Gear Review: Bending Branches Sunrise Glass Kayak Paddle

Go lightweight with this adjustable kayak paddle from Bending Branches.

[kayak paddle]

Paddles are to boating what boots are to hiking: your point of contact. Critical gear, to be sure, but that doesn’t mean you have to go overboard with expensive frills. The two-piece Sunrise paddle (220, 230, or 240 cm) offers the perfect blend of performance and price.

At just 35 ounces, its lightweight fiberglass shaft (with drip rings to keep water at bay) keeps arms from getting fatigued and sore, while 89-square-inch blades combine power and efficiency. Plus, an adjustable ferrule on the shaft lets you customize the blade angle to either 0- (neutral) or 60-degree offsets, left or right. High-visibility yellow or green polypropylene blades let your friends easily see you leaving them in your wake. $100; 2 lbs. 3 oz.; bendingbranches.com

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