The NRS Boaters Gloves are lightweight 3/4 length, lycra and synthetic leather gloves that offer lots of dexterity, great sun protection and dont’ break the bank. They are a multi sport glove that can be used anytime you want blister and sun protection without having to wear cumbersome gloves that cover your fingers.

Pros:
The main advantage to Boaters Gloves is that they are light, and only  3/4 length. They keep the harmful sun off of the backs of your hands, stop blistering on your palms and expose the tips of your fingers, which greatly aids dexterity.

Boaters Gloves double as mountain bike gloves as well. Grab a pair of these suckers the next time you plan on dropping down Greens Creek on the Monarch Crest Trail. Your palms will thank you at the bottom.

Cons:
These gloves  have almost no thermal properties at all. They are good for warmer conditions only.

The Verdict:
The NRS Boaters Gloves are great multi-sport gloves for rafters, kayakers, mountain bikers, hikers who do some scrambling, etc. They offer great UV protection from the sun, keep your hands from blistering and allow for superior finger dexterity.  Raft guides who row every day will love these gloves. Just don’t expect them to keep your hands warm on cold days.

The NRS Reactor Gloves are one of the warmest paddling gloves on the market.  They are made from 3.5mm of titanium lined Terraprene (petroleum free neoprene),  which does an excellent job of reflecting heat inside of the gloves. The fingers of the reactors are lined with GripCote, which help with wind chill, and decrease evaporative cooling. The Rawhide palms have tenacious grip for paddles and oars, the seams are glued and blind stitched for added warmth and there is a wristband with a hook and loop enclosure. As you can see, everything about these gloves are designed to keep your hands warm.

Pros:
Warm, Warm, Warm! The Reactors will keep your digits toasty in the coldest winter paddling conditions. They have a pre-contoured  shape which makes holding a paddle or an oar a bit easier. The sticky grip on the palms (Rawhide) is nice for keeping your hands on the paddle/oars in the water too.

Cons:
In general, warm paddling gloves are constructed from thick pieces of neoprene. The thicker the material the  tougher it is to move your fingers. There is a significant loss of dexterity for on water adjustments, feeling the paddle shaft or oar grips, and just about anything that requires using your fingers. Think about unbuckling your ski boots with your Gore-Tex Marmots on, versus bare handed.

The verdict:
If it’s warm boating gloves that you’re after, look no further. The NRS Reactors are made from 3.5mm of titanium lined neoprene, with a whole bunch of other features that are designed to aid heat retention. There is a loss of dexterity becuase of the thick neoprene.  The NRS Navigator gloves are lighter and more dexterious, but your fingers will not be as warm.  The Reactors are a perfect choice for people in the Northwest who plan on paddling in the winter, and for the early spring in Colorado. Unpredictable weather that could go sour at anytime will no longer freeze your hands.

NRS Navigator gloves are made from 2mm neoprene with titanium adhesive for reflecting interior warmth (similar to HydroSkin). The palm of the glove is made from Rawhide neoprene which is really sticky. The pre-curved fingers and Rawhide lining make this glove a great choice for paddlers of all sorts.

Pros:
The Navigator gloves are great for moderate to cool conditions. They are a step below the NRS Reactor Gloves in thickness, which means that they offer more dexterity for on water adjustments, have a better feel on a paddle or oar, and are easier to take on and off.

Cons:
The drawback to these gloves are that they are not as warm as others (NRS Reactors). If you’re paddling on an early spring day, and the weather goes from cool to very cold, your hands will get cold in these gloves. If you are looking for a pair of gloves to do some serious winter paddling in,  you should look elsewhere.

The Verdict:
The NRS Navigator gloves are a great mid weight option for kayakers and rafters. With 2mm of titanium lined neoprene, they are warm in moderate conditions, and have quite a bit of dexterity.  These gloves are a great item to have in your bag if you are a Colorado boater. The summers here are usually warm, but you never know what you may run (or paddle) into.  When the weather cools off, and the rain showers come, The Navigators are a great item to have. There good for everything but really cold winter conditions.

NRS Black Mamba Pogies are constructed from 5mm neoprene with a titanium laminate, for superior warmth. They are a one size fits all pogie that has snaps for either short entry or full length. There is also a nylon coating on the outside of the pogie to aid abrasion resistance, and decrease evaporative cooling.

Pros:
Pogies are great becuase they allow you to have direct paddle contact. It is also very easy to slide your hand outside of the pogie for on water adjustments. The Mambas have thick (5mm) neoprene so warmth is not a problem.  The snaps (short entry / full length) are a great option too. It is nice to leave the sleeves all the way up to keep the water out when it is really cold, and to also have the option to roll the sleeves down when you want to let a little bit of water in to cool your hands off.

Cons:
The  drawback to pogies is that they only keep frigid water away from your hands when they are out of the water. When you flip upside down, water fills the void thus making things really cold and wet.  If you plan on flipping over quite often, you may want to get some gloves.

The Verdict:
NRS Black Mambas are great cold weather pogies.  With 5mm of titanium lined neoprene, your hands will be warm as long as you are not  frequently visiting underwater. If you’re looking for a pair of bomber pogies that will last a long time and keep you warm, these are the the ones for you. Click here to buy NRS Black Mamba’s now.

WaveLite is 4-way stretch 7oz. nylon/spandex fleece. It stretches with your body’s movements, and is double stitched for added strength. Since it is fleece, it is breathable and makes a great base layer for most aerobic sports. WaveLite XT is very similar to WaveLite, just thicker and warmer.

Pros:
NRS WaveLite makes a great base layer for people who wear waterproof breathable dry tops, pants and dry suits. It breathes easily while retaining heat, and is very comfortable. Also, If you ski, bike in the fall and winter, or take part in aerobic sports in cold weather, the WaveLite (and WaveLite XT) series from NRS is going to fit the bill. It’s a really well made (double stiched) fleece that is used for long sleeve tops, pants and union suits (to pant/shirt one-piece to be worn under dry suits). WaveLite is especially nice because once the paddling season is over, you can wear it through the winter on ski and snowshoe trips.

Cons:
WaveLite tops are only sold in long sleeve versions. IR ThickSkin is available in a short sleeved versions to be worn with shorty dry and splash tops. Also Fleece is breathable, but not windproof. A windproof WaveLite top would be great for wearing at camp after a long day on the river.

The Verdict:
Fleece is a piece of thermal apparel that just about every paddler uses. It is warm and comfortable, and can be used anytime you want to get some exercise in a cold or wet environment. WaveLite (and XT-the thicker one) is best used as a base layer for waterproof breathable tops and bottoms, but can be worn like long underwear anytime it’s cold and you want soft fleece against your skin. Click here to buy some today!

The NRS Mystery layer is part of a top secret NSA  project, and is meant to be worn on covert missions to protect against military ammunition and nuclear radiation. Not really. It’s actually a bomber outer layer made from 1 mil of neoprene with a titanium coating (heat retention). The outer layer is called GlideSkin, which is windproof and water resistant. There is a fleece lining (ThermalPlush) on the inside to ensure a comfortable fit.

The Mystery layer is a top choice for river boarders and raft guides.

Mystery gloves and storm hood. Great for cold weather paddling. Click on the images to buy These items today!

Pros:
If your a river boarder or raft guide this is the layer for you. This is the beefiest of the NRS thermal layers. It is thicker and more windproof than HyrdoSkin. It also offers a little bit of protection from river elements like rocks and other obstacles too. The 1 mil of neoprene (with titanium lining) and fleece combination offers superior warmth for the price. Also it is nice to have a layer that can be worn on it’s own. Splash and dry tops are nice, but require other layers.

Cons:
NRS Mystery is a unique piece that is great for certain applications (river boarding, surfing, raft guiding), but not a great choice for multi-sport use (look at the NRS Wavelite XT instead). It’s also not a great base layer for dry tops, because it is not very breathable.

The Verdict:
NRS Mystery is a unique layering piece that has great functionality for some applications. It’s a top choice for river boarding, rafting, and inflatable kayaking in medium / warm weather. The downside to NRS Mystery layering is that it is not very breathable, which means that it would not make a very good base layer underneath a waterproof breathable dry top.

HydroSilk is a nylon/spandex material that has many uses. It offers 50+UPF UV protection which is the highest rating, has great moisture wicking properties because of the spandex/nylon mix and fits snugly on your body. CKS sells HydroSilk short and long sleeved tops for men, women and kids as well as pants for adults.

Front and back sides of NRS HydroSilk, which makes a great rash guard for summer kayaking river boarding, surfing and any occasion that you want some serious UV portection.

NRS HydroSilk Short Sleeved Women's Tops. Go get one for floating the Colorado in the late summer.

Pros:
HydroSilk layers are extremely versatile. They can be worn as a base layer (under HydroSkin when it is really cold), or alone. Grand Canyon trips in the late summer would be the perfect time to have a layer of HydroSilk in your dry bag. The sun is bright and hot, and the river is cold. This top will protect you from harmful UV rays and keep river sediment from drying out your skin, while still allowing water to evaporate and keep you cool (relatively speaking).

Cons:
This is a pretty thin layer, and does not offer as much heat retention as other layering options. Do not depend on HydroSilk to be your main base layer for spring paddling in Colorado, New England or the Pacific Northwest. It’s basically a really comfortable rash guard.

The Verdict:
If your looking for a great outer layer for pool sessions, surfing, recreational kayaking or any water sport in warm conditions, HydroSilk is a great choice. You can use it as a base layer for a dry top, but keep in mind that it does not have the thermal properties of HydroSkin (neoprene/fleece) and other thicker layers.

HydroSkin is a patened NRS technology that is very popular in the paddle sports market. If your a paddler and have never worn HydroSkin, you should try one soon because it most likely better than what you are currently wearing. This thermal layering system consists of a .5 mil terraprene (petroleum free neoprene) core lined with titanium (aids heat retention) , a ThermaPlush interior lining (fleece) and a DWR coating on the exterior which beads water and decreases evaporative cooling. What does all of this mean? Comfort, warmth and durability for a reasonable price.

NRS HydroSkin long sleeve top (available in short sleeve too).

HydroSkin Mamba Pogies and HydroSkin Socks. Fleece lined too.

Pros:
Hydroskin is advantageous over other layering systems for many reasons. For starters, the ThermaPlush fleece lining makes pants, capris, shorts, tops, farmer johns, gloves and booties ultra comfortable to wear, and really easy to take on and off. Rubber does not feel that great sticking to your skin all day long. Having a fleece barrier against it instead is a great thing. The titanium lined terraprene core does exactly what is supposed to do….Keep you warm. The neoprene and titanium lining traps a thin layer of water between you and the garment which your body heats up. Once the water is heated, your body’s core will stay warm in most conditions. There is also a DWR coating on the exterior which helps to bead water and decrease evaporation, which again….. Helps to keep you warm.

Hydroskin, which is basically .5mil neoprene on steroids, is supposedly just as warm as wearing a 2 mil neoprene wet suit. Inflatable kayakers, rec boaters, river boarders and rafters should look at this option instead of traditional neoprene. Hydroskin is available in most paddle oriented clothing including:
pants, capris, shorts, tops, farmer johns, gloves and booties.

Cons:
The only drawback to Hydroskin is that it is a one dimensional layering system. It is great as an outer layer, or to be worn under a splash top. It is not as breathable as other layering options (NRS Wavelite XT, IR Thick Skin) which means it is not a good option for a base layer for a waterproof breathable dry top. Other brands like IR, sell polypropylene tops and bottoms that can also be worn for skiing, biking, hiking and most other outdoor recreational sports. Also Hydroskin is not windproof like The NRS Mystery layer.

The Verdict:
Every paddler should have at least one layer of Hydroskin in his or her paddle bag. If you’re not wearing it now you need to go out and get some. It will keep you warmer and just as comfortable as your current layering system. Check out or SALE PRICES!!

If you are looking for a versatile sit inside kayak that is well made, has great features and won’t cost an arm and a leg, the Native Watercraft Marvel series (10,12 and 14.5)  is definitely worth investigating. The CKS staff just paddled the Marvel for the day and the general consensus was that it was a stable, versatile boat that was easy to maneuver and very comfortable to sit in (the first class seating is super cool. See the post below for more information on this.

Specs:
Marvel 10

Marvel 12

Marvel 14.5 Tandem

Lots of boats to demo and a beautiful day at Cottonwood Lake.

The back side of Mt. Princeton and Cottonwood Lake. Joe and Jen get ready to do some performance rec boating.

Pros:
We had the opportunity to paddle a the 10 and 12 foot version of the Marvel.  There were a few noteworthy features worth mentioning. The first class seating (a boat seat that doubles as a removable camp chair) was comfortable and supportive, the maneuverability (10 and 12 foot versions) of the boat was great for any level of paddler, the rear cargo hatch was in a convenient location and had an abundance of storage and there was a cool paddle holder (clip) that allows you to free your hands and do other things like reeling in large fish.

The seat of the boat (first class seating) is constructed out of aluminum and  synthetic cloth that is comfy to sit in, and dries easily.  The entire unit is easy to remove (we figured it out in less than 5 minutes), and makes a great camp chair. It also lightens the weight of the boat by 7 lbs,making loading and unloading that much easier. Although I did not actually put anything in the cargo hatch, I did take the cover on and off, and noticed that it was very easy to remove, and that there was a lot of room inside.

When paddling a Marvel, the ease of turning and primary stability is noticeably obvious.  With only 10 feet of boat to turn and slightly rockered ends, paddlers of all sizes and abilities will be able to point the boat where they want, and paddle with ease. The 12 footer, was also very easy to paddle even though it was 2 feet longer. This boat would be a great choice for a pet owner that wants to try to bring their pooch with them on trips.  Native makes a dog mattress (looks like a sleeping pad) so your dog will be assured a first class ride too.

Aubrie's getting ready to take the Marvel 10 out for a quick paddle/fish. Notice the "first class seating". Take the chair out of the boat and use it as a camp chair. Looks comfy huh? The bungees, thigh straps and the hatch are nice touches too.

The first class seating is breathable, comfortable, intuitive and makes a great camp chair.

Part 2 of Aubrie's fishing trip. Heading out to sea.

Megan's paddling out in the Marvel.

Cons:
The Marvel is a pretty basic boat. If your looking for a recreational kayak with a lot of features because you plan on doing a lot of fishing, or overnight trips this is not the boat for you. There are plenty of accessories for this boat but they are aftermarket products that would increase the cost of the boat.  Another drawback to the Marvel is that you cannot stand up and fish out of it.  Serious fisherman will want to look at the Ultimate, which is meant for seated and stand up fishing.

The Verdict:
The Native Watercraft Marvel would be a great choice for people who do a bit of everything. It is a sit inside boat which could be beneficial for people in cold environments.  If your primarily fishing, this may not be the best boat. The Ultimate has more features for the serious angler, and you can stand up fish in it as well. We like this boat because it is made of bomber plastic (out of the liquid logic factory), the price is competitive and it

Recreational kayaking is a broad term that encompasses all different types of boating. From Inflatables to sit- on-tops,  and canoes to enclosed cockpit boats, the diversity of the “rec boat” world can get a little confusing at times. The goal of this blog is to help you find the right tool for the job. If your a kayak fisherman, this post is for you. Native Watercraft created The Manta Ray series (11, 12 and 14…feet) to help you stealthily reach destination fishing spots with the ultimate goal of slaying tasty underwater creatures.

Specs:
Manta Ray 11

Manta Ray 12

Pros:
The Manta Ray is a stable, well made boat with a host of features that just about anyone will love. For starters, it’s built out of roto-molded super linear plastic (the same factory as Liquid Logic).  It’s reassuring knowing that your recreational kayak is made out of the same material as a LL Jefe, one of the burliest whitewater creek boats around.

As for storage, The Manta Ray gets two thumbs up.  The 12 foot version (Manta Ray 12) has a large deck hatch in the front with bungees on top to ensure a secure and dry fit. There are also two smaller hatches that allow for storage of smaller items.  These small hatches are easy to access while paddling. The stern of the boat has a recessed storage area with bungees  that is large enough to hold  a drybag. There are also plenty of cupholders, and little storage areas for smaller items like flies, that you would want accessable.

Something else that seperates the Manta Ray from the rest of the pack is the large amount of accessories available with it. For example, there is a super cool dog matress, that doubles as a sleeping pad. Besides that there are kids seats, rumble seats, foot pads for barefoot paddling, flush mounted rod holders, anchors, a new rudder system, fishing bags, rod holders and much more. Quite a few of the options are fishing oriented, so anglers should take notice.

Comfortable seating, plenty of storage, high quality plastic and solid performance set the Manta Ray 12 ahead of the competition. Notice the large dry hatch up front, and the two small ones wihtin arms reach of the drivers seat.

Cons:
The smallest Manta Ray (The Manta Ray 11) does not have as much dry storage as the 12 and 14. The two small dry hatches next to the seats are a nice touch, and it would be nice to have them on the 11 as well. Price may also be a deterent for some bargain shoppers.  Native Watercraft markets itself (and really is) as high performance, first class recreational kayak manufacturer. They build a kayak every 45 minutes as opposed to every 15-30 minutes (most othe companies). There plastic is light and stronger than competitors, as well as more expensive. If you are looking the least expensive way to get on the water, you may want to buy another brand of boat.

The Verdict:
The Native Watercraft Manta Ray series is a versatile sit on top kayak that has many great features and will especially appeal to anglers.  Besides the options that come with the standard boat, Native Watercraft offers plenty of options ranging from pet accomidations to rod holders. This boat would be a great coice for a family that wants one kayak for a lake or beach house. Young children can paddle it and not be trapped inside of a small cockpit. Seniors and inexperienced boaters will love the primary stablilty and fisherman will love the angler features. Two thumbs up!