[bravura]

Who needs this?

a) People who want to discretely carry a weapon.

b) People who realize most umbrellas are hot garbage, and understand that an umbrella that won't break if you even stand on it are probably going to last a while.

[riddleronroof]

I don’t know about the latter. Living in NYC, my umbrellas either break because of the wind, or, because I forget them somewhere.

But maybe others have had better luck?

[SEJeff]

In Chicago they sell some pretty heavy duty umbrellas because the wind is very strong. I've since left Chicago and do cherish the umbrella I got there for how heavy duty it is and the fact that even monsoon level winds will not flip it inside out due to the reinforcement in the frame and fabric.