Who doesn’t like schwag? We here at Paddling Life certainly do, whether it’s as big as a boat or as small as a stove. From sunshirts to sea kayaks, below we bring you a sampling of gear we put through its paces throughout the summer to save you the weary task of having to do the same. (No need to thanks us; we’re sure you’d do the same).
SMBL Skyward Sun Hoody
SMBL’s graphene-powered Skyward Sun Hoody keeps you cool when the going gets hot, and warm when it’s chilly, whether you’re on a sit-on-top, surfboard or SUP. The key? Graphene, that uber material that’s breathable, durable, odor-resistant, quick drying and comfy as your PJs.
The fabric has incredible tensile strength, breathability, durability and abrasion resistance, while still offering a lightweight, dry-to-the-touch feel. It’s also anti-microbial: graphene breaks down bacteria at the cellular level, offering long-term odor resistance. But perhaps best yet is its “adaptive thermoregulation”; graphene’s high thermal conductivity pulls heat away from your body in the sun and helps retain warmth in cooler air. The graphene and subtle grid pattern also give it a UP50 rating against the sun; and its UV shielding is woven into the fibers, not added as a topical finish, so it won’t degrade or wash out over time. All this makes this technical, lightweight and durable torso pleaser their #1 bestseller, with a natural feel, ‘no cling’ fit, and built-in sun protection that won’t wash out. Another nice touch: a zippered stash pocket that disappears until you need it. We tested it out sea kayaking in Baja (truthfully wearing it five days in a row) and felt like it belonged there as much as the belugas. Bonus: SMBL recently expanded their lineup with a MTB kit as well.
Bajío Hopedale/Cometa Sunglasses
These stylie, sustainably made shades are built for sunny days on the water or shore, and sunset happy hour afterward. Bajío’s surf-inspired collection includes four standout frames (from small to XL), blending laid-back style with serious performance. Details like the Sun Ledge (hidden sun blockers), medium-wrap frame, interior rubber tips, recessed nose pads, and LAPIS™ lens technology to reduce glare and block eye-fatiguing blue light make them perfect for paddlers scouting the line ahead or eyeing those porpoise fins or rising fish. (The tech blocks 95% of bad blue light, most of harsh yellow, and 100% of UV light, providing better color enhancement). The Hopedale model adds durable barrel hinges and polarized, blue light-blocking lenses, perfect for anglers.
Got an RX? Bajio has also revamped their prescription tech with their new SEA Zone prescription program, designed specifically for boaters and anglers. It’s the world’s first fishing-focused prescription lenses and a proprietary, customized solution with its Fishing Specific SEA Zone Prescription Tech, testing and designed specifically for anglers by reducing motion sensitivity and making your vision more comfortable, natural and effortless (yes, we caught a fish while wearing them). They’re available in both Single Vision and Progressive lenses, both perfect for when you’re on the move by eliminating annoying peripheral blur and delivering a wider zone of vision (techy stat: 30% larger clear vision area and 13% less lateral distortion). In fact, they’re clearest prescription lenses available by blocking more blue light than any other brand).
Huffy Good Vibrations Beach Cruiser (26-inch)
If you’re living in a beach town like SoCal’s Encinitas and want a low-maintenance, stylish, and comfy bike for summer supping, surfing and more, Huffy’s Good Vibrations Beach Cruiser totally fits the bill. It’s a single-speed cruiser style with a retro-inspired frame design, complete with a padded saddle with springs and ergonomic grips for comfort. A sturdy, steel frame, coaster brakes and fenders add to the classic style, with the fenders keeping you dry. I rode it all summer around Encinitas, and seriously love it. It’s cute, comfortable, and just makes getting around town feel easy and fun. My boyfriend and I even made a game out of building it—we timed ourselves with a goal of finishing under 45 minutes. We had it fully assembled in 29, which gave us 16 minutes back in our day; it’s as easy to put together as it is to ride around. Other things we liked: the seat is wide and cushy, and the upright handlebars make it relaxed to ride—perfect for cruising to the beach, grabbing coffee, or heading to the farmers market. I even added a surfboard rack to mine, and now can just throw on my wetsuit, strap my board on, and bike to the break instead of driving and dealing with parking. It’s a total game changer. Also, the pink color is a hit—soft and pretty without being over-the-top. I get compliments on it all the time!
—Brooke Buchanan
Sunhoodies from Huk
In a summer of sunhoodies, we also got our hands on the Huk Airweight KC Printed Hoodie, testing it out surfing and supping the beaches and breaks of SoCal. The Men’s Airweight Printed Hoodie is money, whether you’re on the water, day hiking or setting up camp. What we noticed most is its buttery-soft fabric (breathable and quick-dry), making us keep it on even in the sack. Joining its comfort factor is great stretch for when you have to get those strokes in (i.e. dodging that wave or making that move in a rapid), UPF 40+ sun protection, and an anti-microbial finish to thwart age-old paddler stench. We also liked its loose-fit hood—perfect for going over a PaddlingLife ballcap). Paddling where it’s hot? This baby has you covered. (Bonus: also try their Icon Shorts and tasc Long Sleeve Hoodie).
No more sleeping on the ground at put-ins and takeouts with the new Luno mattress, making put-in camping a cozy and comfy snap. Tailored to fit to truck beds (ours came to fit perfectly inside a six-foot-bed Toyota Tacoma), it’s spacious enough for two people (and, yes, our golden retriever Banjo at our feet).
With paddlers a generally rough-around-the-edges bunch, also of note is its durable, puncture-proof 300D Oxford fabric—it’s not going to pop unless you do something really stupid like use it as a cutting board. Simply inflate it with the included electric pump in mere minutes (or just one side when traveling solo) and get ready to enter slumberville on four inches of air-filled cozyville. When you’re through and need that room back in your truck (i.e. for crammed-in shuttle passengers), simply roll it up into the size of a sleeping bag. We put it through its paces on paddling and mountain biking road trips throughout Colorado and have never slept better (but you still have to crawl out of your truck to pee).
NRS Stratos Shorty/Exp. DriDuffel
Paddling warm water somewhere? Lucky you. But you’ll be even luckier if you bring along NRS’s Stratos Shorty, the perfect layer for slipping over a quick-dry shirt in the tropics. We tested it out on four different rivers in Costa “Pura Vida” Rica and it fit the bill better than the beaks on the toucans flying overhead. They were out of Large so I went with the XL, which was a good call for my pectorally endowed 5’8” frame. What we liked: comfy and unobtrusive GlideSkin™ neck and arm seals, a “paddler’s cut” for unrestricted paddling motions and easy layering, and bomber hook-and-loop neoprene waist. Its Hyprotex™ 2.5 material was also the ocelot’s meow—lightweight, waterproof and breathable, making it perfect for the tropics. As well as keeping us dry, it kept the breeze from hauling butt through Class III-IV whitewater at bay. But what we liked equally well is its bomber, coated-nylon inner double tunnel that overlaps with your spray skirt to keep water out of your boat. In a true self-entitled testament to how much we liked it, we kept it for ourselves instead of giving it to the guides.
We also got our hands on the Expedition Dry Duffel, which was the schnozzle as well. The TRU® Zip closure delivers a waterproof seal, with a toothless design that’s self-repairing, eliminating maintenance while letting you easily access items you need quickly. For durability, heavy-duty UV- and wear-resistant PVC-free material with RF-welded seams keep contents bone dry while handling the wear and tear of any river trip. On the dryness scale, it has a PX7 Rating, meaning when zipped, contents are protected against water immersion for 30 minutes up to 1 meter deep—you ought to be able to get your raft flipped back over in that time. Another nice touch: a stackable flat-base design that makes packing, storing and rigging easy, as well as removeable carry strap. For smaller items or self-support missions coms the 12L lap bag.www.nrs.com
The lightweight, compact LifeStraw Sip is ideal for any paddling adventure, big or small, providing reliable access to clean water from nearly any source, filtering out bacteria, parasites, microplastics, and more. Slip it in your PFD pocket or day bag and you can stay hydrated anywhere. In a sketch third-world town getting to your put-in? Use it on questionable tap water as well. 
Slim and lightweight (less than 3 ounces), it’s reusable, with the filter lasting up to 1,000 liters–over a year of daily use. And it takes no batteries or electrical outlets; simply sip through the straw, and let the filter work its magic. Bonus: they’re a B Corp and Climate Neutral Certified brand, and for every LifeStraw product purchased, a child in need receives safe drinking water for a year.