OBJECT OF DESIRE
All the convenience of a brolly system but with more protection at this time of year… that’s exactly what the Armatek 60 offers.
Sonik Armatek 60 £399.99 www.soniksports.com
THE advent of the colder half of our typical year usually sees all but the most hardened brolly users reach for their winter bivvy. However, with generous proportions, excellent outer material and a condensation-beating inner layer, the Armatek 60 rightly lays claim to being a true year-round shelter.
Looking first at that inner layer, which Sonik calls a Vapour Guard, once attached it remains in place even when the brolly is packed away and doesn’t add any extra bulk when doing so.
What it offers internally is that all-important space between it and the outer material, drastically reducing the propensity for condensation, even with the front panel detached. It’s not the first brolly to offer this kind of feature but it’s certainly one of the better ones to do so.
The outer material boasts a 20,000mm hydrostatic head – in lay terms you could pile 20,000mm of water on it before any leakage – making it supremely waterproof.
It’s also rugged enough to cope with the rigours of year-round carp fishing.
As I mentioned, it comes included with a full infill panel, complete with removable letter-box-style door system. Add both of these and the large, 60ins unit pretty much becomes a bivvy in its own right, with plenty of coverage and internal space. This is enhanced further with the now-standard space saver hub.
A rear vent allows for added comfort in the summer months as well, at which time the Vapour Guard works to keep the inner space cool. A great addition to the rear vent is a small bar which allows it to be kept ajar at the base even when it’s raining – ideal in summery thundershower conditions.
I also really like the additional internal twin storage panels, which can be removed or left in situ. These offer great stowage for personal items, headtorch and alarm receiver – I far prefer this option to having to use a bivvy table.
Complement these features with great build quality, a generous bag and all required storm poles and the Armatek represents an extremely impressive package with genuine year-round potential.