Whether you’re a kayaker, a canoeist, a stand-up paddleboarder or an all-rounder, paddling can be hard on your hands, especially in the colder months, and a finding a pair of…
Patrick Kinsella
Best kayak helmet: Head protection for paddlers and boarders
The importance of wearing the best kayak helmet can’t be overstated. Like the best lifejacket, it could very well save your life – it’s as simple as that. But it…
Helly Hansen Crest Watermoc review
While serious, all-season paddlers are more likely to go with a substantial shoe such as the Palm Descender or the Gill Marine Edge boots, less-frequent and more fairweather kayakers and…
Palm Rock kayak shoes tried and tested review
If you’re a beginner, determined to get into paddling properly, or an intermediate kayaker, canoeist or stand-up paddleboarder looking for one shoe that does it all, then the Palm Rock…
Xero Aqua X Sport kayak shoes review
These good-looking aqua sneakers are made by Xero, a US-based brand that specializes in super minimalist footwear, mainly for ‘barefoot’ running on trails. (Obviously, since we’re talking about a shoe…
Palm Descender kayak shoes review
There are all kinds of paddlers out there, ranging from dabblers who mostly like to launch from sandy beaches and use sit-on-top craft and SUPs in the height of summer,…
Keen Drift Creek H2 sandals review
In the warmer months, sandals are an ideal form of paddling footwear, especially for more casual canoe and kayak trips. I know from previous experience that US brand Keen make…
Salomon Amphib Bold 2 water sneakers review
Best known for high-end running and trail-orientated footwear, fleet-footed French brand Salomon have gone off on a bit of a tangent with the Amphib Bold shoes, which are designed to…
Best kayak shoes for protecting your feet during all sorts of paddling adventures
There are myriad styles of paddling footwear available – from wetsuit booties to sneaker-like water shoes and sandals – but the most important function of the best kayak shoes is…
Cambridge Kayak Deluxe padded kayaking seat review
Made by a family run business that specialises in kayaks and paddling equipment, and which is based amid the aquascape of Norfolk in the UK, the Cambridge Kayak Deluxe padded…
Decathlon Tribord 500 Polarised Sunglasses review
Some people dismiss Decathlon kit as cheap and cheerful, but I have visited the French company’s impressive design base in the Alps, and witnessed the thorough testing process the gear…
Best kayak seats and SUP seats for back support on paddling adventures
Alongside stand-up paddleboards, sit-on-top kayaks are easily the most popular paddling craft on the water, especially in summer, and most people kick off their kayaking journey on such boats. Popular…
Koo Cosmo sunglasses review
The Cosmo shades from Italian eyewear brand Koo are not intended for epic, expedition-style sea kayaking or boating missions off-shore or along tricky and technical coastlines, but boasting oceans of…
Tifosi Crit Enliven Off-Shore Lens Sunglasses review
Originally conceived and designed for boat-based fishing folk, Tifosi’s Crit shades with Enliven Off-Shore lenses can also claim to be among the best kayaking sunglasses, thanks to their frame design…
Bollé Holman Floatable Sunglasses review
Bollé’s Holman Floatable sunglasses have been made for wearing during active outdoor sports – specifically adventures on and around water. But, while packing them full of features that add levels…
Oakley Split Shot sunglasses review
California-based eyewear brand Oakley know a thing or two about making sunglasses that look effortlessly cool while protecting your peepers and providing peak performance, and the polarized Split Shots are…
Gill Marine Edge Boots review
The excellent Edge Boots from British sailing brand Gill Marine claim to provide all-season, full-foot protection for paddlers and boaters exploring any kind of coastscape, in all sorts of conditions.…
Best kayaking sunglasses: Sturdy pairs for kayak, canoe and paddleboard adventures
Going out for a paddle on a sunny day is a sensationally enjoyable experience, but water reflects glare and it’s vitally important to protect your eyes from solar damage. The…
The best dry bags for kayaking: for keeping kit dry during all kinds of paddling adventures
There is nothing worse than getting to a take-out point after a paddle, only to find your ‘dry’ gear, provisions or camping equipment has been soaked through while you’ve been…
Best kayak bilge pumps for quickly and efficiently emptying your boat
For anyone doing any sort of serious paddling in a sit-inside kayak – from going out for a few hours or the whole day along rivers and around coastlines, to…