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 putting this rack through a grueling winter season hauling gear from my car to the Willamette River banks near Hillsboro, I found…
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 Cove Paddling Gloves are a solid mid-range option for whitewater enthusiasts tackling Class III-IV runs who need basic protection against blisters…
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 Hyperlite Indy Impact Vest is a rugged piece of safety gear that shines during cold-water excursions where reliability matters more than style….
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 Mamba Creeker 8.6 stands out as a versatile recreational boat that bridges the gap between lake cruising and river play 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 The Railblaza Visibility Kit is a solid addition for summer paddle days when you want high visibility without sacrificing too much mobility or…
By Ryan Calloway, Senior Gear Tester with over a decade of experience testing stability systems on the Columbia River and in Puget Sound. The Short Answer The Aqua Marina Island Floating Platform offers a unique hybrid approach to stable water entry and exit, blending the footprint of a pontoon with the flexibility of a traditional…
By Ryan Calloway, Senior Watersports Gear Editor with over a decade of testing drysuits in the Columbia River Gorge, Oregon Coast, and Puget Sound. The Short Answer The Palm Stikine Drysuit stands out as a robust, no-nonsense option for paddlers facing the chill of the Oregon Coast or the deeper waters of Puget Sound. Its…
Ryan Calloway is a certified white-water guide with over a decade of experience navigating the treacherous currents of the Columbia River Gorge and the temperate waves of the Oregon Coast. His expertise spans technical rescue, cold-water immersion survival, and the selection of gear that performs when conditions turn hostile. He has logged thousands of hours…
Ryan Calloway is a certified windsurfing instructor and paddling guide with over a decade of experience testing gear on the Oregon Coast, Puget Sound, and the San Juan Islands. His expertise spans technical kayak touring, SUP fishing, and kiteboarding in challenging conditions. The Short Answer The Slingshot RPM 12m Kite stands out as a versatile…
By Ryan Calloway, Senior Gear Editor specializing in offshore safety and cold-water paddling dynamics. With over a decade of field testing in the Puget Sound and along the Oregon Coast, Calloway focuses on how equipment performs under real-world stress conditions rather than brochure specifications. The Short Answer The Aquaglide Rockit Blob stands out as a…
By Ryan Calloway, Senior Watersports Equipment Specialist with over 15 years of experience testing gear on the Oregon Coast and Puget Sound. The Short Answer The Kokatat Meridian stands out as a top-tier drysuit for cold water paddling, offering exceptional durability and a comfortable fit that allows for full range of motion during long sessions….
Ryan Calloway is a veteran coastal paddler with over a decade of experience guiding trips along the Oregon Coast and in the San Juan Islands. He has tested gear in freezing 45°F water off Newport and in calm bays near Astoria, focusing on durability, safety, and performance under real-world conditions. The Short Answer The Swimline…
Ryan Calloway is a veteran coastal paddler and safety instructor with over a decade of experience navigating the treacherous waters of the Oregon Coast and Puget Sound. His expertise spans cold-water rescue, surf zone navigation, and technical kayak touring, ensuring every recommendation is grounded in real-world survival scenarios rather than theoretical specs. The Short Answer…
Ryan Calloway is a Pacific Northwest-based paddling guide with over a decade of experience navigating the Columbia River and testing recreational gear across the Oregon Coast. He specializes in open-water stability tests and cold-water safety protocols. The Short Answer The Intex Excursion Pro K2 stands out as a robust inflatable option for beginners seeking a…
By Ryan Calloway Ryan Calloway is a veteran paddling journalist and former rescue swimmer who has spent over two decades testing gear in the Pacific Northwest. His expertise spans from cold-water ocean kayaking on the Oregon Coast to technical whitewater work on the Deschutes River. He specializes in identifying equipment that withstands the harsh realities…
By Ryan Calloway Ryan Calloway has spent over two decades navigating the rugged waterways of the Pacific Northwest, from the turbulent rapids of the Deschutes River to the calm, misty mornings on the San Juan Islands. As a certified guide and gear specialist, he specializes in selecting equipment that withstands the harsh conditions of the…
Ryan Calloway is a veteran Pacific Northwest paddling guide with over a decade of experience navigating the Columbia River Gorge and testing gear across the Oregon Coast. His expertise spans from technical sea kayaking in 50°F water to long-distance touring on the Willamette. The Short Answer The GILI Komodo 10.6 Yoga SUP Board stands out…
By Ryan Calloway, Senior Watersports Gear Editor with over a decade of testing experience in the Columbia River Gorge and Oregon Coast. The Short Answer The Stohlquist Amp drysuit stands out as a versatile cold-water companion for paddlers tackling the chilly currents of the Columbia River or the surf zones of the Oregon Coast. It…
By Ryan Calloway, Senior Gear Editor with over 15 years of experience testing paddling equipment across the Pacific Northwest and beyond. The Short Answer If you are paddling cold water in the Pacific Northwest, the Kokatat Meridian stands as the undisputed benchmark for performance drysuits. We spent three weeks testing this suit in the Columbia…
Ryan Calloway is a veteran gear editor with over a decade of experience testing kayaks, drysuits, and paddles across the Willamette, Columbia, and Oregon Coast. He specializes in identifying real-world performance flaws and verifying manufacturer claims against harsh conditions. The Short Answer The Perception Pescador Pro 12 stands out as a highly adaptable sit-on-top kayak…
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