Teva - Summer Deals 2014

Escape Watersports has got some cracking deals on Teva shoes this summer.

Teva Refugio

A really light weight multi-sport shoe. We've already tried and tested the Teva Refugio both on the water and on land, and so far the feedback is nothing but positive.

On hot days your feet stay quite cool, as the Refugio has incredible breathability which also works well to drain away any water. The soles feel super comfortable too, making light work of rocky terrain, and the underneath has no problem gripping on slippery surfaces.

The Teva Refugio can be packed down fairly easily, so it would be good to take away in luggage on adventure holidays.

Teva Fuse-Ion Mesh

Slightly more light weight than the popular Teva Fuse-Ion, we think the Teva Fuse-Ion Mesh will work really well for paddlers who want a funky looking shoe that doesn't get in the way.

This could be a really good shoe for stand up paddlers who want to continue the sport through the Autumn and Winter months. Kayakers will also benefit from the excellent grip and support of the Spider Rubber Soles while portaging across rocks, sand, and muddy pathways.

The Fuse-Ion Mesh is quite simply a comfortable water shoe, designed to be stylish enough to wear socially as well as during activities.

Teva Gnarkosi

Another tried and tested shoe, the Teva Gnarkosi has been a popular purchase for many water sports enthusiasts.

Originally designed for wakeboarding, the Teva Gnarkosi boasts plenty of protection and support which allows it to crossover into numerous other sports. Another big selling point is it's ability to drain water quickly, keeping your feet feeling light weight so you won't feel weighed down while swimming or just generally walking on land.

The Gnarkosi looks cool too. Always a plus point!

Teva Forebay

Finally, we come to the Teva Forebay.

Teva excel at making lifestyle footwear, and in particular they make great sandals to suit water sports and . The Teva Forebay is a great choice for open boaters or recreational kayakers who want good solid foot protection without losing any breathability. 

On warm days the Forebay comes into it's own. This would be a great choice for holiday footwear, as something that packs easily and is robust enough to last throughout your trip.

View Teva Special Offers

Summer Jackets

Summer weather is not always as consistent as we would probably like it to be in the UK. 

Luckily, Escape Watersports has a range of jackets that are perfect for keeping handy in case the bad weather closes in unexpectedly.

A favourite for wet weather is the Palm Atlas. More of an off the water jacket, the Palm Atlas is perfect for wearing on shuttles, at the water's edge, or just out and about. Of particular interest are the ExoSkin wrist gaskets, which stop unwanted water dripping down your arm while loading and unloading boats. These gaskets aren't too tight either, in fact they're pretty comfortable. The Atlas looks good, and is great in a summer shower.

A bit more suited to wearing on the water, is the Palm Tempo. This comes in both a men's and women's style, and works really well as a training jacket for flat water paddling. The large zip allows you to control ventilation without having to completely remove the jacket, and a hidden port is fitted inside especially for a set of headphones to run through.

The Gul Code Zero Jacket  is a slightly cheaper option (currently on special offer while stocks last), and another jacket that would be great to wear casually off the water. Probably better suited to sailing than kayaking, the Gul Code Zero is wind and waterproof, with a detachable hood for sunny days.
Word to the wise, the sizing is a bit larger than the average jacket. If you're a border line small/medium, the small is probably a better fit for you.

More special offers. The Kokatat Gore-Tex Paclite Pullover is definitely top of the bill when it comes to quality material, but that does mean a bit of a price jump. This is a jacket worth having when you know the weather is going to be bad while you're on the water. The Gore-Tex material is tough, waterproof, but still keeps your body from overheating. Sea kayakers and open boaters should really consider this jacket when braving poor conditions.

The Kokatat Gore-Tex Paddling Jacket offers a cheaper price point, a more lightweight feel, and doesn't sacrifice the material quality. Probably best for recreational paddlers who want to keep off the splash and the rain, but could also make a good training jacket for the more athletic paddler.

NRS cVest

The new kid on the block.

Meet the NRS cVest, a buoyancy aid designed with offshore kayaking in mind. The NRS cVest looks likely to become the next 'go to' PFD for kayak fishing, thanks to a sleek look, plenty of storage pockets, and a well received high back design. 

Why is a high back design so good? 

In a nutshell, it makes sitting upright against a backrest is more comfortable. This is particularly favourable for sit on top paddlers, especially fishermen, who rely on their backrest for support and comfort.

Here's what our customers had to say about the NRS cVest:

"I like the higher back for the bucket seat in the Dorado. Not had a dunk in her yet, but initial thoughts are not bad at all. I also really like the thinner front. Oh, and it's got a picture of a Stingray on the back!". - Ken Arrow (Facebook)

"Love the cVest! Its' design at the back is perfect for the high back on my Ultra 4.3, which was my only bug with the kayak. Now the problem is solved! Great piece of kit". - Michael Roberts (Facebook)

The NRS cVest really is top of the range PFD, rivalling the likes of the Palm Kaikoura and the Peak UK Explorer Zip. Best of all the price is a bit kinder to your bank account!

Buy NRS cVest Online

Kokatat Maximus / Kokatat Maximus Prime

Tried and tested, we think the Kokatat Maximus is ace!

Finding the right buoyancy aid is often a case of trial and error. We want a BA that suits every type of paddling we do, whether we're running big rivers, surfing a wave, or cruising in a sea kayak.

The Kokatat Maximus could be the answer.

The slim line, body hugging shape provides real freedom of movement, an essential feature to have in every watersport discipline. The front section is split into two, with a moveable top layer that adjusts to your current body position, stopping any restriction when leaning forwards are backwards.

You don't have as much pocket space as other BA's on the market, but there's enough room for a sling, a knife, and a karabiner or two in the front pocket. The essentials. 

Tom wearing the Kokatat Maximus and Palm Atlas
during a sailing trip on the River Thames. 

Great to wear for playboating and surfing, the Kokatat Maximus doesn't ride up when pulling off your favourite moves, and best of all it looks super stylish!

Putting the Kokatat Maximus Prime
and the Kokatat Meridian Suit to the test

Staying buoyant on the Mellte

If you want more of a river running buoyancy aid, the Kokatat Maximus Prime offers the same shape and style as its little brother but with an added safety harness, and a mesh pocket under the front layer of the BA that offers a bit more storage space for safety bits.

Overall, the Maximus series has really impressed us. It's a cheaper alternative to the Astral Greenjacket, with plenty of movement and style. 

The only thing that could be seen as a negative is the small pocket size, but from experience you can get the real essentials in there no problem. Definitely a game changer.

Buy Kokatat Maximus Online

Buy Kokatat Maximus Prime Online

Special Offers Update

We like to keep our followers up to date with the latest special offers available at Escape Watersports.

http://www.escape-watersports.co.uk/special-offers

This month we've got some great white water kit on offer, especially for the larger paddler looking to up their game, and a couple of cheeky touring deals too.

The Palm Axis buoyancy aid has always been a good seller, extremely popular with whitewater kayakers. It's got everything you need in a whitewater buoyancy aid, including a quick release harness for big rescues. The Axis has been replaced by the new Palm FXR, which means it is now a fraction of the normal retail price.

The Palm Classic and Palm Extrem Kevlar are both top spraydecks, but like the Axis have been replaced by a new range. Ideal as a first time deck, although the sizes in stock are only really suited to the larger paddler.

Shred Ready Standard Fullcut helmets do exactly what you need a helmet to do. They are one size fits all, but do also include a fitting kit so you can customise it to your own head. The Duotone colour scheme has been discontinued, so this has now become a bit of a unique looking helmet design, and once they're gone.. they're gone.

We've had a few new bits of kit in the touring department too.

The Sealect Designs Kayak Bilge Pump is pretty cost effective. It does what a bilge pump should do, with the added advantage of floating in water thanks to a foam attachment.

If you want the whole kit though, check out the NRS Deluxe Touring Safety Kit. Everything you need to get you going and keep you safe when sea kayaking, all in a neat bundle. This is going to stop us forgetting the essentials, and is perfect for when that dreaded rescue scenario starts happening for real.

If you're trying to get into kayaking, or know someone who is, then have a look at the Palm Venture Jacket. This is another end of line product that keeps the rain and splash off, and adds a bit more warmth when worn with under layers. 

To end we've got a bit of a crossover. The Kokatat Maximus buoyancy aid. A fantastic whitewater PFD, ideal for playboating and surfing some waves. The Maximus has got great freedom of movement and looks amazing.

The lack of a harness might not make it your first choice river rescue vest, but it definitely suits the crossover sea kayaker / whitewater paddler.

The coal colour scheme has now been stopped, so don't miss out on this ninja look before it's too late.

For more offers check out the website.

http://www.escape-watersports.co.uk/special-offers

Palm Horizon Shorts

How to look stylish this summer!

Looking bright and colourful is always a must in the hot months, especially if you're in the water sports game!

Brand new for 2014, there's no question that the Palm Horizon Shorts look stylish. They are practical too though. The neoprene waist line helps stop any movement up or down while you're wearing them, and the super comfortable fleece lining means you won't want to take them off.

These will be great for an Alps trip or a Winter play boating trip to warmer climates like Uganda. The aqua blue colour scheme is a bit more funky looking than the jet grey, although it might not match your personal colour scheme quite as well.

Topping the list for comfortable summer boating wear this year.

Buy Palm Horizon Shorts Online

Palm Snake Sling

There are far too many hisss-terical snake puns to adder up.

It's finally back in store. The Palm Snake Sling has quite possibly been the fastest selling piece of kit of 2014, and it seems as soon as they come in they just slither back out the door again.

Essentially this is the old Palm Safety Tape, but with a few nifty tweaks. 

The Snake Sling has taken its name from the two sewn loops at each end, which resemble a snake's head. This feature is pretty handy for quick rescue situations, you can just clip a karabiner in and away you go.

The length has been reduced to 4 meters, making it a little bit more compact and easier to manage. I've often found myself having too much tape left over in the past, so for me this was a key feature.

It's also red.

You can't really go wrong with it. It can be used as a tape, a sling, a prussic, and a handy clothes line afterwards. Certainly one to have in your paddling arsenal.

Buy Palm Snake Sling Online