Eight Great Touring Paddles for £100 and Under
Can you get a really good paddle for less than £100? Thanks to major advances in technology (carbon fibre, glass etc) the answer is a resounding yes. Okay, so you wont get the latest material advances, crank shaft and clever locking system - they're still the preserve of the upper end of the market - but you can get a terrific paddle that only a few years ago would have been classed as top-end.
Here are some of the best we've tried out on the water.
Lendal Kinetic Touring Rec Spec Kayak Paddle - about £85
This Lendal is an excellent paddle boasting a fibreglass shaft and polyprop (SF) blades. It is beautifully well designed and delivers a superb feeling of movement. How does it deliver this? Well, the blade is designed to load with water rapidly which in turn offers rapid acceleration through the stroke. Comes in a range of lengths from 215cm to 225.Schlegel Duralen Voyage Kayak Paddle - about £50
For the money, this big blue blade is difficult to beat. Its asymmetric blade shape gives a smooth performance. It is made from injection moulded plastic and built on a tough aluminium shaft coated in plastic to keep the cold at bay. I still have my trusty Voyage in the garage because it's a great second paddle and delivers excellent power.Originz Danube - about £50
Another cracking paddle for the money, the Danube features nylon plastic blades on an aluminium shaft. Again it features asymmetric blades delivering a smooth pull through the water. A great looking and well designed paddle for the touring beginner or a great back up paddle to keep in the boathouse or shed.Originz Hauraki Gulf Sea Kayak Paddle - about £80
The more advanced design of the Hauraki features glass reinforced nylon blades on a glass fibre shaft. A few years ago, paddlers could not have dreamed of owning such a paddle for this money. It delivers a supremely well balanced feel and is incredibly comfortable to use, even on longer excursions. Available in right or left hand models.Lendal Nordkapp SF Straight - about £85 for the basic model
The Nordkapp has been a leading choice amongst many paddlers for many years owing to its solid build and design. Its reputation for robustness even in testing conditions has earned it a place as one of the best sub £100 paddles you're going to find. It has plastic polyprop blades on a glass fibre shaft meaning it is lightweight compared with, for example, the Schlegal.Aquabound Mantaray 2pc Sea Paddle - about £95
Designed for a high-angle paddling style, this paddle is geared towards the athlete looking to kayak for fitness as well as pleasure. The design generates considerable power, which gives confidence in rough conditions. Made with Aquabound's new ABX resin material for strength and light weight.Werner Skagit Touring Paddle - about £100
Just pipping in on the £100 mark is the Skagit paddle from Werner, which is lauded for its stable stroke, fibreglass shaft and lightness in the hand. It is an advanced design especially suited to the recreational touring paddler.Werner Tybee Glass Nylon Straight Touring Paddle - about £99
Made with nylon reinforced blades, this is another advanced design from Werner suited for high angle paddling. The shaft is a special carbon blend and extremely comfortable in the hands. The overall paddle package here is one of lightness, one that aids manouvreability on the water. What's Tybee? It's named after Tybee Island in the US, a popular paddling destination.
