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Play dates are more fun when you bring cool water toys along.
Paddles, PFDs, Spray skirts
Your paddle is your sword; choose your weapon wisely. Seven2, known for its sleek carbon shafts and smartly sculpted grips, offers the new [1] i series ($150) at half the price. Blades are injection-molded, a cheaper process, though also not as high-performance. Experts may want to stick with the R series ($350) or try Werner's Double Diamond ($425) (REI.com: Double Diamond). This classic bent-shaft is still one of the most powerful paddles on the river. The short torso and low profile of [2] Kokatat's RetroFIT Side Zip PFD ($116) (REI.com: RetroFIT Side Zip PFD) allow you to wriggle into your nubby boat. An inner neoprene panel keeps it from riding up; the high-profile back protects your neck. Designed by Immersion Research and expedition kayaker Johnnie Kern, the [3] Deuce ($165) is the most bomber spray skirt we've seen. With Kevlar-reinforced band and glued and taped seams, nary a bushy portage nor tight chute should faze it.
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Bodywear and more
You're one with your boat in [4] Lotus Designs' Core Temp Shorts ($69), which offer sticky neoprene on the backside for extra traction. The rest is smoother two-millimeter, knit-sided neoprene. The company's [5] Home Stretch Dry Top ($325) is ready to go right off the rack—redesigned latex gaskets no longer need to be prestretched. With super sticky hook-and-loop side closures, abrasion-resistant panels, and grippy Spider rubber, [6] Teva's Avator ($85) is one brawny bootie. There are lots of rocks, but you have only one head. Improve your odds with [7] Grateful Heads' Hawg ($125), offering a flared brim for added protection (think old-school army helmet) and corrosion-resistant stainless-steel hardware. With five liner sizes and an adjustable strap system, it'll fit like old 501s. The wide mouth of Harmony's Pro Throw Bag ($50) (REI.com: Pro Throw Bag) makes restuffing 70 feet of line easy. Pack a PB&J and warm layers into the [8] Seattle Sports Expedition Compression Dry Bag (medium, $35) (REI.com: Expedition Compression Dry Bag), with 200-denier waterproof, urethane-coated nylon and welded seams plus a smart one-way air valve that makes compressing it simple and fast.
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