By Jamie Beckman
The limited edition Zephyr 155 ST’s sleek carbon fiber and Kevlar layering make it look more fit for the mantel than the open sea. But the 15-and-a-half-footer kisses the scale at an absurdly light 39 pounds - and comes equipped with a profoundly comfortable (and adjustable) ergonomic seat and backrest, plus 275 pounds of capacity - making it the perfect boat for multiday explorations of hard-to-reach waters. How does the kayak ride? “It can handle all the different conditions you can throw at it,” says Bob McDonough, lead designer of the Zephyr. ”We test in the Pacific Northwest,on the Columbia River. The sea stacks create wave breaks, and the kayak’s exceptional maneuverability makes weaving your way through the slalom course of rocks and currents especially smooth.” The first of the handcrafted Zephyr 155 STs start rolling out in February; Wilderness Systems is only making 50, so get your name on the list ($5,000; wildernesssystems.com).
This article originally appeared in the March 2009 issue of Men’s Journal.
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