Life Gear Lab — Sustainable Outdoor Brands UK

The clocks have gone back and the evenings are dark and cold sooner. Here are the five things I would buy first for a winter ready kit in the UK: power, warmth and a good night's sleep.

A first look at the Preston Innovations Thermatech heated seat cushion for cold-weather anglers and campers. Based on specs, not yet tested.

FTB has up to 50% off selected Daiwa reels, rods and line this week. No code needed, online only, ends Sunday 25 October 2026.

By Chris | Field tested by Life Gear Lab How this was tested: I researched and compared the top budget carp reels available to UK anglers in 2026, focusing on gearing, build, and real-world value under £100. Here is what I found. You do not need to spend £200 on a carp reel to land good fish. The sub-£100 market has improved enormously in recent years, and there are now several reels in this bracket that will handle a full season of UK carp fishing without issues. The questio

By Chris | Field tested by Life Gear Lab How this was tested: I researched bait selection across UK carp venues, drawing on field experience and testing different bait types in varied conditions. Here is what I found. Choosing the right carp fishing bait is one of the most debated topics in UK carp angling. Walk into any tackle shop and you'll find dozens of options: boilies in every flavour, pellets in every size, pastes, particles, and more. It can feel overwhelming, especi

By Chris | Field tested by Life Gear Lab The best carp bite alarms UK 2026 are reviewed here side by side — Fox Micron, Delkim Txi-D and Nash Siren compared across sensitivity, build quality and budget. How this was tested: I researched and compared the top-selling bite alarms in the UK market, focusing on sensitivity, reliability, and value. Here is what I found. Nothing beats the feeling of a bite alarm screaming at 4am. But not all alarms are created equal. A poor alarm mi

By Chris | Field tested by Life Gear Lab This guide covers the best carp bivvies under 200 UK across five options — from budget single-skin shelters to the best value overwinter picks for UK bank sessions. How this was tested: I researched UK carp bivvy options in the under-200 bracket, tested in real bankside conditions, and compared value for money across five picks. Here is what I found. A good bivvy is one of the most important bits of kit you'll buy for carp fishing. It'

By Chris | Field tested by Life Gear Lab This guide covers the best carp fishing rigs for beginners UK 2026, starting with the three setups every new carp angler should know: the hair rig, chod rig and ronnie rig. This guide covers the best carp fishing rigs for beginners UK 2026, starting with the three setups every new carp angler should know: the hair rig, chod rig and ronnie rig. How this was tested: I researched and tested these rigs on UK carp waters over multiple sessi

Noticed how many rigs have a little camera clipped to them these days? Carp fishing has quietly gone high-tech on the bank. Spy cameras have gone from specialist kit that only the most dedicated anglers used, to something you see turning up on carp TV shows week after week. Anglers want to see what is actually happening down there. How the carp are feeding, whether they are taking the bait, what the lakebed looks like under your spot. Planning a carp session with a bit of pow

Fishing paste for carp is one of those tactics that a lot of anglers overlook. It sits quietly on the shelf at the tackle shop while everyone grabs their shelf-life boilies and calls it a day. But paste works. Really well. And once you've seen it pull a carp off the bottom when nothing else was getting a sniff, you'll always have a tub in your bag. Finding the best fishing paste for carp UK comes down to bait quality, consistency and how it breaks down in cold water. This gui

Two of the biggest names in UK carp fishing are on sale right now. Fishing Tackle and Bait is running up to 30% off Korda and Guru products this week, and there is no discount code needed. The saving is applied automatically at checkout. The Korda Guru sale FTB 2026 is live with up to 30% off at Fishing Tackle and Bait, no code needed and savings applied automatically at checkout. Whether you are building your first carp setup or adding to a kit you have been running for year

This guide to the best online fishing tackle shop UK ranks the top retailers on price, range, delivery speed and customer service so you always buy from the right place. Fishing Tackle and Bait Summer Sale. Up to 70% off over 1,300 products. Sale ends August 31. If you’re passionate about fishing, you know how important it is to have the right gear. Whether you’re casting lines in a quiet lake or battling the tides on the coast, having reliable tackle can make all the differe

FTB are one of the UK's biggest fishing retailers, and right now they have the full Korda range in stock with free delivery on orders over £30. If you've been putting off upgrading your tackle, this is the place to do it. Don't leave it sitting in your basket. These Korda carp fishing upgrades FTB picks are the five best things to buy in the Fishing Tackle and Bait summer sale right now, based on real value for UK carp anglers. ⚡Prices are correct at the time of writing. Chec

⚡ LIVE THIS WEEKEND: FTB 10% off everything sitewide. Ends at midnight on Sunday 31st August. No code needed. 👉 Shop Now This fishing rods reels sale UK round-up covers the best deals at Fishing Tackle and Bait before the summer sale ends August 31, ranked by value for UK anglers. The FTB Summer Sale is one of the biggest fishing deals of the year. Up to 70% off rods, reels and tackle across the entire Fishing Tackle and Bait website. Here's what to look out for. Rods From

at The Westin fishing gear UK sale at Fishing Tackle and Bait is live this week with 10% off the full Westin range, no code needed and no minimum spend. ⚡ LIVE THIS WEEKEND: FTB 10% off everything sitewide. Ends at midnight on Sunday 31st August. No code needed. 👉 Shop Now Westin Fishing is one of Europe's fastest-growing predator fishing brands. Known for high quality lures, rods and reels at competitive prices. And right now at Fishing Tackle and Bait, Westin gear is inclu

By Chris | Field tested by Life Gear Lab This Wylands Farm carp fishing UK session catch report follows Harry's 17lb common caught during a summer heat wave, with full tackle, bait and rig details from the bank. Summer carp fishing at its best. Harry headed out to Wylands Farm on a hot summer's day and landed a stunning 17lb common carp. Proof that even in the heat, the carp are feeding if you get your approach right. The Session Wylands Farm, Kent. Midday session in warm con

This Fishing Tackle Bait free delivery deal runs this week only on orders over £75, making it a good time to stock up on tackle, bait and clothing for the season ahead. ⚡ LIVE THIS WEEKEND: FTB 10% off everything sitewide. Ends midnight Sunday 31st August. No code needed. 👉 Shop Now Good news for UK anglers. Fishing Tackle and Bait are offering free delivery on all orders over £75. This week only. If you're stocking up on tackle, bait or clothing for the autumn season, now i

This fishing tackle bait warehouse clearance gives UK anglers an extra 10% off already-reduced stock this week, covering rods, reels and terminal tackle while supplies last. 🎣 UK anglers — this is the one you've been waiting for. A full warehouse clearance sale has just dropped on fishing tackle and bait, with an extra 10% off selected lines. No code needed. Just click and save. This ends Sunday 9th August at 23:59. Five days. That's it. - Stock is limited — warehouse cleara

This fishing tackle bait discount UK deal saves you £10 at Fishing Tackle and Bait this weekend, with no minimum spend and no code needed at checkout. ⚡ LIVE THIS WEEKEND: FTB 10% off everything sitewide. Ends at midnight on Sunday 31st August. No code needed. 👉 Shop Now and Save £10 This Weekend This weekend only, get £10 off your order at Fishing Tackle and Bait. No code needed. Just shop, add to basket and the discount is applied automatically at checkout. How to Claim Vi

When it comes to gearing up for your next fishing trip, having the right equipment can make all the difference. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just starting out, finding reliable fishing gear is key to a successful day on the water. These days, shopping online is the easiest way to get what you need without leaving your home. But with so many options out there, how do you know which sites to trust? I’ve done the legwork for you and put together a list of trusted sites fo