Glorious Cuyahoga River Paddling

Check out this video from a personally epic trip this season on the Cuyahoga River Lower Gorge section, which is all mostly Class III.

We waited an hour for a thunderstorm to pass before putting on, and we were rewarded with nearly 1400 cfs.

Review NRS Vapor Loft wetshoe

What is it? NRS Vapor Loft wetshoe is a high-top paddling shoe that features a rugged outer sole, zip-up inseam and neoprene outer shell.

How much? Regularly $54.95, NRS has the shoe listed for sale as of Thanksgiving Day weekend for $31.96.

What does it do? The Vapor Loft has a snug and secure fit with a tough and grippy sole that makes for a great river running and expedition wetshoe.

Hits: The tough yet flexible sole partially wraps up and around the heel and toes for added protection when scrambling around on rocks. The zipper also features a hook-and-loop tab at the top to prevent the zipper from slipping back down and coming undone unexpectedly.

Misses: The wrap-around heel and toe makes the shoe seem a little smaller than its size as advertised, and this can be particularly challenging if you're wearing a dry suit with incorporated socks and thicker socks underneath. Despite this, the stretchy nature of the neoprene makes up somewhat for the space crunch.

The Verdict: This is a great wetshoe. Despite the snug feeling, the shoe broke in nicely and feels comfortable all day on the river in a dry suit with incorporated socks and smart wool base layer socks. The shoe survived a mild swim in a Class III rapid without missing a step (or getting sucked off by the river). I would recommend this for river running and colder weather, but it might be overkill for park-and-play boating. Consider getting a size larger than you normally wear in a street shoe due to the wrap-around heel and toe (and the extra layers typically worn in cold water paddling).

Where I'd Rather Be

I hate having my picture taken. But there are few moments when you know just by looking at a photograph that it has captured a pure experience of bliss.

For me, this is one of those photos.

Aimed upstream, I had just run a rapid on the tree dense, boulder-lined canyon of Slippery Rock Creek, a favorite destination for boaters from Northeast Ohio who can hop across state lines to experience some of the most scenic paddling they can find for a day-tripper.

Was I peeling out? Was I ferrying across? Or was I lining up to try and catch the wave. It doesn't matter, because I know in that moment I was floating blissfully on a warm summer day, tucked inside my Karma with paddle in hand. There are few places I'd rather be.

These are the moments we cherish. Good friends and good water. It doesn't get much better.