Dagger Stratos wins Outside's Gear of the Year!

Dagger is beyond stoked to announce Outside magazine’s editors awarded the Stratos with its prestigious Gear of the Year award in the “kayak” category. Outside selected the Stratos for its innovative, adaptable design.

The Stratos is a high-performance touring kayak for novice to serious paddlers who demand a do-it-all kayak that’s just as capable in surf, rock gardens and open water as it is on whitewater rivers.

“The Stratos has proved to be one of the most versatile boats I have paddled,” said Joe Jackson, kayak test director for the Outside Buyer’s Guide. “It's offers a stable platform I would feel comfortable putting a student in but was playful enough that I felt in control paddling it in class III whitewater and pushing myself rock-gardening. I am always wary of claims that a boat can "do-it-all," but the Stratos delivered and is the best utility player in my personal boat quiver.”

Over the past year, Outside Buyer’s Guide tested the Stratos on sea kayaking trips in British Columbia and river trips throughout the state of Oregon. It outperformed all other kayaks.

“We are honored the Outside Buyer’s Guide selected the Dagger Stratos as the best kayak of 2016,” said Snowy Robertson, Dagger product designer. “The Stratos is the perfect storm of tracking, maneuverability and forgiveness.”

Dagger designed the Stratos to be stable and forgiving for beginners and fast and maneuverable for intermediate and expert paddlers. The combination makes it the perfect kayak for multi-day adventures as well as coastal play.

The Outside Buyer’s Guide highlights the very best in adventure gear, from sports equipment, tools, and gadgets to footwear, outerwear, and sunglasses. It is the ultimate resource for product reviews, technology, news, and tips, and is organized according to sport and activity. The Outside Buyer’s Guide reaches more than 1.4 million frequent gear purchasers.