GUSTBUSTER METRO UMBRELLA, 43IN, COLORS VARY

This is a cheap one (2010-04-12) Rating: 1/5
Tips of this small umbrella are held with a cheap plastic. They are not strong enough. So they tend to break, and the umbrella becomes useless as more tips break. Mine came with an already broken tip, and another tip had a crack on it. So, I returned immediately.
Good if you don't actually have to deal with constant heavy wind.... (2010-04-02) Rating: 3/5
Well, this umbrella is big enough to keep you and your backpack dry on your way to campus. Unfortunately, the joints closest to the edge of the fabric have a bad habit of breaking loose--I've had to repair two by sticking metal paper clips through the holes to make the joints work properly. The double-layer design is by no means entirely windproof, but it certainly helps. I just wish the frame had been build a little sturdier to withstand Seattle weather. It's also a little big to stay in a standard side pocket on a backpack, so I usually have to carry it inside the backpack or in my hand, then remember to grab it from under my seat after a lecture class.
quality not consisitent with co's statement of quality (2010-03-31) Rating: 3/5
The umbrella works but,once folded,the ends are supposed to fit into the handle and they don't. This makes it inconvenient to open. Also,it needs to be 54" wide instead of 48". The additional coverage would be nice. My advice,buy their golf size umbrella and shop around for a better and lower priced small one.
Works great...when it decides to work... (2010-03-29) Rating: 2/5
The canopy for this umbrella is great...unfortunately, the rest of the umbrella is very cheaply made...and it drastically reduces its performance. I've had this umbrella for about two months now, and from the very beginning I have had problems with the top spring engaging. Today, it has finally stopped working...it is inconceivable that on a $30 umbrella, one of the most basic pieces, that even $3 throw away umbrellas can get right, fails to work properly...

I am very disappointed with this product.
Gustbuster Metro Black, Manual Umbrella (2010-02-08) Rating: 4/5
This replaces an old Totes umbrella that I loved but misplaced in a move. I had it for 25 years. I decided to go with the manual version of the Gustbuster as I figured there's less to go wrong with it. Not that I have any evidence that that would be a problem, but I plan on keeping it for a while. The Gustbuster doesn't look as well built as my Totes and the hook mechanism that locks the umbrella open (I think it's called a plastic runner) has me a bit suspicious, however it performs flawlesly in heavy use. We just had a pretty heavy storm (heavy for SoCal) come through and as I watched other peoples umbrellas fold up and come apart, the Gustbuster held up wonderfully. I did use my other hand to brace where the two poles (top pole and bottom pole) slide together when the wind got really gusty. I would like to see them come out with a folding umbrella that's a little bit larger, though, maybe just a couple inches. Overall I'm very happy with it.