I’ve seen these clear umbrellas on TV and IRL for a million years but it wasn’t until I endured the insanely blustery, rainy spring we had here in NYC that I finally decided to hunt one down.  Needless to say, I’m completely, utterly OBSESSED.  First off, the shape of this umbrella is key.  It creates a far better protective dome around you than any of my more “compact” umbrellas, which are fine in a light drizzle, but if we’re talking serious rain (and accompanying wind) the protective dome is game changing.  Also, I always assumed the clear plastic canopy was just an aesthetic choice and never realized how unbelievably practical it is.  You know the tunnel-vision you experience when you’re huddled under an opaque umbrella canopy because you can’t see where you’re going?  Not any more.  The clear plastic allows you to stop running into buildings and nailing people in the face with your umbrella.  It’s magical.