How to Choose a Kayak Paddle | $100 vs $500 Paddles

Is a $500 paddle REALLY worth it? Can you get by with a $100 paddle? These are very common questions I'm asked, so in this video I'm going through the pros and cons of each to help you learn how to choose a kayak paddle that's right for you.

Please note that around 0:36 I say that the paddle has a fiberglass shaft, when in fact it has a carbon shaft. Likewise, there is some confusion about upgrading blades on the Whiskey/Tango series - please refer to the Aqua-Bound website for full specs. Apologies!

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[bootwheelwingandkeel]

I'd love to see more videos about budget options regarding gear. Not just about what's best but what's best within certain price ranges. I'm passionate about paddling but I don't make the kind of money where spending $500 on a paddle is even an option no matter how great it may be. Helpful hints for those of us pushing our Craigslist boats around with aluminum paddles would be much welcomed!

[just-dl]

Over the last three or four summers, I’ve used all the combinations below $200. The aluminum and plastic freebies that came with my intex are actually decent. The shafts don’t rattle, they’re comfortable. Heavy in comparison but not too heavy to use. Until recently my younger daughter preferred to use it. My older daughter got a $50 model last summer that was barely an upgrade. Better blades, doesn’t rattle and lighter than the freebies. Same time frame, younger daughter got 190cm Perception small bladed paddle. Good for an 11 year old, right? Meh. She took over the freebie and didn’t look back. (The perception is my emergency paddle now.) This year she got a Quest Vapor. I’m totally impressed with it and it’s my recommendation for a budget paddle that’s still good. $80 at Dicks. Absolutely amazing improvement for her, in every regard. It’s got an adjustable ferrule that allows for different lengths. It’ll literally grow with her. The blade isn’t as tough as other ones but holds up well. Last year I got an aqua bound sting ray hybrid. Light, stiff and about $170. Unfortunately, it was too long for me. I’m short. It’s 230cm. My kayak sits low. It’s still 230cm. My yak is narrower than most recent. Yeah…still 230. So, I got the manta ray carbon shaft ($175 on sale) with adjustable length. I’m playing between 210-215. It’s perfect for me. I know the blades are durable, it’s crazy light, the proper length, blade size and geometry are equating to much better performance. While I can agree the $400+ paddles might be better, diminishing returns has definitely kicked in. Took a very nice Carlisle for a drive. Twice as much as my new one. Being charitable, I’d say 10% better. I really want to test drive a whiskey or similar paddle. But, tbh, the Quest Vapor is good enough for my needs. I love my Manta Ray but I can’t say it’s worth paying twice as much. I had the cash and wanted to improve my ride. No regrets! And the used market is a good way to score good deals!

[tomb]

I bought a kayak paddle at a thrift store for $3. It was that purchase that convinced me to go buy a kayak....Which I did at a K-mart that was closing. I got 2 10 foot pelican kayaks for $230 That was awesome but then I had to buy another paddle. Instead of that, I gave one of the kayaks to my brother and said, "Go buy yourself a paddle." So now I had a cheap paddle and kayak AND someone to go kayaking with me! Woohoo! 😁

[jimking]

A real upgrade is going from the $40 paddle the shop gave you as a throw-in to the $100 level. That's a night-and-day difference for very little money. Diminishing returns kick in beyond that. I'm sure a touring kayaker who just paddles all day can justify going right to the top of the line. But if you're fishing, sightseeing, taking pictures or just casually poking around, you probably won't notice much of a difference. You might want to spend that $400 upgrade money on great fishing gear, a nice waterproof camera, or a quality, well fitted PFD that you'll be glad to wear all day. A feather-light paddle is kind of useless for fishing, because it'll blow off your lap in the slightest breeze when you're trying to fish.

[jeffreyelliott]

At 62 and a newbie to the sport of canoe paddling I'll stick with my $70 Ascend kayak paddle 250cm moving a new someday this fall an Old Town Sportsman Solo !!!

[wingmanhoy]

Fantastic informative presentation, very much enjoying all your videos, as a beginner kayaker, thank you for what you do, all the very best sir, I have decided on the Aqua Bound Sting Ray Hybrid 2 piece.

[kayasper]

In my opinion, any serieus paddler should buy the best paddle you can effort. I owned and used several paddles, and there is a huge difference between them. Just like you said, the paddle is your connection to the water. I love a full carbon paddle with an ergonomic shaft, not too long and big blades (700cm2). (It even works perfect with touring and covering long distances).

[EdwardsOutdoorAdventures]

I am going to solicit for Greenland Paddles.
I have and really swore by my Werner Carbon Paddle due the weight and stiffness/power. But, after building a Greenland Paddle out of Red Cedar and paddling a couple of all day trips with both paddles with me, the Greenland Paddle definitely won between the two.
>>Weight weight weight. The Greenland Paddle is even lighter.
>>Stiffness/Power: I will say that the bladed paddle provided more power the difference was minor.
I’m in the Greenland Paddle camp.

[Vylkeer]

I have a Werner Ikelos as an high-angle euro-style touring paddle and I love it. Fully worth the $400 investment. Now I’m looking to get into the racing / wing paddle category which is totally different level and it’s more complicated to make the right choice as you have more variants to factor in like shaft flex, blade shape, blade size and blade twist. Btw keep up the good work, this channel is amazing!

[BoomVang]

Very true that premium paddles please even this cheapskate. Big shops sell discolored or discontinued top grade paddles at fractional prices, especially off season. I got an all carbon one with gross yellow splotches that normalized with use, and it's energetic twang remains a sensual joy to use.

[asianpryncess]

I went from the pelican Poseidon to the aqua bound tango bent paddle, and its 100% worth that extra cost. I have arthritis is my right hand and I dont have to constantly stop. I paddle between 2-6 hrs depending on the day.

[jeremywelder]

This was too funny. I had just finished buying a 507$ (after taxes & shipping) for a corryvreckan carbon bent shaft paddle by werner. I have been paddling for about 5 years, and yes the better the paddle makes a difference

[FrankLadd]

I've bought a number of expensive paddles used from other paddlers who changed what they were using. And I've give the most expensive paddle I've bought to a close paddling friend. $400 paddles can be found for $100 from time to time.

[aglaaluk]

great video!!
I recently got the AQUA BOUND Manta Ray Carbon 2-Piece Kayak Paddle for $200, that's also a great paddle, haven't regretted it at all.

[tominnenPL]

Nice paddles! Every advantage of gear delivers advantage of endurance, final results of when and in which condition will you end your journey.
Better and simple.

[Jeff-netb]

I enjoyed your video comparing the two paddles. However, you may want to update the video. The $149 Aqua-Bound Sting Ray Hybrid paddle has a 100% carbon shaft according to their website. I could be incorrect, but I just purchased one. There is a Sting Ray fiberglass paddle, but it is not the hybrid and is closer to the $110 range (yellow blades in the picture on their website). If I am wrong, please disregard and accept my sincere apology.

[collinm.]

Me looking at this video while owning a 30 dollar paddle and a kayak worth around 400 on it’s way... Anyways, PaddleTV videos are always awesome. Thanks for a great video!

[johnburns]

just wanted your thoughts on pushing on the forward stroke of the paddle instead of pulling. I switched a number of years ago, and the difference is amazing. Takes time to break the habit of always pulling, like with a canoe paddle, but well worth it for me.

[seathrunmagaoinghous]

Great vid. Best upgrade I did was from a $150 rec paddle to a RPC3 full carbon wing paddle.

[Drazan]

Werner paddles have been worth every penny to me.