The Best Tackle Review: Sonik Xtractor Sleeve

Name: Sonik Xtractor Recon SK-TEC Rod Sleeve

Website: eBay, Amazon

Sleeve Type: Single Rod Sleeve

Specific Length: 8ft

Price: £23

Rating: 9/10

Sonik Xtractor Rod Sleeve Overview

Hello, fellow anglers, Join me on this in-depth review regarding the Sonik Xtractor Recon Fishing Rod Sleeve. The objective is to take you on a detailed journey through this product, spotlighting its essential attributes and how it can be a major convenience to your fishing. 

Before we delve into the details, it’s essential to clarify that this review is not a sales pitch. If you’ve had the chance to peruse my previous reviews, you’ll know that I always include a “Cons” section to provide a balanced view, highlighting both the positives and negatives of the product. Additionally, I’ll present alternative options that could potentially address any shortcomings I have encountered.

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Key Features

Fully Padded 

The Sonik Xtractor Recon Fishing Rod Sleeve has a fully padded design, with thick 600D material on the outside making it clearly hard-wearing. You can tell by the look and feel of it that it is a quality-made product, perfectly designed for the Xtractor Rod range. 

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Connector Points at Each End

One standout feature of the Sonik Xtractor Recon Fishing Rod Sleeve is its unique connector points at each end. These connectors allow you to easily join multiple sleeves together, I use these connection points to create a double rod sleeve for added convenience, making your kit easier to carry. 

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Side Utility Straps 

On one side of the Rod Sleeve, you’ll find side utility straps that are specifically made for attaching additional items, such as a landing net. Even on the 8ft version which is the shortest of them all, This feature enhances the sleeve’s versatility, further allowing you to carry all the gear you need in an organized package. 

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Zipped lead pocket

On opposite side of the Rod Sleeve you will find a convenient zipped lead pocket. This pocket is perfect for storing lead weights or other small accessories for shorter sessions.

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Robust Zips

The zips match the overall quality of this rod sleeve, excellent. These bespoke zippers have been made to last and without a doubt should withstand the rigours of fishing sessions. I have had no issue with the zips getting caught or breaking when opening and closing, again, you can just tell by the feel that these are well-made zips, keeping your fishing gear secure and protected.

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Two D-rings for attaching a shoulder strap

For another added convenience during transport, the Sonik Xtractor Recon Rod Sleeve features two D-rings. These D-rings are there so that you can attach a shoulder strap if needed, although, you DO NOT get the shoulder strap included when you buy these rod sleeves. 

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Features, Pros & Cons

Pros

• Hard Wearing
• Protective and Well Padded
• Convenient, Straps, Pocket and Connector Points

Cons

Shoulder Strap not Included

While the rod sleeve does come equipped with D-rings for attaching a shoulder strap, as previously noted, it’s important to highlight that a shoulder strap is not included with the purchase. This is a relatively minor issue, but it’s worth noting that you won’t receive a shoulder strap as part of the package if or when you buy this item.

Not Ideal for Other Rod Types

Considering the dimensions of the 8ft version, it’s tailored to accommodate the breakdown length of the Sonik Xtractor Recon 8ft rod and reel only. As evident, it’s the perfect match for this rod. If your intention is to utilize it for different rod types, you might encounter difficulties as it probably will not provide the desired fit as the sleeve is only around 30 inches in length.

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Sonik SK-TEC 8ft Rod Sleeve, Dimensions, Capacity & Design

 

Dimensions 

8ft Sleeve

• Inside Capacity: 76CM (30”)  
• Inside Capacity: 76CM (30”) / Overall Dimensions: L 86cm (34″)  D12cm (4.75″)  H 20cm (8″)

Capacity including reels

The Sonik Xtractor Recon 8ft rod sleeve is designed to securely accommodate one rod and one reel, ensuring your fishing gear is well-protected and well-organized. Each rod and reel combination is allocated its dedicated section as shown in the picture. Be aware that this is suitable for one rod and reel only and will not hold anything else within the main compartment of the sleeve. This does guarantee both safety and proper arrangement for your upcoming fishing sessions and due to the tight fit, your rods will stay secure through transit.

Design

Water Resistant

While the rod sleeve does have 600D material, I wouldn’t classify it as completely waterproof. However, it certainly qualifies as highly water-resistant. This would typically suffices for most angling situations. I’ve personally taken this sleeve out in mild rain conditions and found no indication of moisture inside the compartment where your rods are housed. It’s safe to say that it can effectively handle various weather conditions without compromising the protection of your gear.

Build Quality

In my assessment, the build quality of this rod sleeve is truly up there with the best, earning a solid 10/10 in my opinion. The materials used, including the zippers and padding, are about as high-quality as you can find. Considering the price point of approximately £24 per rod sleeve, I believe it offers excellent value for the quality you receive.

Certainly, you can find rod sleeves on platforms like eBay and Amazon for a similar price that may offer a larger capacity to hold more rods and other gear. However, it’s important to realise that the Xtractor series has been designed with a focus on providing quality gear at an affordable price while keeping your gear lightweight and compact. This feature reduces bulkiness, making it more convenient to carry and store.

Convenience for Transport & Storage

As this is an Xtractor Recon Rod sleeve, its size is perfectly tailored for easy transport and storage. I often keep these sleeves in my car when I’m working away, ensuring that I’m always prepared for possible spontaneous fishing sessions. Their compact design makes them exceptionally space-efficient, fitting nicely in my car’s boot or even behind the back seat. This convenience factor stands out as the primary reason I opted for the Sonik Recon rods in the first place.

Adding to this is the compactness of the sleeves, addressing storage concerns. Personally, I contend with limited storage space at home for my fishing gear, typically relying on a small cupboard beneath the stairs. These rod sleeves fit in there no problem, maximizing the available space without encroaching on any additional room.

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Dimensions, Capacity & Design, Pros & Cons

Pros

• Secure Rod and Reels Accommodation
• Water Resistant
• Excellent Build Quality
• Compact & Space Efficient

Cons

Limited Capacity

The sleeve is designed to hold only one rod and one reel in its main compartment. This unfortunately means that if you require storage for more than one rod, which I assume you probably do, then you will need to buy a multiple rod sleeve, which will obviously increase the cost dramatically. In this case, you would need to decide whether the pros out-weigh the cons. With that said, I have listed more options below that might fit your preference.

Not Completely Waterproof

While it is water-resistant, the sleeve is not completely waterproof, so, in heavy rain or extreme conditions, there may be a risk of moisture entering the compartment, potentially affecting the stored equipment. This would be the same for most rod sleeves in my opinion as they are not specifically designed to be fully waterproof. More so, to protect your rods from physical damage.

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Available Xtractor Rod Sleeves, Price & Sizes

Sonik Xtractor Recon 

8ft Version (Single Sleeve)

Price £23
Inside Capacity: 76CM (30”) / Overall Dimensions: L 86cm (34″)  D12cm (4.75″)  H 20cm (8″)

12ft Version (Single Sleeve)

Price £35.95
Inside Capacity: 127CM (50”) / Overall Dimensions: L 137cm (54″)  Wd 14cm (5.5″)  H 24cm (9.5″)

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Sonik Xtractor

As mentioned earlier, I’ve provided you with the standard price and dimensions for the two available options in the Recon Range. Sonik offers two distinct sectors within its Xtractor series: the standard Xtractor range and the Xtractor Recon range. Notably, the standard Xtractor rods are longer when collapsed using the telescopic feature compared to the Recon rods. Here is a list of the standard Xtractor Sleeves for your reference.

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Reviews

Here, I’ve discovered several Amazon reviews that align with the nuances we’ve discussed in this article. I recommend referring to these reviews for a more comprehensive understanding, as they effectively represent my collective thoughts and impressions regarding the Sonik Xtractor Rod Sleeves.

 

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Conclusion

In this review, I hope I have gone into enough detail about the Sonik Xtractor Recon Fishing Rod Sleeve. My objective has been to provide you with a thorough understanding of this product’s essential attributes and how it can enhance your fishing experience.

Before we conclude, it’s important to emphasize that this review is not a mere sales pitch. As seen in our “Pros & Cons” and review sections, I have tried my best to offer a balanced view by highlighting both the strengths and potential drawbacks of the Sonik Xtractor Recon Fishing Rod Sleeve. 

If you feel that there is some vital information left out in this review, then please leave a comment below and I will be more than happy to answer any questions. For similar product reviews please visit the pages shown below, or take a look at our review section here on the website. Thank you for reading.

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