The Aqua-Bound Sting Ray Fiberglass offers a robust and highly functional paddle at an affordable price for recreational kayakers. The dihedral blade design guides the flow of water equally across the surface of the blade, delivering a flutter free and powerful paddle stroke.
REASONS TO BUY
Robust
Vibrant colour
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavier than some
The abXII fiberglass reinforced nylon blades can stand up to the toughest of users, without fear of being damaged. Due to the reinforced blades, this is not the lightest paddle on the market, but it is also far from the heaviest. Those looking for elite performance may consider other paddler purchases, but if simply getting out on the water is your goal, this paddle may be your match.
Editor's Note: We updated this review on May 9, 2023 to inform about updates to the Sting Ray.
Heavier than some models, locking mechanism prone to wobble
Heavy aluminum shaft, play in locking mechanism
Aluminum shaft transfers heat/cold, flexible blades, wobble in connection point
Heavy, locking mechanism wobbly, foam grips prone to slipping
Bottom Line
A vibrant paddle utlizing cheaper materials to deliver an affordable and reliable paddle
This well-designed paddle delivers outstanding value without sacrificing on performance or durability
This is an affordable entry-level paddle that can get you and your family out on the water
Affordable, functional and suitable for the casual kayaker who is not looking for a high-performance paddle
A budget paddle for those who want to get on the water but are not concerned about performance
Rating Categories
Aqua Bound Sting Ra...
Werner Baja
Bending Branches Wh...
Pelican Poseidon
SeaSense X-Treme II
Performance(40%)
6.0
6.0
3.0
3.0
2.0
Ease of Adjustment(20%)
5.0
6.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
Locking Mechanism Security(15%)
5.0
5.0
6.0
4.0
4.0
Weight(15%)
4.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
4.0
Quality of Construction(10%)
8.0
8.0
6.0
6.0
5.0
Specs
Aqua Bound Sting Ra...
Werner Baja
Bending Branches Wh...
Pelican Poseidon
SeaSense X-Treme II
Measured Weight
41.6 oz
37.7 oz
37.0 oz
39.2 oz
42.0 oz
Shaft Material
Fiberglass
Fiberglass
Aluminum
Aluminum
Aluminum
Shaft Shape
Round
Round
Round, oval
Round, oval
Round
Blade Material
Fiberglass-reinforced nylon
Fiberglass reinforced nylon
Polypropylene
Plastic/fiberglass
Fiberglass filled nylon blade
Blade Shape
Asymmetrical
Dihedral, asymmetrical
Dihedral, asymmetrical
Asymmetrical
Asymmetrical
Adjustment Style
Push button
Push button
Push button w/ basic ferrule
Push button
Push button
Blade Offset Settings
L45, 0, R45
L45, 0, R45
L45, 0, R45
L60, 0, R60
L45, 0, R45
Length Options
220, 230, 240cm
220, 230, 240cm
220, 230, 240cm
230cm
243cm
Style
Low-angle
Low-angle
Low-angle
Low-angle
Low-angle
Show full specification detailsHide full specification details
Our Analysis and Test Results
These photos compare the Sting Ray we tested (left) with the updated version (right).
Product Updated - May 2023
Aqua Bound updated the Fiberglass Sting Ray paddle since our test cycle. The new paddle features an updated blade shape intended to facilitate a smoother forward stroke and a stiffer feel. The blade is also designed to be stronger than the previous iteration. We have yet to test the updated Sting Ray, so be aware that our review pertains to the older model. However, our affiliate links point to the new version.
What makes the Sting Ray FG paddle stand out is its robust but effective blade design. Constructed from durable abXII fiberglass reinforced nylon, you don't have to be careful when using this paddle. The price and design lend this paddle well to use in top-end kayak rental companies, and the vibrant yellow blades are a familiar and attention-grabbing site on the water.
Performance Comparison
The durable nature of this paddle makes is a good ompanion for adventure travels.
Credit: Sara James
Performance
Aside from being constructed from different materials. The String Ray FG is almost identical in design to its sibling, the String Ray Carbon. Both use a dihedral blade design to guide the flow of water equally across the surface of the blades, ensuring an effective and powerful stroke. The fiberglass reinforced nylon blades are heavier than other options and alter the balance of the paddle somewhat in comparison to more elite models. The performance is, therefore, not a distinctive feature of this paddle as it did not perform as well as those constructed from more expensive materials.
You may need a friend to help you dismantle this paddle, especially after extensive use.
Credit: Sara James
Ease of adjustment
When new, snap-button mechanism is straightforward to use, offering a choice of three blade feather setups. Unfortunately, with frequent use, the components are prone to jam, making it occasionally difficult to adjust or dismantle, particularly in cold conditions. Although suitable for the infrequent user, the snap-button mechanism is significantly inferior to the Posi-Lok option that Aqua-Bound offers for its high-end paddles.
The snap-button system used in this paddle is adequate for a budget paddle.
Credit: Sara James
Locking Mechanism Security
The locking mechanism is perfectly functional and does not impede the effective use of this paddle. The paddle felt ' tight' immediately after it was purchased; however, after extensive use, we noticed there was some rotational give in the paddle at the joint. This same concern was observed in all paddles that used the snap-button system.
The snap button can get clogged in sandy or dirty conditions. A regular rinse and service should help to maintain this component in functional order.
Credit: Sara James
We were surprised that Aqua-Bound does not offer this paddle with their signature Posi-Lok adjustment system as we felt this is far superior in its simplicity and reliability.
The study blades mean that paddlers pay a bit extra in terms of weight; however, this is balanced out with a fiberglass shaft.
The weight of this paddle is noticeable if you are traveling long distances but for short jaunts, it should overly tire your arms.
Credit: Sara James
Weight
The fiberglass-reinforced nylon blades make this paddle heavier than some of the models constructed of full fiberglass, or better still carbon. However, the fiberglass shaft ensures that is it still lighter than the heaviest of models, some of which utilize an aluminum shaft.
The additional weight of this paddle and the distribution of the weight make this paddle feel notably more sluggish to use than its Carbon blend sibling.
We weren't concerned about this durable paddle in shallow water.
Credit: Sara James
Durability
The fiberglass reinforced nylon blades were resistant to significant abuse. After extended use, the paddle blades showed no signs of wearing down, unlike the full fiberglass and carbon models tested. This paddle is ready to be thrown around and used with little fear of damage.
The adjustment system was noted to become less tight over time and also suffer from the build-up of sand and grit. A basic cleaning helps to maintain this paddle at its best.
Credit: Sara James
Value
The paddle was a strong contender for the best value award due to its great performance to cost ratio. There are cheaper paddles available, but none that perform on par with this budget model.
Conclusion
This paddle is perfect for those that expect their paddle to last and perform suitably but are not concerned about weight or having the most elite of options.
Other Versions and Accessories
Available in the following increments - 210cm 220cm 230cm 240cm
Available as 2 or 4 piece paddle
GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. No sponsored content. No ads. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison.
