I carry a Werner break down - have only had to use it once.  Very solid though.  In a perfect world every boater would have one with them, but at least one per group of 3-4 is nice.  Kind of pricey buggers for something you hope to never use, but I think you could get by with the cheaper one depending on the type of water you are running.  But the higher the class of the river, the more you want something solid to get you out of whatever stretch just ate your main paddle.

Edited by Scott_H - 07 May 2012 at 1:08pm

I have an Auquabound four piece that is very light and very cheap for a really good brake down paddle. If hiking out is not an option (i.e 50 miles deep) paddling out with something is better than nothing. Werner is good too but a little pricy for a spair and not any lighter than the Auquabound  

A spare paddle should not be viewed as an optional accessory. Every kayaker should have one. Sure, you may opt not to take it sometimes... on easier runs that you could just walk out of easy. Short roadside runs... But you should have one. And if you have to spend a few bucks... big deal! Unlike the paddle you use on the crik...and beat up on a weekly basis, your spare should last you pretty much forever.

I have a werner 3-piece. Now they make a 4-piece which is even more packable. In my IK I keep it secure inside a mesh bag and strap it down flat to the floor... unless I'm packed with overnight gear, then I lie it flat to the gear bag and strap it down tight to that.

Brian's idea of getting an older werner for cheap is a great idea. You can even get one way longer than you'd normally use, because when you have it converted to a break-down you can have it resized to whatever size you like. I believe werner will customize your paddle for a fee.

Also, since you say you're an IKer... two more pieces of equipment nice to have along:

Spare pump. EZ pump and K pump make good, small packable pumps.

Repair kit. You should have a comprehensive kit for wilderness trips, including patching stuff, spare valve and valve wrench, for AIRE boats, a spare bladder is a bad-ass piece of repair gear to have. But for everyday trips a package of Tear Aid is nice to have and a small roll of duct tape is always good to have... it can be counted as part of your first aid kit too.

I have been on the receiving end of a breakdown paddle many times and have personally broken 7 paddles.  I have never had to walk off the river because there was always a spare breakdown in the group.  If you can afford this essential piece of safety gear, it will undoubtedly come in handy someday. 

Dito on the hand paddles. If I feel I need a backup, I pack my pair of NRS neoprene webbed finger style hand paddles. Lightweight (never really need them), and they'll at least get ya between drops- you can portage stuff that you don't feel comfortable hand paddling.

In an IK, the bulk of the tubes may hinder the effectiveness of hand paddles. My suggestion (not to offend my inflatible loving bretheren): solidify your roll. Hardshell more and swim less. There is a whole world of possibilities out there!

Kirk- you broke 7 paddles? Dude, in 30 years I don't think I've owned that many. Here's some tips to cure that:
1) play a game when you paddle through class II/III shallow rock gardens: if you hit a rock at all with boat or paddle, that's a penalty. Runs you do over and over like the Sky (the entrance to lunch hole), keep score each run.
2) add more water. If there's less rock to hit, there's less chance of breaking a paddle.
3) work on the timing of your strokes. Yup. It ALWAYS comes back to THE FIRST FUNDEMENTAL: The Forward Stroke. Practice makes perfect, yet perfection is always a boat length (or more) downstream of where you are...