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 looking for a reliable entry-level paddleboard that handles choppy river runs or calm lake mornings without breaking the bank, 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 Lowrance Hook2 4x GPS Fish Finder is a compact unit that delivers surprisingly clear sonar for anglers who need navigation while out…
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 months testing this neoprene cover from Astoria down to Brookings and back up into Puget Sound, I recommend it 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 The StoreYourBoard Kayak Storage Rack Wall Mount is a solid solution for keeping your boat off the garage floor during the dry summer…
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 Cressi Palau Short Snorkel Set is a robust entry-level option for cold-water snorkeling that holds up well against debris but lacks 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 Seattle Sports Bilge Pump is a reliable workhorse for keeping your cockpit dry during extended river runs or coastal tours where you…
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 Patagonia R1 Regulator Wetsuit is a robust piece of cold-weather gear that I have found reliable for sea kayaking when water temperatures…
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 Pescador Pilot 12 Pedal Kayak is a versatile platform that handles well from calm lake days to choppy coastal crossings, provided…
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 Teva Hurricane XLT2 is a solid entry into the footwear market for watersporters who prioritize comfort during long hauls but need 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 Radar Lithium Slalom Ski is a durable entry-level option that holds up surprisingly well against cold currents, though it lacks the refined…
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 paddle inflatable boats or need a reliable patch kit for day trips where gear failure is an option you cannot risk,…
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 a dozen tours around Crater Lake during late summer when air temps hit the upper 70s but lake surface water hovered…
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 Tribit StormBox Micro 2 is a compact waterproof speaker that survived my worst moments on the water without leaking an ounce, making…
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 adhesive is a must-have emergency kit item if you paddle year-round on the Oregon Coast or inland rivers where cold snaps 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 spending six long seasons testing this kit against cold Columbia River currents and brisk San Juan Islands breezes, I recommend it 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 The Yakima PadUp Paddleboard Carrier is a solid utility choice for anglers or transport-focused paddlers who need to haul boards up steep driveways…
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 surprisingly capable entry-level sea kayak that punches above its weight class for recreational touring on calm inland…
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 Werner Skagit FG is a solid utility piece for anglers or river runners who need a dry bag that survives heavy load…
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 dozens of hours rolling out of cold Columbia River eddies and bracing through choppy winds off Newport, this Hurley One 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 iRocker Kids Inflatable SUP is a solid entry-level option that punches above its weight for beginner lessons or short family outings around…
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