NRS Bandit I
Best Uses: Rivers (up to class IV rapids), day trips, traveling
Brand: NRS
Available At:
Number of Paddlers: 1
Stats: Length 9’ 7”, Width 34”, Weight 21 lbs, Load Capacity unknown
Accessories Included: 3 year warranty, padded seat, repair kit, owners manual
Kayak Material: 840 Denier nylon with urethane coating
Pros: Environmentally friendly (PVC-free), light and easy to lift, rugged, comfortable, great maneuverability, compact, easy entry and exit, affordable
Cons: Not good for flat water (very light with a lot of rocker), lacks D-rings, not much room for extra gear, a bit tippy (but that can be a good thing on whitewater)
More About the NRS Bandit I
I have mixed feelings on the NRS Bandit. There are a lot of mixed reviews on this inflatable kayak and the general consensus is that if you have the extra funds go for the Aire Lynx instead. However this kayak does have many really great points.
The Good…
For one thing the Bandit is made to be environmentally friendly as it is completely PVC free. To me that is a huge plus. This means nothing performance wise, but any little bit to help the planet is very positive. Second the Bandit weighs a mere 21 pounds. You could practically carry this kayak on your bicycle if you wanted to. It is so easily transportable it is unreal.
The fabric is durable and very well made and will handle up to class IV whitewater conditions. Many people have written that they have absolutely loved this boat for river playing. It is capable of rolling when using the thigh straps and you have the option of a couple of different seats for different comfort levels which is pretty neat. This kayak has a lot of rocker, which is a nice for whitewater paddling… if you know what you are doing.
The Bad…
The negatives are that it is much better suited for lighter people. This is not a heavy duty kayak and you do not want to load it with too much weight. A person that is lighter and not very big will do much better in the Bandit. Also it is really only suitable for day trips. There is a lack of tie down straps for gear and it is really too light to give great tracking for longer trips. Also it could easily be pulled by winds.
The NRS Bandit was primarily designed for whitewater use and it really performs best in rivers. I would not recommend it for someone who wants to use it for flatwater as it simply won’t perform that well.
Final Thoughts On the NRS Bandit I
NRS is fairly well known in paddling circles and the Bandit will hold its own in whitewater. If you need to carry it with you anywhere in the Backcountry you will definitely want to consider this boat. There is also a tandem version offered, the NRS Bandit II. I don’t feel that the NRS kayaks compare to the Aire kayaks performance and feature wise, however they do tend to be more affordable and if you are dying to just get out in the rapids… affordability means a lot.
Pro NRS Bandit I
- Environmentally friendly (PVC-free)
- Very light and easy to lift – no problem for one person
- Rugged
- Comfortable
- Good maneuverability
- Compact
- Easy entry and exit
- Affordable
Click image for larger view
Against NRS Bandit II
- Not good for flatwater (very light with a lot of rocker)
- Lacks D-rings
- Not much room for extra gear
- A bit tippy (but that can be a good thing on whitewater)
NRS Bandit I Video
Want to see the NRS Bandit I in action? Watch the NRS Bandit I video
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The NRS Bandit I Inflatable Kayak Is Available At:
- NRS Web – NRS Bandit I Inflatable Kayak
- Altrec Outdoors – NRS Bandit I Inflatable Kayak
- Backcountry – NRS Bandit I Inflatable Kayak
- Amazon – NRS Bandit I Inflatable Kayak
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