Tactical Masterstroke
Distinctive looks and clever design collide with the creation of the Tactical Brolly from Wychwood
Once the preserve of the hardcore banktramp, brollies have shrugged off their sparse and basic image completely in the last decade or so, becoming nearly as luxurious, spacious and sturdy as traditional bivvies. A number of design innovations have led us to this point, and Wychwood have bundled plenty of them into the Tactical Brolly, with five of the best outlined here…
1. Seven-rib design
Rib number and placement is a crucial aspect of any brolly. Wychwood have gone with seven spokes here, with the rear ones splayed to allow for a large vent, and a central spoke at the front to create a peak from which water runs off and doesn’t pool over the doorway. Solid and sensible.
2. Pockets
Storage. Not something you readily associate with brollies, but Wychwood have incorporated two removable mesh pockets in this design. They could have just included one, or sold both separately for an additional cost, but it’s a mark of this shelter’s value and completeness that they’re here as standard. And very useful they are, too!
3. Large skirt
No, not that kind. This brolly has a genuinely impressive inner skirt which extends a good foot or more from the rear of the shelter, acting like a mini groundsheet. It seals you and your belongings off from bugs and insects and also protects your luggage from dew and the ingress of rainwater.
4. Big vent
There’s a huge vent at the rear of this brolly, giving you plenty of breathing space on warmer days. The vent is protected by mozzie mesh and is accessed by unzipping the rear panel and parting the two wings like curtains. It means you can have the vent fully or half open depending on your preference, and it certainly does improve air flow.
5. Price
The Tactical Brolly has an RRP of £169.99, which is fantastic value considering it comes with two 24-inch storm poles and is made from quality ripstop material with a 5,000mm hydrostatic-head waterproof rating. It won’t break the bank and, at just 6kg, it won’t break your back either.
Brolly Innovations Over The Years And the Tactical Brolly has most of them!
More ribs
The addition of an extra central front rib has stopped water pooling above the door.
Larger ribs
Extending the length of ribs so more of them touch the ground has improved stability.
Vents
What started in the bivvy world for extra airflow has now become a staple of modern brollies.
Extra layers
Internal linings have gone a long way to eliminate the age-old problem of condensation.
Flatter backs
More shapely brollies have maximised internal space by having flatter backs and sides.
Bell caps
Adding a waterproof seal over the brolly mechanism has stopped the leaks which plagued early brollies.
