Category Archives: Gear Reviews

Below, I provide gear reviews of various types of equipment, mostly related to kayaking, like gloves, paddles or boats.

A good metric of whether a piece of gear is of good value is whether you would replace it with the same(or new model) of the product when it gets lost or damaged. Or, if you would look for something else.

If you find that you would replace it, it is probably a good value or fit for your needs and if not, it might not of been worth buying. I try to include this in my descriptions of kayaking gear, so if you see an “I’d by it again” rating, it means I think it is a pretty solid(or at least a good value) product.

Werner’s Poorly Engineered Adjustable Ferrule System

December 16, 2018Gear Reviewsyaknc

After having owned two Werner Cyprus paddles, both of which failed in the same way, and talking with other paddlers, I think Werner’s two piece paddles, specifically their locking ferrule system, are poorly designed.

They do not appear to hold up well to heavy coastal use, despite what I think is a reasonable cleaning regime.

Gear Review: Sea to Summit Ultra Flex Booties

April 28, 2018Gear Reviewsyaknc

As a kayaker, the quest to find comfortable and practical shoes is something that most people spend a good deal of time(and possibly money on.) Among whitewater boaters, actual shoes like Astral’s Brewer are often quite popular. Others prefer dive booties or booties more geared towards kayaykers, like NRS’s Freestyle or Desperado water shoe. I’ve … Continue reading Gear Review: Sea to Summit Ultra Flex Booties →

Gear Review: Glacier Glove Premium Waterproof Gloves

July 31, 2016Gear Reviewsyaknc

After having durability issues with a pair of NRS Maverick gloves, I solicited some advice from KayakHipster when we commented on the same Reddit thread and he recommended I try out Glacier Glove Premium Waterproof Gloves. I gave them a shot and have been quite pleased with them, although have only had them for about … Continue reading Gear Review: Glacier Glove Premium Waterproof Gloves →

Gear Review: NRS Maverick Gloves

July 27, 2016Gear Reviewsyaknc

When I first started paddling, I received a pair of NRS Maverick Gloves as a gift. The Maverick Gloves are made out of 2mm neoprene, with a pretty tight cuff that keeps water from getting into the glove. I was still quite new at paddling and so these were my first pair of paddling gloves … Continue reading Gear Review: NRS Maverick Gloves →

2015 Dagger/Wilderness Systems Footbrace Recall

June 4, 2016Gear Reviews, Paddling Safetyyaknc

Last weekend while at the beach, both the footbraces in my Dagger Alchemy broke. The footpeg on the right snapped first while breaking out through the surf and the left footpeg snapped about 30 minutes later. As it turns out, there was a recall for 2015 model confluence boats(Dagger/Wilderness Systems) that used the KeeperXL and … Continue reading 2015 Dagger/Wilderness Systems Footbrace Recall →

Gear Review: Kokatat Hydrus 3L Meridian

May 21, 2016Gear Reviewsyaknc

I first got to try out a drysuit when doing some winter paddling at the beach. The person who took me out was kind enough to let me borrow his Kokatat Goretex drysuit and we had an awesome day playing in the ocean and intercoastal waterway. On my third and final beach landing that day, … Continue reading Gear Review: Kokatat Hydrus 3L Meridian →