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 Olympus Tough TG-7 is a rugged compact camera that I have put through hell for twenty years, surviving multiple capsizes on 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 The Necky Chatham 16 is a solid choice for recreational paddlers looking to step up from inflatable boats without committing to an aluminum…
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 PowerPro Spectra Braided Line is an excellent choice for securing gear loads to sea kayaks or SUPs when you need high strength-to-weight…
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 stands out as a solid entry-level wetsuit for sea kayakers facing chilly fall or winter days where air temps…
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 Pilot Knife is a rugged utility blade that has survived two full seasons of abuse while I was clearing brush 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 GILI Mako 11 Fishing SUP is a solid mid-range option for anglers who need stability under load but should be treated as…
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 Red Paddle Co Titan Pump is an excellent entry-to-mid-level drysuit designed for serious sea kayakers who need reliable warmth without breaking the…
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 Old Town Sportsman Autopilot 120 is a capable fishing kayak that stands up well to the choppy currents found along the Willamette…
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 twenty seasons out there from the Willamette River to the San Juan Islands, I have found that safety gear is often…
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 Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12 stands out as a rugged all-around inflatable paddle board that feels surprisingly solid for its inflated weight, making…
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 AIRE Tributary Tomcat Solo is a solid entry-level drysuit that handles cold-water immersion well enough for fall trips on 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 After spending a full season testing this unit against the elements from Astoria to Brookings, I recommend the Coros Vertix 2 for sea…
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 Jabra Elite Active 75t is a solid wireless earbud choice for keeping your playlist going during cold-weather expeditions up to the mid-thirties…
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 Casio G-Shock Frogman GWF-D1000 is a rugged, budget-friendly digital watch that handles the salt air well enough for casual tracking but lacks…
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 Werner Camano is a solid, no-nonsense paddle shaft that has survived twenty seasons of abuse from my hands. It handles cold 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 After spending dozens of hours on the Columbia River mouth and along the Astoria to Brookings stretch of the coast, I found this…
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 serious piece of technology that survived weeks of testing from the chill Columbia River to the…
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 Bill’s Bag Dry Bag is a no-nonsense workhorse that I have trusted for nearly two decades since buying my first Perception…
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 Werner Kalliste Carbon is a legitimate step up for anyone who has grown tired of their entry-level neoprene leaking after just one…
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 Carlisle Magic Mystic is a solid entry-level drysuit for sea kayakers facing temperatures between 45°F and 60°F who need reliable protection without…
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