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 Apple Watch Ultra 2 is a rugged companion for coastal kayakers who need to track heart rate during cold-weather immersion sessions or…
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 DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro is a solid action camera for capturing your adventures on the Willamette or deep down the Columbia…
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 Outward Hound Granby Splash is a solid entry-level drysuit that punches above its weight class for recreational paddlers who need reliable protection…
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 days running Class III to IV rapids on the Deschutes River this summer, the O’Brien Vortex Kneeboard proved itself…
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 hitting the Willamette River or the Oregon Coast when water temperatures drop below fifty degrees, this PFD is a 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 Thurso Surf Tranquility Yoga SUP is a solid entry-level stand-up board that handles moderate wind well enough for yoga practice or light…
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 Radar Lithium Slalom Ski is a compact, high-performance board that I have found to be an excellent tool for beginners transitioning 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 Necky Chatham 16 is a solid performer for sea kayakers who need reliable protection without breaking the bank, but it shines brightest…
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 AT Exception Xception Curved is a solid entry-level stand-up paddleboard that handles choppy coastal swells well enough for weekend warriors who aren’t…
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 Aquapac waterproof phone case proved its worth during a grueling three-day expedition where I faced wind speeds up to 18 knots and…
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 separate weeks transporting gear between my home base near Salem and launching spots at Crater Lake National Park, I found…
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 Polar Vantage V3 is a solid mid-tier drysuit for sea kayakers who need reliable warmth during fall and winter crossings without spending…
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 vest through cold Willamette River mornings and windy days at Crater Lake, I recommend it 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 Radar Lithium Slalom Ski is an affordable entry point for sea kayakers looking to dip their toes into a two-piece drysuit 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 The Jackson Kayak Zen 3.0 is a solid choice for anglers who need an inflatable stand-up paddleboard that fits easily into their car…
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 to recover a kayak or paddleboard after an unexpected capsize without paying for heavy-duty rescue equipment, this Airhead Watersports…
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 decades of hunting for warmth without sacrificing mobility, I found that this neoprene hood delivers a consistent seal against wind chill while…
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’Neill Hyperfreak 3/2mm is a versatile hybrid suit that bridges the gap between full wetsuits for cold river runs and shorties 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 Hobie H-Crate Junior is a durable, lightweight storage solution that works well for anglers carrying tackle boxes or kayakers needing extra gear…
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 Outdoor Research Ultralight Dry Sack 35L is a rugged workhorse that holds its own against coastal winds without adding bulk to your…
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