Heroes have capes, artists have brushes, and kayakers have paddles.
With the wrong paddle, you won’t have that enjoyable kayaking trip you’ve been waiting for. Paddles make most of the kayaking experience, so choosing them should be done wisely and after comparing various models.
Today, we’re comparing two of the most popular paddle manufacturers on the market: VE Paddles vs Werner. VE Paddles is a UK-based company, while Werner was founded in Washington. Let’s see which of the two manufacturers makes better paddles.
An Overview of VE Paddles
VE Paddles was founded in Nottingham in 2008, and Palm Equipment International Ltd. now owns it. Since then, it’s been sharing its innovations in the paddle industry, coming up with advanced technologies to improve the paddling experience for users.
Their latest invention is the Aircore technology, which supposedly increases the endurance of the blades. All blades made with this technology are handmade, which speaks volumes about their high quality.
One more thing people love about VE Paddles is that you can order a custom-made paddle with your preferred materials and dimensions.
An Overview of Werner
Werner precedes VE Paddles by more than forty years, founded in 1965. It started in Washington State in the US, and the headquarters is still there to this day.
According to the manufacturers, the company’s location in Monroe allows them to test their paddles close to home.
Like VE Paddles, Werner’s paddles are all handmade. While that’s the reason they’re relatively expensive, it’s also the reason they’re favored on the market and loved by many.
Werner makes paddles for most sea activities, including kayaking, canoeing, rafting, and recreational fishing. Some of their paddles are also adjustable for different uses.
VE Paddles vs. Werner: A Paddle-to-Paddle Comparison
Now that we have company overviews out of the way, we can dive into the specifications of their paddles. After going through the comparison, you should be able to decide which paddle is better for you.
Paddle Performance
When it comes to performance, both companies excel in the field. For example, the paddles made by VE are known for their cranked frames. Even if you’re only used to straight paddles, you’ll have no hard time getting used to the cranked ones. You’ll actually wish you’ve been using them your whole life.
The crank in VE paddles is made to feel as natural as possible. It accounts for a comfortable paddling experience without wrist aches.
The manufacturers at VE also design their paddles to have a solid grip without the risk of slipping out.
Moving on to Werner paddles, they aren’t any less good than VE’s. They’re often made of carbon blends, designed to withstand years and years of heavy use.
Users of Werner paddles praised their ease of use and adjustability. They also mentioned the paddles are highly durable.
Some Werner models are created with adjustable frames; these are highly convenient for different activities.
Blade
VE paddles are best known for their premium glass blades. They’re lightweight, helping them tread through the water quickly without hurting your wrists. They’re often quite big, enabling them to perform nicely in any water you’re paddling in.
Werner’s paddles are known for their large, well-designed blades. They’re laminated and highly responsive. A lot of users praised their stability and flutter-less performance under stress.
On top of that, the blades feature a dihedral design, having a slight angle between the two planes. The design supposedly improves the blades’ ability to stand in the face of turbulence.
Durability
VE paddles have carbon tubes, often cranked to optimize the paddling experience. Thanks to the high-quality material, the paddles have long life expectancies.
When it comes to durability, though, Werner is hard to match. Its paddles are made of premium carbon blends meant to live for ages. Of course, you’d still have to maintain your paddle for it to live, but the materials are hard to break.
In this category, I can safely say both companies are equal. But for some reason, durability is often associated with Werner’s name rather than VE.
Maintenance
VE paddles may need some maintenance to keep their cranked frames intact. Usually, cranked tubes are more vulnerable than straight ones, so you’ll have to store them somewhere safe.
If you own a Werner paddle, you’ll have to make some effort to maintain it. For example, paddles with the Smart View Adjustable System will need extra care to keep their system effective. You’ll have to rinse them more often and make sure there isn’t any sand building up in the locking mechanism.
On top of that, if your paddle’s blade is fiberglass laminate, you’ll need to be careful when storing it. The material can scratch, so it’s better to store it somewhere with no risk of an item falling on it.
Advantages
The main advantage of VE paddles is their versatility. You can make a custom-made paddle to fit your needs. And even if you get a ready one, the cranked design and the large blades make VE paddles eligible for different water activities.
Moreover, VE paddles come with a one-year warranty for manufacturing defects.
Meanwhile, Werner paddles are best known for their unmatched durability. If you don’t want to replace your paddle anytime soon, a Werner purchase is in order.
Disadvantages
Regarding the disadvantages of both companies, VE paddles are often seen as expensive. Plus, they’re not readily available. They’re mostly only available in the autumn, and you’d still have to order yours sometime before you want to use it.
As for Werner paddles, users usually complain of the weight, saying VE paddles are lighter. However, that may be due to their larger-than-average blades.
The Final Verdict
If you want a cranked paddle that’ll feel as natural as one of your hands, you may want to consider VE paddles. They’re designed to offer a smooth experience without wrist aches. Meanwhile, Werner paddles are highly durable, and their Smart View adjustable systems are brilliant. Both companies make great paddles; it’s up to you to decide.