Light weight paddle ideas for backpacking inflatable kayak

Wasn't sure where to post this...

I am wondering if anyone has any good ideas for super lightweight paddle(s) to bring with my inflatable on super lengthy backpacking trips. No, I am not crazy, I have to bring the kayak to set nets in high mountain lakes for work.

Ping pong paddles?


Someone on here has to have a better idea than ping pig paddles hahaha


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For a small hand paddle, there is the Backwater Assault that will run you about $30. I have 2 of these. I don't need both. Let me know if you want one of them.

Otherwise, I would say a good 2-piece regular kayak paddle would be worthwhile and weigh somewhere around 25 to 30 oz. such as a Werner.

Buy a break-down kayak paddle.  Google "breakdown kayak paddles." Ping-pong paddles, a small fisherman's hand paddle, or a small canoe paddle will not be satisfactory for covering any distance on a lake in a pack raft.  Most pack raft companies offer breakdown kayak paddles made by various manufacturers.  Breakdown paddles suitable for whitewater are more expensive, but more durable and probably lighter, than recreational breakdown paddles.  The big question is whether you can live with a two-piece paddle, which you'll need to strap on the outside of your pack, or if you want a three or four piece paddle, which is a lot more compact.  I have a four-piece breakdown paddle which I carry inside my whitewater kayak on multi-day self-contained kayak trips.

Many, many years back I packed a raft into high mountain lakes. With a heavy pack I used the paddles as walking sticks. I used the detent pin attached to a length of aluminum and rubber stoppers at the end. Worked well but could have been improved on. Might give you ideas.

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I carry a pickleball paddle as an emergency backup - shaped like a ping pong paddle, but much bigger.  I don't think it's what you want if you're setting nets.

A graphite paddle is going to be light weight, but I swear the stock Hobie paddle weighs near nothing compared to the paddle I actually use.

A graphite paddle is going to be light weight, but I swear the stock Hobie paddle weighs near nothing compared to the paddle I actually use.

He's right, the Hobie paddle is quite light.  The disadvantage of the Hobie paddle for backpacking is that it is a fairly long two-piece paddle. I recommend investing in a four-piece breakdown paddle.  But if you can live with the length of the Hobie paddle, which would be cumbersome when strapped on a pack, I have a Hobie paddle which has never been used (I use a whitewater paddle with my Revolution), and which I'll sell you cheap.  I'll be coming to Oregon for a week starting July 2, and could bring it with me.

Agree that a four piece paddle would be much better to pack along.

What do you want of that paddle, Pete?  If Beachmaster isn't interested, I might be.  PM if you prefer.

Aquabound makes a 4-piece carbon paddle which is  very good.  Selection depends on the depth of your pocketbook,   desired weight savings, and conditions of use.   I like the Aquabound 4-piece paddle that I have.

What do you want of that paddle, Pete?  If Beachmaster isn't interested, I might be.  PM if you prefer.

Each Hobie kayak comes with a paddle, and retailers don't appear to sell Hobie paddles separately, so it's hard to say what a Hobie paddle is worth.  I did find some Hobie paddles for sale on Amazon for $114-$186.  PM me an offer; no reasonable offer will be refused. Really.  The paddle is just taking up space in my garage.

I did find in my old Hobie August 2015 parts book,  the 230 cm paddle set....P/N 74075001 @ $114.00
The current on line catalog, also lists a 260 cm paddle set....P/N 74090001....no price shown.

Hobie seems to have a pile of them now.  74075001 is the standard 230cm fiberglass shaft black-colored paddle ($114); 74076001 is a 230 cm aluminum shaft paddle with blue blades (discontinued); 740770001 is a 4-piece aluminum shaft paddle for their inflatables ($150); and 74090001 is a 260cm fiberglass shaft paddle ($120).

PM sent.

Hobie seems to have a pile of them now.  74075001 is the standard 230cm fiberglass shaft black-colored paddle ($114); 74076001 is a 230 cm aluminum shaft paddle with blue blades (discontinued); 740770001 is a 4-piece aluminum shaft paddle for their inflatables ($150); and 74090001 is a 260cm fiberglass shaft paddle ($120).

PM sent.

At those prices Hobie must be real proud of there paddles wait all I have read about them ain't been too good