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There’s no denying that inflatable kayaks are a great solution for people who can't easily transport or store a traditional, hard-shell kayak. The flipside is that this portability and storability usually comes at a cost in performance, comfort, and durability. While this trade-off is usually a given, the Star Rival Inflatable Kayak was designed with the idea that an inflatable can be just as comfortable as a hard-shell kayak. And so, among other things, this is one of the features that I set out to test. Here’s what I can tell you after spending an afternoon putting the Star Rival Inflatable ..read more

What makes a kayak one of the top kayaks of the year? It could be a variety of things. It could be a kayak that's special or unique in some way. It could be a kayak that offers exceptional value. It could be that a kayak just puts a smile on your face. Whatever the criteria, the only way to really know if a kayak deserves to be considered one of the top kayaks of the year, is to test it. And so, this season I tested more than 25 kayaks with the goal of discovering the best kayaks of the year. You can see full video reviews of each one of these kayaks on my PaddleTV YouTube channel, but this i ..read more

There are few things in this world that I love more than a high-quality paddle. They are works of art that have a practical application. They also help to elevate the whole paddling experience – the way the paddle feels in your hands, and the way it interacts with the water. That being said, I would never insinuate that you need to have a high-performance paddle. I've always said that any kayak or paddle is better than no kayak or paddle, and so get what you can afford. But, if you do spend a lot of time paddling, and you do have the means to splurge a little, then upgrading your paddle is on ..read more

What is a Drysuit? If you’re not familiar with drysuits, here’s what you should know.  Drysuits are the ultimate protection against cold water, cold weather, or a combination of the two. The idea behind drysuits is pretty simple. They’re waterproof suits that are designed to keep you completely dry. Theoretically, you should be able to get into a dry suit with your street clothes, and then hop out at the end of a long, wet day of paddlingcompletely dry.    What is a drysuit? “They’re waterproof suits that are designed to keep you completely dry. “ Drysuit or Wetsuit? Both drysu ..read more

Portable kayaks have become very popular over the past five years, because they open the world of paddling to people who can’t easily transport or store full size kayaks. Due to this surge in popularity, the quality of portable kayaks has improved tremendously, along with the variety of portable kayaks that are available on the market.    Now, before we dive into my picks for the Top 5 Portable kayaks of 2021, something you should know upfront is that this list was derived from the kayaks that I was able to test in 2021. Since I couldn’t test every portable kayak out there, I have n ..read more

Choosing the best beginner kayaks of the year was a challenge for a number of reasons.  For one, there are a lot of kayaks that deserve to be part of this conversation. Furthermore, the characteristics of a good beginner kayak can vary tremendously depending on your interests and needs. For that reason, my selection for the best beginner kayaks of 2021 includes a variety of styles. And so, without any further ado, here are my picks, in no specific order, for the best beginner kayaks of 2021.  Oru Kayak Inlet ..read more

An Unbiased Review of the P&H Virgo Touring Kayak   While I’m always on the hunt for the ‘ultimate kayak’, the idea that such a thing exists is a little unrealistic.  What I’m really searching for is MY ultimate kayak, because we’re all looking for something a little different, depending on factors like paddling expertise, where we paddle, and what type of paddling experiences we like to pursue.  As someone who loves a touring kayak that can handle rough conditions, and that offers speed, maneuverability and comfort, I’ve bee ..read more

A Paddling Gear Review Done the Hard/Right Way There are lots of reason why, after 30 years, I’m still hooked on paddling. I think the biggest reason is because kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards are all amazing ways to share time and adventures with friends and family, while enjoying the incredible natural playgrounds that surround us. But the great thing about paddling is that it offers the opportunity to push your limits, challenge yourself, learn new things, and explore new places. That’s why, on this hot and sticky summer day in Canada’s Ottawa Valley, I’ve decided to test a bunch ..read more

I love paddling, I love backcountry camping, I love fishing, and I love rivers with rapids.  Combine all of these things, and in my opinion, you have the ultimate outdoor adventure.   That’s exactly why I embarked on a 5-day mission down the Petawawa River with two of my best friends, Brendan Mark and James McBeath.   Ontario’s Petawawa River is recognized as one of the top multi-day canoe trips in eastern North America. While canoes are a great way to navigate the river, we opted for a different approach.  We swapped the canoes for fishing kayaks, and we brought a r ..read more