Best Canoes · #9
Tripper S
Clipper
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British Columbia craftsmanship in a high-volume expedition tandem for northern rivers.
Pros
- Exceptional stability, even when heavily loaded
- Massive carrying capacity for extended expeditions
- Robust construction designed for challenging conditions
- Reliable tracking across open water and moderate currents
- High freeboard keeps gear dry in waves
Cons
- Heavy and requires effort for portages
- Not built for speed or quick maneuverability
- Large size can be cumbersome for transport and storage
Best uses
- Extended wilderness expeditions
- Multi-week river trips with heavy gear
- Family canoe camping
- Guiding on northern rivers
Specifications
- Manufacturer
- Clipper Canoes
- Type
- Tandem Expedition Canoe
- Capacity
- High-Volume
- Intended Use
- Northern Rivers, Heavy Loads
- Origin
- British Columbia, Canada
Pricing
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Best for
Extended wilderness expeditions, Multi-week river trips with heavy gear, Family canoe camping, Guiding on northern rivers
Where to buy the Tripper S
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The Clipper Tripper S is a workhorse, plain and simple. Crafted in British Columbia, it embodies a no-nonsense approach to tandem expedition canoeing, particularly suited for the kind of big water and heavy loads you find on northern rivers. This isn't a canoe for casual afternoon paddles on a glassy lake; it's built for purpose, for carrying gear and people through challenging conditions. Its design prioritizes stability and capacity over raw speed, making it a reliable choice when your primary concern is getting to your destination safely and with all your provisions intact. While it won't win any races, it will comfortably haul a substantial load and track true, even when the wind and waves pick up. What sets the Tripper S apart in its niche is the balance it strikes between its substantial size and its respectable on-water manners. Many canoes of this capacity can feel sluggish and unwieldy, but the Tripper S, with its moderate rocker and efficient hull shape, remains surprisingly manageable. The construction is robust, designed to withstand the inevitable bumps and scrapes that come with extended wilderness travel. It’s an investment for serious paddlers who routinely undertake multi-day trips requiring significant cargo space and dependable performance in varied conditions. This is a canoe that thrives when pushed to its limits, offering confidence when you're far from civilization.
Who It's For
This canoe is for the paddler who thinks in terms of weeks, not hours, on the water. It’s ideal for serious expeditionists, wilderness guides, or families embarking on extended trips where gear volume and stability are paramount. If your adventures involve portaging around rapids, navigating large lakes, or running remote rivers with significant payloads, the Tripper S will serve you well. It’s not for the casual recreationalist looking for a lightweight, easy-to-maneuver craft for day trips. Instead, it caters to those who demand a reliable workhorse capable of handling substantial loads and variable conditions, providing a stable platform even when fully loaded. Think of it as a pack mule for the water.
Materials and Construction
Clipper builds the Tripper S with an eye towards durability and longevity. While specific material options can vary by model year and customization, typical construction involves a composite laminate, often fiberglass or a blend with kevlar, reinforced for impact resistance. The hull is designed to flex slightly under stress, absorbing blows rather than cracking, which is crucial for rocky rivers. The gunwales are typically aluminum or vinyl, providing a sturdy edge without adding excessive weight. Seats are often webbed for comfort on long paddles and good drainage. The overall construction prioritizes robust performance in demanding environments, ensuring it can take a beating and keep going.
Real-World Performance
On the water, the Tripper S proves its mettle through stability and tracking. It feels incredibly secure, especially when loaded down, which inspires confidence in rougher conditions or when dealing with inexperienced paddlers. While not designed for speed, it moves efficiently enough for its size, covering ground steadily. The moderate rocker allows for reasonable maneuverability in currents without compromising its ability to hold a line across open water. It handles waves well, shedding water efficiently, and its high freeboard keeps gear dry. This is a canoe that gets the job done, reliably and without drama, even when the elements aren't cooperating.
Weight and Packability
Being an expedition-grade canoe, the Tripper S is not light. While exact weights vary by material, expect it to be a two-person lift, and portages will be a workout. Its substantial length and volume also mean it requires adequate storage space and a robust roof rack for transport. This isn't a canoe you casually toss in the back of a pickup. However, this weight is a direct consequence of its robust construction and massive carrying capacity, which are its primary advantages. The trade-off for carrying immense amounts of gear and enduring tough conditions is a less nimble, heavier craft. For its intended use, the weight is a necessary compromise.
Durability
Durability is a cornerstone of the Tripper S design. Clipper built this canoe for repeated exposure to rocky shores, submerged obstacles, and the general wear and tear of extended wilderness expeditions. The composite hull, particularly if Kevlar is incorporated, is highly resistant to punctures and abrasions. While no canoe is indestructible, the Tripper S is engineered to withstand significant abuse and still perform. Small dings and scratches are inevitable, but catastrophic failures are rare. This is a canoe designed to be repaired in the field if necessary, a testament to its expedition focus and commitment to longevity.
How we chose
We started with a long list of best canoes that people actually buy, cut anything that could not clear our baseline for durability and field performance, then ranked the 10 that were left against the same criteria. Rankings are editorial. No brand pays for placement, and affiliate links never move a pick up or down.
- Real-world durability
- How the material, stitching, or steel holds up after a season of hard use — not how it looks new.
- Performance in bad conditions
- Wind, rain, cold, and grit are the test. Anything that only works on a nice day gets marked down.
- Weight and packability
- Every ounce has to earn its place in the pack, but not at the cost of something that fails in the field.
- Ease of use
- Setup, adjustment, and maintenance with cold hands, in the dark, without the manual.
- Value at its price point
- Compared against the closest competitors in the same tier, not against cheaper gear in a different class.
- Repairability and support
- Field-fixable design, available parts, and a warranty the maker actually honors.
Tripper S — frequently asked questions
- Is the Tripper S worth it?
- We rank it #9 in Best Canoes. British Columbia craftsmanship in a high-volume expedition tandem for northern rivers.
- What is the Tripper S best for?
- Best for extended wilderness expeditions, multi-week river trips with heavy gear, family canoe camping and guiding on northern rivers. Standouts: exceptional stability, even when heavily loaded and massive carrying capacity for extended expeditions.
- What are the downsides of the Tripper S?
- Heavy and requires effort for portages, Not built for speed or quick maneuverability and Large size can be cumbersome for transport and storage.
- What are the key specs of the Tripper S?
- Manufacturer: Clipper Canoes · Type: Tandem Expedition Canoe · Capacity: High-Volume · Intended Use: Northern Rivers, Heavy Loads · Origin: British Columbia, Canada
- Who It's For?
- This canoe is for the paddler who thinks in terms of weeks, not hours, on the water. It’s ideal for serious expeditionists, wilderness guides, or families embarking on extended trips where gear volume and stability are paramount.
- Materials and Construction — what should I know about the Tripper S?
- Clipper builds the Tripper S with an eye towards durability and longevity. While specific material options can vary by model year and customization, typical construction involves a composite laminate, often fiberglass or a blend with kevlar, reinforced for impact resistance.
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