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

Category: Outerwear (Page 1 of 7)

Cold Weather Paddling Gear

We’ve just about hit that time of the year in the UK when it gets darker earlier and earlier, the weather has begun to turn and the water is that little bit colder. It’s a great time to start to look at your cold weather paddling gear and assess whether it is going to be up to the job.

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Cold Weather Paddling Gear

Being cold is not just uncomfortable it can also be life threatening. Having the right gear for the right conditions is key at any time of the year but the margin for error during the colder seasons is much tighter.

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Spade Kayaks Hexagon Drytop

Spade kayaks now has released a new drytop.

Spade Kayaks Hexagon Dry Top

Spade have kept things simple and have designed a well cut dry top without unnecessary features.

For the Hexagon Dry Top we tried to leave out any unnecessary bells and whistles and focused on fit and comfort of movement instead. This lightweight and simple yet robust jacket will keep you dry while shredding without getting in the way of your paddling.

Spade Kayaks
Spade Kayaks Hexagon Dry Top

You can find the Hexagon drytop in good kayak stores and online at https://www.spadekayaks.com/produkt/drytop-hexagon/https://www.spadekayaks.com/produkt/drytop-hexagon/

Winter Is Coming – 7 Paddling Tips

We’ve just about hit that time of the year in the UK when it gets darker earlier and earlier, the weather has begun to turn and the water is that little bit colder – Winter Is Coming. Last week on the water was very cold and today the rivers are up and snow has hit the UK.

Being cold is not just uncomfortable it can also be life threatening. Having the right gear for the right conditions is key at any time of the year but the margin for error during the colder seasons is much tighter.

Winter Is Coming

It’s defintely a good time to start to look at your cold weather paddling gear and assess whether it is going to be up to the job.

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Winter’s Coming: Paddling Through Shorter Days And Frosty Mornings

After a turbulent year, we suddenly find ourselves on the cusp of winter and the endless combinations of cold, wet and windy days presented by the good old British weather. As we say farewell to our shortie cags and board shorts until next year, let’s remember to pack the essential clothing and kit which can make a cold day on the water more comfortable and reduce the risk of hypothermia, cold-water shock, frozen fingers and hours shivering misery!

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Palm Zenith Pants – Review

The Palm Zenith pants are designed to be combined with any dry or semi dry top to create a flexible system for year round use. I’ve been using these with the Palm Fuse and Zenith range of jackets.

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Palm Zenith Pants – Review

Although a two piece combination will find it hard to be beat a drysuit I have used a number of two piece systems in the past that have been super dry. The big advantage is that you can mix and match tops and bottoms to create a system that is best matched for the conditions you are going out in.

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Nookie Turbo Jacket – Review

The Nookie Turbo jacket is designed to be a performance led premium whitewater kayak jacket utilising the same high quality materials as the Nookie Charger Drysuit. This thing is tough with double sals (neoprene outer/latex inner) on the neck and arms. What makes this jacket stand out is that it is also made at Nookie’s HQ here in the UK. There are very few UK based paddling firms that actually still make their gear in the UK. Top marks to Nookie.

Nookie Turbo Jacket - Review
Nookie Turbo Jacket – Nookie Turbo Jacket – Review
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Kokatat Is 50

As part of Kokatat’s 50th year in the business they have releasing a number of special editions and new products.

Kokatat Is 50
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Unboxing Counterfeit Level Six Dry Suit

Stig Larsson from Level 6 has purchased a fake Level 6 drysuit from Amazon.

Here’s the unboxing and comparison.

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Adidas Five Ten Trail Cross LT – First Look

The newest addition to the flat pedal mountain bike range is the Five Ten Trail Cross LT. The version we have here is the LT version which is more trainer like that the Mid Pro we reviewed on the site a couple of months back.

Adidas Five Ten Trail Cross LT - First Look
Adidas Five Ten Trail Cross LT – First Look

Size wise I still think that these run a little large. I usually wear Five Ten or Salomon in a UK size 10 and did originally order a pair of Trail Cross Mid in that size. However I found that the shoe is super long. I sent them straight back and now have a pair of UK 9.5s which after my first ride out fit great. So these LT versions are also 9.5 and as expected fit well.

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Is Your Dry Gear Leaking?

I have owned numerous cags, semi-dry cags, dry cags and dry suits over the years. Neoprene seals, latex seals – all have been tried and tested for years and in reality none have ever been 100% dry.

Is Your Dry Gear Leaking

At the end of the day I believe that it’s all relative, if the cag fits right and the seals are constructed or even trimmed to give a good water tight seal you will only ever minimise the chance of water finding its way inside. In some cases the amount of water entering the cag is so small it is virtually dry, but will never be totally dry.

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Cold Hands?

I reckon cold hands are almost worse than cold feet. When my hands get cold they hurt and as they warm back up they really hurt.  If the air and water temperature isn’t too bad then I’ll go through the pain barrier as once my hands are warm they’ll stay warm.  

Cold Hands?
Cold Hands?

However if it is super cold then its hard to push through the pain barrier as it takes so much longer.  Cold hands will limit your ability to hold stuff. If you aren’t able to hold your paddle then you are pretty stuffed.

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Nookie Octane Women’s Drysuit

The UK made Nookie Octane Women’s Drysuit is due to be released shortly and will retail at just under £700.

Nookie Octane Women's Drysuit
Nookie Octane Women’s Drysuit
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