Water Sports · Ontario
Trailhead Paddle Shack
A long-running Ottawa paddling and outdoor store selling canoes, kayaks, paddle boards and gear, plus clothing and packs. Reviewers praise knowledgeable staff and fast online shipping.
What visitors say
Trailhead Paddle Shack is a specialist paddling store in Ottawa that also carries a broad range of outdoor clothing, footwear, packs and camping gear. Reviewers highlight the depth of the paddling section, from canoe and kayak paddles to boards, boats and spare parts like seats and yokes for older canoes.
Staff get the most praise. Shoppers describe honest, no-pressure advice, whether choosing a first kayak paddle, fitting dry suits and splash gear for a week-long whitewater trip, or explaining how to layer fleece and wool. Several people say they got better help here than at big-box stores. Warranty help and a price guarantee also come up.
The online side works well too. Customers across Canada report quick answers from the e-commerce team, same-day shipping, and orders reaching as far as Newfoundland in a few days. The store has free parking and runs clearance sales.
The rating is 4.5 across nearly 700 reviews, with a scattering of complaints. One reviewer was irritated by a strictly enforced no-backpacks rule in the store, so expect to leave larger bags at the door.
Summarised from visitor reviews on Google Maps. Based on 697 Google reviews. Details change — confirm hours, prices and bookings with Trailhead Paddle Shack directly.