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 is a solid choice for older children who have outgrown standard foam vests but aren’t ready 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 Scotty 241 Baitcaster Rod Holder is a durable, no-frills mounting system that I have kept mounted to my deck rig for five…
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 O’Brien System Wakeboard is a compact, high-impact board designed to slide out of your backpack for surf spot access or wakeboarding behind…
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 Newport Vessels NV-Series 55lb Thrust is a robust piece of gear that earned its keep during my toughest sessions on 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 The Proline Classic 75ft Wakeboard Rope is a solid budget-friendly option for casual wakeboarders and boat owners who need durability 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 If you are carrying a lunch or snacks for a day trip where getting wet is part of the plan rather than an…
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 Intex Giant Flamingo Inflatable Pool Float is a surprisingly durable platform for casual kayak fishing that performs best when anchored or used…
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 These earbuds are a solid choice for snorkelers diving in warm tropical waters where you need music without getting soaked by surface spray…
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 spending forty hours filming action shots from my cockpit while navigating choppy Columbia River currents at dawn, I found that this camera…
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 kit is a solid upgrade for anyone tired of generic plastic bins filled with expired aspirin or tools that fall apart 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 If you are looking for a portable Bluetooth speaker that can survive being tossed into the back of your kayak or strapped 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 Hyperlite Remix Wakeboard Binding is a surprisingly durable option for whitewater kayakers who need secure foot placement during Class III-IV rapids 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 Adventure Medical Kits Marine 450 First Aid Kit is a rugged companion for remote expeditions where self-rescue depends entirely on what you…
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 hanging this rack above my dry storage for thirty days while I prepped boards for winter trips up the Willamette River and…
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 hauling gear through rainstorms on the Columbia River and wrestling loaded kayaks up steep driveways near Astoria, I found this freestanding rack…
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 Werner Kalliste Carbon is a solid entry into lightweight carbon paddle options that holds up well during technical descents 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 If you need a full drysuit that handles cold ocean swells without breaking your budget, this Carlisle entry-level model is a solid workhorse…
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