"Wind-venting is a popular design that adds to the durability of the product and allows [it] to withstand heavy gusts without failing," said Todd Blackmar, vice president of Haas-Jordan by Westcott, Toledo, Ohio. He explained that, unlike conventional wind-proofing, which utilizes a spring to return to the umbrella to its original shape after inverting, venting allows wind to actually pass through the canopy, eliminating altogether the possibility of inversion. "An umbrella that fails the customer at his most vulnerable time, in the rain, may be memorable in a negative way," he added.
Pouring It On
"Wind-venting is a popular design that adds to the durability of the product and allows [it] to withstand heavy gusts without failing," said Todd Blackmar, vice president of Haas-Jordan by Westcott, Toledo, Ohio. He explained that, unlike conventional wind-proofing, which utilizes a spring to return to the umbrella to its original shape after inverting, venting allows wind to actually pass through the canopy, eliminating altogether the possibility of inversion. "An umbrella that fails the customer at his most vulnerable time, in the rain, may be memorable in a negative way," he added.