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 Merrell Waterpro Maipo 2 is a solid entry-level waterproof boot for coastal kayakers and SUPers who need reliable traction without breaking 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 Merrell Waterpro Maipo 2 is a capable workhorse for casual sea kayakers who need reliable waterproofing without breaking the bank during fall…
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 Teva Hurricane XLT2 is a solid entry into the footwear market for watersporters who prioritize comfort during long hauls but need to…
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 weeks lugging these around from my morning Deschutes runs to afternoon SUP sessions at Lake Billy Chinook, I consider the Keen…
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 seasons testing drysuits from Astoria down to Brookings where the wind whipped off Puget Sound and into Crater Lake,…
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 weeks of testing various footwear options for cold-water crossings from Puget Sound to the San Juan Islands, I can confirm that 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 Speedo Surfwalker Pro 3.0 is a solid workhorse for entry-to-intermediate sea kayakers who need reliable protection in temperatures ranging from 48°F to…
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 Columbia Drainmaker IV stands out as a surprisingly capable entry-level inflatable SUP that I’ve taken from the freezing Crater Lake to 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 NRS Kicker Remix Wetshoe is a solid choice for summer days when you want to feel the water but stay warm enough…
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 — 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 Merrell Waterpro Maipo 2 is a solid entry-level waterproof shoe designed primarily for warm water environments, making it an excellent choice for…
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 Keen Newport H2 is a solid, durable workhorse for the Pacific Northwest paddler who needs reliable footwear for river launches, beach access,…
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 seasons testing footwear from my Portland garage to the rocky shores of Astoria, I recommend the NRS Kicker Remix…
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