Conor Mihell

Best Kayak Paddles For 2025

Conor Mihell — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 22:14:03 +0000

Only once in nearly 30 years of paddling have I found myself facing a familiar adage in real life. I couldn’t help but chuckle when I realized my mistake while unloading my kayak at the put-in: I’d forgotten my paddle at home. No one wants to be caught up a creek without a paddle. But […]

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Best Recreational Kayaks For 2025

Conor Mihell — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 15:30:09 +0000

Recreational kayaks easily make up the largest segment of the paddlesports industry. What exactly is a recreational kayak? They are generally shorter, wider kayaks that focus on stability and comfort for a day on the lake, bay, slow rivers and other sheltered waters. You can buy a rec kayak just about anywhere, from box stores […]

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Everything You Need To Know About Pelican Kayaks

Conor Mihell — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 12:15:58 +0000

Pelican has a long history of producing self-propelled watercraft. Longtime cottagers may remember this Quebec-based company for its early lineup of pedal boats, starting in 1965. The company eventually moved to paddlecraft, including kayaks, canoes and standup paddleboards, and is distinguished for its budget- and beginner-friendly, recreational designs. Many Pelican kayaks are made of super […]

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A Paddler’s Guide To Predicting The Weather

Conor Mihell — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 12:15:00 +0000

As dozens of folksy sayings attest, you can make your own weather forecast from easy atmospheric and environmental observations. You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows. A paddler’s guide to predicting the weather “Wind from the east, weather a beast, wind from the west, weather is best.” Changes in wind […]

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This Mapmaker Exposes The Secret Histories Of Rivers

Conor Mihell — Tue, 27 May 2025 12:15:06 +0000

Cartographers like Dan Coe battle the notion that everything on the planet has already been mapped. “The world is always changing and is full of new data and phenomena that can be visualized most effectively with maps,” insists Coe, a paddler and geographer based in Olympia, Washington. “Maps offer a sense of discovery and exploration. […]

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Best Walmart Kayaks For 2025

Conor Mihell — Mon, 26 May 2025 12:00:42 +0000

You can buy almost anything at Walmart—household items, groceries, pharmaceuticals, sporting goods…and even kayaks! Walmart kayaks are meant for casual paddlers looking for a budget-friendly way to enjoy the occasional outing on calm, sheltered water. Consider a Walmart kayak if you want to dabble in paddling but have no specific aspirations to develop your skills […]

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Best Pelican Ram-X Kayaks For 2025

Conor Mihell — Thu, 01 May 2025 22:00:04 +0000

Pelican’s Ram-X is a time-tested, ultra-durable material used in the construction of recreational kayaks and canoes. This reinforced polyethylene plastic is used exclusively in Pelican boats, including the popular Pelican Sentinel kayak and Pelican 15.5 canoe. This Pelican Ram-X review provides an overview of why the material is an outstanding choice for paddlers looking for […]

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Inflatable Recreational Kayak Review: Intex Challenger K1

Conor Mihell — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 14:00:47 +0000

The Intex Challenger K1 is a user-friendly inflatable kayak that’s easy to paddle and easy to store in small spaces. It’s also among the cheapest kayaks on the market, making it a good choice for those wishing to try kayaking without making an investment in a boat or a place to store it. The Intex […]

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Ice Cold Innovation: How The World’s Leading Cold Water Safety Gear Reaches The Water

Conor Mihell — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 15:30:03 +0000

Mustang Survival had no intentions of reinventing the wheel last year when it took on the challenge of updating its Hudson and Helix drysuits. The men’s- and women’s- specific models had already pioneered game-changing features when they hit the market in 2021, including the praised Closed Comfort System—a non-latex adjustable gasket. The drysuit line was […]

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Best Cheap Kayaks Under $500 For 2025

Conor Mihell — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 17:00:41 +0000

You don’t have to break the bank to get into kayaking. There are plenty of cheap kayaks on the market that will grant you painless entry into the paddling world. Recreational kayaks best suit the needs of both entry-level paddlers and those working within a conservative budget. For that reason, the focus of this article […]

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