Ever since Hey Dude Shoes came to fruition their Farty slip on has been an ever popular choice. Able to mix between beach/chill and more dressed up scenarios it’s not hard to see why. Having this upgraded to the ‘Chalet’ model, with fur lined inner, is a welcome and noteworthy addition. Now not only are Farty’s super comfy, with Hey Dude Shoes’ trademark thick rubber, patented sole technology the Farty Chalet delivers additional warmth – something we can attest to having tested extensively

Spending the majority of our time at watery locations we’re always searching for off brine footwear to fit the bill. Obviously moisture is in effect at kayak put ins, so robust our foot hammocks need to be. They also have to deliver away from the drink as well – after all it can’t all be about paddling. Sometimes we need to spend time in the wider world.

With their chocolate colourway the fur lined Farty Chalet we’ve been putting through paces recently easily brushed off muck and grime. It should be noted that lighter colour footwear may not do the same. For anyone into sit on kayaking or similar we’d suggest those darker tones to make sure they’re kept looking spic and span.

Whilst certainly not waterproof Hey Dude Shoes’ Farty Chalet kicks do an admirable job at fending off moisture. You don’t want to be wading into deep water that’s for sure but for light H20 contact we found no issue. And actually if you did end up submersed then fortunately the Farty Chalet style dries quickly without tarnishing the actual aesthetic. (If you’re after something more amphibious then check out the Hey Dude Shoes Mistral which are designed with liquid in mind).

Conclusion

So, superior comfort, great looking and very practical for sit on kayakers and other water uses whilst being warm and snug Hey Dudes Shoes’ fur lined Farty Chalet models are one to look at the next time you’re in the market for some top drawer tootsie hammocks.

Now that air temperatures are dropping (even with a sublime Indian Summer in the mix as we write) it’s time to start considering your paddling attire. To state the obvious no longer is it fine to be wearing shorts and tee for paddling. To be honest even during warmer periods, with wind chill and other factors in effect, most sensible sit on kayakers will have be wearing some sort of protection – even if at a minimum.

It’s important to realise, however, that as much as you need to fend of the elements paddlers also need to be utilising the right gear. Enter Palm Equipment’s Atlas paddling jacket which is designed with layering in mind.

First off we have to say the styling and attention to detail is awesome. Once adorned you’ll notice a higher cut underneath the arms which has been factored in for paddling movements. As such there’s loads of room when extending through each paddle stroke. Deep breast placed pockets allow for all manner of paraphernalia to be carried and with the addition of YKK splash proof zippers your belongings have more chance of staying dry (if partnered with waterproof pouches for instance).

The rear of the Atlas jacket is tapered to ensure maximum coverage of your behind whilst the sleeves have a secure inner seal with cut aways on the outer fabric to avoid this area of the jacket getting snarled up when moving. A functional and efficient peaked hood will fend off rain and such whilst the whole garment is manufactured in 2.5 waterproof layered fabric. All in Palm deliver a top notch shell jacket that looks the biz and performs amazingly.

Worn in tandem with base layers, fleece mid-section and possibly a third garment it’ll keep you toasty warm and dry to boot. Plus for added versatility it’s a jacket that wouldn’t look out of place should you choose to wear it away from the water. In fact, Palm state as much on their website citing the Atlas to be a top performer for MTB and dry land sports also.

Conclusion

Here at Sitons we love Palm Equipment’s Atlas jacket. It’s a worthy addition to any paddler’s kit box and delivers exactly what you need in terms of off season weather protection. Chuck in additional benefits of it fitting everyday scenarios whilst not afloat and you have a cost effective piece of apparel that looks the biz to boot.

Palm Equipment have always been a go to brand for any type of paddling accessories and were the first company to manufacture BAs and PFDs to ISO standards. Here we’re talking about the entry level Palm Dragon BA which is a simple yet functional type designed for a variety of non-hardcore sports.

You may have spotted us using Palm’s Dragon during previous outings while testing various other products, proving just how versatile it actually is. Check out the video for more information.

 

It’s no secret here at Sitons we’re huge aficionados of GoPro action cams. Hit up any of our equipment reviews and chances are there’ll be images snapped using one. For us, and many other sites conducting sit on top kit reviews, they’re an essential tool in the absence of ‘proper’ photographers shooting from land/water. For the majority of Sitons’ existence it’s been the standard Hero (in various guises) model that’s served the purpose well. Recently, however, we laid hands on the brand’s cubed Session. Here’s how the two stack up against one another.

First looks

Both the Session and Hero couldn’t be more different. The Session: compact, cube-like with one touch functionality and no need for additional waterproof housing. The Hero: bulkier, heavier and more cumbersome. You also need to make sure the Hero is fully waterproofed with its housing door securely shut – as users will know.GoPro’s Session sits in a fairly robust plastic cradle without the need for housing. This is quite nifty as it allows the cam sit remain coupled to its mount whilst still being able to remove the cam. You can’t do this with the Hero.

GoPro Mounting

All standard GoPro mounts are compatible with both models. The main difference is how much more unwieldy the Hero feels in comparison to its Session sibling. Here at Sitons we tend to affix action cams to paddle shafts. It’s no real issue with either cam in place but when switching from one to the other you really notice how much use friendly the Session is. It’s cube shape also means it doesn’t snag as much as the wider Hero shaped cam.

Shooting

We’re not sure whether it’s just us but one of the most annoying things with all point of view action cams is having water droplets attach themselves to the lens, obscuring the image. This is definitely an issue with both the Hero and Session – regular dipping in the drink helps to remove these. The Session, however, seems to cope better with moisture blobs, shaking them off quicker than the Hero. Shooting with sunny skies is always a wise move as images will be crisper and more dynamic than with overcast skies. That said both cam deliver print quality images (hi res) with no differences between either model. If you’re going to be filming video then the Session’s simple one touch mode is super quick to turn on and off. If you’re after photo then it takes a few seconds longer to switch both cams to the desired mode.

Connectivity

GoPro have developed a number of different apps to be compatible with newer cameras. Our Hero is standard and therefore doesn’t have this option. In contrast we can pair the Session with our smartphone, via app, and upload/check image/video more or less straight away, as long as you’re not on the water! If out afloat then you’d need a suitable waterproof case for your mobile. In our experience this is just one more piece of paraphernalia that, frankly, isn’t necessary whilst paddling. Unfortunately this does mean sifting through hundreds of images once back at base, with both models, but that’s part of the fun! Discovering that killer image amongst all the guff is, after all, part of the action cam experience.

Which one?

For us the Session is revelatory in terms of practicality for our application. Its smaller dimensions alone make it ideal for paddling and shooting. That said the Hero would still be fine if we had to do away with the Session. It’s just in this instance, with both being available, we’d rather plump for the former, having the Hero as a back up. For anyone into proper pro type photography then one of the pricier Hero models, with additional settings, still may be the action cam of choice. [amazon_textlink asin=’B01M14ATO0′ text=’GoPro Hero’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’sitonsoko-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’a2fc5cfc-b812-11e8-9d4c-dbf515d4e2fe’]

Toddler approved: Palm equipment’s Universal Kids PFD/BA

Warm weather, along with the inevitable summer holiday period (incoming!), can bring to the surface a desire to get wet. Kids love a frolic in the water and without adverse conditions in the mix a renewed interest for mum/dad’s liquid pastime may come to the fore. If you’re going to get your offspring afloat, however, it’s wise to consider (and invest in) adequate safety equipment.

For children of all ages a good quality, well made PFD/BA should be a priority. Our toddler model in this review can’t yet fully swim but is uber confident in the water. Having a decent float coat is therefore a degree of peace of mind when at the beach, out on the water or anywhere close to H2O.

Palm Equipment’s Universal PFD is a front zip type that comes in sizes to suit kids and adults. A number of buckles ensure a snug fit while the front zip is tough, hard wearing yet the Universal is easy to get on and off – important when dealing with fidgety toddlers, as many parents will know!

The Universal’s regular fit is comfortable (so we’re informed by our tester) and the adjustable safety buckles make sure the BA doesn’t ride up. Once on it’s instantly forgettable – in a good way – so much so that it can be kept in place even when not paddling. For general beach mischief it fits the bill and doesn’t get in the way of general mucking about in the sand – something this young child loves to do.

Made from Polyester 420D material the Universal also boasts reflective details, to make locating easier, and the leg straps (only on kid’s models) adds further security. It’s certification/rating is EN ISO 12402-5 / 12402-6 meaning it’ll fit most recreational applications without issue.

Having asked our young tester what she thought of the Universal the comment was a nod of the head. In child speak we take that as approval. There was no trying to take it off or complaining about having to wear the Universal – all good signs it was liked! We appreciate every young person is different but Palm have a done a great job with the Universal making it easy to get on and off, attractive, versatile, pleasant to wear and ultimately a good piece of safety gear for your wee ones.

Conclusion

If there’s ever an endorsement of a product it’s a pre-school tot’s willingness to use. In this instance the Universal kids pfd was a resounding success. Brilliant when on the water but also good for roaming about next to the water, parents can dress their children in it and know it’ll keep their young afloat should they take a dunking.

ECOXBT Bluetooth Waterproof Shock Resistant Speaker

Having musical entertainment while paddling is not for everyone. Those looking for accompanying tunes though will find fulfilment with ECOXGear’s waterproof, shock resistant and funky looking Bluetooth music box.

With an easy to attach carbine clip the ECOXBT waterproof  speaker can be tethered to any fixed point on your sit on top kayak – most likely the embedded D rings. Connecting to your smart phone requires an additional waterproof pouch (that you trust!) as the range of the Bluetooth isn’t enough to leave your ‘player’ ashore. There are a number of device protectors on the market which should provide ample watertight housing for your smart phone. Sound quality from the speaker is good for the type of product and volume is loud enough to make tunes heard over moderate breeze and weather. Some quiet locations might not be applicable for broadcasting your sounds and therefore the ECOXBT is best for paddlers who are kayaking in open water or those in a group – all with similar musical tastes.

 

For touring, distance paddling or general recreational kayaking the ECOXBT is great for those want who sounds on the go. Once clipped in place the speaker won’t move about too much and therefore handles a few bumps without clunking about the deck of your boat. If you’re thinking of heading into waves then this is a different story. White water, rollers slamming into you and the ever constant risk of being dumped means the ECOXBT isn’t really applicable to using in a surf environment. Other riders probably won’t thank you for disturbing the peace either!

 

Back on flatter water and there’s nothing wrong with floating along to the ambience of whatever musical genre gets you going. In some cases the sounds of thumping bass (for instance) could spur you on to paddle harder, longer and faster?

CONCLUSION

ECOXGear’s ECOXBT waterproof speaker is a nifty product that will suit those looking for musical accompaniment during their flat water paddle sessions. Easily secured to your boat and robust enough to take a few knocks, that are inevitable as part of kayaking, it’s a great way to take your tunes with you. For those not into paddling then use it at the beach without risk of your speaker getting saltwater logged.