A Bulletproof Paddle

[KCSO]

I'm looking for opinions on a good lightweight and tough paddle. We are mostly on the river and use our kayaks for everyting from day tripping to hunting and fishing. We might have to paddle across a 1 mile strech of open water to get to a 10 foot wide channel and the area can run from sand to shingle to rocks. I am currently using a Carlisle Day Tripper and it seems to work OK but I would like to find a little lighter more ergonomic paddle.

[jw7]

I use a Bending Branches Slice paddle with carbon shaft and fiberglass blade. :)

It is stiff and dose not flutter when paddling hard, the weight is reasonable and the price is not way up there. I use a straight shaft with no feather angle. I have demoed lightweight carbon ergonomic shafts and blades but did not feel any real significant difference...? I did feel the difference in weight but do not see the weight of my current paddle as a major problem. I use the feather option in a strong winds, but only during the strong winds.

[Cathal]

if ur lookin 4 paddles get something by werners.
they are the best paddles ive ever used and theyre super light

[jw7]

Werner are great paddles, just don't expect to have any money left for actually paddling.

The classic top of the line paddle is the Ikelos at 24oz (220cm). Straight carbon shaft and full size blade. It's one of the stiffest and lightest paddles you will find. The paddle is best for fit paddlers going long distances. Get a loan and buy one at $390. If you're the slowest one in your group and if you like to talk about your gear in competition form this is the paddle to look into. Also comes in medium size blade (Shuna Carbon) and low angel styles (Camino) all at $340.

Better choice in a medium size blade would be the Shuna at 27.5oz (220cm). Straight carbon shaft and fiberglass medium size blade. Comes in bright colored blades which makes finding a lost paddle, and signaling other water craft easier. At $265. it's still a bit steep.

My choice was the Bending Branches Slice Hybrid at 30oz it's still lighter than most recreational paddles coming in around 39oz+. It has a straight carbon shaft and bright fiberglass blade. Buy two at $159. each, and your second paddle will be the same great quality as your primary paddle.

If you're the slowest one in your group and don't like that, then buy a good paddle and a new faster kayak.

If your wrists hurt while paddling for longer than 40 minutes, don't rush out and buy a bent shaft because in reality you have a use injury, not the wrong type of shaft. The main thing you can do is rest until you have recovered from your injury. Then shorten your paddling times, and increase the frequency of days in your boat, resting in between and waiting until you develop better conditioning before going on longer tours again.
Only use a feathered blade (different blade angles) in strong winds. IMO ;)

[Cathal]

get something by rough stuff, theyre super tough

[KCSO]

When I trip down the rivers it is not unusual for me to paddle 4-6 hours a trip and here on the Missouri or on the lower Niobrara conditions are tough on equipment. Yesterday we made 11 miles down the Niobrara And had to push off of sand bars, fend off of logs and shoot a rapid. Fishing and Duck hunting on the Missouri it is normal to have to push through reeds and work through channels as narrow as 3 feet. Our Kayaks are chosen for durability first as being the last one in is a LOT better than not coming in at all. We are finding that the Wilderness Pungo and the Old Town Voyagers are good river Kayaks. My biggest problem is that after 60 it's harder and harder to paddle for a long time without comng in pretty beat at the end of the day. I thought a lighter paddle might be the ticket but yesterday i saw a Werner paddle that cost more than my Kayak bite the dust so I gues i will stick with my Carlisle Magic for now.

[Aviva]

if ur lookin 4 paddles get something by werners.
they are the best paddles ive ever used and theyre super light

Agreed. I feel like I've abused mine a lot in low water levels, but it doesn't show it.