While packrafting on the coast in Patagonian Chile near the San Isidro Lighthouse with his father, 19-year-old Adrian Simancas was swallowed by a humpback whale.
Packrafter who spent three seconds in a humpback whale’s mouth speaks about the ordeal
In the video, Adrian was paddling without issue when the whale surfaced directly beneath him. He disappeared from the video, only to surface just a few seconds later followed shortly by his packraft, as if spit out.
“Yes I thought it had already eaten me and swallowed me,” Adrian told The Independent in an interview. “But of course I felt that maybe it was a killer whale. We had been talking about orcas shortly before, so I had that in my head. But when I got out I understood that, of course, it was probably out of curiosity that the whale had approached me or maybe to communicate something.”
Dell Simancas, Adrian’s father, was also out on the water and filmed the ordeal.
“When I turn around I don’t see Adrian, my partner, my son,” shared Dell. “I don’t see him and I don’t see the boat. So I was surprised and worried. And then I see him come to the surface and after him the boat comes to the surface. And then I see a body part of a body part of the whale.”
After Adrain emerged Dell towed his son to safety.
“And when I got out and started to float there I was really afraid that something would happen to my dad too. That we would’ve have reached the shore in time and I would get hypothermia,” added Adrain.
Thankfully both packrafters survived the ordeal without further incident.
Can a humpback whale swallow a person?
Humpback whales are not exactly known for attacks on humans— in fact, they don’t even eat marine mammals! Humpback whales filter feed on krill and small fish, often using a variety of techniques including group bubble feeding where multiple humpbacks use bubbles to corral prey. Additionally, a humpback whale’s throat is only about the size of your fist, making it technically impossible for a humpback to swallow a person, though it could perhaps still be argued that from the packrafter’s point of view he was undoubtedly engulfed and swallowed.
This is not the first time paddlers have had close encounters with humpback whales; in 2020 off Avila Beach in California kayakers were nearly swallowed when a humpback surfaced beneath them.
In 2015, a humpback whale breaching and landing on top of his kayak launched Tom Mustill’s fascination with human and animal interactions, leading to the 2022 publication of his book How To Speak Whale.
In Patagonian Chile, a packrafter is nearly swallowed by a humpback whale. Feature Image: The Independent | YouTube.
The NRS Lucid PFD is new to the market in Spring 2025, implementing NRS’s new Orbit Fit technology and more variety in sizing.
We caught up with Megan Kieninger from NRS to learn more about the new PFD at the 2024 PTC Colab.
A look inside the NRS Lucid
The NRS Lucid is similar in design to the NRS Ambient with nearly identical front platforms. The primary difference in the new Lucid is mesh back, making the Lucid the ideal choice for hot-weather paddlers or paddlers using high-backed seats.
“When it’s on, it feels like it’s giving you a hug,” shared Kieninger from NRS.
Additionally the new Orbit Fit technology includes curved foam panels within the PFD as opposed to the traditional flat pieces of foam that paddlers cinch with straps to fit their bodies. The Lucid also features the new Every Body Design; where traditionally the primary difference in PFD sizes is the straps, the Every Body Design includes different sized foam profiles for each size of PFD.
On February 12, 2025. it was announced that Eddyline Kayaks was acquired by Jackson Kayak. | Photo: Eddyline Kayaks
Jackson Kayak announced on February 12, the acquisition of Eddyline Kayaks, an industry leader in thermoformed lightweight recreational and touring kayaks. Eddyline will move production to Jackson’s headquarters in Sparta, Tennessee, and the two companies’ combined lineup will now span fishing, whitewater, touring and recreational paddling.
Eddyline joins Jackson Kayak’s expanding business
“We’ve always built kayaks for the love of the water and the adventure it brings,” said Peter Hausin, CEO of Jackson Kayak. “Eddyline shares that same passion, and together, we’re creating opportunities for paddlers of all kinds to get on the water and make memories.”
“Eddyline has always been about crafting beautiful, thermoformed lightweight kayaks that connect people to the water,” added Eddyline President Scott Holley. “We’re excited to carry that tradition forward alongside the Jackson team.” Holley will stay on as Head of Sales for Eddyline.
Eddyline’s legacy of quality and craftsmanship will continue at Jackson’s advanced manufacturing facility, ensuring every kayak delivers the same performance and durability paddlers have come to love, according to a press release announcing the deal.
“I’m very grateful for the entire Jackson team and the tremendous effort they’ve put into this, particularly CEO Peter Hausin, who along with his team worked through a lot of obstacles to get this done,” Holley said in an exclusive interview with Paddling Business. “I’m excited for the future of these three brands together.”
Much of Jackson Kayak’s early success was attributed to its strides in producing youth kayaks. Today the company has acquired legacy paddling brands including Werner Paddles and Eddyline Kayaks. | Photo: Jackson Kayak
Holley believes the combined brands will gain efficiencies in everything from manufacturing to technology and dealer support.
“First and foremost, servicing retailers is going to be a heck of a lot easier,” Holley said. “Eddyline and Jackson both value the independent retailer community and being together means that we have more resources to do that. That includes everything from shipping boats across multiple categories and brands for more efficiency, to having shared resources with design and production.”
Hausin agrees. “This is what’s been missing for us here at Jackson,” he said in a statement to Paddling Business. “It’s a fabulous product and it’s exciting to see how all of this is coming together, especially seeing Werner and Eddyline getting back to their shared origins.” Jackson acquired Werner paddles in May 2024.
The Eddyline-Werner connection dates to 1973, when Eddyline founder Tom Derrer began building touring kayaks designed by Werner Furrer Sr., the patriarch of Werner Paddles. Derrer’s pursuit of better sea kayaks led him to experiment with advanced laminating techniques such as vacuum bagging and, starting in 1994, thermoformed plastic.
The technology provided a middle ground for touring boats, somewhere between the rotomolded plastic boats that were beginning to dominate sales volume and far more expensive composite sea kayaks. Eddyline has been a leader in thermoformed kayaks ever since. Eddyline, which moved production to Mexico in 2021, will now share factory space with Jackson and Werner in Sparta, Tennessee, the long-time seat of Jackson Kayak.
Werner Furrer Jr., an early designer for Eddyline, seen here trolling for salmon in 1975, was well ahead of the kayak fishing curve. | Photo: Courtesy Werner
Together with Jackson Kayak, Werner Paddles and Eddyline, the commitment to growing the paddling community, protecting our waterways, and all the fun that comes with time on the water is better poised than ever before, stated the Jackson Kayak press release. This partnership isn’t just about business—it’s about creating more opportunities for everyone to embrace the joy of kayaking.
“I think really the synergies are kind of endless,” Holley said. “We really don’t compete against each other in the marketplace. It’s very different customers and very different paddlers that end up buying a Jackson versus an Eddyline.”
The “Amazon of North Carolina” runs nearly 215 miles through scenic wilderness beginning in Roanoke Rapids and meandering through Albermarle Sound. From historically providing Indigenous peoples in the region food, transportation and recreation to the remote river offering shelter for freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad, the Roanoke River is now North Carolina’s newest State Trail.
Roanoke River State Trail became the first North Carolina state paddle trail to be fully designated as a State Trail, announced by the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. The trail was authorized by the General Assembly in 2021 and includes 15 designated access points throughout its 215 miles.
The Roanoke River State Trail offers wildlife, solitude, and raised camping platforms throughout the trail.
Perhaps the most enticing part of the trail for paddlers is the paddle-in camping platforms along the river. These platforms allow camping access in areas that are traditionally extremely difficult and uncomfortable to camp in, such as cypress swamps. Reservations are required to use these campsites.
“My first experience on the river was around the age of 12 when we were fishing,” shared Herbert Coltrain, a river guide in a PBS North Carolina documentary on the Roanoke River Paddle Trail. “The thing about the river that appeals to me most is the peace and the quiet and the solitude that a person can experience.”
The new State Trail winds through the northern Coastal Plain, and some of the most undisturbed bottomland hardwood forest in the mid-Atlantic. Wildlife along the Roanoke River includes bears, beavers, river otters, white-tailed deer, bobcats and a large variety of species of birds, and bald cypress swamps.
New camping platforms have been built along the Roanoke River State Trail, the first state trail to reach full designation. Feature photo courtesy of North Carolina State Parks.
The managing partner for the RRST is the Roanoke River Partners, Inc (RRP), which manages and operates the 20 paddle-in camping platforms along the river. State trails within the North Carolina state parks system include multiple sections, each section sponsored by a state or local government agency or nonprofit organization or private landowner.
“We are thrilled to share this historic achievement in partnership with the NC State Trails program.” shared Charlotte Griffin, mayor of Bear Grass, North Carolina. “The importance of this declaration to eastern North Carolina and the entire Roanoke River region cannot be overstated.”
The Delta 10 and 12AR recreational kayaks utilize a unique design with a stable pontoon hull in the stern transitioning to a V-hull from under the paddler to the bow. | Feature Photo: Delta Kayaks
There are many different types of kayaks, but each kayak’s performance is ultimately determined by the shape of its bottom and how these curves (or “lines,” in nautical terms) interact with the water to influence characteristics like glide, stability and maneuverability. This article describes why hull types are integral to performance and investigates the attributes of different shapes you’ll find on recreational and touring kayaks.
What is the hull of a kayak?
The bottom of a kayak is called the hull. This “floating surface” forms an interface between the kayak and the water, and thus plays a primary role in determining how the boat will perform. Ultimately, the design of the hull of a kayak is the main factor in whether or not a kayak is right for you.
An educated buyer can look at a hull design and estimate how the boat will perform in the water. Different kayak shapes will have different paddling characteristics; speed and glide, tracking and maneuverability, and stability are all directly influenced by these shapes.
In general, hull design boils down to a few things: First, rocker, or upsweep of the kayak from bow to stern, establishes the balance between tracking and maneuverability. For example, whitewater kayaks feature plenty of rocker to assist agile handling in rapids, while sea kayaks have minimal rocker to enable easier straight-line travel (A.K.A. tracking).
Another are the chines of the kayak, which mark the transition from the bottom of the kayak to its sides. Chines, also referred to as edges, play a role in the way in which the kayak turns, and in how stable it feels to transition the kayak from flat on the water to leaning one way or the other.
Finally, the cross-section of the hull (as if a slice were taken from the kayak from side to side) is interrelated to the other elements and also creates numerous design options. The design of the bottom of your kayak influences speed, stability and turning. To help understand the different kayak hull types and which will be the best kayak for you, let’s take a look at the details of the major styles.
The multi-hull on this Hobie Quest sit-on-top at Oregon Paddle Sports is a wide, stable kayak, but will move at slower speeds than a narrower design. A major part of what makes multi-hulls so initially stable is the increased amount of surface area contacting the water. | Photo: Joe Potoczak
Kayak hull types
Multi-hull designs
Pontoon hull kayak
This type of hull is often also called a “double hull kayak,” “tunnel hull,” “dual hull design” or “catamaran hull kayak.” They prioritize stability, at the expense of speed and maneuverability. Like a pontoon boat, a pontoon hull kayak is designed to sit flat on the water and resist rocking from side to side. It’s a common kayak design for beginner sit-on-top kayaks. The large surface area of this hull type makes it slower to accelerate and requires more effort to maintain a cruising pace.
Pontoon hull kayaks track well; that is, they tend to move straight through the water and are more difficult to turn. Choose a pontoon if you’re a beginner paddler looking for the ultimate in stability. However, be aware that this type of kayak design will also limit your ability to perform more advanced paddling techniques, such as edging the kayak (which increases maneuverability in single-hull kayaks).
Tri-hull kayak
This type of hull is often also called a “cathedral hull kayak,” “kayak dihedral hull design,” or “multi-channel hull kayak.” This type of bottom is commonly used for sit-on-top kayaks (especially those manufactured by Ocean Kayaks). A tri-hull kayak provides the reassuring stability of a catamaran hull with the enhanced tracking of a well-defined keel line—that is, a V-like structure running along the bottom of the kayak from bow to stern.
Manufacturers of tri-hull kayak designs can also achieve more maneuverability than pontoon kayaks by adding rocker (curvature) to the outer hulls, which allows the kayak to turn more easily yet still feel supremely stable. Look for a tri hull design if you want a higher performance beginner sit-on-top kayak.
Flat and planing hull kayaks
Flat hulls on recreational kayaks
A flat hull or planing hull kayak is defined by great stability when sitting on flat water. That’s because the paddler is effectively floating atop a larger, flat surface that resists rolling from side to side in the water. Flat bottom kayaks are commonly used on recreational kayaks. This hull design is often paired with a wider-than-average width, to further enhance stability and support larger paddlers. Flat bottom kayaks feel most stable on flat water, a phenomenon known as “primary stability.”
However, they can feel tippy and less reassuring to the paddler when waves or current rock the kayak from side to side. In these circumstances, flat bottom kayaks are said to have poor “secondary stability,” and are more prone to capsizing than kayaks with rounded hulls. Flat hull kayaks also tend to be slower on flatwater because their boxy shape moves through the water with greater resistance than rounder hull designs.
Whitewater kayaks and planing hulls
A flat hull on a whitewater kayak is often referred to as a planing hull, a common term in boat design. Again, planing hulls provide great initial stability, but whitewater kayakers also value them for other characteristics. For example, they are maneuverable in rapids because the large flat surface lets the kayak spin to change direction easily.
Whitewater freestyle kayaks—small, sub-seven-foot-long kayaks meant for surfing on stationary river waves—feature these flat-bottom, planing hulls, which allow an advanced paddler to “skip” on the surface of the water to perform acrobatic maneuvers. Many modern river running kayaks also value the “skip” of planing hulls to carry them over river features as the kayak is traveling at faster speeds in swift currents.
Touring kayaks have longer, narrower hulls and generally displacement and V-shapes. They also vary in rocker profile. This provides speed, tracking, the ability to cut through chop, and the secondary stability to absorb swell without capsizing compared to recreational kayaks. | Photo: Virginia Marshall
Round and displacement hull kayaks
Recreational, touring and sea kayaks often feature what’s known as a “displacement hull.” This means the kayak pushes (or displaces) water as it moves. This is in contrast, to the planing hull, often identifiable by a flat bottom which will plane or skip across the water with minimal resistance—once it reaches a certain speed.
In contrast to a flat bottom, a round or displacement hull kayak has greater secondary stability. Touring kayakers value this because it is more resistant to being capsized in waves, chop and current because of the round hull that lets waves pass along.
However, a round hull has far less primary stability and feels “tippier” when sitting flat on the water. In actuality, displacement hulls are stable, but the boat is designed in a way that it has more contact with the water when it is leaned toward one side or another—what is called secondary stability. If you don’t trust the boat, your hips tense up, and because of that, you can self-fulfill the prophecy and potentially flip. Much like riding a bike, a displacement hull feels stable when you’re moving. Therefore, round designs are less popular with beginners.
More advanced touring and sea kayaks tend to have rounder hulls, and, when combined with more length and narrower width, makes them faster in the water than flat-bottom kayaks.
V-hull kayak
A V-hull kayak features a pronounced keel line (that is, a shallow V-shaped ridge running from bow to stern along the bottom of the kayak). This allows the kayak to hold its course (or track) better than a flat bottom kayak, since the V-shape of the keel line resists turning more than a flatter hull. This attribute makes V-hulls a valued design for touring kayaks. The flipside to solid tracking, however, is reduced maneuverability.
More advanced paddlers overcome this tendency by performing turning strokes with the kayak tilted (also known as edging the kayak) to lift the V-shaped keel out of the water. V-shape kayaks feel less stable when sitting flat on the water, with a tendency to rock from side to side. However, this translates to greater stability in waves and current—another desirable attribute for more advanced paddlers.
Notice the focus on initial stability of the Delta 12AR (red) provided by the pontoon hull at the stern and the keeled center. | Image: Delta Kayaks
The longer Delta 16 touring kayak (blue), sacrifices some initial stability with a longer, narrower shape to increase speed and gain secondary stability. | Image: Delta Kayaks
Comparing different hull types
Flat bottom vs V-hull kayak
There are two main differences between flat bottom and V-hull kayaks: tracking and stability. A V-hull kayak will tend to hold its course (or track) better than a flat bottom kayak, since the V-shape of the keel line resists turning more than a flatter hull. Meanwhile, a flat-bottom kayak will feel more stable on the water than a V-bottom, which has a tendency to rock from side to side on flat water.
However, the stability characteristics of flat bottom and V-hull kayaks are opposite in waves, chop or current: in these conditions, a V-hull kayak will feel more stable and resistant to capsize than a kayak with a flat bottom. In general, V-hull kayaks are more efficient to paddle, with better speed and glide than flat bottom kayaks. V-hulls are typically associated with more advanced kayak designs while flat bottom kayaks are more suitable for beginners and flatwater conditions.
Planing hull vs displacement hull
The question of planing hull vs displacement hull is regularly brought up in conversations surrounding whitewater kayaks. A planing hull whitewater boat has a flat surface area that feels initially stable and, for advanced whitewater boaters, allows the kayak to skip and spin, whether that be while going down river or surfing standing waves in rapids. This is also referred to as a loose hull. Freestyle kayaks and river running kayaks often have a form of planing hull.
In contrast, displacement hulls have typically been used on river running kayaks and creek boats. This shape tracks in a path easier and is said to be forgiving as it lean from edge to edge—but they are less suitable for uses such as performing freestyle maneuvers.
The Eddyline Kayaks Caribbean 10 (right) and the Hobie Quest 12.5 are both sit-on-top recreational kayaks. The Caribbean uses a V-hull, while the Quest has a multi-hull shape. Oregon Paddle Sports mentioned people enjoy the nimble feel of the Caribbean while the Quest packs the initial stability of a multi-hull. | Photo: Joe Potoczak
Hulls choices for different kayaks
Recreational kayak hull design
Recreational kayaks are made for beginners, and stability is the primary objective of their design. In this category of kayak you’ll find flat bottom hulls for maximum stability and comfort in flat water conditions. Some manufacturers further enhance stability with pontoon or catamaran designs. Sit-on-top kayaks often feature tri-hull (also known as “cathedral hull kayak,” “kayak dihedral hull design” or “multi-channel hull kayak”) designs that are both stable and extremely easy to paddle in a straight line.
The large surface area of recreational kayak hulls make these types of kayaks feel slow and sluggish on the water. The greatest drawback can be poor secondary stability; that is, the kayak will feel tippier and offer less forgiving performance in waves, chop and current.
Touring kayak hull design
Touring kayaks, especially the designs also referred to as sea kayaks, are meant for more advanced paddling situations than recreational kayaks, so you can expect that these hulls are intended for greater performance. You will find some flat bottom touring kayaks (generally boats meant for larger paddlers), but the majority have rounded or v-shape bottoms for better efficiency and maneuverability—and enhanced stability in rough water (a feature known as “secondary stability”).
Novice paddlers who are more familiar with recreational kayaks will immediately notice the “tippiness” of a sea kayak. However, this feeling is quickly replaced by sensations of speed and glide as the paddler develops their skills and becomes more comfortable in the boat.
Sea kayaks are longer than recreational kayaks and with greater length comes more glide and speed. These characteristics are enhanced in kayaks with straight keel lines (that is, kayaks with little upsweep in the hull from bow to stern, A.K.A. “rocker”).
Some high-performance kayaks, including those manufactured by Epic and Stellar, feature plumb (near-vertical) bow and sterns which further lengthen the keel line and contribute to greater speed and efficiency. The tradeoff to a long keel line is less maneuverability; shorter kayaks, and those with more rocker, or upsweep to the keel line at the bow and stern, tend to be easier to turn.
Racing kayak hull design
As a rule, racing kayaks feature displacement hulls with long, straight keel lines. The bow and stern are plumb (nearly vertical) to lengthen the waterline. A longer waterline equates to more speed and straighter tracking, both of which are definite attributes in a racing or fitness kayak.
However, these characteristics severely hinder maneuverability. As a result, most fitness kayaks feature rudders for easier handling and turning. Racing boats have round cross-sections to minimize surface area for less resistance and optimal glide.
Inflatable designs face the significant challenge of creating a stiff, air-filled chambers that slice (rather than flex) through the water as efficiently as possible. As a result, inflatables concentrate air in narrow tubes along the bottom of the kayak to create a stiff hull that supports the paddler’s weight and doesn’t feel noodley in the water.
However, even the best inflatable kayak will never be as efficient to paddle as a hard-shell kayak. The flat cross-sectional profile of an inflatable kayak hull is extremely stable—but its relatively large surface area further eats into the kayak’s glide.
Ric Burnley shows the stability of a wide sit-on-top. | Photo: Joe Potoczak
Sit-on-top kayak hull design
Sit-on-top kayaks are designed to be stable, a characteristic that’s built into sit-on-top kayak hull design. Basic sit-on-top kayaks achieve stability with a flat bottom. This hull design offers great stability but has unremarkable paddling performance in terms of glide and maneuverability. Some sit-on-top kayaks use pontoon or catamaran design, essentially creating two round hulls on either side of the kayak, to increase surface area and maximize stability with a slight reduction in drag.
The best sit-on-top kayaks use a cathedral hull design, which capitalizes on the stability of a catamaran but adds a center v-shaped keel line running from bow to stern for better tracking, as well as rockered side panels for maneuverability. Expect to find these hull designs in Ocean Kayak sit-on-top kayaks.
The Pyranha Scorch (left) has a planing hull, a complex multi-stage chine transition, and ample rocker in its profile to spin and skip its way through difficult stretches of whitewater. | Photo: Joe Potoczak
The decades-old Dagger RPM (right) exhibits a classic displacement hull. | Photo: Joe Potoczak
Whitewater kayak hull design
Whitewater hull designs are divided into two categories: Displacement hulls, which feature round or arched bottoms for a blend of paddling performance (tracking, glide, ease of handling) and stability; and planing hulls with flat bottoms and some upturn at the bow and stern which traditionally had hard, boxy edges (where the sides of the kayak meet the bottom).
Displacement hulls are predictable for use in river running and creekboating situations, while planing hulls are “loose” and can skim, skip and spin. Decades ago, the difference between displacement and planing design whitewater boats was very distinct, but today many river running whitewater designs feature more complex semi-planing bottoms that draw on the benefits of both styles.
It’s generally easy to estimate hull speed in a kayak. It comes down to a few variables: first, the length of the hull (specifically, the length of the waterline from bow to stern); second, the cross-section of the hull and what this means for the contact surface area between the boat and the water; and third, the amount of rocker in the kayak’s keel line.
All things considered equal, the longer the kayak, the greater the hull speed. However, it’s important to note that longer kayaks also have more surface area—and therefore more friction and resistance—than smaller kayaks, so maximum speed is also a function of the strength and efficiency of the paddler. Resistance can be minimized by reducing surface area with a round profile, but at the expense of stability.
A kayak with minimal rocker, or upsweep from bow to stern, will have a longer waterline length and therefore be faster and straighter tracking—but with reduced maneuverability.
So what is the best hull shape for a kayak?
The best shape is based entirely on the paddler, including how and where you’ll paddle, your body size, comfort in the boat and aspirations in kayaking. Every design feature has a tradeoff. For example, the flat bottom and pontoon hulls of recreational kayaks achieve maximum stability, at the expense of paddling performance.
Additionally, a flat bottom kayak actually becomes less stable and secure in waves and current. High-performance sea kayaks usually feature round or v-shaped for greater speed, but these kayaks often feel tippy in flat water conditions (though their hull designs maximize secondary stability, making them more resistant to capsize in rough water).
The key is trying as many boats as possible, and also considering what size kayak is right for you before committing to a purchase. Getting to know the balance between rocker and tracking and primary and secondary stability will help you decide what’s best for you.
Fast hull design
The fastest designs have a straight keel line with minimal rocker (upsweep from bow to stern) and a round bottom (cross-sectional profile). These design features achieve two things: first, minimal rocker maximizes the waterline length (vertical, also known as “plumb,” bow and stern profiles add additional length to the waterline), which makes for greater maximum hull speed.
Second, a round bottom minimizes water resistance on the hull, making it glide easier through the water. The trade-off to these kayak design characteristics are reduced maneuverability and stability. Examples of dedicated fast designs are the fitness, racing and surf ski-inspired kayaks produced by Epic and Stellar Kayaks.
Most stable kayak hull design
The most stable kayak hull design incorporates a flat bottom. This creates a flat, stable platform for the paddler to float atop the water. Modified flat bottom designs include pontoon hulls (which impart greater rigidity to inflatable kayaks) and cathedral (or tri-hull) designs, which combine the stability of a flat-bottom kayak with a finer blend of tracking and maneuverability.
Flat bottom kayaks are most stable on flat water. They become less predictable and less stable in waves, chop and current. In these conditions, v-hull and round hull kayak designs (which are otherwise less stable in flatwater conditions) feel more secure and resistant to capsizing.
When it comes to kayak design, the simple answer is, there are no simple answers. Use this guide to understand how different designs affect performance, and then consider what attributes are most important to you.
Most importantly, try to test paddle as many different kayak types as you can before making a decision. Research online is a great start, but sitting in a kayak on the water is the best way to know if it’s right for you.
The Delta 10 and 12AR recreational kayaks utilize a unique design with a stable pontoon hull in the stern transitioning to a V-hull from under the paddler to the bow. | Feature Photo: Delta Kayaks
Kayaker with a low-angle paddle on Georgian Bay. | Feature photo: Nicholas Spooner-Rodie
Here’s a wild fact: Kayakers take thousands of strokes every hour. So while picking a kayak paddle may seem as easy as grabbing something with two blades to propel you through the water, it’s actually one of the most important pieces of gear to consider. Having the correct information to help you choose a paddle is key because if your gear doesn’t suit you it will likely end up in the corner of the garage, collecting dust with disuse because it was so uncomfortable to use.
Above all else, you want a paddle to be the right length, and along with this, the appropriate blade shape is incredibly helpful. Once you have those factors squared away, there are a number of options for the materials the paddle is made of and the construction of the shaft. To break it down, here’s a reasonable hierarchy of what to consider:
Kayak paddle size: What length kayak paddle you choose depends largely on two factors: your height and the width of the boat.
Paddle blade shape: This selection is nearly simultaneous with focusing on the size of the kayak paddle. Different blade shapes work best with different types of kayaks and paddling styles.
Paddle material: Kayak paddles are made from plastics, composites, and even wood. Each has its own attributes and costs.
Shaft construction: Most of us get into kayaking with the idea a paddle is a straight tube with two blades attached at the end. There are more options to be described below.
From blade shapes, to kayak paddle sizing and construction materials, below you’ll finder a deeper dive into all you need to help you choose.
The anatomy of a kayak paddle. | Photo: Joe Potoczak
The two most important factors when deciding how to choose a kayak paddle
1 Paddle length
If you want one piece of information to walk into an outdoor store and make a pick, it is to consider what size kayak paddle to buy. This is because you want to effectively and comfortably reach the water, and this depends a great deal on the relation between the paddle length, your height, and the type of kayak you’re paddling.
For example, recreational kayaks and fishing kayaks are designed to be stable and so are often built wide, while touring kayaks are longer and narrower for more speed. A wider kayak means you’ll need a longer paddle, while for a narrower kayak, you can, and would probably prefer, a shorter paddle. Paddle length is also influenced by blade shape and vice versa, which will be covered later.
Kayak paddle size chart
The best way to figure out what size paddle you need is to follow the sizing charts of the paddle brand you are considering, such as Werner or Aqua Bound. These size recommendations, at the least, consider your height, the width of the kayak, and what style of paddle blade you’ll be using.
A paddle isn’t like a pair of shoes—there is room to use some variation when choosing a length. Once you have some experience the preference of your paddle size may change some. Overall these are the ranges you’ll be looking toward depending on kayak type and style:
Whitewater kayakers use high-angle blades and their paddle lengths generally fall between 190 to 200 centimeters.
Touring kayakers with a high-angle blade and boats under 25 inches wide should look toward paddle lengths between 200 and 215 centimeters. While kayaks over this width will use around a 220 to 230-centimeter paddle.
For touring kayaks under 23 inches and a low-angle blade, you’ll want to buy a paddle between 210 and 220 centimeters.
For touring and recreational kayaks 23 to 32-inches wide you will be looking for a paddle between 220 and 240 centimeters depending on your height.
For recreational kayaks and fishing kayaks over 32 inches wide, and for fishing kayaks with an elevated seat, a kayak paddle will be between 240 centimeters and as much as 260 centimeters long.
Courtesy: Werner PaddlesCourtesy: Werner PaddlesCourtesy: Werner Paddles
Courtesy: Werner Paddles
You may have noticed in the kayak paddle size charts that the paddle length not only depends on your height and the width of the kayak, but the factor of high- and low-angle paddle blades. This is something mentioned before. Different styles of paddling often call for different blade shapes and, with it, slightly different kayak paddle lengths.
Left to Right: High-angle blade, low-angle blade, wing blade, Greenland style. | Photo: Virginia Marshall
2 Paddle shape
The shape of your paddle blade is crucially important as it determines how your paddle interacts with the water during each stroke. The kind of paddling you want to do will determine the appropriate blade shape and so you want to make this consideration in concert with choosing a paddle length.
High-angle blades
If a paddle is referred to as a high-angle blade, it means the paddle is designed to be held more vertically during a forward stroke, with one hand nearly over the other. The blades on high-angle paddles are shorter and wider. They usually have more total surface area than a low-angle blade, which translates to the potential to produce more powerful strokes as you pull the power face—the slightly concave side of the blade intended to face toward you—through the water. Just as this sounds, it also requires more physical output. The blades on high-angle paddles are shorter and wider. And, if you are using a high-angle paddle, you will also use a shorter paddle length than a low-angle blade as shown in the sizing chart.
Whitewater kayakers choose high-angle kayak paddles because the shorter, wider blade provides both power and nimble strokes in rapids. | Photo: Scott Martin
Whitewater kayak paddles are always high-angle paddle blade shapes because of the maneuvering and aggressive strokes continually used. Touring paddles can have high-angle designs or low-angle blades, depending on paddling preference and width of your boat.
However, wider kayaks, especially what are called recreational kayaks and fishing kayaks, may be uncomfortable to take these vertical paddle strokes with. Fishing kayaks are an interesting topic though. As seat heights have increased, it means a more vertical paddle stroke can be taken. Because of this, even though a longer paddle is required to reach the water, blades for fishing kayaks can have a higher-angle shape.
Low-angle blades
Blades on low-angle paddles are more elongated and skinnier. Low-angle paddling means the paddle is held more horizontally, with your hands staying below your shoulders through your strokes. The spread-out surface area of the blade provides propulsion in a more relaxed paddling style. Referencing our charts, you’ll see you will use a longer paddle when using a low-angle blade. The reasons being, to reach the water beyond the side of a wide kayak, and, the angle of entry the blade makes into the water.
Touring kayaks and wide boats such as recreational kayaks are often paired with low-angle blades.
Picture this: you are sitting low in a seat, with the side of the kayak near your elbows. Your kayak is nice and stable, with some distance between you and the water. A slightly longer paddle, with an elongated blade provides much less effort to reach the water. The stroke of a low angle paddle uses more of a sweeping motion away from the boat, which wants to turn the kayak from side to side with each stroke, but recreational and touring kayaks have a keeled shape to their hull or a rudder which counteracts most of this to help you continue going straight as you paddle.
Less common shapes
Straight shaft, low-angle Aqua Bound paddle intended for touring. | Photo: Virginia Marshall
Wing-shaped blade
The wing blade is designed with a deeply-concave, scooped power face, with the ability to increase the efficiency and power of a forward stroke. As the name wing suggests, these blades work by using the “lift” of the Bernoulli effect, similar to an airplane.
Wing blades are often used by competitive racers and may be uncomfortable for the recreational paddler who prefers more mellow, low-angle strokes. A number of experienced touring paddlers also enjoy the benefits provided by wing paddles, especially when you spend most of the day hammering away in a consistent heading.
Greenland paddles
Greenland paddles look nothing like other paddles you will find on the market. The slim wooden paddles used for centuries in Greenland are narrow and shaped like an airplane propeller. Their surface area spread across most of the paddle, instead of just at the ends. They are less common on store shelves but enjoyed for touring.
Advocates of this style of paddle like the high cadence that can be achieved, and the natural buoyancy of the paddle can make rolling a lot easier as the paddle rises to the surface of the water. If you are paddling in super choppy water however or using a lot of quick bracing or sculling strokes, you may prefer some of the wider blades described above to provide more control.
Additional factors for choosing a kayak paddle
Construction materials
Kayak paddles can have shafts made of everything from aluminum, composites, or wood, and paddle blades can be made of plastics, composites, or wood. Why all these differences? They all provide different attributes and, with it, various costs.
A collection of paddle options at Oregon Paddle Sports. Bottom left: Bending Branches aluminum shaft with plastic blades. Bottom right: Aqua Bound carbon shaft with fiberglass blades. Bottom row, second from right: Werner carbon shaft with carbon blades. | Photo: Joe Potoczak
Aluminum shafts
Aluminum paddle shafts fall at the lower end of the price and quality spectrum, and are often combined with plastic blades. They are cheap and can take a beating, making them a reasonable purchase if you are just getting into kayaking or need something to use once in a while. They are heavier though, and the shafts can flex and get bent. Aluminum shafts are usually attached to plastic blades.
Plastic blades
Plastic paddles are quite common due to their low cost. They can be made from various types of plastics including nylon or ABS, and are often attached to an aluminum or fiberglass paddle shaft.
Plastic paddles can vary in durability and performance, and often weigh a little more than composites. Some have more flex, which usually makes them more durable, but if they flex too much, this also equates to less effective paddle strokes. Other plastic blade have little flex, and can be more prone to break if the paddle takes a strike against rocks or becomes wedged between objects. Plastic blades are sometimes reinforced with composites, and these will provide more strength and stiffness than plastic alone.
Plastic blades are affordable and available at just about any store carrying kayaks. They are a good option for recreational paddlers, those storing a casually used boat at the cabin, short day trips or as a spare.
Fiberglass paddles
Fiberglass kayak paddles fairly light, and stiffer and more durable than plastic. Both the blades and shaft of paddles can be constructed of fiberglass. There are also mixed constructions, such as fiberglass blades with a carbon shaft. Mixed constructions provide a negotiation of cost and material characteristics. Fiberglass is a popular choice for kayakers, and there are plenty of paddlers who have the same fiberglass paddle they bought decades ago.
Fiberglass also provides a level of flex under strain that paddlers appreciate. The flex provides a bit of absorption and rebounds back to shape. Making it durable and taking some of the strain off your strokes.
Carbon fiber paddles
Carbon fiber is the most expensive and highest-quality material for a kayak paddle. Many experienced paddlers, especially in touring and whitewater, weigh the choice between carbon and fiberglass.
Carbon fiber is extremely light, and stiffer than fiberglass at a similar layup. The downside of carbon fiber, other than higher cost, is with its rigidness it is more brittle than fiberglass and sooner to reach a breaking point. This means you have to paddle with more care. The rigidity also equates to more strain on the paddler.
For high performance, the stiffness of carbon equates to the highest degree of energy transfer from paddler to water.
Wooden paddles
Those who prefer using a wooden kayak paddle love the increased flexibility, warmth and aesthetic. Compared to the above materials, wooden paddles do need a bit of upkeep, like sanding and varnishing. They can vary in weight, flex, price and other attributes depending on the kind of wood used. They are less common in stores these days, but you may find some options in your paddle shop or even a local builder.
Showing the inside component of the adjustable ferrule system on a two-piece Werner Cyprus high-angle carbon paddle. Notice the numbers to mark the degrees of offset, and the L to represent the visible range is for left-hand control. | Virginia Marshall
One-piece or two-/multi-piece
You’ll notice there are one-piece or multi-piece kayak paddles available. There are pros and cons to both options, especially as multi-piece paddles increase in quality.
Top to Bottom: Two-piece paddle with lever lock, Two-piece with button, and one-piece paddle shaft. Notice the center paddle is set at 0 degrees of feather. | Photo: Joe Potoczak
The main positive of a one-piece paddle is its solid construction, with blades and shaft securely glued together. This makes for a well-constructed paddle less prone to mechanical failure and without any wobbling or loose parts to paddle effectively without distraction. One-piece paddles however, are rarely adjustable. So whatever length and feather (explained in a moment) you buy it at, is what you have.
Multi-piece paddles often come as either two or four pieces. Multi-piece paddles used to be considered at the lower end of quality compared to a one-piece, but this has changed, especially for two-piece paddles. Today there are both the budget-friendly and the high performing versions. A breakdown paddle can be a good option for storage and transport purposes or to stow away as a spare.
The biggest positive to a multi-piece paddle is the adjustability they generally include. This can be multiple options of feather angle, or even a range of lengths you can use. The biggest negative is each joint marks a weak point, and the cheapest options will not be as sturdy as a one-piece.
Two-piece paddles join at their center by varying types of locking ferrule mechanisms ranging from buttons to levers. You can find both budget-friendly breakdown paddles as well as high-end ones—and the paddle materials and type of joints used will correspond with the cost. Some of the cheapest paddles available are two-piece aluminum shafts with metal buttons. And some of the most expensive are two-piece carbon builds with lever locks used by Olympic athletes.
Four-piece paddles tend to be used as options to pack down as small as possible. They may be chosen by paddlers using folding kayaks or packrafts—where packability is priority one, or to put in the back of any kayak as a spare.
Two-piece paddle with adjustable length and blade feather. | Photo: Joe Potoczak
Paddle feather—also known as offset
So what’s the deal with this feathering we’ve been going on about? Feathering on a kayak paddle refers to the angle of the two blades in alignment with one another.
Some paddles have blades in complete alignment with one another, and others are feathered or offset. Why would the manufacturers of kayak paddles do something so deranged as put a twist in the kayak paddle? The simplest answer is to decrease resistance of wind on the paddle blade that is out of the water.
One-piece paddles are set permanently at a specific offset or feather. While many of the multi-piece paddles are adjustable to provide varying degrees of feather, and even adjust for left- or right-handed paddlers.
Beginner paddlers or those with a casual paddling style may find it easier to use a paddle with no or 0-degree feather. Similarly, many whitewater paddlers now use 0 degrees or somewhere between 10 to 45 degrees of feather, because less offset feels more natural to many during dynamic strokes and rolling. While touring kayakers, crossing open waters with high-angle paddle strokes, often use 45- all the way to 90-degree offset to cut through strong winds.
One of the reasons using a feathered paddle can be awkward is because it requires rotating your dominant wrist from one stroke to the next. This feels unnatural at first, but soon becomes an unconscious act. Some people with wrist ailments may find this painful, and may prefer a paddle without feather. But this can also be alleviated by loosening your grip—like taking your pinkies off the paddle—or by choosing the neutralizing effect of a bent shaft.
Comparing a straight shaft (foreground) with a bent shaft (background). | Photo: Joe Potoczak
Bent and straight shaft paddles
The majority of kayak paddles have straight shafts, but some have an option called a bent shaft. The intention of these bent sections is to let your wrists stay in a more neutral position while you paddle.
Although they are frequently pricier, for those who are kayaking for long distances or are prone to wrist pain and strain, a bent kayak paddle shaft can be a worthy investment. It’s a personal preference.
A few more options for kayak paddles
Each kayak paddle company largely has a standardized diameter shaft, however more have started offering smaller shaft options which are less fatiguing to hold and can be especially helpful if you have a smaller hand size.
Kayak blade designs are often offered in multiple sizes, and similar to height, these tend to be recommended for the size or strength of the paddler. Using a smaller to mid-size paddle blade while you are learning, regardless of your size or strength, helps build good technique and reduces strain and fatigue. Follow the guidelines of each brand’s blade sizes, and if in doubt, you’ll likely benefit from choosing the smaller blade option recommended.
If a kayak blade is described as dihedral, it means from a geometric standpoint the paddle technically has two power faces. If you hold a paddle straight out in front of you and look at the shape of the blade, a dihedral one will have a ridge at the center with two faces sloping slightly down from the middle The intention of this design is to minimize flutter or vibration during the stroke and allow your blade to better catch the water.
Some high-end carbon kayak paddles have a foam core blade. This means underneath the carbon layers is a foam material similar to the core of a surfboard. This allows the blade to have more volume and buoyancy without added layers of carbon, which some paddlers appreciate for performance. However, the tradeoff is the thin carbon layup can be dinged if your blade punches a rock.
Kayaker with a low-angle paddle on Georgian Bay. | Feature photo: Nicholas Spooner-Rodie
First founded in 2017 in Austria, Spinera is new to the United States market in 2024. The new Spinera Kenai 130 is an inflatable tandem kayak that folds up into a backpack for easy transport.
We caught up with Mike Mowrey from Spinera to hear more about the Kenai 130 at the 2024 Paddlesports Trade Coalition Colab.
A look at the Spinera Kenai 130
The Spinera Kenai 130 can be paddled either as a one-person or two-person inflatable kayak with adjustable seats that include both high and low position. Additionally the seats are able to be removed from the kayak completely, converting it from a tandem to a solo boat. According to Mowrey from Spinera, the welded-tube design of the Kenai 130 makes it durable and rigid as well as stable enough to stand up while kayak fishing and cast.
Foot pedals and foot braces can be added in, and a universal mounting plate makes the boat compatible with a variety of rod holders and other attachments. At about 38 pounds, the Kenai 13 packs into a backpack that makes it ultra-easy to transport. The fin box on the Kenai 13 is universally comparable with fins available at most retailers. Additionally, the Kenai comes with a repair kit and a dry bag.
Overall, the kayak is 13 feet long (3.8 meters) and 34.3 inches (87 centimeters) wide with a max payload of 639.3 pounds (290 kilograms).
Among the checklist of what to wear paddling, solid footwear is not to be overlooked. The best pair of water shoes will keep you on your feet carrying a kayak or paddleboard down steep trails and over slick rocks. They’re comfortable against footbraces for a full day on the water. Should you need to jump into action and rescue a fellow paddler, the right shoes provide the confidence for sure-footing without hesitation. And, as paddlers, our water shoes are often our footwear of choice on and off the water.
So, how do we find out which shoes meet the needs of paddlers? By wearing down the tread on as many as we can.
A minimalist and high-performance water shoe providing first-class grip and comfort? Yes, please. The adaptable Astral Loyak manages to do all the above while looking like a classy, casual sneaker. The Loyak is self-draining and dries quickly on the water or packs flat to slide on in camp. Its thin and super-grippy outsole promotes balance and ground feel—what the pros call proprioception.
Reasons to buy
G.15 Rubber compound and Loyak tread provide confident “stickiness” on river bottoms
Quick dry canvas with 3D airmesh upper
Removable EVA midsole
Minimal profile shoe fits well in most kayaks
Stylish look fit for paddling and travel
Consider another if
You need more substanial midsole support
An open sandal is preferred
You are looking for Astral’s stickier G.ss rubber compound
Bottom line
A sauve, low-profile design—the Loyak is a much-loved shoe.
Best sandals for all terrain
Chacos Z/1 Classic sandals
Editor Joe Potoczak working hard in a pair of Chacos Z/1 Classics with custom Vibram outsole. | Photo: Raquel Bauer
The Z/1 Classic from Chacos is a long-time favorite sandal for water or land in the outdoorsy crowd. First released in 1989, it’s not uncommon to hear folks boast of wearing their Classics for 20-plus years. With just a single buckle and one continuous piece of webbing, customizing fit is dead easy. But it’s the traction, durability and versatility that made this the standard for rugged hiking sandals. The stiff and heavy sole of the Z/1 Classic is boot-like in feel and takes some breaking in. No toe thong makes these sandals easy to pair with socks, if you must.
Reasons to buy
Available in ChacoGrip or customized with Vibram outsole
Open design lets the dogs breathe on summer days
Beefy midsole for foot support
Consider another if
You need the protection of closed-toe water shoes
You prefer a low-profile sole
You’re on the search for a paddling-specific shoe over a multi-sport sandal
Bottom line
If you own a pair of Chacos Z/1s, you already have a classic paddling sandal on your feet. The Z/1 has been a go to shoe choice for years and is just as at home on desert river trips as it is on afternoon paddleboard sessions.
Keen Newport Retro sandals
Protect those toes in sandal fashion with the Keen Newports. | Photo: Jennifer Quade
Keen’s Newport sandals boast the support and protection of a shoe with the breathability and quick-dry nature of a sandal. The sole of these ultra-comfortable kicks offers good arch support on the topside and is ready to tackle any terrain underneath. Newports have a secure feel thanks to their lace-capture system paired with nylon webbing, and they last for years. No wonder they’re a favorite among paddlers. Keen’s signature toe cap offers little piggies protection. Expect lots of comments with this eye-catching tie-dye pattern—mostly compliments.
Reasons to buy
Protective rubber cap covers toes
Bungee adjustment combined with webbing upper
Razor-siped lugs for added traction on wet surfaces
Consider another if
You need a truly enclosed shoe
You’re not a fan of bungee adjustment systems
You need a low-profile sole
Bottom line
When Keen introduced the Newport, they produced a sandal solution bloody- and bruised-toed paddlers had been waiting for. The Newport holds up to this day as one of the best hybrid sandals to tackle the outdoors on land and water.
Best sandals for wet rock Spidey-grip
Astral Webber sandals
Astral’s rethink of the sandal with PFD size buckle and their stickiest rubber compound. | Photo: Jeff Priest
Astral first ventured into the sandal market in 2022 which includes the Webber water shoe. The Webber pairs the chunky webbing of Astral’s award-winning life jackets with their stickiest G Rubber sole compound for grip. Maintaining a stable shoe-like feel, the Webber sandal offers the adventure footwear triad of adjustability, durability and breathability.
Reasons to buy
G.ss, Astral’s stickiest rubber compound
Flat, razor-siped treads
Canvas upper adjusted with PFD size buckles
Consider another if
The buckle size and placement isn’t your cup of tea
Your foot shape doesn’t mesh well with the footbed
You’d prefer a closed-toe
Bottom line
Astral’s water shoe lineups have been praised as some of the grippest rubber compounds available. The Webber brings that confident grip to the sandal front.
Best low-profile bootie
NRS Freestyle Wetshoe
The NRS Freestyle Wetshoe fits in any boat while still providing an outsole for grip. | Photo: NRS
The lightweight NRS Freestyle Wetshoe is so crazy flexible that we can roll it up and fit it in a regular-sized coffee mug. Constructed with a three-millimeter neoprene upper for warmth and a three-mil neoprene insole for added comfort, the Freestyle offers a sock-like feel. Ideal for cramming big feet in small boats and long days kayaking; less suited for gnarly portages and rough, rocky environments.
Reasons to buy
Low-profile design fits in low-volume bows
Graphene-infused interior adds potential warmth to neoprene
Thin rubber outsole provides better traction than barefoot or minimal neoprene sock
Consider another if
You prefer a breathable upper fabric
You’d like a shoe with substantial support
Bottom line
Nobody wants what used to be unaffectionately referred to as “rodeo foot” or to wipe out trying to carry your kayak over the rocks in bare feet. The Freestyle Wetshoe is the Goldilocks water shoe for those seeking barely there foot protection.
Best water shoes for anglers
Columbia Tamiami PFG Shoe
Omni-Shield Blood ‘n Guts stain resistance makes the Columbia Tamiami shoes attractive to anglers or anyone on the water. | Photo: Columbia Sportswear
Comfortable and stylish, the Tamiami from Columbia is a worthy water companion. This budget-friendly sneaker is part of Columbia’s performance fishing line and features a water- and stain-resistant mesh upper designed to repel fish guts and grime. Its super grippy, non-marking outsole keeps you rubber side down on slick surfaces, while midsole ports aid ventilation, cooling and dry time. Equally suited to shorelines and martinis at the club.
Reasons to buy
Omni-Shield Blood ‘n Guts stain resistance valued by anyone spending time outdoors
Breathable mesh upper
Micro-siped lugs for additional traction
Style means no need to change out of them for an after-fishing meet up with your buddies
Consider another if
Lace-ups aren’t the lines you want to re-tie
Mesh isn’t a durable enough upper for your needs
Bottom line
The Tamiami PFG Shoe is a stylish and well-designed water shoe from a major outdoor apparel brand.
Best souped-up redesign on the classic bootie
Level Six Creek Boot 2.0
Level Six soups up the classic neoprene bootie with the Creek Boot 2.0. | Photo: Level Six
The redesigned Creek Boot 2.0 from Level Six is a souped-up version of the classic neoprene bootie. This second-generation, ultra-flexible bootie provides increased stability and durability thanks to a reinforced rubber sole and stiffening in the mid shank for ankle support. Vulcanized rubber extends onto the boot’s three-millimeter neoprene upper, minimizing wear in high use and vulnerable areas, like the toes and heel. Slide on and secure with Level Six’s fast lace system.
Reasons to buy
Three-millimeter neoprene upper
Bungee lace system and hook-and-loop cuff strap
Sole reinforced with stiffening mid shank
Consider another if
You prefer the design and breathability of a shoe
You seek thicker underfoot support
Bottom line
The Creek Boot 2.0 manages to put a good deal of juice under the hood of the modest neoprene bootie.
Best water shoes for cooold weather
GUL Power Boot
The Gul Power boot is toasty on the coldest days thanks to five millimeters of neoprene. | Photo: Gul
Designed with a toasty five millimeters of neoprene and Titanium 2 lining, Gul’s Power Boot is super warm for year-round paddling adventures. A reinforced heel and toe add durability to this bare-bones bootie, perfect for paddlers who want to simplify their kit.
Reasons to buy
Five millimeters of neoprene
Low price
Consider another if
You’re looking for the features of a shoe
You want something breathable
Bottom line
If you want neoprene boots nearly as thick as a winter wetsuit for the coldest days, the Power Boot has you covered.
Best for the expedition-bound
La Sportiva TX Canyon shoes
Expedition approach shoe meets water shoe with the La Sportiva TX Canyon shoes. | Photo: La Sportiva/Matteo Pavana
The TX Canyon from Italian brand La Sportiva is a burly water shoe for the most rugged terrain. Designed with canyoneering in mind, the TX Canyon has more support and protection than almost any water shoe. The upper boot uses Ariaprene with hundreds of tiny perforations and two drain valves on the arch to maximize water-shedding. Ideal for kayakers requiring sturdy footwear in demanding conditions.
Reasons to buy
Vibram outsoles thought out for every type of terrain
Perforated Ariaprene upper is like a breathable neoprene material
Encompassing foot support
Consider another if
Your kayak is tight on space around the footbraces
Something less full-on will work just fine for your needs
Bottom line
If you are rolling out topo maps to plan how you’re going to reach the river, pack yourself a pair of the TX Canyons.
What you should know about buying water shoes
Choosing a water shoe requires give and take, so it’s best to decide what’s most important to you.
A sandal might be ideal for warm days, especially if you’re a paddleboarder planning to slide them on and off—however, you lose the enclosed protection and insulation of a shoe. Meanwhile, the classic bootie is generally cheap, keeps feet warm, but the feel, and often thinner outsole, differs from the common comfort of a lace-up style shoe. Shoes also generally allow better airflow on your feet. The bigger outsole on shoes though may be an uncomfortable, even impossible, to fit inside some kayaks.
Tread and rubber compounds also play a role in choosing footwear. Deeper lugged treads provide good traction to dig into rugged earth. While shoe treads with a flatter, larger surface area tend to provide better grip on wet rocks in rivers, on docks and boat ramps. Rubber compound matters too. A firmer rubber will be more durable, and these shoes generally have a thicker midsole for foot support. A softer rubber compound will provide more gecko like traction, similar to a climbing shoe, and tend to have thinner midsoles but less lifespan. Brands today balance these factors out to a point, but ultimately lean toward which factor the design serves best.
Finding an opportunity to test different shoes for the river or lake can be tough. Learning what shoes or sandals people like to use where you paddle can be a great conversation starter at the boat launch, and clue you into what factors are valued on your local waterways.
The team at Paddling Magazine have in the realm of a combined century’s worth of years paddling experience. We’ve worked seasons as guides and instructors, have traversed Great Lakes, and lost count of our epic portages. We’ve worn through all the shoes that have made our list, and have some funky foot tans to prove it.
Sensible shoes, it means practical and strong rather than fashionable and attractive. That’s about right. | Feature photo: Kaydi Pyette
The new Prijon RIZZ whitewater kayak. Image courtesy Prijon
I
s there anything more cringe we could do than define Gen-Z slang? Maybe not, but here we go anyway. Rizz: (verb) to charm or seduce. — Merriam-Webster Dictionary.
Prijon is a 60-year-old whitewater brand, known for producing classic designs. However, not so much for the flashy. You could say Prijon was the soft-spoken kayak that knew its abilities. In 2024, Prijon unleashed the BEAST, a high-volume creeker they called for a new generation. The neon logo and vivid colors placed on the kayak as if to speak the new direction. Now, in 2025, it appears Prijon is embracing this new identity with the Gen-Z-influenced name of the RIZZ—a medium volume creeker they say is to, “Play it loud.”
To rizz or have rizz is to seduce, to charismatically wow—with an 80s-like neon logo and slimmed-down volume, there is no doubt Prijon has set out for this boat to draw meme-worthy looks on the river.
A look at the new Prijon RIZZ
According to a press release, the Prijon RIZZ borrows design aspects from the Prijon BEAST, with the new Prijon RIZZ offering a lower-volume alternative to its predecessor. The RIZZ features a lower hull, narrowed width, and slightly modified edge shape. Additionally, the RIZZ has a new rocker line in the bow and a flatter bottom for more speed and to help it skip over holes. Overall, the goal of this redesign is a boat that is more agile on edge than the BEAST and easier to accelerate.
Compared to the Prijon BEAST, the RIZZ has more volume behind the cockpit and more buoyancy on edge in whitewater. The new PR-X seat system is also in the Prijon RIZZ, including the ultralight 200 gram foam seat along with the HTP-hull used on many Prijon boats. Handles on the RIZZ are made of aircraft aluminum and anodized magenta or blue.
The RIZZ is available in neon yellow, turquoise, and energizing pink. Prijon HTP kayaks including the RIZZ are made in Rosenheim, Germany.
Feature Image: The new Prijon RIZZ whitewater kayak. Image courtesy Prijon
In northwestern Colorado, the Yampa River runs free for almost all of its 300 miles before joining with the Green River in Dinosaur National Monument, bound for the Colorado River. Notably, the Yampa is one of the few western rivers that retains its natural hydrograph, and is the last major free-flowing river in the Colorado River Basin.
A new film by OARS, Friends of the Yampa, and American Rivers shows how conservation efforts on the Yampa can serve as a blueprint for protecting rivers both throughout the Colorado River basin and beyond.
Preventative and proactive action is key in the fight for the Yampa River
The Yampa is often touted as one of the best river floats in the west, with a scenic route through Yampa Canyon, class V-VI whitewater in Cross Mountain Gorge, and a whitewater park in Steamboat Springs. But like all rivers, the Yampa is important far beyond its utility for recreation.
“It contributes to about 17% of the Colorado River flows, and it also is the biggest contributor to the native fish population in the Colorado river system,” shared Lindsey Marlow, Executive Director at Friends of the Yampa. “The native fish come all the way up from the Lake Powell area to the Yampa River to spawn.”
Photo: OARS/YouTube
There aren’t any active threats to the Yampa River. There’s no proposed dam and no tangible big bad guy to point a finger at.
“By the time a big threat comes about, by the time we learn about it, it can be too late,” shared Mike Fiebig from American Rivers in the film. “The folks that are actually looking to dam, divert or degrade a river have invested a lot of time and energy and politics into it.”
In A Guide To Fighting For Wild Rivers, OARS, American Rivers, and Friends of the Yampa invite people with the ability to affect change for the Yampa on a rafting trip.
“It’s relatively easy to tell a story when there’s a special place and there’s a clear threat to its future and a success story. That makes for a nice, well-packaged story. It’s harder to tell that story when there’s not a clear threat to the river,” shared Steve Markle, Vice President, Sales & Marketing at OARS. “The film came about as a way to share to a much more broad audience what we’ve done with American rivers and Friends of the Yampa and I do feel like it’s a model that is replicable and we’d like to see happening on more rivers.”
Why river trips might be the key to protecting rivers in the long run
The story of preventative action told in Guide To Fighting For Wild Rivers aims to challenge the idea that an environmental story isn’t compelling until it’s a catastrophe and tackle the question of how to get people to care about a river before it’s too late. The Yampa is a source of freshwater, a haven for native fish, and one of the last western rivers to retain its natural, wild topography; the film proposes that the way to protect the wildness of rivers like the Yampa is to personalize it by bringing people out on to the river to experience it themselves.
“I think inherently as a human you can only worry about so much in life. It’s a natural tendency to worry about the things you know,” shared Marlow, from Friends of the Yampa. “To get people to care, to truly care enough to act, it is important to bring them to those spaces, to not just show them but to immerse them in the beauty that these spaces can bring and that is what this trip is.”
Photo: OARS/YouTube
The Yampa river trips are part of the Yampa River Awarness Project which originated in 2008 in response to a possible pump back on the Yampa River to the Front Range. The people invited on the trip include politicians, river managers, scientists, artists and journalists— potential key players in the future of river advocacy.
“One of the most important aspects of the trip is that you can bring people from different sides of the aisle, different walks of life out on a river and it’s much more civilized to disagree face to face,” Markle explained. “You know it’s easy to disagree online or on board rooms but when you’re on a river enjoying a place like the Yampa… rivers just have a way of bringing people together and having more constructive conversation.”
In A Guide To Fighting For Wild Rivers, the filmmakers have found and outlined a blueprint for protecting wild spaces based on what has worked in the past in a six-point plan.
The first point is to be proactive, as threats to a river like proposed dams and diversions are often harder to stop when the movements behind them are fully-formed. Second, the film recommends teaming up, as multiple organizations working together have more resources. The following steps include connecting decision makers to the river, building special moments and memories around the river, and sharing the stories of time on the river with the public. The sixth and final step is to simply keep it wild.
A multi-day river trip might be an effective way to create and inspire advocates for a river, but realistically that kind of trip isn’t accessible to many, even most Americans.
Photo: OARS/YouTube
“Not everybody can get out to these places, right? But that doesn’t mean that they don’t care about it,” shared Sara Porterfield from Trout Unlimited in the film. “You know, Wallace Stegner, he spoke about how wild places are really important even if we only go to the edge and look in.”
The final aim of A Guide To Fighting For Wild Rivers is to share that slice of the Yampa River, a window into the wilderness with the general public.
“We know we can only reach so many people in the form of getting them out on a river trip. The films are another way for us to share what we love about these places,” shared Markle.
