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 workhorse that holds ice remarkably well even when left out in direct sun 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 Coros Vertix 2 is a robust companion for long-distance SUP tours that handles harsh weather well without getting lost when cloud cover…
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 Shimano Stradic FL 3000 is a solid workhorse for wakesurfing setups that demand smooth line retrieval without breaking the bank. 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 303 Aerospace Protectant UV Guard is a solid choice for protecting your cockpit rim, paddle blade edges, and drysuit seals from salt…
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 PowerPro Spectra Braided Line is a solid choice for recreationalists who need to manage deck lines or anchor tethers where visibility matters…
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 snorkeling around Maui and two weekends exploring the deep end at Crater Lake, I found the Penn Battle III…
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 This repair kit is a mandatory addition to any sea kayaker’s or SUP boarder’s emergency pack who wants peace of mind during open-water…
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 Star Brite Inflatable Boat Repair Kit is a solid emergency tool for serious inflatable kayak owners who need to patch punctures quickly…
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 catching trout or salmon from a kayak while sitting still for hours in cold water, this rod offers durability at…
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 50QT Elite Cooler is a workhorse for anglers who prioritize ice retention and durability over portability. During my week-long test trip…
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…
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 six months testing this kit during cold mornings on the Oregon Coast and rougher conditions on the Columbia River, the Star…
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 Aquaglide Bongo 20 Bouncer stands out as a budget-friendly drysuit option that punches well above its weight class, particularly for paddlers hunting…
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 two full seasons testing this hull on calm lakes and slow-moving rivers, I find the Old Town Discovery 119 Solo Canoe…
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