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

Category: Gear (Page 1 of 134)

Thule Wing Bar Edge – Review

For the last three years I have been using a set of Thule Wing Bar Edge Roof bars on my cars. The first car this set was used on was a F56 Mini John Cooper Works with a set of factory fitted flush roof rails and now they sit on my F31 BMW 3 Series Wagon/Touring.

Thule Wing Bar Edge – Review

Interestingly the last time I reviewed a set of roof bars was on my last F31 BMW in around 2016.

Now this set of bars is the latest from Thule and in my opinion is an upgrade to the Thule WingBars. The biggest difference is the much lower profile bar and clamp. It means that they offer a close-fit to the roofline for a low-profiled roof bar system. This was one of the main reason I wanted to go with Thule rather than the BMW OE roof bars that stand pretty tall.

Thule WingBar Edge – Review

When first bought I picked up the complete set from the Roofbox company here in the UK. I plugged the details of the Mini into the system and the parts were grouped together to order. They also did a key barrel matching service so I could have one key fit all of the bars and bike racks that I own.

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Safety Tape/Sling Comparison

We have a photo comparison of three lots of safety tape/slings.

The Palm Safety Tape which is 5m in length, the Whetman Python which is also 5m in length and the new Palm Cobra which is 4m in length. All three have been coiled up nice and tight without being ridiculous.

Safety Tape/Sling Comparison

From left to right – Palm Safety, Whetman Python, and Palm Cobra. All are fitted with a DMM Boa.

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Palm Equipment Cobra Sling – First Look

Purchased from WWTCC this week, we have a Palm Equipment Cobra sling in for review.

Space saving compared to the other two Palm Equipment tapes and super strong the Cobra looks like a great bit of kit to have in your PFD rescue gear. Although it looks like a dyneema climbing sling the Cobra should not be used for climbing. I suspect that this is due to the dynamic forces that kit endures during a climbing fall.

Palm Equipment Cobra Sling – First Look
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The Importance Of Good Footwear

I came to the conclusion that footwear selection is often seen as secondary to some of the other gear being used..

The Importance Of Good Footwear

Let me clarify my thoughts a little. Most river banks are damp and greasy. Rocks can be sharp and spikey. It is probably one of the most testing places for any type of footwear.  A slip on a river bank could have very serious consequences in both the short and long term.

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Salomon Quicklace Review

I have been using a pair of Five Ten Trail Cross MTB shoes for the last few years as my go to biking shoe. Over the last few rides I had started to notice that the lace on one shoe was about to give up. Finding a suitable replacement was not easy.

Salomon Quicklace Review
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Palm Equipment Shuck 2.0 Helmet

Palm Equipment have released an update to the Shuck WW helmet. The Shuck 2.0 includes a tough ABS shell, a full fit kit and removable ear pads.

Palm Equipment Shuck 2.0 Helmet
Palm Equipment Shuck 2.0 Helmet
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Jackson Kayak – Clutch Walkthrough

Dane Jackson gives a full walkthrough of the new Jackson Kayak Clutch.

Jackson Kayak – Clutch Walkthrough
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Jackson Kayak Clutch

Jackson have launched the new Clutch. The Clutch is a single sized whitewater kayak that blurs the lines between a creek boat and a halfslice.

Jackson Kayak Clutch
Jackson Kayak Clutch

Ever feel torn between a creek boat or half slice? Introducing the Clutch, a ‘creek/slice’ combination designed to make the most of any river. It is fully creekable and has a playable stern. The Clutch combines the high-riding, confidence-inspiring performance of the Gnarvana with a sleek, lower-rockered stern carefully engineered to boost speed, shred surfs, launch waves, and squirt eddy lines. This kayak is nimble, skips, and is forgiving. The result is a unique mix of confidence and creativity that might change how you see your river. Try it and you’ll find – Clutch performance with every stroke. Available in one size: M|L

Jackson Kayak

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Yakima Highroad Bike Rack – Review

Owning a carbon frame bike does have its issues. The main one after cost is how do you carry the bike on a car without clamping onto the frame. In the UK the choice is fairly limited and centres around two main roof mounted solutions. The first is the Yakima Highroad that we are looking at here and the second is the Thule UpRide.

Yakima Highroad Bike Rack – Review

Both of these systems clamp onto the front wheel/tyre and have no contact with the frame . As frame designs have progressed, some MTB frames have a lower shock position, being able to clamp a bike securely (carbon or not) has become more difficult.

Yakima Highroad Bike Rack - Review
Yakima Highroad Bike Rack – Review
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Dagger Indra

Dagger have released the new Indra kayak. It’s been kicking around the rivers of the US and on Instagram for sometime.

Dagger Indra

The Indra is available now in two sizes – Small/Medium and Medium/Large but not if you are in the UK.

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Pyranha Elite Outfitting

Now this new outfitting from Pyranha looks amazing. The new Pyranha Elite outfitting is a complete redesign for Pyranha and includes some new materials.

Pyranha Elite Outfitting
Pyranha Elite Outfitting

Check it out.

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Astral Indus PFD

Astral have released details of the the new Indus PFD. It is a higher buoyancy update to the Greenjacket.

Astral Indus PFD

You can certainly see the Greenjacket’s DNA. But the clam shell pocket has been replaced with a zipped side entry pocket.

Astral Indus PFD
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