Symetre Spinning Combo vs Camping World Ugly Stik Complete Spinning Kit: which is safer?
shimano Symetre Spinning Combo is our pick, better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.
Our pick
Shimano
Symetre Spinning Combo
PFAS grade
Excellent 85/100
Overall grade
Excellent 81/100
Verdict
Buy
Hazard flags
⚑ 1
Material
Graphite composite rod, aluminum reel, stainless steel components
Confidence
72%
PossibleGuide coating integrity (if ceramic or hardened resin)
Ugly Stik
Camping World Ugly Stik Complete Spinning Kit
PFAS grade
Excellent 85/100
Overall grade
Good 73/100
Verdict
Buy
Hazard flags
⚑ 3
Material
Fiberglass rod, plastic reel, rubber grip
Confidence
78%
PossibleFiberglass splinters from rod degradation
PossiblePlastic reel microplastics from wear
PossibleBacterial growth in reel housing if wet and unmaintained
Where these two actually differ
- We flag Guide coating integrity (if ceramic or hardened resin) on the Shimano and not on the Ugly Stik.
- We flag Fiberglass splinters from rod degradation, Plastic reel microplastics from wear and Bacterial growth in reel housing if wet and unmaintained on the Ugly Stik and not on the Shimano.
- The Shimano is Graphite composite rod, aluminum reel, stainless steel components where the Ugly Stik is Fiberglass rod, plastic reel, rubber grip, which is most of the difference in these two grades.
- These two are level, close enough that price and fit should decide it rather than our grade.
Both products run through the same public rubric, which covers materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →
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