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 Old Town Heron 9XT is a solid choice for recreational sea kayakers who need reliable tracking and stability without breaking the bank….
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 Connelly Classic Neoprene Vest is a rugged workhorse for anyone who needs warmth without bulk during cold-weather excursions where hypothermia is a…
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 is a solid workhorse for intermediate paddlers transitioning from flatwater to light ocean touring, offering enough…
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 six days testing this trampoline on everything from calm lake mornings to choppy Columbia River crossings, I found it offers a…
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 FCS Straight SUP Leash is a sturdy, no-frills tether that holds up well against salt spray and cold currents when you are…
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 whitewater rapids down the Deschutes and spending nights fishing off the rocky shores near Brookings, I found that this drysuit offers…
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 Malone Stax Pro 2 Kayak Storage is a solid choice for keeping your gear organized during winter trips or long storage periods…
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 weekends testing this board against choppy Columbia River Gorge winds and cold Cascade snowmelt runoff, I recommend the Starboard Lima…
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 NRS HydroSkin 0.5 Rashguard is a solid mid-layer choice for sea kayakers needing warmth during shoulder-season trips where air temperatures hover between…
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 Ruffwear Float Coat Life Jacket is a solid choice for budget-conscious paddlers who need reliable buoyancy without breaking the bank. At approximately…
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 Perception Swifty Deluxe 9.5 is a solid entry-level sea kayak that holds its own against tougher competitors for casual river runners 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 Ronix One Wakeboard is a high-performance board that demands respect from any rider willing to tackle cold water conditions between Astoria and…
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 Star Brite Inflatable Boat Repair Kit is a reliable emergency solution for inflatable boats that suffer minor punctures or seam blowouts during…
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 If you are a kayak angler looking to cover distance quietly without burning out your paddle arms or spooking fish, the Bixpy J-2…
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 Bill’s Bag Dry Bag 30L is a solid no-nonsense option for budget-conscious paddlers who need reliable waterproofing without breaking the bank….
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 NuCanoe Frontier 12 is a solid choice for anglers who need extra stability without sacrificing too much portability, but it requires patience…
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 testing this buoy against the chill Columbia River currents and the unpredictable swells off Newport, I find 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 The Old Town Castine 135 is a capable sea kayak that punches above its weight class for recreational paddlers who want stability without…
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 twenty years chasing waves from Astoria to Brookings and running whitewater down the Sandy River, I can say that the AT…
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 Diablo Chupacabra is a surprisingly capable entry-level drysuit that punches above its weight class for weekend warriors who need warmth without breaking…
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