The NRS Ninja Pro got an upgrade in 2024 and the Paddling Mag team got a first look at the redesign of this classic PFD at Canoecopia 2024.
First Look: NRS Ninja Pro and OS and orbit fit technology
Already the bestselling PFD at NRS, the NRS Ninja has a classic design with high mobility and a thoughtfully placed clamshell pocket that has made it one of the most popular PFDs on the market according to Blake Longworth, from NRS.
The update for the Ninja includes an Orbit Fit technology to contour to the paddlers body right out of the box. The new Orbit Fit System differs from previous models in that rather than bending one large piece of foam for floatation, multiple pieces of precision cut ethafoam are laid to create a pre-curved shape, creating a snug and secure fit.
While the previous iterations of the Ninja have fit a range of body sizes and types, the new Ninja takes it a step further with a slightly altered form profile between sizes to allow for the most comfortable and customizable possible fit for paddlers of all sizes.
“This is a PFD designed for every… body,” Longworth shared.
A previous complaint of the NRS Ninja was the lash tabs for knife placement made it easy to get your knife snagged in your deck rigging or on the chicken lines on a raft. To remedy this, the new Ninja has moved the lash tabs to below the clamshell pocket of the PFD where it’s less likely to snag protected by the shape of the pocket itself.
Meanwhile, the new Ninja OS has been designed specifically for offshore paddlers, a rework of the classic version of the Ninja PFD.
According to NRS, the NRS Ninja OS is also made with sea kayakers in mind, where previously it had been engineered to cater more exclusively to whitewater. The NRS Ninja OS is built for sea kayakers who want a low profile PFD with more freedom of movement while retaining the classic safety features, storage, and visibility.
