Here are the ten lightest kayak paddles on the market:
- Ovation – Ultimate In Luxury Paddling at 16.25 oz (461 g)
- Athena – Designed For Smaller Paddlers 19.5 oz (553 g)
- Cyprus – The Most Advanced High-Angle Paddle 20.25 oz (574 g)
- Kalliste – Durable & Lightweight Low-Angle Paddle 20.25 oz (574 g)
- Ikelos – For The Conditioned & Powerful Paddler 21.5 oz (610 g)
- Corryvreckan – Built For Phenomenal Coastal Play 22.25 oz (631 g)
- Whiskey – High Torque Hi-Angle Paddle 23 oz (652 g)
- Camano – Relaxed & Powerful Full Day Paddling 23 oz (652 g)
- Tango – Affordable Lightweight Paddle 23 oz (652 g)
- Shuna – Coastal Hi-Angle Mid-Sized Paddle 23.75 oz (673 g)
Ovation – Ultimate In Luxury Paddling at 16.25 oz
The Werner Ovation kayak paddle is the lightest low-angle touring kayak paddle on the market. The 1-piece straight shaft paddle weighs in at an amazing 16.25 ounces, while the 2-piece straight shaft Ovation weighs 18.5 oz. The bent shaft Ovation, both the 1 and 2-piece, weigh a still-impressive 20.5 oz.
Athena – Designed For Smaller Paddlers 19.5 oz
Next is the Werner Athena at 19.5 oz. It’s a low-angle paddle specially designed for smaller paddlers to be comfortable, quick, and nimble with sized-down carbon (Dynel edged) super-buoyant foam-core blades that pop out of the water, making them feel nearly weightless with every stroke.
Cyprus – The Most Advanced High-Angle Paddle 20.25 oz
Werner Cyprus is a cutting-edge high-angle kayak paddle with a mid-sized full carbon blade with Dynel edges for durability. Performance paddlers report faster paddling and less fatigue with the Cyprus, making it one of the most popular ultimate performance paddles on the market built for playing and cruising. The Cyprus straight shaft 1-piece weighs 20.25 oz, while the straight shaft 2-piece and the Cyprus Hooked both weigh 22.5 oz.
Kalliste – Durable & Lightweight Low-Angle Paddle 20.25 oz
Werner Kalliste is a mid-sized blade touring paddle with incredible lightweight construction blending durability and performance. The straight shaft 1-piece weighs in at 20.25 oz, while the Kalliste Hooked paddle is 22.5 oz., and the 1 and 2-piece bent-shaft Kalliste paddles both weigh in at 25.25 oz.
Ikelos – For The Conditioned & Powerful Paddler 21.5 oz
Werner Ikelos was built for the most powerful high-angle stroke with a full-sized blade for a large strong paddler. Full-Carbon with Dynel edges and a precise full ferrule. The straight shaft 1-piece paddle weighs 21.5 oz, and the bent-shaft 2-piece weighs 26.5 oz.
Corryvreckan – Built For Phenomenal Coastal Play 22.25 oz
Werner Corryvreckan Carbon is a premium lightweight performance paddle with large high-angle carbon blades built for powerful coastal paddling. For such a large powerful blade it is extremely light. The straight shaft 1-piece weighs only 22.25 oz and the 2-piece straight-shaft weighs in at 27.5 oz, and the 2-piece bent-shaft at 30.5 oz.
Whiskey – High Torque Hi-Angle Paddle 23 oz
Aqua-Bound enters the running with the Whiskey Carbon paddle. Aqua-Bound Whiskey Carbon straight shaft weighs in at 23 oz as an impressive lightweight high-angle paddle with full carbon blades and shaft and an infinite feathering angle ferrule. It also comes with the options of a 2-piece bent shaft, or 4-piece straight shaft.
Camano – Relaxed & Powerful Full Day Paddling 23 oz
Werner Camano Carbon was built to be a comfortable all-day paddle. It has a low-angle mid-sized blade and full ferrule. The Camano Carbon weighs in at 23 oz for the straight shaft, 28 oz for the full-carbon bent shaft, while the Camano with a fiberglass blade weighs 24.5.
Tango – Affordable Lightweight Paddle 23 oz
Aqua-Bound’s Tango Carbon is a 2-piece 100% carbon paddle with long slender low angle blades, and a high-quality infinite feathering angles ferrule system. The 2-Piece Straight shaft and 2-Piece bent shaft weigh in at 23 oz, the 4-piece Straight Shaft at 25 oz, and the fiberglass blade/carbon shaft model at a still respectable yet more budget-friendly 26oz.
Shuna – Coastal Hi-Angle Mid-Sized Paddle 23.75 oz
Werner Shuna Carbon is a very popular high-angle paddle with a mid-sized blade that fits a wide range of paddlers. It is designed for a conservative feel through the water and comfortable all-day coastal type paddling. The Shuna Carbon straight shaft paddle weighs 23.75 oz, the bent-shaft weighs 28.75, while the Shuna Fiberglass weighs in at 28.75 oz. and the Shuna Hooked at 27.5 oz.
Why a super lightweight kayak paddle?
What is the benefit of a lighter paddle? The benefit of a super lightweight kayak paddle is that you can paddle your kayak faster and much further without getting tired. The same hi-tech materials that enable a paddle to be built super light with carbon-fibers also creates a paddle blade that handles beautifully in the water with optimal flex and a clean smooth slice into the water avoiding the drag you feel on a plastic or wooden paddle, and with a buoyant return. It feels almost like the carbon-fiber paddle is propelling itself out of the water, adding to the ease and efficiency during long days on the water.
Most paddlers begin with an entry-level aluminum paddle and get used to the heavy feel of it. Only after trying a more experienced friend’s lighter carbon or fiberglass paddle does the kayaker realize how much better it feels and how much more efficient their strokes are with a lighter paddle.
Be forewarned: once you paddle with a deluxe paddle you will never want to go back! But your wrists and other joints will thank you. Your posture and form will be better, your strokes faster and you will enjoy kayaking even more than you did before.
Besides being lighter in weight, a more expensive paddle almost always has many other upgraded features such as a better ferrule allowing infinite feathering angles, drip rings that actually work, and a more comfortable shaft.
Please note that each paddle changes in weight slightly depending on the exact length you choose and whether it has a straight or bent shaft and whether it is a 1-piece, 2-piece, or 4-piece paddle. I’ve done my best to link to the right paddles when they are available so you can see the price point and pics of each one. This is an ongoing project as I search for the lightest kayak paddles on the market and I’ll update it as I find new information.
If the ten lightest paddles listed here are still more than your budget allows, I also compiled a comprehensive list of all kayak paddles listed by weight that you may want to check out to find some light paddles that may be more affordable than the very lightest ones on the market.
Wishing you happiness in the outdoors!