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 303 Aerospace Protectant UV Guard is a solid choice for protecting your cockpit rim, paddle blade edges, and drysuit seals from salt…
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 Plano Guide Series is a sturdy workhorse that I have trusted through cold mornings on the Willamette River and windy crossings off…
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 months testing this inflatable drysuit on everything from cold Columbia River runs to windy days at Crater Lake, I recommend…
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 Rainbow Fins Touring Fin is a durable workhorse that excels when you need reliable traction for wakeboarding or wakesurfing without spending 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 These headphones are a solid choice for sea kayakers who need reliable audio isolation during long days on Puget Sound or the San…
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 rugged sea kayak designed for rough coastal conditions where reliability matters more than sleek…
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 unit through the rigors of cold morning runs on the Willamette River and sunny afternoons on Lake Billy Chinook, 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 After scrubbing neoprene gaskets through three distinct seasons here in Portland, I recommend the McNett Wetsuit Shampoo and Conditioner for anyone who refuses…
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 dog life jacket is a solid choice for active retrieval work or calm lake days where your pup needs buoyancy but not…
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 Subea Easybreath 540 Full Face Mask is a solid entry-level choice for snorkelers who prioritize low cost and basic visibility but should…
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 buoy against saltwater exposure and cold wind chill from Astoria down to Brookings, I recommend 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 The O’Brien Celebrity Combo Skis are a solid entry-level choice for kayakers upgrading from soft-shell layers to full drysuits when tackling cooler coastal…
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 Wham-It 60 Inch Towable is a robust accessory designed for premium sea kayaking setups that demand maximum protection during long winter…
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 hundreds of hours cold-water testing gear from Astoria to Brookings, I recommend the Connelly Classic Neoprene Vest for anyone needing 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 Sea Eagle 380x Explorer is a solid entry-level inflatable sea kayak that holds its shape well for recreational touring but struggles once…
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 planning long-distance SUP tours where audio feedback from your paddle strokes or a fellow rider matters, the Ultimate Ears Boom…
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 piece of gear for the low-end budget market, offering solid stiffness that lasts through…
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 families who need reliable buoyancy without sacrificing comfort during active play. 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 The Hyperlite Broadcast Wakesurf Board is a unique hybrid tool that works surprisingly well for cold-water summer surfing sessions or stable winter SUP…
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 Ruffwear Float Coat Life Jacket is a solid choice for paddlers who need reliable buoyancy without sacrificing too much mobility during their…
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