Esquif Vertige OC-1 Canoe

A solo whitewater canoe that builds confidence rather than demanding it from the start is worth paying attention to. The Vertige was Esquif's first solo OC1 design, and the experience that went into it shows in how the hull behaves across a range of skill levels and water types.

The asymmetrical hull and generous rocker -- 4.5 inches at the bow and 4 inches at the stern -- give it the liveliness that makes river paddling engaging without crossing into unpredictable. It accelerates well, responds to input cleanly, and carries enough volume to take on solo canoe camping trips where you need to pack for multiple days on the water. For newer paddlers it offers a stable, forgiving introduction to moving water, while intermediate paddlers will find the speed and stability to push into more demanding whitewater wilderness territory.

At 49 lbs in T-Formex, it's a durable and manageable package. Factory-installed outfitting and wood gunwales are available as upgrades. Note that no outfitting, saddle, or float bags are included as standard.

• Construction: T-Formex
• Hull shape: Asymmetrical
• Length: 12'10" (3.91 m)
• Width: 29" (73.6 cm)
• Depth: 15.5" (39.4 cm)
• Rocker: 4.5" (11.4 cm) bow, 4" (10 cm) stern
• Weight: 49 lbs (22 kg)
• Carrying capacity: 265 lbs (120 kg)
• Gunwales: Vinyl (wood trim optional)
• Colours: Red, Yellow
• Options: Factory-installed outfitting, wood gunwales
• Note: No outfitting, saddle, or float bags included