SONIK Armatek 60 Brolly

If one product can sum up Sonik’s current swagger and confidence then it is surely this mighty brolly system. The Northumberland-based company are riding high at the moment on the back of plenty of quality releases that have propelled them up the carp-tackle pecking order. Product Manager James Temple left the JRC/Chub/Greys stable two years ago to lead Sonik’s kit development and his influence is certainly being felt. The Armatek 60 is big, bold and uncompromising, and you can’t fail to be impressed by the attention to detail that has gone into it - so let’s take a closer look…

The Big Questions

Another brolly system, then?
It might look like another contender in this crowded marketplace, but the Armatek 60 isn’t like other brollies. Yes, it’s built on a 60ins fibreglass brolly frame to give it that classic shape, but at the front there aren’t any storm poles. Instead, you get a separate frame that Sonik call their Tri-Pole Clip-In Support System. It’s far sturdier than a traditional storm-pole arrangement and has enabled Sonik’s designers to include a pair of integrated storage panels either side of the door. This is a really interesting system that is quicker to put up than storm poles and offers a massive amount of handy extra storage for rig and bait items.

But other than that it’s just a brolly?
Well, you put it up and take it down like one, but the features list is longer than a Frank Warwick cast. The back of the shelter features a large adjustable vent and is designed to be as flat as possible for maximum internal space. Inside there’s a space-saving hub and a vapour guard with overhead storage to minimise condensation. Outside, the external fabric feels as premium as they come and boasts a mighty 20,000mm hydrostatic head (which, in layman’s terms, is basically as water resistant as you can get in the fishing world).

Anything else I need to know?
Plenty! The included heavy-duty groundsheet clips in, which is a rarity on brollies but very welcome for easy installation. In addition, all key wear points on the shelter have a triple-layer construction for extra toughness and, praise the lord, the compression carrying bag is oversized with a full-length zip for a quick and stress-free getaway.

Plus the usual brolly bits and pieces, I assume?
Yep, Sonik haven’t neglected the bread and butter here. The zip-off front panel can be configured various ways, including with a two-way letterbox door, and outer edge of the brolly has a rain-drip guard and rod-retaining straps. Multiple pegging points mean you can adjust the Armatek 60’s profile, and the whole system comes as a complete package with nothing extra to buy.

How about some vital statistics?
As you’d imagine, with all these bells and whistles it’s not the most compact of brolly systems. With everything included it weighs in at 13.2kg and the carry bag is 180cm by 20cm. When assembled, the brolly is 290cm across, 205cm deep and can be adjusted at between 125cm and 150cm tall.
£399.99