Jack Pyke of England Countryman Boots

Jack Pyke of England are very well known and respected in the shooting and hunting markets, and are making a push into the angling scene in the coming months. A lot of their existing product range is perfect for the specimen angler and are items that anglers have been purchasing without realising that the company were not actually targetting the angling market.

UKMA were recently invited down to the Jack Pyke headquarters in rural Bedfordshire to take a look at some of their products, as well as take some away for review.

Angling footwear is always a personal choice, and with the shops full of different clothing from many different manufacturers, most anglers will go by their favourite brands over functionality.

The Jack Pyke Countryman Boots have been designed to be functional as well as stylish. With outdoor pursuits meaning that all weather conditions are likely to be encountered aithout warning, as well as terrains being from as flat as a snooker table to rougher than the wrong end of a pineapple on jagged granite, it makes perfect sense to purchase footwear that is going to be suitable for whatever is thrown at it.

With anglers facing conditions that can be dry and solid one minute, yet after a downpour could turn the ground into a quagmire, a sturdy, comfortable walking boot is perfect for all bankside conditions.

The Countryman boot is best described as a high top walking boot. The main body of the boot comes up high above the ankle and offers protection should a slippage occur as the ankle is stopped from bending in positions that it should not be subjected to. The support given by the high top also stops the boot from sliding around on the foot when worn with thin socks. The tongue of the Countryman boot is attached almost to the top of the raised section and is gussetted which allows the foot to be placed in or taken out of the boot easily as well as stopping water splashes from entering the main section of the boot. This configuration between the tongue and the main body of the boot also keeps the heat in on cold days but also allows air to flow around the foot, lowering the build up of sweat. The boot itself is well padded for comfort.

The main boot itself is lined with Breathatex that allows the foot to breathe as well as keeping the boot waterproof. I have stood in 5" of water with these boots on and not had any water come into the boot itself.

The main upper of the boot is made from Nubuck leather. This material offers superb comfort as well as additional waterproofing. Nubuck leather is also very easy to keep clean and does not stiffen up in cold weather like similar materials.

To also keep the wearer comfortable in cold conditions, the boots also have a 3M Thinsulate thermal layer.

The sole of the boot is of one piece moulded construction and has a superb grip pattern that almost guarantees the wearer a solid footing in wet conditions. The sole is securely attached to the upper and should withstand a lot of abuse. I cannot see the sole ever coming away from the upper without suffering abuse that would wreck any footwear available. Above the main sole and at the base of the Nubuck upper, Jack Pyke have fitted a 2cm wide rubber strip which offers a barrier against scuffing and general wear & tear, which might seem something minor, but will increase the life of the footwear.

The lacing of the boot is kept securely in place by a 9 hole configuration, with the bottom 4 of metal eyelets, and the remaining 5 being of the hook variety. The use of the hook attachment allows the boots to be laced and unlaced quickly and easily.

When you first look at the boots you could be forgiven in thinking that they are going to be uncomfortable and restrictive with regards to wearing them and walking, but I can honestly say that these are extremely comfortable even when walking long distances. I have worn these boots for several months now and have put the rest of my angling footwear to the back of the shoe cupboard, as the Countryman boots do all what I require from my angling footwear.

The Countryman boots have a RRP of £89.99 and are available in sizes 7 - 12. Jack Pyke have also thought about the wearers car after a spell in the great outdoors, as they also include a fabric bag to store the boots in so the car does not get messed up (as well as stops the wife moaning about the mud getting over her new clothes she has just bought before you have had chance to clean the boot out!).