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 Crux Drysuit stands out as a reliable workhorse for cold-water enthusiasts who prioritize durability over ultra-lightweight performance. I wore this suit…
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 Island Hopper 20ft Water Jungle Jim is a robust inflatable option for anglers and long-distance cruisers who prioritize storage volume over raw…
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 Kayak Cockpit Cover is a solid budget option for anglers or day trippers who need a splash guard against light rain…
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 Atomic Aquatics SV2 Snorkel is a solid choice for kayakers who need reliable warmth without the bulk of a full drysuit during…
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 BigMouth Giant Pizza Pool Float is a durable leisure item that holds up surprisingly well for casual pool lounging or family 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 two full seasons testing this leash through cold Columbia River runs and windy days off Newport, I recommend it as a…
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 YakAttack VisiCarbon Pro Visibility Light is a solid choice for sea kayakers who prioritize warmth retention during cold seasons 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 The Island Hopper 20ft Water Jungle Jim is a solid entry-level inflatable kayak that holds up surprisingly well for weekend warriors testing it…
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 Kokatat Lightweight Paddling Gloves are a solid mid-season choice for open-water sea kayakers who need dexterity but want protection against wind chill…
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 a weekend testing this massive inflatable pool toy against the elements at Crater Lake, I found it is not suitable 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 Connelly Blaze is a solid entry-level kneeboard that I’d recommend for summer SUP sessions or calm lake days where you want 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 If you are looking for a durable splash pad that handles repeated use without disintegrating after one summer season, this Airhead set is…
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 dozens of hours navigating cold coastal crossings and inland river runs, this radio proves its worth when you are miles from…
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 Enduro 13 is a solid entry-level sea kayak that punches above its weight class for beginners looking to explore 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 SUP-Now Paddleboard Wall Mount Rack is a solid choice for garage or basement storage if you are looking to save vertical space…
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 Ocean Kayak Malibu Two is a capable entry-level wakeboard boat that holds its own for weekend warriors who want to launch from…
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 Xcel Women’s Comp 3mm wetsuit is a solid entry-level choice for women who are moving out of their beginner phase into more…
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 North Pulse 9m Kite stands out as a reliable workhorse for anyone looking to maximize their time on the Columbia River estuary…
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 several days crossing open sounds and coastal bays where wind and swell meet cold water, I found the Werner Camano 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 Diablo Chupacabra is a solid entry-level board for wakeboarding beginners who want to test the waters before committing to an expensive custom…
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