| Nimbus Paddles:
www.nimbuspaddles.com Wavewalker: “The blade is 18cm (7") wide by 46cm (18") long. It weighs 30oz (0.85kg) in Fiberglass and 27oz (0.77kg) in Graphite” Fiberglass weight as tested was 900 Grams / 31.7 oz. Graphite blade/ Fiberglass shaft weight was 920 Grams. Graphite blade and shaft paddle was not available for testing. Kiska: “The Kiska is our most popular blade shape. It is an ideal mid size blade for day tripping or short excursions. The blade is 15cm(6") wide by 46cm (18") long” Fiberglass paddle was listed at 820 grams/ 29 oz. Actual weight was 920 grams/ 32.4 oz. Graphite blades and shaft, listed weight was 710 grams/ 25 oz. Actual weight was close at 770 grams/ 27.1 oz. Interestingly, the graphite blade, fiberglass shaft version was the SAME weight as all fibreglass version. So much for a graphite/ fiberglass version coming in lighter! Werner Paddles: www.wernerpaddles.com Sport Rec. Paddle: Listed weight is 978 grams/ 34.5 oz. Actual weight as tested was 950 grams/ 33.5 oz. LIGHTER! Skagit: Listed weight is 1077 grams/ 37 oz. Actual weight as tested was close at 1090 grams/ 38.4 oz. Little Dipper FG: Listed weight is 794 grams/ 28 oz. Actual weight as tested was 82 grams/ 28.9 oz. Shuna Carbon (Straight): Listed weight is 765 grams/ 27 oz. Actual weight as tested was 780 grams/ 27.5 oz. Kalliste (Straight): Listed weight is 709 grams/ 25 oz. Actual weight as tested was 715 grams/ 25.2 oz. Kalliste (Bent Shaft): Listed weight is 737 grams/ 26 oz. Actual weight as tested was 715grams/ 25.2 oz. Aqua Bound Paddles: www.aquabound.com Sting Ray Series: FG Shaft/ Yellow Blades: Listed weight is 35 oz. Actual weight as tested was 35 oz. Carbon Shaft/ White Blades: Listed weight is 31.5 oz. Actual weight as tested was 33.5 oz. Carbon Twill shaft/ Black carbon injected blades: Listed weight is 29.5 oz. Actual weight as tested was 28.9 oz. LIGHTER!Nimbus Paddles: LIGHTER! Grey Owl: www.greyowl.com Sea King Graphite: Listed weight is 26 oz. Actual weight as tested was 28 oz. |
| While comparing a variety of sea kayak paddles at work I decided to check the listed weights of several paddles from a number of companies and compare them to their published weights. The results thus far are posted below. Overall so far, Werner seems to have the best control of their weights followed closely by Aqua Bound. Trailing by a fair bit was Nimbus paddles...particularly interesting is the fact that the grahite/ FG paddles come in heavier than the all FG (much cheaper) paddles! I have included links to the respective paddle manufacturer's web sites. My feelings are that Aqua Bound is the best value for a Euro style touring paddle and that Werner offers up some really awesome high-end paddles. I'm looking forward to trying out the new Aqua Bound all carbon paddes I am bringing in soon. |
 |
| Back to Base Camp... |
 |
| On this page I'll be offering up some comaprisons of different sea kayaking and canoeing paddles over the coming months. My paddles of choice personally are my own Greenland paddles for sea kayaking and the Zaveral bent shaft carbon fiber paddles for canoeing. More coming soon. Check back often! |
 |
 |
 |