Updated November 26, 2023
Choosing the right paddle can have a significant impact on your kayaking experience. Certain paddles are more suitable for specific styles of kayaking such as whitewater or touring. Different materials, technologies, and features all have implications, and pricing is undoubtedly a concern. There are heaps of options to consider.
To help you sort through it all to make the right selection for your needs, some of the top models are reviewed below starting with a comparison table. After that, are descriptions and important features with photos and explanatory videos, and finally a simple buying guide.
If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know in the comments section at the bottom. I’d love to know your thoughts.
For more reviews of kayaks, boats, and accessories, please check out these popular posts:
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Best Kayak Paddle Reviews
- Aqua-Bound Stingray Kayak Paddle
- Bending Branches Angler Classic Kayak Paddle
- Werner Kalliste Kayak Paddle
- Aqua-Bound Manta Ray Hybrid Kayak Paddle
- Werner Camano Kayak Paddle
- Advanced Elements Compact Touring Kayak Paddle
- Werner Skagit Kayak Paddle
- Carlisle Expedition Touring Kayak Paddle
- Bending Branches Bounce Kayak Paddle
- Werner Tybee Kayak Paddle
Best Kayak Paddles Comparison Table
Aqua-Bound Stingray Kayak Paddle
The Aqua-Bound Stingray fiberglass shaft model is a great paddle for light touring and recreational use.
Relatively lightweight, it has a durable fiberglass-reinforced injected nylon blade for pushing off rocks or the bottom, drip rings to keep the ovalized easy-grip shaft dry and adjustable feathering.
It breaks into two pieces with a snap-button ferrule and is reasonably priced.
- Sizes: 210 cm, 220 cm, 230 cm, 240 cm
- Low-angle style paddle
- Ovalized shaft for an easy grip
- Rubber drip rings for a drier shaft and hands
- Adjustable feathering (from unfeathered to 60° right-hand control)
- Shaft: 2-piece, fiberglass, straight
- Blade: ABX resin (fiberglass-reinforced injected nylon), asymmetrical dihedral shape
- Blade Surface Area: 91 square inches
- Weight: 34.08 ounces
- Price: $
Bending Branches Angler Classic Kayak Paddle
The Bending Branches Angler Classic is a well-named excellent choice for fishermen.
The fiberglass shaft and fiberglass-reinforced nylon provide the power for smooth paddling even with a heavy load, and durability for pushing off.
One blade even has a built-in hook retriever to get that snagged hook or line out of a tree.
It has a 3-hole snap ferrule and breaks into 2 pieces for easy packing.
This is a rugged paddle with high-performance features for a moderate price.
- Sizes: 220 cm, 230 cm, 240-255 cm, 250 cm, 260 cm
- Comes in orange and sage green
- Low-angle style paddle
- Ovalized shaft for an easy grip
- Drip rings for a drier shaft and hands
- Hook retrieval groove in a one blade
- Right and left-hand control, adjustable feathering from 0-60°
- Shaft: 2-piece, fiberglass, straight
- Blade: fiberglass-reinforced nylon, asymmetrical shape
- Blade Surface Area: 95 square inches
- Weight: 35 ounces
- Price: $
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The Werner Kalliste is an exceptional high-performance low-angle paddle.
The carbon fiber shaft is ultra-light with a multi-level system of adjustable feathering that allows you to adapt as your technique and style develop.
The carbon-fiber blades are relatively large with a ribless back for easier sculling and a foam core that makes the paddle more buoyant.
This paddle is expensive, but what do you expect for a Rolls-Royce?
- Sizes: 220 cm, 230 cm, 240 cm, 250 cm, 260 cm
- Comes in carbon or black colors
- Low-angle style paddle
- Drip rings for a drier shaft and hands
- Right and left hand-control, adjustable feathering from 0-60° in 15° increments
- Shaft: 2-piece, carbon-fiber, straight
- Blade: carbon-fiber, foam core, asymmetrical dihedral shape, ribless back
- Blade Surface Area: 99.7 square inches
- Weight: 23 ounces (220 cm)
- Price: $$$$
Aqua-Bound Manta Ray Hybrid Kayak Paddle
The Aqua-Bound Manta Ray with a carbon-fiber shaft and large carbon-reinforced blades is lightweight and designed for top-performance high-angle paddling in fast-moving water.
A corrosion-resistant Posi-Loc 2-button ferrule provides a secure play-free joint for the 2-piece shaft. It comes in a large range of lengths and feathering increments to suit all sizes and styles of paddlers.
This one should last a long time and is moderately priced considering the materials and features.
- Sizes: 210 cm, 220 cm, 230 cm, 240 cm, 250 cm
- High-angle style paddle
- Ovalized shaft for an easy grip
- Drip rings for a drier shaft and hands
- Adjustable feathering (from unfeathered to 75° right and left-hand control)
- Shaft: 2-piece with 2-button Posi-Loc ferrule, carbon fiber, straight
- Blade: carbon-reinforced injected nylon, asymmetrical dihedral shape
- Blade Surface Area: 105 square inches
- Weight: 29.445 ounces
- Price: $$
The Werner Camano is a premium 2-piece low-angle style paddle.
The carbon blend shaft is stiff for an efficient and powerful stroke and reduced swing weight while the mid-size fiberglass blades are durable and impact-resistant.
It has adjustable feathering like the Werner Kalliste above and comes in a range of 11 colors, some translucent, that add to the stylish look.
In addition, there are 7 lengths available from 215 to 260 cm to suit different-sized paddlers.
- Sizes: 215 cm, 220 cm, 225 cm, 230 cm, 240 cm, 250 cm, 260 cm
- Comes in 11 colors
- Low-angle style paddle
- Drip rings for a drier shaft and hands
- Right and left hand-control, adjustable feathering from 0-60° in 15° increments
- Shaft: 2-piece, carbon and fiberglass blend, straight
- Blade: fiberglass, asymmetrical dihedral shape
- Blade Surface Area: 100.75 square inches
- Weight: 27.25 ounces (220 cm)
- Price: $$$
Advanced Elements Compact Touring Kayak Paddle
The Advanced Elements Compact Touring Kayak Paddle is a great step-up model from the basic paddles that often come with kayaks.
The 4-piece construction breaks down to a length of 25.5 inches which is a good match for inflatable kayaks that pack into a small space.
It has a durable aluminum alloy shaft and a glass-filled nylon blade with an asymmetrical dihedral shape and feathering for paddling efficiency.
It has a plastic sleeve over the aluminum for a good grip, along with drip rings to keep your hands and lap dry.
Unfortunately, it only comes in one length but is low-priced.
- Size: 231 cm
- Comes in black
- Drip rings for a drier shaft and hands
- Plastic sleeve handgrip
- Right and left-hand control, adjustable feathering to 60°
- Shaft: 4-piece, aluminum alloy, straight
- Packable Length: 25.5 inches
- Blade: glass-filled nylon, asymmetrical dihedral shape
- Blade Measurement: 18 x 7 inches
- Weight: 43.2 ounces
- Price: $
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The Werner Skagit is the lowest-priced of the four Werner models presented here but doesn’t suffer any in quality.
It is a low-angle style paddle with a durable lightweight carbon fiber shaft, and mid-sized fiber-glass reinforced nylon blades.
Combined with adjustable feathering and numerous available lengths, it is suitable for a wide range of paddler experience and styles.
The SmartView adjustable ferrules provide a precise, tight fit for the shaft that breaks down into 4 pieces for storage.
- Sizes: 215 cm, 220 cm, 230 cm, 240 cm, 250 cm
- Comes in yellow
- Low-angle style paddle
- Drip rings for a drier shaft and hands
- Right and left-hand control, adjustable precise feathering
- Shaft: 4-piece, carbon-fiber, straight
- Blade: fiberglass-reinforced nylon, asymmetrical dihedral shape
- Blade Surface Area: 93.75 square inches
- Weight: 39 ounces
- Price: $$
Carlisle Expedition Touring Kayak Paddle
Great for touring, the Carlisle Expedition is lightweight and has durable all-fiberglass construction, both blade, and shaft.
The 2-piece paddle has easy push-button take-down and adjustable feathering to 60° to suit a range of paddlers.
With good power and a lightweight swing, you can cruise efficiently all day.
The translucent gold color is attractive as is the reasonable pricing and 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.
- Sizes: 220 cm, 230 cm, 240 cm
- Comes in translucent gold
- Low-angle style paddle
- Drip rings for a drier shaft and hands
- Right and left-hand control, adjustable feathering to 60°
- Shaft: 2-piece, fiberglass, straight
- Blade: fiberglass, asymmetrical dihedral shape
- Blade Measurement: 17 x 7 inches
- Weight: 33 ounces
- 1-year warranty
- Price: $
Bending Branches Bounce Kayak Paddle
The Bending Branches Bounce offers great performance at a value price with low-cost, quality components.
The 2-piece aluminum shaft is durable with a snap-button fixture and adjustable feathering along with an ovalized shape and slip-resistant grip, and rubber drip rings to keep your hands dry.
The polypropylene blade can handle whatever you encounter pushing off rocks and rubble.
The Bounce delivers about all an everyday recreational paddler needs without breaking the bank.
- Sizes: 210 cm, 220 cm, 230 cm, 240 cm
- Low-angle style paddle
- Ovalized shaft with slip-resistant grip
- Rubber drip rings for a drier shaft and hands
- Right and left-hand control, adjustable feathering from 0-60°
- Shaft: 2-piece, aluminum alloy, straight
- Blade: polypropylene, asymmetrical dihedral shape
- Blade Surface Area: 89 square inches
- Weight: 37 ounces
- Low-priced
- Price: $
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The Werner Tybee is another high-performance entry from Werner this time with a reasonably-priced more aggressive high-angle style paddle.
The mid-sized injection-molded fiberglass-reinforced blades will perform well for high-cadence paddling in whitewater but also for touring.
Durable lightweight blades combine with a carbon-fiberglass blend 2-piece shaft for light swing weight.
Adjustable feathering and multiple available lengths allow for variation of styles and sizes of the paddler.
- Sizes: 205 cm, 210 cm, 215 cm, 220 cm, 225 cm
- Comes in black
- High-angle style paddle
- Drip rings for a drier shaft and hands
- Right and left-hand control, adjustable feathering from 0° – 60° in 15° increments
- Shaft: 2-piece, carbon-fiberglass blend, straight
- Blade: fiberglass-reinforced nylon, asymmetrical slightly dihedral shape
- Blade Surface Area: 94.25 square inches
- Weight: 36 ounces (210 cm)
- Price: $$
Kayak Paddle Buying Guide
Paddle Length
Two main factors should determine the best length of your paddle, your physical stature, and the type and style of kayaking you plan to do.
Your height in combination with the width of the kayak provides a starting guideline for the length. Each paddle manufacturer offers advice for the paddles they make. Here are some guidelines from Aqua-Bound.
The type and style of kayaking refer to low-angle paddling which is what you do on flat or slow-moving water, versus high-angle paddling which is done in whitewater or ocean environments. Typically high-angle paddling is best served by a shorter paddle.
Blade Materials
Blades today are most often made with plastic and/or nylon, fiberglass, and carbon fiber. There is variation among the three in weight, strength, and pricing to consider.
- Plastic/Nylon – These blades are the least expensive of the three and heavier. They require little upkeep but may be more susceptible to deterioration and cracking due to sunlight exposure than the other two.
- Fiberglass – This is the mid-price material in the range of the three and weight-wise in the middle. Fiberglass is durable and maintains rigidity well.
- Carbon Fiber – Blades using carbon fiber are the lightest, most durable, and most powerful of the three. They also are generally much more expensive.
Blade Shape
Most blades are curved to effectively scoop the water on each stroke. Historically they have been symmetrical. Today the top blades and most preferred are asymmetrical dihedral in shape. This advanced design more efficiently allows water to flow along each side of the blade with less effort.
Paddle Shaft Material
It is possible to find plastic kayak paddle shafts on very cheap models but serious kayakers will want aluminum, fiberglass, or carbon fiber (and in some cases blends using carbon and fiberglass). They differ in price and weight with aluminum being the cheapest and heaviest ranging to carbon fiber as the most expensive and lightest.
Feathering
Blades can be aligned at the same angle on the shaft or “feathered” at different angles. Feathered blades can reduce wind resistance on the blade out of the water. Feathered blades require a twist of the wrist to turn the blade into the water. The best paddles allow adjustment of the feathering to what the individual kayaker prefers. Most paddlers find that feathering is more comfortable on the wrists than matched blades.
Right or Left-Hand Control
This concerns which hand is used to rotate the blades when they are feathered.
Drip Rings
Most top kayak paddles have drip rings often made of rubber. They are on each end of the paddle shaft between the blades and your hands (just inside the blades). As you bring the blade out of the water the drip rings will catch much of the water that slides off the blade onto the shaft preventing it from going down onto your hands or dropping into your lap.
For more reviews of kayaks, boats, and accessories, please check out these popular posts:
Kayak Fishing Paddles Kayak Life Vests Women Kayak Life Vests Marine VHF Radios Small Outboard Motors Kayak Trolling Motors Kayak Fish Finders Marine GPS Marine Binoculars Women’s Kayaks Touring Kayaks Tandem Kayaks Whitewater Kayaks for Beginners Lake Kayaks Ocean Kayaks Fishing Kayaks Beginner Kayaks Recreational Kayaks Inflatable Kayaks Inflatable Boats Canoes
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