Bent vs. Straight Shaft Canoe Paddle
5-minute read + short videos
Should you buy a straight-shaft or bent-shaft canoe paddle? Our answer—Yes! They both have their advantages for specific water environments and situations.
(Photo courtesy of Kirsten Voorhees)
Straight-shaft canoe paddles are as old as canoeing itself, which is centuries old here in North America. Bent-shaft paddles came along, best as we can discover it, in the early 1970s. A top canoe racer, it seems, developed a bent-shaft paddle to get more speed and efficiency in his racing. His (unpatented) design eventually went mainstream.
Straight-shaft paddles are still the more popular of the two, but many avid canoeists choose to use both types since they excel in different tasks.
Here’s a short video from Midwest Mountaineering that explains the difference in a nutshell:
Let’s get into which type excels in which environment in some detail:
Are You New to Canoeing?
If you’re just starting out canoeing or if you’ll share your paddle with beginners or young canoeists, a straight shaft is a bit more versatile than a bent-shaft paddle. That’s because a straight-shaft paddle is never “backward” (assuming the grip is symmetrical—more on canoe paddle grips here.) You won’t have to think about which way the blade should face.
You’ll find it easier to learn and master canoe strokes with a straight-shaft paddle, which you really want to do to get the most enjoyment out of canoeing.
There’s only one correct way to hold a bent-shaft paddle—and many canoeists get it wrong. If you don’t want to worry about that, buy a straight shaft.
Will You Sit Mostly in the Bow or Mostly in the Stern?
Are you a couple or family and want to outfit yourselves for canoeing adventures? Often, one will usually sit in the bow and the other in the stern.
If you know you’ll be primarily a bow paddler, a bent-shaft paddle is a wonderful option. Here’s why:
- The bow paddler isn’t responsible for steering the canoe like the stern paddler is. So you don’t need your paddle to be able to handle such technical strokes.
- The bow paddler is responsible for providing consistent power, which is easier and more efficient with a bent-shaft paddle.
Bent shafts shine in flatwater or slow river situations where the canoeist is paddling forward for hours at a time. As Branches’ VP of Sales, Brian Boyea, says in the video below, they’re 22% more efficient than straight shafts for flatwater cruising:
That’s a big difference! That means more speed and power with less effort.
Do You Need Technical Control?
Those who will sit mostly in the stern may opt for a straight shaft model that gives all the technical control needed for any steering stroke. This is especially true in windy conditions when it’s harder to keep the canoe heading straight.
If you’re paddling technical water that requires more control and responsiveness—whitewater, for example—you’ll want to be able to use both sides of the paddle face. In that case, a straight-shaft paddle is a better choice. It’ll serve you well in those tight corners and around obstructions.
Do You Plan to Do Multi-Day Touring Like Wilderness Trips?
Expedition trips are where bent-shaft paddles excel. That slight degree of bend provides an ultra-efficient paddle stroke that uses less energy. That can make a big difference over many hours and days on the water.
You’ll likely experience less fatigue while you’re paddling and less soreness at the end of each day.
If you’re in the bow, you can use it all day, every day. If you’re in the stern, you could keep both handy, using a bent shaft most of the time and a straight shaft for times when you’ll be doing more technical strokes.
Here’s another video, this time from Rutabaga Paddlesports, the host of the annual Canoecopia event:
Do You Experience Shoulder Pain?
Many canoeists who deal with shoulder and/or wrist pain prefer a bent-shaft paddle because of its efficiency. It can be easier on the body and reduce pain levels. For some, that could mean the difference between the ability to keep canoeing and being forced to quit altogether.
For even more ergonomic benefits, consider our double-bent shaft model, the Viper. This extra bend in the shaft keeps your wrists aligned naturally while the bend at the blade gives you that extra efficiency with less effort. Many of our customers swear by it.
The Best of Both Worlds is…Both!
Chances are that throughout your canoeing adventures, you’ll find yourself in situations where one or the other type of paddle is best. So, why not have both? Lots of canoeists do.
Have a straight-shaft paddle available for whitewater, technical and stern paddling. Have a bent shaft ready for your next multi-day trip and for bow paddling.
Almost all our canoe paddles are available in a straight-shaft and bent-shaft version. See our collection here.
Be Sure to Size Your Canoe Paddle Properly
Straight-shaft and bent-shaft canoe paddles are sized differently, so it’s important to know how to size yours properly.
“How to Size & Choose a Canoe Paddle” will answer all your questions and ensure you buy the paddle(s) that fits you perfectly.
What paddling questions can our friendly Customer Service team help you with? Contact us at 715-755-3405 or bbinfo@bendingbranches.com, or choose our online chat option.
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