It was another outstanding ICAST for the team at AFTCO. As one of the leaders in fishing clothing and accessories, they have continued to develop new items designed to look good and keep anglers comfortable on and off the water. The team won four awards for their new products at this year's show. Included in their haul were honors for Footwear, Lifestyle Apparel for Women, Lifestyle Apparel for Men, and Cold Weather Technical Apparel.
Lifestyle Apparel for Women - Women's Reaper Softshell Zip Jacket
AFTCO makes great gear for men, but don't forget about women and their new softshell was impressive enough to win the category award. It's a lightweight jacket that protects against the wind and has a warm fleece material inside. It also has a facemask with a laser cut vent, laser cut vent under the arms and zippered hand pocket. The retail cost is $119 and it will be available from XS-XL.
Lifestyle Apparel for Men - CocoBoardies Boardshorts
AFTCO has always been dedicated to conservation, with a company pledge to contribute at least 10% of company profits to conservation efforts. They also focus on sustainability and their new CocoBoardies Boardshorts are made with Cocotex® fabric. This polyester is made of activated charcoal and repurposed coconut husks. It's light and comfortable, repels water and also dries quickly.
The board shorts are made of this material and recycled polyester, cotton and spandex. They have zippered back pockets, pliers pocket, and drawcord at the waist. The retail price is $69 and they'll be available in sizes 28 to 40.
Cold Weather Technical Apparel - Barricade Rain Suit Acid Camo Colorway
AFTCO won with a new color option for their quality Barricade Rain Suit in this category. It's called Acid Camo and looks great and is something much different than every other shade of rain suit available.
The Barricade is a breathable rain suit with 20K waterproofing, adjustable Velcro cuffs, a plier pocket on the bibs and their SpeedVent™ hood for comfortable running while the hood is up. It's available in sizes from S-XXL and retails for $478 in the new Green Acid Color and several previous color options.
Footwear - AFTCO Ankle Deck Boot
One thing that AFTCO has been missing is footwear and they are making a push in this category starting this year. They now have sandals and the new Ankle Deck Boot that won this year's ICAST award for Best Footwear.
They are built to be comfortable with a lightweight design that features an inner neoprene liner. The Ankle Deck Boot has an antimicrobial insole and the boots are quick drying. They are also very flexible for ease of movement and comfort. They will be offered in sizes 8 to 13 and retail for $119.
Other New Items
Four ICAST wins is a significant accomplishment for any company, but AFTCO had even more new products that will be of interest to anglers. The other new items include the Waterline Kayak Fishing Short, Tackle Bag 35, and Harvest Bag.
While the Waterline Kayak Fishing Short has the name "kayak" right in them, they'll be a favorite for anglers fishing anywhere. They were made for kayak anglers who want pockets up front and easy to access. They are made with a breathable Air-O Mesh fabric that dries very quickly while also providing UPF 40 sun protection. Comfort was another top focus when the team started designing these shorts. They feature an elastic waistband for better movement when sitting or fishing. The sizes offered are 28 to 42 and the retail cost is $79.
The Tackle Bag 35 is "not just another fishing tackle bag," as AFTCO says. It's a sturdy bag made from 600D polyester and will hold up to six 3500-size boxes with more room for plastics, tools, line, and other essentials. The clear front allows for a quick glance at what you need to grab next. The retail cost is $59. In addition to the 35 size, it's also offered in 36 and 37 sizes, which are bigger; all three come in the Green Camo color.
The Harvest Bag is an excellent option if you plan to keep your catch, especially for large saltwater fish. They are built to last and with a design that makes them easy to drain and clean. Zippers are one of the first things to fail on bags and AFTCO went zipper-less with a roll-up style that uses compression straps to keep the bag cold. To clean, just take the liner out and clean. The large 1 ¾-inch hole allows for quick draining of ice and water. They are sturdy and well built and come in three sizes (22X48, 24X60, 30X82) and retail for $350.
AFTCO continues to innovate with great clothing to go with accessories and other fishing gear that's top quality and built to last. Their four ICAST awards prove that their innovative products are not going unnoticed.