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 this wetsuit through cold Columbia River crossings and chilly Astoria launches, I recommend the Billabong Furnace Comp…
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 Grizzly 3.0mm Wetsuit is a solid mid-to-late season layer for kayakers who need thermal protection without drowning in weight or restriction….
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 Patagonia R1 Regulator Wetsuit is a robust piece of cold-weather gear that I have found reliable for sea kayaking when water temperatures…
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 Rip Curl Dawn Patrol 3/2mm is a solid choice for open-water SUPers who need reliable warmth without sacrificing mobility during cold-weather sessions….
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 Billabong Furnace Comp 3/2mm is a solid entry-level wetsuit that handles chilly river runs well but lacks the structural rigidity for long…
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’Neill Psycho One 3/2mm is a solid entry-level drysuit that bridges the gap between cheap rental gear and high-end expedition equipment 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 Rip Curl Dawn Patrol 3/2mm wetsuit is a sturdy workhorse that handles cold river currents better than most soft goods I’ve dragged…
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 Rip Curl E-Bomb 3/2mm is a solid entry-level wetsuit that handles cold water well enough for short sessions but lacks the durability…
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 Stohlquist Descent 3.5mm Paddling Wetsuit is a reliable workhorse for cold-water paddlers who need flexibility without sacrificing warmth during long days on…
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’Neill Hyperfreak 3/2mm is a solid entry-to-mid-level drysuit that holds up well against cold coastal spray and occasional immersion during winter paddling…
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 Stohlquist Descent 3.5mm Paddling Wetsuit is a solid workhorse for cold-water kayakers who prioritize durability over high-end neoprene stretch, but it will…
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 rolling through cold Pacific Northwest rivers and coastal crossings, I recommend the Stohlquist Descent 3.5mm Paddling Wetsuit 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 O’Neill Psycho One 3/2mm wetsuit is my go-to choice for cold-water kayaking when the air temp drops below fifty degrees but I…
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’Neill Hyperfreak 3/2mm is a versatile hybrid suit that bridges the gap between full wetsuits for cold river runs and shorties for…
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 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 — 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 Rip Curl Dawn Patrol 3/2mm is a solid workhorse wetsuit that handles the chill of the Oregon Coast and late-season Willamette River…
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