Werner Ikelos Carbon 2-Piece Paddle - Bent Shaft for Sale, Reviews, Deals and Guides

Absolutely amazing paddle! I needed a new paddle for this summer, doing a 10 day / 225 mile kayaking trip followed by a few months of guiding. This paddle was everything I wanted. Pros: Weighs next to nothing, very buoyant blades (this starts shining when practicing rolls), and the bent shaft is more comfortable than I could have hoped for. Large blades give a lot of power and make rolling a breeze. The blades are holding up much better than I expected from carbon fiber; they seem to be doing better than my Shuna did. Cons: The large blades mean you're going to be putting a lot of stress on your shoulders with good form. With bad form, this paddle could easily wreck your shoulders. I absolutely recommend this for stronger paddlers with good form. For less strong paddlers who still have good form, the Cyprus is also an awesome paddle. If you have no idea what good paddling stroke form entails, I would recommend a low angle paddle like the Kalliste or Athena.

After outgrowing my loved Werner Shuna paddle with a bent shaft, I had the choice of going for the larger blade with otherwise unchanged specs (i.e., the Corrywrecken), or the top of the line, the Ikelos. A special offer made the decision easy, and I opted for an Ikelos with the bent shaft. I have paddled well over a hundred miles with it so far and have to concur with the other reviewers: If you can afford it, get it. If you can't, start saving today! Whether on a five-mile quickie after work, or the twenty-plus-mile weekend trip, this paddle is gorgeous. It goes in the water smoothly, barely creates any turbulence and comes out easily for the next stroke. The bent shaft sits in my hands naturally, and I have never felt any fatigue in the wrists. If there is any Con at all, it equally goes for all carbon paddles: Brightly colored blades are so much easier to see than black ones. I put markings with reflective tape on the paddle to increase visibility somewhat. This way, at least I reduced the chance of being run over by a car ;) Still, cool as the carbon weave looks, I would pay an extra 10 bucks for more visible blades.

I was given the third degree from my wife when I was purchasing paddles for both she and I. "Why do we need such fancy paddles?" Why? The biggest issue is the weight. I find it the same as ski poles and swing weight. Once you have used a lightweight shaft it sucks going to a heavier pole. Paddle over 12 miles in your boat and at the end of it having a lighter paddle is going to make a big difference. I also like a high angle paddle for having better control and power.

I have the straight-shaft version of the Ikelos. I can't say one bad thing about this paddle. I caught it on sale for barely over $300 from some direct-from-manufacturer website that I can't remember the name of now. They had to special order it, so there was a little delay getting mine. The paddle is wonderful. It just grabs giant handfuls of water, and naturally lends itself to proper strokes. It weighs almost exactly 1.5lbs, which is pretty much weightless. In fact, it takes more effort to hold the paddle under water than it does to hold it in the air! It is so buoyant that it floats on top of the water, not in the water.

I can't say enough good things about this paddle. It is easily the best kayak paddle that I have used and stands among (if not leading) the best performance touring blades on the market. The Ikelos-named after the assistant to the greek god of dreams-glides in and out of the water and has done a great deal to help me improve my forward stroke. The light weight of the carbon fiber is only aided by the by the foam cores resulting in buttery-smooth paddling. The blades on the Ikelos are larger than typical paddle blades (even other high angle blades). This results in more power per stroke, but will take some physical adjustment for those moving from smaller blades. this blade is definitely intended for paddlers with higher angle strokes, so keep that in mind if considering this paddle. Those large blades not only allow for incredible forward speed, but also for solid bracing and efficient draws. The bent shaft helps reduce fatigue and stress on my wrists and allows for longer and more comfortable trips. It's almost painful to return to straight shaft paddles. Choosing the right paddle is very important. If you are looking for a light weight, high angle blade that will provide more power in the water, there doesn't seem to be a better choice.

I guide multi-week sea kayaking expeditions in the San Juan Islands and I have owned this paddle for just over a year. This was a paddle that came highly recommended to me by several of my paddling mentors and those who have held my position before me. Having used many different types of Werner paddles, I can fully endorse the Ikelos as the cream of the crop. The top two paddles are the Cyprus and the Ikelos and the main difference is the size of the paddle blade. While I wasn't sure if I needed the large powerface of the Ikelos, I now love the powerful and graceful stroke that I have developed with the Ikelos. The bent angle shaft is amazing and combining it with my feathered stroke, my wrists can move easily and powerfully with each stroke. The foam core of the paddle blade allows it to feel light in the water. This is a versatile and powerful paddle for long touring days, handling rough conditions, and advanced maneuvering best suited for an intermediate or advanced sea kayaker. I've used this paddle for about 60 days on the water and covered several hundred nautical miles with it, and in my opinion, this is the best sea kayak paddle on the market.