GRB Newman Designs now offers a carbon/kevlar paddle - anyone have any thoughts regarding durability versus regular carbon paddles from GRB or ZRE?

The price is reasonable - add $25 to the cost of their regular carbon paddles. I'm looking at the 6 degree so $195 for carbon, $220 for hybrid.

https://www.grbnewmandesigns.com/
scroll down on the "Latest News" tab

Thanks!
Mark
proud new owner of a Trillium :)

My memory is that Wenonah was selling a hybrid paddle and Piragis was using them for rentals. Several years ago, a couple of our friends got them for a trip we did together. They seemed great. At the end of a season, I was looking through the rental gear for sale area at Piragis and some of those paddles were fine and others were beat up with split layers at the tip. Those are after a season of use and, most likely, in some cases, abuse. So while the kevlar may improve durability, it has limits. I looked at the GRP web page and have to say that I like those colors!

I only know that I have a 4 year old ZRE Powersurge medium weight that is still like new. After the first trip, I stopped babying it, and use it like any other paddle. (Understand that I have never abused any paddle, so maybe I do baby it!)
I guess I am not sure I would pay extra for more durability. Maybe a wilderness whitewater trip? If I were buying again, I would go with the lighter version, not a heavier one.

It looks like the carbon/kevlar is about the same weight. Both the carbon GRB and the carbon/kevlar GRB are cheaper than a ZRE. I may still buy the ZRE, I'm using one on loan from a friend currently

I highly recommend the GRB six degree, especially if you are a kneeler. The standard carbon fiber one is a strong/tough paddle. I use mine often.