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 If you spend time on cold rivers like the Deschutes or windswept bays near Astoria where temperatures drop below fifty degrees, this Ronix…
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 upgrading from a foam PFD that gets heavy when wet or one that slides off during a rough crossing, 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 Recon Impact Vest is a robust piece of safety gear that stands out for its ability to hold a dry seal…
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 weeks testing this vest through cold Columbia River crossings and windy trips along the Astoria to Brookings stretch of 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 Ronix Vision Impact Vest is a solid choice for recreational kayakers who need reliable flotation but are looking to save money compared…
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 hundreds of hours cold-water testing gear from Astoria to Brookings, I recommend the Connelly Classic Neoprene Vest for anyone needing 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’Brien Recon Impact Vest is a surprisingly robust option for snorkeling adventures where you need impact protection from coral or rocks 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 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, 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…
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 the Deschutes River through spring runoff and navigating the choppy Columbia near Portland, the Hyperlite Indy Impact Vest proved to be…
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