See Pouch

Owner Review by Aric Lewno

February 3 2010

Edited by Ken Bigelow

Product Information

Manufacturer:  SealLine
Website: www.cascadedesigns.com
MSRP: not available
Size:  large (small also available)
Color:   clear/orange (also available in clear/blue)
Listed weight:  1.3 oz (37 g)
Measured weight: 2.1 oz (59.5 g)
Listed width:  5″ (13 cm)
Listed length: 7.5″ (19 cm)
Measured width: 5″(13 cm)
Measured length: 7.5″ (19 cm) rolled – 10.5″  (26.7 cm) unrolled

Product Description

The See Pouch is made of orange vinyl with a clear vinyl front for easy contents viewing. Watertight protection is provided by the standard roll -down and clip closure. It has a 16″ lanyard with a spring clip for adjusting the length and also has a belt loop. This is a handy bag for small items I don’t want to get wet or dusty from the elements. It will fit items such as a wallet, passport, GPS or cellular phone.

back of pouch, rolled and clipped

Field Information

I have been using the See Pouch for about 3 years.  I have used it paddling off the Gulf Coast of Florida in all weather conditions, from flat calm sunny days to 2-foot (61 cm) swells.  It has also accompanied me attached to the deck of my kayak on a 3-day, 70-mile (113 km) camping adventure down the Suwannee River. It was warm and sunny with some very minor rapids and evening rain.

Pouch in action

Review

The See Pouch has been submerged many times and has functioned flawlessly. I have mostly used it for my cell phone ( HTC DASH ). I usually keep it strapped to the deck of my kayak, although sometimes it gets tossed in my day-hatch or I wear it around my neck. It’s been submerged playing in the surf, both rolling and waves breaking over my kayak.

The clear vinyl lets me see who’s calling and is thin enough to access the phone buttons and features. I have not tried to place or receive a call with the phone in the pouch, the vinyl may be too thick to hear or be heard and don’t believe it was intended for such use. This product has performed well for me. The long lanyard lets me loop the pouch around a deck line and still has enough length to allow me to gain access to contents while still secured to my boat. This pouch is tough. I am hard on my gear and this little thing has been put through the ringer.

Likes

Quality construction; easy operation; clear vinyl allows you to see contents

Dislikes

None

Summary

The See Pouch is a tough, small item carrying, to hell and back watertight product !

I give this product 2 thumbs up !!

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About Me

Name: Aric Lewno
Age: 40
Height: 6′ (1.83m)
Weight: 145 lbs. (111 kg)
Email: alewnotic@gmail.com
Location: Dunedin, Florida, USA

Paddling style: I started paddling in an Ocean Kayak Prowler 13 (13 ft/4 m sit-on-top) and graduated to a 17 ft 6 (5.33 m) sea kayak. I enjoy all kinds of paddles, from day trips to long-weekend camping trips. Always looking for the next adventure!

Last updated on February 10, 2009

Review Status: In Progress
This review is still in progress.    Additional information will be available in two months.

side view of the Teva Cherry Bomb

REVIEW ITEM: Teva Cherry Bomb
MANUFACTURER: Teva
WEBSITE: http://www.teva.com
Materials: Stretch neoprene upper with SSR rubber out-sole
Colors available: Walnut (looks green to me)
Sizes available: US Men’s 4 – 14
Size tested: US Men’s 12
weight: 2 lbs for the pair (size 12)
MSRP:  US $65.00

Product Description
OK, I’m going to come right out and say it, the designer of the Cherry Bombs may be a closet Ninja Turtle fan. I mean, if I were looking for an off-the-shelf shoe to go with my Ninja Turtle outfit (if I had one and even if there is such a thing), I’d go with the Cherry Bombs. So with that out of the way, let’s take a close look at these shoes, or are they boots?  They do have a higher top than shoes but I would not say they are boots since the uppers are made of neoprene. I think the accepted term for this kind of shoe is a water shoe or bootie.  And I tried to look them up on the Teva website for some clarification but it appears the Cherry Bombs are no longer available.  The Sling King look like the closest match and it is a low top water shoe.

Since I could not look the shoes up on the Teva site, I did a little internet research to find out some of the specifics for the Cherry Bombs. I found that the uppers are made of 4 mm neoprene and the rubber parts of the shoe (mostly the sole but also toe and heel guards) are made of SSR rubber. The shoe also features a strap across the arch area that is tightened by simply pulling it tight and fastening the hook and loop fastener.  Another strap goes across the toe area and it tightens with a buckle type fastener by simply pulling on the free end of the strap.  This strap is actually Y shaped as it attaches at one point on the outer (little toe) side and two points on the inner (big toe) side.

front and back view of the Cherry Bomb

As for the looks of the shoes, well I stand by my “Ninja Turtleish look” statement, but more specifically, the neoprene uppers are sort of an olive drab/greenish looking color, with accents that look like some kind of digitized camo pattern.  The bottom of the shoe has a very shallow diamond tread but nothing I’d call aggressive but the soles are designed to be sticky instead of relying on an aggressive pattern for grip. Here is a photo of the sole of the shoe.

view of the sole

The rubber parts of the soles that are visible when wearing the shoes are a much darker green then the uppers. The Teva Logo is visible on the outside edge of the sole while a spider looking image with the letters SSR in between the front legs is visible on the inner side, just behind where my big toe resides inside the shoe.  I should also note that there is a thinner layer of rubber just above the sole that goes up just a little in the front and more so around the heel area and also where the mid strap is located. This rubber is almost the same color as the neoprene upper so it is not all that noticeable from a distance.

I will also mention that the shoe is fairly flexible. Of course this is to be expected of the neoprene uppers but the sole is also more flexible than regular shoes.  However, this is pretty much standard with this kind of shoe so don’t be alarmed.  The sole feels thick enough for walking on irregular rock surfaces but I would not want to walk a knife edged rock very far in them. Of course testing will tell how they perform so I won’t speculate any further for now. I will say that the rubber on the bottom of the shoe feels very sticky.

Trying them on
Anytime I don’t have a chance to try on a pair of shoes before getting them I am a little nervous that they may not fit very well, even if I get them in the size I normally wear in other shoes. And since I have wide feet and wear a 11.5 or 12 (some in the EE width), I was hoping the Cherry Bombs in a size 12 would fit.  And by going with a size 12 I was fairly confidant that they would not be too small, which is much worse than having a shoe slightly too big.  But to my relief, these shoes in a size 12 are a great fit.  And by that, I mean they fit like a glove, not too big, not to small, not too wide and not to narrow etc.  I think I could wear socks with them if I wanted too but not a real thick pair.

These are not the easiest shoes to get on because the top is so floppy.  In other words I could not just get my toes started inside and push. I had to sit down on the couch and pull quite vigorously on the uppers to get them on.  Fortunately, there is a pull strap on the heel to help assist pulling them on.

Once I had them on, I walked around the house a few minutes and was satisfied that I had a good fit.  Remember my “they fit like a glove” comment earlier?  In fact, with both straps tightened, I can’t imagine these shoes pulling off accidentally, even in the stickiest mud. And believe me, I’ve had a few rubber boots pull off and had to be careful with others to avoid it. Of course if they were not as form fitting I might have a different opinion, especially if I had real narrow feet.

One more note about fit, the Cherry Bombs are unisex boots but are sized for men.  Women will need to order 2 sizes smaller than their normal shoe size to get the right size shoe.

Early Test Results

author testing the Cherry Bombs in some fast moving water

First of all, the weather has not cooperated very well so I have not had an opportunity to wear the shoes on any kayaking trips thus far, but I did managed to wear them on a 2 mile (3 km) hike down to a creek below my house.  In fact, I hiked down to the creek without wearing the shoes a few days earlier to get some photos of them before I got them dirty, but didn’t have time to actually wear them that day.  Then a few days later, I wore them for the entire hike down to the creek and back and also managed to play around in the creek awhile.  This crossing the creek in the Teva Cherry Bombs video shows me crossing the creek.  But back to the start.

When I put the shoes on over my Kokatat Tempest dry pants that have a built in sock (not the kind you wear with shoes) they felt a little funny on my feet.  I started out the door but didn’t make it far before turning around to see if I could get them to feel better.  I pulled everything off and put on a thin pair of socks, re-dressed and this was much better.  It was a cold and windy (spitting snow) hike down to the creek at 35 F (2 C) and had cooled down to 32 F (0 C) before I made it back home. I will say my feet stayed warm while hiking and even when playing in the water at the creek. And now for the details on the hike.

It had rained all morning so the trail down to the creek was slick and muddy, and no, the Cherry Bombs did not keep me from slipping on the muddy trail.  But I did like how they felt, it was sort of a walking barefoot sensation, only I wasn’t.  Once I got to the creek I decided to walk across a log to see how they did and they were great for that. Then I proceeded to see if I could make it across the creek in the water, despite the fact that it was rolling pretty good.  I unfastened the belt on my waist pack just in case…and started across.  It was probably not them most gracefulcrossing ever attempted but I made it fine.  I was really impressed with how well they helped me stick to the rocks in the fast moving water.  I’ve crossed this same place many times in similar conditions and had all kinds of trouble keeping my feet planted.  The rushing water did eventually get the insides of the Cherry Bombs soaked so when I got home I wondered how I would dry them out. I finally settled on propping them upside down between a cooler and the wall over a heat register.  It took them about 5 hours to dry completely and I estimate the heater ran about half that time.  I’m not sure what I will do later in the summer when I am not running the heater. If it warms up soon enough I may find out in time for the next report.  I encourage you to check back for it in about 2 months.

Personal Information
Name: Coy Starnes
Gender: Male
Age: 48
Height: 6 ft (1.8 m)
Weight: 240 lb (109 kg)
Email: starnescr@yahoo.com
Location: Grant Alabama

Paddling Bio: I have been canoeing for around 27 years but just recently got the Kayaking bug. I purchased a used Perception Carolina 14.5 kayak in the summer of 2008 but found the cockpit was a little cramped for my taste. I bought an Ocean Kayak Prowler 15 which is a Sit-On-Top and found it much better suited for my needs. I kayak on local waters here in Northeast Alabama which includes Guntersville Lake as well as many rivers and creeks. So far I have not done any whitewater kayaking but have tackled a few class II streams. I consider myself a strong paddler but still need to work on my technique as I am slower than a few of the locals I paddle with.

Edited by Ken Bigelow

January 7th, 2010

View of the Cayuga

Product Information:

The comfort of the cockpit

The Cayuga 146 is a touring style recreational kayak. The kayak has a nice shape and looks the part, with long sleek lines, large cockpit and a little bit of rocker. The kayak comes with convenient carry handles front and back that are held to the kayak with bungee cords. There are two hatches with bulkheads to keep the compartments dry. The hatches have a strap and buckle system to keep the hatch covers in place. Not only do the hatches have a line to keep them attached to the kayak, but the lock system creates a large X over the hatch cover to keep it securely in place. There is a small day hatch with a screw on lid for small items, such as a water bottle, located just in front of the cockpit. The kayak is equipped with a set of bungee decklines on the front and back. There is a small bungee attachment near the side of the cockpit to help keep a paddle from drifting off when not needed. The foot pegs are adjustable. There is an optional rudder kit and optional thigh brace kit. The seat is made of soft foam and adjustable.

View of the hatch cover

Detailing of how to further adjust the seat

View of the bottom of the hatch cover showing foam seal

Impressions

I was impressed with the Cayuga the first time I saw it. This kayak looks longer than it actually is due to the sleekness of its lines. It does not look wide or short which is what I often associate sizing-wise with a recreational kayak. This kayak looks like it can actually track in a straight line and go somewhere with ease. I was really eager to get it out on the water for the first time. The kayak also comes with a nice foam seat that is quite comfortable to sit in. I found that the cockpit coaming seemed to come up a little high but was not excessive, just a bit more then my other kayak. The foot pegs were easy to adjust and the seat back can be adjusted for more comfort. I liked the color of the kayak too, it was not a solid blue but rather a swirled blue and white.

On Water Use

View of the day hatch and location

I have taken the Cayuga out on numerous trips in and around the Washington DC area, mostly on the Potomac River. I have detailed a few of the trips below to give an idea of typical use.

My first use of the kayak was for a short touring trip of about 2 miles (3.2 km). I took a little time to get the foot pegs in the right position and play around with some of the features. The hatches are easy to use and the inside seal is soft foam. The small front day hatch has a screw on lid that has a rubber o-ring seal. The foot pegs were easy to adjust and I was soon out on the water enjoying the day. The trip was on a small waterway at low tide and with no waves. The kayak handled very well and tracked in a straight line. I was happy with that. The kayak is quite stable but not so stable that I couldn’t give some edge to my strokes and efficiently turn the kayak. I did notice that my water bottle didn’t want to go into the small day hatch, the cockpit coaming was a little too high and close which interfered with the bottle’s entry. I had help carrying the kayak from my car to the put in and it was then that I noticed the bungee cord really holds the handles to the kayak. I had a bit of trouble getting my fingers under the handle to pick up the kayak.

Looking into the hatch at the foam bulkhead

The next trip was again about 2 mi (3.2 km) and was at the same put in but this time I went out to the river. Once on the river I encountered waves as well as boat chop. One very large boat went by and the Cayuga pushed through the wake very nice and smoothly. I did get water in the cockpit as I didn’t have a spray skirt on. But the kayak remained upright, stable and took the wave nicely. I did try to fit my spray skirt to the kayak but not only was it not large enough around, but the seat back is high over the coaming, and the rim of the coaming didn’t seem deep enough to keep a spray skirt on. I will try with a larger spray skirt.

Another trip out was for about 4 hours with a tour group. These were paying clients who wanted to see the area by water. The tour was again along the Potomac north of Great Falls, Maryland. There was some minor current on the river and more current at the put in. The kayak handled very well and was comfortable to sit in during the four hour trip. The trip was through a riparian water area and being able to get in close to the reeds and grasses was a real treat.

Another trip, again a 4 hour touring trip, took place down near the monuments along the Potomac near Washington DC. The trip started out in a secluded area to give new paddlers time to get used to their kayaks, then we were out on the river with the boat traffic. The Cayuga handled the wake from the boat traffic very well. I never felt unstable in the boat even when I ran through several wakes, splashing water inside the cockpit.

Turning in the Cayuga

Wear

So far, the kayak is holding up quite well, but I find that the plastic does feel rather thin. It has accumulated a few small scratches on the bottom from some of the rockier launching and landing points but nothing that would cause leaks or problems. I have to be very careful to not tie the kayak down too tightly as I noticed it caused some deformation in the plastic hull the first time I tied it to the car. I haven’t had any issues with leakage from the hatch covers but I did notice that one of the seals on the front bulkheads wasn’t completely water tight. After leaving the kayak on top of the car during a rain storm, the previously dry compartment had water in it after the rain. The kayak is easy to drain upside down, and most of the water drains out. The seat has drain holes in it so at least I wasn’t sitting in a wet seat at the start of my paddle. The bungee cords across the deck are still in great shape and I haven’t noticed any slack in them yet, despite the amount of sun the kayak has received. The bungee holding the carrying handles to the deck are still just as tight as when I first got the kayak, which still makes it a little difficult to pick up the handles from the deck. Given the amount of sun the kayak has seen this summer, I find that the color still seems as vibrant as when I first received it. The plastic is still in nice shape and doesn’t seem to be drying out. I haven’t noticed any drying out or cracking of the plastic.

On a paddle along the barrier channel

Wrap-up

I have enjoyed using the Cayuga for recreational paddles. The kayak is easy to handle but can also be controlled. I had no issues edging the kayak into turns nor did I have trouble keeping it in a straight line. The kayak was easy to paddle, the bulkhead covers easy to use and the front day hatch a nice touch. I found that it handled the boat wakes nicely without any noticeable degree of instability, this was regardless of whether I took the wake head on or broach to the wake. I did have a few minor dislikes with the kayak. I didn’t like the way the cockpit rim curled back on itself mostly from a self carrying point of view. While I don’t tend to self-carry my kayaks too far, I do have to get them on and off the car sometimes by myself. The way the cockpit rim curled back, I found it uncomfortable on my shoulder to the point of being painful. I ended up getting help whenever I could after that first carry. I also found that I didn’t care much for the back placement of the carrying handle. The handle is not placed at the back of the kayak, likely to accommodate the optional rudder. As such, I noticed that the kayak tends to bump my leg more when I carry it. Plus the handle is off-center forcing me to do the carry with the kayak always on my right side. I like to be able to switch hands on longer carries. The picture below highlights the positions of the carrying handles, it is easy to see that the back handle is not all the way back.

Highlighting carrying handle locations

The comfort of the kayak is definitely a bonus. I have plenty of leg room and toe room. While I don’t have huge feet, my size 9 feet did have plenty of room. I found I could easily keep my legs inside the cockpit or pop my knees outside to rest against the cockpit rim and still feel comfortable. The seat itself is super comfortable. I really enjoyed the foam and how it conformed to my butt. I didn’t care for the back support as much though mostly due to the height of the seat back. With such a high back, I couldn’t lean back to stretch out, nor could I comfortably use a spray skirt. None of my spray skirts worked with the large size of the cockpit opening so I just didn’t use one.

Summary

Pros

- bulkheads prevent swamping and wet gear

- small day hatch is handy for small items

- very comfortable seat, easily adjustable foot pegs

Cons

- bungee on the handles make it hard to easily grab the handle

- no real decklines to grab onto

- day hatch a little too close to coaming, waterbottles must be short to fit

This concludes my review on the Old Town Cayuga kayak. Thank you for reading this review and I hope you have found the information contained within valuable and useful.

Personal Information:

Paddling Bio: I started seriously kayaking in the summer of 2007 and bought an Impex Force Category 4 as my first real boat that fall. I started whitewater kayaking in the summer of 2008 with a Jackson Classic Fun and now I also have a Jackson AllStar. I currently enjoy white water, flat water, ocean surfing and sea kayaking and look forward to getting more into rafting. I tend to get out on the water several times a week during the height of the kayaking season. I have even paddled with the Ice Pirates at the height of winter. I am hoping to do an expedition trip in the following year.

Edited by Ken Bigelow

November 9th, 2009

Teva Sunkosi 2

Product Information:

Closeup of Sunkosi

This is Teva’s remake of the original Sunkosi. This water shoe has been redesigned to dry faster, have better fit and traction, and to be more comfortable. The Sunkosi 2 are a water shoe with drain holes in the sole as well as a mesh upper and draining insole. The bottom is made of a Spider Rubber compound that grips well both in a dry and wet environment. The rubber is made of a non-marking rubber. The lacing system is a quick pull system with no loose ends to worry about. The laces feed into a pull system that can be tightened then rolled and stored under a flap that closes onto a hook and loop enclosure. The laces run though a webbing system that allows ease of function both when wet and dry. Part of the lacing runs from the heel up to the lacing then down and through the sole to the other side. The mesh and top sole have a TPU support system which can be seen on the outside of the mesh as fingers reaching up from the rubber sole to the webbing eyelets. The opening of the water shoe has a softer expandable material that is part of their mono-sock system designed to keep debris out of the water shoe. The water shoe has a grab loop on the back to assist with pulling the shoe on. The rubber grip extends up the side of the water shoe wrapping around the heel forming a heel pocket, and running along the side partially wrapping over the toes for extra protection.

Impressions

I was initially impressed by the fit of these water shoes. I tend towards the wider side of footwear and it was nice to find a pair of water shoes that could easily accommodate my wider feet while remaining comfortable. The water shoes are easy to tighten and the lacing remains tight even when wet. The color is pleasing to the eyes and I don’t mind wearing them off the water and around town. The shoe fits nicely around my ankle with a sock-like closure that helps keep debris out.

On Water Use

Closeup of sole

My first major use of the shoes, apart from wearing them to work one day, was for two sea kayaking classes. It was a long day on and in the water. The beach was a nice sandy beach and the water was comfortable for standing in. The morning was all about advanced strokes while the afternoon was about rolling and bracing. For the rolling segment of the class I was standing in waist deep water on the sandy bottom assisting paddlers in rolling drills. I had hoped that the mono-sock would keep out the beach sand but it did not. I accumulated a large wad of sand under my toes. It wasn’t an issue in the water as the sand would move around, but once the water was removed, it was more of an issue. I wasn’t chaffed as it was a short walk back the car to get a change of footwear and dry out.

The next trip out was a kayak tour of the Potomac River on the Maryland side. We were paddling in the canal which has a breach in the wall giving rise to a small portage. Knowing that the portage side is very muddy and slippery I generally wear shoes I can keep tight to my feet to lessen the chances of the mud seeping one. I had the Sunkosi’s tightened down and they survived the sucking nature of the mud, but they were coated in mud. It took a little washing to get the mud off but I did not feel any mud squeeze into the water shoes, either through the bottom drain holes or from the top.

Another trip out was a 4 day sea kayaking training and assessment symposium. I spend 3 days on the water and one day in a classroom. The water shoes were very comfortable both on and off the water. As the water temperatures were so cold, the first day I wore the water shoes with socks (in the classroom). The next three days I wore both thick wool socks and a dry suit and still had room in the Sunkosi’s for a comfortable fit. It was definitely a snug fit but it wasn’t uncomfortable. The shoes fit nicely in my sea kayak and while I can’t sit with the shoe totally vertical (low front deck), I can fit them on the foot pegs properly and still rest my legs against the bottom of the kayak as needed. The Sunkosi’s stayed on my feet as I was swimming though some rough water and going though some rescue drills. I did notice again that some of the finer beach sand was making its way into the shoes. With a dry suit, this isn’t a good thing as sand will rub wear spots and cause leaking. Luckily it wasn’t as much sand as the first time.

The next trip out was a weekend trip with two kayaking classes. The first class was a beginner level class. The put in was a boat ramp and the shoes gripped the slimy part of the ramp just as well as the dry part. I set my feet carefully at first but the grip was good and I didn’t slip. The second day out was an open water class and a sandy beach launch. I did get some fine sand in the water shoes again, but this time I allowed the shoes to fill up with water before entering the kayak. I then tipped my foot back to drain out the water and some of the sand. This worked well so I didn’t have to paddle with sand in my water shoes.

Wear

Teva Sunkosi wear

With all the use these water shoes have seen over this season, they are holding up well. I did notice a wear spot on the side of the heels were the water shoes press up against my kayak when I paddle. Mostly at this point it looks to be simply a rubbing off of the external color of the rubber showing white underneath. It doesn’t look like the rubber itself is actually showing any wear at that point. The laces are still in great shape and I love that they are real laces. They stay tight to my feet and don’t loosen over time or when wet. I have noticed that the size of the hook and look enclosure is quite small and sometimes doesn’t hold the lacing down underneath. I am not sure if this is that I simply knock the flap against something or that the amount of lacing rolled up underneath causes strain on the closure causing it to eventually work itself open. So far it hasn’t been an issue, but I fear that one day I might catch the lace loop on something and break a lace.

Wrap-up

I love these shoes both was walking around and for sea kayaking. I hope to get many more seasons of use out of them as they were so comfortable. I love the color and the lacing system kept the shoes snug to my feet.

Summary

Pros

- tight lacing system

- excellent drainage

- dries quickly

- comfortable both wet and dry

Cons

- lace flap works loose

- sand works its way inside

This concludes my review on the Sunkosi 2 water shoe. Thank you for reading this review and I hope you have found the information contained within valuable and useful.

Personal Information:

Paddling Bio: I started seriously kayaking in the summer of 2007 and bought an Impex Force Category 4 as my first real boat that fall. I started whitewater kayaking in the summer of 2008 with a Jackson Classic Fun and now I also have a Jackson AllStar. I currently enjoy white water, flat water, ocean surfing and sea kayaking and look forward to getting more into rafting. I tend to get out on the water several times a week during the height of the kayaking season. I have even paddled with the Ice Pirates at the height of winter. I am hoping to do an expedition trip in the following year.

Last updated on February 22, 2009

Review Status: In Progress

This review is still in progress. Additional information will be available in two months.

Kokatat T3 Tempest pant

Product Info
Manufacturer:    Kokatat
Website:    http://www.kokatat.com/
MSRP:    N/A
Material:    T3 (Tropos 3 layer fabric)
Color:     Grey
Sizes available:  Unisex – S to XXL
Test Size:  XL
Weight:  my XL weigh 1 lb 2.8 oz (0.53 kg)

Product Description
The Tempest pants are designed to keep a paddler dry from the waist down, including the feet. They are intended primarily for kayaking but will work for canoeing or any similar activity that requires protection from the water. The pants are also designed to work with a dry top if complete protection is desired. Such a combination would be more flexible than a full dry suit in my opinion, especially when it comes time to go to the bathroom.

The Tempest pants are basically a pair of pants made from a waterproof and breathable material called Tropos T3 which is also said to be durable, comfortable and supple. So far I have to agree with this assessment. All seams are taped and factory sealed. The pants have a neoprene waistband to seal the water out if I happen to step in an unseen hole or get dumped from my kayak. The waistband is pretty form fitting but there is also a set of flaps on either side with hook and loop type fasteners to secure the pants even tighter. The pants are designed to be worn over an under layer such as thermals or some type of fleece pant. I could also just wear them over jeans if I were so inclined The sock portion of the pants is integrated into the pants and are designed to be worn over socks and then under a water type shoe. The gravel guard section laps some 8 in (20 cm) over the lower end of the pants and will allow the use of fairly tall water shoes.

Initial Impression and Use
As a Sit-on-Top kayak user, I had been looking at the Tempest Pants before I got my test pair. They seemed like an ideal solution to my winter time paddling needs. After examining and then using the pants on a 14 mile (22.5 km) paddle I am not disappointed. First of all, I had to pick a size. My measurements fell on the low end of the XL size using the online fit guide. Well, everywhere but in the inseam. I wear size 38 jeans with a 32 in (81 cm) inseam. The inseam is listed at 34 – 35 in (86 – 89 cm) for the XL. So obviously, my pants are quite a bit too long for me. Kokatat offers custom sizing for full on dry suits but not for these pants. That said, I didn’t have any trouble wearing them and actually didn’t notice the inseam being too long as I wore them. The pants just look bunched up from the knees on down.

Author getting ready to launch

For my first use, I wore the Tempest over some sweat pants and a pair of wool blend socks. I don’t have any dedicated kayaking shoes and my Muck boots are too tall for the gravel guard so I used some low top mesh shoes which turned out to be too short for the gravel guard. But other than that, the shoes worked fine. I met a group of local paddlers for a 14 mile (22.5 km) paddle from just below the Guntersville Dam to a marina in Huntsville. The morning was cool at around 45 F (7 C) and the water temperature was 57 F (14 C). The first test was helping one of the paddlers get his new spray skirt on his kayak. I was able to wade all around his kayak to make sure it was on properly. Then I got on my SOT kayak and away we went. I always get a little water in the seat area of my kayak but this time it was no problem. I checked my sweat pants just as soon as we stopped for our first break and they were completely dry. I did notice my lower belly was slightly damp from sweat where the neoprene waistband was located. I also decided this was a good place to really test the waterproofness of the pants so I waded out until I was in water to just below the top of the pants. Since the water was fairly cold I didn’t go on out and test the seal at the very top of the pants but they did not leak a drop. Perhaps when I get a dry top I will be braver…. Here is a photo of the test.

wading test

The paddle lasted about 4 and a half hours and it was 61 F (16 C) when we finished However, the pants still felt fine at the level of exertion I was putting out. In other words, we paddled at a nice relaxed pace. Every once and awhile we would open it up a bit but we were not racing or training to race. When I got home I took the pants off to examine my sweat pants and socks and see if any water had leaked in. I was pleased to find both were dry.

Summary
One use does not give much data for comment, but if the initial use is any indication of how they will perform, I am excited at the prospect of using these pants all winter. They met every expectation I had on the first paddle. I found they were very comfortable while paddling and also when walking around on the shoreline when we stopped for several breaks. And of course, I was really pleased that they kept me warm and dry for the entire paddle. I realize that kayaking in the winter is inherently dangerous but the use of proper clothing and gear is the first step in limiting said danger. I used a set of waders last winter but the Tempest pants have already shown me they are much better suited for cold weather paddling. I was just too hot in the waders on all but the coldest days and the mobility in these pants is much better. Stay tuned for updates as I continue to use the Tempest pants.

Field Review

Author wading in Honeycomb Creek with the Tempest Pants

Testing Locations and Conditions
All testing was here in Northeast Alabama on a local creek and on Guntersville Lake. Since the long paddle in mid November, the weather has cooled of dramatically.  In fact, many parts of Guntersville Lake froze completely over for the first time in my memory. This cut into my paddling opportunities but I did managed a 4 mile (6 km) kayak outing; plus, I used the pants for a walk in the woods to a creek down below my house and another short hike in snow.

Test Results
I am extremely pleased with the Kokatat Tempest pants so far. On the paddling trip in early February, we had a nice 2 inch (5 cm) snow the day before so I was hoping to get some pictures of the snow around the lake and then up a small creek before it melted.  I was at the lake by 8:30 AM and the sun was shining very brightly.  I guess it seemed even brighter then it really was with all the snow on the ground.  The air temperature was 28 F (-2 C) and the water temperature was 37 F (3 C) but there was quite a bit of ice on shallow places around the lake edge. A friend and I paddled about a mile and a half to reach the inlet where Honeycomb Creek enters the lake. We were not going fast and stopped a lot to take pictures.  Once we got as far as we could paddle we stopped for a rest break and to stretch a little.  I was a bit apprehensive about getting out of the kayak in the cold creek water but it really was not that bad once I took the plunge so to speak. I waded around a few minutes then went up on the bank.  I was very careful not to get in water any deeper than the top of the pants but I did get the bottom of my coat wet. Thankfully, no water entered into the pants. We paddled back out a little faster since we had already taken our pictures but by the time we headed back the wind had picked up quite a bit and we had to paddle hard to make any headway.  I noticed my hands were getting cold and put on my gloves for the first time during the trip. But the Tempest Pants kept my legs nice and warm.  My feet did get a little cool because my shoes had water in them from wading around but no water entered into the integrated socks of the Tempest dry pants.  I verified this when I got home by examining my wool socks that I had on under the pants’ integrated sock. And for the record I had on a pair of sweat pants under the Tempest pants, which is pretty much my standard wear during cold weather.

I know these pants are not made for hiking but I used them in this manner on two different occasions.  The first was on a 2 mile (3 km) hike down to the creek behind my house, and instead of packing them to put on once I got there, I just put them on before leaving.  For one, it was very windy and cold and also spitting snow so I needed a good windproof bottom.  I always enjoy wading around in the creek in the summer but this was the first time I did it on purpose in the winter. Don’t ask about the few times I waded when it was not on purpose…. Anyways, I was really surprised at how comfortable they were for the 2 mile hike.  And warm, well they were fine for the hike down and even while wading around. But once I went just a little ways back up the side on the mountain I was hot in the pants.  Here is a video of the Creek Crossing which shows me wading across, and if you look closely at around 49 seconds, you can see where I stepped in a hole about knee deep.  But the key point was, the integrated socks kept my feet dry because water did get inside my Teva Cherry Bomb water shoes.

We had another snow a few days later and I got out for another hike in the pants.  This time I had on my Edgewater Muck Boots with the 8 inch (20 cm) top.  I have a pair with a 16 inch (41 cm) top that are too tall to go under the mud guard.  This pair proved to be just about the perfect height for going up under the mud guard on the Tempest pants. I did not go down to the creek but did managed to wade in a small branch with some fast moving water and did not even get water inside my shoes this time.  Of course I did not stay in long and I imagine that if I had, some water would have eventually worked its way up inside the mud guard and over into the shoes. But regardless, these shoes are big all the way around and this seemed to help them seal the water out.  The image on the left shows the Tempest pants with these shoes.

One other thing I noticed was that I really preferred socks on under the built in socks. I found this out when I wore my Teva Cherry Bombs which are snug fitting shoes to start with.  The first time I tried this combination without socks was the hike down to the creek, but after walking just a little ways, I was back in the house to put some socks on.  The reason being, the built in socks on the pants are big on my feet, so of course they wrinkled when I put my shoes on.  Even a thin sock makes the wrinkles more comfortable and when I wore the Edgewater boots with my thick socks it was even better.

That’s it for now, I was hoping to get some more seat time (as in paddling) in the Tempest pants by now, but maybe with spring just around the corner I can get out more. Stay tuned for my final analysis on these pants in a couple of months from now.

Tester Information

Name: Coy Starnes

Gender: Male

Age: 47

Height: 6 ft (1.8 m)

Weight: 240 lb (109 kg)

My Measurements:  Waist 40 in ( 102 cm), Hips 44 in (112 cm), Inseam, 32 in (81 cm)

Email: starnescr@yahoo.com

Location: Grant Alabama

I have been canoeing for around 27 years but just recently got the Kayaking bug. I purchased a used Perception Carolina 14.5 kayak in the summer of 2008 but found the cockpit was a little cramped for my taste. I bought an Ocean Kayak Prowler 15 which is a Sit-On-Top and found it much better suited for my needs. I kayak on local waters here in Northeast Alabama which includes Guntersville Lake as well as many rivers and creeks. So far I have not done any whitewater kayaking but have tackled a few class II streams.  I consider myself a strong paddler but still need to work on my technique as I am slower than a few of the locals I paddle with.

with Socks

Product Review by Hollis Luzecky
Edited by Ken Bigelow
Last updated on February 10, 2009

Review Status: In Progress
This review is still in progress. Additional information will be available in two months.

Kōkatat Tempest Pant with Socks

Product Specifications

Product Description

The Kōkatat Tempest Pant with Socks (Tempest) are waterproof pants with integrated socks. They are made of TROPOS 3 layer fabric (T3), which is waterproof and breathable according to the tag on the Tempest. The tag also says that the socks have a “gravel guard.”

Hook and loop ankle tab

I believe this is referring to the fact that the socks are sealed about 7 in (18 cm) up under the pants and at the cuff there is a hook and loop tab to tighten the cuff around the ankle, which could keep gravel and other debris out of your shoes. The medium Tempest have a measured inseam of 36 in (91 cm). The knees are articulated for comfort when kneeling, sitting, or walking.

Neoprene waistband with hook and loop adjustable tabs.

The Tempest have a wide waistband which is neoprene. The inner portion of the waistband at the back has a rubbery, sticky feel to it. At the front there are hook and loop tabs to adjust the fit. The waistband is designed to keep water out on its own or be paired with a double-skirted paddling top. The seams are factory sealed.

The tag contains some general instructions for care of all Kōkatat products, but Kōkatat Web site instructs that wearers of T3 fabrics should wash first before use to remove dye residue. Always rinse after saltwater use. Machine-wash warm (104° F/40° C), gentle cycle. No bleach. Hand washing will extend garments usable life. Hang dry or machine dry at lower temperature setting. Do not dry-clean.

The tag contains instructions on caring for latex gaskets and zippers, but this product does not contain either of these features. According to the Kōkatat Web site, there is a relief zipper option available, but my Tempest do not have this option.

Initial Impressions

Size medium is a bit large, but room for plenty of layers underneath

The Tempest fabric feels durable and doesn’t seem like it will rip or tear easily. When I pull the Tempest on, I feel like I am the stay puff marshmallow man because of the air that gets trapped in them. I can easily “deflate” myself however just by letting the air out of the waistband. When I crouch down or knee in them the air also escapes. I’m not sure if most of it is escaping through the waistband or the breathable material.

The sealed seems are a bit stiff especially in the crotch. When I walk in them, I can feel the crotch seam rubbing against my legs. The bulky crotch seam almost makes it feel like the inseam is too short, but there is plenty of length there for me at 5’ 9” (1.5 m).

I originally requested a large, but Kōkatat recommended a medium, stating the Tempest are sized with layering in mind. The medium Tempest seem even a bit large and certainly are roomy enough for me to wear a base layer under them. I can easily fit a pair of fleece or even neoprene pants under them. They are not restrictive when I sit, kneel, walk, or stretch in them. The waist is a little bit large and I have about 5 extra inches there. But with the hook and loop tabs, I can get a tight fit. The folds of fabric at the waist when I tighten it are not obstructive or uncomfortable. The waistband sits high and does not slide down over my hips or butt when seated. The neoprene appears to form a “seal.” I like this, and I hope this will help to keep water out better.

Waist stays up over my hips and with hook and loop tabs, I'm able to get a comfortable, snug fit

The integrated socks are also unisex in size and therefore run very large. The socks measure about 10.5 in (26.7 cm) long. They fit inside my larger and smaller water shoes, but they are very bulky. The socks are not the most comfortable crammed into shoes. Besides the problem with the socks, I do like how I can tighten the ankles around my shoes to keep water and debris out of them.

I do worry about the Tempest filling with water and not being able to get them off before a bad situation arises. I will be sure to test them carefully before swimming through a big rapid.

Field Review

I have worn the Tempest several times during kayak pool sessions to ensure their dryness. I tried the Tempest on their own, and with a semi-dry short sleeve top and a long sleeve dry top.

Waterproofness

The Kōkatat website says that the Tempest can be worn on their own, so I ventured into the pool to test this claim (since the Potomac temperatures are around freezing right now). I pulled the Tempest on and squatted down to release as much air as possible before tightening them around my waist. I was wearing swimsuit bottoms and thin polyester knee-length leggings under the Tempest. The Tempest waistband sits high on my waist above my base layers. I made sure the waistband was flat against my skin and tightened the hook and loop tabs so the waistband was snug around my waist. I left my rashguard shirt untucked so water would not leak down the Tempest via the shirt. I was in the pool for approximately 1.5 hours working on my roll, bow stalls, and stern stalls (the later two typically end up in a roll practice too). On my first roll, I noticed a trickle down my back. By the end of the session, I was feeling wet, but not soaked. It was enough water, however, to bother me. The trapped water did seem to warm up, but it wasn’t very cold to begin with and the building was warm, as well. At the end of the night, I did a wet exit to test their swimming waterproofness. As soon as I up righted myself, pointing my head to the surface, all the trapped air rushed out the waistband, letting in a lot of water. At the same time, the Tempest seemed to suction to my skin as the air moved up and out of them. Once the air had all escaped, it seemed like there was a seal again at the waist. But by that time, I had at least 2 cups of water in each sock.

At another pool session, I wore the pants with my semi-dry short sleeve top. I have usually found this top to be pretty dry so thought it would work well with the pants. I tucked the dry top tunnel into the pants, tightened the waistband. I pulled my skirt on and pulled the outer tunnel of my top over the skirt, tightening that down, as well. After about 30 minutes of constant rolling, water started creeping down my rashguard and leaking into the Tempest. I didn’t experience as much water in them as I did wearing them alone, but still it was more than I would want if the temperatures were chilly. And again after wet exiting, I noticed a rush of air escape and the ingress of more water. This time I had about a cup of water in each sock. The way the Tempest suction to my legs when swimming makes me feel better about swimming through a rapid. Even though some water does get in, I don’t see how water could fill them to the point that they would be dangerous because the suction creates a seal.

Finally, I wore the Tempest with a long sleeve dry top. I followed the same procedure, getting out as much air as possible and tucking in the inner tunnel of the dry top. This time I remained much drier, but not completely dry. I couldn’t quite figure out where the water was coming in. Very, very little came in around my neck and wrists and leaked down. It seemed as if the water was still leaking in around my waist as air would escape when I righted myself. I’m not sure if this was the water that may have already been trapped in my dry top or if it was new water coming in under my dry top tunnel. No matter how the water was getting in, it was very, very little. Even when I swam at the end of the night, only a trickle of water got in, even as the air escaped. When I took the Tempest off and dumped them out, there were only a few spoonfuls of water that came out. My lesson learned is that I have to wear a dry top with the Tempest.

Fit and Comfort

I found the Tempest to be very comfortable. They are roomy enough to wear thick base layers underneath. The high waistband sits above my base layers and doesn’t create a lot of bulk under my paddling tops, skirt, and PFD. While I find the crotch seam stiff when walking/standing, it doesn’t bother me at all while seated in my kayak. The Tempest don’t bunch up or ride up during an outing either. The waistband stays at my waist even when seated providing ample coverage. The Tempest are breathable. I wore them inside with a light base layer underneath and did not get too hot in them.

I do like to wear socks inside the Tempest because I don’t like the feel of the fabric against my feet (which I would do in cold weather anyway). This also makes them more comfortable when wearing shoes with the Tempest. There is a lot of extra fabric around my foot since the integrated socks on the Tempest are so large. Wearing socks inside the Tempest socks, helps keep the creases and folds from coming in direct contact with my skin.

Summary

Pros

• Stay almost completely dry when worn with a dry top
• Breathable
• Fit comfortably
• High waistband stays at waist even when seated

Cons

• Not dry when worn on their own or with a semi-dry top
• Socks are a large and do not comfortably fit into shoes
• Seam at crotch a bit stiff and uncomfortable while standing or walking, but not a problem while kayaking

**********************************************

Reviewer Bio

I have spent a majority of my life on the water. I grew up canoeing and water skiing. I started flatwater kayaking when I was about 16 and jumped into sea kayaking at age 22. I paddle a Perception Carolina 13.5. I began whitewater kayaking in 2006, learning on the Potomac River in the Washington, DC Metro Area, and have paddled Class I-IV rapids. I navigate rapids in a Dagger RPM and surf waves in a Wavesport Fuse 48. I have done a bit of whitewater rafting, but prefer the security of being in a kayak. They say everyone is between swims, but I prefer them to be few and far between.

Edited by Ken Bigelow

Last updated on February 8th, 2010

Kokatat Tempest Pant

Image from manufacturer’s website

Review Status: In Progress

This test review is still in progress, as such there will be additional information available in two months time.

Product Information:

Well taped seams

The Tempest Dry Pant are a new line from Kokatat’s Tropos series. The dry pant comes with integrated socks made from the same Tropos 3 layer material as the rest of the pant. The dry pants are well made with all the seams taped and factory sealed. Starting from the bottom, the socks from seam to seam are able to accommodate up to an 11 in. (28 cm) foot size. Around the ankle there is a hook and loop enclosure to tighten the dry pant down to the ankle. This acts like a debris guard to keep rocks and other stuff out of the footwear. The pants are quite long with an inseam measured from crotch seam to heel seam of 38 in. (96.5 cm).  The waist band is a combination neoprene section and a hook and loop enclosure section. The neoprene lining spans the back half of the dry pants while the softer hook and loop enclosure spans the front half with a small gap of Tropos material for the hook tab of the enclosure.

Integrated sock

Care instructions state that these are machine washable, gentle cycle. Hand washing will preserve the life of the garment as will hang drying and rinsing after use, especially salt water. The Tropos material is a three layer material with an inner polyester tricot lining to help wick away moisture. The dry pant also has the option of a relief zipper.

Impressions

Kokatat waist band

I wasn’t sure which way the sizing chart would go for something meant for layering and I wanted to err on the larger size. After a little back and forth with customer service, I ended up getting the medium rather than the large. The dry pants are designed to allow for layers underneath and are not a tight fitting pant. I was impressed by the length of the pants, there was no mention online of what the inseam would be and these unisex sized pants are designed as a one size fits all. The pants are generously cut without being too big. I find that the legs are long on me but once I have the pants on and adjusted around my waist, the small amount of bagging that occurs can be partially corrected with the ankle closure.

Kokatat Fit

When I first tried on the dry pants, I just pulled them on over top of my regular street clothes. This is a good simulation of the general thickness of my thermal layers. I found I had plenty of room. The integrated socks are much larger then my feet but I will be wearing booties over the socks and that will help secure some of the slack. I am really happy about having integrated socks. Now I don’t have to worry about how to keep my feet warm. With the socks, I can pull on any number of warm socks and my feet will stay dry. The overall fit of the dry pants are nice. The feet are a touch big, and the legs are a bit long, but neither in an uncomfortable manner. The waist is adjustable and fits well. My main concern was the hip area. As these are unisex sizing, I was concerned more with hip fit than anything else. Most of the pant is designed to accommodate a taller or bigger footed person, generally a male. In the case of hips though, men don’t have those. I was very happy when I first sat down, there was plenty of room in the hip area such that the dry pants didn’t bind up or pinch. I can’t wait to take these out on the water and have some fun.

So far I have used the Tropos pants on three trips. The first trip was a sea kayaking trip out on the Chesapeake Bay. Water temperatures were in the low 40’s F (5 C). Because the dock was a cement dock, launching the kayaks required getting my feet and legs wet. I used the Tropos pants in combination with neoprene footwear that fully enclosed the foot. Although the dock was cement, our other landing point was not and I didn’t want sand in my footwear. The Tropos pants were quite comfortable to wear the entire 4 hour trip. I didn’t feel like they were binding or riding up. I did notice that the Tropos pants are a little narrow in the calf area for me and high in the waist. So when I pull them on, it takes me a minute to get the fit right. I wore thermal pants and a pair of capris over top. This was a good amount of layers.

The next two trips out were out on the Potomac River for some white water. I wore the pants either with only thermal layers or with a pair of capris over the thermal layer. Both times the water was around 40 F (5 C). I was on the water for about 2-3 hours each session. Because I tend to roll around a lot, I do get water in the boat. I didn’t notice any water entering the Tropos pants. I didn’t go for a swim so I don’t know how well the seal was between my dry top and the Tropos pants. Having so many layers does tend to accumulate around my waist, but I didn’t find this too uncomfortable since the Tropos pants tend to come up quite high. I find that they tend to settle around my waist and most layers tend to settle around my hips.

So far I have not had any problems with the Tropos pants. The integrated sock is great meaning I can keep my feet warm and dry when climbing in and out of my kayak. The socks are a bit big on me and I do have to be careful to stuff my feet in my footwear carefully so as not to have wrinkles and bulges of material. The Tropos pants do work well with my dry top, I tuck the inner tunnel into the Tropos pants, then pull the outer tunnel over the outside of the Tropos pants. I tighten down the Tropos pants, pull on my spray skirt and tuck that under the dry top and tighten that down.

Pros and cons so far. I like the integrated socks as this means dry and warm feet. The height is a bit much but it ensures I don’t have too many layers bunching together in the same spot.

Personal Information:

Paddling Bio: I started seriously kayaking in the summer of 2007 and bought an Impex Force Category 4 as my first real boat that fall. I started whitewater kayaking in the summer of 2008 with a Jackson Classic Fun and now I also have a Jackson AllStar. I currently enjoy white water, flat water, ocean surfing and sea kayaking and look forward to getting more into rafting. I tend to get out on the water several times a week during the height of the kayaking season. I have even paddled with the Ice Pirates at the height of winter. I am hoping to do an expedition trip in the following year.

Reviewed by Coy Starnes

Edited by Ken Bigelow

Author paddling Ocean Kayak Prowler 15 Angler

REVIEW ITEM: OCEAN KAYAK PROWLER 15 ANGLER

MANUFACTURER: OCEAN KAYAK

WEBSITE: http://www.oceankayak.com

LENGTH: 15′ 4.5″ (4.7 m)

WIDTH: 28.5″ (72.4 cm)

SEAT WIDTH: 19.5″  (49.5 cm)

WEIGHT    56 lbs (25.4 kg)

MAX CAPACITY: 400-450 lbs (181 – 204 kg)

SUGGESTED RETAIL: $849 US

COLORS: yellow, lime and sunrise (kind of orange looking)

Product Description

The Ocean Kayak Prowler 15 Angler is a SOT (Sit-On-Top) Kayak.  It is made using a process called roto-moulding which basically means it has a single continuous hull made of Linear, medium-density polyethylene.  The manufacture claims this material is strong yet flexible, and that it maintains its stiffness using Ocean Kayak’s compound curves.  My Angler edition is just like the regular Prowler 15 except for the additional flush mounted rod holders.  Here is a photo showing all the features of the Prowler 15 Angler.

Photo courtesy of Ocean Kayak

The Prowler 15 is designed for one paddler.  It measures 15 feet 4 inches (4.7 m) in length and is 28.5 inches (72.4 cm) wide. According to the manufacturer the kayak weighs 56 lbs (25.4 kg).  A kayak this size is generally considered a good compromise between fast and stable.  In fact, when I was researching SOT kayaks I kept reading about how fast and stable the Prowler 15 was.  Another feature not lost on me was the weight capacity.  Most kayaks are rated for a maximum weight for paddler and all gear, and the Prowler 15 is one of the few fast SOT kayaks rated for a heavy load.  It is rated for 400 to 450 lbs (181 – 204 kg) which means I can still carry a lot of gear and not be anywhere near the maximum weight rating.  And similar to a ropes listed breaking strength, I prefer to stay well below the maximum rating for safety reasons.

The Review

I will first mention that I am not a kayak expert by any means.  In fact, I purchased my first kayak just over a year ago.  It was a more traditional kayak you get inside and can be outfitted with a spray skirt if desired.  This is usually referred to as a SINK, which literally translates to sit inside kayak.  I liked this kayak but I did feel a little cramped inside the cockpit.  And speaking of cramped…I also found I would get cramps when trying to exit this kayak after several hours of paddling.

Enter the Prowler 15!  With it, the fact that I sit up on the kayak rather than down inside does make a difference in how it performs.  I picked the kayak up in January and the first thing I noticed was that I was cooler and less protected from the wind.  This can be a plus in warm weather but not so much when the mercury drops.  On the maiden paddle I didn’t go far because it was cold and sprinkling rain but I marveled at how fast this kayak felt.  It tracked very well and turning was not bad.   But best of all, after the first really long paddle, I was glad to see I no longer got cramps when getting out.

One other thing to consider when getting the Prowler 15 or similar SOT kayaks is the fact that most SOT kayaks are self bailing.  The Prowler 15 has three sets of parallel scupper holes, one set in the tank well area, another set at the rear of the seat area and another set up near the front in the foot well area.  I found that I got a lot of water in the foot well and less in the other 2 sets of holes.  I generally wear sandals in warm weather and waterproof boots in cold weather so the amount of water in the foot well area has never been a problem.  However, the small amount of water in the sitting area is a concern in cold weather or even warmer weather when the water is still cold.  In fact, I went on several paddles in early spring when this was the case.  I solved this by installing some homemade scupper plugs.  I took a foam pool noodle and cut some plugs out of this material.  I could have bought some scupper plugs made for the Prowler 15 but I found my homemade ones worked so I have not bothered to do this yet.

Since I have the angler addition I guess I should mention how that aspect works.  I am not a big fisherman but I managed to go on three fishing trips over the summer.  The Prowler 15 proved to be an excellent fishing platform.  I did find the rod holders were not a good match for my fishing rod because they are designed for skinny grips and the fat grip on my rod would not slide down in the hole.  However, I just kept my rod laying in front of me until I was ready to use it and had no problems.   I managed to catch a couple of small bass on one trip and was skunked (caught no fish) on two of the trips but I was able to go where the larger bass boats could only dream of going.  I think my limited success was a result of my poor fishing abilities than any fault of the kayak.

I also used the Prowler 15 on a couple of river trips but never in any serious rapids. On one trip we paddled downriver for about 3 miles (5 km) and then back.  I found the Prowler 15 did OK but the guys in shorter kayaks had an easier time negotiating the turns.  On a couple of occasions I found myself turned around when the current caught the back end of my boat.  This only happened when going through fast moving water where I also needed to turn.  I just kept steering the best I could until I was in tamer water.  Going back upstream was better.  In fact, I had an easier time because my kayak was more efficient.  This proved very handy when fighting the strong current, especially when I didn’t have to worry about turns.  In fact, I was the only one able to paddle through a couple of the stronger sections.  Everybody else gave it a shot but the current would slowly overpower them and they would end up going backwards.  I could build up more speed beforehand, so when I hit the tough stretches I was able to power on through.

I am not going to get into the technical aspects of the Prowler 15 such as initial and secondary stability or hull efficiency as that beyond my knowledge.  However, one of the biggest advantages to me is the stability the Prowler 15 provides.  In fact, I took it out with a buddy one time to practice deep water recovery.  He was in his Pungo which is a SINK but with a huge cockpit.  We were not able to recover using his kayak but it was no problem with my Prowler 15.  But what I found most interesting was, I had to really work to even flip the Prowler 15 over.  In fact I finally just practiced by simply falling off.  Getting back on was work but it proved to be pretty easy.   My buddy was so impressed that the next day he went to get his own SOT.  He didn’t get a Prowler 15 because they didn’t have one on hand and he found a super deal on another SOT.  However, he soon discovered his SOT was very slow compared to mine and said he wished he had held out for one more like mine.

I haven’t mentioned the storage options on the Prowler 15 but it has a large tank well located just behind the seat.  This area is basically an open box that measures 28 inches (71 cm) long, 16 inches (41 cm) wide and 6 inches (15 cm) deep.  It is plenty big for a cooler and tackle box.  It has several bungee cords crisscrossing over it but they are stretchable so taller object like my cooler will fit inside.

Photo  showing cooler in back (tank well area)

There is also a generously sized hatch up front.  The hatch opening is sort of tear-drop shaped to match the narrowing of the kayak as it gets closer to the front but measures 18 inches (46 cm) long and is 12 inches (30 cm) wide at the widest point.  It is about 12 inches (30 cm) deep in the center where the bottom of the kayak is deepest.  All I know is I can cram a lot of stuff inside the hatch. One thing to be aware of is that items can roll or slide out of reach so I keep that in mind when loading the hatch.  The hatch lid is not the stretch to fit type I am familiar with but instead a hard plastic cover held in place with two web straps outfitted with buckles.  It is hard to get the lid on real tight but I have never had any problem with water getting inside the kayak, and this includes several paddling trips on which the waves splashed over the lid repeatedly.

The seat of the Prowler 15 is just a basic seat which snaps into place.  It has various straps so I can adjust how far I want to lean back etc.  I have not had any problem paddling up to 5 hours with several short rest breaks but I imagine the deluxe seat would be a nice upgrade.  It has a higher back rest and more padding in the seat area.

One last note, the Prowler 15 Angler has been replaced by the Prowler Trident 15 Angler.  It keeps the same hull but adds a rod pod on the deck. However, there are still a few new Prowler 15’s out there and often discounted.  In fact, the closeout price I found is one of the main reasons the wife let me get mine.  And of course there is the possibility of finding a used one for sale.  I looked and didn’t find any used ones but that might be because Prowler 15 owners know a good thing and don’t want to sell.

Summary

It’s hard to wrap up my impressions in a few words but I’ll try.  It is fast, tracks well and turns when needed.  I should mention that a rudder is available but I haven’t felt the need to add one.  I find the Prowler 15 an ideal kayak for the type paddling I do most.  This includes day touring on Lake Guntersville as well as running fairly tame local rivers such as the Flint and Paint Rock.  It has plenty of storage options and the ability to handle heavy loads safely.  The stability is top notch but it does not sacrifice much speed to achieve it.  A dry ride it is not but this is the case with almost all SOT kayaks.  But when kayaking, there is a good chance I’m going to get wet in any style boat.  However, the easy entry and exit the Prowler 15 has to be my favorite positive.

I covered the few negatives such as the cooler ride and that it is not made for whitewater but the addition of a good dry suit would go a long way in making the Prowler 15 good for winter kayaking.  I guess I could sum it up by saying I think the Prowler 15 is a great all purpose kayak.

Personal Information

Name: Coy Starnes

Gender: Male

Age: 47

Height: 6 ft (1.8 m)

Weight: 240 lb (109 kg)

Email: starnescr@yahoo.com

Location: Grant Alabama

Paddling Bio: I have been canoeing for around 27 years but just recently got the Kayaking bug. I purchased a used Perception Carolina 14.5 kayak in the summer of 2008 but found the cockpit was a little cramped for my taste. I bought an Ocean Kayak Prowler 15 which is a Sit-On-Top and found it much better suited for my needs. I kayak on local waters here in Northeast Alabama which includes Guntersville Lake as well as many rivers and creeks. So far I have not done any whitewater kayaking but have tackled a few class II streams. I consider myself a strong paddler but still need to work on my technique as I am slower than a few of the locals I paddle with.

Edied by Ken Bigelow

Last updated on November 5th, 2009

Test is currently - IN PROGRESS

Additional information will be available in two months time from this report date.

Photo courtesy of Teva

Product Information

Manufacturer: Teva
Website: http://www.teva.com/
MSRP: US $65.00
Material: Stretch neoprene upper with SSR rubber outsole
Colors available: Walnut
Sizes available: US Men’s 4 – 14
Size tested: US Men’s 9

Product Description

The Teva Cherry Bombs (herein refered to as ‘the shoes’) are a unisex water shoe for boaters. They are built to provide comfort and traction while on the water. They have a soft, stretchy neoprene upper (fully sealed seams) with a hook-and-loop tab for easy entry. They feature a hook-and-loop midfoot strap and instep strap to keep the foot in place. The SSR rubber outsole extends over the front of the toes and around the sides of the foot to protect against rock bites. Lastly, it has a loop on the back of the heel to help slide the shoe on.

Initial Impression

My first thought when I opened the box was, “Wow, these things are beefy.” With their coloring and faux-camo print, they look like something a soldier would wear in the field. Aesthetically speaking, however, I like it. I feel ready to tackle anything when I strap them on.

I have heavily pronated feet, so the majority of shoes do not fit well out of the box. After slipping on the shoe, I was surprised at how well they seemed to fit. Granted, this may be due to the material, as neoprene is a fairly flexible material. Trying to tightening down the straps, I found the front strap a little hard to tighten. It wasn’t anything serious, it just seemed to get stuck and not pull through the buckle (this may be a matter of breaking things in). The midsole strap tightened easily, and I felt the shoes wrap itself around my foot and got excited. Taking a quick walk around the house, I decided this shoe and my pronated feet were going to get along well. There is a little extra space in the heel, but the midsole strap really helps the problem a great deal.

The only issue I noticed was the toe box. Since it is solid rubber, one needs to be careful to order the right size. Luckily I ordered half a size up (Mens 12) from my sport fit (Mens 11.5). If I went with the 11.5 I think my toes would be a little cramped and there wouldn’t be much that I could do about it.

The shoes appear to be very durable and rugged. The stitches seem solid. The sole is reasonably thick and very sticky. The neoprene is well protected up around the sides of the foot. The only spot of concern is on the inside of the foot at the forward part of the arch. The neoprene comes down fairly low there and stepping on rocks with the inside of my foot could cause abrasions on the neoprene.

 Trip Report

Due to a cross country move in late October, I have only worn the shoes on two trips. However, I have a few more trips lined up if the nice weather keeps up.

The first trip was on the 17th and 18th of October to the Deerfield River in Massachusetts. It was really cold for this time of year, staying just above 32 F (0 C) and actually snowed on the 18th. The Cherry Bombs performed very well in the cold weather. Other than when the water first rushed in, my feet stayed warm. The grip of the fresh spider rubber was awesome on all the surfaces I encountered (mostly rocks and pavement). They were a little slippery after walking through some thick mud, however within a few steps they had cleared off and regained their grip. However, on the snow they did not do well. They have a relatively smooth bottom, so they just rest on top of the snow and slip whenever any lateral force is applied.

The second trip was to Limmington Rips in Limmington, ME the following weekend. We were only out on the water for one day, as it is a very short section of the Saco River that is primarily used for playing after one or two runs down the mile long section. It was a lot warmer this weekend, and again, the shoes kept my feet nice and warm. There was a little sand encountered on this trip, but this is hard to comment on this as I think most shoes perform poorly on sand.

Fortunately, I never swam as it was fairly cold, so I cannot comment how comfortable they are while in the water. However, they are very secure while on land, so I would expect the same in the water. The only complaint is about the wrap-around rubber toe box. Due to the thick, stick spider rubber on the shoe, I have a lot of trouble fitting my foot into the thin, shaped end of my boat. It may be nice protection against rock vs. toe battles, but I think it is generally unneeded in a water shoe. However, this is just my opinion since I have trouble fitting into the end of my boat. Otherwise, the protection would be nice.

Personal Information

Name: Jeff Ruhle
Age: 22
Gender: Male
Height: 6′ 3″ (1.6 m)
Weight: 180 lb (61 kg)
Foot Size: 12
Email: jjruhle AT madski.com
Location: New England

Paddling Bio

I first sat in a boat at age 8, thanks to my father. He has been into kayaking since the days when you had to make your own boat from fiberglass. Since then I have grown up paddling mostly in the northeast, with a few trips to West Virginia and Canada. I prefer river running and technical creeking over playboating, but will definitely play a feature when given the chance. I generally just do day trips with nothing more than lunch and float bags in my boat.

Edited by Ken Bigelow

Muck Boot Edgewater Hi
Photo courtesy of Muck Boot Company

My size 12 Edgewater Hi

Product Information
Item Reviewed : Edgewater Hi boot
Manufacture : Muck Boot Company
Website: http://www.muckbootcompany.com/
MSRP: Not Listed

Product Description
All Muck Boots are 100% Waterproof and the Edgewater Hi is no exception. My size 12 boots stand 16 inches (41 cm) tall and are 13.5 inches (34 cm) from heel to toe. This length is something to keep in mind as I will explain more a little later on. According to the manufacture the boots feature a CR-Foam Bootie Construction which provides “extreme comfort construction is lightweight, flexible, bouyant, and 100% waterproof top to bottom”. They also feature a breathable Airmesh™ Lining which “provides superior comfort and breathability by wicking away humidity and perspiration”. The removable 6mm Nitracel™ EVA Sockliner give “added support and slipper-soft molded comfort in the footbed”. The bottom of the boot is constructed of natural rubber while the upper is made of a material that looks like neoprene but water does not soak through this material like it will with neoprene. The manufacture says it is a nylon material but does not elaborate. The heel had a large extended protrusion to make it easy to get the boots off but of course, this adds to the length of the boot. The boots are rated for sub-freezing up to 85 F (47 C)

The Review
I purchased my first kayak late in the summer of 2008. It wasn’t long before the waters of Lake Guntersville and the local creeks and rivers I frequent were just a little too chilly for my taste. I began to look for something besides the sandals I had been wearing up to now. I read several kayaking sites and noticed that for cold water they tended to recommend a dry suit with special boots made to go over these. I also noticed the price for this setup was a little out of my range. However, I work at a waterplant and I observed that several of the guys on the line/repair crew were wearing some high-top camo Muck Boot boots called the Edgewater. I asked them how they liked them and the answer was a resounding “they are awesome”. I asked if they were OK to wear all day and they said they were some of the most comfortable boots they had ever worn, even for all day. That was all I needed to hear so my next question was where they got them. They said at a local clothing store which specializes in hunting wear. So off I went in my quest to find me a pair. I ended up getting the non-camo version of the same boot because it was 10 dollars cheaper.

The first thing I look for in any boot is fit. The Edgewater’s come in whole sizes so I had to choose between a size 11 and a size 12. I usually wear 11.5 shoes and boots. I could get the size 11 on but getting them off was a chore. The size 12 was even easier to get on and a lot easier to get back off. I was slightly concerned that the size 12 would make my feet feel tired since they were a little big but this has not been a problem. Besides, I bought them mostly for canoeing and kayaking so I didn’t anticipate a lot of time spent walking around.

I couldn’t wait to get the Edgewater’s out for a trial run so that same afternoon I took my Perception Carolina 14.5 out for a quick paddle. It sure was nice to be able to stand in the water with dry feet as I prepared to launch. But as soon as I got in I noticed my feet felt a little cramped in the cockpit of my kayak. In fact, I had to hold my heels towards the center and let the toes point outward to even get my feet in the kayak. Using the rudder was just about impossible. I paddled around for about 30 minutes trying to figure out a way to make the Edgewater boots work but finally gave up and called it a day. To say I was disheartened would be an understatement. I later measured my Edgewater Hi and found they are 1 inch (3 cm) taller than my kayaking sandals. The photo below shows how much taller the Edgewater Hi boot is compared to my sandals.

Edgewater Hi height compared to my sandal

I was determined to use my new boots and fortunately, my kayaking buddy had bought two identical Pungos. So the next time I went kayaking, I borrowed his spare. This was much better. He and I went exploring on a local creek with several beaver dams to negotiate. The mud around the places we had to get out was sticky to say the least. In fact I almost pulled the boots off in a few places. Maybe the size 11 would be a better choice for really sticky mud. However, I never pulled them completely off and by the end of the paddle I was thrilled with the performance. The only drawback as far as I’m concerned is I had to be careful not to step in water which would come over the tops. Fortunately, at 16 inches tall, this was seldom a problem, I just had to watch where I stepped.

Fast forward a month. I never really liked the cramped cockpit in my Carolina so I began looking for another boat. I really liked my friends Pongo and was leaning in that direction but kept reading about Sit-On-Top kayaks and the more I read, the more I felt this type kayak would best suit my needs. I found an Ocean Kayak Prowler 15 on sale and bought it in early January of 2009. I spent many enjoyable outings with this kayak and since it was really cold by now I used the Edgewater boots on every outing. In fact I bought a set of waders, thinking I might use them but they proved too be to hot. I continued to use the Edgerwater boots right up until late spring when the water finally warmed back up enough to go back to my sandals. Here is a photo of me dragging my Prowler past a beaver dam. It is not the best photo but one of the few I happened to have which show the Edgewater’s in use.

Edgewater Hi boots in use

Summary
I am really enjoying the Muck Boot Edgewater Hi boots, especially now that I have a kayak that allows me to use them. I have been on at least a dozen paddles using the boots and they have never let me down. My feet have remained warm and dry. As a bonus, I have worn them out tromping in the fields and woods on several cold, wet and muddy occasions. I will say that the boots were a little warm this summer. They are rated for up to 85 F (47 C) but I think a lower top version might be more practical in warm conditions. Of course I just reverted back to wearing my sandals but wanted to let everyone know my observations.

Personal Information
Name: Coy Starnes
Gender: Male
Age: 47
Height: 6 ft (1.8 m)
Weight: 240 lb (109 kg)
Email: starnescr@yahoo.com
Location: Grant Alabama

Paddling Bio: I have been canoeing for around 27 years but just recently got the Kayaking bug. I purchased a used Perception Carolina 14.5 kayak in the summer of 2008 but found the cockpit was a little cramped for my taste. I bought an Ocean Kayak Prowler 15 which is a Sit-On-Top and found it much better suited for my needs. I kayak on local waters here in Northeast Alabama which includes Guntersville Lake as well as many rivers and creeks. So far I have not done any whitewater kayaking but have tackled a few class II streams. I consider myself a strong paddler but still need to work on my technique as I am slower than a few of the locals I paddle with.