Redington Vapen Red
The Redington Vapen Red's new PowerGrip.

Over the past few years, Redington has grown from being considered a economy brand with "get what you pay for" products to being widely recognized as producer of high quality rods, reels, waders and more that typically offer a premium at their attractive prices. Now, it appears Redington is focusing squarely on innovation, announcing three new rod families, each of which is a break from not only Redington's norm, but from industry norms as well.

In it's new Vapen family, Redington is introducing two entirely new technologies. The rods feature X-Wrap technology, which Redington explains is a "new construction method [that[ involves wrapping one layer of super-high density carbon ribbon inside the blank and another counter-wrapped on the exterior surface. X-Wrap construction provides surprising power with little effort. The technology is so distinct you will actually see the difference in the blank."

Redington Vapen Red
The Redington Vapen Red's new PowerGrip.

If X-Wrap doesn't catch the eye of browsing anglers, there's little doubt Redington's new PowerGrip technology will. Working with Winn Grips, a company renowned for making grips for golf clubs, Redington has developed an entirely new, non-cork grip for the Vapen Red rods. This new grip is described as an "advanced polymer grip that won’t slip when wet, feels soft in the hand and reduces fatigue. It also cleans easily, doesn’t chip and helps amplify casting power." And, if you're wondering about the name, Redington explains that Vapen means "weapon", adding that "you don't cast the Vapen, you fire it."

For anglers that prefer cork, the standard Vapen series is available with a Portuguese premium grade cork handle. Backed by a lifetime warranty, the Vapen and Vapen Red fly rods will be available in August 2013 in a range of weights from three through twelve for a retail price of $299.95 and $349.99, respectively.

For slow-action rod aficionados, Redington is introducing the Butter Stick series of rods. Complete with retro looks, the Butter Stick family is a nod to rods from long before the fast-action rod trend turned into what many consider to be a runaway train. Of it's new slow-action series, Redington says the "buttery smooth, classic action rods in this family harken to simpler, more carefree times and help put good old-fashion fun back into fly fishing. [The] fiberglass Butter Stick features premium componentry and a cork handle with sliding reel seat rings to accommodate any reel. Alignment dots and a custom, durable Cordura rod tube and rod sock come standard, as does a lifetime warranty."

The Redington Butter Stick Rod
Retro looks for Redington's new fiberglass Butter Stick series.

The Butter Stick series is available in 2 through 5-weights in multiple lengths, these rods will be available in August for a retail price of $249.95.

For spey and switch rod anglers, Redington is introducing the Dually family of rods. While the Dually doesn't feature X-Wrap, PowerGrip or offer retro styling, it breaks from industry norms by offering what Redington is calling a high-performance two-handed series of rods at a "refreshing" price of $249.95. If you've been considering getting into the two handed game, but have remained on the sidelines due to the high sticker prices on almost every two handed rod on the market, Redington may have you in their sights.

Redington Dually Switch and Spey Rods
The new Redington Dually two-handed series of rods.

The Dually offers 4 through 8-weights in switch models and 6 through 8-weights in Spey selections in a range of lengths and will be available in August.

Comments

Whoa. That grip looks interesting. Gotta say I'm a bit skeptical about how that thing's going to feel when wet, though.

Agreed, but I look forward to trying it out. Could be awesome.

I'd try that grip. Better than the processed cork grips some try to include

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