By Ryan Calloway — 20 years of multi-discipline paddling and watersports across the Pacific Northwest, with over 500 products tested on the water in real conditions — Portland, Oregon The Short Answer The Mares X-One Snorkel Mask is a durable, zero-distortion option for wakeboarders and wakesurfers who prioritize visibility and secure fit over featherlight weight….
By Ryan Calloway — 20 years of multi-discipline paddling and watersports across the Pacific Northwest, with over 500 products tested on the water in real conditions — Portland, Oregon The Short Answer After spending a full season testing gear on the Oregon Coast and the Columbia River, I found the Plano Guide Series Waterproof Tackle…
By Ryan Calloway — 20 years of multi-discipline paddling and watersports across the Pacific Northwest, with over 500 products tested on the water in real conditions — Portland, Oregon The Short Answer The Delta 15.5 GT stands out as a rugged, entry-to-mid-level drysuit built for paddlers who need reliability in cold water without the premium…
By Ryan Calloway — 20 years of multi-discipline paddling and watersports across the Pacific Northwest, with over 500 products tested on the water in real conditions — Portland, Oregon The Short Answer These neoprene gloves are a solid mid-range option for paddlers who need dexterity without sacrificing warmth in cold water, making them ideal for…
By Ryan Calloway — 20 years of multi-discipline paddling and watersports across the Pacific Northwest, with over 500 products tested on the water in real conditions — Portland, Oregon The Short Answer After running the Deschutes and Clackamas rivers for three full seasons, the Scotty 241 Baitcaster Rod Holder stands out as a rugged option…
By Ryan Calloway — 20 years of multi-discipline paddling and watersports across the Pacific Northwest, with over 500 products tested on the water in real conditions — Portland, Oregon The Short Answer The ISLE Surf and SUP Board Bag stands out as a rugged, no-nonsense carrier that handles the brutal conditions of the Columbia River…
By Ryan Calloway — 20 years of multi-discipline paddling and watersports across the Pacific Northwest, with over 500 products tested on the water in real conditions — Portland, Oregon The Short Answer The Jackson Kayak Knarr FD Pedal Kayak is a solid entry into the pedal kayak market, offering a stable platform that handles the…
By Ryan Calloway — 20 years of multi-discipline paddling and watersports across the Pacific Northwest, with over 500 products tested on the water in real conditions — Portland, Oregon The Short Answer This O’Neill Youth Reactor II 2mm Spring Wetsuit is a solid workhorse for young paddlers facing water temperatures between 50°F and 60°F, offering…
By Ryan Calloway — 20 years of multi-discipline paddling and watersports across the Pacific Northwest, with over 500 products tested on the water in real conditions — Portland, Oregon The Short Answer The iRocker Carbon Fiber Paddle is a solid entry-level tool that punches above its weight class for casual paddlers and beginners looking to…
By Ryan Calloway — 20 years of multi-discipline paddling and watersports across the Pacific Northwest, with over 500 products tested on the water in real conditions — Portland, Oregon The Short Answer The Mustang Survival MIT 100 Inflatable PFD is a solid choice for snorkelers and divers venturing into tropical or warm lake waters where…
By Ryan Calloway — 20 years of multi-discipline paddling and watersports across the Pacific Northwest, with over 500 products tested on the water in real conditions — Portland, Oregon The Short Answer After running the Deschutes River through spring runoff and navigating the choppy Columbia near Portland, the Hyperlite Indy Impact Vest proved to be…
By Ryan Calloway — 20 years of multi-discipline paddling and watersports across the Pacific Northwest, with over 500 products tested on the water in real conditions — Portland, Oregon The Short Answer After spending three full seasons hauling this cooler from my sea kayak to the beach and back, the YETI Tundra 45 Hard Cooler…
By Ryan Calloway — 20 years of multi-discipline paddling and watersports across the Pacific Northwest, with over 500 products tested on the water in real conditions — Portland, Oregon The Short Answer The DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro is a solid contender for paddlers who need a rugged camera without breaking the bank, though it…
By Ryan Calloway — 20 years of multi-discipline paddling and watersports across the Pacific Northwest, with over 500 products tested on the water in real conditions — Portland, Oregon The Short Answer After spending three solid weeks fighting 20-knot winds and 5-foot swells on the Columbia River Gorge, the Seachoice Anchor Kit proved itself as…
By Ryan Calloway — 20 years of multi-discipline paddling and watersports across the Pacific Northwest, with over 500 products tested on the water in real conditions — Portland, Oregon The Short Answer The Jackson Kayak Liska is a serious contender for anglers who need a stable platform for bass fishing that still handles the choppy…
By Ryan Calloway — 20 years of multi-discipline paddling and watersports across the Pacific Northwest, with over 500 products tested on the water in real conditions — Portland, Oregon The Short Answer The GILI Kids SUP Board is a solid entry-level inflatable paddleboard designed for children or smaller adults learning to stand on the water,…
By Ryan Calloway — 20 years of multi-discipline paddling and watersports across the Pacific Northwest, with over 500 products tested on the water in real conditions — Portland, Oregon The Short Answer This Seattle Sports Kayak Paddle Leash is a solid, no-nonsense accessory for anyone stepping into the kayak world for the first time or…
By Ryan Calloway — 20 years of multi-discipline paddling and watersports across the Pacific Northwest, with over 500 products tested on the water in real conditions — Portland, Oregon The Short Answer The NRS Crux Drysuit is a solid entry-level choice for inflatable SUP anglers and travelers who need reliable warmth in cold Pacific Northwest…
By Ryan Calloway — 20 years of multi-discipline paddling and watersports across the Pacific Northwest, with over 500 products tested on the water in real conditions — Portland, Oregon The Short Answer The Sportsstuff Frequent Flyer is a solid entry-level drysuit that holds up well during cold Pacific Northwest paddling, provided you stay within its…
By Ryan Calloway — 20 years of multi-discipline paddling and watersports across the Pacific Northwest, with over 500 products tested on the water in real conditions — Portland, Oregon The Short Answer The Dagger Nomad 8.5 stands out as a surprisingly robust entry-level sea kayak that handles the chop of the Oregon Coast and the…
