2020 Gear Guide
BOTE Rover Aero $2,500, boteboard.com
Boats today are asked to serve more roles than ever, so why shouldn’t the same be true of our paddle boards? The BOTE Rover Aero can be equipped with a 6-hp outboard, rod holders, a bucket seat and/or a power pole, transforming this inflatable into a bona fide skiff. Leave those accessories home and you still have one of the most stable boards on the market. At 63 pounds and deflated to the size of an extra large duffel bag, it’s likely you’ll want to keep it inflated all season to avoid the hassle of storage. —D.H.
Grundéns Deck-Boss Ankle Boots $85, grundens.com
Confession: I still wear the same Grundéns fishing boots that I got back in the 9th grade. Sure, they’re a couple sizes too small, but they’re finally sporting the proper combination of scuffs, cuts and blood stains. The new Deck-Boss Ankle Boots I tested last summer lacked that patina but made up for it in style and comfort. I appreciated that the low cut kept my legs cool while performing chores like washing down the boat. And the grip they offered even on the slipperiest surfaces can’t be
