Product Review I bought these paddles for canoeing on rivers in Illinois, which tend to be slow, shallow, and rocky. Since I knew the paddles would take a beating, I bought the Explorer Plus with its hard rim around the blade and its extra fiberglass protection. I've only had one opportunity to use the paddles, but after a day banging them on submerged rocks and gravel in the lower Fox River, they came out with hardly a scratch. They're also comfortable and easy to handle. I should add that Duluth Pack was surprisingly quick in getting them to me.