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Gear Review

Gear Review

Werner Shuna Kayak Paddle

A paddle is one of the simpler things to choose amongst all the necessary paddling gear, but it does seem kind of overwhelming at the point-of-sale when looking at all the options. They basically all look like the same…

Dagger Katana 9.7
Gear Review

Dagger Katana 9.7

Like a lot of crushes, my Katana happened by chance. And not unlike a certain kind of liaison, I wasn’t looking for another at the time. It just happened; life’s like that sometimes. Honestly, when I think about it…

Presto MyJo Coffee Maker
Gear Review

Presto MyJo Coffee Maker

I’ll admit, this may be an odd choice of gear to review, but then again, not really if you know me. (And really, this is no more odd than a food dehydrator – which had served us well, at…

NRS Ninja PFD
Gear Review

NRS Ninja PFD

I’ve had a love/hate relationship with my pfd (personal floatation device) since the day I bought it. It was the same day I bought my first boat, a paddle, a roof rack, and a bunch of other things like…

Yakima JayLow Kayak Roof Rack
Gear Review

Yakima JayLow Kayak Roof Rack

For years, paddlers have had to choose between one of two manufacturers when it comes to roof racks and requisite components: Thule and Yakima, though there is a dark horse candidate, Malone, which came on the market not too…

Aqua-Bound Whiskey Fiberglass Kayak Paddle
Gear Review

Aqua-Bound Whiskey Fiberglass Kayak Paddle

Earlier this year, with a keen eye cast on the coming season, Aqua-Bound Technology released two brand new paddles available in three stunning colors: the high-angle blade Whiskey and the low-angle blade Tango. Both blades are made from compression-molded fiberglass…

Perception Expression
Gear Review

Perception Expression Kayak

Three years ago I got together with an old friend over a few beers to catch up on a Saturday night. Not just any Saturday night, however; it was Canoecopia weekend, 2015. This friend of mine – let’s just…

GoPro HERO5 Black
Gear Review

GoPro HERO5 Black

Sure there’s a newer version of GoPro’s Hero camera – the HERO6, but the HERO5 was brand-spankin’ new to us before the newer version was released last fall (GoPro does follow an annual Apple-product-release-like schedule, therefore reviews like this are less…

The Chippewa
Gear Review

The Chippewa: Biography of a Wisconsin Waterway

Recently, we were invited to review a new book by the Wisconsin Historical Society Press, just published in 2017, The Chippewa: Biography of a Wisconsin Waterway, by Richard D. Cornell. As lovers of Wisconsin rivers in general and authors of our…

Gear Review

Thule 835 Hull-a-Port Pro Kayak Car Rack

The upside of getting a new car is, well, getting a new car. The downside of getting a new car is the possibility that your old kayak roof rack may not plug-and-play nicely with it. Having said goodbye to my…

Pyranha Fusion Kayak
Gear Review

Pyranha Fusion Crossover Kayak

Before making my third boat purchase at Canoecopia 2015, I knew I wanted a crossover because I needed a smaller boat for the variety of paddling we do – from small creeks to narrow rivers, whitewater to flatwater. And…

Canoeing & Kayaking South Central Wisconsin
Gear Review

Canoeing & Kayaking South Central Wisconsin

Following in the footsteps of notable paddling guides and authors, Timothy Bauer, co-author of milespaddled.com, has added to the paddling landscape by highlighting less-traveled opportunities in the Southern Wisconsin area. Much like Michael Duncanson, or the derivative paddling bible,…

REI Flex Lite Chair
Gear Review

REI Flex Lite Chair

Finally, an affordably-priced, packable camp chair that keeps you off the ground and is lightweight and small enough to stow in a kayak hatch...…

ENO DoubleNest Hammock
Gear Review

ENO DoubleNest Hammock + ENO SlapStrap Pro

More of a luxury than a necessity, the ENO DoubleNest (or SingleNest) Hammock is a relaxing alternative to camp chairs and picnic tables and nothing will make you feel more like a hippie than swinging in a hammock in…

River Trails of Northern Wisconsin
Gear Review

DVD: River Trails of Northern Wisconsin

River Trails of Northern Wisconsin is the third dvd from Morrall River Films. Although it's a bit of departure in presentation from their first two videos, it provides an invaluable amount of great information and a broad view of…

Joby Gorillapod Hybrid
Gear Review

Joby GorillaPod Hybrid

Joby makes a unique tripod they call the Gorillapod. It's essentially a tripod with flexible legs allowing you to wrap it around objects and secure it in unique places ensuring a different point-of-view...…

Joby Gorillapod Hybrid
Gear Review

GoPro HD Hero2

There isn't a whole lot more to say about the GoPro HD Hero2 that hasn't already been said. Specific to what we do, (documenting rivers and creeks) it's the best camera we've used (a ridiculous improvement over the Flip,…

Teva Women's Ewaso Sandal
Gear Review

Teva Women’s Ewaso Sandal

Be sure to take advantage of the great promotion PlanetShoes and Teva have teamed up for which benefits the Waterkeeper Alliance, a cause near and dear to us.…

Sealline Map Case
Gear Review

SealLine Map Case

Since we document all our paddles, one of our most important pieces of gear is a quality map case. SealLine map cases are our new map case of choice...…

Petzl Tikka Headlamps
Gear Review

Petzl Tikka Headlamps

Headlamps are an essential piece of gear that offer the benefit of safety and convenience. While you may not use these while actively kayaking or canoeing, they're perfect for lightweight camping...…

Camelbak Better Bottle
Gear Review

Camelbak Better Bottle

BPA-Free, extremely durable and available in various sizes and practically any color you desire, Camelbak water bottles are the go-to water bottle for your outdoor adventures (or indoor, even)...…

Gear Review

Sven Saw

What do you say about a tried and true classic? The Sven Saw is the only saw you'll ever need on the trail, in camp or even at home...…