As I watched the snow fall for the first time yesterday and the river behind my house is starting to ice over, I am naturally starting to think about my 2025 BWCA Trips.

This past summer I took both a single and double-blade paddle on a solo BWCA trip. To my surprise, I loved the double-blade paddle and used it 90% of the trip. I would like to purchase a double-blade, preferably something that breaks down in two to allow the smaller paddle when needed.

I have a Northwind Solo Blacklite (15 ft, 6 inch long) that I use on solo trips. I typically go on 4-8 day trips and do a lot of fishing from the canoe on my trips.

I would love to hear your double-blade paddle recommendations if you have something that you have used on BWCA trips and have had a good experience with. Also, what length paddle should I be looking for? I am 5'11.

Hi Sconnie,

I'm glad you enjoyed your solo trip! Like you, I bring a single and double-blade paddle. I really like my 270 cm Accent Air double. It's lightweight, weighing about 26 oz, if I remember correctly. It breaks down into two pieces with a simple button and is long enough to be comfortable for me (6'2"). It's the only double-blade paddle I've tripped with so I can't add additional insights into other options.

Hope you find a great match!

The one I like the most is the AquaBound Sting Ray. Carbon fiber shaft and nylon blades, light but sturdy.

sting ray paddle

dogwoodgirl: "The one I like the most is the AquaBound Sting Ray. Carbon fiber shaft and nylon blades, light but sturdy.

sting ray paddle "

I have same and am very pleased. Aqua Bond is a Bending Branches brand. Good stuff. All bought at Canoecopia, where they usually have a nice booth.

If you're relatively new to double/kayak paddles, I would suggest finding a relatively inexpensive adjustable length paddle with plans to buy a two-piece lightweight paddle that you can truly enjoy in the future. You can always resell the adjustable later. Paddle length is a very personal choice based on many factors:
- width of canoe, max & at gunwales
- amount of tumblehome
- seat height
- Body proportions
- paddle style: high angle vs. low angle
- comfort with paddle drips

The paddle that I love is the Werner Kalliste (with a short single as a backup or for quiet/confined strokes). It's not cheap but it makes me smile everyone I pick it up.

dogwoodgirl: "The one I like the most is the AquaBound Sting Ray. Carbon fiber shaft and nylon blades, light but sturdy.


sting ray paddle "

Another vote for the Aquabound stingray carbon shaft. I would say I use mine in a very similar situation as you described (90% of the time in my northwind solo). There are factors to consider as Osteology mentioned, but I am 6' and have been pleased with the 260cm option. I would move up to 280 before going down to the 240 though. They are a bit pricey, but you'll notice a difference when the miles start to add up on a trip.

Very happy with the Werner Camano all carbon at 260cm long. It is made for low angle canoe paddling. Low angle keeps you dry in most conditions. All carbon is really nice. Start saving a few bucks and the term "swing weight" will haunt you. The 260 allows me to use it in any of my canoes and it is the only paddle I ever use. Anyone trying it soon orders one. I am 6-1 but others all liked the 260cm.

+1 for the Werner Kalliste!

I started out kayaking so I've been using double blade paddles for a while. I've had a couple of Aquabound paddles in the past and they are quite nice and are sturdy. After I picked up my first solo canoe I also picked up a 260cm Warner Kallistie and I absolutely love it. It's a dream to paddle with and I've had mine for 8 years. 50+ days in the BW / Q and a lot of time spent on local rivers, it will take a beating. Tough to put down that money, but so glad I did every time I use it.

I use an Aqua Bound Stingray posi-lock 260cm in my Northwind Solo. Great price for a good quality lightweight paddle. I am 5-10 and would not want it any shorter. Not everyone sells the longer ones, but in a canoe, longer is usually better.

I'm following this thread. I need a better double blade for the Wenonah Wilderness. Appreciate this forum so very much.

I'll just add my thoughts for what it's worth. I don't mean to argue, or put bad information out there, it's just fun to talk and learn about gear. I know I can definitely be kind of an outlier. For example I still swear by closed cell foam sleeping pads (cheaper, lighter, more versatile, more reliable, and soft enough for me).

But as far as double-bladed solo canoe paddles go, what exactly are the benefits of going longer?

Less dripping into the canoe is all I can think of, and I'm going to have bilge water anyway (from getting into the canoe after wetfooting, and there's always some unavoidable paddle dripping).

It seems like shorter has some advantages, such as lighter, easier to carry on the portages, easier to thread between the hull and the thwarts and gunwales when not in use, and a higher angle of attack causes less yaw.

Are longer paddles actually more efficient or comfortable for most people?

Specific length depends on a lot of factors as mentioned, and obviously you need to be able to get the blade in the water comfortably. But my experience is starting out with a 260 cm as recommended by the manufacturer, then switching to a 220 cm kayak paddle a few years ago and liking that better. I'm 6' tall, in a Northwind Solo.

Yaw is not a problem with my 280 cm Bending Branches Impression Solo, whether I’m solo in my Penobscot 17 canoe or my 17-foot Folbot kayak. It could be an issue with a shorter hull that does not track as well as these two do.

I like low-angle paddling for long distances. I think it’s easier to maintain for hours at a time. I use a high angle only when trying to beat a storm to shore … or to show off. ;-)

The longer paddle is a pleasure to use in a canoe. It is held only high enough above your knees to clear the gunnels. Shorter means the blade is high in the air during the stroke which drops water in your lap. In the wind it is even worse and not pleasant on a cool day. Lily dipping a long paddle can be done for a long time and yawing is less of an issue. Digging deep may look powerful but if not done properly does the same thing as pulling a single blade past the body. Canoe is pulled down into the water and not forward.

A good friend of my late father always used a much, much longer paddle than the recommendation charts we see today. When ZRE was just getting started, he had them custom make a canoe paddle that was something like 65" give or take. And this guy could handle a canoe...like taking a wooden canoe down whitewater rivers handle a canoe. He was also a ~40 trip veteran of the BW and Q. Point being I guess is that go with what you like...find a way to test.

Thanks for the explanations. It makes sense that longer might be more comfortable/less tiring over time due to not having to lift even just your arms themselves as high repetitively. I guess between stopping to portage occasionally, switching to a single blade when I feel like it, or just taking a break (and maybe not even paddling that hard in the first place), I've never noticed an issue with a shorter solo paddle.

The shaft isn't vertical or anything when I use it (I think my seat is high enough and my arms are long enough that it doesn't need to be), and I don't think a higher angle with a shorter paddle requires digging deeper or pulling/paddling any harder than you would at a lower angle (other than the tip of the blade will be a little deeper of course due to the higher angle geometry).

I like the multiple small advantages of shorter that I mentioned. It's true that yaw isn't really a problem with a longer paddle, it's just one of a few minor, potential disadvantages I was listing. And I'm not claiming that shorter is better from a comfort or efficiency or power perspective, just that it's maybe not significantly worse either, depending on the situation.

Anyway just putting in a plug for the idea of shorter being an option too.

Over a 15-20 mile paddle you can drip a ton of water on you and in canoe with a short blade and high angle, and it can be tiring. If you do prefer a high blade style, my recommendation would be for an Aqua Bound Manta Ray instead of the Sting Ray as it is designed for a high blade. You probably could go shorter in that case, but I have limited experience with that style. Long paddles can be a pita to stow, etc. but worth it to me, ymmv.

This past season I too was looking for the "Best" option for a double paddle for me..
After posting and getting lots of responses on this board I called Bending Branches to solicit their advise... They have most boat spec's at a fingers touch thus, was asked what boat .. NW Solo, my height .. just a tad over 6' and weight... ~210.. Their suggestion was either a 280 or 290 cm. this length would provide the most efficiency for a full day paddle... so... I rented a 280 2X for 2 different solos and also tried a 240 for another solo... Hands down the 280 was the winner.. The 290 options are limited from BB.. sooo seeing a 280 Angler Pro Carbon Snap-Button on my purchase list for 2025.. This paddle is made for large sit on top fishing kayaks and has a larger blade..

The staff at BB were absolutely awesome and spent lots of time with me answering all my questions...

DMan5501.. Enjoying the 85* weather today in Phoenix preparing for the 25 BWCA season..

Thanks to everyone who took time to write a response and made a recommendation for a double-blade paddle. Lots of great info here and it sounds like a number of people really loved the Aquabound Stingray and the Werner Kalliste. So I am going to start my search with those two. If anyone has either of these used around 260 cm they are looking to part with, let me know!

Thanks again for all the great recommendations and Happy Holidays!

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