Testing Out the Liquid Logic Torque: Initial Thoughts from the River

Recently I had the chance to take the Torque out on Tallulah and the Chattahoochee River and get a real feel for how it performs on the water. While it’s not a fully slicy bow design, it definitely has some impressive versatility—especially when it comes to stern work.

The biggest thing that stood out was how well it supports skill development. This boat really lets you dial in those stern moves. Whether you’re working on pivots, stern stalls, or just getting more comfortable with your edges, it gives just enough feedback to help improve technique. I could see a lot of paddlers, especially those transitioning from beginner to intermediate, really benefiting from it.

 This boat boofs. I had my best boof off Bridal Veil in it on Tallulah. I felt like I was in my half-slice. I was hoping for a slicier bow for flatwater play, though. While it excels downriver, beginners, intermediate and advanced paddlers might find cartwheeling or bow play in smaller eddy lines and flat water a bit challenging. 

I had a world champion playboater try the Torque in flatwater. He was able to bow stall and cartwheel the boat, but it took a few tries, and you could tell it wasn’t an easy feat. That said, in the right eddyline or hole, this boat turns into a cartwheel machine!

The outfitting should hold up in a brand new boat, but comfort is a big deal. At 6’1” with long legs, I found the Torque spacious and comfortable. I had the bulkhead adjusted pretty far, but even after five hours one day and three the weekend before, I had no numbness or discomfort. The inclusion of thigh hooks made a noticeable difference in control, making the ride very enjoyable. They did a great job with the outfitting on this one.

Overall, it feels like a solid choice for paddlers who want a balance between performance, play and comfort. It’s not the sliciest boat out there, but it offers a stable platform for growth, play, and fun. If your goals include getting more confident with stern techniques or just exploring a boat that supports skill refinement without being overly aggressive, this one might be worth checking out.

It’s definitely a niche fit, but for the right paddler, it’s got a lot of potential!