Palm have recently unveiled their 2011 range of equipment, including some very interesting looking Sea Kayaking jackets/cags.

New for 2011 we’re introducing a complete range of new touring jackets. From the expedition ready Alaska to the ‘do-it-all’ Aegean, they all feature brand new articulated cuts with pre-bent sleeves. Innovative detailing such as a bright (and safe) new colour palette and laser cut drainage with reflective reinforcement ensures that not only are these jackets the most technically advanced we’ve ever produced – they’re the best looking too.

More information can be found in the Palm Equipment 2011 catalogue and the video below gives further information (Sea kayaking kit starts at about 3:26).

Thalassa

Oceana

Alaska

Aegean

This short video provides an interesting inside peek of the Palm Equipment Europe factory where boats, paddling clothing and other equipment is produced.

Introduced and hosted by Paul ‘Cheesy’ Robertson, the Palm Brand Development and Marketing Manager (and re-known paddler in his own right) the video shows just a little of what goes on at the factory. Worth a watch and also worth keeping an eye on the Palm website as their 2011 range of Sea Kayaking equipment is due for imminent release (more on that soon!).

Palm Equipment Europe Tour from Five Element Productions on Vimeo.

A couple of notable gear manufacturers have released their 2009 brochures. P&H have released a new version of their brochure with up to date info on their range of sea kayaks, including the new Cetus and Scorpio kayaks – look out for photography from Simon Willis & Mark Rainsley.

Werner have a new catalogue of their paddles as well as an updated website.

Meanwhile, Yak’s latest brochure contains their new range of touring cags which we will be reviewing shortly.

Links are provided below, along with a few links to other manufacturers 2008 brochures.
P&H Sea Kayaks
Werner Paddles
Yak

2008 Brochures
Kokatat
Palm

Palm refers to the Kaikoura Tour Buoyancy Aid as “A front zipped expedition level touring PFD – packed with features and storage space – which uses Palm’s Flex Formed Foam system.” Whilst it certainly looks the part on the brochures and adverts – does it live up to the hype?

If the answer to this was judged by demand and lack of availability you would certainly think so. During the summer I contacted a number of retailers to try and source a Kaikoura Tour to no avail. Forum posts abound on well known sea kayaking blogs bemoaning the lack of availability. However, the good news is that they are coming back into stock and are well worth a look.

Kaikoura Tour - Unzipped

The Kaikoura Tour is a shorter cut buoyancy aid, with quite a bulbous look at the front due to reasonably large foam buoyancy and an excess of pockets. However, do not be fooled by appearances – once on the buoyancy aid does not feel large and bulbous. The cut of the Kaikoura gives excellent freedom around the shoulders/arms allowing you to move freely.

Adjustment comes in the form of a waist and midrift straps as well as shoulder adjustment. This is easy to access and adjust wearing the buoyancy aid. A front zip design allows the Kaikoura to me removed on the water, to remove a layer of clothing for example.

Kaikoura Tour - Right Pocket

There have been many discussions on Sea Kayaking forums regarding the Kaikoura’s zip and corrosion, however it is important to note that the design has been updated with a plastic zip and this problem addressed.

Storage on the Kaikoura is superb and one of features that has led to the praise within the sea kayaking community. The front of the Kaikoura has four pockets along with fleece lined hand warmers and a whistle pocket.

The two main pockets contain pouches and key clips. The smaller front bellows pockets also contain key clips and allow storage of smaller items.

Kaikoura Tour - Left Pocket

The right main pocket has an aerial slot to allow a vhf to be stored. To my mind it provides a secure place to store the radio and listen in to radio traffic but I would be concerned about accidental button presses switching channels (I tend to monitor channels 16 & 67 on dual watch).

I currently have my iCom radio under the deck lines in a waterproof bag but would like to keep the deck clearer and keep the radio on my person. time will tell if this is front pocket is the perfect solution.

The left pocket is a more straight forward double pocket – one larger top/side entry and one smaller front entry. The larger is a great size for snacks, penknife on a lanyard and other items you wish to keep on your person.

Both left and right pockets had a reflective patch on them – an increasingly common addition to paddling kit and useful for dawn/dusk and night paddlers.

Kaikoura Tour - Back

The back of the Kaikoura has a larger pocket – obviously designed for a water bladder. The shoulder straps contain loops to keep the drinking tube organised. However, the pocket is also a perfect size for flares or other larger items. This pocket has an over the shoulder opening strip.

To round off the pockets, the right shoulder has a ‘strobe’ pocket with d-ring and whistle already attached. This is ideal for those who carry the smaller torch/strobe devices for night time or emergency situations.

Final, the Kaikoura has an flat, inside back pocket which I currently do not have a plan for – however there are suggestions floating about on the UKSRG forums.

The Kaikoura fits very comfotably and when packed is seems as if it will be functional and provide easy access to key items. I look forward to more detailed testing and will report back after a period of sustained use. if you are a Kaikoura user, let me know how you have found it!

Palm Kaikoura Tour from Palm – available from Bournemouth canoes, Woodmill and other stockists.
Features include:

• Palm Flex formed foam cut-wraps around torso
• Vent mesh lining and neoprene under arm patches
• Palm 3D ‘anti ride-up’ waist system
• YKK front zip entry with closure cover
• Easy Glide™ strap adjustment throughout
• 3M® reflective panels on shoulders, front and rear panels
• Large rear cargo pocket with over shoulder opening tab
• Double front cargo pockets with internal compartments, attachment points and VHF aerial slot
• Shoulder ‘strobe’ pocket with whistle and D ring
• Hydration bladder storage guides and park
• Front and rear lash tabs

Fabrics: Cordura® 550D Ripstop
Colour: Blue / Grey, Red / Grey
Code: BA325
Size options: XS-S (60N) / M-L (70N) / XL-XXL (70N)

Featuring easy adjustment and ample storage yet retaining a slim designthe Palm Axis Extrem bouyancy aid is now a prized addition to the gear bag.

I wanted a lower profile bouyancy aid, which afforded a larger range of movement. Both my white water and sea bouyancy aids included padding/bouyancy over the shoulders and felt restrictive and bulky.

It also needed to be dual purpose, and as such include features such as chest harness that are not normally found on Sea/touring pfd’s. I also wanted sufficient storage on the bouyancy aid for a compass, knife, whistle, chocolate and vhf radio. Was this going to be possible?

The Palm Axis Extrem was actually one I discounted early on. George at the Woodmill shop highlighted it as one of their best sellers, however it looked too complicated with a range of straps. However, as I worked my way through the other possibilities the combination of features and price made it the ideal choice.

It has a large amount of bouyancy (75n) yet remains low profile. The large pocket on the front easily swallows my VHF, as well as other small items and has d-rings and a removeable key clip.

The shoulders have comfort padding that remains low profile and the active cut allows a full range of movement when paddling. On the rear, reflective tape will aid safety when paddling in low light or at night.

The bouyancy aid is over the head, so not as easy to remove when in the boat, however it has a great range of adjustment, cleverly designed to be accessible when on the water.

The chest harness is present for when I do hit white water, but does not get in the way when out on the sea.

On the rear of the bouyancy aid, there is a lash tab for attaching lights for night paddling.

This was undoubtedly the most comfortable of the bouyancy aids I tried on and has felt ‘right’ since day one of use. I still have my 5 pocket ‘old school’ bouyancy aid to hand if I needed the storage space, but the increased feeling of freedom and movement from a lower profile PFD can’t be beaten.

Features include:

• >75N Soft foam buoyancy.
• Adjustable Easy Glide™ padded neoprene shoulder straps.
• Adjustable Easy Glide™ glide and chest straps.
• Easy Glide™ Chest Harness with quick release cam buckle and load spreader.
• Karabiner retainer.
• Front zip fastened pocket with internal and zip fastened external stretch mesh pockets.
• Two “D” rings and security hook contained within the pocket.
• Lash Tab to secure a flash light etc.
• Fast draining mesh inner lining.
• Reflective tape on shoulder straps
• Reflective piping around pocket.

Fabrics: Shell: 550D Ripstop Cordura®.
Colour: Mango/Black

Price: £99.95

Marketed as suitable for multi-day ocean/expedition, leadership and instructional use this is a serious paddle top with a high quality construction and to date has performed flawlessly.

Pullover style, with a hood, high collar, drysuit wrist seals, double waist and fleece lined pockets this top has become a firm favourite. In cool, windy conditons I am warm, perhaps too warm, with just a short sleeved thermal underneath.

When the temperature begins to drop and the wind picks up I begin to really enjoy the protection offered. The active cut means I do not feel restricted, even playing with cross-bow strokes.

With the neck zip done up fully, you can feel somewhat clostrophobic but at the same time glad of the extra protection offered by the high neckline of the collar. A fleece lining prevents the zip rubbing your chin.

One issue I encountered was the tightness of the neck with the hood stowed in the collar and zip done up. This was painfully tight for me. The simple solution is to release the hood from the collar if you intend/need to zip up the collar fully however a slight change to the design here could make a lot of difference.

A large, volume adjustable, rollaway hood provides even more protection when the going gets really tough, and offers enough side-to-side movement as not to fully restrict your vision.

The little features you expect from Palm are all there too. The drysuit wrist seals are protected by velcro adjustable over-protectors with mesh drainage panels.

The waterproof zipped sleeve pockets offer storage for small safety or easy access items. The fleece lined pocket on the front is fantastic as you chat over the great days paddling on the shoreline.

Off the water, loading up the car or wandering around the nearest habitation, the top looks great and I’ve happily sat outside the pub after a long days paddle feeling as comfortable as when I first put it on.

Features include:

• Articulated panel cut – no underarm seams
• Volume adjustable hood with wired peak
• Adjustable smooth skin inner neck seal
• Water resistant zip front baffle
• Double waist featuring outer tab adjustment
• Inner waist using light weight material and gripper elastic to prevent ride up
• Latex cuffs with tab adjustable outer lined with smooth skin
• ‘Tunnel’ front pocket, with double water resistant zippers
• Single arm pockets with water resistant zipper
• High visibility reflective piping on arms, and neck

Fabrics: XP150 3 layer, XP 100 inner waist, Smooth skin lining, neoprene adjustment.

Price: £179.99