Daughter and son-in-law have requested “nice umbrellas” as a Christmas gift. They live in Philly and don’t have a car so they get around through a combination walking and public transportation. (Also biking but it’s hard to bike with an umbrella deployed!) I’ve checked out Wirecutter. I’ve also tried using the search function here, but just got results for umbrella insurance policies. Any recommendations would be appreciated, ideally with links to where to buy them online.
Are they looking for sturdy or “fancy”?
In the sturdy category, I have a Repel umbrella that I love. I’ve never had it invert and I live in Chicagoland. https://www.amazon.com/Repel-Umbrella-Engineered-Lightweight-Waterproof/dp/B0160HYB8S/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._5eQCSw1nYu7czpe7sUZC5X5tFkWUK_2RJvhvfmpQLDSsO4erCmqQ81NF3lccqq7MyGeZkuV71vD0V391Ax2YBAxKEbVYZ7OMM8G1NNkPFIB0Ht7IIlDI9ctEoyJGYyNGWQOummtQPkdguSNy4rKPlJUBpJnIXfuQBjCdEmlqqr7FT6LXixfQZ85eIb-G8SbTaiyeKcO5eVE57LvVy_WyGMtmqifUAFVQsZ9_zFk5Domcv0Ad87ya2BcLWOIysHTikAHj1-YoKDBAoXSnC_Hm-1nZxU6z6jTdTBXotIYEdU._57Osxm1BXcTP9qzJabU2T6xh5ooQhOtkLX8ivS-P7s&dib_tag=se&keywords=repel%2Bumbrella&qid=1764789178&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1
If you are looking for a fancy, there are all kinds of bespoke handmade $300+ umbrellas. Il Marchesato - Luxury Umbrellas Handmade in Italy since 1978 – ilMarchesato - Luxury Umbrellas, Canes and Shoehorns
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No useful suggestions to offer (never got better than totes LOL) – but I’d ask if they want an umbrella that folds up or not.
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I live in a place where it can get really rainy and windy at the same time. I’ve tried many different umbrellas over the years, and nothing compares to my stick umbrellas made by this company:
If you want a super compact, luxury one, I had a good experience with a Burberry umbrella I got at their outlet. The British know their rain. 
Good thing it only cost me $50 because kid borrowed it, and it was stolen, but it lasted me close to 5 years and never flipped on our Seattle “wind tunnel” streets.
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My favorite at the moment:
The best umbrellas I’ve had for large coverage area have been golf umbrellas. Haven’t had one in awhile so don’t know specific brands
I suggest
They are decent. Their 'mini’s are indeed compact, yet still functional.
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I love inside out umbrellas which have the design on the inside!
very sturdy, too— at least the one I have.
Having trouble with the link but just check inside out umbrellas on Amazon.
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My daughter really likes this one I got her a few years ago
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09SSCHD9L?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1
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I’ve heard Blunt umbrellas are very good.
The best umbrella I ever owned was from LL Bean. Haven’t looked recently to see if they still carry them, but it was fantastic. A pretty loud tartan- but I think they had more sober colors at the time!
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Hopefully this guide will do since I cannot find my US News umbrella rankings:
However, if I recall correctly, the US News rankings gave the highest ratings to the university affiliated umbrellas of Harvard, Yale, Princeton,MIT, Stanford, Northwestern, & the University of Washington.
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Alternative thought but having spent a fair amount of time outdoors I would splurge on top notch rain gear.
Even a top notch umbrella can only do so much. I would rather have great gear and a cheap umbrella. They get lost, break or get forgotten. Umbrellas aren’t always allowed too. Great rain gear not so much.
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I tend to agree with you, but if the receiver has requested umbrellas, they’d probably not be happy if they receive rain gear.
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I find rain gear SO particular.
For the last few years I’ve depended on my Rains hooded coat…. lightweight, pretty neutral, completely waterproof, easy to pack OR wear on the plane, more expensive than I wanted but in excellent shape after a few years so I’m OK with the price. I must have tried on 50 coats before finding it. It was replacing a rain coat which was literally falling apart but almost everything I tried was too “mountain climber” or too “city slicker” or looked like a child’s raincoat sized up. And I needed it to fit both a down vest and a fleecey top underneath for when it’s cold.
Very tricky to buy someone else a raincoat!
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For years, I commuted to our downtown with a transfer from one bus route to another and walked to and from bus stops and workplace. Never had to wear any rain gear like that sold in the hiking section of REI. 
My SF stick umbrella kept me dry in between buses etc. I did invest in a nice trench coat and a puffer. It is a myth that Seattleites never use umbrellas. Saw many during my bus commute days! 
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Maybe, but certainly worth asking the question. OP said biking is also a mode of transportation.
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I would not recommend a golf umbrella unless someone is actually planning to use it on a golf course. One of my pet peeves is when I am walking and someone beside me is carrying a golf umbrella and I’m on the edge of the sidewalk (or on the street!) because there is any room.
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