NGT XPR Tackle Box System

How well is it built?

For the money, the XPR is a decent little box, but it is a budget box and I won't pretend otherwise.

It's a simple two-part case that opens like a book with compartments in both halves, and next to the Korda Tacklesafe, which is the box I'd compare it with first because they're the same size, it's a simpler build and the Korda is the better-made box of the two.

Where it does well is the closure, with magnets holding the two halves together, so there are no clips or catches to fiddle with and it's easy to get into when you need something and secure again once it's shut.

The smaller compartments have clear lids, so you can see what's inside before you open them, and they help keep the little bits where they should be.

If you're hard on your kit and want a box for years of heavy use, I'd spend more on the Korda, but as a first box or a spare, it's built well enough for what it costs.

Storage & Organisation

NGT describe the XPR as having various secure compartments for terminal tackle and accessories, and that's about right.

Both halves have rows of small lidded compartments for the bits a beginner needs most, such as swivels, rig rings, lead clips and beads, and there's a bigger open section in the base for larger items like scissors, a hooklink spool or packets of hooks.

The lid half also has a couple of longer compartments that take a baiting needle and other small tools, so everything you need to tie a basic rig can live in one box.

For someone just starting out, that's really all you need, and having a set place for each item makes it much easier to get into good habits on the bank.

Where it falls short of the Korda Tacklesafe is the detail. The Korda gives you 29 compartments, each one laid out for a particular job, plus flip-top lids to stop things spilling, whereas the XPR's layout is more general.

It's an end-tackle box rather than a rig box too, so ready-tied rigs will need a home of their own.

Ease of Use

At 24 x 13 x 4cm closed, the XPR is compact enough to slip into a rucksack pocket or a small carryall without taking up much room.

It's a good fit for short sessions, and it's small enough to leave in the car as a spare with a few hooks, swivels and lead clips in it, so you're never caught short.

The 20cm measure on the front is the feature I'd point a beginner to first. When you're learning to tie hooklinks, getting them to a consistent length is one of the things that trips people up, and having a measure right there on the box saves carrying a separate ruler.

Opening and closing is easy thanks to the magnets, and the clear lids let you see what's where at a glance. It's not as refined as the Korda, but it's simple and straightforward, which is no bad thing when you're new to carp fishing and still working out what you need.

Is it good value for money?

Value is where the XPR really earns its place in the guide. It's one of the cheapest boxes here and costs a lot less than the Korda Tacklesafe, yet you still get the same compact size, a magnetic closure and a rig measure on the front.

Tackle isn't included, so you'll need to fill it yourself, but that does at least mean you can stock it with the hooks and swivels you actually want.

If you're on a tight budget, the money you save over the Korda could go towards decent hooks and hooklink material, which will make more difference to your fishing than the box they live in.

If you want a box for years of heavy use, though, the Korda is better made and worth the extra.

It suits beginners putting together their first carp setup, anyone who wants a cheap spare box to keep in the car, and anglers who just want a small end-tackle box without spending much.