Outdoors
Read More ›
Water Adventures Gear Guide
If you're ready to stop renting and take the plunge on a new purchase, here's where to start
This article originally appeared in the August 2018 issue of Seattle magazine.
This article is part of the cover story for the August 2018 issue. Find more from the story here. Click here to subscribe.
On a hot summer day, it’s hard to resist getting out on the water. There are plenty of places to rent gear such as stand-up paddleboards and kayaks, or you can take the plunge and invest in a few key pieces that will help you have a great day outside.
Astral Ronny PFD: Let’s start with the basics. Always wear a personal flotation device (PFD) while kayaking, SUP-ing or anytime you’re on the water. (It’s the law!) Find one that is comfortable, too. Astral’s Ronny PFD has a thin back, comfortable for kayaking, but it also allows for the range of motion you need for paddling. Venting keeps you cool and there are myriad pockets in which to stuff your snacks and other essentials. $99.95. Available at Mountain to Sound Outfitters, West Seattle, 3602 SW Alaska St.; 206.935.7669.
SealLine Baja 20-liter dry bag: Keep all your goodies dry when out on the water in this classic bag from local company SealLine. $28.95. Available at Northwest Outdoor Center
Delta 12AR kayak: This recreational kayak is all about comfort on the water, with a wide cockpit for easy entry and nice storage options in front and rear hatches. The hull design gives you great glide and is as stable as a battleship. It’s perfect for a cruise around a choppy Lake Union. $1,295. Available at Northwest Outdoor Center, Westlake, 2100 Westlake Ave. N; 206.281.9694.
Oboz Campster: We love this water-friendly shoe. It’s part sandal, part slipper. The heel strap flips up or down, depending on whether you want to slip the shoe on or keep it more secure. It’s perfect for the campsite, strolling on rocky beaches or boating. $90. Available at REI, South Lake Union, 222 Yale Ave. N; 206.223.1944; obozfootwear.com.
Patagonia Micro Swell rash guard: You may be wearing a bikini, but if you’re out or in the water for a long time, a rash guard is the way to go for sun and chafing protection. Made of nylon and spandex, it’s stretchy and light and will dry in a hot minute. $75/short sleeves, $85/long sleeves. Available at Patagonia, Belltown, 2100 First Ave.; 206.622.9700.
Red Paddle Co. Ride SUP: The inflatable stand-up paddleboard you take with you. This 10-foot, 8-inch board folds up into a tidy pack of about 30 pounds, with shoulder straps and wheels for easy transport. Inflated, it has an added fiberglass batten that keeps it stiff, eliminating any flex where you stand. $1,349. Available at Urban Surf, Wallingford, 2100 N Northlake Way; 206.545.9463.
Oru Beach kayak: This origami kayak unfolds from a mere 26-pound pack with carrying strap to a sturdy 12-foot-long kayak in minutes. It handles like a dream and is stable enough for the dog or your kid to get in with you. It’s perfect for anyone who doesn’t want to haul a huge, heavy kayak onto a roof rack every time they want to paddle. $1,299. Available at REI.
Werner Camano paddle: This kayak paddle from Sultan-based Werner Paddles has a carbon fiber shaft and longer, narrower fiberglass blades that are perfect for low-angle paddling. A nice swing weight of the blades reduces fatigue on the water, and the shaft lets the paddler adjust the angle of the blades for optimum efficiency. $275. Available at Northwest Outdoor Center
SealLine E-case: This little waterproof case can hold lots of things, but face it, you’re going to want to put your phone in it. We can’t be apart from our electronic tethers, so at least keep them dry and safe while on the water. Yes, you can use the touchscreen through it. $24.95. Available at Northwest Outdoor Center
NRS Canine Flotation Device: This dog life jacket will keep your pup afloat if he’s your paddle buddy. $44.95. Available at Northwest Outdoor Center
Follow Us
The Northwest’s Gateway to Wine, Culture & Adventure
Escape the crowds. Slow down. Savor fall in the Lewis Clark Valley. As autumn paints the hillsides in gold, crimson, and amber, the Lewis Clark Valley becomes a picture-perfect place to slow down and savor the season. Where Washington and Idaho meet, fall brings crisp days, colorful landscapes, harvest among the vines, and plenty of…
Meet West Seattle’s “Freelance Beaver Detective”
A group of urban beavers helped Pamela Adams through a tough time. Now she’s returning the favor.
Pamela Adams was living in Port Townsend when her marriage fell apart. Little did she know at the time that she would soon find love again while doggedly pursuing the Five Families—not the ones of Mafia lore, but a four-legged sort living along the Longfellow Creek Watershed. Prior to moving to Washington, Adams resided in…
A Wellness Pilgrimage to the Olympic Peninsula
Two hours from Seattle, a new kind of luxury is taking root—one built on stillness, old-growth forests, and the subtle art of slowing down.
There is a school of thought among the overworked and overscheduled that the most subversive thing a person can do is stop. Put down the phone, close the laptop, and go somewhere that actively resists attempts to stay plugged in. The Olympic Peninsula has always offered this, in its blunt, mossy way. For some city…
Seabrook Is a Little Coastal Utopia
This walkable beach town gives families room to roam, relax, and leave the car parked.
There’s nothing quite like finding an edible mushroom in the forest with a five-year-old. The excitement and pride my son displayed when we found chicken of the woods were contagious, and after battering and frying the mushrooms, our wonderful day got even better. The dark, wet forests in which our mushrooms grew are part of…