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 Garmin inReach Explorer Plus is a rugged communication anchor for anyone venturing into remote stretches of Puget Sound or isolated coves along…
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 Seachoice Anchor Kit is a compact workhorse that delivers exactly what it promises: a reliable way to secure your boat without needing…
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 Hobie H-Crate Junior Milk Crate is a versatile utility solution for kayak anglers and day trippers looking to carry extra gear 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 running Class II-III whitewater on the Deschutes River and dealing with heavy coastal loads near Brookings, this bag proved itself 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 After spending roughly thirty days testing this kayak on cold mornings before work, I recommend the Bluefin Cruise 10.8 for recreational paddlers who…
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 Mares X-Vision Ultra LS Mask is a solid choice for open-water divers who prioritize low profile fins without sacrificing field-of-view during cold…
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 testing this snorkel set against salt spray from Astoria to Brookings and fresh wind off Puget Sound, I…
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 Carbon SUP Paddle stands out as a serious tool for long-distance touring where weight savings translate to reduced fatigue over miles….
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 Native Watercraft Slayer Propel Max 12.5 is a robust stand-up paddleboard (SUP) designed for serious touring where cold water immersion risks are…
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 budget-friendly inflatable kayak specifically designed to handle warm summer days without breaking your wallet, this model 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 a full season testing this neoprene vest against cold Columbia River currents and brisk winds off Astoria, I find it 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 Ronix Koal Classic Longboard stands out as a durable, cost-effective choice for long-distance touring when you prioritize stability and footroom over cutting-edge…
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 Omega Pro Rod Holder is a sturdy addition to your kayak deck that excels when you are fishing from a sit-inside…
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 leash against cold Columbia River currents and rough Puget Sound swells, 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 If you are a snorkeler or freediver looking for secure full-face protection without sacrificing peripheral vision, the Subea Easybreath 540 is a solid…
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 cold-water snorkeling at Crater Lake in mid-October where the air was biting and the lake surface hovered around 58°F,…
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 Saturn SD290 Inflatable Boat is a solid contender for kayak fishing anglers who need portability without sacrificing too much stability in choppy…
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 Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Solar is a formidable companion for long-distance sea kayakers who need solar charging to keep navigation tools alive…
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 Kokatat Maximus Orbit Tour PFD stands out as a reliable workhorse for cold-water paddlers who prioritize warmth without sacrificing essential mobility. I…
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 solid workhorse for long days on the Willamette or out past Seaside where you need protection that actually stays…
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