Review Year
Best in Class
Overall Rating
Price
Name | Overall Rating | Ratings | The Good | The Bad | Price |
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WaveSport ReCon |
Uber-comfy and secure fit right out of the box Continuous rocker hull shape for speed and boofing Awesome safety features |
Heavy for long portages and put-in/take-out hikes A tad “corky” in big water Outfitting makes you realize how long you’ve settled for less |
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Dagger Jitsu |
Great handling (quick and responsive) Fast edge to edge, and “poppy” for aerials Incredible fit right out of the box |
At 5’9”, a bit small for big water river running (unless you don’t mind getting worked occasionally) Short stern can rear-ender the unwary Pearls when paddling forward if seat not positioned correctly |
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Hyside Stinger |
Bombproof reinforced Hypalon construction Great gear-tie-down options Solid footpeg configuration and thigh straps |
Heavy Doesn’t exactly spin on a dime |
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AIRE Force 1 |
Great design Combining nimbleness and water-worthiness Abrasion-resistant PVC shell Adjustable thwarts for outfitting Quick sticker-patch repair |
Sand can permeate zippers on air-bladder system Perhaps a hair spendy Tie-down loops sometimes hard to access |
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NRS Outlaw 1 |
Price Easy to maneuver Lightweight PVC coating slides over rocks |
Thigh straps should come standard Small size can get knocked around in bigger water |
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Innova Swing II |
Cool metal-arch-supported deck to keep you out of the elements Streamlined hull for touring Zippered deck for storage access |
Rigging the arch support crossbars Designed more for straight-line touring than whitewater Keeping track of the snap-in fin |
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Advanced Elements Attack |
Price that gets you in the game easily Mini-keels for tracking Comfortable seat Mesh-covered cargo area |
Hard to access floor valve Not the most durable of the lot Smaller tubes |
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SOAR S10 |
Can spin with one stroke Gear-hauling machine High profile |
Catches wind Subpar thigh straps for hard whitewater Width affects speed |