The Short Answer For stand-up paddleboarding, water shoes are almost always the better choice, provided you are paddling in water with any debris or sharp rocks. I learned this the hard way on a late-summer SUP tour on Lake Crescent in Washington state. The air temperature was a comfortable 75 degrees, but the water was […]
Who Should Buy the Billabong Furnace Pro Rashguard
Who Should Buy the Billabong Furnace Pro Rashguard This piece of gear fits squarely into my testing for surfers and paddle athletes who need UPF 50+ protection without sacrificing too much breathability. I wore this during a three-day surf session at Ocean Shores, Washington, in early October when the water was roughly 50 degrees and […]
Typhoon Multisport 5 Drysuit: A Real-World Review from the Cold Pacific
Who Should Buy the Typhoon Multisport 5 Drysuit This suit is built for the paddler who prioritizes dryness over absolute warmth in the mildest of conditions. I tested this on a 4-day sea kayak expedition along the Oregon coast in early November when the water temperature hovered around 48 degrees Fahrenheit and the air was […]
NRS Grizzly 3.0mm Wetsuit Review: The Workhorse of the Pacific Northwest
Who Should Buy the NRS Grizzly 3.0mm Wetsuit After spending countless hours on the water, I have found this suit is best suited for three specific paddlers. First, the cold-water recreational kayaker looking for a reliable shield against the chill. I tested this specifically on a solo trip along the Oregon coast in November. Water […]
EzyDog vs. Vivaglory: A Real-World Dog Life Jacket Showdown
The Short Answer Buy EzyDog Doggy Flotation Device if: You are navigating choppy water with a medium-sized dog where you need a device that physically holds the head up if the animal panics and swims face down. You are taking a dog on a river run where the current is strong enough to knock a […]
Head-to-Head: Stohlquist Infant Nemo vs. Onyx Infant All Clear Inflatable
The Short Answer When selecting a life jacket for a child, you are balancing Coast Guard compliance with the specific realities of your local waterways. I have tested these two options extensively to see how they hold up under real-world conditions. Buy Stohlquist Infant Nemo Life Jacket if: You are prioritizing immediate buoyancy and comfort […]
How an Adult Life Jacket Should Fit: A Hard-Won Guide from the Coast
The Short Answer For an adult life jacket to save your life, it must be snug enough that you cannot slide a flat palm between the straps and your torso, but loose enough that you can breathe deeply without feeling your ribs compress. I learned the hard way that “tight” does not mean “restrictive.” A […]
Best SUP Backpacks for Carrying Inflatable Boards: A Real-World Test
The Short Answer If you are standing at the edge of a boat launch or the back of your SUV with a rolled-up inflatable SUP, the only backpack that truly belongs in the “SUP Accessories” category for this specific task is the iRocker SUP Backpack. I tested this unit specifically for transporting rolled boards, not […]
Best SUP Paddles for Under $100: Real-World Testing from the Pacific Northwest
What to Look for in a SUP Paddles for Under $100 When you are shopping for a paddle under $100, you are looking for a balance between carbon fiber performance and the durability required for entry-level boarders. Marketing materials often claim that carbon fiber is lightweight and stiff, but they rarely mention that the shafts […]
Best Hardboard Paddle Boards for Flatwater Touring Long Distances
What to Look for in a Hardboard Paddle Boards for Flatwater Touring Long Distances When you are planning to cover long distances on flatwater, your hardboard SUP must prioritize glide and stability over surf performance. I have spent thousands of miles paddling on the calm bays of Puget Sound and the expansive lakes of Washington […]
Inflatable SUP Showdown: iRocker Cruiser 11 vs. Bluefin Cruise 10.8
The Short Answer After months of testing these boards on everything from calm inland reservoirs to choppy coastal bays, the choice comes down to where you plan to stand and how you handle the rigging. Buy the iRocker Cruiser 11 if: You need a board that is ready to go the moment you open the […]
Yakima ShowDown vs. Thule Hull-a-Port XT: The Real Talk on Carrying Your Gear
The Short Answer Buy Yakima ShowDown Kayak Carrier if: You need a system that handles a wide variety of hull shapes, from flat-bottomed recreational kayaks to narrow sea kayaks, without needing to reconfigure every time. You are hauling heavy loads over short distances, such as from a car trunk to a launch ramp, where the […]
High Angle vs Low Angle Kayak Paddles: What You Actually Need on the Water
High Angle vs Low Angle Kayak Paddles: What You Actually Need on the Water I spent forty-five hours testing the difference between high and low angle paddles last month, splitting my time between the choppy currents of the Columbia River Gorge and the calm glass of Lake Washington. The marketing departments want you to believe […]
Tandem Kayak vs. Canoe: The Real-World Family Guide
Tandem Kayak vs. Canoe: The Real-World Family Guide The Short Answer If your primary goal is ease of entry and exit for a family with young children, a tandem kayak is the superior choice. I tested a sit-inside tandem on a cold morning at Hood Canal, Washington, where the water was around 42 degrees. The […]
Wavesport Fuse 56: A River Runner’s Honest Take
Wavesport Fuse 56: A River Runner’s Honest Take Who Should Buy the Wavesport Fuse 56 I first encountered the Wavesport Fuse 56 while running a cold-water section of the Middle Fork American River in California. The water was running at a moderate stage, and the current was pushing hard against the banks. Here is who […]
Can I Use a Recreational Kayak on a River?
Can I Use a Recreational Kayak on a River? The Short Answer You can absolutely use a recreational kayak on a river, but only if you stick to the slow, wide, and predictable stretches. I have paddled dozens of miles on the lower Snake River and the Columbia River Gorge in a standard recreational kayak, […]
Best Inflatable Kayaks for Kayak Fishing on a Budget
Best Inflatable Kayaks for Kayak Fishing on a Budget What to Look for in a Inflatable Kayaks for Kayak Fishing On A Budget Fishing from an inflatable kayak requires a different mindset than paddling for recreation. You need a platform that stays stable when you stand to cast, doesn’t leak when you drop a line […]
Testing the Jackson Kayak Liska: A Deep Dive into Pacific Northwest Fishing
Testing the Jackson Kayak Liska: A Deep Dive into Pacific Northwest Fishing Who Should Buy the Jackson Kayak Liska I tested the Liska extensively during a week-long float trip down the Nisqually River, targeting steelhead and trout in water temperatures ranging from the high 50s to low 60s Fahrenheit. Based on that experience, here is […]
Best Sea and Touring Kayaks for Multi-Day Coastal Kayak Camping
Best Sea and Touring Kayaks for Multi-Day Coastal Kayak Camping What to Look for in a Sea and Touring Kayaks for Multi-Day Coastal Kayak Camping When you are packing for a three-day expedition along a rugged coast like the Oregon or Washington shoreline, the distinction between a sea kayak and a recreational boat becomes critical. […]
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