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Bending Branches Espresso Plus Paddle

$95.99
$120.00^*

REDUCED PRICE You Save 20%

(4)

Item # 768097

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Bending Branches blended beauty and performance to come up with the Espresso Plus canoe paddle!

Seven-laminate black willow blade provides a powerful stroke for excellent flatwater cruising performance
Rockgard® protects the paddle blade, wrapping around the corners onto blade edges
Ergonomically designed contour grip and ovalized shaft provide hours of paddling comfort
Multiple-step varnishing process extends life of paddle

Imported.

Item 768097

How to Use Your 20% Off Coupon:

Online, at REI.com and REI-OUTLET.com

If you're an REI member: At steps 3 and 4 of checkout under REI Membership, enter your membership number and coupon code REIANNV. Note: Check "Use my dividend on this order" and we'll apply your dividend balance toward your purchase.
If you're not yet an REI member: Include an REI membership for a one-time $20 fee with your purchase and use coupon code REIANNV at checkout. (You won't have to enter a membership number.) Note: You will have the opportunity to buy a membership at checkout.
Coupon applies to highest-priced eligible item. Coupon good through 5/28.

AT REI STORES

If you're an REI member: At checkout, provide coupon code REIANNV (or a printout of this coupon) and your REI membership number to the cashier. Note: Ask to have your dividend balance applied toward your purchase.
If you're not yet an REI member: At checkout, include an REI membership for a one-time $20 fee with your purchase and provide coupon code REIANNV (or a printout of this coupon) to the cashier.
Coupon applies to highest-priced eligible item. Coupon good through 5/28.

BY PHONE: 1-800-426-4840

If you're an REI member: Provide coupon code REIANNV and your membership number when you call in your order. Note: Ask to have your dividend balance applied toward your purchase.
If you're not yet an REI member: Include an REI membership for a one-time $20 fee with your order and mention coupon code REIANNV .
Coupon applies to highest-priced eligible item. Coupon good through 5/28.

Exclusions:

Offer valid 5/17/12 9pm PT – 5/28/12 11:59pm PT.
Coupon (or coupon code) must be presented at time of purchase. Online and phone customers must use code "REIANNV" to receive this discount.
Offer valid at REI.com, 1-800-426-4840 and REI stores.
Offer not valid on REI-OUTLET.com items, REI Adventures or REI Outdoor School.
Offer not valid on sale items (prices ending in $ ._3 or $ ._9).
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Offer not valid on bicycles, strollers, hard shell boats or stand up paddleboards.
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Offer is limited to stock on hand and backorderable items, is nontransferable and is not redeemable for cash.
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To order by phone, call 1-800-426-4840 Mon. through Sun., 4am to 11pm PT.
Cashier Instructions: Apply 20% line discount to highest full-price item; please refer to exclusions.

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Bending Branches Espresso Plus Paddle Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Bending Branches Espresso Plus Paddle

4.8

(based on 4 reviews)

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Comfortable shaft (4)
Good control (4)
Minimizes fatigue (4)
Reduces flutter (3)

Cons

Best Uses

Advanced paddling techniques (3)
Day trip (3)
Touring (3)

Reviewed by 4 customers

Sort by

Displaying reviews 1-4

May

2008

(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

OMG, What an Awesome Paddle!

By all adventure

from Denver, CO

About Me Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable Shaft
Good Control
Minimizes Fatigue

Cons

Best Uses

Advanced Paddling Techniques
Day Trips
River Running
Touring

Comments about Bending Branches Espresso Plus Paddle:

This paddle is awesome! I was hesitant to buy it, but really glad I did. It is feather light @ 18 ounces to minimize fatigue. The big 8"x20" blade provides plenty of power when needed. The palm grip (traditional) handle is very comfortable and more user friendly for me. Other than a paddle to use in the rapids (I don't want to bang up this one, it's so pretty), this is the one I'll use all other times.

Comment on this review

Jul

2009

(3 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Good paddle for the price

By Da Cooks

from SE Michigan

About Me Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable Shaft
Good Control
Minimizes Fatigue
Reduces Flutter

Cons

Large Grip
Poorly matched wood

Best Uses

Advanced Paddling Techniques
Freestyle

Comments about Bending Branches Espresso Plus Paddle:

I got this for my wife. Unfortunately REI doesn't carry this paddle in the store and picking a paddle is not an easy thing to do without trying it. My wife has small hands and the grip is large for her. The grip is symmetrical and the blade is on the larger side, which makes this a nice entry freestyle paddle. There was no flutter during in water recoveries and a small amount of flex. The fiberglass on the blade allows for a light paddle while allowing it to be strong and durable.

There are a few quality and aesthetic issues with it though. These may be specific to the one paddle, and wood is not uniform so one paddle might be great. BB is a large scale maker, so they aren't able to take the time to go the extra mile. The wood was poorly matched for color. There are 7 strips laminated to form the blade and all were dark, except for 1 and it makes it look strange. There are also a couple knots in the wood near the throat. These are weak points and could potentially be spots for failure. The reinforcing on the tip is a black material and it was wicked up into the wood near the tip causing some black streaking.

All this said they are nice paddles at this price point. There are nicer paddles but it will cost you. I like my wife's so much I am planning on getting one for me.

Comment on this review

Sep

2010

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Fantastic Value

By Doug the Doug

from Cincinnati, OH

About Me Advanced

Pros

Comfortable Shaft
Good Control
Minimizes Fatigue
Reduces Flutter

Cons

Best Uses

Day Trips
Making miles
Touring

Comments about Bending Branches Espresso Plus Paddle:

The Espresso is a great paddle, especially for the price. Extremely light, reasonable flex that is kind to one's joints/muscles, comfortable grip, good bite, no flutter and absolutely perfect in water recoveries.

It's not tough enough nor has a big enough "bite" for whitewater/swift river service, but the glass wrap and "rock guard" allow it to take the occasional thwack in stride. Just don't rock brace with it, ok? For making miles on lakes and class II and under rivers, it's great.

Comment on this review

Jul

2011

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Great paddle!

By photocamper

from Roswell, GA

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable Shaft
Good Control
Minimizes Fatigue
Reduces Flutter

Cons

Best Uses

Advanced Paddling Techniques
Day Trips
River Running
Touring

Comments about Bending Branches Espresso Plus Paddle:

Beautiful paddle. Every time I pick it up after an extended break from paddling, I am surprised by how light it is. Nice and smooth in the water. Used mainly for solo paddling (16' Penobscot) on flatwater and mild rivers.