  We construct optical beams in free space with robust skyrmionic structures in
their polarization fields, both in the electric spin vector for near-circular
fields and in the polarization direction for near-linear fields, and for both
Bloch (spiral) and N\'eel (hedgehog) textures. These structures are made
possible by the spin-orbit coupling of tightly-focused nonparaxial optics as
applied to higher-order Full-Poincar\'e beams, as well as by standing-wave
configurations comprising forwards- and backwards-propagating waves. Our
constructions show near-uniform circular and linear polarizations, providing a
high degree of topological protection in the absence of nonlinear interactions.
