Fox Evo Compact

It’s easy to look back on something with misty nostalgia, forgetting the negatives and remembering only the good bits. With the original Evo, however, that fond reflection is not misplaced.

During the early 2000s it was the short-session shelter to have, and many Fox fans have pleaded with the company to bring it back now that the ‘pram-hood mania’ that forced it into retirement has receded a little.

Never one to turn shy away from customer feedback, Fox have listened and brought back the Evo. Of course, in the years since it was last on sale, manufacturing techniques and materials have improved, so the new Evo Compact blends the old ethos with modern construction.

The Evo always was a stripped-back shelter for tough anglers, and the new version is no different. It weighs a tiny 6.5kg - including storm poles, mozzy mesh and pegs! - and is made with a fibreglass frame and a lightweight polyester fabric with a 2,000mm hydrostatic-head rating. The all-important blocks that support the structure are made from glass-filled nylon for strength and lightness, and the angled elbow joints create a bigger internal space. Those joints also increase tension in the rear panel to create a self-standing design - a real bonus when setting up.

If you’re going to be out in fierce conditions, then the pair of including storm poles will secure the front, while guide ropes on the side add extra anchor points in extreme winds.

One of the key features of the original Evo was its height and width adjustability, and those characteristics have been retained in the new version. It’s possible to really crank this shelter down for a wide, low-down look that will protect you from oncoming wind and rain. Providing you don’t have a bad back it also looks undeniably cool! If you prefer a taller front aperture, then the Evo Compact can be erected with a height of 125cm, with a width of 300cm and a depth of 165cm.

As you would expect from such a lightweight shelter, packaway size is also kept to a bare minimum. The supplied zip-up bag condenses everything to 106cm by 17cm, which, when coupled with its skinny weight, will barely make an impact on your barrow or in the boot of your car.

A lightweight groundsheet is supplied, as is a zip-in mozzy-mesh front panel which can be left in place and tied back during the day, and there are rod-retaining straps on the outer rim. As an open-fronted shelter, the Evo Compact is ready to go straight from the box.
Fox have obviously taken their time with this project, aware of the high regard in which the original was held, but with a lightning-fast setup time, classic looks and an exceptionally competitive price, the Evo legend is definitely back with a bang.
£179.99