Overview of the Oxbow 85

NRS has a long history of producing inflatable rafts and boats for both whitewater and fishing. The Oxbow 85 continues that tradition, blending elements from their popular Approach and Boundary series with unique features of its own.

This one person fishing raft comes in a standard “raft package” priced at $1,745, which includes:

• The inflatable boat
• Repair kit
• Lightweight rowing frame
• Two aluminum-shaft oars with nylon blades
• EVA-padded seat with backrest
• Stripping apron
• Track pack system for mounting accessories
• NRS pump

The Oxbow 85 is built for anglers who want to cover water quickly, reach hard-to-access spots, and still have the ability to wade or fish from the raft.

NRS Oxbow 85 Specs at a Glance

• Weight: 45 lbs (31 lbs raft + 14 lbs frame)
• Capacity: 450 lbs
• Length: 8’5”
• Air Chambers: 2 for safety and redundancy
• Material: Heavy-duty PVC with reinforced wear areas
• Warranty: 5-year retail, 3-year commercial

Its compact size makes it easy to store, transport, and launch—whether from a dock, shoreline, or remote access point.

Key Features of this One Person Fishing Raft

Rigging and Adjustability

The slot rail frame system is the backbone of the Oxbow’s adjustability. It allows for infinite seating and foot brace positioning, as well as easy integration of rod holders, net mounts, cup holders, and camera gear.

Open Bow Design

The front entry makes stepping in and out of the raft simple, which is perfect for anglers who mix floating with wading.

Storage Capacity

A mesh and welded floor pan at the stern offers plenty of room for tackle bags, overnight gear, or a compact cooler—ideal for those planning extended trips in their one person fishing raft.

Comfortable Seating

The EVA-padded seat and adjustable backrest provide great support for long days on the water.

NRS Oxbow 85's On-Water Performance

Speed

For an 8.5-foot raft, the Oxbow 85 is impressively quick. The rigid frame transfers rowing power efficiently, and the hybrid pontoon/raft design cuts through the water smoothly.

Maneuverability

Lightweight and responsive, the Oxbow can spin in its own length, navigate tight channels, and hold position with either oar strokes or kick fins. This makes it a top performer for anglers fishing small rivers, lakes, or backwater areas.

Stability

The wide stance and pontoon-like hull provide rock-solid stability—stable enough to stand on the frame if needed.

Durability

Constructed from heavy-duty PVC with extra reinforcement at high-wear points, this one person fishing raft is built to withstand years of use. With proper care, it’s well-suited for both flatwater fishing and mild whitewater environments.

Who is the Oxbow 85 Designed for?

The NRS Oxbow 85 is ideal for:

• Anglers who fish solo and want an easily transportable setup
• Those who need quick deployment and portability
• Fishermen targeting small lakes, rivers, and streams
• Anyone looking for a stable, customizable, and efficient one person fishing raft

From Dock to Decision

The NRS Oxbow 85 delivers an excellent mix of portability, comfort, and performance. Whether you’re chasing trout in alpine lakes or bass in quiet backwaters, this one person fishing raft is a versatile tool that makes fishing more accessible and enjoyable.

Planning to bring a couple of fishing buddies but still want a raft that’s manageable solo? Check out my review of the NRS Approach 138. As a three person fishing raft, its is a perfect fit that balances capacity with easy handling. Read my review of another single person fishing raft the NRS Boundary 100.

The post NRS Oxbow 85 Fishing Raft Review: A Personal Fishing Raft appeared first on Hazeadventure.

The Region

When it comes to inshore destinations in FL, Tampa should be at the top of any list. Nestled in amongst several large bay’s, including Tampa Bay, it has endless opportunities and access for the kayak angler and boater alike. When fishing in Tampa you are greeted with the big 4 when it comes to species. Tarpon, Snook, Redfish, and Speckled Trout. On our trip we experienced tough conditions, but with so many possibilities in the area, it was still easy to find a location to hit the water.

The Fishing

With all the major inshore species at your fingertips, it is no surprise that the fishing can be amazing. On this trip, we choose to target all the above, but found that either through opportunity or chance, the Snook were most ready to eat. The weather had pushed most of the water off the flats, so we found refuge in the creeks that were a bit deeper and held water even with the super low tide. Low water equals less cover so armed with this knowledge we began targeting the boat docks. These docks would provide both refuge and ambush points for the target species.

My Setup:

It quickly became clear that skipping baits under the docks would be key to our success on the water. To do this I choose my Rainshadow Judge CB Blank. It is a 7’ medium rod with a moderate/fast action. This allowed me to skip under the docks easily but have plenty of backbone to pull the fish out and away from the structure. I paired that with a Shimano Vanford 3000 series spinning reel spooled with Stealth Grey 20lb Seaguar Smackdown and tipped with about 2’ of 20lb Seaguar Gold Label Fluorocarbon leader. The fish seemed to be keyed in on lighter colored lures so for my bait I choose the 4” Z-Man Scented Paddlerz in pearl white. I rigged this on a 1/4oz Z-Man Trout Eye jig head. This made it easy to skip under the docks and allowed the bait to get down into the strike zone quickly.

Check out the videos we did on location fishing in Tampa Florida!

The post Snook Fishing in Tampa, Florida appeared first on Hazeadventure.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Paddling Top

There are a number of factors you need to consider when choosing what to wear out on the water. What you wear will affect both your comfort and, more importantly, your safety. Choosing the right paddling top is very important.

There are five main factors that will influence the type of gear you will need when kayaking or canoeing.

1. Water and air temperature in choosing the best paddling tops

Water and air temperature play the biggest role in deciding which paddling top to wear. This is because wearing the wrong clothing when dealing with cold water can make hypothermia a real threat.

The general rule is that you need to choose a paddling top that will allow you to be comfortable when paddling, but will also allow you to survive if you end up swimming. You need to be able to stay warm when in the water for an extended period of time.

For that reason, the trickiest conditions are when the air is warm but the water is cold. It may be tempting to wear something lighter, but it is essential that you dress appropriately to be able to deal with an unexpected swim in cold water.

2. The type of paddling you will be doing

This is the second most important factor in dictating the type of paddling top you wear. If you are going to be paddling in rough conditions, maybe white water kayaking or surf kayaking, you will get soaked with water. You will get colder much quicker in these conditions unless you are wearing the right paddling top.

3. Paddling Skill Level and Experience

This plays a much smaller role than the above factors. Whatever your skill level, you need to dress appropriately to be able to handle taking an unexpected swim. However, with skill, you might be able to get away with less protection simply because you are less likely to take a swim in certain conditions. Beginners will need much more protection as they will likely spend more time in the water and swimming.

That being said, some of the biggest problems arise when skilled kayakers perceive the risks of swimming to be very low. They will sometimes then choose to underdress in order to be more comfortable actively paddling. If they do end up taking an unexpected swim, hypothermia then becomes a real threat.

4. Your predisposition to getting cold

This factor is a little more obvious. If you are somebody who gets cold easily you will need to wear more than somebody who doesn’t!

5. Budget

Paddling tops come with a huge range of price tags. You can spend anything from about $100 (USD) all the way through to tops that cost $600 (USD). That means the budget will obviously play a role in the type of paddling top you can choose.

It is important to realize that budget is a limiting factor here. If you cannot afford a top that has a certain level of protection it means that you cannot safely paddle in certain conditions.

Paddling Tops for Cold Conditions

The Dry Top

When paddling in the coldest conditions, this is the best paddling top to wear. Next to dry suits they provide the ultimate protection.

Dry tops have latex rubber gaskets that go around your wrists and neck and create a waterproof seal. This stops any water from getting inside. Theoretically, you can stay 100% dry when wearing a dry top, however, depending on the conditions you are paddling in, you might still get a little damp.

Dry tops do come with a higher price tag. At the top end of the market, you can get dry tops like the paddling top I use, the NRS Rev Gore-Tex Pro dry top, for around $600 (USD). Thanks to the Gor-Tex fabric this is a higher-end paddling top. Gore-Tex is the ultimate durable, breathable, and waterproof fabric, but it does push the price of a dry top up.

You can get dry tops without Gore-Tex for significantly less. Dry tops with latex gaskets, that are still waterproof and breathable can cost around $300-350 (USD). This is still a lot of money, but in some paddling conditions, is necessary.

Wet Suits

You may wish, in cold conditions, to wear a wet suit. Unlike a dry top that is designed to stop any water from getting in, a wet suit is designed to keep you insulated when wet. The joy of wetsuit tops is that they are a lot less expensive than a dry top. The downside is that they only keep you insulated when wet, so, unless you have a really thick wetsuit, it will feel a little colder.

With a thicker wetsuit, you do encounter different issues, including mobility when paddling. This will cause you to lose performance in some cases. But the reality is that if you want to paddle in cold conditions but cannot afford a dry top, you don’t really have a choice. You will need to have a thick wetsuit that allows you to survive in cold water if you take an unexpected swim.

Semi-Dry Top

The semi-dry top is the next step down from a dry top. The difference between this and a dry top is that, instead of having latex gaskets, which can be uncomfortable and tight, a semi-dry top has neoprene gaskets around the neck and wrists. These will create a seal to keep you dry, but it will not work as well as the latex gaskets on a dry top – hence it is known as the semi-dry top.

The higher-end semi-dry tops might still have latex gaskets at the wrists, but keep the neoprene gasket around the neck for comfort. This is great for paddling in rough water or paddle surfing because it stops the rush of water from going up your sleeve and dripping down your body.

At the cheaper end of the spectrum some semi-dry tops, such as the NRS Riptide have velcro seals at the neck. This obviously means that they do not keep you as dry. But they will still do a good enough job for some conditions and are a lot more affordable.

You can purchase a semi-dry top with short sleeves, such as the kokatat knappster. This is not a primary paddling top, but it can be useful as extra gear for those who paddle in a variety of conditions.

While the seals may differ on different semi-dry tops, all semi-dry tops have a double tunnel. This means that they have a second layer underneath that is connected to the top layer. The idea behind this is that you can put your paddling spray skirt between the layers. This will stop any rush of water from going up your top and soaking your underlayers. The water will not be able to penetrate through the second layer keeping you dry and warm.

There any many different models of semi-dry tops available. The one you choose really comes down to a matter of budget and preference. The differences between spending $175 (USD) to $300 (USD) come from things like the type of gasket used, whether it has a hood and the material it is made from.

Splash Tops or Paddling Tops

This is again the next step down in terms of protection. These are the most basic paddling tops. They typically have velcro closures at the neck and the wrist and are designed to keep water from gushing in, but they will not keep you dry. That is why they are less expensive. They range from around $100 (USD) to about $200 (USD) at the high end.

Multifunctional Splash Wear

All of these above tops are designed for paddling. What that means, particularly with kayaking, is that they are made for sitting and will be fairly short. So none of this kit can really double as rain gear.

But there is splash wear that have multifunctional purposes. For example, the NRS Teeko jacket, which is a jacket I travel everywhere with. This is slightly longer but has velcro seals at the wrist and a hood. It is less useful for kayaking trips but can be very useful for canoeing trips or hiking trips. It is an all-purpose raincoat that doubles as a paddling top.

A multi-purpose top can be great for your budget as it can be used for more than just kayaking. But it does come with real limitations. For example, if there is no neck seal at all, and you take a swim, the water will just come gushing in. It provides very little in terms of protection.

Underneath Layers

Of course, the paddling top you choose to wear is only the outer shell. All of the tops mentioned so far will provide different levels of protection from the wind and water, but it is what you wear underneath them that will keep you warm.

So what do you wear underneath? Well, this will depend entirely on the temperature outside. But what I tend to wear is a thin moisture-wicking top against my skin because I will be sweating. On top of that, if it is colder, I will be wearing an insulating layer which might be as thick as a fleece layer if it is really cold. The great thing about layering is that you can always add or remove layers depending on how warm you get.

So How Do You Decide Which Cold Weather Paddling Top to Wear?

I'd argue against deciding which paddling top to wear based on budget, because the paddling top is a very important piece of safety gear. As a very general rule, if the water temperature is below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, your paddling top is functioning as a piece of safety gear. As you expose yourself to colder and colder paddling conditions, you need to make the step up to more protective paddling tops. Otherwise, you may be putting yourself into a life-threatening situation.

Paddling Tops for Hot Conditions

Gear for hot conditions is far less technical. But there are a couple of pieces of gear that are worth noting. The purpose of these paddling tops is to provide comfort, keep you cool, and protect your skin from the sun.

The NRS Silkweight Shirt

This shirt is kind of like a rashguard but is not tight-fitting. It is more like very a light t-shirt that not only keeps the sun off of you but is also moisture-wicking. Great for keeping cool.

The NRS Guide Shirt

I love paddling in my NRS Guide shirt. This shirt has stretch panels on the side and the underarms. That means that there are no restrictions whatsoever when paddling. It doesn’t feel like you are wearing a shirt at all.

Thin Wetsuit Top

You can purchase thin wetsuit tops with long or short sleeves. They hug the body tightly in order to insulate the body when wet. They are perfect when kayaking on rough water when the air and water temperature are warm. You know you will get wet and might want a layer of insulation.

Choose Your Paddling Top Wisely

There is no simple way to know which type of paddling top to wear, but this blog post should shed some light on the types of tops available. It is always important to remember that in many paddling conditions, the paddling top you choose to wear comes down to safety and not just comfort. The reality is that if you do not have the right paddling gear there are some conditions that you just cannot paddle in.

Lighter Tops:  NRS Silkweight Short sleeved shirt, NRS Silkweight Long-Sleeve Shirt, NRS Guide Short Sleeve Shirt, NRS Hydroskin .5 Shirt
Paddling Jackets and Dry Tops: NRS Flux Drytop, NRS Riptide Splash Jacket, NRS Teeko Paddling Jacket, NRS Stratos Shorty Semi-Dry Paddling Top
Full Dry Suit: NRS Axiom Dry Suit
PFDs/Life Jackets:  NRS Zen PFD, NRS Chinook PFD (fishing), NRS Odyssey PFD (Touring and Rec)
Kayaks: NRS Pike Inflatable kayak, Jackson Kayak Knarr, Pakayak and the P&H Leo
Paddles:  Gearlab Outdoors IPIK, Aqua Bound Manta Ray Carbon 2-piece, Aqua Bound Whiskey Fiberglass Straight Shaft
Sunglasses: Wiley X

The post Best Paddling Tops for Kayaking and Canoeing appeared first on Hazeadventure.

I have also done another review of a similar fishing raft. Check out my NRS Slipstream 96 Review Fishing Raft and I break down the differences in a comparison video of the Outcast Striker vs NRS Slipstream 96.

The Striker was designed to be packed down quickly and transported to and from the water easily. It was also built to accommodate two anglers comfortably. I was anxious to check it out because I’ve been looking for a two-person raft for some time. 

Setting up the Outcast Striker

I bought the boat from Ed’s Fly Shop, but the box was pretty beat up by the time it got to me. Thankfully, nothing inside was damaged and I was able to put the boat together myself pretty quickly. However, there were a few missing parts. 

I emailed Ed’s on Saturday and followed that up with a phone call, and by Monday Outcast had shipped what I needed. So despite the shipping issues, I got top-notch customer service from both Ed’s and Outcast. 

If you're thinking about one of these rafts after reading this review, be sure to check out Ed's Fly Shop because I never would have been able to test the boat without their help. 

Outcast Striker Specs

At 9’ 5” long and 5’ wide when fully inflated, the Striker will fit in the bed of a standard pick-up truck. When deflated, it can even be hauled in the back of an SUV or the trunk of a car. 

In addition, it only weighs 102 pounds, so two anglers can move it around easily even when it’s all rigged up. 

Outcast Striker Assembly Tips

Strikers don’t have frames so they’re easy to put together without tools. 

Right off the bat, I liked that the raft came with standard equipment like oars, oarlocks, and seats for the angler and rower. This is a big deal because you don’t need a lot of additional gear to get the boat out on the water in a hurry. 

You also get a couple of mounting plates that you can slide into welded pockets on the boat. That said, you do need the addition of whatever accessory you’re mounting to do it. We added the YakAttack Switch to those bases in a couple of places to mount camera gear. This was very easy with the three mounts already included.

Outcast Striker Seat Configuration

Every fishing raft review has to talk about seats and comfort! The seat mounts slip into slots built right into the boat, and when the raft is inflated the pressure holds them in place. I also liked that both seats are adjustable fore and aft. This allows you to get the cockpit dialed in to fit your particular needs. 

Both seats were comfortable, and the front seat swivels so you can cast in any direction. There are also a couple of different places you can mount the seats and oarlocks, so making adjustments is easy even though the raft doesn’t have a frame. 

Outcast Striker has an Inflatable Brace for Fishing

The Striker also comes with an inflatable leaning post up front. It gives you a third point of contact so you can stand up in the boat. 

When I first saw it I wondered how rigid and stiff it would be out on the water. This is particularly important for me because I weigh 220 pounds. However, it held up under my weight when I leaned all the way into it. Trust me, it’ll give you confidence because you won’t have to worry about falling overboard. 

Holding me above water is key to any boat review and Outcast Stricker fishing raft review of stability is two thumbs up!

The boat has a total of three inflatable chambers. One is the leaning post itself, two more are in the side tubes, and the last one is the floor. They can all be inflated to a maximum of 3 PSI. 

It’s also worth mentioning that the Striker has a self-bailing floor. This is a great feature because even if water does get in, it can escape out the bottom of the raft. 

Outcast Striker is Built for River Fishing

Like I said, I’ve been looking for a two-person raft for a while. I want to be able to get out on the water quickly and fish from the same boat with a friend or one of my kids. So I was excited to try out the Striker, which really is made for river fishing. 

If you're going to be floating down current or even through some moderate rapids this boat will really excel. It’s not something I'm going to use inshore or to cross a big open lake. On the other hand, I think it’ll work well for me because I fish rivers most of the time.

I don’t have a lot of experience with rafts, so it was kind of a learning experience just ordering it online and not knowing exactly what to expect. But again, it was easy to assemble and came with seats, oars, and oarlocks. 

Outcast Striker doesn't come with a Pump

But one key thing I thought was missing was some kind of pump. I haven’t mentioned it yet, but the boat cost $3,699. I found a couple of places that sold Strikers online for less than the MSRP of $3,699, but they were all sold out. 

At this price point I think a pump should be included. Luckily I was able to use one I already had. If you’ll be inflating and deflating the boat regularly I’d definitely recommend getting an electric pump. It’ll save you tons of time and energy. 

The Mounting Accessories on the Outcast Striker

Another great feature is that the Striker has plenty of mounting options that allow you to add hardware like a GoPro without having to glue anything to the raft. It was also nice that I could move them around quickly, especially with the YakAttack products I added. 

If you're not familiar with YakAttack, they make a wide variety of kayak fishing accessories. I’ve spent most of the last decade fishing from kayaks, but it was easy for me to transition these accessories over to the Striker. 

Stability and Maneuverability 

The Striker felt very light and maneuverable out on the water, and I could easily spin it 180 degrees with one paddle stroke. I also liked knowing that getting it to go where I wanted it to wouldn’t be a problem if I was approaching rapids or whitewater. 

At 102 pounds, the Striker is between 30 and 40 pounds lighter than some of the rafts in its class.

I think this is mostly because it doesn’t have a big frame. However, the flipside is that there is some flex in the seat and the boat in general. The flexing is particularly noticeable when you lean forward or backward, and when you’re getting on the oars pretty hard. 

I didn't see it being a big problem, but we tested the boat out in some pretty calm water. Since we were unfamiliar with the Striker, we didn't want to take it out into running water right away. 

The Outcast Striker and Fly Fishing

Once we had our sea legs I decided to get up front and give it a try with the fly rod. I didn’t think I’d catch anything, but I wanted to see how snag free everything was when I stripped line and casted. 

The boat seemed plenty stable even when I was standing up. I could put most of my weight on one side without feeling like it was going to flip. However, the floor did feel a little squishy and spongy at times. I think this was because it’s only inflated to 3 PSI. I’m not sure how I’d solve this issue. I think it’s just something I’ll have to get used to. 

A few times when I put too much weight in one area I noticed water coming in through the self-bailing floor. It did drain back out pretty quickly though, and I think I’ll probably get used to the floor as I use the raft more. 

The other thing about the floor is that it can get pretty slick. If you’re not wearing grippy shoes you may move around a little bit on it. I was wearing boots and didn’t have any problems, but it’s definitely something you’ll want to be aware of.

Another thing I noticed was that I could come close to losing my balance if my partner got on the oars when I wasn’t expecting it. In cases like these, the front leaning post comes in very handy. 

Anchor System for the Outcast Striker

One of the big things that I really felt was missing from the Striker was an anchor system. 

I could rig a usable anchor system pretty easily using the mounting plate directly behind the rower’s seat. So this isn’t a deal breaker, but it’s something I’d have to put some time and effort into before heading out on a serious fishing trip. 

Target Audience for the Outcast Striker Fishing Raft?  

In my opinion, the Striker is worth considering if you want an easily transportable two-person fishing raft that can be assembled without any tools.  

Again, it’s lightweight and can be hauled in the bed of a standard pick-up truck so you don't need a trailer. I also think the Striker would work well if you have limited storage space and will be inflating and deflating it frequently. 

On the tradeoff side, it didn’t feel as rigid as some other rafts, and the floor was slippery and spongy at times. These are things I’d have to get used to if I was going to spend a lot of time in the Striker. 

Included vs Upgraded Oars

Another thing I’d look at is oars. I’ve used lots of different oars and paddles over the years, and at higher price points you generally move into graphite, carbon, and fiberglass. The Striker’s oars have aluminum shafts and plastic blades. These are generally heavier and less efficient than more expensive models, but I found that they worked just fine for what we did. I may consider upgrading the oars in the future, but right now it’s not a priority. 

At the end of the day, the Striker is definitely a river fishing raft worth checking out. 

If you’ve enjoyed my Outcast Stricker fishing raft review, stay tuned, because there are more in the pipeline along with some head-to-head comparison posts that you won’t want to miss.  

Follow my Adventures and Subscribe

If you enjoyed this article and are hungry for more adventure fishing tips, tricks, reviews, and adventures? Head on over to the Road Trip Angler YouTube channel and feel free to sign up for our Hazeadventure.com newsletter. 

Raft: Outcast Striker
Life vest: NRS Chinook PFD
Shirt: NRS Varial Hoodie
Rods: Judge Crankbait Series, Eternity Series, Revelation Series
Sunglasses: WileyX

The post Outcast Sporting Gear Striker Fishing Raft Review appeared first on Hazeadventure.

Often we focus so much on the major items, such as my new Gore-Tex dry suit or dry top, that we don’t take the time to appreciate the smaller items that honestly bring so much ease, comfort and protection into my paddling and life.

Rash Guard Women's and Kids Shirts

The Silkweight rash guard, women and kids sizes, come with sun protection and are an all time favorite in my house. Not only do the NRS rash guards provide good sun protection but they are comfortable, fit will, and come in new colors almost every year. The jewel tones of this years are super flattering and they have the look of being fashion forward while functioning to their full capacity. Often we sacrifice the way our gear looks because its “kayak gear” but NRS changed the game with their line up of fashion forward paddling equipment. I particularly love that it has a clean and almost logo free look. The NRS rash guards are a good swimming shirt or paddling shirt.

https://www.nrs.com/nrs-womens-silkweight-long-sleeve-shirt/p7a3

Women’s Rev. Gore-Tex Pro Dry Top

Okay so I said I was going to just mention the smaller items, but I cant do an NRS gear review and not mention the fact that one, they have Gore-Tex and two.. the fit and color of my Rev women's dry top makes me very very happy.

Some things to know if you’re used to using another brand of women's dry top. I wear a medium because I have very broad shoulders. In Kokatat dry tops tops I wore a small. So try one on before you buy one. Another thing to know is that the length of the neck gasket is a little shorter so I like that it’s not bundling up around my neck. It sits where it supposed to without extra material gathering.

https://www.nrs.com/nrs-womens-rev-gore-tex-pro-dry-top/p3ur

NRS Women’s Expedition Weight Shirt

I don’t have any photos of me in my fleece because its always under my dry top, BUT I can’t tell you how important good fleece is to me. Kinda like snuggling under a blanket on the couch, you don’t want a scratchy, thin blanket to keep you cozy.

What you do want is a soft, thick blanket that stays plush after a ton of washings. The other thing that is important to me in my fleece is dry time- all fleece is not created equal in drying time, some materials dry much quicker and absorb less water much like the expedition weight fleece from NRS. And if I didn’t sell you on the top, you should know it has matching bottoms.

https://www.nrs.com/nrs-womens-expedition-weight-shirt/pz1k

BUY IT AT OUTDOORPLAY.COM

NRS Ether HydroLock Dry Sack

3 different colors, ten million different uses and 7… yes 7 different sizes. On river trips its very nice having the smaller sizes to keep stuff separated, organized and dry. Having my kids near the water this is the lunch bag, the toy bag, the medical supply bags and more. The green is my favorite color, but are bright and I love having multiple of the smaller sizes.

https://www.nrs.com/nrs-ether-hydrolock-dry-sack/pasy

BUY AT OUTDOORPLAY.COM

NRS Thrive Inflatable SUP Boards

4 different sizes, and ten million uses. We absolutely love our Thrive Sup Board. While it may seem like a big purchase, anything that helps my family spend more time on the water and having fun, is worth every penny in my book. We took ours to FL to visit springs, manatees, and it was such a good platform for us all to relax and enjoy our surroundings. This model is also very stable so if you want a kids, or two to ride along, you’ll feel plenty stable.

https://www.nrs.com/nrs-thrive-inflatable-sup-boards/pcyr

BUY AT OUTDOORPLAY.COM

Support us! Hazeadventure may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Note: not all products listed are affiliate links.

Paddling Layers: NRS Women's Silkweight Long-Sleeve Shirt, NRS Women's Expedition Weight Shirt, Women’s Rev. Gore-Tex Pro Dry Top
SUP Boards: NRS Thrive Boards
Dry Bag: NRS Ether Hydrolock
Camera: GoPro Hero 11
Sunglasses: Wiley X
Kayaks: Jackson Fun Kids Kayak
Life Vest:NRS Zen PFD

The post Women’s Rash Guard, Dry Top and Water Gear appeared first on Hazeadventure.

As we shift out of the summer season, it becomes extra important to talk about appropriate gear for the cold, because when the temperatures drop, hypothermia becomes a real concern. This is a preventable danger that still results in tragic deaths every year.

Both dry suits and wetsuits work to stave off the cold, but wetsuits are not particularly comfortable, which can deter some people from using them (including me!). Dry suits, on the other hand, check both boxes: safety and comfort. So today, I'm reviewing the Mack Daddy of dry suits, the NRS Axiom GORE-TEX Pro. It's not cheap, but it packs a lot of benefits. Let me tell you more about it.

ABOUT THE NRS AXIOM DRY SUIT

The NRS Axiom is made with 3-Layer GORE-TEX PRO. The 3-Layer Gore-Tex makes the Axiom a waterproof, windproof, breathable, and durable dry suit. It has a front-entry YKK Aquaseal zipper, with a protective flap. Latex neck and wrist gaskets are protected with over-cuffs that have drain holes.

The Axiom Dry Suit has a 5-inch-wide Neoprene waist overskirt to fit over your kayak's spray skirt. A Cordura Panel at the interior of the ankle protects against abrasion. The Axiom Dry Suit has a splash-proof zippered chest pocket. The Axiom has a “relief” zipper down below for…you know what. And finally, it has integrated GORE-TEX socks. 

Axiom Dry Suit Price: $1,295 (USD)

A dry suit had better fit well and do what it's designed to do when you spend good money on it. In order to thoroughly test both criteria, I suited up with the NRS Axiom for a surf session on the good old Ottawa River. Here's my breakdown from head to toe, or rather, toe to head!

Do you wear socks in a dry suit?

One of the first assets I noticed about the Axiom Dry Suit is that the built-in socks give you options. The built in dry suit socks are made with GORE-TEX PRO fabric. This fabric is both waterproof and breathable. The built in socks removes the need for additional socks. They are also sized generously enough so that you can incorporate additional layers on a colder day. I have size 10 feet and still had plenty of extra room.

Another nice design feature is that the socks go up to the upper calf, which allows for long booties (without that pesky bunching). Usually when I throw on a dry suit, I also reach for my NRS Boundary Boots. All of this is protected by the outer shell which rolls down and stays in place because of the elastic/silicon cuffs.

How long should a dry suit last?

Aside from your kayak/canoe/paddle board, a dry suit is probably the most significant investment you will make as a paddler. If it's built well and you treat it right, then I consider it to be a lifetime purchase (more or less). With something like the Axiom Dry Suit, I could tell from the feel/design that it has exceptional durability, and should last for many many years.

How important is the dry suit zipper?

If you're going to spend good money on a dry suit, get one with a relief zipper! Even in cold conditions, you need to stay hydrated if you're paddling for a while. But it's a double-edged sword because nature tends to call more often when there's a nip in the air. This simple zipper makes it so that you don't have to struggle in and out of your dry suit every time this happens. And yes, the women's model has a drop-pant (i.e. a zipper in the back) instead. 

Do drysuits keep you warm? 

Dry suits can keep you warm in any kind of cold-weather paddling. The overskirt is specifically designed for kayaking. The overskirt is used to create a double tunnel. The spray skirt from the kayak goes underneath the skirt on the dry suit. This connection then synches down and is ‘velcroed' in.

This arrangement is especially important for rougher conditions, and/or when doing rolls. The skirt overlap on the Axiom Dry Suit is nice because it isn't bulky and so if you're not using it (like say as a canoeist or stand up paddle boarder), then it won't get in the way. 

How does a dry suit zipper work? 

The NRS Axiom has a front-entry YKK Aquaseal zipper. This makes it so much easier to get in and out of the dry suit. I've tried models with the back-zipper and it makes me feel like I'm doing yoga at the start and end of the session (nothing against yoga, but I'd rather just get paddling).

Easy zippers

No dry suit is simple to zip up, but relatively speaking, the Axiom is pretty darn straightforward. The YKK Aquaseal is made of plastic. This means it won't rust when exposed to saltwater. And top marks to the chest pocket zipper for not only being a helpful storage area, but also being accessible while wearing a lifejacket. It's those little things, you know? 

How tight should a dry suit neck seal be?

When I put on the NRS Axiom dry suit, the neck and wrist gaskets were snug, but not too tight. This is exactly what you want because latex gaskets will naturally stretch a little over time. You can artificially stretch or even trim gaskets, but don't be too quick with this approach. If you have allowed for a good break-in period and then want to proceed with some alterations, check out this video, or this article for further assistance. 

Do you sweat in a dry suit?

Dressing appropriately for a paddling session depends on both the air and water temperature. At certain times, and in certain places, these two variables can be out of sync, which makes for tricky decisions. I think it's smart to err on the side of overprotection. If you end up being wet for a long time, hypothermia won't grab hold. I tested the Axiom Dry Suit on a cool fall day, but in a place where the water was still quite comfortable.

Overdressed but happy

I was overdressed, but even though I was working hard in the whitewater, I never felt like I was overheating. This speaks to the breathability of the suit, and shows the importance of investing in quality gear. Staying dry is one thing, but you don't want to soak yourself from the inside out by sweating up a storm. Based on this paddle test, the GORE-TEX PRO fabric used by NRS certainly seemed like a solid blend of waterproofing and breathability. 

Dry suit fit

I'm 6-foot-2, long in the legs/arms, and right about 200 pounds. The XL in the Axiom Dry Suit was a perfect fit. This was a nice surprise since dry suits are usually either too short for my monkey arms, or too baggy when I size up to compensate for length. In this particular XL, I had enough volume to add warmer clothes underneath, but I also wasn't swimming in it when I only had basic layers on.

Taller people might look elsewhere

You may want to look for something even larger, if you are interested in this dry suit and are any taller than me. I think that if I was any longer in the limbs, the dry suit would have started to pull as I leaned forward, or reached out my arms.

You ideally want a good range of motion without having a sloppy fit. A slightly heavier person of about my height would still be ok since I had generous volume to work with. Hopefully my build/sizing is a helpful reference for you to work off of. You can also check out the sizing chart here. Otherwise, just a reminder that the gaskets should initially fit snug, but not tight. They will stretch a little bit through regular use. 

NRS Axiom Dry Suit Review

So two thumbs up on all fronts for the NRS Axiom Dry Suit. I know it's a pretty penny, but a high-quality dry suit is an important, life-long investment for any committed paddler. Stay dry, stay comfortable, and don't become one of those needless hypothermia statistics.

Pay attention to the weather and water conditions, and bust out your dry suit whenever you even suspect you might need it. Plus, the better you dress, the more you can extend your paddling season.

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