Skee-Tex Product Picks

For a great number of years now, anglers have been using Skee-Tex clothing without any second thoughts in their decisions. UKMA are amongst this number of anglers and we are proud to be able to bring you our thoughts on some of the stand-out products that the company produce.

Skee-Tex Barbel Trekker Boots

As more and more anglers are becoming more mobile in their angling, anybody that has tried to be mobile wearing some of the heavier boots will know that it can be more of a hassle to move than to stay put, and therefore reduce their chances of catching the fish that they are on the bank to catch in the process.

A couple of years ago, Skee-Tex launched their lightweight field boot in the Barbel Trekker boots, which are a saviour in comparison with some other footwear that anglers use.

The Barbel Trekker boots are a little different to the other boots that Skee-Tex have in their range, in that they are more of a traditional hiking boot than a thermal lined product. Manufactured with suede and mesh panels that cover a breathable membrane, the Barbel boots are perfect for all but the coldest of conditions. The breathable membrane is also 100% waterproof and one of the team has walked through ankle deep water on the banks of a rapidly rising lake without getting a single drop of moisture entering the boot. During the summer months, as long as the material is not soaked, the uppers keep the feet cool and sweat free.

The sole is made from a hard wearing but flexible rubber compound that stays flexible even in sub-zero temperatures. The sole has been finished in an anti-slip grip pattern than will provide good grip on soft ground, but also retains the grip on hard surfaces.

One of the UKMA team has been using the Barbel Trekker boots for the past couple of years since their launch, and is still on his original pair which have covered many miles in all conditions, and the boots still look and perform as good as new.

Over the period of time that UKMA have put these boots through the tests, we have had the worst winter in recent history with Arctic temperatures, heavy rain, snow (in the UK!!!!) and when paired with the Skee-Tex North Pole thermal socks, cold feet have been a distant memory when trampling around the banks of the venues that we had found were actually fishable. For summer use, cotton socks are recommended to keep the feet cool. UKMA have used these boots with both trainer socks and normal sports socks with equal comfort and sweat free feet.

If this is not testament to the quality of this footwear, then we don't know what is! When we have found a way to wear the boots out to the point that new ones are required, they will 100% be replaced with the same. Even the original laces are still intact and showing no signs of needing to be replaced in the foreseeable future.

A first class product that ALL anglers should look at regardless of which side of angling they participate in.

Lightweight Thermal Liners

New for this year, Skee-Tex have launched a new style liner for their superb original "moon" boots. The new liner has more than just a single use and UKMA saw these uses immediately.

Instead of being the thick wooly material that the original liners were made from, Skee-Tex have used a neoprene outer with a lower pile "wooly" insulated lining that is extremely comfortable on the foot. The inner pile allows the foot to be inserted or removed from the liner with relative ease without taking the sock with it, and also allows very good movement of the toes (something that some other "moon" boot liners do not allow). The under sole of the lightweight liner has been rubberised with small hexagons to create an anti-slip finish meaning that the angler will not break there neck when getting out of a bedchair and putting their feet down on a groundsheet.

It is inevitable that from time to time, the liners on the "moon" style of boot will need replacing - be it from wear & tear, rodent attack or simply through neglect on the part of the angler, but the main issue that anglers come across is that the thicker original liners can be a pain to take off or put on quickly when required. With the newer lightweight liners, the angler can simply wear the lightweight liner as a bivvy slipper without feeling constricted, and leave the muddy boots outside of their shelter (helping to keep the interior of the groundsheet clean) and quickly put them back on should a take occur or the call of nature presents itself.

With the liners being of a lot thinner construction than the originals, you would have thought that the boot would be overly large on the foot when worn with them, but it is surprisingly not the case. Yes, there is a little bit of movement between the boot and the liner, but not enough so the boot will slip or the foot pull itself out of the boot when walking. The lightweight liners can also be used with the Field Boot that Skee-Tex also manufacture, which really will give ultimate insulation from the cold weather should you not like the "moon" boot style.

Skee-Tex Thermal Fur Hat

When it comes to cold weather angling, having a good thermal headwear is imperitive, especially if you are like one of the UKMA team & have no "natural" insulation on the top of your head, and the Thermal Fur Hat certainly fits the bill perfectly.

Modelled on a classic Russian styling, the thick "fur" that has been fitted to the outer rim of the hat is probably the warmest headgear that we have had come through to the UKMA offices.The main body of the hat is lined with a soft material that makes the hat feel that it is not touching the skin.

The outer is waterproof, and constructed from a DPM pattern material. At each side of the hat, flaps have been included that are also lined with "fur" and secure snugly over the ears and fasten under the chin by a clip buckle for extreme conditions. The flaps are attached to a section that also comes down around the back of the head to offer ultimate protection from the elements. When the ear flaps are not required, they can be folded up and fastened over the top of the hat by the same buckle fastening that secures under the chin. The thin fibres of the fur enable more air to be trapped than a heavier pile and heat up quicker, retaining any heat lost through the areas that the "fur" lined sections are covering.

With a lot of thermal hats, prolonged wearing of the headgear can cause irritation or sweating, but during the times outside over winter, UKMA can honestly say that we have not found any irritation or red marks from wearing it, nor suffered from any sweating.

All in all, it is needless to say that this hat is one of the first items packed when embarking on sessions in the cold, and is also fashionable enough to wear away from the bank on the high street should you wish to (I know I have and not had any funny looks from other people).

UKMA Final Thoughts

As anglers have come to expect from Skee-Tex, all of our picks have been difficult choices to make, due to that we have yet to see a sub-standard product from the company! All the products have been made to do a job and do it well, and none of the Skee-Tex items that we have used or seen have let us down.

If you haven't seen or used any Skee-Tex products, then we suggest that you take a good look at them the next time you are in your local stockist. You will not be disappointed.

For more information on these or other Skee-Tex products, please visit the company's website by clicking the image below.