2025 Holiday Gift Guide for Paddlers

Happy Holidays 2025! Here's a few of our top picks to help you with gift ideas for the kayak, rafter, or paddle boarder on your shopping list. 

Stay Warm & Dry!

Tis the season for layering! Always a popular gift, especially for those die hards that are always trying to extend their boating season. Some of our favorites are full body union suits, which are crucial in the off season and also make for great ski layers as well! One of our favorites is the NRS Expedition Weight Union Suit for its super thick and comfortable 100% recycled polyester / spandex construction, giving you tons of warmth for even the coldest of days on the water. Any NRS Hydroskin layer is also super versatile for those that are in and out of the water a lot, or for diving / swimming in warmer climates. 

Gloves and neoprene socks make great stocking stuffers! Choose from a variety of thicknesses and construction to fit your needs. Our favorites for cold weather paddling are the NRS Maverick or Catalyst Gloves & the NRS Boundary Sock or Wetsock. 

And of course, wetsuits and drysuits or drytops (men's & women's) are bigger ticket items that are essential for any whitewater kayaker or river surfer. 

Stay Safe! 

River safety should be on the top of every paddlers priority list, so you can't go wrong with a new PFD, Helmet or Rescue Accessory! 

The Astral Bowen is one of our favorites and fits almost anybody comfortably (seriously, we've found very few that find this jacket uncomfortable...). The large clamshell pocket and 2-piece panel construction make this on of our most popular jackets. 

If the Bowen doesn't fit your fancy, the Astral Layla, Ringo or Ceiba are all great choices for whitewater paddlers, while the E-Linda and E-Ronny are a few of our favorite calm-water jackets. And of course, don't forget the ever popular Astral GreenJacket or the new Indus if you're in search of a Type V rescue PFD!

Worried about that pretty little brain of theirs? The Sweet Protection Wanderer II offers the most protection for the money and was even rated the safest helmet in the industry by a Viginia Tech study. The Sweet Strutter is another stylie and functional lid that is perfect for rafters or packrafters. 

Looking for something less expensive? River knives or throw bags make great easy gifts as well. 

Camp Favorites! 

Regardless of what type of craft we choose, we all love the outdoors! Here's a few gift ideas to help them enjoy it even more! 

Some of our favorite new camp accessories are from a new to us company, Flextail, including their Rechargeable Camp Shower or MAX Mosquito Repeller. 

A new sleeping pad from JPW, NRS or AIRE are always a super popular choice, as nobody likes sleeping in discomfort! 

New drybags to keep your stuff safe and dry are always a welcome upgrade. Our favorites are any of the Watershed Dry Bags, as well as the NRS High Roll Duffel

Rig It Out!

Boat accessories and rigging are essential to a successful trip! Some items are absolutely essential, while other's simply enhance your comfort / the experience. 

Obviously you can't go paddling without a paddle, so what better gift than a new paddle for the paddler on your list?? (Can we say paddle again?) For whitewater kayakers, there's no better choice than the Werner Powerhouse or Sherpa, both of which are considered the "gold standard" of whitewater paddles. 

For the packrafter on your list, go with the lightest and most popular 4-piece paddle on the market with the AquaBound Whiskey  And for the SUP paddler, the Werner Zen is a big upgrade from the basic SUP paddle that comes with most boards, offering a much lighter swing weight and much better power transference thanks to its fiberglass & carbon construction. 

If there's rafters on your list, maybe its best to just get them a job (kidding!... sorta). But if that's not in the cards, here's a few things that might fit the bill; Down River sewn goods are always very popular gifts, such as the DRE Captain's Bag, Stash Pocket, Drag Bag, or Drink Holders. Salamander Captain's Boxes make for great personal storage for just about anyone. And lastly, NRS Micro Straps are super handy for rigging personal day gear or as an emergency belt. 

Stocking Stuffers

Nothing above ticking your fancy? How about a guide book from RiverMaps? Or a Rafting Ornament for the Christmas tree? Luci Lights are always super popular, as are the JPW Collapsible Water Buckets.  Foamie Boaters are super fun for the kids. Micro Cases from Pelican are handy for just about anyone, and you can never go wrong with a new river knife or throw bag

Still stumped? Just get them a Gift Card! 

Boats, Boats, Boats (and boards)! 

You get a new boat, you get a new boat, you get a new boat (except you're paying for it, not Oprah!)  Here's a few of our tops picks from each category. 

Whitewater: Looking for a new creeker? You absolutely cannot go wrong with the Dagger Code or Jackson Gnarvana! Arguably the two best creek boats we carry, both are comfortable, forgiving, and capable of going wherever you're brave enough to take them. Or want something more playful? The Pyranha Ripper 2, Jackson Clutch, or the Jackson RockStar are amazing choices depending on if you're looking for down-river vs park & play freestyle. 

River Surf: Boards from the biggest name in the game; Badfish! Choose from the Snapper, ShuvIt or Sk8 depending on the size of you and your wave. Or if you're looking for the convenience and forgiveness of an inflatable, check out the iSk8 with upgraded WikiRails for better carving performance! 

Inflatable: Blow up and go! The Tributary Tomcat or STAR Raven have long been our go-to's for getting folks on the water quickly! Both are available in solo or tandem models depending on how much you value you and your partners' relationship (Pro Tip: buy two solos...). Or if you're looking for the calmer side of life, try the STAR Paragon or Alpacka Tango, both of which are geared more towards flat water paddling.  

Rec / Touring: With so many options out there in this category, we've been focusing on our favorite ultralight and performance models that really stand above the rest. Hurricane Kayaks is one of our favorites as they offer some of the lightest weight designs on the market, while also being one of the most affordable thermo-form construction companies out there. The Prima and the Skimmer 106 are two of our favorites, but you really can't go wrong with any of their models. A few of our other favorite top sellers are the Perception Joyride, Wilderness Pungo, and the Jackson Staxx Sit On Top.  

Rafts: Really looking to impress them this holiday. Nothing says I love you like a new AIRE 146DD! This is our favorite raft we carry and for good reason, tons of room, compact high performance design and a 10 year no-fault warranty! If PVC isn't your thing, how about an NRS Otter 15? Or if neither of those are in your budget, the Rio Craft Colorado is a great choice! 

Fishing: If you have an angler on your list, you know how picky they can be. Luckily either the NRS Slipstream or the NRS Approach are both purpose built fishing craft that are designed specifically with the fly-fisherman in mind. And if they're more inclined to kayak angling, check out the Jackson Bite or Bite FD, (one is paddle, the FD is pedal) or the Perception Pescador Pro for affordable but designed specifically for fishing. 

SUP: Light weight is in when it comes to SUPs! No one wants a 30lbs inflatable anymore, as it defeats the purpose of being able to easily transport it. Enter the Badfish Flyweight and NRS Tour-Lite boards! Both are under 20lbs and perform just as well as their heavier counterparts. 

Still confused?? Give us a call and we can help you make your decision! 970-259-3893