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 then telescope the shaft back down toward the wooden handle.

Performance Comparison

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. We measured the diameter to be 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 in an octagonal shape. The canopy also has wind vents, promoting air to flow through the umbrella as opposed to 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 we find impressive. This allows for more versatility in the elements, ranking above average as compared to the others in our group.

Ease of Transport

Due to its size, the Balios is not a lightweight, compact umbrella. It is on the heavier side, weighing in at 15.5 ounces. The packed length measures 14 inches, which also isn't as compact as some of the others. Nonetheless, the sturdy design and quality materials used are well worth the additional size and weight.

Despite the bit of 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 is easy to slide the umbrella into, making it quicker to access or stow without much effort. The wooden handle is very pleasant to hold as well and improved our experience when toting it around. We found that this smooth feel made us more likely to reach for the Balios when we wanted a compact umbrella for the day. For us, a good score for "ease of transport" means that we favor a product due to an agreeable set of features which, altogether, 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 own zippered sleeve with its sewn-in leash.

Construction Quality

The Balios has a fairly solid feel to it, 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 inner segment of the ribs are steel as well. This is actually not our favorite use of steel — we 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 we 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 it 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. We also like the auto-open and auto-close functions of this umbrella. It is easy to deploy at the press of a button and also easy to collapse the canopy with a push of the same button. You still have to telescope the shaft closed manually, and this takes a little bit of 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 re-deploy the canopy with the shaft extended, so you'll have to completely reset everything when you want to reopen it.

We found everything remained consistent during our test of opening and collapsing 30 times in a row. The mechanism felt strong the entire time. The button itself 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, lending to a very elegant look and feel. The black canopy is classic as well, 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 the process of packing and unpacking. Great for fancier events as well as a casual commute through town, we feel the simple yet tasteful design is much more likely to be appealing 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 more likely to be used for varying activities, like walks through 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 with 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?

If you want more pop and color in your life 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.