Kayak fishing is a great outdoor hobby. It can be addicting because it’s a lot of fun! If you want to enjoy your next kayak water adventures, you have to make sure that you have great kayak paddles for effortless paddling, so you can reach far and beyond. Whether you’re a casual outdoor goer or a professional, having high-quality kayak paddles makes a difference. Long and short tours involve thousands of strokes.
Before you buy your kayak paddles, it’s great to read product reviews. In this post, we’ll help you choose the best kayak paddles so you can make a smart buying decision. By doing so, you will have a peace of mind that you can use your kayak paddles for many years to come! So, let’s get started!
How to Choose the Best Kayak Paddles?
When choosing kayak paddles, you have to consider the length, materials, price, blade choice, and the shaft choice. The length of your paddles is influenced by the width of the boat and your height. When it comes to the materials, you need to ensure that your paddles are lightweight. The size and shape of the blades affect the efficiency and performance of the kayak paddles in the water. Also, the feathered blades or bent shaft improves the effectiveness of the paddle. Let’s find out more!
1. Paddle Length
If your boat is wider, you need a longer paddle. Your height is an important factor when choosing the right kayak paddle for you. If you have a narrow boat and you’re a tall person, you need a longer paddle.
2. Low-Angle and High-Angle Paddles
The low-angle stroke is performed with the shaft slightly tilted. Your top hand should stay below the shoulder level, which is ideal for recreational and relaxed kayaking in flat waters. The high-angle stroke features a more tilted shaft with the blade path close to the boat. This stroke promotes more speed, requiring precision. This stroke requires a wider blade and a shorter paddle.
3. Materials
By saving weight through the materials used, a lightweight material raises the performance of the paddle and of course, the price. The material used for the blade also differs in the amount of energy transferred to your stroke. Plastic is also called polypropylene or polymer, which are plastic blends that are infused with fiberglass or nylon. Plastic produces a modest performance. Composite is the term referring to fiberglass and carbon-fiber, which offer the best energy transfer and excellent paddling performance.
4. Blade Design
Choose a kayak paddle with an asymmetrical blade for uniformity when it is pushing the water. Make sure to also ensure that it has a dihedral blade for a smooth and even flow to track straight effortlessly.
5. Shaft Design
Bent-shaft kayak paddles usually have a “kinked” portion which positions your hands at a comfortable angle, minimizing fatigue and discomfort in your joints during power strokes. Small-diameter shafts promote less fatiguing grip if you have small hands.
10 Best Kayak Paddles to Buy in 2019 Product Review
1. Werner Camano Kayak Paddle
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This kayak paddle is made of premium fiberglass. It has a mid-size blade that provides an excellent combination of ease of stroke and gentle power. With the light swing weight, it reduces stress and fatigue. The blade design is advanced dihedral, creating stable forward strokes.
When it comes to the shaft, it has a standard diameter of 7 inches which can accommodate your hands. The Werner Camano Kayak Paddle has a low-angle paddle design, featuring a straight carbon shaft. It is easy to use, durable, stiff, lightweight, and the blades are made of fiberglass. It measures 54 x 7 x 2 inches and weighs 2.79 pounds.
Conclusion: The Werner Camano Kayak Paddle is perfect for paddlers who aim power. It is also a good paddle for a relaxed touring stroke. It offers a good balance of weight for a light swing and smooth strokes.
Pros
● Lightweight
● Propels well
● Excellent feathering multiple adjustments
● Peals effortlessly through the water
Cons
● Oscillates up and down in a light pull
2. Sting Ray Carbon Kayak Paddle by AQUA BOUND
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This Aqua-Bound is a 2-Piece kayak paddle with mid-sized blades (measures 91 sq. inches). It is made of resin with carbon fibers. The shaft is all carbon. This kayak paddle weighs 28.75 ounces which is a light kayak paddle perfect for flat waters.
Use the Sting Ray Carbon with minimal fatigue because of its low swing weight. Take a comfortable kayak journey every time. You’ll be impressed with the Posi-Lok ferrule system and the classic Snap-Button ferrule features too.
Conclusion: The lengths available include 210 cm to 250 cm in 10 cm increments. Have a peace of mind that you got a high-quality paddle because Aqua-Bound paddles are assembled in the USA!
Pros
● Light
● Easy to assemble
● Promotes effortless paddling
● Excellent grip
● Stiff and durable
Cons
● Blades aren’t carbon
3. Magic Plus Kayak Paddle by Carlisle
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This kayak paddle is specifically designed for recreational kayak paddlers. It provides great performance at a great value. You’ll love the versatility if offers with balanced asymmetrical blades, reducing torque and minimizing wrist fatigue.
Keep going with Magic Plus with slight spooning blades, grabbing more water and providing more power required when paddling a 10- to 12-foot recreational kayak. Also, the shaft is made of fiberglass, providing a stiffness and flex for strong paddle strokes and joint stress reduction.
Conclusion: This Carlisle’s kayak has an asymmetrical and slightly spooned blade. The shaft is lightweight and flexible, producing smooth and powerful strokes.
Pros
● Efficient
● Powerful
● Durable
Cons
● Quite heavy
● Thick shaft
4. Werner Cyprus Kayak Paddle ( Straight Shaft)
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The Werner Cyprus Kayak Paddle comes with 2 pieces with mid-size blades that can fit a any type of paddlers. It is versatile so it is suitable even for advanced maneuvering and all-around touring experience. It measures 53 x 8 x 6 inches and weighs 2.82 pounds.
You’ll love the lightweight, durable, and performance core blades. This kayak paddle creates smooth linking stokes and powerful catch. It is extremely stable for rolling and bracing. You’ll be impressed with the high-angle design of the blade.
Conclusion: The Werner Cyprus Kayak Paddle has a carbon weave and high-quality core blades, giving a lightweight and powerful paddling performance. The dihedral blade promotes smooth forward strokes.
Pros
● Lightweight
● Propels well
● Perfect blade size
Cons
● Further testing needed
5. Bending Branches Angler Classic Fishing Kayak Paddle
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The Bending Branches Angler Classic Fishing Kayak Paddle measures 49 x 7 x 4 inches. It boasts its durability and reliability, which is a high-performing paddle for your kayak adventures. You’ll love the classic style and great strength. This kayak paddle allows you to smoothly paddle and pull through the waters while maintaining flutter-free strokes regardless of your skill level.
The blades are rugged and made of fiberglass, offering a perfect blend of durability and weight, that result in smooth paddling. Experience less fatigue and a more comfortable kayaking experience even if you have a heavy load. Another feature is the convenient hook-retrieval notch blade, enabling you to rescue your line in a less-than-perfect cast.
This kayak paddle is a convenient and efficient tool you can use for you next kayak adventure. You’ll be obsessed with your new found love even more. It comes with a Sage Green blade color to help you sneaking the fish. It also comes with another color option, the Autumn Orange blade for a bright option, perfect underwater.
Conclusion: The Bending Branches Angler Classic Fishing Kayak Paddle has an adjustable construction, making it a great recreational paddle that you can easily separate into pieces for easy transport and storage. It has a shaft tape measure as well as a hook retrieval feature that is built within the blade.
Pros
● High-quality
● Lightweight
● Anti-snag function
Cons
● Expensive
6. Advanced Elements Kayak Paddle (Compact Touring)
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The Advanced Elements Kayak Paddle is a portable, lightweight, and reliable kayak paddle that can bring out the fun and excitement of your kayak adventures. It has asymmetrical blades for smooth forward strokes.
This kayak paddle measures 20 x 15 x 15 inches and weighs 2 pounds. It is durable with the blades made of glass-filled nylon. The blades are asymmetrical and dihedral. The shaft is made of aluminum alloy.
Conclusion: The blade angle of this kayak paddle is 60 degrees. It is unfeathered.
Pros
● Suitable for casual use
● Work on deep grooves
● Straightforward assembly
Cons
● No paddle grip
7. Cannon Escape E Kayak Paddle
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The Cannon Escape kayak paddle is a perfect all-purpose kayak paddle for every kayak enthusiast. It is both comfortable and durable, accommodating all types of kayaking. The blades are made of durable and lightweight fiberglass, offering stable enhanced blade, so you can easily pull it out through the waters.
When it comes to the shaft, it is made of anodized and heat-treated aluminum ovalized in both grip areas for maximum control and comfort. This paddle has a 2-piece design. It has three blades that offset the angle settings. The blade angle is 60 degrees on the right and left, which is also unfeathered.
Conclusion: This kayak paddle is a great entry-level paddle which is durable and lightweight. It offers excellent blade stability and performance. It’s made in the USA.
Pros
● Economy paddles
● Comfortable to use
● Effortless
● Well-made
● Durable
Cons
● Basic handles
8. TRAC-Outdoor Curved Kayak Paddle
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The TRAC-Outdoor Curved Kayak Paddle is made of anodized aluminum shaft. The blades are made of fiberglass which is reinforced by polypropylene. It has three feather settings with push-button to help you with proper positioning.
You can easily store and transport this kayak paddle because you can disassemble into two pieces for convenient storage. It measures 84 x 8 x 2 inches and weighs 1.38 pounds. Paddlers with a small frame should get a smaller paddle. You can adjust the paddles to line up straight and separate holes are available so you can offset them as desired.
Conclusion: This kayak paddle is a durable and reliable paddle you can use for any kayaking adventure. It is extra wide and has drip guards for convenient paddling experience.
Pros
● Smooth in water
● Extra wide
● Solid construction
● Drip guards
Cons
● Not accurate description
9. SeaSense Kayak Paddle
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The SeaSense Kayak Paddle is an 84 inches kayak paddle with two-piece aluminum construction. It is lightweight and comes with black molded blades made of plastic. The drip guards are adjustable and the rubber grips actually float.
The SeaSense Kayak Paddle measures 1.8 x 6.8 x 44 inches. If you accidentally dropped this paddle in the water, it will float. You can adjust the paddles too and turn the blades in different positions.
Conclusion: This kayak paddle is versatile and lightweight. It is easy to use in any kayak venue. This kayak paddle also comes with amazing features. You can have three positions because you can lock the paddles depending on your desired position or angle.
Pros
● Feels good
● Great price
● Easy to store
● Easy to transport
Cons
● Glare issue
10. Shoreline Marine Kayak Paddle
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The Shoreline Marine Kayak Paddles have drip guards. They keep you dry for a more enjoyable kayaking experience. They also have three positioning systems. The blades are contour molded and they come with foam grips too.
Because the Shoreline Marine Kayak Paddles have high-quality materials, they offer superior durability and maximized comfort. The two halves are connected with a metal piece for sturdy use. The dimension of the blade is 18 inches in length. The widest point is 7 inches.
Conclusion: The Shoreline Marine Kayak Paddles are durable and convenient to use. If ever you accidentally drop these paddles in water, they will stay floating for a short time.
Pros
● Gives more reach and power
● Comfortable grip
● Great price
Cons
● Lack of padding
General Conclusion
If you want to enjoy a fun and unforgettable kayaking adventure, be sure to invest in a high-quality kayak paddle you can afford. Now you are more aware and knowledgeable about choosing the best kayak paddles, so you can make the right decision of what brand to use. Enjoy every journey with a trusted, durable, and lightweight kayak paddle!
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