This gear review originally appeared in Canoeroots and Family Camping magazine.
These paddles will help you go fast, go long and, go quietly in style.
SANBORN CANOE CO.
Little Sag
www.sanborncanoe.com • $140
Sanborn paddles stand out on the water and on the rack. Optional hand-painted shafts in several different heritage designs blend art with craftsmanship, making these truly unique paddles.
The gentle seven-degree bend in the Little Sag was pleasantly surprising. The increase in power over a straight shaft is noticeable yet control strokes like the J aren’t affected. This paddle belongs in the collection of touring canoeists who appreciate a paddle with character.
GREY OWL
Eagle Feather
www.greyowlpaddles.com • $195
The walnut and ash veneer on the broad blade faces of Grey Owl’s newest paddle really does resemble an eagle feather. Blended with a unique combination of butternut, birdseye maple, basswood and white cedar, the paddle is both sturdy and relatively light. A partial urethane tip protects the blade from delamination and splitting of the grain. Its oval shape is tailored for deep-water recreational or tripping paddlers.
BENDING BRANCHES
Black Pearl
www.bendingbranches.com • $230
Because of its strength-to-weight ratio, carbon remains the standard for high-performance paddles. The new Black Pearl is an unconventional head-turner for Bending Branches, known for their wooden blades. Marathoners will love this paddle as the 11-degree bend gives lots of oomph to each stroke and the grip is more comfortable for long tours than many sprint racing paddles. Most noticeable is what’s absent—it weighs only 14 ounces. You’ll barely notice you’re holding it.
BADGER PADDLES
Cherry Tripper
www.badgerpaddles.com • $130
The Cherry Tripper performs just as well for soloists as it does for tandem trippers. A long narrow blade provides excellent leverage needed for deep strokes used in solo and freestyle paddling. The shape also results in an efficient, low-impact stroke ideal for all-day, distance canoeing. Smaller-framed paddlers will appreciate the Tripper’s scaled-down shaft diameter and grip, while larger paddlers will likely prefer the more substantial proportions of the Badger Paw.
This article originally appeared in Canoeroots & Family Camping, Fall 2012. Download our freeiPad/iPhone/iPod Touch App or Android App or read it here.
