I inherited my late father's Werner. My father was one of the founder's of the Tasmanian Sea Kayaking Club in the early 1970's, and paddled across Bass Straight when he was 69, a 340km island hoping journey across one of the roughest patches of ocean in the world. He suffered a fainting spell and drowned while out for a solo training trip in 2021. He once told me his greatest fear was growing old and infirm. He died doing what he loved. Now I have his beloved Werner paddle which the police found floating near him. Every time I use his amazing and beautifully light Werner, I don't feel sad, but a sense of connection to him. I don't know what model it is but it's a fibreglass blade, carbon fibre straight shaft touring paddle. Feels like magic.
Lendal Storm (straight shaft) is the most impressive euroblade I have ever used. Coming from someone who primarily uses Greenland paddles. The indexing on the shaft and the blade shape feel perfect. I set the adjustable length longer for most touring/shorter for surf play.
Another comprehensive and great review by you Ken - thank you. Typically loaded with information and his analysis...I especially appreciate Ken’s insights on who will appreciate each paddle, and the types of kayaking that are best aligned to each. Top quality gear is so expensive; having access to his reviews has helped me make good buying decisions. (I LOVE the Gearlab Kalleq paddle I bought this season... it is exactly what I wanted.)
Id sure give a great reviews too if i was gifted a $300 to $600 paddle. Be realistic... who the hell can afford a paddle at that price point other than the wealthy.
First - If I didn't really like one of these paddles, I wouldn't give them an award. Period. That's the idea of unbiased gear reviews. The companies didn't 'gift' me the paddles. They sent me the paddles to test, with the clear understanding that I was going to give my honest feedback, whether they liked it or not. Second - While these paddles are indeed very expensive, they're not JUST for the wealthy. If someone is passionate about paddling (wealthy or not), they could make a carbon paddle a priority in their lives. This is also where the second hand market comes in.
I'm looking forward to your upcoming video of the best lower cost paddles. I would also love to see videos of other budget friendly gear too, maybe a review of some great-ish used recreational, touring, and sea kayaks and gear, for those who can't afford to buy new. Maybe some care and preventative maintenance videos too.
I always loved the expression, "you date your boat, but marry your paddle" because you may outgrow your boat as you improve as a paddler, but a good paddle will stay in your quiver. We own Aqua Bound Whiskey paddles, but my favorite is a touring Werner Kalliste carbon paddle. Like you mentioned, the feeling of Werner's foamcore paddle exiting the water at the end of your stroke is something you have to experience to fully appreciate, and it is amazingly light. I don't know if all paddles float, but the AB Whisky and Werner do so it makes recover easy if you get separated during a swim. Would love to demo a Greenland style paddle. Great review as always Ken. We're getting into Baileys on the water weather, ha!
Ha! It's definitely Bailey's time! :). So true about being married to the paddle. I had fun trying all these different ones, as I've been married to my Aquabound Whiskey for a few years now.
I really like your comment that don’t have to spend a fortune to get out there but you’re doing something that 99% of the population isn’t doing so get out there and go do it with what you can get as a person who is just jumping into the paddling world at 52 years old I’m super excited to get out there and get wet
I have 2 paddles. I keep one on the rear deck for my backup when I paddle solo. My initial paddle is a Euro-style Werner Corryvecken which is light and you can get a lot of power out of it. I learned to kayak-and I am always learning-with a Euro-style paddle. I have used it on multi-hour paddles and it works fine. I recently bought a Greenland style paddle, the GearLab Kalleq, because I wanted to see what the Greenland style was about. I also know it is a little easier on the shoulders-I am in my 60’s. It is light and quiet. When I am using good technique it feels like a knife through butter and the power I get out of it is almost as much as the Corryvecken. I used it padding into a freak Force 2-3 wind that came up out of nowhere one day about a month ago, and I was able to make consistent progress into the wind and the whitecaps without killing myself. So for me, having one of each is ideal.
I'm very curious about those paddles. At first glance they seem stupid, but when you see what people who use them say about them, they seem really good. Expensive though. I hope I get the opportunity to try one out some time
hot take: werner shuna hybrid (carbon shaft fiberglass paddle) is a better paddle than the aquabound whiskey, and it usually comes in a little cheaper too
Your channel is great! Here's my 2 cents on paddles. I make my Greenland paddles from local white cedar at a cost of $5. I use them for touring (flatwater to full gales and surfing. No more aches and pains at the end of the day for this 67 yr. old geezer. Almost weightless as well.
Hey man, do you have a schematic or diagram that you use for that? I'm curious where to find a set of plans for that. I actually have some clear cedar in the shed
@@DustinRea I don't but this should help. Start with a rough cut piece 2"x4"of cedar. Length is as tall as you can reach. General shape is an hour glass. Hold the board horizontal with both hands with arms at your sides. The hourglass ends here where you grasp the paddle. You can round the ends or leave them square. It's that simple. So light when made from cedar but any wood will do. Kevin
@@PaddleTV I have also fallen in love with Greenland paddles thanks to the Kalleq. It felt smoother and more natural to me compared to the euro paddles from Aqua Bound and Werner that my dealer had when I bought my kayak last fall. I had only been using cheap metal/plastic paddles my whole life prior though... I had no exposure to higher end paddles. It really does make you feel like a ninja; it just feels like it is a part of me!
I have the Wilderness Pungo carbon paddle. It has same adjustment as the Apex. It has been a really well performing and light one size fits all paddle for our Tsunami 125 and Pungo 120 yaks. Prince currently is $395 USD and weights 25 oz I believe.
Why does the full carbon Greenland paddle weigh so much compared to the others? it's full carbon and there seems to be less paddle area compared to the others
Actually the surface area of the wetted portion of a Greenland style paddle is the same as a mid size blade paddle. They’re longer to compensate. The Greenland paddle will create a cavity in the water before pulling your shoulder out of it’s socket.
Great video. My first and current paddle is a Aqua bound Manta Ray Hybrid. My next choice from this list would be the Whiskey I think. Thx for the reviews.
Ken, looking for my first kayak paddle, perhaps bent blade because of age, and to use for lake mostly on my new pack canoe. I think low angle style and 240 cm. What’s my top three choices you think? Ball park numbers 350-450
Oooo. You can get a nice paddle in that range! I would consider any paddle with a carbon shaft and composite blades. It will be light, stiff (for performance) and feel nice in the hands. The Aquabound Tango Fiberglass is a pretty great deal at $325 - aquabound.com/collections/low-angle/products/tango-fiberglass?variant=47853922323 The bent shaft version is sweet, but over $100 more - aquabound.com/collections/long-distance-paddling/products/tango-fiberglass-2-piece-bent-shaft. For something a bit more traditional, you could consider the Bending Branches Navigator. It combines carbon and wood. bendingbranches.com/collections/longer-touring-excursions-canoe/products/navigator-plus. Werner is another company that makes nice paddles in that price range, like the Camano bent shaft - wernerpaddles.com/collections/touring-low-angle/products/camano-2-piece-bent-shaft. Have fun shopping!
Happened to see this after ordering a Werner Camano. Felt amazing in hand but was looking at the Aqua Bound Whiskey to. Still tempted to go that route based on your comments!
Could you do a video about recommended paddle lengths vs boat widths, blade shapes, deep vs shallow paddling styles, etc. I have found that I definitely prefer paddles longer than the charts recommend for my height and boat width, but I don't know WHY I prefer longer paddles...perhaps because I have broader than average shoulders so I need my hands to be further apart???
Does anyone know if any Euro paddles are made with wider or oval looms? I have large hands and the typical paddle loom is too small causing me to overgrip and fatigue on a long paddle. Making the loom oval and larger is a distinct advantage on my home made greenland paddles but I wish my Euro paddles came in different loom sizes.
Most bent shaft euro paddles have oval looms. The other thing you can do, which I did for a while as a whitewater kayaker (but don't do anymore), is tape an 'index' to your paddle, under where your second knuckle is. Some people would tape a popsicle stick, but I found that too much, and too uncomfortable. I would tape a strip of closed cell foam to the paddle. My fingers then 'molded' that foam for a custom fit.
I started paddling when I was little and I used spoon blade paddles for years. Then I met an inuit paddle maker based in Michigan, Betsie Bay. Then I decided after many years to get a carbon Gearlab Outdoors, Kalleq. I have never enjoyed paddling so much; it is the Porshe of inuit paddles. There is no wasted spoon blades on this paddle. I would have bought it years ago if I knew it was so incredible. Highly recommended.
We are honored to be listed by Ken in Best Performance Paddle! Here at Gearlab we want to offer a limited time special bundle for Paddle TV viewers. gearlaboutdoors.com/
Great video as always. I’m fairly new to kayaking (2 seasons) and I’m afraid to invest in a “good” paddle because I’m worried about scratching them up. Am I being silly? Or any tips? (Even if it’s “just don’t scratch then :) )
It really depends on the paddle you get. The Werner Ovation is a paddle that you do need to 'baby', although light scratches aren't a problem. It's a unique paddle though. Most high quality paddles are designed to be very strong, and scratches aren't a big deal. You want to avoid the obvious things like throwing them on rocks, but most are very durable. Where most people cause damage, is using the paddle as a push-off pole, when launching from shore. Paddles aren't designed to take force in that direction.
Hey Ken. Nice job on these reviews objectively looking at each paddle. Thanks for reviewing the LendalNA Storm. There is a small typo on the specs that I’d like to point out howe. The Storm blade is 690 square cm and not 609. Thanks.
I met someone this past September who handed me his Werner Ovation paddle to try out. The first words out of my mouth was actually "Oh Crap" for all the reasons you mentioned in the vid. The only drawback to the paddle was that the tip of one of the blades were badly chipped from using it once to push off at launch. Not sure but I would assume this might be the case for all carbon paddles. Thanks for another great video!
Ha! Yes and no with carbon paddles... no paddle is designed for tip pushing force, and so it's generally something you should avoid. That aside, the Ovation is probably the most 'fragile' paddle that you'll ever try, and Werner identifies that themselves. It needs to be 'babied', and is only designed for calm water. The other carbon paddles on this list are much more durable, and don't need to be 'babied'... just taken care of. But I would trust most of them in almost any conditions, except for heavy whitewater.
@@PaddleTV thank you for the info on the durability (or lack thereof) on carbon paddles in general. Good to know that not all carbon paddles are as fragile as that Werner.
For a lower price range, I recommend the Hornet watersports paddle. 26Oz 230mm paddle with carbon fiber/fiberglass composite shaft and fiberglass blades. 10mm adjustable length. I got one for $209 on Amazon
You're the first one who mentions that on many crank shafts the grip feels so narrow. I own three different Werners , all of them straight shaft for that reason. Luckily I have a natural loose grip.
We purchased 2 Apex Carbon paddles(220-240) after seeing this video. What paddle bag would you recommend for these paddles? They are expensive and would hate to just throw them in the car. Thank you for any advice!
I paddle a lot on all kinds of water. I just can’t see spending $600 on a fragile paddle that will be banged around scratching through a rocky creek or stuck out to fend off a boulder in swift water or leaned on when doing side entry or exit or float away after an encounter with a strainer. Please review lower priced paddles that can be used in rough and tumble everyday aggressive paddles worry free. Maybe the best of the toughest around $100 to $200. Thx
I hear you! These paddles aren't for everyone. What I use for the conditions you describe (and have used for over a decade) is the Aquabound Manta-Ray Carbon paddle. aquabound.com/collections/high-angle/products/manta-ray-carbon-2-piece-posi-lok The cool thing about this paddle, is that it has a carbon shaft for strength, weight, and stiffness, but the blades are carbon reinforced ABS (plastic). It means the blades aren't as light and stiff as pure carbon blades, but WAY more durable. They use this same blade format for their whitewater paddles, because it's so durable. The best part... it costs around $200! I can tell you in advance that this paddle is almost assured to be in next year's 'Best In Class' for paddles $200 or less.
Ken, thanks for a great review, watch your channel all the time. I am really sold on Aqua Bound, currently use the Hybrid model and love it. Looking to upgrade, and plan to get the Aqua Bound Whiskey based on your review. Thanks.
Just picked up the gear lab and love it. Little difficult to get used to because it has no shoulder. But how thin it is makes it very easy to skull and rudder with. My inuksuk is now my backup paddle. The gear Lab is about 6 oz lighter than my inuksuk.
I like four piece paddles to pack with folding or inflatable yaks. They work well unless the joining hardware doesn't like salt buildup, like in places without rinse water.
Went to check out the whiskey today in both fibreglass and carbon, which both felt great. But next to those was a lendal storm demo unit for 510$ Cad or about 377$ USD. I couldn't pass it up. Got a few minor scuffs but what a deal. Thanks for the review @PaddleTV /Ken.
I have a bending branches slice hybrid 220cm paddle at $129.00 I'll put this paddle against those higher end paddles at 22oz it's light very comfortable for long days on the water
You choose a good paddle! While I agree the Slice Hybrid is a solid paddle and great value, I think you might feel differently after trying one of these carbon paddles. The question does remain... is it worth it?
@@PaddleTV I am using a Landal paddle, nowadays called Celtic. It is a full carbon 4 piece cranked shaft, 700cm2 blades, 216 cm long. A bit short for my length (198cm) but I like it this way. I always carry a spare paddle with the same features but with nylon blades. Only a week ago I tried to buy another full carbon paddle from Celtic Paddles, but it turns out they don't make the cranked shafts anymore. So now I will have to look out for another brand. Werner for example? Any suggestions from your side are very welcome!
@@scottsparky1 All Bending Branches paddles float. Wood is naturally buoyant and our composite paddles come reinforced with foam plugs that trap air inside the shaft to keep it afloat and water out to prevent leaks.
As others have mentioned, Ken is missing the pleasures of a Greenland paddle. I use one for sea kayaking exclusively; play boating or whitewater - hell no!
@@PaddleTV Oops! My apologies Ken. I skipped around and missed it. I find the Greenland paddle great for big water surfing, not just touring. If you want to spend under $100 u.s. you can make your own out of wood with a bit of a learning curve.
Great job Ken on the reviews! Good insights and information with a little humor on top… keep em coming. Lendal MCS Storm has become my absolute go to paddle. Love how it feels in the water in any conditions from calm lily dipping to pitch poling surf.
I managed to pick up the werner ikelos for my shorter sea trips. Absolutely love it, hoping to get the cyprus when it comes in stock for longer paddles or multi day trips
Ha! For some reason, centimeters are used for kayak paddles everywhere (including the US). It could have something to do with the fact that the imperial system doesn't make any sense! (12 inches to a foot - 5280 feet to a mile... What?). Time for the US to get on the metric system! :)
