The Alloy is a family and budget friendly two-piece paddle that is tough and durable. It has a very long adjustable length range of 18" that makes it usable for many different people of different heights. If you have a big family or you know that a lot of people are going to be using the paddle, this might be the product for you. The nylon blade is strong and won't get beat up if it is used to push off of rocks or other rough surfaces. The Alloy's wide, sturdy dihedral nylon blade resists scratches and dings and pushes through water quickly. Its broad blade makes turning via back paddle a breeze.
Something to consider about this product is that if you are tall and need your paddle to be adjusted to an extended length, the adjustment system might end up near your hand grip area.
Performance Comparison
The BPS and Werner paddles in action.
Performance
The Alloy has one of the widest blades tested and pushes a lot of water, especially excelling on the back paddle. The wider blade makes turning via back paddle easier than some products. However, the Alloy is a heavy paddle. The second heaviest product in our test, the Super Paddle product is the only version that outweighs it, sitting at 2.5 pounds.
Our lead tester is 5' 9" and when the Alloy is extended to a length of 74" (which is the recommended length for that height) the adjustment system ends up being approximately one quarter of the way down the shaft, which could impede your paddling when switching back and forth between hands. The Alloy has a large, comfortable handle. It is easy to grip and isn't too small.
The BPS blade
Ease of Adjustment
The Alloy is easy to adjust, thanks to its TwinPin adjustment system.
To change the length of the shaft, you need to pull out the plastic adjustment locking mechanism that releases a peg from a hole. With the blade on the ground or the SUP, slide the handle up or down to the desired length, then push the plastic adjustment mechanism back in towards the shaft and the peg will snap firmly into the nearest hole. For a paddle that is easier to adjust, we recommend the Werner Vibe.
The BPS's adjustment system shown popped out and ready to adjust.
Compactability
The Alloy is a two-piece paddle with its shortest adjustment distance being 66". This is plenty of room for storage in a car or your basement. However, the most compact models in this review are the Super Paddle and the IGK products. These models split into three pieces and come with a carrying case. If you are planning on air travel time with your SUP setup, we recommend either one of these paddles. The Werner, NRS, and Own the Wave paddles also offer 3-piece versions.
Locking Mechanism
The Alloy has a TwinPin locking mechanism/adjustment system. To adjust the length of the shaft, you must pull the plastic clip away from the paddle shaft, which disengages the stainless steel peg from an adjustment hole. Next, you pull the handle up or down to your desired length and then push the plastic clip back in, which snaps the peg back into one of the holes.
The nice thing about the collar clamp on this paddle is that when you pull it out, you can also tilt it up a bit, which enables you to see inside and line up where the stainless steel peg is going to go. Most similar adjustment systems do not tilt out, which makes it harder to line up the peg with the hole and scratches the paint from the shaft as you move it around to snap back into place.
The cool thing about the Alloy's adjustment system is that it opens farther than most.
Weight
At 2 lbs. 2 oz. the Alloy was one of the heaviest paddles tested. The Werner Trance is the lightest model we tested at 1.2 pounds, thanks to its all-carbon construction. (This also means it is quite a bit more expensive.)
Best Applications
The Alloy would make a great paddle for a family or group with a wide range of heights. It would also work well for paddlers who are hard on their gear as its blade is one of the toughest tested.
Value
The Bullet Proof website's guarantees: "If it doesn't deliver what it is supposed to at any time within twelve months it will be replaced or refunded." The Alloy is a good deal. It has an 18" adjustment length, which is among the longest range we tested.
The blade is sturdy and can take a beating, and the adjustment system/ locking mechanism works well. While not the cheapest paddle in our test, this paddle is an excellent option for users on a budget.
Conclusion
The Best Buy award-winning Alloy is a budget-friendly option that's great for groups, as it has the widest range of adjustment of all of the contenders we tested. It is a heavy paddle, so keep that in mind. It has an aluminum shaft and a super durable nylon blade that is among the widest we tested and moves water easily. The Alloy comes with a one-year warranty.
