This wasn’t my first time paddling the Virgo—I’ve actually reviewed it before—but this was my first time with the new Kevlar carbon layup version, which is a mere 36 lbs (16.5kg) of pure paddling beauty.

First Impressions: The Virgo Composite Kayak

The first thing you notice about the Virgo Composite Kayak is its weight—or rather, the lack of it. Weighing in at around 36 lbs (16.5kg), this kayak is not only easy to transport but is also stunning to look at. The Kevlar carbon layup is truly a work of art, combining aesthetics with high performance. However, the real test lay ahead: navigating the rapids of the Ottawa River.

Testing the P&H Virgo Composite Kayak

McCoy's Rapid is the first challenge on the Ottawa River and one of the biggest ones. This rapid is known for its massive hydraulics, with two particularly juicy holes named Satlers and Phils at the top. Dropping into either of these in a sea kayak would mean trouble.

Threading the needle between the two holes was a great test of the kayak’s agility and responsivenesss, and it passed with flying colors.

After the thrill of McCoy’s, the Middle Channel of the Ottawa River offers a slightly tamer, but still exhilarating, experience. The Middle Channel receives only a quarter of the river’s water, making the rapids slightly smaller, but no less fun. The Virgo continued to impress with its ability to handle the unpredictable conditions of the river.

Butterfly is one of the highlight rapids on the Middle Channel – short and sweet!

Surfing the wave at the top of Upper No Name rapid – one of the smoothest and sweetest waves on the Middle Channel.

While the Virgo Composite Kayak handled the whitewater admirably, it’s not something I would recommend others try. Running these kinds of rapids in a lightweight composite sea kayak is always a roll of the dice. In fact, I had to send the kayak for repairs as the stern of the boat hit rock forcefully as I worked my way through the challenging ‘Lower No Name' rapid. Can you tell where in the rapid it happened in this video: Cracking the Virgo

Testing the Aqua Bound Aerial Paddle and Gearlab Outdoors Deck Pod Pro

Besides the Virgo, I also took the opportunity to test some other new gear. The Aqua Bound Aerial Whitewater Paddle has been a trusty companion over the past month, and it didn't disappoint on this trip. Powerful and confidence inspiring, it helped make each stroke count.

Another piece of gear that caught my attention was the Gearlab Outdoors Deck Pod Pro. This deck bag, designed for recreational kayaks, touring kayaks, or sea kayaks, comes equipped with an integrated GoPro mount, making it easy to capture your paddling adventures.

In conclusion, the P&H Virgo Composite Kayak is a great kayak that blends performance and beauty. While it may not be designed for whitewater, its responsiveness in the rapids is a testament to its design. It's a versatile and playful kayak designed for day trip adventures, or short overnight trips on rivers, lakes or the ocean.

Watch the in depth review of the Virgo (plastic version) here

Watch the full video on YouTube:

The post P&H Virgo Composite Kayak Review appeared first on Hazeadventure.

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.

Melker Kayaks

One of the central missions of Melker is to redefine the manufacturing process in the paddling industry. Ultimately they want to make it completely sustainable. The founder is an engineer from the tech world who wants to bring sustainable ideas to the world of paddle sports. 

As part of this, all Melker kayaks use locally sourced flaxweed instead of the standard composites, carbon kevlar, and carbon fiber. Flaxweed is more environmentally friendly and gives the kayak a beautiful wood-like finish. The Melker Uvlon, like all Melker kayaks, is visually stunning. But the real question is, how does it paddle?

Melker Ulvon HV Specifications

Price: $3900 (USD)
Length: 17’ 5”
Width: 21”
Weight: 54 LBS (24.5kg)
Capacity: 165-240 LBS
Best use: Touring

Features of the Melker Uvlon

The Melker Uvlon is a long, narrow sea kayak designed for speed. It has no rocker. It has plenty of volume at the front – although there is no upturned front to help with waves. In general, it has volume. With a capacity of up to 240 LBS, you can take the Uvlon on a real touring trip. 

The Uvlon does not have thigh hooks meaning it isn't designed to use in rough water, rapids, surfing, or rock gardens. It is designed to cover long distances. The benefit of not having thigh hooks is that people who aren’t as comfortable feeling enclosed in a kayak will feel more secure. 

The Uvlon is still rollable. The contour of the deck allows you to grip it with your knees and roll it. It also comes with pads that you can place in the kayak to make it easier to roll. 

Another neat feature of the Melker Uvlon is that it comes with both a rudder and a skeg. You do not need to choose. I don’t typically use rudders as I can maneuver easily without them, but the Skeg is a great addition. With the slight breeze on the Ottowa River, the skeg was helpful to keep my kayak on course. Typically I would choose a skeg but getting the option to use both is fantastic. 

Comfort

After about two and a half hours, I needed to take a little break from kayaking to stretch my legs. The seat is basic but is surprisingly comfortable for what it is. That said, it doesn’t have a lot of padding so my butt needed a little break at some points. Luckily I had to scramble over several obstacles so I got plenty of chances to stretch. 

A Note on Greenland Paddles

For this adventure, as the plan was to cover the distance, I used my Greenland paddles. These are incredibly lightweight and suitable for covering large distances. They took some getting used to when I first started using them as the blades are so small. I constantly had to think about the angle I used to pull them through the water. But nowadays, it feels more natural. 

The Greenland paddle takes more time to get comfortable with than a typical paddle. So if you don’t have the patience to get used to it, it might be a frustrating paddle experience. If you go for a Greenland paddle, you should prepare to spend some time figuring it out and getting to know it. It isn’t as intuitive as a standard paddle. 

All in All 

I didn’t test the Melker Uvlon in rough water, but I did try it in rough conditions. I dragged it over five beaver dams and gave it its first scratches. But, as I always say, a boat without scratches is a boat without experience. And my Melker Uvlon certainly has experience now. Throughout the entire adventure, it was a fun boat to paddle and easy to portage. It really is a beautiful kayak. 

Be sure to have a look at the other Melker review I've done: Melker Rödlöga Review, an Environmentally Friendly Kayak

Kayak: Melker Ulvon
Paddles:  Gearlab Outdoors Greenland Ipik
PFD:   NRS OSO Lifejacket
Storage: Gearlab Outdoors Deck Pod 2
Clothing:  NRS Short Sleeved Guide Shirt
Sunglasses: Wiley X

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