Our gear reviews are written by rafting, fishing, and hunting guides or seasoned outdoor enthusiasts who use this gear beat it up, push it to the extreme, and decide that it is worth the money. We will never recommend equipment that we can’t personally stand behind. Name brands do not guide our decision-making, but there are a few brands that we tend to use and trust to put out high-quality outdoor gear, such as YETI, NRS, Stone Glacier, Chacos, and more.
We use gear, such as inflatable kayaks, for months, sometimes years before writing a review on it. Although we may eventually update our reviews with new information or more specific experiences with gear such as inflatable kayaks, YETI, NRS, Stone Glacier, Chacos, Rafts and more.you can rest assured that what you read here will be the best evaluation of the outdoor gear possible. Moreover, some gear is so old that there just isn’t anything out there to compare it to. If the gear is outdated, we’ll tell you and do our best to provide an alternative.
In 2023, we decided that like the rivers that are influence and impacted by its environment, we too would extend our reach into new areas. So, we have expanded our outdoor gear reviews to add more shoes and apparel, river dog training equipment, map software, coolers and backpacking gear like biodegradable soap to use on those side hikes off the river!
We are also excited to share articles about using the rivers to hunt large game as well as waterfowl opportunities. This has become a passion to many of us who have always had water dogs and we are thrilled to share our suggestions on gear to use and training recommendations!
We are also expanding our reach into more states outside of the Pacific Northwest! Look for those coming soon!
Next time you go camping on the river, strap on your favorite pair of Chacos sandals and take a Sevylor kayak with you. Find yourself floating on the McKenzie River? For a nice relaxing day, these kayaks are perfect. Having a little more challenge on the Upper Klamath River? The Sevylor might not be the …
How To Make Your Life So Much Better: The Inflatable Sevylor Kayak! (2022) Read More →
Chacos sandals: A must for river runners! I have been wearing Chacos for nearly twenty years now! All my river guides wear them and are here to tell you all we know about Chacos! Chaco sandals have long been summer footwear for the casual camper and river runners. They are totally customizable, adjustable, and reliable shoes. …
What Wikipedia Can’t share about how Chacos treat your Feet (2022) Read More →
Want To Keep Everything Cool? Check Out The Yeti Tundra Cooler The Yeti Tundra cooler is the toughest, best-insulated, and highest all-around performing cooler on the market. But it’s expensive, so you’ll want to know why you’re happy to spend so much of your cash on it. This review will review all the best features …
The best cooler for 2023 is the Yeti Tundra 45 cooler. Read More →
The Rocky Mountain Rafts are well-designed, durable, and easy to afford. Last summer at the height of the pandemic (with a little luck and a lot of saving up) we were able to get our hands on a 12’ self-bailing Rocky Mountain Raft. We chose one of their newest colors – Sandstone. They’re perfect for sporty …
Chaco Men’s Z/2 Classic: The legendary Chaco Men’s Z/2 Classic is a whitewater icon – and, by now, pretty well everywhere else. NRS consists of enthusiastic rafters, whitewater kayakers, and anglers whose lives are inextricably linked to water. NRS director of marketing Mark Deming is delighted to be working with Chaco to promote the preservation …
Chaco Men’s Z/2 Classic Sandals – Pure Bliss For Your Feet Read More →
I’m excited to share my experience with the Star Raven inflatable kayak. I have had a chance to use it on some Class III rivers, load gear on it for multi-day trips, and take it out on a leisurely river float. Overall, I have been very impressed with the Star kayak! It is easy to set …
If you are planning a whitewater rafting trip soon, you will want to make sure you pack the right supplies. One of the most important items on your list should be a Chacos Sandals and biodegradable soap. Biodegradable soap is environmentally friendly and highly recommended when you venture out to the great outdoors. In this article, we …
5 Best Biodegradable Soaps for the Outdoors for 2023 Read More →
Spring is approaching, and that means whitewater rafting! It’s time to get my gear and paddle rafts ready for the next season, which means assessing my row boat oars and paddles. Most rafters use oars for their row boats, whether from a stern-assist or a center frame, and you need to choose the right oar …
Choosing the Right Row Boat Oars for Your Raft (2022) Read More →
Choosing the Right Row Boat Oars for Your Raft (2023) Spring is approaching, and that means whitewater rafting! It’s time to prepare my gear and paddle rafts for the next season, which means assessing my row boat oars and paddles. Most rafters use oars for their row boats, whether from a stern assist or a …
Choosing the Right Row Boat Oars for Your Raft (2023) Read More →
Suppose you’re looking for the best way to keep your belongings safe while rafting; you need a dry box. Not all dry boxes are created equal, so it’s important to do your research before buying. This article will discuss the different types of rafting dry boxes and what to look for when choosing one. We’ll …
The Insider’s Guide to the best Rafting Dry Box (2022) Read More →
Welcome to my best picks for PFDs for women Kayakers for 2023! My team spent countless hours in each PFD to bring you this review. We’ve ranked each product based on comfort, price, and any extra features that each company offered, such as large pockets. These are the top five out of all that we …
Five of the best PFDs for Women Kayakers in 2023 Read More →
Hyside Rafts & why you should consider them If you’re looking for a quality raft that is built to last, Hyside Rafts should be on your shortlist. Hyside has been making rafts and other watercraft since 1978, and they have a reputation for producing some of the best gear on the market. This article will …
How to pick the right cooler for you Do you have a big whitewater rafting trip planned this year? You have all your gear set out, dry boxes, dry bags, and raft gear. You’ll need a good cooler to keep your food cold. There are a lot of coolers on the market these days, but …
Introduction to finding your perfect life jacket If you’re looking for the best life jacket for your needs, you’ve come to the right place. This article will discuss the top 5 life jackets for 2022. Whether you’re a whitewater rafting enthusiast or just looking for peace of mind on the boat, we have the perfect …
The Top 5 Life Jackets for 2022: Find the Perfect One for You Read More →
Paco pads=a good night sleep When you’re on a whitewater rafting trip, the last thing you want to worry about is being uncomfortable at night. That’s where Paco Pads comes in – they make the best sleeping mats for any whitewater rafting trip! So, let’s dive in, and let me show you how Paco Pads …
How Paco Pads are making the world a better place Read More →
I need to go whitewater rafting! It is a cold brisk February day, but the sun is shining, and thoughts of hitting the river are running through my mind. I texted a few buddies to see who was with me, and one of them texted back, “What do I wear whitewater rafting?” Whether it’s a commercial …
What is the best Inflatable Kayak to buy As a whitewater rafting guide, I get asked what is the best inflatable Kayak to buy in 2022. I have tried many of them and have put clients in the on multiple occasions. Inflatable kayaks, or IKs, have come a long way over the years. Now you can …
My biased opinion I don’t want to spoil it, but the best shoes for whitewater rafting (2022) are Chacos. Okay, I am biased, and what kind of review would this be if I didn’t research other options. Recently, I wrote briefly on why I love Chacos in a recent article found here, but I will also give a …
Part 3: Equipment & Logistics Is white water rafting dangerous? We are nearing the end of this discussion. I hope it has been helpful for you. If you missed any of the previous material, you could find it here. These articles are merely primers for deeper discussion and research, but I hope it has helped …
Part 2: River Section & Time Of Year So, is white water rafting dangerous? I love answering this question because it allows me to cover so much about what makes whitewater great. We covered in Part 1 of this series the need to assess your skill level and boat type. Click here to read it …
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