When it comes to unpredictable weather, a reliable umbrella isn’t just a convenience—it’s a necessity. Yet, how many times have you been caught in the rain with an umbrella that easily folds with just a gust of wind? For Annelies, this was all too familiar.
Living in the Netherlands, rain is as common as tulips. One windy Dutch autumn day, Annelies was walking the soggy streets with her trusty (or so she thought) umbrella when it collapsed under a strong gust. Frustrated by flimsy designs, she decided it was time to create something better: a robust, beautiful, and durable umbrella. Thus, Tumella was born.
At Tumella, we don’t just claim to have the best umbrellas—we prove it. Every compact umbrella we design undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it can withstand real-life challenges. From the lab to the streets, these tests have helped us create windproof umbrellas we’re so confident in that we offer a lifetime warranty.
Buckle up as I take you behind the scenes to see exactly how our compact umbrellas earn their reputation as the best umbrellas for travel, rainstorms, and everyday use.
The Journey to Find the Perfect Manufacturer
After realizing her dream of creating the strongest folding umbrella, Annelies and the team set on a quest to find the right manufacturer.
Every sample sent was tested to its breaking point. Umbrellas were taken out into actual storms, bent and twisted in controlled tests, and left outside for days to check for leaks or weaknesses. This relentless pursuit does not only often end with a growing pile of broken and twisted umbrellas but also fading hope and lingering doubts.
Alas! After countless tests, considerable time, and a resilient spirit, the team finally found a manufacturer who ticked all the boxes of meticulous standards, paving the way for a truly exceptional umbrella.
The Wind Tunnel Test in Eindhoven
Following the hunt for the right manufacturer, the next step to designing a windproof umbrella is understanding its limits. That’s why we took our small umbrellas to the Technical University of Eindhoven for rigorous wind tunnel testing.
In this controlled environment, the Tumella umbrella was subjected to strong winds, simulating the harshest weather conditions. With gusts reaching up to 72 mph that would turn most compact umbrellas inside out, Tumella’s windproof umbrella stood its ground. What’s even more amazing is that after the test, it went back to its original shape and retained its full functionality.
This test proved that Tumella umbrellas could handle more than just a drizzle—they’re built for the windiest of storms, making them the best umbrella for travel or everyday use. But don’t just take my word for it—watch the video of our umbrella braving the wind tunnel with ease.
The Bend Test by Real Users
Durability isn’t just about wind resistance, it is also about flexibility. To ensure our small umbrellas could definitely handle real-world stresses, we invited users to try bending and twisting the Tumella umbrella.
With its 9 superior ultra-flex fiberglass ribs and a high-quality canopy, the Tumella umbrella stood up to the challenge. Watch Faith's video while she's testing the limits—no snaps, no breaks, just a reliable umbrella you can count on.
This is why Tumella umbrellas aren’t just strong; they’re also resilient. Earning their place as one of the lightest umbrellas on the market without sacrificing durability.
Kid-Proof Testing: The Battle of Tumella vs. Teenage Chaos
What happens when you hand Tumella umbrellas to teenage boys and tell them to go wild? For our ultimate durability test yet, Annelies gave her kids permission to test the umbrella however they wanted. And boy, did they take the challenge seriously!
Did the Tumella umbrellas survive? Well, let’s just say they put up one heck of a fight. Check out the hilarious video—just don’t try this at home! (Or at least don’t let your kids near your Tumella with these ideas!).
Listening to Customer Feedback: Refining Tumella Umbrellas Through Real Experiences
At Tumella, customer feedback isn’t just heard—it’s the backbone of our innovation. We believe that the experiences from our users hold the key to creating the best umbrella with a lifetime warranty, and we’re committed to ensuring that no concern goes unnoticed.
One of the ways we improve is by actively compiling top issues from Customer Support inquiries and Product Reviews. Through our support team, we request pictures and videos of any broken parts from customers. These visuals help us identify pain points and find opportunities for improvement.
Take, for instance, our early umbrellas. One recurring concern was the manual opening and closing mechanism, which some found inconvenient. Listening to this feedback, we redesigned the mechanism to make it fully automatic. Now, with a simple push of a button, you can open and close your compact umbrella effortlessly—a game-changer for convenience and functionality.
So, when you choose Tumella, you’re not just getting an umbrella—you’re benefiting from a design that has evolved and adapted based on real-life experiences.
The ultimate umbrella: tested and trusted
Through rigorous testing—from the powerful Wind Tunnel Test in Eindhoven to real-world challenges like bend tests and kid-proof trials—Tumella umbrellas have consistently demonstrated exceptional durability, flexibility, and resilience. Each trial and every bit of customer feedback has shaped an umbrella that isn’t just functional but truly built to last.
Ready to experience the difference for yourself? Check out the Tumella umbrella on Amazon and discover why it’s celebrated as one of the best umbrellas for travel and everyday use.
We’d love to hear your Tumella story! Whether it’s about weathering a storm or simply enjoying the ease of its design, these experiences inspire us to keep creating the best for you. And remember, with our lifetime warranty, this could very well be the last umbrella you’ll ever need to own.
Stay dry, stay stylish, and let Tumella keep you covered for a lifetime. 🌂