Nytro SLS Pole Roller

How well is it built?

The SLS is a basic, lightweight roller, and a 7.0 for build is an honest reflection of where it sits.

The frame is a simple four-legged chassis carrying a single 40cm roller with an integrated upright at each end, and everything folds down flat, with the legs tucking under the roller for transport.

There's nothing premium about it, and if you want sealed stainless steel bearings and oversized leg extrusions, the Matrix Compact Single Pole Roller is the kind of roller you'd step up to.

The SLS is made to be light and durable rather than heavy-duty, and the roller is designed to protect the pole while you're fishing.

To be fair, that's a reasonable balance for the money. It should last well if you look after it, but it isn't a roller to throw in the back of the van and forget about.

Performance & Handling

Why does the shape of the roller matter? The 40cm roller has a concave linear profile, which means it dips slightly towards the middle so the pole naturally settles in the centre as you roll it.

That should help minimise slippage and stop the pole wandering towards the ends, and the integrated uprights are there to hold it in place if it does.

The downside is the length. A 40cm roller gives you less room to work with than the Preston Innovations Ignition Pole Roller, which spreads its wide flat roller across a 54cm frame, so shipping back at an angle leaves a smaller margin for error.

I think the concave shape is a clever touch on a cheap roller, and it partly makes up for the narrow width. The 7.5 reflects a roller that should handle a straight pole line well but has less room for untidy shipping.

Stability & Footing

Stability is the SLS's strongest point after value. The four-legged frame uses double extendable legs, so each leg extends in two stages and gives you plenty of adjustment on uneven ground, while the adjustable-height system is built for quick, secure positioning.

That's more adjustment than you'd expect on an entry-level roller. You can set it low on a flat platform or lengthen the legs on one side for a sloping bank, and the legs splay outwards to widen the footprint and keep it from tipping when the pole lands on it.

Is it as steady as the Preston Innovations Absolute Pole Roller? No, but the Absolute costs close to four times as much and has locking handwheels and two leg angle settings to match.

The splayed stance matters more than people think on a light roller, as it's the width between the feet that stops it rocking, and for a cheap roller, I think the 8.0 is well earned.

Is it good value for money?

At this price, the SLS is very hard to argue with. It costs a good bit less than the Preston Innovations Ignition Pole Roller or the Maver MV-R UK Pole Roller, yet it still has height-adjustable double extendable legs and a roller shaped to keep the pole centred.

The Ignition is the stronger all-round roller if you can stretch to it, with a sturdier frame and a wider roller. If the budget is tight, though, the SLS covers the essentials and leaves money over for floats and rigs.

For a junior or a newcomer who's just bought a first pole, it's exactly the kind of roller I'd want them to start with, as it protects the pole without a big outlay.

Overall, I'd recommend the Nytro SLS to newer pole anglers, juniors and pleasure anglers on commercials who want a steady, simple roller for very little, as well as match anglers who want a cheap backup roller.