How to Choose and Size a Kayak Touring Paddle

Considerations when choosing the best paddle for you:

How much you are willing to spend? There is a range $75 to $600,
usually related inversely to the weight of the paddle!
The kayak you are using (length, width )
Your height, level of fitness, and style of paddling, (more vertical
or horizontal, easy paddling or racing. )
How long do you usually paddle? 2 hours,or multi day tours.
Conditions you usually paddle in (calm water
bays or rivers, rougher water, more open exposed to wind and waves,
current?)
Do you have personal preferences: wing or bent shaft paddles, blade shape
and size.

Information
to help your choose the best paddle:

Some paddles come with the option to change length and feather
angles.
High-angle paddlers keep the shaft more vertical during their stroke and typically
use a shorter, wider blade and a shorter paddle. This allows a more powerful, athletic stroke, more common with white water paddles, or short paddle sessions..
A low-angle stroke keeps the paddle relatively horizontal as you paddle.
Paddlers that use this less fatiguing stroke often use a longer paddle
with a thinner blade, more common with the touring crowd.
Smaller paddlers and those that are not into quick speed or big braces choose
blades with less surface area, those that want more instant power and
desire a bigger brace go for larger blades.
Generally with touring boats a large blade or small blade will not change
your touring speed. The bigger blade may get you up to your cruising speed faster
and provide more support on a brace but the bigger blade does require more strength from the paddler.
The power from your strokes passes through your body to move the boat a smaller blade may take more strokes to get you going but will put less stress on your back and
body, Find a balance of what feels comfortable .
Surf and white water, or aggressive style paddling may require a heavier stronger paddle.

General sizing estimates. If you prefer shorter or longer go with what is comfortable

Low angle paddling or more of a touring stroke