Paddling tips, tricks, news and gear reviews from an Unsponsored point of view
We’ve had an original Petzl Vertigo here at Unsponsored HQ for a few years and have really liked it’s performance. Petzl have been on the case and have updated the Vertigo using i-beam technology. Just like the original the Petzl Vertigo has been primarily designed for ease of clipping in with the added bonus of having a locking key gate. The new construction has shaved off 2 grams.
We are big fans of Osprey gear at Unsponsored HQ. So when a new bag was required for mountain bike duties the Osprey website was consulted.
15 litres or there about seems to be the right kind of size for the bulk of riding that we do. Plenty of room for the essentials but not too much room that you end up filling because you can. The Osprey Zealot appeared to fit the bill nicely.
Palm had a lightning bag shipped to Unsponsored HQ as soon as the production models were available. Retail customers will be able to get hold of a bag from good kayak/canoe retailers over the next few weeks.
Since the bag arrived we have had a good look over it and have tested but the feel, throwing and repacking ease with a number of different paddlers. Since the Lightning bag has already been compared to the HF Weasel by many it also makes sense to make some further comparisons during this initial look at the Lightning.
I have had the chance to have a close look at the Lightning bag a few times but this is the first time that I have been able to have not only a look but actually use the bag.
We have a Whetman Equipment Sea Kayak contact line in for review from Whetman Equipment. The system is designed to safely tether two kayaks together for short line contact rescue.
The new GoPro Hero 4 Session landed at Unsponsored HQ almost six months ago. After pretty regular use (more than my GoPro Hero 4 Black edition) it is now time to review. The Session is GoPro’s latest POV action camera and the first to break away from what has been a fairly standard GoPro cuboid shape.
When I purchased the Session the RRP was well over £300. We’ve had a fair bit of time with the camera so it is now time for the GoPro Hero 4 Session – Review.
Within this review I have mixed in some screenshots taken from some 1080p footage filmed with the Session 4 on a very overcast and challenging light condition kind of day.
We’ve have a new Vertical Element four piece breakdown paddle here at Unsponsored HQ for review. Vertical Element are a UK based company who design and manufacture their own custom whitewater and recreational paddles.
I reckon that if you need to use a set of breakdown paddles when on a river trip the chances are something epic has occurred, and in situations like this I would want a set of breakdowns that were at least as good as the set I had lost or broke.
You may be wondering why we have a Bluetooth speaker here on Unsponsored, but please read on. You may have seen the UE Roll speaker system in various eddies throughout the summer pumping out tunes at a number of high profile playspots and competitions.
The speaker is IPX7-rated waterproof so it is quite happy being near or even in water. Ultimate Ears even make a small inflatable rubber ring for the Roll to sit in, allowing you to park the Roll in an eddy or use the inbuilt bungee cord to tether it to a rock or tree.
Werner has led the paddlesports industry with legendary paddles for 50 years. They’ve repeatedly set a high bar and now raise that bar again with a race inspired whitewater paddle called the Odachi.
Recreational whitewater paddles have put comfort and easy of use among the top of their priority lists and that’s why we see Werner’s “Neutral Bent Shaft” align the shaft, hands and paddle blade in a nice neat line. They also extensively use pronounced dihedrals to make the paddle feel smooth and stable in the water. These features are key ingredients of what makes Werners easy and predictable to use.
We have a couple of Key Smart key storage gizmos in for test here at Unsponsored HQ. They are really neat and work well. They’ve been used for the last few weeks and as they are storing my house keys they have been used in anger a couple of times each day.
If it aint broke don’t fix it. Wise words and something that Astral have done. They’ve looked at the Astral Greenjacket 2016 and just moved it on a little adding to the design to take it up yet another notch.
The PeakUK guys have released a couple of new dry suits. They have retained the zipped leg system within the range but have also introduced a pair of Dry Suits with a rear shoulder entry zip. This one being the Deluxe One Piece Drysuit.
Despite being delayed by some car troubles, I finally made it south to spend a bit of time with my family before I head out to Nepal for three months.
It’s been beautifully sunny weather since I’ve been south, great for the soul, not so great for kayaking! However, all was not lost today as I drove up to Cardiff to the brilliant CIWW course, a fantastic resource next to the Cardiff mariner, offering indoor wave surfing, a climbing wall and of course the whitewater course. Unfortunately I missed the whitewater festival that was on the day before, but had a great days session in the stunning sunshine today none the less.
In the spring Zet kayaks UK and Canoe and Kayak Store were kind enough to hook me up with a Raptor, a boat which I cannot recommend highly enough. I popped in to say hi to the guys in the branch at CIWW today and was rewarded with a special treat!
© 2024 Unsponsored
Theme by Anders Norén — Up ↑
Recent Comments