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…
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 HydroSkin 0.5 Rashguard is a tough, lightweight layer that shines when you need sun protection without adding bulk to your pack…
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 six weeks testing this inflatable SUP against the brutal tides of the Oregon Coast and choppy stretches of the Columbia River,…
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 Youth Shorty Wetsuit is a solid choice for young paddlers who need reliable thermal protection without breaking the bank during cooler…
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 Creatures of Leisure Icon Surfboard Bag is a solid mid-range option for sea kayakers who need to transport gear or protect their…
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 US Divers Cozumel Snorkel Set is a solid entry-level option for paddlers who need reliable gear without breaking the bank at approximately…
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 rack through a grueling winter season hauling gear from my car to the Willamette River banks near Hillsboro, 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 NRS Cove Paddling Gloves are a solid mid-range option for whitewater enthusiasts tackling Class III-IV runs who need basic protection against blisters…
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 Indy Impact Vest is a rugged piece of safety gear that shines during cold-water excursions where reliability matters more than style….
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 Dagger Mamba Creeker 8.6 stands out as a versatile recreational boat that bridges the gap between lake cruising and river play 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 Railblaza Visibility Kit is a solid addition for summer paddle days when you want high visibility without sacrificing too much mobility or…
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