The 7 Best Telescoping Paddles
Special Honors
West Marine Telescoping Paddle This sturdy selection can extend from 20-1/2 to 48 inches, and it stows compactly at its shortest length. Its aluminum shaft measures 1-1/8 inches in diameter, so it’ll fit comfortably in your hands. Its knob handle also helps to provide a firm grip. You don’t have to worry much about dropping it, since it conveniently floats in the water. You can purchase it with confidence, thanks to its one-year manufacturer warranty. westmarine.com
Editor's Notes
September 09, 2020:
The Better Boat Collapsible joins the list in today’s update, and it would make a handy addition to any craft’s emergency kit, thanks to its compact and lightweight design. Featuring a high-impact blade, it works well as a paddle for a kayak, a jet ski, or a raft, and also makes for a suitable children’s paddle. It boasts an ergonomically designed T-grip handle that can double as a hook for docking or clearing branches in your path. If the hook element is important to you and you’re looking for a more substantial model, check out the SeaSense Black, the handle of which forms two hooks that can be trusted to keep your craft in place as you hold it at the dock. This one extends from 48 to 72 inches and is backed by a one-year warranty.
We still like the Bending Branches Angler Pro Plus for its sturdy 100% carbon shaft that holds up well in rough waters, as well as a pair of blades with infinite feathering angles. This model is crafted by hand in Wisconsin, and you can choose from among three eye-catching color combinations. For another tried-and-true model that’s from a century-old manufacturer, look to the Attwood 11828. It sports a highly visible bright red color and is conveniently lightweight at just over a pound. It’s comparatively affordable, and can be trusted not to sink if dropped into the water. For an easy-to-use selection that collapses easily with the turn of a handle, check out the Redneck Convent 42-Inch, which is made of rugged aluminum and heavy-duty plastic components to withstand impacts well. Like the Attwood, this one comes in at a budget-friendly price, and it can be counted on to resist corrosion.
August 21, 2019:
Unlike non-extendable paddles, telescoping paddles come in handy for easy storage on your watercraft, since they collapse to a conveniently small size. They’re also useful to have on hand when the users in your group are of varying heights. Our selection offers ones that extend anywhere from 42 to 72 inches, and in a range of colors, so you’re sure to find one that suits you well.
Joining the list today is the SeaSense Telescoping, which extends up six feet in length and locks in securely at whatever size you’ve chosen. Like many others, one end features a hook that comes in handy when you’re docking, pulling things toward you, or releasing lures from branches. The blade also features a handle of its own that makes it easy to hold during any of these pursuits. This hassle-free choice extends and retracts smoothly and is equipped with a one-year warranty.
Also coming on board is the Redneck Convent 42-Inch, which also is simple to collapse when you’re done using it, with a quick, clockwise turn of its handle. It’s made from durable aluminum and plastic, which will reliably help you navigate through any type of waters. It’ll hold up for the long haul, since it’s resistant to corrosion, and provides excellent quality for the price.
A third addition is the Bending Branches Angler Pro Plus, which is handmade in Osceola, Wisconsin, and has been the six-time recipient of the Kayak Fishing “Paddle of the Year” award. Featuring a multi-laminate fiberglass blade and a 100% carbon shaft, it’s lighter than much of the competition (which you’ll appreciate on all-day fishing trips). It even has a 40-inch ruler on its shaft, so you can quickly measure anything you catch. You can choose a bright yellow and green pattern for high visibility, or two attractive prints featuring blue, green, and black.
Leaving the selection in today’s update are the Yamaha MAR-DLXPA-DL-42 and the Aqua-Bound Spindrift Plus, due to issues with availability. Also departing is the Bending Branches Angler Classic, since the three-hole snap-button design doesn’t lend itself properly to this category.