Fabric: 70 x 75-denier 3-layer TriTon™
Waterproof & Breathable: Yes
Neck Closure: GlideSkin™ gasket
Wrist Closures: Latex gaskets with 4-way stretch neoprene over-cuffs
Waist System: Double-tunnel with hook-and-loop closure
Pockets: Left Shoulder

Most recreational kayakers, rafters, IK’ers, and touring paddlers will find that a quality waterproof/breathable splash tops fit the bill for about 90% of their time spent in the water. Splash tops, by nature keep you mostly dry in most consitions.  There are exceptions however.  The NRS Stampede is a semi-dry top suitable for use during these expetions. It would thrive in cold weather touring, heavy duty whitewater IK’ing, class V rafting, expedition kayaking off the coast of Washington in the WInter and just about any time that you want to be really warm and dry……without having to wear full dry top.

Pros:
The NRS Stampede is a great value, especially when it is on sale for 124.95!. The nice thing about semi-dry tops is that they work almost as well as dry tops, but they are much easier to put un, especially over your head. The neck gasket is made of neoprene  (NRS calls it Glideskin), which is will keep water out in all but the wettest situations (lots of rolling, playboating or swimming in the water). It is really easy to put on, unlke alot of rubber gasketed dry tops.  The wrist gaskets are made of rubber, with the same neoprene Glideskin overfuffs. The jacket itself is made from a waterproof/ultra-breathable (more so than the Endurance splash jacket) nylon fabric called Triton. It’s comfortable to wear, and allows for a full range of movement.

Cons:
The Stampede semi-dry top is considerably more expensive than a standard splash top. The MRSP of is $190, which is not outragesly expensive, but it is quite a bit more than the standard $100 splash jacket. For paddlers who plan on using this top for inflatable kayaking, rafting and paddlesports that do not require a spray skirt — the double tunnel waist is completely unnecessary. The pinstriped fabric is somewhat unconventional……….but thought to be rather slimming by some of the CKS staff.

The Verdict:
The Stampede is a great semi-dry top for situations that require more than just the standard splash top. The neck and wrist gaskets keep out much more water than standard velcro splash top openings. Part of the cost however, comes form the price of building the double tunnel waist so be prepared to pay a little more  for this top. NRS builds high quality tops for a reasonable price, so if you don’t mind pin stripes the Stampede may be for you.

The IR Zephyr splash jacket is a high performance, entry level splash top.  Besides being waterproof as well as breathable, the Zephyr is also extremely comfortable to wear. It has 2 layers of fabric (the interior has a soft microfiber lining), wheras traditional splash jackets are made from only layer of nylon.  If comfort and range of motion are priorities, the Zephyr is the jacket for you.

Pros:
The best things about this jacket are it’s comfort and durability, and the  amount of features for the price. Since the Zephyr is a 2-layer splash top, it can be worn with layers underneath or as the only layer.  It is very comfortable as the only layer because of the microfiber lining next to the skin. The microfiber also contains Tinsoan antimicrobial that inhibits the growth of bacteria (i.e.-mold and mildew). The outer layer is very supple. This is the type of jacket that can be worn for long perionds of time. The neck and wrist gaskets have velcro hooks, and keep most of the water out. IR uses ergonomic seams, which mean that this jacket would be great for active, high energy paddlers. Lastly, the waist shock cord is integrated into the top, creating a cleaner look.

Fabric: 40 X 40-denier ripstop WaveTex
Waterproof & Breathable: Yes
Neck Closure: Adjustable hook-and-loop
Wrist Closures: Adjustable hook-and-loop
Waist System: Shock-cord adjustment
Pockets: One shoulder pocket

Layering is a very important and essential part of boating.  Wearing either too much or too little on the river can literally ruin your day. The more active you are, the more you perspire.  The best way to be comfortable on the river is to release the heat and perspiration that your core generates during aerobic activity - by wearing a breathable outer layer.  The NRS Endurance jacket is a low priced (about $75), high quality waterproof / breathable shell (splash jacket) that will work well for a variety of uses, and won’t break the bank.

Pros:
The durability, effectiveness, style, fit and features of this jacket are all noteworthy.  The Endurance is constructed with name brand top of the line materials. The ripstop WaveTex material is waterproof, and breathable. The interior seams are taped, which helps minimize leakage. There is a Teflon coating on the outside of the jacket that helps preserve the waterproof fabric, as well as helps to extend the shelf life of the jacket. The wrists and neck openings are fitted with a Velcro strap and neoprene cuffs to keep the splash out. There is a storage pocket with a water resistant zipper on the left arm big enough for a few energy bars, and a durable shock cord that adjusts the fit on the waist. The Endurance jacket is also available in bright colors, which is great for river safety. It is available in a wide range of sizes (2XS-4XL).

Cons:
The Endurance is more of an entry level jacket (with an entry level price) , when compared to others like the IR Zephyr, or NRS Stampede. It is built well, but does not have as many features as the above mentioned. The neck and wrist openings do reasonable job of keeping water out, but do not work as well as The Stampede’s vulcanized neck gasket, or the wrists and neck of the IR Zephyr. You would not want to whitewater kayak in this jacket. The lack of neck and wrist gaskets would allow water to pour into the neck and wrist areas of the body. Another downside of The Endurance is that it only has one layer of fabric, compared to The Zephyr, which has a microfiber lining too (click here to read The Zephyr review). The mesh lining is MUCH more comfortable when the jacket is worn against the skin. If you paddle with a Farmer John/Jane or a short sleeved shirt, The Endurance will feel sticky against your arms compared to The Zephyr top which is actually supposed to be worn against the skin.

The Verdict:

The Endurance is a great jacket for the price. It serves it’s purpose well, but may come up short for people logging in lots of days in the water.  This top would be great for a family who wants to go on rafting and IK trips in the summer,  and does not want to spend too much money.  If your looking to paddle in cooler weather, or think that you may be in  very wet conditions (class III/IV big water for example), you may want to think about getting a jacket with more protection on the neck and wrists.

Overall, this jacket is a great entry level value, and will last a long time. There are better jackets out there, but they cost more too.

Features:
Advanced river running design is stable and balanced.
Premium fiberglass shaft has Werner’s legendary bomber strength.

Blade Specs:
Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon Blades
Size: 41 cm x 19.5cm, 16.4″ x 7.8″
655sq cm Asymmetrical

Shaft Specs:
Premium Fiberglass
Straight 2 Piece Shaft
30 degree Feather
Right Hand Control

Paddle Weight:
1077g (38oz) at 197cm

Paddle Length:
210 or 220 cm

We reviewed the Werner Rio in the CKS whitewater blog, as a paddle to be used with whitewater kayaks. The Rio is also built in 210cm and 220cm 2-Piece versions as well. These are great paddles for use with inflatable kayaks. The shafts are a bit longer, which helps get the blade into the water when paddling a boat with big inflatable tubes.

Pros:
The Werner Rio is a very economical paddle. It costs $139 MSRP, which is a great value for a 220cm 2-piece paddle, that will last forever. With fiberglass reinforced nylon blades and a fiberglass/carbon shaft, this is a paddle that can take some abuse.  Whether it’s dragging it across the ground at the boat ramp, banging it on rocks going down the river, and then using it as a really tall tent pole at camp at the end of the day-The Rio will last for a long time.  The yellow blades are great for beginners and recreational boaters as well. They are highly visible, thus decreasing the chances of losing it in a “yard sale”. Offering The Rio in a 210/220cm length was a great idea on Werner’s part.  There are plenty of worthwhile recreational whitewater paddles on the market, but not too many in this length.  Because the paddle is 220cm long, the 2-piece break down idea is a necessity.

Cons:
The Rio is durable, but definitely not the lightest paddle of the bunch.  The main drawback to using nylon in the blades is that it adds a significant amount of weight. Also, The Rio is only available in a straight shaft. Paddlers that are used to a bent shaft will not be able to order one with The Rio.  If you’re looking for a similar paddle, but with a lighter swing weight and a bent shaft the Werner Tybee would make a great option. It costs more, but……You get what you pay for.

The Verdict:
This is a great entry level paddle suitable for use with IK’s. The 210/220cm length’s in particular are nice, and the 2-piece option is great too.Transportation is easy. The Rio is a little heavy, and only available in a straight shaft, but then again it only costs $139. There are lighter bent shaft paddles available , but be ready to spend at least $100 extra.

Overall, The Rio’s got a really durable blade, and paddles smoothly. If you’re looking for an inexpensive paddle to go along with your IK (Bandit or Tomcat), The Rio is worth every penny.

Specs:
Length: 10′3″
Width: 36″
Weight: 40 lbs.
Tube Diameter: 11.5″
Kick\Rocker (Bow\Stern): 15″
Number of Air Chambers: 3
Valve Type: Summit 2
Weight/Denier of Tube Fabric: 22/900
Weight/Denier of Floor Fabric: 26/1200
Number of D-Rings: 0
Number of Handles: 2
Load capacity: 325 lbs
Warranty: 1 Year Retail, 1 Year Commercial
Includes repair kit
Heavy duty PVC shell
20 gauge vinyl bladders

The AIRE Tomcat is a mid-range “SUV” inflatable kayak, that is suited for many uses (lakes, ponds, streams, oceans and rivers). It’s competitive price, versatility and stability make it a great choice for a wide variety of paddlers. The Tomcat is at home on class II/III whitewater, and is the perfect boat to bring with you on your favorite overnight trips.

Pros:
The Tomcat is an economical inflatable kayak. It is the least expensive IK in it’s class.  At 40 lbs and 36″ wide, it is very stable. Inexperienced paddlers will have no problem at all staying a float on flat water and mild whitewater rivers.   The abundance of cargo straps makes this a great boat for overnight trips.  There is in fact a 325 lb load capacity for the single, and 450 lb for the tandem. There is 15″ of rocker, which allows the Tomcat to turn easily in moving water, yet track well in flat water too. Although the Tomcat is able to be paddled in flat water, it is not as efficient as a touring or recreational hard shell kayak. Another nice thing about the Tomcat is that it rolls up into a small kayak bag, which can be transported on planes and cars/SUV’s.

Cons:
The biggest drawback to the Tomcat is it’s bladder construction. It’s built in a similar fashion to a bicycle tire. The outer tube unzips, and contains a rubber bladder inside.  In the event of patching a leaky tube, you are forced to unzip the outer tube, pull the bladder out and either replace or patch it.  The process of unzipping the tube adds an extra step compared to patching a traditional raft or IK with 1 layer of material.  The Tomcat is also a lot heavier than IK’s with one layer of rubber instead of bladders.  This can be good and bad. The extra weight creates stability, but also makes it harder to turn and make technical moves.

The Verdict:
At $549 the Tomcat is one of the best deals on the market. It’s durability and versatility make it a great IK for most recreational boaters.  It is made of heavy duty material and will last for a long time. It is not quite commercial quality, but because the bladder is inside of the tube, it has an extra layer of protection. Another great Tomcat feature is the amount of tiedown straps that it has.  This would be the perfect boat for trips on the Green River, Middle Fork, Rogue and most class III/IV overnighters. The sitting position in The Tomcat is a little “relaxed” for advanced whitewater. The chair is removable, and offers some support, but nowhere near what you would need for paddling class IV or V whitewater.  It also is a bit heavy and does not have as much rocker as other high performance IK’s. The NRS Bandit would be a better choice for someone looking to paddle harder whitewater. It is much lighter and turns easier.

Good Times In The Tomcat Tandem

Arkansas River Inflatable Kayaking

Specs:
Length: 9′7″
Width: 34″
Weight: 17 lbs.
Tube Diameter: 11″
Kick\Rocker (Bow\Stern): 18″
Number of Air Chambers: 3
Valve Type: Leafield C-7 & Pressure Relief
Weight/Denier of Tube Fabric: 20/840
Weight/Denier of Floor Fabric: 20/840
Number of D-Rings: 3
Warranty: 3 Year Retail, 3 Year Commercial

The NRS Bandit is a high performance IK, capable of navigating around all types of water including lakes, ponds and rivers, although it was primarily designed for whitewater use.

Pros:
This thing only weighs 17 lbs….. about 1/2 as much as comparable IK’s! Your back, and other family members will thank you for this year after year. Besides being very light, the Bandit is durable, stable (yet performance oriented with lots of rocker) and priced very competitively.  Constructed out of 840-Denier nylon, with Leafield C-7 valves, The Bandit is built with commercial use in mind (it’s not priced like one though). There are no bladder tubes, which make The Bandit very easy to patch (Clifton urethane adhesive). This is also why it is so light. As with most inflatables, NRS built this thing with primary stability in mind. Kids, Seniors and populations without much whitewater experience will find that the learning curve with this IK very easy, and that it is very hard to flip.   There is 18″ of rocker, so besides being stable,  The Bandit turns really easily too.  Whitewater paddlers will find this particularly helpful when paddling on technical runs that requires precise maneuvering.

Cons:
The Bandit is a bare bones, high performance inflatable kayak. It lacks D-rings and lash straps, and is not really meant to attach large items (like gear bags). There are however, holes on the bottom of the self bailing IK that you can run ropes through. It is also very light with a lot of rocker, which makes it a poor choice for flat water paddlers.

The Verdict:
2 thumbs up for whitewater day trippers and people who want an ultra portable IK! The Bandit can handle as much whitewater as you can throw at it.  It’s light weight material and kick rocker make it a hoot in all types of whitewater. If you’re looking to to load your IK up with gear and venture off for a few days, The Bandit is not the best choice. There is a lack of tie down straps, and it’s light weight detracts from the overall stability that some may want in a IK gear/expedition boat.

The NRS Bandit is also available in a tendem version.  This may be a good choice for paddlers who do want to store some gear on thier boat, or paddle with someone else.

IK’s, river tubes, river boards and rafts have the ability to go nearly everywhere a hard-shell kayak can, while offering an ease of use and river-ready characteristic no other kayak can. No wet exiting, and no roll classes; Inflatables are enjoyable for everyone from beginners through expert paddlers. Just gather up your gear and paddle off into the sunset! If you happen to take a swim unexpectedly, simply pull yourself gracefully back onto the inflatable, or swim it to shore. There are no worries of it filling with water thanks to the “self-bailing” design and these boats are lightweight and easy to transport; rolled up or inflated. inflatables offer stability, easy handling, comfort, long lasting durability and are available in tandem, or solo models with plenty of room for light overnight gear. So whether you’re off on an overnighter or just a day trip, an IK, tube, river board or raft can accommodate the needs of an ever more diverse paddling community.

CKS stocks a few select models of Inflatables. Each model has it’s own unique features and benefits. Click on the links below to read detailed descriptions on some of our great inflatables. Click here to read a head-to-head comparison on the NRS Bandit vs. The AIRE Tomcat.

• NRS Bandit
• AIRE Tomcat