Gossamer Gear Umbrella Clamp

[@MM-jy6kw]

I couldn't have walked across Meseta in August without this Gosamer umbrella. They didn't have the adjuster then so I used a couple of elastic cords to make it hand-free. I was envied by all the other pilgrims just wearing hats. I bought the adjuster but didn't know how to attach it because it came without instructions. I am leaving to walk Caminno del Norte (4th time) in a week. Thank you!

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

I envy you!!! :) Ultreia!

[@RealFableFox]

Great review.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jazziered142]

There is a lot of foothill hiking near my home, so when I don't feel like driving up long distances, I like to hike in the foothills. But there's never any shade. I'm in the high desert of Utah. The Salt Lake Valley. Can't wait to get this for my umbrella.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

SO worth it!

[@kristymoore7052]

I went through the very same thing with the six moon designs system. I tried to do what you are while day hiking. All was a fail.wait until you actually start hiking in it. I’ll keep working on it.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Yeah it takes a fair amount of tweaking at first!

[@kathrineswango]

Exactly the video I was looking for, thanks!

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Glad to hear it!

[@nathanaelkolb4024]

both entertaining and educational. trying to decide if i want to get an umbrella. thanks

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Most of the hiking I do does not lend itself very well to an umbrella, but for long distance days with exposure I would absolutely bring it!

[@andrewhyduke1974]

I have used an umbrella on the AT for more than 30 years. It is a great piece of gear. Unlike a rain jacket, you stay much cooler and don't wet out from sweat. If you hike on the AT you have a lot of use for one.

[@caylinj]

Lol that was fun. Thank you for the demo of what not to do first 😂 Also, my parents say that opening an umbrella inside is 7 years bad luck…so…good luck from a leprechaun 🍀

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Thanks! I am always happy to share my fumbling. And I'll take all the leprechaun good luck I can get! :)

[@danielhouston8725]

The brilliant relevance of unboxing videos on KZbin

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Do I detect sarcasm?

[@davidson_oldbull_sectionhiker]

Thanks for the clamp review Doug. I main reason I have decided to check out an umbrella is that recently I got caught in a wicked thunderstorm and if I had an umbrella I would have hunkered down until it passed over. Take Care

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Yes having portable shade and shelter is a nice comfort for the trail for sure. But if you're in a thunderstorm, don't hold it up too high! ;)

[@davidson_oldbull_sectionhiker]

@@BackcountryPilgrim that’s why I am going to opt for the fiberglass.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Well keep in mind that lightning is attracted to height, and if it heads your way the fiberglass won't hinder it from striking you even though it may not conduct like metal would (and you're not holding metal on the metal version anyway). Cheers!

[@MarkGoesHiking]

Sweet little item for sure! Nice review!

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Thanks Mark!

[@yogalandawellnessyolandati7654]

Nerdy umbrella hat solves so many umbrella problems

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

100%!

[@HypnoseBerlin]

I simply use two elastic cords with cord locks. Works much better for me because they are permanently attached to my shoulder straps and I can't lose them.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Sounds good, but what keeps the handle from sliding through them - just tension?

[@HypnoseBerlin]

@@BackcountryPilgrim I use one of the trekking umbrellas with ridges in the foam handle. So yes, just tension works.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

@HypnoseBerlin Very cool!

[@debbiebunn7963]

I used Ithis umbrella and clamp system on the Chemin Le Puy, but the clamp moves with the wind and is constantly hitting me in my head and I can't see. Euroschirm has a great handsfree umbrella clamp but they don't sell them. I think I might try to use two bungees and see how that works.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Oh too bad! If you find something that works better for you let me know!

[@matgivher2309]

found out the water hose gap is perfect for my umbrella also higher and centered

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Nice! Does the umbrella grip fit through it or do you attach cord to it?

[@matgivher2309]

mine was round shaped just sawed some plastic@@BackcountryPilgrim

[@Hector_Outdoors]

I pick one up just haven't had time to try it out!

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

It's pretty impressive! I was not expecting much TBH, but GG rocked it! (Now if they would just open their affiliate program again LOL)

[@metteaatinen1381]

Hmmm...😎 It seems to be ok, but I wonder how it will last on a windy day on meseta. That's were you would need it the most, there is no shadow for a really long way. But you'll know when you'll try 😊👍 thanks for experimenting again!

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Given the way it attaches wind would whip it around ( like it does in your hand), but because it attaches at two places I actually think it would be more stable. The downside would be that it wouldn't come back to the perfect position in between guests and you might get beaten by the umbrella handle a bit haha. :-)

[@metteaatinen1381]

Well, if you're a pilgrim, you're supposed to suffer anyway 😄

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

@@metteaatinen1381 Right! Maybe I'll attach a flail to it!

[@SingaSongandMaketheChili]

@@BackcountryPilgrim :-)

[@karenlee005]

Watching all your umbrella videos as I’m doing my research. Thanks for all the links. Is this clamp better or same as using a couple of small ball bungee type cords?

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Yeah for sure, without the clamp it would just slide through and wouldn't be as easily adjustable. Glad you like the videos!

[@karenlee005]

@@BackcountryPilgrim thanks for the tip! That’s helpful

[@markraciborski4289]

Question about color. Supposedly, black is the best color for a sun umbrella. Has anyone tried all black over these reflective umbrellas?

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

I wouldn't think it would be better on the outside, where did you hear it was?

[@sickoflies2050]

What about in the wind ?🤔

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Gotta lean into it. :)

[@MassiveCarbonFootprint]

This looks like a brilliant idea to me. I watched your other hiking umbrella video and it made sense. It seems - however that you ultimately chose not to go with this solution (at least vis-a-vis your Camino plans). Would you recommend this for such a trek? Also, did you look into if airlines will allow it as part of your carry-on luggage?

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

I was definitely going to carry this on my Camino but my Camino was cancelled due to covid. :( It should not be a problem for airlines as it is not sharp. Thanks for watching!

[@nathansharp3193]

I hate seeing things that add complications and weight to my setup...especially when it looks like something I want! This is why I cut my toothbrush in half; so I can carry other stuff, right?!?! I will ponder on this for about a year before I get one though. It definitely seems like a must-have for a desert hike though.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

I hear you! I honestly don't carry this hiking very often, but if I was going for multi-day stretches in exposed areas I would not hesitate!

[@Backpacksandtrails]

It looks brilliant, but the issue for us is that we carry a cell phone holder on one strap and a water bottle holder on the other strap. I wonder if you could make it work in that situation, or would have to forfeit something in order to use it properly...

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Yeah I bet you'd have a bit of struggle getting the handle to sit right.

[@waynearrington6727]

I got the hands free set up to go along with my umbrella. After some rather frustrating attempts at making this umbrella clamp work it has been consigned to that drawer for things that will be forgotten and discarded. It's a piece of crap. Two pieces of elastic cord with sliders works a lot better.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Sorry you couldn't make it work.

[@911aaron]

I've had and used the GG clamp for a year now with my GG umbrella. I personally do not like it and do not recommend it to other people. The clamp attaches to your strap with a velcro. The rough side of the velcro is prone to bending backwards away from the strap and into your chest, causing the rough velcro to rub against your clothing/skin. In addition the plastic clamp is not sewed in a fixed position to the velcro strap. What that means is that the plastic clamp wobbles left and right all the time and as illustrated at the end of this video causes the umbrella to shake unnecessarily. This problem becomes even worse in windier conditions. I do not recommend.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Thanks for sharing your experience! The way I have it the velcro section is on the outside of the strap, so I haven't had issues but maybe with thinner straps there'd be no way to avoid it. The wobble is for adjustment - it'd be nice if it could lock in place though. Have you found any good alternatives?

[@davidandmoose8885]

Great price. For $5.99, it's not worth even trying to make something yourself.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

For sure! And the C clamp needs to be the right size too, I'm not sure how hard those would be to find.

[@yxhankun]

I can attach an umbrella without anything.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Do tell!