Paddles
The good ones aren’t cheap, so getting it right the first time can save you money!
Through discussions with Outfitter employees, paddle preferences are highly varied. Much of the value of expert opinions when it comes to paddles comes from an understanding of the various types. With that in mind, we provide some basic information to help inform what types of paddles are out there and what their distinct design is suited for. Specific product recommendations follow and there is also a helpful video link to help you select the correct size.
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Bending Branches offers this high-quality Beavertail paddle with a design that leans slightly more toward the modern side of this traditional shape. Ideal for deep-water paddling, the Beavertail excels at facilitating sweep strokes, making it a favorite among experienced paddlers. Many of the Guides and Outfitters we've spoken with consider this an essential part of their paddle quiver—even if it’s not the one they reach for most often. This paddle weighs just 22 oz. and is crafted from a beautiful combination of Basswood and Red Alder.
The folks in Wisconsin crafting high-quality paddles at Bending Branches have another model that’s a favorite among our Guides and Outfitters. The Explorer Plus features a sugar island–style blade paired with a straight-shaft, all-wood design made from Basswood and Roasted Basswood. It’s more than just a handsome paddle—its design delivers versatility for canoe trips that combine shallow streams with deep, flatwater paddling.
A similar option that incorporates a bent shaft to optimize each paddle stroke is the Catalyst Bent Shaft, also from Bending Branches. At virtually the same weight as the Explorer Plus, this bent-shaft version of the sugar island blade excels on flatwater and is the go-to wooden bent shaft for many of our Outfitter contacts. It offers an authentic, traditional look and feel, while the subtle bent shaft innovation delivers a more efficient, comfortable day of paddling.
Many of our Outfitter contacts are a bit old-school, appreciating the natural harmony that comes with paddling a wooden paddle. But there’s also a growing number of converts who value the lightweight stiffness that carbon fiber designs provide.
The Black Pearl 11 from Bending Branches weighs just 16 ounces, making it an ideal choice for long days on the water. Its molded, shaped palm grip helps prevent blisters that can come from less refined grips. Add in the bent shaft design, and you’ve got one sweet, highly efficient paddle that blends modern performance with paddling comfort.
More Bending Branches entries make our recommendations list—no surprise, given that we’ve curated most of our picks from Boundary Waters Canoe Area outfitters in Minnesota, and Bending Branches is a Midwest company based in Wisconsin. Their paddles are crafted locally, and the quality has earned them an outstanding reputation.
The Arrow, with its distinct squared-off blade corners, is a straightforward yet rugged paddle. That durability makes it a favorite at both ends of the paddling spectrum: experienced paddlers appreciate its reliable performance in faster-moving water, while beginners—who might occasionally bump into rocks—benefit from its forgiving toughness.
Finally, for the cost-conscious paddler, an aluminum shaft with a plastic blade can be a smart choice. It’s ideal for those who aren’t ready to invest in a higher-quality paddle, want to test the waters with basic equipment before upgrading, or simply need a budget-friendly option.
Every outfitter we’ve worked with keeps a stockpile of these basic paddles, and they’re often the standard rental issue unless customers choose to upgrade. They fit perfectly into an outfitter’s cost model—affordable, functional, and almost indestructible.
This model from Carlisle checks all the boxes: reliable, rugged, and ready to get you on the water—economy style.