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Best Canoe Paddle

Canoeing can be great fun for you to take part in, whether you’re experienced or a beginner it is really something that you can have a great time doing,

one of the most important things that you will need to have any chance at being good or having fun doing it is a great paddle. Canoeing can even keep you fit.

Lots of factors determine what makes a paddle great such as the weight and durability for example.

If you are new to canoeing then it can be a little difficult to get your head around everything that you will need to know about what makes a paddle great or what makes a paddle bad.

Luckily for you that is where we come in, we have gathered all of the relevant information that you will need to know to ensure that you have a successful time on your canoeing adventures and we can’t state this enough but a great paddle is very relevant to this.

It will make a lot of difference to your ability and just make things easier on you as a whole as canoeing can be quite fatiguing.

So with that being said, sit back and relax while we get started on telling you exactly what you will need to know to be able to separate good and bad paddles.

We will not waste anymore of your time and we will get straight  into the nooks and crannies of everything that you will need to know.

OUR TOP PICK

Wooden Canoe Paddles Clearance Wooden Oars Canoe Paddles 2 Pack 4 Feet

One of the great things about this paddle is the handle that you are provided with, it is ergonomic and will sit very comfortably in your hand.

It also has a layer of waterproof paint on the surface so you know that the quality of the paintwork will remain for a long time, this is important due to the nature of what a paddle  is used for.

The handle is also very strong which is very important due to the fact that you may be canoeing through some very harsh climates where the structural integrity of the paddle will need to hold up for you to find any success at what you are doing.

The paddle is 4 foot so it will also give you a good distance. Though it is a little expensive.

It is also very lightweight which is important because it will mean that you are less likely to get fatigued when you are using it as you could be canoeing for quite a long time depending on your planned activity.

The width of the paddle is also 6 inches which means that it will be able to generate a lot of momentum from your technique.

Pros

  • This particular paddle has a very strong handle which is also ergonomical which will be more comfortable for you to hold.
  • It has a layer of waterproof paint so you know that it will always be aesthetically pleasing.
  • The paddle is lightweight weighing only 1.6 pounds which means you are less likely to get fatigued from holding it for extended periods of time.

Cons

  • It is quite expensive  

EDITORS CHOICE

Z&J SPORT Outrigger Canoe Paddle Wooden Shaft, Tahiti Style Hybrid OC Paddle with T-Handle, Durable OC Paddle for Waka AMA, va’a, Bent Shaft & 12 Degree Blade (L,51')

This is another great canoe paddle for you to consider, it is incredibly lightweight which is highly important so that you don’t get fatigued when you are taking part in the activity.

It weighs 1 pound. It is also very strong which again is important as it means that it will not fold or bend when it is pushing against the water.

It also offers you a very ergonomic handle which is highly important so that you are able to feel comfortable when you are using it.

If the handle was not comfortable then it could cause cramp in your hand which would  be a very unwanted thing to happen to you when you are using the paddle. 

It is also very durable which is another very important aspect for you to consider when you are using the paddle.

The paddle is carbon fibre which is what helps achieve the durability of the paddle. It is also a hand made wood shaft which means that it will also be very good quality. 

Pros

  • This paddle is incredibly lightweight which aid in the fight against you becoming fatigued
  • It also offers you an ergonomic handle which will also aid you greatly.
  • The paddle is also of a durable handmade construction

Cons

  • Is a fairly expensive paddle.

You can also find it here

BEST VALUE

Attwood 11761-1 Canoe Paddle, Wooden, 4-Feet Long, Ergonomic Grip, Premium Wood Construction, Protective Finish

Another great paddle for you to think about buying is the Attwood 11761-1, it is a very lightweight product that weighs 1.49 pounds

making it an extremely lightweight product that will mean that your arms will not begin to ache when you are using the canoe paddle over long periods of time.

It is also a very ergonomic handle which will rest comfortable in your grasp which as stated above can come in very handy. It also provides you a palm grip which means that it is less likely to slip out of your hand,

it is also 4 foot long which will give you a very good range of motion. 

The finish of the wood is varnish meaning that it looks incredibly aesthetically pleasing which if that is something you are concerned about this will have you covered.

It is also of premium wood construction so will be very durable. Though it may not have the widest blade which will mean that it doesn’t cover a lot of water when you are using it.

Pros

  • This particular paddle is of a very lightweight design weighing only 1.49 pounds which will be very helpful.
  • The handle of the product is ergonomic meaning that you will not find it uncomfortable to hold
  • It is a very aesthetically pleasing wood paddle that has been varnished.

Cons

  • The width of the blade isn’t that big so won’t cover a great area.

You can also find it here

RUNNER UP

Five Oceans Canoe Paddle, Canoe Paddles, Ergonomic Black Blade, 4-Feet Long, Anodized Aluminum Shaft, Reinforced ABS Plastic Blade, Lightweight - FO4132

Again this is a great paddle for you to use when you go out canoeing or any other type of water based activity that you need a paddle for as it is dual purpose.

It is of a very durable construction as it is made from an aluminium shaft and it is also high impact resistant so will not break if you happen to hit a rock with it.

It is 4 ft in length which means that you will be able to get a good range of motion when you are using the paddle and it is also of a lightweight design as it only weighs 1.5 pounds.

This will help you feel a lot less fatigued when you are out canoeing. It also features a t grip handle which will sit incredibly comfortably in your hand.

The blade width is also a good size as it is 7.¼  inches which means that it will give you a good surface area that is covered when you are paddling which will allow you to move a lot further at a faster pace.

It is also 20% fibreglass so will be very strong for its necessary uses. This is a very important aspect because it is quite an important part of the blade. Though people have complained about the locking mechanism.

Pros

  • The handle is very t grip which will sit comfortably in your hand
  • It is 4 ft in length so will give you a good range of motion
  • Is of a very durable construction and is also very lightweight

Cons

  • People have complained about the locking mechanism.

You can also find it here

RUNNER UP

Crooked Creek 4-1/2-foot Synthetic Boat Paddle, Blue - Features a Hybrid Grip for Full Palm Support and More Natural Motion (50451)

This is another great canoe paddle for you to select. This particular one is a 4.5 foot one but it is available in lots of different sizes which can be a massive help depending on the required activity but this is a perfect size for canoeing.

It is also incredibly durable as the shaft is anodized aluminium. Though the paddle shaft has been known to fill with water.

The grip is called a hybrid grip and supports your palm in terms of comfort and allows a nice wrist motion. This is again highly important. It is extremely lightweight, weighing in at 1.5 pounds.

This will help you be able to canoe for a longer period of time as you will not get fatigued by just holding like you would with some heavier paddles.

The blade is also 7.5 inches which means that it will cover a good area of water which will mean that you can travel further at a faster rate.

This will give you a more enjoyable experience as you are able to travel further. If you didn’t feel like you were really going anywhere no matter how hard you tried then it can be demoralizing.

Pros

  • This canoe paddle is a great length and gives you a good range of motion.
  • The hybrid grip will be able to support a high level of comfort
  • The blade width will allow you to travel further at a quicker rate.

Cons

  • Paddle shaft has been known to fill with water.

You can find it here

Buyers Guide

Durability

This is a very important factor for you to consider because it will mean that the paddle is a very long lasting one and will be able to withstand any damage that might arise.

Obviously you can always see clearly what is in the water and that might be something like a big rock, if the paddle hit it the last thing you would want it to do is break.

This could leave you in a world of  trouble depending on where you are at. This will also mean that the build of the paddle is of a high quality which again is important for you.

A durable paddle will make your life a lot easier when tough situations arise out on the water and is something that should be considered with the highest regard as it will really make a lot of difference.

This should be at the top of your list when you are deciding on the best canoe paddle for you.

Lightweight

This will help you feel less fatigued when you are out on the water but also make the paddle a lot easier to carry to the location that you are setting off from.

The last thing you want is your arms to start aching when you are paddling through some heavy waves as it will mean that you are less effective.

This can also make a lot of difference to how much you enjoy yourself because if you are thinking about how much your arms ache you won’t be thinking about the good time that you are having.

This really should be at the top of your priority list when you are deciding on the best canoe paddle for you and your specific needs. A lighter paddle pretty much guarantees that you will have a better time.

A heavier paddle will guarantee that you are tired on the ocean which is somewhere you definitely do not want to be tired.

Ergonomic Handle

This will mean that the handle feels more comfortable in your hand. You don’t only have to worry about the whole thing fatiguing your body but the handle specifically also.

The reason for this is because if your hand starts to cramp then again you will not have an enjoyable time. All of the above products feature handles that will sit comfortably in your hand and not cause them to feel any kind of strain.

As stated this is very important and therefore should be at the forefront of your mind when you are deciding on the best canoe paddle for you as it really will make a lot fo difference. 

Length Of Shaft

This will give you a much wider range of motion which will mean that you can cover more distance and generate more power which means you will travel faster.

If the length of the shaft is too small then the distance you travel can be incredibly unsatisfying.

A good length is anything over 4 feet. This will mean the distance it reaches is quite far and can take care of the distance for you without you having to overly paddle.

This is a really important aspect and many of the canoe paddles above are all 4 feet at a minimum to help achieve this goal.

This really is something that you should consider with the highest of importance when you are determining the best canoe paddle for you. 

Blade Width

This very much like the length of the shaft will make a lot of difference to the distance that you are able to travel. If the blade width is not wide then it will be pretty impossible to generate enough force for you to move at a quick rate.

The above paddle all are pretty wide on the blade which means they have a large surface area which will be able to generate enough force for you to travel at a good distance.

This really is one of the most important aspects that you are considering when you are making your decision as it will make a huge amount of difference to your success rate and how much you enjoy the experience of canoeing.

This should be at the top of your priority list when making your final choice.

Aesthetics

This isn’t important in terms of the overall ability of the paddle or the ability of yourself however, very much like other products such as a car you would prefer it to be nice,

whether it is a wood paddle that really ticks those boxes or a more modern take on the paddle this should be something that you are considering if the aesthetics are important to you.

Like stated nobody wants a paddle that they don’t think is very nice so it may be important for you to consider this before you make you final decision on which is the best canoe paddle for you to be using,

like stated it won’t make much difference to how good the paddle is but it might make a lot of difference to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is a lightweight paddle helpful?

A lightweight paddle is helpful because it will mean that you are able to canoe for alonger period of time without your arms feeling fatigued.

If the paddle is heavy then you will find that your arms will ache which can really ruin the experience that you have.

Are the above paddles durable?

The above paddles are all very durable and will be able to withstand a lot of damage.

Hi! My name is Adele Stevens, and I have a big passion for water sports. I love nothing more than traveling to my favorite kayaking spots on my days off and spending hours out on the water.

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