This paddle is crazy light, I used a cheaper plastic Aquabound paddle for a decade and thought it worked really good, but my wife thought I needed something nicer because the yellow was fading. I didn't think so, but after paddling it on the river for 3 hours I wasn't even tired its just so light! I also like how smooth it is too, all my buddies tried it and their paddles all wobble in the water so you have to grip them super tight. I wouldn't trade with any of them and told them to get Aquabound.