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…
By Ryan Calloway, Senior Gear Tester with over a decade of experience testing stability systems on the Columbia River and in Puget Sound. The Short Answer The Aqua Marina Island Floating Platform offers a unique hybrid approach to stable water entry and exit, blending the footprint of a pontoon with the flexibility of a traditional…
By Ryan Calloway, Senior Watersports Gear Editor with over a decade of testing drysuits in the Columbia River Gorge, Oregon Coast, and Puget Sound. The Short Answer The Palm Stikine Drysuit stands out as a robust, no-nonsense option for paddlers facing the chill of the Oregon Coast or the deeper waters of Puget Sound. Its…
Ryan Calloway is a certified white-water guide with over a decade of experience navigating the treacherous currents of the Columbia River Gorge and the temperate waves of the Oregon Coast. His expertise spans technical rescue, cold-water immersion survival, and the selection of gear that performs when conditions turn hostile. He has logged thousands of hours…
Ryan Calloway is a certified windsurfing instructor and paddling guide with over a decade of experience testing gear on the Oregon Coast, Puget Sound, and the San Juan Islands. His expertise spans technical kayak touring, SUP fishing, and kiteboarding in challenging conditions. The Short Answer The Slingshot RPM 12m Kite stands out as a versatile…
By Ryan Calloway, Senior Gear Editor specializing in offshore safety and cold-water paddling dynamics. With over a decade of field testing in the Puget Sound and along the Oregon Coast, Calloway focuses on how equipment performs under real-world stress conditions rather than brochure specifications. The Short Answer The Aquaglide Rockit Blob stands out as a…
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