Better Brella is probably an OK product. If you want one, go to Bed Bath & Beyond and buy one for $20 (or less with a BBY coupon.) Based on my experience, I urge you to stay away from the Better Brella company itself. I saw their TV ad for two Better Brellas for $29.95 + tax, no shipping fees. So I placed an order. They charged me $57.98, and would not cancel the order, and disputed my dispute with my credit card company, even though I refused the package and had the USPS return it to them. First they claimed they never received the package I shipped back to them. Then they refused to issue the credit because they claimed (falsely) that more than 30 days had passed.
The Better Brella company is a rip-off scammer. Also, the product is not unique. When I went to BBY to buy one, I saw a similar umbrella made by ShedRain, whose products I bought previously and have been happy with. And that's the umbrella I actually bought. Avoid the Better Brella company. They might try to rip you off and scam you too.
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend