NRS Insulated Watersports

Standard or inflatable personal flotation device (PFD)? 

• Standard: Low-maintenance, always buoyant, great for various water sports, often with pockets. Can feel bulky, restrictive and hot while paddling. 
• Inflatable: Slimmer profile and comfortable, but must be inflated to work so not great for high-impact activities, kids under 16, nonswimmers or situations where you might end up injured or unconscious before you can inflate. Requires regular maintenance and replacement of carbon dioxide cartridge. 
• Hybrid: Balances features of both, with a heftier price tag. 

What conditions will you encounter? 

• Level 50: For competent swimmers and activities like kayaking and paddle boarding, where mobility is needed but quick rescue is expected.  
• Level 70: For calm, inland waters where fast rescue is likely. 
• Level 100: For rough or remote waters or offshore where rescue may take a while.  

Finding the right fit 

• Try on PFDs with your paddling clothes to get the best fit.  
• Mimic paddling motions to ensure there’s no chafing. 
• Make sure it works with your seat without riding up or feeling uncomfortable. Shorter PFD work well for kayakers.  
• If possible, test your PFD in a pool or shallow water; it should not ride up or slip over your chin while floating. 

What hull type is best for you? 

• Planing: Very maneuverable and rides on top of the water. Good for leisure paddling, surfing, SUP yoga and whitewater. 
• Displacement: More efficient, allowing you to go longer distances at faster speeds. A bit less maneuverable than planing hulls. 
• Hybrid: Combines aspects of planing and displacement hulls to cut through water easily with more stability. Suits paddling across a range of water environments. 

Solid or inflatable SUP? 

• Inflatable: More budget-friendly and well suited for limited storage space and travel. Stands up well to paddling whitewater and more comfortable for SUP yoga. 
• Solid: Best performance on the water. Travel faster and smoother and are more stable with less effort. Available in a larger variety of sizes and finely tuned shapes. Require plenty of storage and a secure method of transporting if you have a car. 

Sizing your board 

• Volume, weight capacity and thickness: All contribute to stability. When determining how much weight your board should accommodate, take into consideration any cargo and other passengers (including dogs) that you plan to paddle with. 

• Length: Longer boards are generally faster than shorter boards, but shorter boards are more maneuverable. 

• Width: Wider boards are more stable than skinny boards, but can be slower and more difficult to paddle, especially if they are too wide for your body and the type of paddling you want to do.