Apparel

Freewaters new flip flop sandals, fitted with Therm-a-Rest footbeds, make a breakthrough in footwear design -- with the added benefit of supporting clean water projects for some of the world's neediest people.

Level Six paddling apparel introduces its Hydro-Shield nano-technology, infused into the yarn before it is woven with a highly water-resistant finish.

If you want to test out apparel made specifically for getting wet, it helps to do so on the manufacturer’s home turf. And if that turf involves surf, so much the better. Such was the case when, on vacation in Maui, we found ourselves Supping with Bluesmiths founder John Smalley, whose apparel line is making waves as fast as its wearers are catching them….

What kind of schwag do you bring on a 60-mile canoe trip in the Canyonlands? Whatever is up to the task. PL (in company of 12 kids and eight “grown-ups," if you can call us that) whiled away the dog days of August canoeing Canyonlands National Park. And while we tested out a slew of canoes and paddles, we also put an array of accessories to the task, from newschool firestarters and firepans to SUPs and sleeping bags. Here’s the rundown...

Once a year, industry bigwigs gather in Salt Lake City for the annual Outdoor Retailer tradeshow, where those lucky enough to attend can ooh and ahh over paddlesport manufacturers' new designs for the upcoming year. For those smart enough to stay on the water instead, here's a quick PL sneak peak of what the tradeshow cronies will see...

When the river starts pumping, it’s time to break out your spring and summer wardrobe. For us here at PaddlingLife, that means living in one outfit: dry top, helmet, life jacket, board shorts and water shoes, be it booties or a full water shoe. The last of this list is what this review is all about. We beat the streets to find the best treats for your feet.

Palm USA has launched a Shopatron-powered online store for Palm Equipment, Europe’s leading paddlesports apparel brand, to make it easier for customers to order product through regional paddlesport retailers.

All sorts of things in life are random…acts of kindness, currents out of nowhere grabbing your stern, even hitch hikers bumming shuttle. To celebrate sheer randomness, Paddling Life brings you this month’s Random Goodie Bag, a sampling of gear and accessories that has come across our transom over the long winter months. Included in this indiscriminate line-up: Fluid’s newest surf kayak, Bomber Gear’s K-bomb spray skirt, and Wanderer Imports’ Maori Hei-Matua necklace for river-running juju.

Christmas is here. And we’ve got a few tips for all of you last minute shoppers scrambling to get the right gifts for your paddling partners. We asked Bend, OR pro Kim Russell, 19, what she uses for gear, and what she’d give to the whitewater junkie in your life.

Get your loose change together – gear prices drop with the falling mercury and it’s starting to get cool out. A new drytop will keep you smiling well into winter, and PL helps you through the choosing process by pitting two tops from the ends of the spectrum against each other: Peak UK’s Deluxe HD and Kokatat’s Rogue Gore-Tex. Set for this year but want to know what next year will bring? Check out the freshest NRS top ever.

The Paddling Life editors recently went through some of their favorite accessories in the gear closet and came up with these fine offerings. There's plenty of quality whitewater equipment out there this spring. We'll keep you updated as more goods flow through our closet. For now, feast your eyes on these must haves.

Kokatat’s highly regarded GORE-TEX Meridian dry suit ($1,000) is specifically designed for kayakers, and now, women.

Before you disregard Royal Robbins clothing as preppy street garb, remember the man who made the brand. Robbins completed more than 30 first descents from Chili to California, including Devil’s Postpile of the San Joaquin, an overnighter that is tough by today’s Class V standards.

We love rivers. We know gear. So here's our Spring Picks, including Pyranha, Dagger, Jackson and Liquidlogic WW kayaks; drysuits from IR, Kokatat and Palm; and a review of Yakima's SkyBox Pro. Every piece thoroughly tested. That’s why it’s here. We like it. If it was up to us, we’d own it all.

Joe Carberry recently visited Portland, Oregon on a gear testing trip and the water was gushing. Bloated waterfalls and steep waves were par for the course, as were cold hands and ice-cold beer. Following is a run down of the gear he abused: Helemts--The Sweet Rocker S1; paddles: The AT 2; Palm Torrent Drysuit; PFD: Salus; Boat: Liquidlogic Ronin