A Dedicated Quick-Release Tow Line for Kayaks and Canoes
The Palm Equipment Quick Tow Belt is a waist-mounted quick-release tow system built around a fixed 10m floating rope, designed for paddlers who already know they want a tow line — not a throw line — and want a belt that releases predictably under load. Palm Equipment is one of the most established names in UK paddlesport safety kit, and this belt is one of two tow lines we stock.
The Clean Tail Release — A Consistent Fit, Whatever Your Size
What sets this belt apart from a standard quick-release waist belt is Palm's "clean tail" safety release. It separates the quick-release webbing from the waist-adjustment webbing, so the release tether holds a consistent length of around 3cm no matter how the waist strap is adjusted for the wearer. In practical terms, the belt behaves the same way on release whether it's fitted to a slim or a broad-built paddler. Worth being clear about: this is a fit-and-release-consistency feature, not a guarantee that towing itself is safe — how and when you use a tow belt still depends on training, judgement and the conditions on the day.
Built for Canoes, Kayaks and Sea Kayaks
The belt suits open canoes, kayaks and sea kayaks alike — it isn't a kayak-specific design, so canoe paddlers looking for a tow line don't need to hunt for a separate product. It clips on via a rustproof Seadog plastic clip, carries reflective details for visibility, and its rope can be untied and re-threaded from the pouch, so the tow configuration can be adjusted for the situation rather than fixed at the factory.
Who It's For
This suits a paddler who wants a fixed 10m tow line with a sizing-consistent quick-release, and who's already decided a tow belt is what they need. If you'd rather choose between a 5m and 15m rope length, or want a marine-grade stainless-steel D-ring attachment point, our PEAK UK Towline is the better fit — see the FAQ below for a fuller comparison between the two.
Construction and Materials
The belt is built from 38mm nylon webbing with a Nylon 420D ripstop pouch, lined in 210D polyester, and weighs 446g. The tow rope is a floating polypropylene kernmantle line. A cam quick-release buckle and side-release size-adjustment buckle handle fit and release, a vent mesh liner with buoyant foam padding keeps the belt comfortable against the body, and split D-ring attachment points give two options for clipping in. It's available in one colourway (Flame) and one size, and is manufactured in Vietnam.
Ordering and Delivery
The Palm Equipment Quick Tow Belt ships as a Small Item — UK mainland delivery. Browse the rest of our Throw & Tow Lines range to compare it against our other stocked tow lines and throwlines, or get in touch if you're not sure which one suits your paddling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Palm Quick Tow Belt's "clean tail" safety release actually do?
It separates the quick-release webbing from the waist-adjustment webbing, so the release tether holds a consistent length of around 3cm regardless of the wearer's waist size. That standardises how the belt behaves when the quick-release handle is pulled — it's a design feature for consistent fit and release behaviour, not a guarantee of a safe rescue outcome, which always depends on training and technique too.
Is the Palm Quick Tow Belt suitable for canoes, or just kayaks?
Yes — it's designed for canoes, kayaks and sea kayaks alike. Both Palm's own product information and independent UK retailers describe it for use across all three, so open-canoe paddlers don't need a kayak-specific tow belt.
Palm Quick Tow Belt vs PEAK UK Towline — which should I choose?
Choose the Palm Quick Tow Belt if you want a fixed 10m tow line with the clean-tail sizing-consistent release; choose the PEAK UK Towline if you'd rather select between a 5m and 15m rope length or want a marine-grade stainless-steel D-ring attachment point. Both are quick-release waist belts suited to canoes and kayaks — the real difference is rope-length flexibility versus the Palm's sizing-consistent release.
How long is the rope on the Palm Quick Tow Belt, and is that long enough?
It has a fixed 10m floating rope, sitting between our PEAK UK Towline's 5m and 15m options — long enough for a reasonable working distance while towing a paddler or boat, without the extra bulk of a longer rope. If you specifically need a shorter or longer tow line, the PEAK UK Towline's adjustable length may suit better.
What does "one size" mean for a waist-mounted tow belt — will it fit everyone?
The belt's waist strap adjusts to fit a range of sizes, and the clean-tail release is designed to hold the same ~3cm release-tether length regardless of where that adjustment sits — so "one size" means there's no separate size option to choose between, not a single fixed fit for every body. As with any waist-mounted safety equipment, check the fit before relying on it on the water.