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 Joyride 10 is a solid entry-level hard-shell kayak that punches above its weight class for casual weekenders looking to dip their…
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 Heron 9XT is a solid choice for recreational sea kayakers who need reliable tracking and stability without breaking the bank….
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 Swifty Deluxe 9.5 is a solid entry-level sea kayak that holds its own against tougher competitors for casual river runners or…
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 Zydeco 9 is a sturdy workhorse that holds its own against cold river currents and choppy coastal bays, though it trades…
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 Pelican Argo 100X EXO is a solid entry-level snorkel vest that holds its shape well during surface swimming but lacks the advanced…
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 months testing this kayak against everything from cold Columbia River currents to choppy San Juan Islands winds, I find…
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 Riot Kayaks Enduro 13 is a solid entry-level sea kayak that punches above its weight class for beginners looking to explore 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 After spending dozens of hours testing this drysuit against wind-chill mornings on the Willamette River and cold coastal crossings near Astoria, I recommend…
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 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 — 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 Swifty Deluxe 9.5 is a solid entry-level drysuit that holds up well for recreational paddlers facing the chill of the Willamette…
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