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 Edge 13 is a robust touring platform that earned its stripes during some brutal sessions along the Oregon Coast where…
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 Astral Birdie Kids Life Jacket stands out as a reliable workhorse for families taking kids into cold PNW waters where traditional PFDs…
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 Stormsure Wetsuit Repair Adhesive is a rugged solution for sealing neoprene tears that have been cut away from your skin or gear….
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 hours navigating choppy winds off the Columbia River Gorge at dusk, I found this light to be a reliable workhorse…
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 Jackson Kayak Zen 3.0 is a solid entry into recreational touring kayaks that punches above its weight class for stability and initial…
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 Basic Skins Long Sleeve Rash Guard is a solid choice for SUP touring when you need sun protection without sacrificing too…
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 heading out for cold-water sea kayaking where temperatures dip below fifty degrees Fahrenheit, this drysuit offers a solid balance between…
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 Gear Aid Aquaseal FD Repair Adhesive is a reliable stop-gap for field repairs when you are stuck on the water or waiting…
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 CWB Connelly Draft Wakeboard is a solid entry-level choice for recreational kayakers who need extra warmth during cooler months 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 Suunto 9 Peak Pro is an incredibly capable GPS computer that I have used to map my wakeboarding routes around Lake Billy…
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 Sportsstuff 54-1640 Big Mable is a solid entry-level inflatable kayak that holds its shape well for short coastal day trips but struggles…
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 Liquid Force Shane Hybrid Binding is a solid choice for recreational SUPers who want durability without breaking the bank, though it lacks…
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 Minn Kota Endura C2 30 Transom Mount is a solid workhorse for kayakers who need reliable electric propulsion 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 Sportsstuff 54-1601 Island Hopper Water Trampoline is a solid budget option for calm lake days or sheltered bays where you won’t be…
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 planning overnight camping trips where showering after a day on the river is part of your routine, this Advanced Elements…
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 Crown Freestanding Kayak Rack is a solid choice for homeowners who need to store multiple sea kayaks or SUPs without drilling into…
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 sunscreen is a rugged choice for whitewater kayakers who need UV protection that survives high-impact splashes without washing off instantly or stinging…
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 Sportsstuff Big Mable Blob is a solid choice for recreational kayakers looking to upgrade from a standard drysuit or thick wetsuit, specifically…
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 O’Neill Youth Reactor II is my go-to choice for keeping young paddlers warm during those chilly spring mornings when the air bites…
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