Own the Wave Adjustable Alloy Review
Cons: Heavy
Manufacturer: Own the Wave
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Own the Wave Adjustable Alloy | |||||
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| Awards |  | | |||
| Price | $36.99 at Amazon | $170 List Check Price at REI | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $144 List | $80 List |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Functional, low cost | Cuts cleanly through water, durable blade | Easy and sturdy adjustment, lightweight, high performance | High performance, relatively inexpensive | Inexpensive, large adjustment range, durable nylon blade |
| Cons | Heavy | Heavy, looks like a toy | Smaller adjustment range | Heavy, not adjustable | Heavy, locking mechanism can get in the way of hands when switching hands and/or paddling |
| Bottom Line | A heavy paddle, the Own the Wave Adjustable has the lowest retail price in our review | The Vibe is a great all-around paddle that moves water well and is easy to manage | The Aqua-Bound Challenge has a a high-performance paddle for serious paddlers | The high-performer Makai was a favorite among some of our testers, while others felt it was too heavy | This sturdy product wins our Best Buy award for a multitude of reasons |
| Rating Categories | Own the Wave Adjust... | Werner Vibe | Aqua-Bound Challeng... | KIALOA Makai | Bullet Proof Surf A... |
| Performance (30%) | |||||
| Weight (20%) | |||||
| Ease Of Adjustment (20%) | |||||
| Locking Mechanism (20%) | |||||
| Aesthetics (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Own the Wave Adjust... | Werner Vibe | Aqua-Bound Challeng... | KIALOA Makai | Bullet Proof Surf A... |
| Paddle Weight | 2 lbs | 1.7 lbs | 1.3 lbs | 2 lbs | 2.2 lbs |
| Blade Design | Concave | Dihedral | Dihedral | Dihedral | Dihedral |
| Blade Shape | Teardrop | Rectangular | Rectangular | Teardrop | Teardrop |
| Offset | Unavailible | 10 degrees | 10 degrees | 8 degrees | 10.5 degrees |
| Blade Material | Nylon composite | Injection molded fiberglass | epX engineered polymer reinforced with carbon | Nylon reinforced fiberglass | Nylon composite |
| Blade Dimensions | 95 sq in | 100 sq in | 85 sq in | 85 sq in | 95 sq in |
| Shaft Material | Lightweight alloy | Fiberglass | Carbon | Textured fiberglass | Lightweight aluminium |
| Adjustablility (inches) | 18" | 16" | 10.5" | 16" | 18" |
| Length Range (inches) | 71"- 83" | 68" - 84" | 70" - 80" | 70" - 86" | 71"- 83" |
| Number of Pieces | 2-piece (available in 2 or 3) | 3-piece (available in 1, 2, or 3) | 2-piece | 1-piece | 2-piece |
| Compact Size | 65" | 34.5" | 66" | NA | 65" |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year | 2 years | 1 year | 1 year |
| Comes with cover | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Locking Mechanism | "TwinPin" Collar Clamp | Handle LeverLock | "Performance" Snap Button | Handle LeverLock | "TwinPin" Collar Clamp |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Own the Wave model stood out for three reasons. It was one of the heaviest models in our test fleet. It had one of the widest adjustment ranges of the group. And, it was the cheapest model tested. All of this combined makes this paddle a great option for families who will share the paddle between many users and who don't want to spend a ton of cash.
While this model didn't earn top scores in every metric, it performed admirably and is a good option for families.
Performance Comparison
Performance
The Own the Wave model was not an all-star performer, but it gets the job done. With a large, teardrop-shaped paddle, testers found that they were able to manipulate their course with the paddle, but its heft made it difficult to enact quick movements and tight turns.
Weight
This product was one of the heavier paddles in our review, weighing in at 2 pounds. This shouldn't be a concern for users who don't focus heavily on performance, but if you are looking for a top-shelf paddle, this isn't the right choice for you.
Ease of Adjustment
With a TwinPin locking mechanism, this model is easy and intuitive to adjust. Our testers never had a problem with this locking mechanism, which is a huge bonus. Plus, the Own the Wave has numbers marking each adjustment hole, so when you are switching the paddle between many users, you can remember which height worked best for you and simply adjust the paddle to that height. With an 18-inch adjustment range, this paddle represented one of the widest adjustment ranges in our test fleet.
Locking Mechanism
This model features a TwinPin adjustment system. While not as easy to adjust as the LeverLock system found on the top-tier models, this adjustment was intuitive and straightforward. Even better, it does not require a screwdriver to set the clamping pressure.
This system operates by pushing out a "C" shaped collar clamp that releases an attached stainless steel pin from its adjustment hole and allows the shaft to be adjusted up or down. When you've reached your desired length, you push the clamp back in towards the shaft and the pin goes into the nearest hole.
Aesthetics
In terms of looks, The Own The Wave is about as plain as they come. This paddle is far from the most visually appealing adjustable SUP paddle that we have tested, earning it a lower score in this metric. Its generic black and silver look can't really match the futuristic carbon, decorative graphics, or natural wood veneer of other products we have tried.
Value
This is the cheapest paddle in our review. If you are looking to get out on the water and don't mind a bit of extra bulk and lower performance, then this paddle will work just fine for your needs.
Conclusion
A sturdy model that is a bit on the heavier side, the Own the Wave paddle has an intuitive adjustment system and a large adjustment range, making it good for families who don't demand the highest level of performance.
— Shey Kiester