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 NuCanoe Frontier 12 is a solid choice for anglers who need extra stability without sacrificing too much portability, but it requires patience…
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 buoy against the chill Columbia River currents and the unpredictable swells off Newport, I find 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 Old Town Castine 135 is a capable sea kayak that punches above its weight class for recreational paddlers who want stability without…
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 twenty years chasing waves from Astoria to Brookings and running whitewater down the Sandy River, I can say that the 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 The Diablo Chupacabra is a surprisingly capable entry-level drysuit that punches above its weight class for weekend warriors who need warmth without breaking…
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 Mariner 4 Boat Set is a budget-friendly entry point for beginners or casual weekend warriors who need something portable that can…
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 For beginners dipping their toes into cold-water kayaking or SUP touring where temperatures drop below fifty degrees Fahrenheit, these neoprene gloves offer 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 Lume Cube Strobe Light for Kayaks is a solid addition to any premium lighting rig that needs high-visibility signaling without draining your…
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 weeks testing this leash against salt spray from Newport to Crater Lake’s cold springs, I recommend it for any stand-up paddleboarder…
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 dragging an inflatable stand-up paddleboard to your car or packing it into a rental truck after a session at Crater…
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 GoPro Hero 12 Black is an absolute powerhouse for kayak fishing videography, delivering sharp stabilization even when you are battling a 3-knot…
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 Perception Pescador Pilot 12 stands out as a robust pedal-drive platform that bridges the gap between casual angler gear and serious sea…
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 Pyranha Ripper 2 is a solid entry-level drysuit that holds its ground during cold coastal crossings but lacks the durability for serious…
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 Mad River Canoe Explorer 16 TT is a solid workhorse for touring days when you need stability without sacrificing too much speed….
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 putting this kit through its paces on calm lakes and choppy coastal bays, I recommend it for anyone who needs a reliable…
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 Sony WF-SP800N Waterproof Earbuds deliver surprisingly robust noise cancellation for open-water scenarios where wind howls off the Astoria bars or rain falls…
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 countless hours testing pedal drive systems from Astoria down to Brookings on the Oregon Coast, I can say that the Jackson…
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 Perception Carolina 14.5 is a durable entry-level kayak that has served as my primary trainer boat since 2004, remaining relevant today 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 Tower Adventurer 2 10.4 stands out as a capable entry-level drysuit that handles cold water crossings without breaking the bank for weekend…
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 Edge PFD is a rugged piece of gear that feels built to survive whatever the Columbia or Willamette throws at you…
Signup for news and special offers!
You have successfully joined our subscriber list.
