Ryan Calloway is a certified paddling guide with over a decade of experience navigating the Columbia River and the rugged Oregon Coast. He specializes in testing hybrid kayaks and fishing gear under real-world conditions ranging from 45°F winter water to 75°F summer lakes. The Short Answer The Nova Craft Prospector 16 is a versatile hybrid…
Ryan Calloway is a veteran guide with over a decade of experience navigating the treacherous waters of the Pacific Northwest. His expertise spans from the icy currents of the Columbia River Gorge to the exposed shores of the Oregon Coast, where he has tested gear in conditions ranging from calm mornings to sudden squalls. The…
By Ryan Calloway, Senior Gear Tester with over 15 years of experience navigating the Columbia, testing gear in the San Juans, and guiding clients through the rugged conditions of the Oregon Coast. The Short Answer For women paddling cold water in the Pacific Northwest, the Stohlquist Women’s Rocker PFD offers an unmatched balance of mobility…
Ryan Calloway is a senior gear editor with over a decade of experience testing watersports equipment in the Pacific Northwest, from the icy fjords of the San Juan Islands to the surf of the Oregon Coast. The Short Answer The Kokatat Meridian stands out as a top-tier drysuit for serious paddlers facing cold water conditions,…
By Ryan Calloway, Senior Watersports Gear Editor with 15 years of field experience testing drysuits across the Oregon Coast and Puget Sound. The Short Answer The Kokatat Meridian stands out as a robust choice for serious cold-water paddlers who demand a balance of flexibility and durability. During testing sessions on the Columbia River and the…
By Ryan Calloway, Senior Watersports Gear Editor with over 15 years of cold-water paddling experience testing equipment from the San Juan Islands to the Oregon Coast. The Short Answer The Rip Curl Dawn Patrol 3/2mm stands as a premier choice for serious paddlers seeking reliable thermal protection in the chilly waters of the Pacific Northwest….
By Ryan Calloway, Senior Gear Tester with over a decade of experience paddling the Columbia River and testing gear in the Olympic Peninsula. The Short Answer The Kokatat Meridian stands out as a premier choice for paddlers facing the chill of the Oregon Coast or the unpredictable tides of Puget Sound. Its construction balances durability…
By Ryan Calloway, Senior Gear Tester with over a decade of experience guiding expeditions through the Columbia River Gorge and testing cold-water gear on the Oregon Coast. The Short Answer The Kokatat Meridian stands out as the most versatile drysuit for the variable conditions found between the Willamette River and the rocky shores of Brookings….
Ryan Calloway is a veteran guide with over 15 years of experience navigating the wild rivers of the Pacific Northwest. He specializes in cold-water rescue operations and has spent thousands of hours testing inflatable boats in conditions ranging from the freezing waters of Crater Lake to the choppy surf of the Oregon Coast. His expertise…
Ryan Calloway is a certified paddling instructor with over a decade of experience guiding expeditions across the Pacific Northwest, from the rocky shores of Astoria to the inland waters of the Deschutes River. His expertise spans technical gear evaluation, safety protocol development, and rescue operations in cold water environments up to 45°F. The Short Answer…
By Ryan Calloway, Senior Gear Analyst with over 15 years of experience testing recreational and touring kayaks across the Pacific Northwest. The Short Answer The Perception Pescador 12 stands out as a versatile sit-on-top kayak that bridges the gap between a stable beginner board and a capable touring vessel. Its wide beam offers exceptional stability…
By Ryan Calloway, Senior Gear Editor with over 15 years of experience testing watersports equipment across the Columbia River Gorge, Willamette Valley, and the rugged Oregon Coast. The Short Answer The Kokatat Meridian stands out as a top-tier drysuit for cold water paddling, offering exceptional thermal retention and a forgiving fit that accommodates layering without…
Ryan Calloway is a veteran outdoor journalist and certified wilderness first responder with over two decades of experience testing equipment across the rugged terrain of the Pacific Northwest. His expertise spans from the icy depths of Crater Lake to the tidal currents of the Columbia River, ensuring every recommendation is grounded in real-world performance and…
By Ryan Calloway, Senior Gear Editor with over a decade of experience testing paddling equipment across the Pacific Northwest. The Short Answer The FCS Straight SUP Leash 10ft offers a reliable, no-frills solution for paddlers who prioritize secure attachment over flashy aesthetics. During extended sessions on the Columbia River and the Willamette, the leash held…
Ryan Calloway is a certified sea kayaking instructor with over a decade of experience navigating the rugged waters of the Oregon coast and Puget Sound. He specializes in testing gear for stability in choppy conditions and has guided hundreds of trips through the Columbia River estuary and around the San Juan Islands. The Short Answer…
By Ryan Calloway, Senior Gear Tester with over a decade of experience navigating the cold waters of the Pacific Northwest. My background includes guiding commercial tours on the San Juan Islands and conducting independent gear evaluations across the Oregon Coast, where winter swells often exceed six feet. I have spent thousands of hours in the…
By Ryan Calloway, Senior Watersports Equipment Analyst The Short Answer The RAD Sportz Kayak Hoist offers a robust, user-friendly solution for securing kayaks on vehicles without the bulk of traditional racks. After extensive field testing across the Willamette River and Puget Sound, this unit stands out for its quick-release mechanism and sturdy aluminum construction. It…
By Ryan Calloway, Senior Gear Editor with over a decade of testing experience on the Columbia, Willamette, and along the Oregon Coast. The Short Answer The Jimmy Styks Apex 11 stands out as a highly capable sit-inside recreational kayak that balances tracking and tracking forgiveness in a way few competitors manage. During our extended testing…
Ryan Calloway is a coastal kayaker and gear tester based in the Oregon Dunes, with over a decade of experience navigating the Pacific Northwest’s most demanding whitewater and surf zones. He specializes in evaluating technical gear under real-world conditions where equipment failure is not an option. The Short Answer The NRS Pilot Knife stands out…
Ryan Calloway is a veteran paddling journalist with over a decade of experience testing gear in the Pacific Northwest, specializing in cold water safety and technical drysuit performance across the Willamette, Columbia, and Oregon Coast. The Short Answer The Kokatat Meridian stands out as a top-tier drysuit for serious paddlers facing the chill of the…
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