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 54-1640 Big Mable is a solid entry-level paddle that held its shape well during my brutal sessions at Lewis and Clark…
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 Shuna Carbon is a solid entry-level whitewater paddle that handles Class III rapids well for recreational kayakers who want to avoid…
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 Touring Medical Kit is a compact, essential addition for any sea kayaker or SUP paddle-tripper who prioritizes safety without sacrificing pack…
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 building a winter fleet for your kids to paddle safely when water temperatures drop below fifty degrees Fahrenheit, this Perception…
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 YETI Panga 50L Dry Duffel is a robust storage solution for overnight sea kayak trips or river expeditions where exposure to wet…
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 multiple SUP tours around Crater Lake and testing this floatie against cold morning swims in the Willamette River, 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 Werner Kalliste Carbon is a solid entry for anyone looking to dip their toes into wakesurfing without spending an arm and 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 O’Neill Child Superlite USCG Life Vest is a reliable safety choice for kids learning to paddle or swimming near cold rivers like…
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 on the Deschutes River during high spring flows where I spent roughly six hours navigating Class III rapids 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 Atomic Aquatics SV2 is a solid mid-range snorkel option that held its own during my cold-water crossings on the Oregon Coast 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 The Connelly Classic Neoprene Vest is a solid entry-level choice for anyone looking to stay warm without breaking the bank during chilly months….
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 Bluefin Cruise 10.8 is a solid choice for recreational sea kayakers who need reliable tracking through choppy coastal swells without breaking 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 O’Brien Vortex kneeboard is a durable workhorse for open-water stand-up paddleboarding tours where you need stability during rest stops or cold weather…
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 Penobscot 174 stands as a reliable workhorse for sea kayaking that balances tracking stability with manageable weight for long days….
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 wetsuit through cold Columbia River crossings and chilly Astoria launches, I recommend the Billabong Furnace Comp…
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 Big Mable Blob is a compact, portable inflatable raft that serves as an excellent emergency backup or recreational floatie for kayakers…
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 SoftTouch Floating Mat is an excellent choice for beginners spending their first few seasons transitioning from calm inland lakes to moving rivers…
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 YETI Hopper M30 Soft Cooler is a rugged companion for short sea kayak tours or SUP excursions where keeping drinks cold while…
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 surprisingly durable entry-level board that I threw around Lake Billy Chinook and Puget Sound for weekend…
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 Maverick Whitewater Kayak is a surprisingly capable platform for sea kayaking if you are looking to save money or need something…
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