Liquidlogic Stomper 90 Review

Stout this, brown that, crush it, blah blah blah.
Review by: Kyle Smith
Specs: 5’ 9”
Weight: 165
Paddling Career: The only career track I have ever had.
Sponsors:

• Toyota Tercel a.k.a Starship Alpha
• Live Agape board shorts.
• Any friend that will let me sleep on their couch.
• Mom and Dad

Sure there are a lot of great paddlers out there pushing the limits in huge water and cascading off of falls. But what are they paddling and why? Sure I know the boat engages gravity just fine when it breaches the horizon line of Metlako Falls, a barrel can do that does just as well, but how much gear can I pack in it for self support missions, can it hold a line when I am most committed, does it stay on top of water that is so aerated that one could nearly breathe in it, and is there a beer coozy?

As a diehard Jefe fan, it was tough to convince me that the Stomper, or any boat for that matter, could live up to the tried and true Boss. However, I have put the Stomper 90 through the ringer all throughout Ecuadorian creeks, Peruvian self supports, Futalafeu safety kayak sessions, Pacific North West Little White laps, and then some. After returning back to the states, the stomper and I definitely had a relationship. And with any relationship, there are ups and downs.

This is a review of the newest Liquid Logic creek boat model, the Stomper 90. A number of creek boat seats have graced my behind throughout my padding career, most of which have been of the Liquid Logic BadAss family, beginning with the Jefe, moving to the Jefe Grande, then the Remix 69 and currently, the Stomper 90. I’ve paddled a few other creek boat lines but continue to return to LL.

Pro’s:

The Stomper floats me high, so I can read big features way before a potential beat down graces me with its presence. When submerged, especially after accidentally plugging a drop or big wave, the stomper rockets skyward as if to say “don’t worry, I’ll clean up your mess.” This holds especially true when boofing. Take a decent boof stroke, and prepare for lift off. When flying off of drops, that extra volume in the stern gives paddlers the full disconnect, kicking out hard from the top. “My what large rocker you have Stomper!” “All the better to send it with my dear.” The rocker also helps to keep the bow above the foam pile in that last second approach to those tight sticky pour overs.

When the stomper drops into a hole under velocity, which I do regularly, it tends to exit just as quickly. Volume, it turns out, doesn’t enjoy being submerged and all that descent momentum, has to go somewhere. The shape of the boat engages that downstream vector and follows its lead by planing out. The boat just doesn’t seem to like staying under water. It’s science! Thanks Shane Benedict for using that engineering degree on something useful to dirtbag kayakers world wide.

LL turned the volume knob up and down in a few places; giving the stern a little more acceleration when you really need to make a move, but not sacrificing the storage space for those multidays. I was able to pack a 9 day self support trip into this boat on the Mupachu River, Peru, and still feel confident paddling class V that, as an Idaho boy, felt comparable to the Milner Mile or North Fork Payette a few of the days. The stern and bow consisted of 10 cans of sardines, 6 of tuna, 5 of mystery beans, 5 packets of dehydrated potatoes, 50 some candy bars, 20 cups of rice, 20 of quinoa, 40 cups of random maltomeal, 1 pound of protein powder, a metric sh#t ton of garlic, a bottle of spirits for the really scary mornings, spices to help suffering through 8 of the same dinners tolerable, 5 sticks of salami, 5 quarter rounds of cheese, a giant bar of sugary chocolate for flavor, 5 kilos of almonds, 5 of raisins, and a bag of coco for kicks, along with 4 sleeping pads, 4bags, 2tents, 1 toothbrush, first aids, oh Sh#t Kits, crazy creeks, and a mandatory Frisbee. All split amongst 4 dirt bags and their respective LL creek boats. On that note, I paddled the stomper with a Large deck sprayskirt securely, but upon ordering a new skirt, the boys and girls at snapdragon recommended an XL to reduce wear on the shockchord.
The chines are a new innovation that land somewhere amongst the Bliss-stick Mystic, the Liquid Logic Jefe, and Pyranha’s Burn. They have some nice smarp lines (smooth but sharp) that still hold a solid edge when zipping in and out of tight eddies, yet remain forgiving in those moments when a window shade seems inevitable. The soft edges allow for adjustment of angle while still contacting said boof objects; trees, rocks, bottom of friends boats, etc. More flat hulls tend to limit a kayakers choice when setting angle off of a drop. On big water, the soft edges allow paddlers to worry less about getting whiplash from unexpected cross currents, and more about how much more fun their having than there buddy who’s careening down the eddy line upside down.

Outfitting; it’s incredibly comfortable and easy to make hip pad adjustments with specialized Velcro shims. When wearing board shorts, pop in an extra shim. When paddling with a drysuit, pop one out. The renovated BadAss outfitting also allows for easy access to the back compartment, which was always a bit of a mission to pack in the past. The metal used for the adjustable bulkhead rails is burly. Yes, I’m sure it adds a little weight. After a friends rail snapped the other day in his Burn while creeking, leaving a paddle out with no bulk head, I’ll make the sacrifice, toughen up, and shoulder the extra few ounces. The ergonomics of the outfitting also set a paddler nice and upright with knees comfortably positioned for bracing. The new outfitting also has two carabiner attachment points molded into the seat plastic behind the backband which is great if you are looking to secure a throw bag, float bag, pin kit, etc. They are a little bit in the way when really cram packing the boat, but can be maneuvered around with a little know how and ingenuity.
There is indeed an extra option to add a spare accessory compartment to the center pillar that just happens to fit a 24oz beverage perfectly.

Cons:

The stomper, like any loved one, comes with a few issues of it’s own.

While the edges are a bit sharper, a paddler needs to put a little more juice into it when popping into eddies. The soft chines, while forgiving and part of the saving grace of the LL creeking line, are not as committing and aggressive as many other pure planing hulls. A good paddler can make those tight eddies, but be wary of drifting out of the back door. Better throw in that extra stroke to be safe. Or, get the right size for you. The 90 seems appropriate for the 185 lbs paddler and up. But, at 165 and wanting one boat for creeking, big water, and self support, I sized up to the 90.

The new outfitting makes accessing the back compartment easier, but it also allows the back bands side bar to pop out of place and press almost directly on the hips. This is not really an issue for taller folks since they are not clicking the backband as tightly forward as shorter ones. When compared to the Nomad or Mystic, the Stomper does not fit as tightly on the thighs without doing a little customization. The flexibility and comfort of the outfitting, while versatile and convenient, leaves a little bit of wiggle room.

The stomper 80 is a more proper fit for my size (I hover on the edge of 80 & 90) and it definitely fits more tightly while not allowing the backband to pop. The gals also seem to love the 80 since they tend to have longer legs and shorter torsos than the boys. The 80 offering that snug fit right out of the gate. However, if you find yourself a vertically challenged person and lacking natural hip padding like myself and want a bigger boat for those overnighters or just want a little extra flotation, be ready to play with some foam. It’s easy enough to grab some adhesive/tape and a few sheets of foam to pad the 90 out in a tight and comfortable fashion. LL also has a patented seat riser pad to give the paddler just a little bit more loft. The difference between 80 and 90 is comparable to driving the high performance 87 Toyota Tercel and the 87 Subaru DL Wagon. Both amazing kayaking vehicles, one with slightly more room but still a high performance sports shuttle vehicle by any true kayakers standards. Personal paddling preference? I think so.

Overall:

I wrapped a stomper up in a black bag and snuck it by antikayaker airport personnel by the skin of my teeth. So nervous that we weren’t going to get our boats on board, my compadre got a nosebleed in the PDX check in line. The crew Stomped about South America. We paddled steep Baeza creeks with beta from Darcy Gaetcher and crew. We ran scary flooded chocolate brown river multi-days in Peru. I drug the stomper fully loaded into 2 of the world’s deepest canyons, the Colca and Cotahuasi. Giant stratified folds of young crumbling canyons swathed us in the depths of their gorges while river otters playfully floated through rapids besides our campsites. I gringoed my way to Futalefeu, Chile. Safety kayaked big water for a couple of Futa companies. Casually sat in giant boily eddies in turbulent rapids. Fished from the cockpit on mellow water. Sold a beloved stomper that had seen some trials and tribulations in South America and picked up a new one the second my feet hit American soil. Vive Tour De Suenos!

The Kokatat Ronin Pro Rescue PFD Review

When someone mentions Kokatat, the first thing that comes to mind is the GMER dry suit and Rogue dry top. Both have a reputation for being the best outer layers on the market. The name Kokatat is synonymous with superior customer service, being a “lifetime” product (or as close as paddling gear can be), and a high performance comfortable fit. The Kokatat Ronin Pro rescue PFD has all of the same qualities. It offers a lot of protection and comfort, has more flotation than other comparable rescue vests, is loaded with all kinds of useful features, and is built with a 500D Cordura shell that will last for eons. We would not really expect anything less from this PFD because it is a Kokatat.

Not to mention names or anything, but you can recognize the paddler wearing the Ronin Pro by the helmet.

Specs:

Pro’s:

• LOTS OF FLOTATION: The L/XL Ronin Pro has 17 lbs of Gaia (PVC free) flotation, and the primary competition offers 15.5 lbs. This means that the Ronin Pro will appeal to larger paddlers, or someone who has just had a scary swim on a big rapid. The Ronin will float you higher out of the water, and keep you submersed for a shorter period of time if (and when) you get dunked in a hydraulic while swimming down river. There is a reason that you see the Ronin Pro on so many big water runs.
  

  A big drop with lots of water, needs a PFD with plenty of float, that stays on well.

• COMFORTABLE, PERFORMANCE FIT:There are quite a few adjustment tabs to dial in the fit, and the overall cut of the PFD is one that feels like you’re wearing a play boating jacket with unrestricted movement. One cool thing about the jacket is that it has great rib and back / spine protection. With 17 lbs of float on average, you can have your cake and eat it too with the Ronin. Plenty of comfort, but also loads of protection.
  

  2 adjustment tabs on each side

  

  Upper torsional adjustments. Cinch it down for a secure fit that will not ride up.

  

  Heavy duty adjustment harness

• LOTS OF STORAGE: The front storage pocket is huge. It’s got a zipper on the side, and mesh drain on the bottom. There is a second pocket on the side, that is a little more hidden. If you’re going to do some over night trips, and want to max out on the amount of gear that you can bring with you, the Ronin is a PFD to look at. If you’ve got a Grand Canyon self support trip in your future, this vest was meant for you; lots of volume for big water, and enough storage for the kitchen sink.
  

  Stuff the pockets full and keep it on your person.

  

  The front pocket with mesh drain panel.

  

  Storage pocket #2 on the side.

• SAFETY AND REDUNDANCY:The front entry has a YKK zipper, bungee safety loop for the zipper, and a Fastex buckle. Again, if you’re a big water paddler, you’ll be rest assured that the Ronin Pro is going to stay on.
  

  Zipper and fastex buckle

  

  Reflective piping.

  

  Type V PFD.

• DURABLE:500D Cordura is the equivalent of a pair of double front Carhartt work pants. It will take a while to break in, but will last for a long, long time. The whole jacket is built to the 9′s.
  

  500 denier Cordura with the Kokatat stamp of approval.

• UP TO 18 LBS OF FLOAT!Again, the Ronin floats well, and fits like a glove. The best way to get a feel for how the extra float helps, is to swim the same rapid in 2 different PFD’s. If you are just learning to kayak or SUP, look at the Ronin (or Ronin Pro). Chances are you will be spending some time in the water, and every extra pound of buoyancy helps.
  

  Up to 18 lbs of float. Awesome big water PFD.

Con’s:

• PRICE: The Ronin was not designed to be a price point item. There are less expensive type V rescue vests for sale. In general, the less expensive ones will not have the fit, float and features of the Ronin. They also will not last as long.

The verdict:

The Kokatat Ronin Pro falls into the “best of the best” category. Every Kokatat item that we stock is considered to be as good as it gets. If you get on a whitewater kayak forum and search for the word “Kokatat”, you will see that 99.9% of the threads out there are geared towards their legendary customer service, awesome warranty, and quality of build.  The Ronin is no exception. It fills a void in the market for people that want a high mobility, high float, rescue vest. Besides having over a pound more flotation than the competition, it has some really smart features like a huge storage pocket and crucial safety redundancy on the front entry (zipper and Fastex buckle). It’s easy to adjust, fits really well, protects you all over (especially back and ribs) and is built with the most durable material available. If you’re a fan of the GMER dry suit, and want the same quality for your PFD, look at the Ronin Pro.

Register to win a Liquid Logic Stomper (any color / size) and an incredible accessory package including a Kokatat Ronin Pro. Sign up is quick and easy. Click on the link to enter (it’s mobile friendly):
http://woobox.com/ignnvm

The NRS Radiant 3.0 Wet Suit Review

Springtime in Colorado is a stellar place to test out a wet or dry suit. With air temps ranging from the 30′s to 70′s, and frigid water, we are able to put gear to the test (at the expense of our body’s core temps) in a very demanding environment. NRS sent us a batch of their new for 2012, Radiant wet suits. Upon taking them out of the bags, the first thing that we noticed was the fuzzy VaporLoft interior lining. It looked like a warm suit.
We waited for the air temps to dip just below 50 degrees before we tested them out. With the water temps being about 50 as well, we wanted the 100 degree rule (if the air temp + water temp equal a number less than 100, you should dress for potential hypothermic conditions) to be in full effect. There was a 15 mph wind as well, which sealed the deal.
How’d the Radiant stack up? After Stand Up Paddling for 2 hours at sunset, 3 nights in a row, we can safely say that this is one of the warmest wet suit options on the market. It was actually fun to paddle in the cooler temps, and hanging out in the water was not a problem. The Radiant is right up there with Patagonia wet suits that cost more than twice as much. Check out the review for details:

Hanging out fully submersed in the frigid Arkansas River in Spring. Why spend close to $1000 for a dry suit, when you can be warm for just over $200?

Specs:

Pro’s:

• WARM:Overall, the Radiant is extremely warm for only being 3mm. As previously mentioned, we used the wet suits in 50 degree air temps, sub 50 degree water and a 10-15 mph wind. Overall, the only reason that we quit paddling was because it was happy hour, and was getting dark outside. The Radiant is in fact so warm, that I had the opposite problem, and was too warm. From the time that I put the wet suit on at my house, to the time that I got in the water (15 min), I had broken a full body sweat.
  

  Chilling out in the river, but toasty on the inside.

• VaporLoft is the real deal.This synthetic fiber is awesome for a few different reasons. For starters, it’s a smooth material, which makes it easy to get in and out of this full body suit. It’s soft to the touch, which makes it comfortable to wear. It also increases your body’s core temp when wearing the suit. Another cool feature is that it does not absorb water. If you use the Radiant on a daily basis, you will be getting in and out of a dry wet suit, not a sopping wet one.
  

  The comfortable, warm and hydrophobic VaporLoft lining.

• Great protection:The chest and stomach area is protected with a “rawhide neoprene panel”, which is basically a thick, sticky neoprene layer that will keep you a little bit warmer, and more importantly help you stay attached to your surfboard or SUP out on the water.
• Intuitive, durable and functional entry and zipper system:The beefy YKK ziper on the back is built to last. It has a long pull cord, which makes it very easy for someone to zip themselves up. There is a Velcro closure on the back of the neck, which ensures that the zipper will not come undone.
• Teraprene works!Teraprene is basically a 3mm neoprene that is lined with Titanium. The Ti reflects your body heat, allowing NRS to use a thinner weight neoprene, which is more supple. Considering that this wet suit compares with $500+ Patagonia wet suits  in terms of staying warm when fully submersed, I’d say that this technology works pretty well.
  

  3.0MM Teraprene is legit.

• The PowerSpan exterior material is stretchy:You will not feel restricted when engaging in high aerobic output activity like SUP surfing or swimming back to shore (which happens a lot when SUP surfing).
  

  Hanz and Franz approve of this wet suit. Unrestricted flexing 24/7.

• BEST SUP BASE LAYER OUT THERE FOR THE $$$$:For the value, this is the warmest, safest and most comfortable SUP base layer out there.Wear it under your board shorts and PFD (or top), and you will be warm and protected. If you add up the cost of neoprene bottoms and a top, you will soon realize, that you are better off just getting a full length wet suit like The Radiant, and calling it a day.
  

  The Perfect SUP base layer. Warm, comfortable, and awesome abrasion resistance.

• Lots of protection for river SUP:If you are SUP’ing in the river, and not swimming, you are not trying hard enough (or maybe you are Dan Gavere). One of the negative sides to down river SUP, and even surfing, is that you spend more time in the water, than on top of it. The Radiant, will protect your arms, legs, chest and back from bony rapids. It has reinforcements in the knees, chest and stomach. If you had to choose between swimming a rapid in the Radiant, or in a dry suit, I would personally rather have a 3mm wet suit protecting my skin.
• Neck coverage:The little bit of neck coverage makes a difference in regards to overall warmth. It is nice to hop in the water and feel a warm layer of Teraprene wrapping around your neck and upper back. This is something that a Farmer John does not offer.
  

  The inch or 2 of Teraprene on the neck feels nice to the touch and adds warmth.

Product testing is a tough job, but somebody’s gotta do it!

Con’s:

• This is a wet suit not a dry suit: Although the Radiant has the ability to keep you warm, you will still be wet. A wet suit keeps you warm by heating up the water next to your skin. If you would like to be dry on the river (i.e – wear jeans and a t shirt underneath) then invest in a dry suit. This will cost a lot more, but will keep you bone dry.
• It costs more than a Farmer John:The Radiant costs about twice as much as a Farmer John. If you want the least expensive wet suit for the dollar, go with a farmer John or Jane. Keep in mind, The radiant is also twice as warm…It is better to spend a few extra bucks and be warm and comfortable IMHO. Hypothermia is no joke.
• No relief zipper:Back entry wet suits generally do not have front relief zippers. When nature calls, you are going to have to either take the whole suit off, or….

The Verdict:

The NRS Radiant wet suit fills a niche at CKS that has been empty for a long time. There are plenty of great full length wet suits out there, but most of them cost over $500. The Radiant has many of the same bells and whistles, and is just as warm. Coming in at $219, this suit is a bargain, and should be in the gear bag of any serious (or cold) Stand Up Paddler, rafter, or waterman/woman that spends as much time submersed in the water as they do on it.

The Liquidlogic Stomper Review

The Liquidlogic Stomper has been readily available for about a year. It’s one of the most popular creek boats for sale here at CKS, and one of best selling new designs out there. LL is known for building boats that run rivers well. This is their core focus, and the main reason that people buy the product. A great example of this is The Remix series. It’s a fairly traditional, extremely user friendly design that instills confidence in paddlers of all ability levels. The edges are “available”, but not trippy, the hull speed is great, and it’s outfitting is hands down the best in the industry. The Jefe series was built to  slay hard whitewater; the steeper the better. Loads of rocker, volume and hull speed, the boat kicks ass. It is a legend. A little while back, the wrecking crew at Liquid Logic got the idea to fuse together some design ideas from the Remix and Jefe, and create a “best of both worlds” creek boat. After many prototypes, and high water Green River sessions Shane and his team came out with The Stomper. This boat truly is a blend of both the Remix and Jefe. With a stable semi planing hull, MASSIVE volume in the stern,  and continuous rocker the Stomper literally blasts itself out of trouble. Between the velocity that a hull like this can generate, and the sheer volume in the stern, “it will make you feel like you have a helium balloon tied to your ass” – Ted Keyes. I’ve paddled the boat and would have to agree 100%. The Stomper has the unique ability to “land and leave”. You have to paddle it for yourself to see what it’s all about.

The LL wrecking crew. Best in the business.

Specs:

Pro’s:

• Tried and True:Liquidlogic is not afraid to take their time with prototyping. This is a smart move on their end. The Stomper is not a boat that went straight from CAD to production. It was paddled by some of the most talented and hard core creekers in the world (Evan Garcia, Adrienne Levknecht, Tommy Hilleke, John Grace, Jeff Paine, Shane Benedict, Woody, etc) on one of the hardest regularly paddled class V runs in the country (The Green River). This is a large part of the reason that the Stomper paddles so well. In short, it’s a refined design.
  

  The very beginnings of The Stomper...

• Easy to paddle: The Stomper has enough primary stability for intermediate boaters to have the confidence needed to take their boating to the next level. It’s got the volume for class V paddlers to safely paddle their way down many of the classics. In fact, it has enough volume in the stern that it’s now a great option for overnight expeditionary boating. Check out this video of the Stomper (the green boat in the vid) doing what it does best, on one of the hardest overnighters in the US, The Clarks Fork of The Yellowstone.
• Great for overnighters: As previously mentioned, the majority of volume in The Stomper is in the stern, which makes it a good boat to pack gear in. In addition to copious amounts of room for gear storage, and the most comfortable outfitting in the industry (good for long days on the river), the back band raises and lowers, making it much easier to load and unload long and cumbersome items like dry bags.
  

  Swiveling back back for easy access to storage in the stern. Smart.

• “LAND AND LEAVE” TECHNOLOGY:LL does not officially call it that, although they probably should (Shane coined the term). The design of this boat, truly gets you our of trouble in a hurry. There’s something about the rocker profile, hull length, semi-displacement hull and huge amount of volume in the stern, that causes this boat to land upright and stable, and literally accelerate out of holes, hydraulics and retentive features. This is obviously great for class V boaters who regularly lap The Green, Lake Creek, The Big South, etc. It is also GREAT for intermediate boaters, who are just getting into bigger and harder whitewater. A boat this stable (with this a semi flat hull and tons of volume), will land upright more often than not, allowing the paddler to focus on the rapid ahead of them, rather than worrying about bracing and taking 2-3 correctional strokes. 3 less strokes, and a little bit of hull speed equals a lot less stress when you are paddling your first class IV+ rapid that has 2-3 huge holes and a sketchy run out. Stomper = piece of mind.
  

  John Grace powering through a big hole.

• Paddles smaller than it really is:It’s pretty cool to be able to boof a 90 gallon boat that is easier to paddle than a traditional 80 gallon creeker. Again, at the risk of sounding like a broken record, the distribution of the volume in the stern allows average sized people to paddle this boat like one  that is 10 gallons less. This is similar to sub 25 lb mountain bikes with 6″ of travel. The days of having to deal with a huge and clunky piece of gear to get extreme performance are gone. So where is the volume exactly?? The stern is narrow but very tall. Because of this, the boat turns easily, is fast, and is also incredibly buoyant. Hence the “land and leave” technology term.
  

  Adrienne is a great example of a smaller paddler who styles an 80 gallon boat.

• BAD ASS OUTFITTING:You’ve seen it, you’ve sat in it, you love it. If you have not seen it, watch this video, and then go sit in one and check out the quality, support, innovation and comfort.
  
• Oversized cockpit:Fitting a L deck  skirt may take 2 people; an XL deck is preferred. Larger cockpits are easier to get in and out of in a hurry. This is a trend that we are seeing with modern creek boats. I spoke to Immersion Research and they recommend going with a Lucky Charm randed skirt in a XL deck size for creeking, and a XL deck Kling On for river running. The Kling On will be the driest of all of the IR skrits. SnapDragon reccomends going with an XL deck Reinforced skirt for river running, and an XL deck Armortex for creeking and expeditionary boating.
  

  The Stomper has a oversized cockpit.

Con’s:

• People have mentioned that you feel like you are sitting deep inside of the Stomper when you paddle it. The reason for this is because it has tall sidewalls, a fat stern, and is a big boat. Personally, I think that this feeling gives me a little bit of confidence, but others wish to sit up higher. This issue can be easily solved with some foam under the seat pad (or even Sweet Cheeks).
• Not a true displacement hull. You’ll notice that The Bomb Flow posse is still paddling Jefe’s in some of their videos. They are hucking 70+ foot drops on a regular basis, and want a boat with a rounder hull. If you truly want no edge on your boat, and a rounded hull for softer landings, look at The jefe.
• Hard to get in the color that you want. We sell through Stompers like lemonade on a hot summer day. It seems like as soon as an order of 20 arrives here at the warehouse, they are gone. Because of this the Black Ops boats (and other desirable colors) can be a little hard to obtain. Keep on looking if you want one; and put one on order soon.
• Extremely large people may not fit. Just because The Stomper is 90 gallons does not mean that Vince Wilfork is going to fit in one. It paddles smaller than it really is. If you are 6’5″+ or exceptionally heavy, you may want to sit in one before making your decision.

The verdict:

This boat is true to it’s name. It stomps big drops (and anything in it’s way) with speed and agility. It’s got just enough edge to keep you on line, and plenty of volume so you’ll sit high on top of the water. The highlight of this boat is the stern design (in combination with hull speed). It’ll save your ass (literally) over and over again. The hull is fast, and the stern is fat. You’ll start looking for holes to punch as soon as you get the feel for what this boat really can do. Aspiring creek boaters will love the primary stability, and the fact that the boat likes to land upright and on point. Class V boaters will be right at home on steep low volume runs, as well as bigger water creeks and rivers. The Remix like edge does a great job at keeping the boat on line, and the bulbous stern is there to STOMP. Something tells us that this design is going to be around for a while; it’s a classic already.

Register to win a Liquid Logic Stomper (any color / size) and an incredible accessory package. Sign up is quick and easy. Click on the link to enter (it’s mobile friendly):
http://woobox.com/ignnvm

ALL PHOTO’s BY SHANE BENEDICT AND JEFF PAINE

The Sweet Shambala Neoprene Kayaking Shorts Review

Boating shorts are boating shorts right? All board shorts are created equal? Well, not really… While there are plenty of great options for kayaking trunks, there are also some important features that often get overlooked when shopping for an item as simple as shorts. The Sweet Shambala’s are the Mercedes-Benz of PaddleSports apparel. They have lots of features that make them comfortable and durable, and also have  some well thought out components that equate to enhanced river safety. In the words of North Fork veteran Mike McKee, “you gotta be true to your crew”, and proper boating gear is essential. Even features as simple as a neoprene lining, can make the difference of being able to stay in the water a few minutes longer, in the event of an untimely river rescue in the middle of the summer. Here are the specific details that set the Shambala’s apart for the rest of the pack:

Specs:

Pros:

• The shorts have articulated legs (i.e – a slight curve), and are built for sitting down in a kayak. This is great, because they are little bit longer than most shorts. The added protection is a huge bonus, and being comfortable while sitting down is a really nice touch. This is a great example of the the justified price tag ($117.95) that goes along with them.
  

  Articulated legs to compensate for the knee bend while sitting in your boat.

• The added length of the shorts provides protection against thigh braces of boats. The neoprene lining (more on that below) also creates a soft barrier. Older model boats with foamless thigh hooks can dig into your legs…The Shambala’s will give you a comfortable ride.
• The extended neoprene liner is AWESOME. There are a few different neoprene river shorts out there, and they all provide good warmth and comfort. The Sweet’s extend below your knee a little bit, which keeps even more of your core warm, and also protected from the elements. These are by no means “creeking shorts” that will keep you unscathed in a swim in an OBJ slide or some infamous Colorado mank, but for most down river paddling, play boating and Stand Up Paddling, it is awesome to have. Again, the neoprene extension is nice and soft against older knee wells, and meat hooks in kayaks (especially sans foam).
  

  Full neoprene legs (down to the knees). One thing to note... because the neoprene protects the outside of the knee too, paddling in older boats without new school outfitting is not nearly as unpleasant. Places where skin would typically rub on plastic, is now protected.

• The high back gives good abrasion resistance from back bands; perfect for play boating in summer.
• The double Velcro closure was adapted from mountain biking shorts. There are also 2 buttons and a Velcro fly. There’s lots of adjustment for a pair of shorts.
  
  

  Double Velcro closures. The Shambalas will stay on if you take a swim, and we are all in between swims.

• The semi dry pocket with a drain is good for small essential items that you may need for a day of boating (car keys, lip balm, etc). It’s not waterproof, but will keep them within in arms reach.
• The shorts are built with a Polyamide exterior with DWR treatment. The Stitched Yamamoto neoprene liner is also top shelf. In short, these shorts will put you out just over $100, but will last longer than any others out there (and also have every feature you could want in a pair of boating shorts).  Compare these suckers to DH mountain bike shorts, except they are specifically built for paddling.
• The perfect application for the Shambalas would be for summertime paddling here in Colorado, on The Arkansas River. Typically, the air temp is pretty warm, but the water is almost always chilly. A standard day on the Ark may consist of an AM Numbers run, and some river surfing or play boating at the park in the afternoon. Dry pants are overkill, and board shorts come up a little bit short (no pun). I find myself frequently wearing a union suit under my shorts for a little extra warmth and leg protection. This works well, but why not have the layer under your shorts give you even more warmth, and a more tailored fit. Winning.

Cons:

• As with pretty much every Sweet Protection item, the price point is not “entry level”. Just like any high end sporting good (carbon foam core paddle, race ready mountain bike, light weight AT ski set up, etc), you are going to pay for quality, good design, style and performance. At $117.95 they may be some of the most expensive river shorts on the market…At the same time they also may very well be the best out there. Again, when being compared to mountain bike shorts, the Shambala’s are very reasonably priced.
• These shorts are not intended to replace dry pants. They do offer protection and warmth, but if you are thinking of wearing the Shambala’s instead of something warmer, and are in doubt if they will be warm enough, opt for the pants. Be safe. Be overkill, not under dressed and hypothermic at 10,500 feet on a cloudy day in Crested Butte in the summer. Shit happens, so be ready.

The Verdict:

3 words…Ultimate river shorts. The long articulated legs, neoprene lining (that goes just below the knees), beefy closures and shell material (updated for 2011), mad style and highest level of construction make the Shambala’s worth every penny of the price tag. Mountain bike shorts cost this much (or more in some cases), most of which are not built with the same keen eye to detail. The next time you go shopping for boating shorts, put the Shambala’s up against any other river short out there. You will immediately notice the difference. If it’s the best that you want, these are the ones.

WIN A PAIR OF SWEET PROTECTION SHAMBALA SHORTS IN THE LIQUID LOGIC STOMPER ULTIMATE CREEK BOAT SWEEPSTAKES. IT’S FREE TO ENTER:
http://woobox.com/ignnvm

Sweet Shadrach GORE TEX Dry Top Review

Products manufactured by Sweet Protection are fun to write about for product reviews. They are functional, stylish, fit well, have incredible attention to detail, and are very durable. Their whitewater and snow sports helmets are arguably the best in the world. Check out any Bombflow Video, and take a gander at the helmets worn by those huckers…they are all Sweet Athletes.
Although it’s not well know outside of Europe, Sweet’s been making dry-tops for the last 4-5years and working with GoreTex fabrics (winter line) for nearly a decade. They are crafted with the same level of detail as their helmet line. The use of GORE-TEX fabric speaks volumes to their overall vision for the product. In short, they want to deliver the best dry top in the world to whitewater kayakers. Here are the details of the Shadrach top:

Specs:

Pros:

• The top built with 3- layer GORE TEX. This is the only waterproof / breathable material that is meant to be submerged underwater ALL OF THE TIME.If you want the best waterproof (and breathable) material out there, go with GORE TEX. The Shadrach uses the ‘Coastal’ membrane which is basically Gore’s V8 for all you car enthusiasts.  So not only is it GoreTex, but it’s pretty much the most advanced waterproof breathable membrane that Gore makes.
  

  The name says it all.

• The new waist closure / tunnel system has been redesigned for 2012. There is a new set of Velcro straps. There is also a triangle wedge inserted into the fabric, which makes the top easier to put on and take off. Also, the tunnel has an ulra-sticky silicone rubber on the inside to keep the skirt from slipping. This feature will be great for play boaters and paddlers that want ultimate range of movement, and not to have to worry about the tube of the skirt slipping down.
  

  The redesigned Velcro closure system and triangle wedge.

  

  SUPER grippy silicone elastic. This photo does not do any justice in describing how sticky this stuff is.

  

  Another shot of the triangle wedge that makes the top easier to put on and take off.

• The neck and wrist gaskets are top notch, and have also been upgraded for 2012. The latex gaskets themselves are very thick and durable. They are long, and have an ergonomic cut. The gaskets are glued and taped (with a special tape that has stretch properties). Surrounding the gasket, is a super elastic Yamamoto neoprene Lycra. This will protect the gasket, and help with keeping water out. There’s a mesh drain on the neck.
  

  Thick taped and sealed latex neck gasket, stretchy neoprene neck and wrists, and a mesh drain. Money.

  

  Pretty sweet wrist gasket. Clean and effective. There is no Velcro to accidentally unlatch...

• The jacket has what Sweet calls a “larger ergonomic cut”. Part of what you are paying for in a dry top is the fit. Brands like Sweet put a lot of time and effort into making sure that their dry tops fit well and are comfortable.

Cons:

• Price. As with all Sweet products ranging from helmets to shorts, you are going to pay for style, comfort, protection and durability. The Shadrach retails at $349. Considering that this is a GORE TEX top, it’s a great deal, but it’s about $100 more than other non GORE TEX dry tops on the market.
• Color. Sweet is known to use bright colors. This could be seen as a “love it or hate it” issue. Personally, I think that the green (with bright yellow accents) Shadrach is one of the best looking tops that I have seen. Other people may want a dry top in more conservative colors like black, or earth tones.

The Verdict:

Many CKS staff members have been wearing Sweet gear since we have been stocking it on our shelves. There’s a good reason for that, and it’s not because the reps have been giving it to us for free. It’s extremely comfortable, lasts a long time, looks bad ass, and most importantly is built to perform. If it’s a good looking, ultra high end GORE TEX dry top, with incredible attention to detail that you are after, go throw on a Shadrach and see what you think. We love it.

WIN A SWEET SHADRACH GORE TEX DRY TOP, IN THE LIQUID LOGIC STOMPER ULTIMATE CREEK BOAT SWEEPSTAKES. IT’S FREE TO ENTER:
http://woobox.com/ignnvm

Photo:Cliff Pratt, paddler: Zac Crouse

The Astral Buoyancy Sea Wolf  PFD

The Green Jacket is considered by many to be an industry standard as far as whitewater rescue vests go. Offering comfort, great protection, loads of style and superior build quality, the GJ has become a legend. When we got wind of a new Astral PFD we were all ears. The Sea Wolf sounded really cool, and then when our first shipment of product hit the shelves, we confirmed our hunch; the Sea Wolf was bad ass. Imagine a super high mobility PFD (Astral Willis frame), with copious amounts of storage, boat tow capability, and enough bells and whistles to make the most hardened of open water touring boaters grin. Here is the scoop:

Specs:

Pro’s:

• Astral created the Sea Wolf with the intentions of it being the Green Jacket of the sea kayaking world. Their goal was to build a life jacket that had all of the functionality of a high end touring PDF (flare and GPS storage, towing capability, hydration compatible, etc), but without the bulk. The Sea Wolf is built on the Willis frame. The Willis utilizes a foam tectonics core, which is essentially a multiple moving panel design (as opposed to the PFD being one big piece of foam, which can restrict movement).
• The front storage pocket is huge.It also provides protection against impact. The idea behind this pocket, was that besides being able to hold a lot of gadgets like a GPS, VHF radio,etc…it also is sleek. This feature comes in handy when one is climbing back into a raft or sea kayak. There are no edges to catch, making a quick entrance more pleasant (and quicker).
  

  The essentials...

  

  Another shot of the front pocket

• Reflective piping placed in key spots. Again, with the focus on sea kayaking, it is nice to be seen in open water.
• One of the best features of this jacket, is that it is compatible with a tow belt. There are zippered pockets for a web toe, as well as 2″ loops for the astral tow belt system. Whitewater kayakers, stand up paddlers and sea kayakers will take advantage of option.
  

  Loop for the 2" tow system

  

  Insert web toe (paddle biner) here.

• The Sea Wolf is a side entry, or pull over, just like the Willis is.
• Even though this PFD was designed with sea kayaking in mind, it makes a SUPERB vest for stand up paddling, rafting and kayaking. Rafters will love the storage capability of the front pocket, as well as how sleek the pocket is. When you flip the raft, you will not feel this PFD get in the way when you get back on. As for SUP, the Sea Wolf allows a very wide range of movement, and most importantly has a quick release system for attaching a surf leash. When stand up paddling in the river it is imperative to be able to break away from the leash if it gets wrapped on dangerous objects.
• STYLE POINTS. As with all Astral products, the Sea Wolf has mad style…This is a sexy PFD. That’s gotta count for something right?

Photo:Cliff Pratt, paddler: Zac Crouse

Check out Spencer Cooke carving his way down the line…and wearing the Sea Wolf of course.

Con’s:

• The Sea Wolf is a type III PFD and not a type V rescue vest. It is great for whitewater use, but it is not a full on rescue vest. If you are a serious creeker, get the Green Jacket (or a type V rescue vest), not The Sea Wolf.
• Astral costs more than other brands. At $185, this is not a price point item. You get what you pay for. If you want the best, you are going to have to shell out for it.

The Verdict:

This is the most versatile PFD in Astral’s lineup. If you are going to do a bit of whitewater kayaking, stand up paddling, rafting, or sea kayaking…this PFD is worth looking at.  It has all of the features that you need for a day on the river (barring a serious expeditionary creek run), ocean or lake. It’s primary focus is for sea kayaking, but seeing that Astral based the framework on The Willis, we would think that this PFD will excel at most river sports. It is not the least expensive PFD on the market, but along with the price tag comes performance, features, style and safety.
For more info:
http://www.astralbuoyancy.com/news/testimony/sea-wolf-field-testing-paddle-to-the-ocean/
http://www.astralbuoyancy.com/news/team-news/sea-wolf-in-the-carolinas/
http://www.astralbuoyancy.com/news/product-announcements/operation-sea-wolf-unveiled/

Paddle Monster. A Kayak Movie for Kids, Reviewed By A Kid.

If your kid is ready to paddle they should see the movie Paddle Monster. They will learn all the things you need to know about paddling. Here are some of the things you will need to know that are in the movie.

Boat types:

Three types of boats you will learn about are the sit on top boat, sit in side boat, whitewater kayak, and a canoe. The sit on top boat will make you very wet. A whitewater boat is a lot of fun. You can play in whitewater all the time wherever you would like. A canoe is a bigger boat that can have two people in a canoe that sit on opposite ends. You can also have lots of people. Here are some of the boats you can choose from.

Strokes:

A few strokes you will learn are the forward stroke, sweep stroke, draw stroke, and the stern draw. When you use the forward stroke you can go fast. You can get to places quickly. To spin your boat you use the sweep stroke. If you’re pointing in the wrong direction you use the sweep stroke to face the correct direction. Then we have the draw stroke. This stroke moves you side ways. Now we have the stern draw. It is helpful in a canoe. The person in the stern uses this stroke to steer the boat. See the movie to learn how to do these strokes.

Gear:

Here are the things you will need to paddle. A boat is one thing you need. You need to pick the type of boat you want to paddle. You need a life jacket for when you flip. If you’re in a rapid and you flip you’re life jacket will keep you floating. You want it tight so it doesn’t go above you’re ears. You also need a helmet so your head is protected when you hit something hard. If you don’t have a helmet on when you flip you could hit a rock and damage your head. Your helmet should stay in place when you shake your head back and forth. If it does not stay in place you need to tighten it so it is secure. Next you need a paddle. If you are in a canoe you need two one bladed paddles. In all other boats you need one paddle with two blades. Then you have a spray skirt. A spray skirt is not used in a canoe or a sit on top boat. A spray skirt keeps most of the water out of your boat. That means you don’t need to empty it out as much. If you watch the movie you will see how your gear should be anywhere on water.

Skirt:

There are some steps you need to know to put on a spray skirt. First you reach behind you and put the spray skirt on the back of the boat. Then you work around the sides. Now you pull you’re spray skirt to the front and it will snap on.

Wet Exit:

These are the steps you will learn to take in the movie to do a wet exit. First you tuck forward. Then you tap you’re boat to tell everyone that you are upside down. Then you pull on the tab that is on you’re spray skirt. Now you push out of the boat.

Others:

Soon you’ll be doing tricks. With lots of practice from this movie you’ll be an awesome paddler. There is also a section for parents. You should buy this movie so you can learn how to paddle. With some practice you can become a paddle monster as well.

Written by Sydney McCutchen, age 10
Sydney is an aspiring Paddle Monster from Denver, CO

Kokatat NeoCore and GORE TEX Paddle Jacket Review

Kokatat has a reputation for making Paddlesports gear of the highest level. Their focus has been on whitewater kayaking and sea kayaking equipment for a long time. Most of their line is  built in Arcata, CA. The warranty that backs their products, and customer service is second to none. We are super psyched that they are beginning to build gear for Stand Up Paddling. Seeing that SUP has now been coined “the fastest growing sport in the world“, it’s nice that a high end brand like Kokatat building soft goods to compliment the SUP’s  that we carry.
The GORE TEX Paddle Jacket, and NeoCore are 2 items that will be perfect for the stand up paddler. Here’s the low down:

The Kokatat GORE TEX Paddle Jacket

• The GORE TEX Paddle Jacket is built with GORE-TEX® PACLITE®, which is the lightest, most breathable and most packable GORE TEX. It is awesome for aerobic activities such as Stand Up Paddle racing, as well as other river sports like rafting, and inflatable kayaking.
• GORE TEX is the real deal.
• The jacket has an athletic paddling cut, and moves very well with the body. Again, this is good for sports like down river SUP racing, or even rec touring on lakes or open water. Similar to Astral PFD’s, it allows for a wide range of motion while on the river.
• There’s a nice zippered, self draining pocket with a lanyard and reflective piping on the arm for small essentials.
• All of the seams are sealed at the Kokatat factory.
• There is a gusseted, adjustable Lycra splash color and cuffs. Lycra does not bunch up and feels nice on the skin.
• Adjustable waist band with a smoothskin neoprene waist band.

The Kokatat NeoCore Long Sleeve Tops and Bottoms

• NeoCore: Lightweight 0.5mm neoprene fabric features a plush polyester inner lining that is comfortable against the skin and retains less water. Combined with durable water resistant (DWR) coating on the outer surface, NewCore helps regulate body temperature by reducing the effect of evaporative heat loss.
• 4 way stretch 86% polyester, 14% spandex outer layer for good mobility, durability, water shedding, and quick dry times.
• 0.5mm neoprene middle layer provides thermal insulation
• Plush polyester inner layer is comfortable against the skin and retains less water, easily enabling the user to stay more comfortable
• Lycra underarm panels are do not bunch up and are very comfortable.
• Paddling specific patterns.
• Great under layer for board shorts. The NeoCore shorts offer some protection on your butt and legs, and also will keep you warmer.
• This layer is meant to be worn under other Kokatat  outer layers such as the GORE TEX Paddling Jacket. All of the seams match up, and none cross each others paths. Kokatat is known for their fit. This is a good example of Kokatat’s extra attention to detail that results in a superior product.
• Where should you use this layer? NeoCore is meant to be worn as an outer layer or under an outer layer. It will perform very well for a SUP top when the weather is nice. If it is a little bit cooler outside, it can be doubled up with the GORE TEX Paddle Jacket. It would also make a solid outer layer for rafting, inflatable kayaking or even play boating when the weather is warm.

Conclusion

We love being a retailer of Kokatat because it makes our customers very happy. The products last forever, and Kokatat has an incredible customer service department. When we sell a piece of gear made by these guys (and girls), we are assured that we will not have to warranty it. 10 years later, when the customer needs a repair done, Kokatat will do it with a smile on their face. Similar to Sweet Protection, the price point is pretty high. Kokatat builds their soft goods with the intent of it fitting and performing well, and lasting a long time. A great example of their commitment to being the best, is their use of GORE TEX fabric. Everyone knows that if you want to stay dry 100% of the time, you wear GORE TEX. Because of the quality of construction, you pay a little bit more for it. If you want the best, this is the brand for you.

Click on the link if you want to qualify to win a Kokatat GORE TEX Paddle Jacket and NeoCore Long Sleeve Top and bottoms. It’s a $2200+ SUP package with gear from the best padddlesports companies on the planet. It takes less than 30 seconds to enter:
http://www.facebook.com/coloradokayaksupply?sk=app_121121694568521

The Sweet Protection Strutter and Shambala Product Reviews

Sweet Protection has a reputation of delivering the finest sporting equipment in the world to their consumers.  The company was founded in 2000, and and began building ski and snowboard helmets, that gained the attention of the worlds top snow sports athletes such as Terje Håkonsen.

Ever since then, they have sky rocketed in popularity in both the European and US markets. They currently have a snow and water sports hard good lineup, and are also venturing into the world of soft goods. Today, we are reviewing The Strutter helmet and Shambala shorts. Check out the detailed info below!

The 2012 Sweet Strutter

• The 2012 Strutter will come in white, green, black and blue.
• Sweet did some re-working and re-thinking of the outside shell. They used LFT (Long Fiber Technology), which is a technology where they inject a carbon fiber / polymid  into the shell of the helmet, allowing them to control the stiffness (or elasticity) of specific areas of the lid. The result is a better balance between rigidity and elasticity that will lessen impact by 20%-30%. The Strutter had rigidity down to a science in the past, and now has a bit of elasticity as well.
• The internal carbon fiber frame is now one piece. Bombproof, supportive and comfortable.
• The “Occi-Grip” adjustment mechanism on the back of the helmet has been upgraded (it was actually taken from current model Rocker) . It sits lower and does a better job at not allowing the helmet to move around when you are wearing it.
• There’s an improved EVA liner. The 2012 Strutter will take multiple impacts better.
• The Strutter is available in 3 sizes (S/M, M/L and L/XL) as opposed to “one size fits all”. This allows you to dial in a superior fit.
• This is an ideal helmet for stand up paddling. It’s light, low profile, comfortable, offers great protection, and has a brim to block the sun when you are standing up in the river all day long. Most importantly, it is one of the most stylish helmets every built. Style points have to count for something right?

The 2012 Sweet Shambala Shorts

• The Shambala shorts are a capri length (or manpri length depending on if you are a dude or girl) water short with a little bit of knee and butt protection, a neoprene lining, and a mountain bike short style waist closure.
• The shorts will be offered in red and black for 2012.
• Since the shorts go below the knees, they are able to cut the wind when you are stand up paddling…sorta like wearing pants or wet suit bottoms on the river, but way more stylish and comfortable.
• There’s a stash pocket on the front of the shorts for car keys, a power bar, or whatever you want to bring along on the adventure.
• The neoprene lining is key. It keeps you warm, and offers some protection for swims. For that reason these are going to be very popular in the SUP world.
• If you are looking for a very functional bottom layer that offers warmth, protection and tons of style, The Shambala is a perfect choice.

Conclusion:

The Sweet Strutter and Shambala shorts are 2 top of the line products. For that reason they do not have as many drawbacks (or “con’s”) as price point items. If there was a con for these items it would be price. You get what you pay for, and you are paying a higher price point for ultimate protection, comfort and style.

If you would like to win a FREE 2012 Sweet Strutter and pair of Shambala’s, along with a $2200+ SUP package, check out this link. The contest ends on March 1 so enter soon!
http://www.facebook.com/coloradokayaksupply?sk=app_121121694568521