Clothing

A comfortable one-size-fits-all carpy green beanie. What more can I say other than I expect to see plenty of these out in force this winter, thanks to the trendy minamilist logo and the fact that they really do help retain that all-important head heat. £9. 99 Subscribe here Terms and conditions apply .

With temperatures plummeting to as low as minus 5ºC at the time of writing this review, there is nothing I wanted more than a waterproof, thermal garment to keep me protected and I believe the team at Fox International has delivered the perfect solution. The Sherpa-Tec jacket combines some of the latest fabric advancements, bringing an affordable, functional and protective dual-layer clothing system to the market. Now some of you will be saying that at near £110 this isn’t so affordable. However, with the detailed and durable build quality that will last a good few seasons I would have to disagree.

Rambling through the dew-sodden grass is a regular occurrence when fishing and out on features, so what I needed was a pair of boots that would offer me protection but comfort when worn for long periods. Although these are not the lightest boots I have ever worn, they are by far the most protective so far. Constructed from full-grain leather with Vibram Trek rubber soles, the Hunter Boots are waterproof to above the ankle and breathable too, which is great if you run hot. While on the subject, the soles have been treated with Agion antimicrobial treatment that helps to eradicate that awful damp-dog smell; so keeping these in the house doesn’t cause me too much grief with the housemate.

Unique, reversible fleece-lined hooded jacket Warm, comfortable and versatileComplete with warm fleece and soft-touch shell fabric Embroidered Avid Carp logo and leather badge Medium, Large, X Large and XX Large £39. 99WWW. AVIDCARP. COM .

Fortis was the first company to launch polarised glasses to carp anglers but with fashionable frames and at a price that we could all afford. The top-of-the-range Vistas take the brand into a different bracket, with genuinely advanced glasses more with function than simply form in mind. The lenses offer near-unrivalled clarity thanks to their thinner construction. Essentially, thinner lenses equal less distortion and it’s only when you compare these against your current, probably cheaper, glasses that you see the difference.

I love this three-quarter-length jacket (there are matching bib ‘n’ braces available too) because it’s not only waterproof but features a Sherpa-Tec fleece lining for that extra bit of insulation and warmth. It’s not going to get you through a Polar expedition, but that’s not its intended design, but it is ideal for the late autumn and into winter. If conditions get really Baltic then a bit of layering underneath makes it more than capable of seeing you through. Proper YKK zips feature, which is a must for me because this is the main area where clothing of this nature can fail, so well done to Fox for that.

Now here is a lovely little product that although on first appearances doesn’t seem like much, will benefit you throughout the colder months and can be stashed away in a small side pocket and forgotten about until you need it; when you do, there is no better alternative. Made from non-pill polyester, this soft-feel garment can be worn in four different ways, ensuring you stay wrapped up and snug throughout crisp, cold evenings and bitter winds. The Headover can be rolled up to be worn as a traditional fleece hat or pulled down to provide a more traditional neck snood. If the weather really does take a turn for the worse and you are crazy enough to be fishing in blizzard-like conditions or when that dreadful icy rain begins to descend, then simply don the garment as a fully-fledged balaclava.