars

The umbrealla seemed to be easier to walk with in the wind, however, this one I feel did not offer enough protection from the rain. I should have bought the larger one. Now for the bad part. The umbrealla is difficult to close and multiple ribs cracked within the first for times of use. Basically the umbreally lasted a month and now I have to get a new one. I will not be buying this brand. 1 star