Before jumping in to these inflatable fishing boats let’s cover a few basic details about the rafts first. Both fishing rafts are approximately 9 ½ feet long, fit in the bed of a standard pick-up, and were designed for two anglers. They’re definitely alike in many respects, but there are a number of key differences too. 

If you’re considering one of these two inflatable boats, or comparing a small raft with a traditional 2 person river boat like a Jon boat, this post should be a big help. 

NRS Slipstream 96 – the Basics

NRS’s Slipstream 96 is available in Standard and Deluxe packages. The standard is 3,495. The price difference between the two is about $1,000. Our test was done on a Deluxe boat. 

In addition to the raft itself, the Standard package comes with a pump and all the frame components. With the Deluxe package you also get Cutthroat oars with Cataract blades and two tubes on the side that can hold fly rods up to nine feet long. The Deluxe package also comes with an anchor line and a 2-to-1 pulley system to make raising and lowering the anchor a snap. And finally, you also get a couple of cup holders that can be mounted in different places on the frame

I think the Deluxe package gives you a ton of value because the extra gear would cost about $1,300 when parted out separately. And remember, you’re only paying about $1,000 more for the Deluxe package over the Standard package. So that’s a nice $300 savings. 

Outcast Striker – the Basics

The Outcast Striker has an MSRP of $3,699. With that you get the OSG raft, oars and oarlocks, seats, and the frame that holds them together. 

That’s a fair amount of gear, but I did feel like a pump should have been included. Other than that, this boat is pretty much ready to hit the water right out of the gate. 

The Outcast Striker doesn't come with an anchor system, but there are mounts that would make it pretty easy to add yourself. However, you’d have to get a little creative and probably buy a few more accessories to mount to those plates. 

Fishing Raft Size and Weight Comparison

The Slipstream 96 is 9 feet 6 inches long and 5 feet 3 inches wide. The Outcast Striker is slightly smaller at 9 feet 5 inches long and 5 feet wide. As for weight, the NRS Slipstream 96 standard version weighs 130 pounds, and the Deluxe model we tested tipped the scales at about 145 pounds. 

The Outcast Striker we reviewed weighed just 102 pounds, and I have to say, it’s a whole lot easier to put together right out of the box. 

Transporting Outcast Striker vs NRS Slipstream 96 to Rivers

When it comes to transportation and portability I’d probably give the OSG Striker the win because it’s easy to deflate and pack down. Better yet, you can haul it in the back of an SUV or the trunk of a car. 

With the NRS Slipstream 96, once the frame is put together you're going to have to at least remove it from the boat and haul it on a roof rack. Once that’s done you can deflate it and pack the tubes and the raft into the trunk of your car or the back of your SUV. 

Designed to Fit in a Pickup Truck

Both boats were designed to fit in the bed of a standard pickup truck, but we did have to let some air out of the Slipstream 96 to get it into ours. With some of the air gone, loading and unloading were pretty easy. On the other hand, the Outcast Striker’s smaller size allowed us to get it into the truck without releasing any air. 

Outcast Striker is Lighter, Slipstream 96 has Side Handles

So the OSG Striker was a bit more manageable, but NRS made up for this by including more handles on the Slipstream 96. Both rafts have handles on the front and back, but the Slipstream has two on each side as well. This is a big help because it makes it a lot easier to grab the boat from the side during loading and unloading. You’re pretty much restricted from grabbing the OSG Striker from the bow or stern.  

Rigging and Setup of the Fishing Rafts

Now let’s talk about rigging. And by rigging I mean how easy it is to add accessories like rod holders and anchor systems to the boat. Both NRS Slipstream 96, Standard and Deluxe, come with a system that allows you to run an anchor line.

Outcast Striker Raft Rigging and Mounting of Accessories

The Outcast Striker needs a few additional components. One thing I do like about the Striker is that it comes with mounting plates that can be moved around. There are a few different areas on the OSG raft that will accept them. I also like that you don’t have to glue anything to the Striker.

There are built-in pockets that the mounting plates slide into for the Outcast Striker. That makes it pretty easy to add anchor systems, rod holders, and other gear from a company like YakAttack.

NRS Slipstream 96 Fishing Raft is Yakattack Ready

Now with the NRS Slipstream 96 raft I found rigging slightly easier. However, I’ve been fishing from kayaks for a long time and it’s just second nature to me now. Plus, I have access to a lot of really awesome accessories from YakAttack. I wasn’t worried about drilling a few holes in the frame and mounting tracks for camera mounts and rod holders. 

With the Slipstream 96 Deluxe you do get fly rod holders. If you want fly rod or conventional rod holders with the Standard package you're going to have to play around with the frame to add them where you want them. 

It’s kind of a toss-up. I feel like you could rig out the NRS Slipstream 96 more easily thanks to the rigid frame. It was actually quicker adding gear to the OSG Striker right out of the box due to the mounting plates.

Outcast Striker and Slipstream 96 Stability  

I want to talk about how stable the rafts were out on the water. I didn’t feel like there were any stability issues with either one. They were both solid platforms even with a fair amount of gear and two guys weighing over 200 pounds inside. We spent most of our time in relatively flat and calm water. I’m confident that each river fishing boat would handle class 2 or 3 whitewater pretty well. 

While I feel like both rafts are very close in regard to stability. I’d say that NRS Slipstream 96 edges out the Outcast Striker in this category. It just gives you more confidence when you’re standing on the solid floor. This is largely because the NRS raft uses drop stitch technology that can be inflated to 8 PSI. By comparison, the Striker’s floor can only be inflated to 3 PSI.

The Slipstream 96 has an Eva pad over the floor which gives your feet better grip even when there’s water in the raft. Since both of these rafts are self-bailing, you’ll occasionally get some water coming up through the floor when you have splashes. However, it usually goes out pretty quickly. 

Outcast Striker vs Slipstream 96 Seats & Thigh Brace

In addition to the solid floor on the Slipstream 96, I liked that the seats were attached to a rigid frame. I also appreciated the confidence I felt whenever I leaned into the aluminum thigh locks. 

By contrast, there was more flex in the Outcast Striker when I leaned back in the seat. The Striker’s inflatable leaning post worked pretty well. It had more play than the aluminum one on the NRS boat. 

One big difference is that the Slipstream 96 has a metal frame. The OSG Striker raft has inflatable chambers act as its frame. All that being said, I feel like both rafts were stable and fishable. I’d give the NRS Slipstream fishing raft the win here. I’m pretty sure I could get used to the Striker’s slightly spongy floor and leaning post. The Slipstream 96 has a metal frame for the leaning post and this makes you feel safe fly fishing and stripping line.

How do Speed and Maneuverability Match Up?  

When it comes to speed and maneuverability, you have bigger blades and more efficient oars on the Slipstream 96 Deluxe. This is offset by the fact that the Striker is a lot lighter at 102 pounds compared to the Slipstream 96 Deluxe which weighs about 145 pounds. 

Weight aside, I felt like I could get each boat moving up the river at exactly the same speed. But speed isn’t really an issue here because both boats were designed to be put in at one location and out at another. In the end, these boats matched up really well in these categories. After trying them out I’m confident that each could pretty much handle anything an average river could throw at it.

Which Inflatable Fishing Raft is more Durable?  

I think both of these boats are pretty rugged, but I particularly liked a few things about the Slipstream 96 in the durability department over the Outcast Striker. 

One is that the Slipstream 96 is reinforced with an added layer of material in a number of key areas, like where the frame sits on the raft. This is a big bonus on wear points because the frame goes all the way around the boat. 

Reinforced for Durability

The Outcast Striker also has a few reinforced areas with second layers like around d-rings and where the seat frame connects to the boat. But with the Slipstream 96 you also have that EVA foam pad on the floor. I think it really helps because this is a wear point where you'll be standing a lot. You’re also going to have sand, dirt, and grime off your feet too. And of course, you’ll probably be dropping fish hooks and sharp objects like pliers onto the floor as well. It just gives you another layer of protection and even more durability. 

Another thing that I think was really smart on NRS’s part, was that the boat is reinforced on the bottom where it’ll be dragging along the riverbed. This also provides additional protection when you’re pulling it across the ground getting it from your car or truck to your access point. 

Then on the four locations where you're going to get the most wear they've actually added another layer. In all, you have two extra layers on top of the PVC material to really protect those key wear points.

Again, I think this is a huge feature on the NRS Slipstream 96, and it’s probably why the raft weighs more than the Striker. It’s a tradeoff, but I really like that the Slipstream 96 has been thought out and protected so well.  

Overall Value as a River Fishing Boat

Moving on to value, let’s talk about which boat will deliver the best bang for your buck. The Standard package of the NRS Slipstream 96 comes with all the frame components, the two seats, a pump, and the tubes. So it’s got everything you need except for the oars. That package will cost you $3,495.  

On the other hand, the Outcast Striker cost $3,699 and came with basic oars. When I compare these to quality oars like Cataract KBO, buying a decent set of oars will cost an additional $330 compared to the basic aluminum oars with the Outcast Striker. A pump from NRS, like the pump that came with the NRS raft, costs about a $75. The Outcast Striker doesn't come with a pump.

NRS Slipstream 96 Deluxe vs Standard Package

The Deluxe package for the Slipstream 96 costs about $1,000 more than the Standard package. But remember, for that price you get high-quality oars and some other useful accessories that totally justify the price increase.

The NRS Slipstream 96 scores a win over the Outcast Striker, because it comes with a way to rig an anchor. Now you would need to buy an anchor, anchor line, and the two pulley system yourself, or you could just jump to the Deluxe package for the Slipstream 96 and get a nice set of oars and an anchor system. 

But the initial pulleys and the place to run the anchor line through the tube and the locking mechanism are already there. Whereas with the Striker you’ll have to purchase additional accessories and figure out a way to rig it all up. I don’t think it would be that hard, but it’s something worth thinking about if you’re comparing these two boats.  

Apples to Apples Rafts Compared

If you just look at what comes in the Standard packages of both of these boats you're going to have to buy oars before taking the Slipstream 96 raft out on the water. And you’re going to have to buy a pump to inflate the Outcast Striker raft. I feel like these two drawbacks kind of offset one another.

If you’re comparing apples to apples, I think it’ll all come down to your particular situation. Where I really see the decision being made is how you can store the boat, how you’ll transport it, and whether you’ll store it inflated or fully pack it down between outings. 

If you have an SUV or a car the Outcast Striker is really the better option. It just comes apart very easily and can really pack down into a small unit because it doesn’t have a rigid frame all the way around the boat. But I think the NRS raft is going to hold up better over time if you have a place to store it and have access to a pick-up truck or trailer. 

NRS Slipstream 96 vs. Outcast Striker Raft

The Outcast Striker wins out on portability because it can be packed down very small and transported in the trunk of a car or an SUV. If you're looking for a small river fishing boat that just screams quality from front to back and has more overall durability, the Slipstream 96 is probably the way to go. 

I liked the frame, the durability and the stiffness in the deck of the Slipstream 96. But again, I do have a pick-up truck and I can leave the boat halfway inflated and ready to hit the water at a moment’s notice. 

Between these two river fishing boats aesthetically, I really love the color combination on the NRS Slipstream 96. This is just my personal preference. Both fishing boats are available in the green and grey. Whatever decision you end up making, the NRS Slipstream 96 and Outcast’s Striker are both great river fishing boats that are going to get two anglers down the river comfortably and safely. I think that you could have a lot of fun in both of these watercraft, so you really can’t go wrong. 

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Rafts: NRS Slipstream 96, Outcast Striker
Life vest: NRS Chinook PFD
Shirt: NRS Varial Hoodie
Rods: Judge Crankbait Series, Eternity Series, Revelation Series
Sunglasses: WileyX

The post Outcast Striker vs NRS Slipstream 96: Comparing Two River Fishing Rafts appeared first on Hazeadventure.

Even though I had never used it before and the idea of hauling a raft deep into the wilderness was fairly novel, I couldn't say no.

South Fork of the Flathead is a premier river

The South Fork of the Flathead is by all accounts one of the world’s premier rivers. It's pristine. It's remote. And it runs through the Bob Marshall Wilderness in Montana, just south of Glacier National Park. The Bob Marshall is one of the most beautiful and beloved wilderness areas in all the US. But, this pristine wilderness is rather difficult to explore. And for a long time, pack animals were about the only way to effectively support a trip out here. That is, until packrafts came along.

Our route required fifteen miles of backpacking through rugged terrain to get to our put-in on the river. We had to cross mountain passes, ford creeks, and haul way more gear than a normal backpacking trip. Packrafts are designed to be incredibly light and packable. They typically get as small as a sleeping bag. But with my penchant for hauling heavy camera equipment, as well as needing a life vest, a paddle, and six days worth of food, I was hauling quite the load.

The hiking plan for our packrafting trip

Backpack fifteen miles to the put in. Float fifty five miles of river over five days. Then exit the river corridor and hike out three miles to a car waiting on the other end. One day of acting as a beast of burden meant five days of the most fun and enjoyable way possible to explore a wilderness area.

We left the trailhead with bright spirits and a few clouds overhead. But by mid-afternoon, the few clouds turned into a downpour and we hiked the last five miles under a steady, soaking rain. Thoroughly exhausted and sopping wet, we had made it to our put in. We set up camp, ate a hot meal, and crawled into our respective tents, giddy for the more relaxing adventure that lay ahead.

In the morning, we packed up camp and headed to the banks of the river. After a little debate about if we needed to keep hiking downstream, we unpacked our rafts and set out on the river. Our concerns were that if we put in too early, we might find ourselves plunging over a series of waterfalls or caught in one of the many logjams in the early portion of the river. Luckily we encountered no waterfalls. But the logjams were a different story. Every twenty minutes we had to pull to the side of the creek and portage around strainers and massive piles of fallen trees barricading the river.

Is packrafting dangerous or can it be safe?

I was very nervous when we first put in to the river. I had never gone packrafting before and I was intimidated floating on such a tiny vessel along a remote and wild river. Luckily my fears of drowning subsided and I started to get the hang of it after a few miles of negotiating through small rapids and narrow passages in the river.

As the miles floated by, my fear and anxiety turned to elation and joy. I couldn’t believe how amazing the experience was. There were some flat sections that required a little bit of paddling effort. But for the most part, the river did all the hard work. With every passing moment I was being whisked deeper into the wilderness. My chief objectives were to sit back, enjoy the scenery and camaraderie, and feel a connectedness with the river.

Setting up a packrafting camp

As evening descended we searched for a suitable camp. After a few minutes we pulled to the side of the river and set up camp on a beautiful green grass meadow. While the wood was soaked from the recent rain, I eventually got a fire going while Jacob fished for trout. Our crew dried out our soaking gear as Jacob landed a few beautiful trout. He foraged some wild chives that grew along the river bank and that night, we ate the most delicious trout I’ve ever had in my life.

The following days, more drainages fed into the creek and the volume of the river grew significantly. Soon, we were no longer on a small creek, but a full fledged river. We bumped our way through a section of a narrow gorge with several miles of rapids. The rapids were big enough to dump you and your tiny craft if you weren’t careful. It was intimidating at first. But it was also a hell of a lot of fun.

There was a certain rhythm to the days. Wake up. Eat breakfast. Drink coffee. Paddle. Float. Laugh with friends. Get a little scared at rapids. Enjoy the scenery. Find a beautiful camp. Make a fire. Sleep well.

Packrafting is rewarding

For someone who is more accustomed to backpacking, where every day is a knee-grinding mission, I had never experienced the casual joy that comes with packrafting. You get all the rewards of a self-supported expedition, without the blisters and daily exhaustion of the trail. I was loving every minute of it.

Our fourth night on the river, we pulled off on a rocky beach and made camp right next to the river. The river valley was more wide open here, allowing for vast views of the surrounding mountains and a beautiful sunset. We made a nice fire nestled in the rocks and watched the sun go down. The four of us sat in silence next to the crackling fire, simply enjoying the moment.

That night, I crawled into my tent. It was the first night the weather really cooperated, so I didn’t put a fly on. I left it by my side in case a storm rolled in during the night. But no storm came. I stared through the mesh of the tent and watched the stars pass overhead. I felt thankful and blessed to be in such a beautiful and untouched landscape. With no roads for miles around, the only people within fifty miles of our party were there because they had worked for it. The Bob Marshall is a landscape that doesn't allow people to pass through easily.

Last day packrafting

On the last day, only fifteen miles of river remained ahead of us before the river became too wild to navigate with packrafts, at least with my limited whitewater expertise. By now the volume of water was significant. The emerald waters transported us effortlessly. I felt like I never wanted the adventure to end.

I heard a roar of whitewater as we rounded the bend. This was our take out. If I missed the pullout and went into the rapids, I would be cast past the point of no return, hurled into an exit-less gorge with a series of challenging whitewater rapids that were well beyond my skill to navigate. I paddled hard to the bank, and made it with a sigh of relief, just above the rapids.

Fifteen miles of hiking and 55 miles of river lay behind me now. We packed up our gear on the sunny river bank, letting everything dry out as much as possible before hauling it out the last three miles to our car.

Without six days of food, our packs were much lighter and smaller. But the hike out was still a bit sad. We were leaving behind a remote and wild river. The Bob Marshall Wilderness had left a profound impact on me. I am lucky enough to have traveled all over the world. But this little trip with a few friends had become one of my top adventures I'd ever done.

The post Epic Expedition: Packrafting the South Fork of the Flathead appeared first on Hazeadventure.