Aqua Heritage 60 Brolly
There isn’t anything much better than Aqua’s Heritage 60 Brolly
Decades before Aqua’s Chris Manifold dreamt up the Armadillo – the first pram-hood style shelter – came this: a 60-inch brolly. It was the ultimate piece of real estate for the mobile angler. It went up and down in seconds, it weighed less than a model airplane, and coming out of the Aqua gates meant it was hardwearing and durable.
Nearly 20 years later, Aqua still makes said brolly, it’s just now called Heritage 60 Brolly, and whilst the original was good, this one’s great. This sleek update trades its outer material for the high performance grade Aquatexx – one of the most waterproof and tough fabrics around, and as you’ll see from the images, thanks to its near black inner, sun ingress is almost non-existent, meaning you’ll remain cool regardless of how hot it gets. This 2016 model has been designed to be used on its own or converted into a full brolly system using the Aquatexx Infill, Mesh Infill, and hardwearing groundsheet (all available separately).
Once assembled, the large 60” powder-coated hi-tensile steel frame and mini storm sides offer a comfortable amount of living space, housing most modern-sized bedchairs, along with enough space for additional luggage. It’s stable too, thanks to all four rear spars touching the ground and the multi-directional machined brass storm caps which fix four storm poles (not included) and roots the Heritage 60 to the ground.
Whilst we all love a pram-hood, and all harp on about how quickly they go up, nothing can beat an umbrella for speed and mobility. As John Hannent says, “It’s still the only shelter you set-up from the inside, pushing back nettles etc.”. And this tried, trusted and tested model comes complete with pegs, a lightweight storage sleeve and will protect you from wind, rain and nettles. “GIMME”: Brolly, £269.99; aquaproducts.co.uk