History in the Making

"The best materials for umbrellas would be a water-resistant nylon or pongee," stated Meredith O'Brien, inside sales/customer care specialist for Storm Duds Raingear, Attleboro, Mass. (For those who do not know, pongee is a thin fabric made from silk or a silk substitute.) Additions like venting enhance the storm-proofing of umbrellas. "Venting adds an extra layer of material for the wind to flow through the umbrella helping it to not invert in heavy winds," O'Brien explained. She added that Storm Duds umbrellas have heavy gauge storm flex ribs and spreaders to combat wind as well.