TEST PILOTING…

On this page I will put up some thoughts and personal reviews of new gear and equipment I have tried out…

The first two reviews I am going to put up are both from that Snowboard and Kayak Company from the land of the midnight sun and trolls:

Sweet Protection, Trysil, Norway

1. Sweet Protection Prophecy Drycag
2. Sweet Protection Wanderer Helmet

SWEET PROPHECY DRYCAG

This little beauty is the new offering in outer wear from Sweet Protection, formerly renowned mainly for their awesome helmets….well on first impressions this drycag only enhances Sweet’s reputation, raises the bar and at last may provide a real alternative to the Kokatat Rogue Drycag (..a little more time will tell)…

This cag is made with goretex and seems to be cut quite small. I took the large size, which turned out to be a great, comfortable fit.The only minor nuisance was the size of the neck gasket; no matter how much stretching over a bowl was done it could not be made to fit, and in the end contrary to the ‘advice’ Sweet have written on the label about not trimming the gasket, this had to be done. If it is done carefully with a sharp pair of scissors then all is good.

Other features include a pocket on the arm, which is suitable for a key and a large chest pocket with access both sides. The tunnel hugs the body well and has an excellent 2 sided ‘velcro’ tightening ‘overlock’…this works very well

Cag inner

In the inside, the cag is finished extremely well, with the seams being sealed very well.

The cag looks the part but the questions are does it feel the part and ‘do the part’? The first answer is a definate yes as it feels very soft and super comfortable when on…As to whether it ‘does the part’ on first impressions it certainly does. Only prolonged time will prove whether if continues to do the part and can then be ranked alongside the likes of the Kokatat Rogue drycag, but as mentioned first impressions are extemely good and this is a cag I am happy to paddle in and would recommend.

SWEET WANDERER HELMET

front view

This helmet is an addition to the Sweet range of white water helmets, based on their snowboard lids. This adds to the range including Strutters and Rockers. The Wanderer is well able to handle both the local playspot as well as the tight creek.

side view

This helmet provides excellent all round head coverage, which is super important to protect vital parts and the added ventilation / drainage slots on the top allow for better drainage and air flow when compared to the Rocker. I have owned a number of Rockers which are outstanding helmets, but I found as soon as I tried on the Wanderer that the fit, for my head, was the best fit I had experienced in any helmet I have worn and for this reason I would have to say this helmet rocks.

Inner cradle view

The Wanderer is also very comfortable when on and has a kind of retro style that is quite cool.

At the end of the day when the fat lady sings her lullaby, helmets are probably amongst  the top two of vital personal pieces of equipment we have to wear kayaking (along with buoyancy aids) from a safety standpoint, and you need to be confient that they are going to do the job that they are designed for, which all Sweet helmets do, and they are comfortable to be worn all day and fit snugly, which this Wanderer does. Overall I am super happy with this helmet and would be happy to recommend it as an excellent white water paddling helmet.

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