Aqua Bound’s High-Angle Kayak Paddles
6-minute read
Are you a high-octane paddler with an aggressive style, or a kayaker with a loaded boat you want to haul easily? Then you want a high-angle paddle that pushes a lot of water and matches your energy. We gotcha covered.
(Photo: Land Water Adventures)
There are two main types of blade shapes when it comes to kayak paddles: high-angle and low-angle.
Low-angle paddles are designed for long days on the water, a relaxed paddling style, and easily propelling your boat efficiently and with minimal effort.
But if you paddle whitewater, love rock gardening and surfing ocean waves, or haul around a loaded fishing kayak, you’ll be better served with a high-angle paddle. The blades look squat compared with the long, slender low-angle blades. That wide, shorter design makes a big difference when it comes to power.
Aqua Bound has many high-angle paddles you can choose from, whether you’re a recreational kayaker or packrafter that gets out occasionally during the season, or you’re an avid paddler demanding the highest-quality gear.
Let’s take a look at your options:
The Aerial Whitewater Kayak Paddle Family
For the ultimate in performance and durability, you need to check out our Aerial family. New in 2024, Aerial is the result of months of research and testing based on the most-wanted features of elite whitewater kayakers and packrafters.
We developed our revolutionary Lam-Lok™ edge protection for our Aerial line (which we’re now using on other paddles as well). This 33-feet of aramid stitching around the most vulnerable part of the blades ensures a lifespan of at least five times more than paddles without it.
We also beefed up the blades themselves as well as the shaft, so every part of an Aerial paddle—no matter its model—is built for durability.
(Photo: Kate Wright)
In all, there are 25 models to choose from. We’ll break it down for you:
- Aerial Major—with our beefiest blades for large paddlers and those who require that extra surface area for extremely responsive, aggressive maneuvers.
- Aerial Minor—a smaller blade profile for small-to-medium sized paddlers and those who want to maximize efficiency.
- In both the Major and Minor lineups, you have the option of carbon fiber blades or our compression-molded fiberglass blades. The fiberglass models offer a significant price difference as well as a vibrant geometric pattern, but is a few ounces heavier than the carbon model.
- Both Major and Minor Aerials are available in several different shaft styles: straight, crank, 1-piece, 2-piece and 4-piece. All have our robust Versa-Lok™ ferrule system with 6 cm of length adjustability.
If you demand top-of-the-line craftsmanship, materials and performance, you won’t find anything better.
Prices range from $449.95 to $724.95 (2026 prices). See our Aerial family here.
The Whiskey Kayak Paddle Models
Our Whiskey has been a favorite among high-angle paddlers since we introduced it in 2017. Our focus with this high-angle model is top performance in the lightest possible package.
We achieve this with a T-700 carbon shaft paired with either tow weave carbon blades (25oz/709g) or compression-molded fiberglass blades with their stunning color and design options (26oz/737g).
(Photo: Tyson Crockett)
We now apply our ultra-tough Lam-Lok™ edge protection to most of our Whiskey models, too. (We still make the fiberglass model in Northern Lights without it, if you don’t need that extra durability in exchange for a few dollars.)
Whiskey prices range from $374.95 to $574.95 (2026 prices). Here are your options for both carbon and fiberglass models:
- 2-piece straight shaft with Posi-Lok™ ferrule (fixed length, multiple feathering angle options)
- 4-piece straight shaft with Posi-Lok™ ferrule (for the ultimate in portability)
- 2-piece bent shaft with Posi-Lok™ ferrule (the most ergonomic)
- Our carbon model is also available as a 2-piece with our Versa-Lok™ ferrule system, offering up to 15 cm of length adjustability and infinite feathering angles.
See our Whiskey kayak paddles here.
Manta Ray Kayak Paddle Models
If your budget doesn’t allow for one of our premium high-angle paddles, no worries. Our Manta Ray line will not let you down when it comes to performance and durability.
We’ve put just as much care and craftsmanship into the blade design for this paddle as we have in our pricier options. In fact, our Manta Ray blades recently received a redesign for less flutter, a stiffer feel, quieter entry and exit in the water, and a silky smooth forward stroke.
Recreational and serious high-angle paddlers alike will find this paddle responsive, highly maneuverable and able to take on most conditions.
With Manta Ray, you have three different options for materials and, therefore, weight: Manta Ray Carbon, Manta Ray Hybrid and Manta Ray Fiberglass. Their prices range from $139.95 for the fiberglass options to $289.95 for the carbon (2026 prices).
Take a look at the options:
- The carbon and hybrid models feature a 100% carbon shaft in 2-piece or 4-piece, and with either our Posi-Lok™ or Versa-Lok™ ferrule.
- The fiberglass model features a fiberglass shaft with our snug-fitting snap-button ferrule. One offset angle option.
- Manta Ray Carbon blades are injection-molded carbon-reinforced nylon.
- Manta Ray Hybrid and Fiberglass blades are abXII fiberglass-reinforced nylon. Color options are Sunset Red or White for the Hybrid models and Sunset Red or Electric Green for the Fiberglass models.
See all our Manta Ray paddles here.
Shred and Shred Apart Kayak/Canoe Paddles
Finally, if you live on whitewater rivers but don’t have the budget for an Aerial, you need to take a look at our family of Shred whitewater kayak paddles.
(Photo: Oliver Dressel)
These are tougher than Whiskey, and therefore heavier. But if that doesn’t bother you, one of these models will do the trick. All are available in 1-piece or 4-piece. When you order, you choose your feathering angle. The 4-piece models have our snug snap-button ferrule.
- Shred Carbon—aerospace-grade tight weave carbon shaft with abX carbon-reinforced nylon blades
- Shred Hybrid—100% carbon shaft and abX fiberglass-reinforced nylon blades
- Shred Fiberglass—fiberglass shaft and abXII fiberglass-reinforced nylon blades
Then we have our Shred Apart, which has been very popular with tandem packrafters. This versatile paddle can be used as a kayak paddle for one, or break it down and it becomes two canoe paddles for a duo.
We use the same tight weave carbon for the shaft and the same abX carbon-reinforced nylon blades as our Shred Carbon. It’s the ultimate in convenience, especially when space is limited.
Our Shred paddles range in price from $194.95 to $374.95 (2026 prices).
Our Whiskey Carbon on a backcountry packraft trip (photo: Florian Guillier)
No matter your high-angle environment or budget, we have a paddle that will fit your kayaking or packrafting lifestyle.
Want to talk about a specific paddle? Get in touch with our friendly, Wisconsin-based customer service team…
Contact us at 715-755-3405 or sales@aquabound.com, or choose our online chat option.
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