If you have ever paddled back to shore after sunset without a light clipped to your PFD, you know that knot in your stomach when a powerboat appears out of the dark heading your way. That feeling is exactly why I started testing kayak strobe lights two seasons ago, and it is also why the […]

After 90 days testing on the flats of Tampa Bay and the lakes of central Florida, our team pulled together this list of the best kayak tackle storage boxes you can buy in . I've personally fished out of a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120, a Perception Outlaw, and a Hobie Mirage Compasses, and the storage […]

If you have ever tried to edge your kayak in a crosswind and felt your legs slide around the cockpit, you already know why the best kayak thigh braces matter. They are the connection point between your body and the hull, turning every hip shift into precise boat control. Without them, you are essentially paddling […]

Every kayak angler hits the same wall eventually. You've got a rod holder here, a fish finder there, a camera mount you want somewhere else, and nowhere clean to put any of it. That's where finding the best kayak track mounts changes your entire rigging game. I've spent the better part of three seasons rigging […]

I tested 8 of the best kayak wall hangers over six weeks, hauling a 60 pound fishing kayak on and off each one to see which could actually survive real-world use without bending, rusting, or chewing up the hull. Our team has been writing about paddle gear for years, and the storage question is the […]

I have been a paddler long enough to remember the morning I learned why a real kayak safety whistle matters. I was on a coastal tide race in Oregon when the bow took an unexpected wave, and I went over the side. My PFD kept me up, but the wind ripped my voice away before […]

Transporting a kayak on a trailer should be effortless, but the wrong bunk system turns every launch into a battle against friction, scratches, and frustration. I have spent months testing different kayak trailer bunk configurations, from budget-friendly carpet wraps to premium PVC slide pads, and the differences are striking. The best kayak trailer bunks protect […]

I spent three seasons testing snorkel vests across the waters of Hawaii, Bonaire, and the Florida Keys, and I learned one thing fast: the wrong vest turns a magical reef trip into a miserable fight against buoyancy. The right one lets you float effortlessly and just enjoy the fish. Finding the best snorkel vests for […]

When the water warms up but you still need that extra layer of core warmth, a shorty wetsuit hits the sweet spot between boardshorts and a full suit. Our team has spent the last several seasons testing shorty and springsuit wetsuits across surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and paddle sports to find out which ones actually […]

If you have ever stared at a 12-foot kayak sitting next to a 5-foot truck bed wondering how that math is supposed to work, you are in the right place. The best truck bed extenders for kayaks solve exactly this problem by adding 4 to 5 feet of supported cargo length behind your hitch. After […]