NRS Paddlers Glove

I have used these gloves for almost three years and they are the best gloves for kayaking that I have tried. They are really tough and after three years of use, mine are still in excellent shape. They are extremely durable and feel great on.

Features of the NRS Utility Paddlers Glove:

• The back of the hand is 2-mm neoprene with Titanium which adds warmth and there are 3-mm pads that add protection against impact.
• The palm and fingers are constructed of rugged yet flexible Amara™ synthetic leather.
• Super-tough armored patches on key wear areas offer unmatched protection for active paddling, rowing and rope handling.
• GripCote™ on palm and fingers gives excellent grip and added durability.
• Wristband with hook and loop closure offer a more secure fit.
• They are warmer than HydroSkin® Gloves and not quite as warm as Navigators™ ,Paddlers Gloves™ have the best palm protection that NRS offers.

The Paddlers Glove will completely protect your hands from the weather, from blisters and from impacts.

The only thing I found was that in hot weather my hands would sweat. I still wore them in the heat of the summer if I was paddling for any length of distance but I probably would have done better with a pair of gloves with no fingers.

However they still worked wonders for me and for all other types of weather and for anyone looking for the ultimate in hand protection… I would definitely recommend them.

The NRS Paddlers Glove is available for at NRSweb.com – Paddlers Glove.

Find more reviews on other popular kayaking apparel.

NRS Kayaks

NRS kayaks are one of the most popular inflatable kayak manufacturers for whitewater and river running kayaks. They have been around for more than 30 years and were originally designed for people who were as passionate about whitewater kayaking as the founder of NRS kayaks was… Bill Parks.

Bill Parks was a business teacher who loved the thrill of whitewater paddling. He founded the company NRS (Northwest River Supplies) in 1972 in Oregon and eventually relocated to Idaho. Since that time NRS has designed and created an excellent array of inflatable river kayaks that have become a mainstay in the inflatable kayak world. They have six different models of inflatable kayaks geared for all different skill levels and types of people.

Below are the 6 Different Models of NRS Kayaks…

• NRS Bandit I – PVC-free, super lightweight, great for river running, best suited for smaller person, all skill levels, 3 year warranty

• NRS Bandit II – Great for two people or one taller person, excellent choice for whitewater with up to class IV rapids, all skill levels, 3 year warranty

• NRS MaverIK – Best suited for beginner whitewater paddlers, handles up to class II rapids, tracks fairly well on flatwater as well, 10 year warranty


NRS MaverIK Performance

• NRS MaverIK II – Tandem beginner whitewater kayak, handles up to class II rapids, stable and sturdy, 10 year warranty!

• NRS MaverIK Performance – High performance, all the bells and whistles, rugged, sturdy, 10 year warranty

• NRS Rascal – Small inflatable kayak that weighs only 17 lbs. and is ideal for kids and traveling/backpacking.

Why is the NRS Kayak so Popular?

There are a few reasons that the NRS kayak is extremely popular.

1. For starters they offer excellent quality for a reasonable price. NRS has made every effort possible to keep their inflatable kayaks in an affordable price range. Their kayaks are solid and rugged… they can take a heavy beating and still hold up nicely, yet they don’t make a huge dent in our pocket books.
2. The next reason the NRS kayak is so popular is become they offer extreme fun. There is one for every skill level and whether you are a beginner kayaker or an advanced whitewater paddler, one of the NRS kayaks will suit your needs and offer many opportunities for thrills and excitement.
3. Thirdly, NRS kayaks are convenient. All of their models are light enough to easily take traveling or camping. Whether by car, airplane or any other mode of transportation, the NRS kayak is compact and easily portable. They offer the ultimate in convenience for kayaking.

NRS Kayak Material

The Bandit and MaverIK models are made with different materials.

The Bandit kayaks are built with Pennel 840 denier urethane coated nylon. This type of material provides an ultra-light boat as well as great responsiveness on the water.

The MaverIK kayaks are built with 1100 denier, 41 oz. Hypalon material. Hypalon is known to be some of the toughest material for inflatable boats. It is extremely resistant to chemicals, extreme temperatures, uv degredation, abrasions, gasoline, oil, fungus and mildew. For this reason the MaverIK kayaks have an excellent 10 year warranty. They will not show the wear and tear that other inflatable kayaks might.

Pictures on this page provided by NRSWeb.com

Are there any negatives to the NRS Kayak?

Well it can’t be all positive can it, so let’s go through the negatives as well. There are two main negatives that stick out to me.

1. For one the fact that NRS has made every effort to keep their inflatable kayak lineup fairly affordable means that their quality of construction, though really good, is not the same as the Aire kayaks. However Aire kayaks are much more expensive.
2. Second, most of the NRS kayak models do not have a lot of room for storage space. If you think you might need extra room for gear then I would highly recommend going for one of the tandem models even if you will be paddling solo.

Final Thoughts on the NRS Kayak…

Bottom line is that NRS is a dominating force in the whitewater inflatable kayak market. They make some of the best river running inflatable kayaks out there and their reputation for quality, integrity and knowledge have stayed with them and grown for more than 30 years. That’s huge.

Read our comprehensive NRS kayak reviews for more detailed information, pictures and videos.

OR view other inflatable kayak reviews.

NRS Blast Inflator Pump

The NRS Blast Inflator pump is a compact and durable 12-volt pump. Using this electric pump is the absolute easiest and fastest way to get your inflatable kayak inflated.

This particular pump is capable of inflating to 2psi. It can also deflate your kayak so that you can get it rolled back into its storage bag lickity-split.

NRS Blast Inflator Pump Features…

• adapter that fits a wide variety of valve types
• inlayed rubber that insulates from heat and sound all the while providing a more secure grip
• 12 foot power cord
• Alligator clamps for quick and easy connection to your vehicles battery
• 2 year warranty

Pro using the NRS Blast Inflator Pump

• super quick setup
• compact – easily stores in trunk of car
• lightweight
• very easy to use
• good for inflation plus deflation

Against the NRS Blast Inflator Pump

• only good if you have a vehicle around – not for traveling

In my Opinion…

I would highly recommend this electric pump – it is extremely durable. If you will mostly have your vehicle with you it makes inflating as well as deflating your kayak very simple.

However even if you do use this pump I would also recommend having either a hand pump or a foot pump with you in order to top off your kayak. For maximum performance it is important that your inflatable kayak is completely rigid. With an electric pump it is possible to burst your kayak so the trick is to inflate it to a certain point then to top it off with a hand or foot pump. Also it is extremely handy to have a hand or foot pump in case you want to take your inflatable kayak traveling with you by airplane.

Final Thoughts…

There are lots of different electric pumps on the market. Many are extremely high priced. Those electric pumps are usually best suited for bigger inflatable boats and not for a kayak. The NRS Blast Inflator Pump is truly the best one for inflating kayaks and is also a decent price.

If you are interested in the NRS Blast Inflator Pump it can be found at:

• Mountain Plus – NRS Blast Inflator Pump

or

• NRS Web – NRS Blast Inflator Pump

Inflatable Kayak Safety Tips

There are always safety risks while traveling through water and kayaking is no different. By being aware of a few safety precautions you can glide through the water worry free.

Safety Tip #1 – Always wear a lifejacket that is securely fastened so as not to slip off in the rapids.

Safety Tip #2 – Dress for the elements. Being too cold, too hot, or very wet makes for a lousy kayaking experience.

Safety Tip #3 – Avoid all obstructions. It is possible to be pinned beneath a fallen tree or branch even in shallow water. Be sure to stay focused and steer clear of debris.

Read more

Dry Bags

If you have ever been kayaking before then you already understand the importance of having a dry bag with you. Even if you have a kayak that has an inside storage compartment the fact is that you are in the water – and that means you, your kayak and often your gear will get wet. A dry bag will ensure that your extra clothing, gear, food and valuables are safe and completely dry.

Usually in my dry bag I will store my car keys, sunscreen, extra clothing, my camera, safety & repair kit and my food. That’s my basics. If you are kayaking in colder weather you may want to store extra warm socks, a jacket, gloves, a hat, etc.  Dry bags come in a multitude of sizes so you can bring as much gear and supplies as you would like.

Dry bags are fairly inexpensive and you will likely want at least one. I won’t say that one is a lot better than another… a dry bag is a dry bag and if you are purchasing from a reputable name brand, it will likely work great. I will say that you do not have to spend a fortune on one.

There is a lot of choice in dry bag sizes, colors, and shape. Make sure your dry bag has a waterproof closure (most likely they all will) and that it has a tie down D-ring. Depending on the type of kayaking you are doing you may want to have your dry bag tied down in your kayak so as not to lose it.

Most kayak shops will sell dry bags.  See our list of inflatable kayak online retailers to find a quality selection of dry bags.

Inflatable Kayak Online Retailers

Listed below are the online retailers for inflatable kayaks and for kayaking gear and accessories.

• Sea Eagle
• Mountain Plus
• NRS
• Amazon
• Altrec Outdoors
• Outdoorplay
• Innova
• Backcountry
• Water Outfitters
• REI
• West Marine

When making a purchase online, especially a large one like an inflatable kayak, it is important that you are purchasing from a 100% secure, reputable and established website. The outdoor recreation stores listed here are some of the very best. Not only have they been around for a long time, they also provide phenomenal customer service, most of them have outdoor gear specialists ready to answer any of your questions and also have the best prices and deals. Read below for detailed information on each company.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Sea Eagle – Inflatable Kayaks

• Been around for 40+ years.
• Sell only top quality, rugged inflatable boats.
• Great selection of inflatable boats and kayaks for all different types of water activities including kayaking, canoeing, fishing, sailing, motoring, stand-up paddling and yachting.
• 3 year warranty on all of their boats!
• Offer a 180 day risk free trial.
• Excellent prices – often have great sales.
• Lots of excellent pictures of real people using their boats and customer videos.
• Good FAQ page.
• Offer some used inflatable boats at a discounted price.
• Free shipping within the contiguous US (for boat packages).
• Will ship to Canada and Internationally.
• Downloadable instructions available on their site for the boat your purchase as well as video instructions.
• Very helpful customer service.
• Inflatable kayak brands available: Sea Eagle

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Mountain Plus – Inflatable Kayaks

• Phenomenal site for any outdoor enthusiast.
• Carries not only inflatable kayaks but all kayak and outdoor gear and accessories.
• Free shipping on any order over $45.
• Excellent international shipping rates – some of the cheapest I’ve seen.
• Some of their inflatable kayaks come with a free electric pump!
• Excellent online live help for any questions or concerns you have.
• Great outlet section with sales up to 60% off.
• Mountain Plus blog.
• Established online store since 1995.
• The Mountain Plus team will bend over backwards to make sure you receive excellent customer service.
• Inflatable kayak brands available: Advanced Elements, Aire, Innova, NRS, Tributary

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

NRS – Inflatable Kayaks

• Founded in 1972.
• Excellent resource for kayaking information.
• Always lots of sale items.
• Excellent customer service.
• Every kayaking gear option you can think of.
• Will Ship to Canada and Internationally.
• Rock solid guarantee. Return or exchange any item you are not satisfied with.
• Gift cards available.
• Fast & very low priced shipping.
• Inflatable Kayak brands available: NRS, Aire, Tributary

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Amazon – Inflatable Kayaks

• Usually has a decent selection of different inflatable kayaks
• Sometimes have some good sales prices
• Huge website with very established reputation
• Also sell just about anything else you can think of
• Can ship all over the world
• Inflatable kayak brands available: Usually carries most inflatable kayak brands

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Altrec Outdoors – Inflatable Kayaks

• Good outlet section with savings up to 80% off.
• Free shipping on orders over $45 in the contiguous U.S.
• Will ship to Canada and Internationally.
• 100% lifetime guarantee – Return for a refund at anytime if you not are happy.
• Exceptionally fast delivery.
• Excellent customer service.
• Price Match Plus guarantee – If you find an identical product offered by another US authorized online retailer, they will beat their price by 5% of the difference.
• Live chat available with a customer service rep/gear specialist.
• Great selection of doggie water gear.
• Established online outdoor gear store since early 1999.
• Inflatable kayak brands available: Advanced Elements, Aire, NRS, Tributary, Innova, Trak

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Outdoorplay – Inflatable Kayaks

• Website dedicated to kayaking and kayak gear
• Large selection of inflatable kayaks
• Excellent customer service
• Offer lots of informative information on kayaks and gear
• Will ship internationally
• 15% of gear when a kayak is purchased
• Free shipping and no sales tax with purchase of a kayak – in the US
• Founded in 1995, online business since 1998
• Inflatable Kayaks Available: Advanced Elements, Aire, NRS, Tributary, Infinity

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Innova – Inflatable Kayaks

• European inflatable touring kayaks as well as whitewater inflatable kayaks and canoes
• Based out of Burlington, WA
• Most of Innova kayaks are made PVC-free – better for the environment
• One of the original producers of high end inflatable kayaks
• Very popular on the West Coast
• Sells all of the Innova brand inflatable kayaks as well as clothes, PFD’s and equipment
• Excellent customer service and very knowledgeable staff
• On-site blog with pictures, stories and news
• 2 year warranty on all Innova kayaks
• Shipping to all over the world
• Inflatable kayak brands available: Innova

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Backcountry – Inflatable Kayaks

• Free shipping on orders over $50 within the contiguous U.S.
• Will ship to Canada and Internationally.
• 100% guarantee – If you are ever not satisfied with your gear at anytime, even 30 years from now, send it back for a full refund.
• Live chat available with a customer service rep/gear expert.
• Gift certificates available.
• They have a great blog available on their website.
• Excellent customer service.
• Voted one of the top 50 internet retailers.
• Great outlet store on the website with huge savings.
• Good selection of UV protective clothing.
• Inflatable kayak brands available: NRS, Tributary, Aire

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Water Outfitters – Inflatable Kayaks

• Have good selection of inflatable kayaks and canoes as well as tons of kayak gear and accessories
• Michigan based retailer – online store been around since 1997 – 12 years
• Gift certificates available
• No hassle returns within 30 days
• Free shipping for orders over $99, excluding Hobie within the contiguous U.S.
• International shipping available
• 100% secure shopping
• Earn powder points with every purchase to put toward future purchases
• Inflatable kayak brands available: Hobie, Bic, Advanced Elements, Stearns

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

REI – Inflatable Kayaks

• Huge outdoor gear storeStarted by 23 climbers in 1938
• 80-plus stores all over the U.S. as well as their huge online store
• Great outlet selection
• 100% satisfaction guarantee – if you are not satisfied with your purchase it can be returned for a full refund
• Option to become an REI member with lots of benefits
• Great expert advice
• International shipping
• Free shipping to any one of the REI stores where you can pick it up from there
• Gear and accessories for paddling, cycling, climbing, hiking, camping, travel and fitness
• Inflatable kayak brands available: Aire, Advanced Elements, Airis, Innova

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

West Marine – Inflatable Kayaks

• $2.95 shipping on any order over $99
• International shipping available
• Marine store with good inflatable kayak selection
• One of the world’s largest boating supply retailers
• Been around for a very long time
• Excellent reputation
• Besides being an online retailer they have over 375 stores in 38 states, Puerto Rico and Canada
• No hassle returns – if you are ever dissatisfied with your purchase they will replace it
• Excellent customer service
• Very passionate about making sure the customer has a good experience and with providing great products
• Inflatable kayak brands available: Airis, Advanced Elements, West Marine kayaks

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

« Previous Page