Paddling tips, tricks, news and gear reviews from an Unsponsored point of view

Tag: 5:10

Five Ten Canyoneer 3

A few months back I posted a video of the new Five Ten Canyoneer shoes. A few more details have appeared since then.

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In canyoneering, where static friction is life and sliding friction death, Canyoneers have become the gold standard. The Canyoneer 3, with its Stealth S1 soles, reflects more than 15 years of R&D in some of the world’s harshest environments. The new 2015 Canyoneer retains the burly protection and excellent stability of its predecessor, but adds an increased lug height for improved penetration on soft ground and easier mud release. We’ve added welded rubber rands that interlock with the mesh upper to eliminate any chance of delamination; an asymmetric fast-lace system for single-handed adjustability in cold, wet conditions; a protective tuck-away lace pouch and svelte heel cage for torsional stiffness and support. And the flexible ankle cuff gives you support and protection without compromising range of motion.

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Reader’s Rides 2014 – Ben Hawthorne

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Name: Ben Hawthorne

About me: Been paddling for a while now, maybe 24 years?? Christ I’m old!!! I have however been fortunate to take my passion all over the world and paddle in a whole lot of places including New Zealand, Nepal, Chile and Canada. For the last 2 summers and next I have been running the Sjoa Kayak Camp in Norway along with my beautiful wife and the Gene 17 boys. I’m lucky enough to be supported by Colorado Kayak Supply in the US, super cool guys, check em out.

Location: Currently, Chamonix for the winter. Stoked.

Boat: ZET Raptor. Now when these came out I thought they looked a bit industrial, rough around the edges and wasn’t that keen. Then I ended up paddling one for a bit, and after a couple of runs was completely converted. It does everything a creek boat should do. Fast (for a creek boat), boofs and rolls easy, light, comfortable and most importantly, bomb proof. I do think its not really a great beginners boat, it definitely needs to be driven around the river and will kick your arse pretty fast if youre not a pro-active paddler but I love it. It really suits my paddling style. I’m pretty excited to see the new boat they’ve got lined up, details boys details!!! Also a Bliss-stick Smoothy for my play boat, like a project in my size, love it.

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Baffin Trail To Rapids Shoes – First Look

Over the past few months I have been testing a couple of pairs of shoes from the Canadian company Baffin. They both fall within the companies Trail To Rapids range and are designed for use on and off the water (with more of bias to waterborne activities).

Baffin are probably better known for their cold weather footwear which by all accounts is damn good stuff, but their Trail To Rapids range including the two pairs I have here at the Unsponsored HQ are worth having a look at.

First up is the Swamp Buggy:

This is relatively large set of shoes that offer great support. If you are familiar with the Five Ten range then they are certainly comparable in many ways to the Canyoneer shoe.

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Five Ten New Cayoneer

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Available from Spring/Summer 2015 is the new Five Ten Canyoneer 3. Continue reading

Astral Rasslers – Mid Year Thoughts

Finding a good shoe or boot that is robust enough for long walk ins/outs, offers good levels of protection/support and is comfortable to wear all day is pretty tough. Thankfully a number of big players have begun to expand the range of shoes available. For the last couple of years I have been using a pair of Five Ten Water Tennies and really like them. But I also have a but also have a set of Astral Brewers which are great in my playboat. The Brewers dry much faster that the Water Tennies but don’t have the same level of protection or stiffness as the Five Tens.

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Reader’s Rides 2013: Liam Chambers

Reader – Liam Chambers

Country – Chasing water in Wales/Lakes

Currently in my final year studying Civil Engineering at the University of Liverpool.

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Kit Update March 2013

I have had several emails asking for another run down of my kit and how it is holding up, so here goes.

First and foremost my Astral Brewer shoes haven’t had a look in. Time and time again I go for the Five Ten Water Tennies. Through the winter they have been great. They’ve performed well on wet greasy rock, mud and snow/ice. The laces and eyelets are all in place and the soles are wearing incredibly well.

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Five Ten (5.10) Water Tennies

I have been using Five Ten products on on off for the last 12+ years. Doing a very quick count I have found that I have gathered a number of Five Ten products, including climbing shoes, mountain bike shoes, approach shoes and now the Five Ten (5.10) Water Tennies.

A number of years ago I used the Nemo shoes for both whitewater rafting and kayaking, I found the grip very good even on greened up concrete. But I could never of got into my current play boat whilst wearing them.

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Five Ten Water Tennies

Old School Series – Five Ten Nemo

The Five Ten (5.10) Nemo Shoes are one of the best ways to keep your toes protected, and they let you walk as safely as possible in tough terrain. Like most neoprene shoes, these guys are warm and comfortable. What set these shoes apart from others are their soles. Their soles are made of 5.10’s Aqua Stealth rubber, which 5.10 developed specifically for technically savvy anglers, kayakers, canoeists, ww raft guides and search & rescue workers. The soles are also very flexible, which allows you to squeeze your feet quite comfortably into the smallest of boats (I had no problem getting into a disco with size ten feet). But they still protect you from those nasty little stones that always seem to find the boney part of your sole.

I found using the shoes on the Teesside ww course for rafting three to four times a week meant that the soles wore down rapidly (within about 3 months), however the soles can be replaced by a 5.10 recommended company for a cost or with a DIY kit that’s available on the net! I also found that the mesh outer could rip quite easily is caught on a raft seam.

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