Backpacker – August 2019

JULY/AUGUST 2019

58 BACKPACKER.COM

Field Test
THE KIT

PACKABLE CRAFT

Advanced Elements AE1007-E

AdvancedFrame Convertible Elite

Infl atable boats have long been a solution for

storage-challenged paddlers, but they don’t

per form quite as well as hardshell craf t. The

AE1007-E narrows the gap with two key

design features: a stiff er-than-normal fl oor

and aluminum ribs, which help with speed

and tracking. We appreciated the stability on

the choppy waters of the Colorado River. The

kayak carries enough gear for a two-nighter,

and it infl ates in 10 minutes via a foot pump

($39, sold serparately). Its high-back foam

seats are comfy during long paddling days.

$999; 52 lbs.; advancedelements.com

SAFE STORAGE BAG

Seattle Sports LocoDry Andalé

Navigator Roll Duff 35L

Forget top-loading drybags, which make

gear hard to access. This duffl e-style model

has a wide mouth for easy gear grabbing,

and it’s tough, with 600 -denier, urethane-

coated polyester. At 35

liters, it will easily fi t

ost tents, sleeping

bags, and clothing,

and it kept all of

that dry af ter we dropped it in the water near

the Green River’s Gates of Lodore. We also

like the Roll Duff ’s multiple tie-down points

and its cross-body strap with a silicone pad,

which makes it comfor table on por tages.

$110; 1 lb. 6 oz.;  seattlesportsco.com

SLICK SPLASH JACKET

NRS High Tide

Changing layers is a pain

with a PFD on, which is

why we like this airy

shell. Its proprietary

2.5-layer, water-

proof/breathable

material kept us from

swamping out in temps up to 70°F. Thanks

to its generous cut, the High Tide didn’t

limit movement when we bent forward for

strokes, and its two 7-inch pockets on the up-

per arms are accessible when wearing a PFD.

$150; 15 oz. (M); m’s S-XXL; nrs.com

BURLY CARRY CASE

Pelican G40 Personal Utility

Go Case

In the event of a capsize, the fi rst thing you’ll

probably worry

about af ter safety is

your valuables. The

waterproof G4 0 case

can fi t your phone,

wallet, and other

small electronics

(in a compar tment

under the phone tray), and it fl oats. A ’biner

attachment keeps it close at hand, and

rubber bumpers and an EVA lining protect

everything inside. $40; 14.9 oz.; pelican.com

LUXE LIFE JACKET

Kokatat Proteus

This PFD off ers impressive

comfor t, thanks to stretch poly-

ester and foam panels with

slits that allow it to fl ex with

your body when you paddle.

The Proteus has  four pockets

(two zippered for things like

sunscreen and pocketknives;

two fl eece-lined for your hands). The rear

panel ends halfway down the back to ac-

commodate a seat rest. $119; 2 lbs. (M/L);

XS-XXL; kokatat.com

EFFICIENT PADDLE

Aqua-Bound Sting Ray Hybrid

Save your arms with this lightweight, fl atwa-

ter kayak paddle, which has medium-size,

resin-and-fi berglass blades and a carbon

shaf t to reduce swing weight. The Sting Ray

breaks down into two pieces for easy trans-

port, and the click locks held strong even

when we were pushing off from ice fl oes in

Alaska’s Resurrection Bay. $150; 1 lb. 15 oz.

(82 inches); fi ve sizes; aquabound.com

ALL WEIGHTS PROVIDED BY MANUFACTURER

Cruising the Bow

River in Banff National

Park, Alber ta

GRANT ORDELHEIDE/TANDEMSTOCK.COM

FLOAT YOUR BOAT

Gear up for summer trips on all types of water. By Eugene Buchanan

To hone your paddling

skills, see Adventure U

(page 40). Find your perfect

route at backpacker.com/

paddlingtrips.

JULY/AUGUST 2019

58

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a PHOTOS BY COURTESY (6)