Unsponsored

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

Tag: Review (Page 18 of 19)

Nookie Paddle Bag

27 May 2012 / / 0 Comments

I have had this Nookie paddle bag for around 7 years. It is absolutely bombproof. It is used primarily to protect my car from my paddles, but has also been used occasionally to protect my paddles from enthusiastic baggage handlers.

The bag is made from tough Cordura type material and features a large full length zip. This makes using the bag very easy. A clear document holder for ID is provided along with a mesh panel pocket. The bag came supplied with a shoulder strap but in all honesty this is something that I have never used.

Nookie Paddle Bag

Continue reading

The Best GoPro Package for Kayaking?

30 April 2012 / / 0 Comments

As of 2012 what is the best GoPro package for kayaking? Over the past couple of years I have owned two GoPro cameras. The first was a 1080p hero and the second the HD2. In both cases I bought the helmet mount bundle (or the Outdoor Edition as it is now known) and although most of the mounts have been used I have never used the elastic headband mount.

The Best GoPro Package for Kayaking

Initially I had dismissed all of the other package/bundle options as I wanted to mount the camera on a helmet and the helmet mount pack seemed the logical one to go for. However, more recently I have been looking a little more closely at which bundle offers the best solution for the film making kayaker.

Continue reading

Sweet Wanderer Helmet – The Poor Man’s Rocker?

29 April 2012 / / 3 Comments

The Sweet Wanderer Helmet comes in at around £120 which is around £50 cheaper than the Rocker. A search around the net can find Wanderers (and its Ski cousin the Rambler) for less than £100. The small visor (now fully integrated on the new model) keeps water and sun (if it’s around) out of your eyes so you can focus on the task at hand. Sweet’s occigrip tensioning system ensures that the Wanderer stays put giving optimum protection.

sweetwanderer (1)

Continue reading

Pyranha M3 – Review

19 April 2012 / / 0 Comments

The Micro series of boats, first released in 1994, have been popular creek boats ever since. However, creeking has evolved along with creekboat design. Loads of manufacturers have released more modern designs like the c.f.s, Java and the Huck. Now Pyranha have decided to retire the trusty micro in favour of a new machine – the M3. Here’s what I reckon…

The Look:

Fresh ‘n’ new! The M3 really looks the business, with the new “Syncro 4” outfitting and clip in points made by DMM. The “Syncro 4” outfitting works really well. The boat needs minimal time spent messing around with glue and sandpaper getting it right as it comes with pre-padded seat and hip pads. The hooker thigh grips give the control of quad straps combined with the easy access needed for rivers and creeks and the backrest was great, providing positive support from the moment I got into the cockpit. The M3 features a full plate footrest, rather than the “shoc-bloc” system favoured in Pyranha’s playboats, giving adjustability, control and safety. Anyone taking big hits can layer the footrest up with thick foam. There’s no peli case holder as standard anymore, although these can be ordered from Pyranha. The boat comes supplied with a bag of foam fittings as standard, along with the ubiquitous Pyranha sponge. Continue reading

Palm Extrem Vest PFD – Review

11 April 2012 / / 4 Comments

I have been using the Palm Extrem Vest for the past year as my main PFD. I must admit that from the start I was a little sceptical about the front opening system and did have a debate with myself about whether or not I should have bought the over the head Amp vest.

Palm Extrem Vest PFD - Review
Palm Extrem Vest PFD – Review

After 12 months of use I am now ready to commit my thoughts to the site.

From Palm:

Continue reading

Riot Booster – Review

7 April 2012 / / 3 Comments

I tried the Booster 60 over the course of a day on the flat and at a local play spot. Initially I was quite surprised by its overall size. The room offered inside is excellent and with the new 2002 outfitting getting comfortable was not an issue. It comes fitted with a multitude of ratchet adjustable fittings including backrest, thigh-straps and footrest. And thankfully Riot have ditched those awful “strap” adjustable devices seats and opted for a “bolted” in option with comfy foam pad.

Continue reading

Wavesport Zero Gravity (ZG) – Review

7 April 2012 / / 0 Comments

This review is from the perspective of an intermediate paddler and represents the best outline of performance that I can offer based on 2 weeks paddling grade 4 rivers in Austria and 2 weeks play boating and surfing. It also should be remembered that I personally, love this boat.

Wavesport Zero Gravity (ZG) - Review
Wavesport Zero Gravity (ZG) – Review

Hull:

This boat spins! It’s really loose but forgiving enough to make spinning easy even in bouncy holes. On a wave, it’s fast and carves well, though it doesn’t feel as positive as the Riot boats. However, it’s much easier to correct and quicker to respond to changes in edge. It’s real attribute though for those that know what they’re doing, has to be the bounce. I have no ability in terms of aerial moves, but know a few people who have been in my boat that know what they’re doing. Smiles all round seem to be the response. Apparently it’s got loads of spring for loops etc.

Continue reading

Seven 2 Signature Series Paddles – Review

4 April 2012 / / 0 Comments

I have had a set of Seven 2 Signatures now for 4 months, in that time I have used them for playing and river running. These blades appear to be radically different to anything else available on the market at present. They feature some innovative solutions to some classic problems inherent to kayak paddles. Not all necessarily work.

The blades I have are 197cm length, so for someone of my height (5’6”) are a bit long. I have found the grips to be the best part of these paddles, the plastic molded grips mean you’re hands are in the correct place on the shaft every time, they are warm and non slip meaning you don’t get blisters (about 10 years to late in my case). Although I have never suffered with wrist and elbow pain when paddling I am told that the angle of the grip reduces this, however this does mean they feel very strange initially. However if you are prepared to persevere it will pay off. Continue reading

Vertical Element Paddles – First Look

1 April 2012 / / 0 Comments

OK first things first, I am right-handed but paddle left-handed and have done for decades. This makes the process of purchasing paddles a bit of a nightmare! My last two sets of paddles have been Werner Sidekicks and in the case of my full carbon versions had involved a long wait for them to arrive from the States.

I make no apologies for comparing the Vertical Element paddles against my Werner paddles in this review as Werner paddles are considered by many to be the best WW paddles on the market.

Vertical Element paddles are put together here in the UK, any length, any feather. So from ordering, paying and then receiving, in my case took all of four days including a weekend. This in itself makes them a very attractive option for me. My VE’s are full carbon, cranked shaft, set at 35 degrees and 197cm in length. So apart from the cranked shaft I have went for a set up that is identical to the Werner Sidekicks that I have been using for the last few years. I have been using the VE’s for a couple of months now so it’s about time to commit my initial thoughts to the site.

A little background on VE:

Vertical Element is a British company driven by elite paddlers with backgrounds in composite engineering and advanced design.

Using this experience and knowledge we have created a new standard in white water paddles.

After an extensive period of research and development by Britain’s finest creeking and freestyle paddlers, we are ready to share this innovation in paddle design with you.

VE offers a personalised service priding itself in the manufacture of lightweight paddles that optimize power and enhance performance

Continue reading

Dragorossi Mafia

31 January 2012 / / 1 Comment

Dan Heyworth (DanH), Ian (Newcastle Uni) and I went out for a splash down the Upper Tees (High Force -> Low Force). Partly just cos there was little other water about and party because I wanted to try the new DragoRossi Mafia out on some rocks and drops. Levels were a good middle-ish (covering the pin rock on the ‘Dog Leg’ but low enough for evil scraping on the boney bits).

Continue reading

Liquid Logic Pocket Rocket – Review

31 January 2012 / / 0 Comments

At 6ft 2in I can’t fit into the pocket rocket! So this review comes from thoughts gleened from AG. The Pocket Rocket has that now very familiar Liquid Logic look and is the smallest of the new range that incudes the Air Head and Space Cadet.

Liquid Logic Pocket Rocket - Review
Liquid Logic Pocket Rocket – Review
Continue reading

NRS Bill’s Bag 3.8 – Review

26 January 2012 / / 0 Comments

I have tried a number of kit bags over the years and although they have all done a pretty good job, I have always moved on looking for something that will fully fit my needs. In short I wanted a bag that was:

– big enough to take a weekends worth of wet kayak kit and keep the inside of the car dry
– tough enough to withstand the care and attention that baggage handlers give to luggage
– easy to carry
– waterproof so that it could also be used strapped to a raft on multi day trips (you never know it might happen one day)
– not Über expensive

I had been looking at the Bill’s Bag from NRS for a number of years and never really got around to ordering one from the US. At just over £55 the 3.8 bag seemed (on paper) to meet my needs.

NRS Bill's Bag 3.8 - Review
NRS Bill’s Bag 3.8 – Review
Continue reading
« Older posts Newer posts »

© 2025 Unsponsored

Theme by Anders Norén — Up ↑