It seems that dumb products fall into broad two categories: overpriced entries into an established market and creative attempts to address non-existent problems. The first, whether blindly following current trends, representing yourself as something you are not, or repackaging a mediocre product to cash-in on fame, all receive my highest contempt as modern day huskerism.
The second category’s creators I admire for their entrepreneurial spirit and imagination in attempting to create something new in the marketplace that could benefit us all. I don’t wish to kill this spirit, but, unfortunately entrepreneurism, like we’ve seen with free markets, is not necessarily a good thing if left unchecked. This week’s nominee for Dumbest Product of the Week falls into this second lovable, if misunderstood category.
Will you see any women this attractive wearing the Nubrella? If you answer yes, I'll need photographic proof!
The Nubrella aims to provide you protection “against all weather conditions.” It is intended to conquer one of the the draw backs of the traditional umbrella, namely “the inversion problem,” when a gust of wind blows your umbrella inside out. I appreciate the attempt to fix one of the weak links of umbrella design, but this product fails to address my biggest issue with umbrellas: coverage. While I’m sure that the Numbrella is superior at protecting my head and shoulders, having dry hair isn’t that big an advantage going into a business meeting if my waist, arms, and legs are soaking wet.
Will the Nubrella provide the winning edge at this year's Tour de France?
In the Nubrella promotional materials, they show the produce being worn by a cyclists recalling a previous Dumbest Product winner, the DryBike. Not content with a quaint Dutch design attaching an umbrella to your bike, the Numbrella is the DryBike on steroids, boasting an aerodynamic design rated to 50 miles per hour. While I’m sure it does nothing to keep you dry on a bike, this wind tunnel test intrigues me and make me wonder if we’ll be seeing the Numbrella on a certain Lance Armstrong during the race of truth at the Tour this year. It can’t be any sillier looking than the sperm-like time trial helmets being worn now.
Did the Get Smart Cone of Silence inspire the creator of the Nubrella?
In the end, these attempts to keep us dry with ever increasing engineered products makes me wonder about our fortitude in these trying times. We humans have survived for millennia just walking through the rain. In know we have acid rain these days, but we aren’t made of sugar. (We may however be made of corn.) If you really want to stay dry, galoshes, a rain coat, and hat beat an umbrella any day, be it Nu or regular. We don’t need some Get Smart Cone of Silence induced solution. Just suck it up and realize in any life some rain must fall.
Enjoy your weekend, and get out and ride your bike.
on Jan 13th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
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on Jun 9th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
too bad you’re narrow mind is so construed. I am in a wheelchair and nubrella has been terrific for me.
You should think before you criticize. But then again you’re probably the type that hasn’t accomplished anything in life and have the need to attack others.
on Jun 9th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Actually, I think I’ve accomplished quite a bit, but I’ll leave that to others to decide. A wheelchair application is probably the best application for this product as you would get the coverage you need. Unfortunately, that’s not how it was marketed. Can you truly look at the picture of the Numbrella on the cyclist and think he’s going to stay dry in any way other than his head.
In the end, it’s up to you whether this is a good product. I’ll happy open my mind to the Nubrella if you open your mind to humor.
on Feb 5th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
Elliott, great article, sorry to see it has offended a wheelchair user.
Apart from being used by those in wheelchairs, I have to say it is really stupid to try market it for cyclists. I might as well put a plastic bag over my head.
I think the company behind Noobrella must be taking the piss out of those people who buy their product..
on Feb 5th, 2010 at 10:48 pm
i would buy one right now if i could get logged on to theyer web site.but so far i havnt been able to.
on Feb 5th, 2010 at 11:14 pm
‘Dumbest product of the week’ – I can’t agree more…
http://bit.ly/jwigG
on Feb 6th, 2010 at 12:23 am
for someone growing up having to ride her bike through rain, sleet and snow to school every day,
Rain suit or not, your face takes a beating and you cannot hold up an umbrella riding your bike, I think this product will be great in the Netherlands, market it there, it will be a success! No rain in the US can compare
on Feb 11th, 2010 at 7:46 pm
stupid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!But cool weird
on Mar 20th, 2010 at 8:55 pm
I have a girl friend with a wild thick eighties hair band doo. In fact her sister was a member of the rock group Vixen. She frets every time its a little wet and windy. I’m going to buy her this device. This will be the answer to all her rainy weather dilemmas. She is the self conscious type and I will have to get it into her mind that no one is paying her way through life. Therefore she does not need anyone’s approval.
Cool futuristic invention. Belongs in a movie like Bladerunner.
on May 10th, 2010 at 4:30 pm
Husband bought each for us and so far so good! Finally it arrived in the mail!
on Jul 6th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
This product is great for places where ppl bicycle as a primary way to get around (ie, in Denmark and Netherlands etc) rather than just for frivolous fun (ie, like most of USA) It is true that this product will not keep your body dry when bicycling but that is not its intent. It is meant as a replacement for an umbrella not a bodysuit! And as a cyclist who doesn’t use a car at all, this item is great especially to allow me to ride around the city safely while wearing prescription glasses. And the design is neat. Before you bad mouth a product, take yourself outside of your small and closed minded suburban life to look at this product from many different points of view.
on Oct 13th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
I agree that this is incredibly useful. You’ve clearly never been out of the USA and like most americans, you cant see past the tip of your nose. alot of people outside of america use bicycles (and wheelchairs for that matter) as their main mode of transportation. I ordered one of these and it just got here last week and it is one of the coolest things here in Netherlands.
on Jul 30th, 2011 at 11:57 am
I realize this article is old, and you meant it as funny, however, the product is not dumb. I live in Southern California where it supposedly never rains and I’m still super tempted to get this – only the price holds me back – because my mom often uses a wheelchair and I’m her official pusher. Pushing a chair and holding an umbrella is impossible. At least she can hold a regular umbrella. Plus, being female, keeping my hair nice looking in bad weather is more important then keeping the legs of my jeans dry. Clothing doesn’t take forever to wash and dry. Styling hair however….