RECREATIONAL - Fun and easy to paddle, these are made for flatwater paddling. Their stable designs emphasize tracking and sure handling more than agility. These boats are great for birding, photography or fishing.

VERSATILE - Designed to handle everything from calm lakes to whitewater, these offer greater maneuverability and more capacity than recreational boats. Included here are "tripping" canoes, which track well and paddle easily with heavy loads, making them ideal for extended canoe-camping trips.

RIVER - These canoes are for people who love the challenge of running rapids and negotiating other river obstacles. River canoes are abrasion - and impact-resistant, with high sides to deflect water. They also have plenty of rocker (upward curvature at the ends) for enhanced maneuverability.

MATERIALS

Wood - Preferred by most canoeists, it has a beautiful appearance and a pleasant feel. Wood retains the warmth of your hands in cool weather and transmits the feel of the water well, helping you achieve a smooth stroke. Wood requires some maintenance. Many manufacturers increase the durability of wood paddles with tip guards -  pieces of composite plastic or fiberglass built into the tips. Some also overlay their wooden paddles with fiberglass of Kevlar on the blade surface.

Fiberglass - Often found in the shaft and blades of more expensive paddles, it allows manufacturers to vary flexibility and performance to match intended end uses. Its durability makes fiberglass a fine choice for whitewater canoeing paddles. The weight of fiberglass paddles varies greatly, with the lighter ones being more expensive and the heavier, entry-level paddles being more affordable.

Polyethlyene/aluminum - typically found in entry-level paddles, which have a polyethylene plastic blade attached to an aluminum shaft that has a plastic T-grip. These paddles are a durable choice for beginning paddlers and an affordable option as a spare paddle. The aluminum shaft is usually quite stiff, and the plastic blades flex a bit, which makes these paddles less comfortable to use for long periods of time. The aluminum shafts can also get cold, so most are covered with vinyl or foam where your lower hand grasps them.

SHAFTS

Straight - This traditional style is great for all types of paddling conditions. On rivers, most paddlers use straight-shaft paddles because they can be used for a variety of maneuvering strokes.

Bent - Best used for flatwater paddling or cruising, these paddles feature a bend in the shaft that helps position it for maximum efficiency. The bend orients the paddle blade roughly vertical in the water at the strongest part of your stroke. It also helps the paddle enter and exit the water smoothly. Most bent shafts have a 14-degree bend. Some paddlers prefer a paddle with less bend, sacrificing some efficiency for the ability to perform a greater variety of strokes. Paddles with even a slight bend will still be more efficient than a straight-shaft paddle on flatwater.

GRIPS

Palm - This teardrop or pear-shaped grip fits comfortably into the palm of your hand. It gives you good control and is easy to use for hours.

T-Grip - Gives the most control over the angle of your paddle blade, making it a good choice for whitewater. This grip is also easy to hang onto in rough conditions, and easy for small hands to grasp.

On the water - Sit inside your canoe and measure the approximate vertical distance from your nose to the waterline. This measurement should match the distance from a paddle's grip to the top of its blade. Then add the length of the blade to get the correct overall length for your paddle.

In the store - Kneel down, keeping your bottom 6 inches off the floor. Take the paddle you are considering, flip it over and hold it upright, with the grip on the floor - the blade should start about even with your nose.

Fine-tuning paddle length - If you're buying a bent-shaft paddle, deduct about 2 inches from the length you've determined. As you become more experienced, you might also develop a preference for a longer or shorter paddle, depending on your style of paddling and the type of canoe you have.