Paddle TV Awards

The YakAttack Tow N’ Stow Cart

YakAttack sells two types of Tow N’ Stow carts: the bar cart and the bunkster. These carts are designed for different types of kayaks. 

Kayak carts are a Godsend for many people. They can be the difference between getting on the water and not getting on the water. This is particularly true if you use recreational kayaks or fishing kayaks, which are too heavy to move alone. Kayak carts solve the issue of carrying heavy kayaks to and from the water. 

What makes the YakAttack Tow N’ Stow so great is that they completely break down. YakAttack has engineered a system that lets you take the cart apart with no tools at all. The pieces pop together and make a solid cart that can hold up to 450 LBS. You can use these carts to carry any kayak necessary, including a kayak that is fully packed with fishing or camping gear. The Tow N’ Stow is made of plastic, aluminum, and stainless steel, so it can handle salt water. 

These carts retail for $190 (USD) and $250 (USD), which sounds expensive. However, this is what you would expect to pay for a quality kayak cart. The Tow N' Stow cart is an impressively innovative piece of gear. It is absolutely worthy of a Paddle TV award!  

Nite Ize Runoff Packing Cubes

Nite Ize offers waterproof, runoff packing cubes. These cubes are a new take on dry bags. The cubes come in three sizes: small, medium, and large, and have a clear front that lets you see inside the bag. 

What separates the Nite Ize packing cubes from other dry bags is the two-zip technology. This is the zipper system that you use to seal the cubes up. It is an easy-to-use zipper that does an excellent job of sealing the bag shut. 

I tested the seal on the packing cubes several times on short canoe trips. But I also tried standing on the closed cube on dry land to see if the zipper would hold. The seal and zipper held up to 200 LBS of me standing on the sealed cube. That is impressive! 

I am looking forward to seeing these packing cubes in bigger sizes. The current sizes are convenient for packing food, first aid kits, and knick-knacks needed for camping. They are also great for storing and containing the smell of shoes when traveling! Nite Ize Runoff packing cubes are very deserving of a Paddle TV award. 

Astral Loyak Shoes

Astral is well-known for making great water shoes, and the Loyak is a popular water shoe. But it is the Astral Loyak AC water shoes that are particularly noticeable. They are much lighter, which keeps your feet cooler in hot conditions. 

I started using Loyak AC shoes this year and love them. The Loyak AC has been my go-to pair of water shoes all year, even in colder conditions in Finland. They are not ideal for cold conditions because they do not provide any insulation. However, I don’t get cold feet quickly, so it wasn’t an issue. 

What I love about the Loyak AC is how grippy the soles are. The shoes and soles are very flexible, so they fit in any type of boat. I use these shoes in white water kayaks, sea kayaks, on stand-up paddle boards, and when canoeing. You really can use them for anything. 

The shoe is porous so that water can flow in and out in seconds. But the fabric stops rocks and coarse sand from getting into the shoe. All in all, the Astral Loyak shoe is a great water shoe. It retails for about $100 (USD) and is definitely worth a Paddle TV award. 

Gearlab Outdoors Deckpod 2

The Deckpod 2 is designed to go on the front deck of a touring kayak. Since getting the Deckpod, I have used it almost every time I’ve paddled a touring kayak. It is so convenient to have a bag on the front deck and within reach. It is even more convenient than the day hatches that some touring kayaks have. 

What I love about the Deckpod 2 is the attachment system. They have made it easy to attach the deckpod to the perimeter lines. The bag has side compartments for bilge pumps, paddle floats, or water bottles, and a main compartment inside. It has a hole to put a water bladder in and another hole for the hose. It even has secondary pockets inside the main compartment. 

The Deckpod 2 is convenient for storing things like sunscreen, snacks, water, camera gear, or anything else I want easy access to during the day. It comes in three colors: orange, black and white. 

I love the simplicity of the Deckpod: how easy it is to take on and off and how it provides easy access to my gear without impeding my paddling stroke. The Deckpod 1 was great, but the Deckpod 2 is a step up again. So, it is well worthy of a Paddle TV award. 

Zenbivy Sleeping System

The Zenbivy sleeping system starts with a sheet that goes over the top of your sleeping mattress. This allows you to sleep on a soft sheet instead of a slippery and crinkly sleeping mattress. The mummy is built into the sleeping sheet itself, which means that if it is cold, you can choose how to zip the sleeping bag on top. I often have it zipped up right by my arm on one side, but the rest is completely unzipped. This makes it feel just like a quilt at home and lets you adapt to any temperature. 

The bottom line is that you can sleep however you want in the Zenbivy Sleeping System. You are not encased in a sleeping bag. It is a great system, but it did take about 30 seconds when I was initially putting it together to figure it out. But once you have figured it out, it is awesome, and definitely worthy of a Paddle TV award. 

NRS Axiom Goretex Pro Dry Suit

The NRS Axiom Goretex Pro dry suit is the Mac daddy of dry suits. NRS has been making dry suits for a long time. Because of this, they have figured out many of the subtleties around making a dry suit. They make great dry suits, but the NRS Axiom Goretex Pro is by far the best. 

Check out my review here: NRS Axiom Dry Suit Review: How do I choose a dry suit?

The Axiom dry suit uses Goretex Pro, so it is the ultimate suit for durability, breathability, and waterproofness. You do pay a premium for Goretex, but if you have the money, it is worth it. When spending a lot of money on a dry suit, the question is, do you spend a little more to get premium quality?

The kind of premium extras you get with the Axiom dry suit include:

• Neoprene over cuffs to protect the wrist and neck gaskets from UV,
• A relief zipper, depending on whether you get the girls or guys model, 
• Drainage in all the right places, 
• Integrated feet. 

If you take good care of the Axiom dry suit, it is a lifetime piece of gear. If you want to kayak regularly in colder conditions, it is worth investing in a quality dry suit. Sometimes, it isn’t just a luxury but an essential piece of safety gear. Even though they cost a fair penny, they will last a lifetime if you take good care of them. 

Honorable Mentions   

Dry Robe Changing Mat

This is a mat with a very soft, cozy fabric on one side and a waterproof canvas on the other side. It is perfect for changing. I throw it on the ground and can change next to my car comfortably. I never knew I would love it so much, but the Dry Robe changing mat has a permanent spot in my vehicle. 

Airbank Puffer Pro Pump 

This pump is battery-driven and is awesome! It pumps up to 20 psi, so it can pump up drop stitch kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, or anything else you need pumping up. So far, without charging the pump, I have pumped up three kayaks. This is a good indication of the number of kayaks the Airbank Puffer Pro can pump before it needs charging. 

I am a big promoter of using electric pumps to pump up inflatable kayaks. If you use your inflatable kayak regularly, having an electric pump is very useful, especially if you have a drop-stitch kayak. You can also use this to pump the air out of the boat, making it easy to pack up. The Airbank Puffer Pro pump is another piece of gear with a permanent spot in my truck! 

This Year's Winners:
The YakAttack Tow N’ Stow Cart
Nite Ize Runoff Packing Cubes
Astral Loyak Shoes
Gearlab Outdoors Deckpod 2
Zenbivy Sleeping System
NRS Axiom Goretex Pro Dry Suit

This Year's Honorable Mentions:
Dry Robe Changing Mat
Airbank Puffer Pro Pump 

The post The Best Paddling & Kayak Gear of 2023 appeared first on Hazeadventure.

Astral TR1 Mesh hiking shoes comfortable?

I've had these shoes for about a month now, and so I've been able to log plenty of miles across a variety of terrains. The first two characteristics of the TR1 Mesh shoes to jump out at me have been their comfort and breathability (of which the latter naturally plays into the former). The mesh upper is paper thin. In fact, you can practically see through it. That's much appreciated for keeping my feet cool, dry, and free of stank.

Hot feet

I don't know about you guys, but when my feet get too hot, I develop blisters. So the breathability in this shoe, combined with the generous toe-box, do wonders to mitigate that. A wide toe-box allows your toes to splay (spread apart) on impact. This becomes even more necessary when carrying a heavy load. If the shoe is too narrow, that friction can cause problems over the course of the day. 

Breathability vs durability

Note that the excellent breathability can present some durability issues when it comes to sharp rocks and snag-hungry roots. So just be aware of your expected terrain before your purchase, and walk consciously when things get rough (which is good practice anyways).  

Astral TR1 Shoe Comfort

In terms of raw comfort, I like these shoes because of their lack of structure. If you're a heavy overpronator, or someone with some ankle issues, then you might want something more supportive. But for me, I actually prefer day-hiking, and even full-on backpacking, in a minimal shoe. 

Are Astral TR1 Mesh shoes minimal?

Yes, and by design. For those of you who aren't familiar, minimalist shoes are an intentional category of footwear. In general, they are lightweight (10.6 ounces for a Men's size 9), unstructured, and have a near-zero-drop (21mm heel vs 20mm forefoot) midsole or “stack height.” This last feature means that, unlike traditional running and hiking shoes, the TR1 doesn't have extra cushioning in the heel.

This will best serve hikers with strong feet/ankles who want something with agility and proprioception (i.e. the ability to feel the ground with your feet). I particularly like these shoes for rock-hopping. 

Minimalist shoes generally exclude people who want a lot of cushioning (particularly heel-strikers), and those who need enhanced arch and ankle support. One of the benefits of a minimal shoe with a wide toe-box is that it lets the foot splay out, creating a wider, and naturally stable base. 

Do Astral shoes have good traction for hiking?

The G15 rubber that Astral makes is super solid. I love the tacky grip that it offers. It kind of makes me feel like I'm hiking in climbing shoes (only these are way more comfortable). The day I shot my video review, there was some lingering ice and snow on the trail. While the grippy outsole wouldn't replace micro-spikes in predominantly icy conditions, the modest amounts that I encountered presented no issues. 

Are TR1 Mesh shoes waterproof? 

Absolutely not. As I mentioned before, this shoe is highly breathable, which is the trade-off when it comes to waterproofing. However, just as easily as the water flows into this shoe, it also flows right back out. Waterproof shoes are really only designed for puddles and rain. If you're hiking through wet canyons, or on a trail with a lot of river-crossings where you're totally submerging your feet, then you want something that will get soaked, but dry quickly. You can always change your socks, but you can't do much for a saturated boot, other than let it air-out all night. 

Do Astral shoes run big or small?

When it comes to athletic shoes, I'm typically either a 10.5 or 11 (US). For my Astral TR1 Mesh shoes, I went with the 11, which is perfect. So I would say they err on the side of slightly large, but the sizing is still accurate. Also, when I go to shop for them online, the fit-guide says to order your usual size.

Remember to take stock of your foot's width as well as length. The TR1 Mesh has a wide toe-box, which is perfect for people with wider feet, or for anyone who likes that barefoot feel. If your foot is on the narrower side, then you may want to do some further investigation, or try to find a retailer where you can get properly fit. 

Is the TR1 Mesh hiking shoes worth it? 

At the time of this review, Astral had the TR1 listed on their website at $125 (USD). I'm pleased with that price-point because it accurately reflects that there's a lot less material and tech than in a $200 robust hiking boot. I would expect that this shoe would be closer to $100 than $200, and so $125 is perfect. Since I've had such good experiences in these shoes, particularly in my Arizona desert conditions, I think they are a great value, and I would recommend them to the right people. 

Who is the TR1 Mesh shoe for? 

This shoe is designed for day-hikers who want something slick and speedy or for experienced backpackers who have strong feet/ankles. In both cases, the Astral TR1 Mesh shoes offer excellent breathability to those who struggle with hot spots and sweaty feet. Anyone who doesn't mind (or even likes) getting wet will appreciate the quick-drying nature of this model. More specifically, anyone who has had a positive experience with Altra shoes will likely also appreciate the design and performance of Astral's line. 

Are Astral shoes Vegan?

Yes! As a last highlight for Astral in general, their footwear is vegan. Here's what they have to say about it:

We choose not to use animal by-products because we are committed to building shoes that have the lowest impact on the environment and all of its beautiful inhabitants.

I hope you enjoyed this article. For more information on Astral shoes, check out their website. And make sure to check out all my gear reviews and other adventures on BackpackingTV.

See you out there!

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links in which Eric Hanson makes a small commission at no additional cost to you, but it is a great way to show your support. Thanks!

The post Astral TR1 Water Shoes Backpacking Review appeared first on Hazeadventure.