How Bending Branches Stacks Up in this Paddle Review
4-minute read + 22-minute video
We appreciate all the independent reviewers who give their honest opinions about paddling gear, including our own products.
Stephanie and Steph choose nine kayak paddles to review
Here’s a video by “Hi, I’m Steph” in which Steph and a friend review nine different kayak paddles.
Three of the nine reviewed are Bending Branches paddles, including our Whisper, Angler Pro Plus and Angler Navigator Plus. [Another is the Whiskey Fiberglass bent shaft made by Aqua Bound, our sister brand.]
Stephanie Kostopoulos is a Florida-based recreational kayaker (we learn from her channel) and media creative who offers practical gear advice for her fellow rec kayakers.
Her friend (also Stephanie) joins her in this video to offer her own thoughts about these paddles as well.
Watch the video below (published in Fall 2023) to hear what they have to say about our paddles:
Bending Branches Whisper Kayak Paddle
While Steph finds the paddle blades quite smooth in the water and appreciates the ovalized shaft for comfort and control, she comments on its weight. She says, “It’s not something I could use for an extended amount of time.”
Stephanie likes the Whisper as “a nice entry-level paddle. I like this paddle. I’ve used it several times. It’s got a nice solid grip. It does get hot in the summer. It’s a little heavier [though] not as heavy as the last one.”
That is one of the main trade-offs of a budget paddle: The more affordable the paddle, the heavier it will be because cheaper components and materials weigh more than high-end components and materials.
The Whisper is our most affordable kayak paddle (2024 price is $79.95). Its durable, no-wobble construction and low price make it North America’s best-selling kayak paddle.
Kayak tour guests use Whisper paddles
Bending Branches Angler Pro Kayak Paddle
Stephanie’s “everyday” paddle is our Angler Pro Fiberglass in Glowtek. She bought it from us as a cosmetic second—which gives a significant discount because of a flaw in the hand-crafting of the blades that prevents us from selling it for full price. As she says, these flaws are often hard to see and never affect the paddle’s performance.
When Steph uses it, her first impression is: “It’s so light…It glides so effortlessly in the water. This is a pleasure to use.”
She comments on the weight/price factor: “You could paddle with this all day long and not get tired. This really shows you the difference in price. When you go higher in price, they become lighter and easier to paddle with and allow you to paddle for long periods of time.”
Both women comment on the ovalized shaft that feels natural in your hands. After a lot of research, Stephanie settled on this Angler Pro because of the aesthetics (the Glowtek blade pattern), the adjustable-length shaft and the discount option for a factory second.
NOTE: We no longer offer the Plus model shown in the video. Instead, we improved the adjustable-length ferrule with our new Versa-Lok™ ferrule, which, like the Plus did, allows for up to 15 cm of adjustability.
Cosmetic seconds are available in limited quantities, lengths, ferrule systems and blade patterns.
The Angler Navigator is designed for and marketed to kayak anglers. However, as proven by Stephanie, it makes a fine everyday kayak paddle for recreational kayakers too.
Angler Pro kayak paddle in Glowtek (photo courtesy of Mat Willder)
Bending Branches Angler Navigator
Steph bought one of our Angler Navigator kayak paddles—a rarity in the market in that it has beautiful hand-crafted wood blades. For lovers of wood like Stephanie, it’s a joy to paddle with.
She notices the additional few ounces compared to the Angler Pro (37 ounces vs 30 ounces) since she compared them back-to-back. (It’s clear she prefers her paddles as light as possible, making all-day kayaking effortless.)
“You can definitely feel more weight [than the Angler Pro],” she says. “And it’s a little more clunky—probably because it’s wood, although it’s still very, very light. It has nice pull in the water and it’s still a comfortable paddle to use.”
When Stephanie tried it she commented, “I’m really excited about trying this one out. The blades glide through the water so well…I really, really like that it’s got this protective edge [our Rockgard® tip protection] so it takes a beating a little better.”
NOTE: As with the Angler Pro, the Navigator is no longer available in the Plus model. Instead, it now is available with our even better Versa-Lok™ ferrule.
Angler Navigator (photo courtesy of Headwaters Kayak)
All three women (the two Stephanies and Steph’s mom, who assisted in the video) chose the Angler Pro as their top high-end paddle of the day. They love its performance, its eye-popping look and its ultra light weight.
Thanks to Steph and Stephanie for their video and honest thoughts! You can see more of Steph’s kayaking videos on her YouTube channel.
What paddle questions can our friendly Customer Service team help you with? Contact us at 715-755-3405 or [email protected]
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