Are Totes umbrellas worth it?+
For most everyday needs, yes. Totes is regularly billed as the world's largest marketer of umbrellas, and shoppers consistently praise the value of reliable rain coverage at an accessible price. They are dependable rather than luxury, which is exactly why they have become a default rainy-day pick.
Are Totes umbrellas good quality?+
They strike a strong balance between quality and value, with sturdy canopies and smooth operation across their range. Totes became the world's largest supplier of collapsible umbrellas by the mid-1980s, so the engineering is well proven. For the price, most buyers find them a solid, long-serving choice.
What is the difference between Totes and Isotoner?+
They were originally two separate companies. Totes built its name on foldable rainwear and collapsible umbrellas, while Isotoner was a glove brand. The two merged in 1997 to form Totes Isotoner Corporation, with the combined name showcasing the flagship products of each: umbrellas and rainwear from Totes, gloves from Isotoner.
What does the name "totes" actually mean?+
It comes from the brand's original signature product. In 1949, So-Lo Works developed tough, lightweight, foldable latex-rubber overshoes called "totes", sold with the slogan "tote 'em in your pocket" because they packed away so small. The whole brand name grew out of that pocketable, foldable idea.
What is the most iconic Totes product?+
The collapsible umbrella is what Totes is best known for. Bradford E. Phillips added it to the range in 1970, with the selling point that it folded out of sight when no longer needed, and Totes went on to become the world's largest maker of such umbrellas. The foldable "totes" overshoes that started it all are the brand's original signature.
What is the Isotoner name about?+
ISOTONER is a portmanteau of "isometric" and "toning," coined to highlight the selling points of a stretchable nylon glove with leather coverings. French glovemaker Paul Chanut and American glove reseller Larry Stanton founded the Aris Glove Company in 1918 and developed that first stretchable nylon glove, which became the Isotoner.
Where is Totes Isotoner based and where are the umbrellas made?+
Totes Isotoner is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, and operates divisions in the United States, Canada, the UK, and France. Its umbrella production has been outsourced to Taiwan, one of the world's major umbrella-making centers.
How old is the Totes brand?+
Its roots run surprisingly deep. The company traces back to the Roll-O-Radio Company, a mail-order radio kit supplier incorporated in Cincinnati in 1924, which evolved through several names before the "totes" footwear line emerged in the late 1940s and the firm was renamed Totes Incorporated in 1965.
Who owns Totes Isotoner now?+
Ownership has passed through several private equity firms over the decades, including Bain Capital, Swander Pace Capital, MidOcean Partners, and Investcorp with Freeman Spogli & Co. Most recently, in June 2024, Totes Isotoner was acquired by Marquee Brands and Randa Apparel & Accessories.
What products does Totes make beyond umbrellas?+
The range is broad. Totes-branded products include umbrellas, rubber footwear, ponchos, rain hats, and travel bags, plus accessories like the cozy "Toasties" slipper socks introduced in 1988. The wider company also covers Isotoner gloves and ESNY footwear such as flip-flops and sandals, along with sub-brands like Cirrus and SolBounce.
Were Isotoner gloves involved in the O. J. Simpson trial?+
Yes. In 1995, Isotoner gloves allegedly worn by O. J. Simpson were presented by the prosecution in his murder trial, which became one of the most widely remembered moments associated with the brand. It remains a notable, if unusual, piece of the company's history.
