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So in the run up to the Festive period, the team has decided we would post a quick little review on our favourite pieces of kit we have got over the past few years.
Check in store for more info on any of the kit below.
1. 5 -10 Canyoneer Boots - €120
I think we have finally found the holy grail of river running foot wear. My favourite bit of gear this
season are the new 5-10 Canyoneers - they are simply the sturdiest and gripiest river shoe on the
market. The little extra features are well thought out too. If you are considering this as your choice
of river shoe just make sure that they suit your boat. These are uncompromising river/creeking
boots so won't fit into most smaller boats.
The bits I love the most
Super grippy rubber on the souls, the uncompromising foot and ankle support offered in the stiff
soul and wall construction, a cushioned snug interior (my feet don't slide around at all) and, my
favourite clever little bit, the buckle system. This buckling system uses buckles - not laces - this
means the buckles stay fastened and snug around your feet until your want to open them. Fantastic!
Yes, the days of compromising and choosing between poor slippy rubber, bugger all ankle/foot
support, clever lacing systems that don't work and (my pet hate) very very silly hard bits on shoe
soles (that make you fall on your a$£e if you need to go rock hopping in a hurry) can now be over.
Rejoice!
Available in Store at €120
2. Snapdragon Armortex Skirt W Implosion Bar - €169.00
The Snapdragon Armortex deck is not only the latest bit of kit I've acquired buts its also probably one of the best. For a few years I had stuck with the tried and tested Playboater decks, they were cheap and did the job pretty well. It was when I experienced a partly deck explosion out in the surf one day that I started to question the ability of the deck to put up with lots of surface water pressing down on it. The elastic band had started to become loose and I found it not fitting the Wavesport Project as well as when it was new, also small leakage at the start was now significantly worse but this was after about 2 of intensive use also I would put down part of the blame for this on the Projects cockpit rim where the deck didn't always snap on at the hips something I hope is rectified on the new Project X.
So enter the Armortex Deck with implosion bar from SnapDragon. At almost twice the price of the Playboater decks its definitely worth every penny. It comprises of a 3mm Neoprene layer with another 1mm of Armortex around the cockpit rim as far as your hips to protect the forward facing, most normally abused areas your deck. The Armortex is much stronger and tougher material that has replaced the previously popular kevlar material in other products such as bulletproof vests. The deck its self is made from one piece of material with the only sewing around where the waist tunnel is attached, this makes it a lot drier. Under the lip of the deck where the deck contacts with the cockpit and at the top of the waist tunnel, a layer of Latex keeps the deck stuck to your boat and around your waist so theres no slipping down of the tunnel. Its got a strong rugged grab handle but by far and away the best feature is the Implosion Bar. Integrated into the fabric of the deck is sits comfortably across the edges of your cockpit about half way down your front deck. I haven't tried in on many boats but it fits well on the Wavesport Project 62 and LiquidLogic Jefe Grande both quiet big boats. I've taken some heavy waves on my deck since and it hasn't budged where as I used almost feel the wave press down on my legs inside the boat with other decks. Unfortunately the Bar will prevent you from inserting any type of Over-thrusterso keep that in mind but the same deck can be got without the bar.
So if you are looking for a solid new deck as a stocking filler for Xmas you won't go far wrong with the SnapDragon Armortex. As always treat your gear well and it'll look after you too always wash your deck after use in salt or fresh water.
In Stock at €169.00
3. Teva leather mid Event boots - €139.00
When I saw the Teva leather mid Event boots in the shop I knew I would most likely be buying a pair.
My current work boots were on the way out after 4 years of hard work and I had replaced them with
another pair. For working in the hills the new ones were a bit chunky. But I had also been thinking
about an everyday waterproof shoe/ boot that I could wear driving, walking around cork, doing stuff
around the shop e.t.c
The first thing I noticed about the Teva leather mid boots was the comfort. They are VERY comfy. So
much so that, I’ve been wearing them pretty much every day. This brings us on to the next issue.
Smell. There is none. I mean it! Normally after a few hours in hiking boots and especially after
walking hard in them there’s a bit of a pong. Not in these, and it’s because of the Event liner Teva
have used in the boot. Event is a fabric comparable to Gore-Tex. I have an Event mountain Jacket
made by RAB and its one of the best jackets I own. A U.S army equipment test a few years ago
found Event more breathable than Gore-Tex (which is still an awesome fabric by the way!)
But back to the boots. The Event liner is really breathable so no sweaty feet.
The outside of the boot is made of full grain leather so it’s very supple. I had thought they would
get scuffed easily but they have taken a lot of abuse since I got them and still look great. The softer
leather means the boots can be worn straight out of the box and don’t need breaking in at all, which
is nice. It also means the boots get lovely and warm quite quickly.
And they are very waterproof. When Mark asked me to write a review I said ‘right I’m going to test
the hell out of these’.
- Walking through wet grassy fields, PASS
- Standing in bogs digging a landrover out of a hole, PASS
- Putting on after a day in the river and being all warm and dry, PASS
- Weekend in the Comeragh mountains, PASS
- Walking around Kanuemesse for two days, PASS
Explaining the merits of Event to the dog, not sure she appreciated the lesson.
The sole of these boots is made of Vibram rubber, something I always look for in a boot. In these
boots it’s a nice soft sole so wearing them doesn’t feel like wearing a pair of boots. The sole also has
an inbuilt shock pad which transfers the energy of your step throughout the foot bed and away from
the heel. So no sore ankles after a day on the hill.
They are available in a shoe version but I prefer the boot, it gives more support and means you can
splash in deeper puddles.
To clean them I wipe the mud off with a damp cloth and to re-proof them (which I have as yet not
needed to do) I’ll be using Nikwax fabric and leather spray to keep them in good nick.
I’ll be defiantly getting another pair of these boots, but that probably won’t be for a while. Not if the
durability of these is anything to go by.
Retailing at €139.00
4. MK25 S600 Scubapro - €550.00
When I go diving, I consider the most important piece of equipment I bring to be my regulators – an
MK25 S600 Scubapro, air balanced flow-through piston regulator.
Yes, masks need to be a good fit for a dive or they will leak, and of course a BCD that is the wrong
size will be uncomfortable. But, we can clear mask on a dive, and even dive without them in an
emergency, and a BCD can be tightened and will still due it’s job until the end of a dive. A regulator
however cannot be adjusted underwater, hence why I dive with something that I trust and performs
no matter what depth, no matter what the conditions.
I have my regulator for almost 9 years. With a bit of attention after every dive, and servicing every
year it is still performing as well as it did the day it came out of the box. The MK25 first stage is still
considered one of the best 1st stages available on the market. It gives instant delivery of air, which
is important when fighting strong currents or when a student/buddy is using an alternate air source
for a skill or emergency. Coupled with the S600, the resistance to breathing is very little, meaning a
diver can breathe very comfortably with very little effort and relax for the entire dive.
The design of the 1st stage means that it is suitable for a variety of purposes. The two HP (High
Pressure) ports set on the main block of the regulator mean you can have a transmitter as well as an
analogue SPG in case of computer failure. The 5 LP (Low Pressure) ports on a 360o swivel mean you
can have a primary, secondary and low pressure inflator hose in a variety of positions. The remaining
2 ports could be used for people needing a dry suit inflator hose or those venturing into technical
diving.
Whatever area of diving you find yourself deciding to take – recreational, technical, temperate or
warm water – the MK25 S600 is a versatile and dependable regulator. Scubapro’s combination of
MK25 S600 has only recently been surpassed by the MK25 A700 combination, a second stage with
breathing performance unmatched by any other manufacturer. Scubapro have manufactured a
better second stage, but the MK25 first stage is still one of the leading regulators in the world. If
someone handed me an MK25 S600 to go diving, I would be very happy.
5.PeakUK Combi Topdeck - €215.00
5 years. I've been using this one piece of kit for 5 years now folks. And i am only considering replacing it now. I have taken care of it, which has helped its longevity, but 5 years is astonishing for any piece of kit, especially kit which I own. I'm notoriously hard on gear. Its also a piece of kit i have worn all year round and still remained warm and comfortable.
So about the kit, its a topdeck, meaning that the cag is attached to the deck. There is nothing more comfortable and allowing more freedom of movement for a kayaker than a topdeck. Freestylers, Surf Kayakers, Slalom Paddlers, all these competitive disciplines top paddlers are all using topdecks to cut down on the weight of gear they wear and allow greater movement.
They are also generally drier as there is a nowhere between the cag and deck for cold water to sneak its way in.
The Peak Combi Top Deck is a shortsleeved top deck. "Not for Winter" i hear you say.
Winter is fine, i've worn this top in the coldest january's as i have to break ice off my boat before i go paddling. It comes with attachable neoprene sleeves that fit onto the cag over the latex gaskets on the upper arm.
The combi cag also comes with a front mesh pocket, which is handy for storing the sleeves if you get too warm, or i use it for storing another set of fins for my surf kayak so io can swap and change depending on conditions, and a mars bar of course.
And now back to the longevity of this, 5 years. Nice :)
6. Wavesport Diesel - €999
When I cracked my Diesel 65 in France 18 months ago I was very upset, because up til then it was my favourite of all the river running boats I'd ever tried. I knew there were plans to replace it with a new model; and I thought, a replacement can never be as good - right? Well I was right, the Diesel 70 isn't as good, it's better! It seems to have kept all the bits I loved about the old boat, and tweaked just enough to make a nicer overall boat. Still got that same feeling of "don't worry, I'll look after you" when stuff gets big or steep, but also still just as fun to surf and spin in the holes and waves along the way. The 6 inches of extra length and the little extra volume makes it fast, very fast. This took a bit of getting used to, I spent my first few rivers hiting rocks upstream of the eddies I was aiming for, because I never thought I'd get there that quick, but now that I've learned to control it, it makes it a whole lot of fun! Still just as comfortable, I really do think the Wavesport outfitting is up there with the best of them, and the slightly cutout back centre pillar means I can easily fit all the required gear behind the seat out of the way, it'll take a pelicase, splits and first aid kit no problem, and still have enough volume that it boosts out of holes upright at speed rather than tail squirting out like the old one used to on occasion.
7.Waterproof Draco - €1099.00
After five years of heavy scuba diving my drysuit gave up the ghost. This led me to look for a new
drysuit.
I did the usual looking around all the websites, message boards etc. and came up with the decision
that the 2010 version of my old suit is the best for what I was looking for.
After a dozen dry dives so far I have found that nothing can match the 3,5mm Special Hi-Dense
Crushed Neoprene with SD Toughtex lining.
Loaded with features this suit brings it all. Kevlar reinforced and angled boot, zip armoured dry
zipper, Seal Armour System, embossed and PU-reinforced shoulders and double power pockets to
mention a few.
Available in standard men's & ladies sizes with a price tag of €1099.00
8. Wavesport Project X ( Not a review, but its out soon, and i really really want one ) - €899 + €50 voucher for another item in store if ordered before 24/12/2010
Identified as an international competition fiend and a longstanding leader in playboat design, Wave Sport expands for the 2011 season with the fully redesigned and much-anticipated premier of the new Wave Sport Project X. The Project X’s highly refined design, new volume distribution and outfitting system make it the ultimate in performance and visual excitement. Created to drive the evolution of freestyle paddling, the Project X will make its public debut this weekend at GauleyFest, Sept. 17-19, 2010 in Summersville, W. Va.
“The Project X represents a half-decade of freestyle research from the world’s top kayak design team,” explained Bryan Kirk, team manager for Wave Sport and top-ranked world freestyle championship competitor. “We have truly discovered a new benchmark in paddler control both on waves and holes, with absolutely no sacrifices,” he added.
The new boat is a major evolution of the original Project and homage to the legacy of the X, however it is not a melding of the two popular designs. With a completely new look, new aggressive performance features, and a blazing white outfitting system, this boat delivers the extreme whitewater performance for which Wave Sport is known.
According to Wave Sport’s lead designer, Robert Peerson, the progressive rocker shape of the Project X hull, combined with the new volume distribution, puts the Project X in new territory for performance and comfort. “The Project X is finely tuned to maintain speed, give explosive pop, offer easier release, and provide smooth control over any wave for easier execution of moves,” he said. “More volume has been added around the knees,
which allows for control, maximum comfort, and a slicier performance at the ends.”
In addition, new sizing options, combined with the improved volume distribution, give a broad range of paddlers even greater comfort and control. “It delivers in all whitewater conditions,” Peerson said.
The stunning “WhiteOut” outfitting system lets paddlers hit the rapids in a one-of-a-kind, dazzling all-white material. The unmistakable wallpaper logo pattern contrasts with the fabric for a visual that’s almost as much fun to stare at as it is to get in. The unique vinyl covering the seat, hip-pads, backband, and thigh braces is also water-repellant, meaning less dry time and better mildew control.
Wave Sport’s new Project X will be available in store in January 2011.
You can pre-book yours now :)
Specs and Pricing
| Length | Width | Weight Range | Boat Weight | MSRP | ||
| Project X 48 | 5’9” | 25” | 100-170 lbs. | 31 lbs. | €899 | |
| Project X 56 | 5’11” | 25.75” | 140-210 lbs. | 32 lbs. |
| |
| Project X 64 | 6’1” | 26.5” | 180-250 lbs. | 34 lbs. | €899 |
