ACCESSORIES

CALL - 925.820.2628 Chums CameraShield Aquapac Mesh Bags Soft Coolers Landing Pad

Mesh bags, Chums, soft coolers, and waterproof camera cases are on this page. Thighstraps and other IK equipment are in the IK Accessories section. If you're looking for boat accessories, such as camlock straps, they are in the Raft Accessories section. Updated May 2008

Chums

Chums are the simplest, most comfortable way to keep your glasses on your face and off the river bottom.In a variety of solid and "splash" colors -- tell us your preference and we'll do our best.Two-way adjustable, $4.50 each.

Camera Shield

The new waterproof Camera Shield is a lexan case that holds almost any point & shoot or flat-body digital camera. There is an adjustable lever that runs from the exterior by your right thumb, through to the interior that actuates the shutter button. In some cases you will also be able to manipulate the digital zoom control button/lever, however, the front-to-back depth of the Camera Shield does not allow for movement of a mechanical zoom lens. The right side (or left if viewed from the front, as in the photo above) pops off to slide the camera in, and there is a spare gasket provided. A lot of our customers have requested a camera case for river use without the exhorbitant price that many carry, and this seems to fill the bill. It is a very solid, very waterproof, well made box with only one drawback - since there are such a wide variety of both locations and movements for on-off switches, you almost have to leave the camera on. This of course will either run batteries down quickly, or more likely necessitate frequent openings to keep turning the camera back on since most models have a feature that turns off the camera after a few minutes. The other option is to keep your camera in a drybag or a strapped-down drybox, but in our 23 years of boating we know that tucked away cameras tend to stay tucked away - it's often just too much hassle getting them out. Since most rafting photos are actually taken from shore, it may not be a big problem to open when you're ready to shoot. It does offer solid protection for your camera evn in a drop, and includes foam wedges so your camera fits snug inside. $39; Neoprene leash bag for (padding the) case - $8

Aquapac

Our second camera pouch is called the Aquapac, and it now comes in two sizes - the Regular ($29) for digital cameras and smaller point & shoot's, and the new Large ($40) for bigger point & shoot's and moderate size SLR's. These generally do not share the problem of being unable to actuate on/off buttons like the hard case Camera Shield above, because it is made of optical vinyl with an area of extra soft blue matte vinyl across the top rear where most of your controls will be. Most on/off buttons can be manipulated through it. Like the Camera Shield there is not a lot of room for protruding lenses on either size, but a small zoom lens camera will easily work in the Large Aquapac. The closure is composed of thick end plates with two camming levers, and it is guaranteed to be 100% dry. This is a very well made unit from England, not one of the cheesy Chinese versions. Along with the camera pouchs, we can special order other Aquapacs for GPS units, cell phones, etc. Allow one week extra.

Mesh Bags

The items below are made either by us or for us and are fully guaranteed.

Small black mesh bags for rope, etc are $4 each;
Large teal mesh bags for riverwear, pfd's, etc are $15 each.

PAKR Mesh Bags come in two varieties:

The simple Basic PAKR ($14) is 16" X 20" with two loops at the top corners for tie-in or tie-down, and a drawstring closure.

The Thwart PAKR ($49, no photo) is 20 X 28" and straps around a rafts thwarts, giving you an easy-access pouch to store all your knick knacks. Like the Duffels, this has a stainless zipper closure.

We do make a number of our own items since we have a commercial sewing machine, but mesh material does not seem to agree with it (too many snags) so we haven't tried making our own mesh bags yet.

Soft Coolers

Soft Coolers are a popular, non-face-bashing alternative that make good sense for any type of whitewater boat. The models we are now carrying have changed. The three sizes are a 19 Quart ($33) which looks like the red one in the center of the photo at right, but comes in light grey only, a 40 Quart model ($56, yellow one in photo above)) for rafts or inflatable kayakers with the space to carry it, and a new 21 Quart Trapezoid ($44, photo below) cooler for float tubes and wider i.k's. We no longer carry the mini 12 quart Soft Cooler (the dark blue one in the photo above) because there are so many budget priced varieties in this size at the big box stores that it makes more sense to get one of those. The real thing does hold ice longer than most of the cheaper department store versions though.

Soft Coolers are made of PVC and closed cell foam insulation The 40 Quart has detachable carry straps and sturdy side handles that can be used for tie-down. It comes in yellow or blue. The grey 19 Quart has a detachable shoulder strap that connects to two thick plastic D-rings, which again can be used to strap it down tight. The new 21 Qt. Trapezoid ice box is different. It has a carry handle on top, and two lash patches on each side to run cam straps through. These are the same lash patches used for securing knives to lifejackets. The 21 Quart comes in the dark grey shown.

New- AIRE Landing Pad

This is AIRE's version of the ever popular Jack's Plastic Welding Paco Pad, though in fairness to Jack, this one is made in China, not New Mexico, so if you prefer American-made by all means stick with his. The Landing Pad is is a super thick, comfortable self-inflating sleep mattress with open cell foam on the interior and a pvc boat material exterior. It measures six feet by 30" wide and 3" thick, and is a bulky 9" around and 32 to 33" long when deflated. We cannot recommend these for self-supported inflatable kayak camping. They are intended for rafters and car camping. These come in dark green or blue, with a summit kayak air valve, a stuff sack, and run $99.