Outdoors

The Nubrella wearable umbrella gets a new look

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The Nubrella has been redesigned for better visibility and comfort
The Nubrella has been redesigned for better visibility and comfort
Nubrella plans to offer a package with a detachable backpack
The redesigned Nubrella extends coverage farther forward, providing a roof over tablets, smartphones, food, etc.
The Nubrella is built as a hands-free, rainproof wearable that holds up in high wind
The wearer presses two buttons and the Nubrella hood springs closed
The all-new Nubrella is now available for preorder
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About four years ago, we took a look at the Nubrella, a hands-free wearable umbrella that looked like a rain-deflecting space helmet … only somehow bigger and goofier. Well, in those four years, we haven't seen a single person wearing one in public. Sensing a bit of that lack of enthusiasm, Nubrella's designers went back to the drawing board and came up with a new rain-deflecting space helmet design.

As the Nubrella folks tell the story, they successfully sold the original model in more than 82 countries around the world. However, along the way, it became apparent that there was room for improvement. As it turned out, people weren't all that enthralled by the prospect of covering their entire faces with a protective bubble. Nubrella explains on its Indiegogo campaign that people complained about "overkill protection," interference with communication, impaired vision and a dorky look.

The all-new Nubrella is an attempt at solving those problems – we'll leave it to others to judge just how successful they've been. The new visor section cuts off just above eye level, which opens up the possibility of having a little rain or snow blow in, but we think the average user will embrace the trade-offs of breathing freely and not having plastic sheeting in front of his or her entire face. The new design also extends out farther, giving users the ability to keep their cell phones and other handheld items dry.

The redesigned Nubrella extends coverage farther forward, providing a roof over tablets, smartphones, food, etc.

The redesigned deflector is secured to a new backpack-style harness with straps and a waist belt. Nubrella even plans to offer a package that includes a removable backpack. When the weather clears, the user simply presses the release buttons and the deflector collapses back behind the neck, eliminating the need for him or her to carry anything. We agree that carrying a wet umbrella is an inconvenience, but this design seems like it opens the potential for dripping water all over one's back, rear and legs. However, it does have a carry handle for transporting it without wearing it.

Like the original, the redesigned Nubrella is built to be free of the inversion that conventional umbrellas suffer in high winds. The company says it can withstand winds up to 40 mph (64 km/h).

While the Nubrella might seem drastically over-designed for the average jaunt from the car to the office, it's really built for those that regularly have one or both hands full in inclement weather for extended periods. The company anticipates it being useful to construction workers, photographers, wheelchair users, and outdoor sports enthusiasts like cyclists and fishermen, among other groups. Weight is listed at 2.5 lbs (1.1 kg).

Nubrella is working to secure funding for tooling through an Indiegogo campaign. It's offering the basic Nubrella at a pledge level of US$49, which is about half the estimated retail price, and a rain-sun version with UV-resistant material at $55. If Nubrella's plans work out, it'll start shipping in April 2015.

Nubrella is also offering its device for preorder on its website, but the price is higher there than on Indiegogo. Hit "play" on the video below to see the full, rather drawn-out Nubrella pitch.

Source: Nubrella

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6 comments
Grunchy
Boo, $29 became $99 and it's not significantly different. I have a raincoat with hood, this is not substantially better IMO. Actually - I was at the dollar store and I got an emergency poncho for $1 that is made out of garbage bag plastic & stowed neatly in the glove box. How are you going to beat that? Cheap, tiny, functional, and in my possession already! :)
pt88
This would be ideal for elderly ladies to protect their recently dyed and coiffured hair from the elements! I don't really see the advantage of this over, say, a waterproof jacket with a hood, or a brimmed hat.
Stanton Dowd
It looks like he's stolen the hood off someone's pushchair!!
Lol!
Buzzclick
What a lame idea. First it looks silly, and second, with an umbrella you can maneuver it not to catch the wind, but still keep most of you dry. With this contraption, you can't just open it to use, unless you already have it on.
And lord help you if you're on a bike and a gust of wind takes you down.
Fail.
sk8dad
I've got a suggestion for products licensing this brilliant technology...a car-brella. It would be a Nubrella that attaches to the windshield of your convertible. With it, you could still let the top down during a deluge.
ShaneBrady
Alan Kaufman is a con-artist. I am one of a large number of people who paid for this product and simply never received it. Do not make the same mistake I did.