Day care
SONIK Sports are the dons of wringing maximum performance out of wallet-friendly packages, and their new SKS Dayshelter doesn’t disappoint
Northumberland-based brand, SONIK Sports are old heads when it comes to building prize-winning rods – they’ve even got previous form on this very website thanks to their SK3 and SK4 models. And this award-winning streak looks sets to continue, as along with their truly epic Gravity X rods, for 2015 SONIK have also turned their focus towards fabrics and produced a luggage/living collection called SKS. The result is 25 beauts, ranging from sleeping bags and bedchairs to rod holdalls and, as you can see here, bivvies, just like the SKS Dayshelter…
It looks nice, but what’s different about it?
At first glance it may look like many other pram-hood style shelter, but there are quite a number of gems built into the Dayshelter, and none more so than the price. SONIK grew its reputation on producing brilliantly made products at very affordable prices and this super lightweight shelter echoes that perfectly thanks to retailing for just £99.99 – and trust us when we say this: you’re getting a helluva lot of shelter for that wallet/wife/girlfriend-friendly price.
Well, like what then?
We’ll start with the build quality and materials. It’s made from the same lightweight yet super-reliable 210D polyester fabric which SONIK use for their main SKS Bivvy. And this stuff is waterproof – 5000mm hydrostatic head waterproof – so when the predictable summer showers arrive, you should have zero concerns about getting wet. This is then supported by two 16mm matt green 6061 aluminium poles which are damn strong but lightweight – and because there’s only two poles, you can be set-up or packed-down in seconds.
The SKS Dayshelter: versatile and well priced
How does it shape up with features?
Now this is where the Dayshelter really pulls away from its competitors. Not only is there a rear vent, but it also comes with a PU elasticated groundsheet with strengthening points and bar tacking, a full frame support system, a full set of SONIK green pegs, elasticated pegging points, Velcro rod straps and some really top-end detailing, such as the rubberized SKS Zip Pulls and branding on the side.
That’s impressive, but can I get a bedchair in there?
Yes. Of course you’ll struggle with a wideboy-style bed, but for any normal sized models you’ve got no worries. And measuring an impressive 140(H) x 290(W) x 150(D)cm, you’ll also find there’s plenty of room for your rucksack, bait bag and other bits.
It sounds ace, but do I reeeeally need one?
The SKS Dayshelter is the perfect package of the current crop. This is the one you want, no question. If you’re planning on doing short sessions this summer and want to spend the maximum time fishing and the minimum time setting up, the Dayshelter is the one for you (and your bank balance).
“GIMME”: £99.99;