Paddling Guides, Gear Advice & How-To Articles

We’ve Come a Long, Long Way, Baby

There wasn't always such a great selection of life jackets to choose from.

High-Water Wisdom

High-water brings more dangers to your boating. Learn tips to avoid them.

How to Inflate and Deflate Cataraft Tubes

Tips for inflating and deflating cat tubes and preventing damage to baffles.

Quick Guide: Urethane and PVC Boat Adhesives

Helping you choose the best glue for urethane and PVC boats.

Quick Guide: Temporary Field Boat Repairs

Learn how to make temporary boat repairs in the field by adding just a few pieces of equipment to your kit.

Quick Guide: Rubber Boat Repair Adhesives

This guide walks you through the essential adhesives and repair techniques specifically made for rubber and synthetic-rubber boats.

How to Patch a Hypalon Boat

Video with step-by-step instructions for Hypalon repair.

Drysuit Folding and Zipper Maintenance

Step-by-step instructions to neatly fold your drysuit, without putting pressure on the entry and relief zippers. We also offer tips for cleaning and lubing those drywear zippers.

Why Fish From a Kayak

Read about a few reasons why many people have chosen to embrace the sport of kayak fishing. Far from being a fad, kayak fishing is here to stay.

How to Inflate Your Raft

Learning to properly inflate your raft will go a long way toward protecting its seams and the baffles between chambers from strain and damage.

How Neoprene Is Stitched

Learn about the various stitching methods on our neoprene products. Single-Needle Stitch, Flat-Lock, Blind-Stitch? Here we explain the differences.

How to Maintain Your NRS Barrel Pump

The NRS 5" Barrel Pump is built to last, to get wet, and to get used. Watch this video from NRS Repairs on how to disassemble, clean, lube and maintain it.

How to Tie the Figure 8 Knot

Demonstrating the tying of the versatile Figure 8 Knot.

How to Tie a Taut-Line Hitch Knot

There are some knots every boater should know how to tie, and the Taut-Line Hitch is one of them. Watch this video to learn how it's done.

Lend Me Your Ear: About Kayaker’s Ear

What you need to know about this serious boater health hazard.

How to Remove a Knife from a PFD Lash Tab

Tips for safely removing a knife sheath from a life jacket (PFD) lash tab.

How to Seal an NRS Dry Bag

Your dry bag protects your stuff. Watch this video to learn how to properly close and seal it to provide maximum protection for your gear.

How to Fix a Pressure Relief Valve in a Raft or IK

Learn how to fix a pressure relief valve, which protects your raft or IK floor from over-inflation, with this video from our NRS Repairs department.

Find and Fix Inflatable Boat Valve Leaks

Learn how to troubleshoot and fix leaks in the valves used in rafts, cataraft and SUPs. This video demonstrates with a Leafield C-7 Valve, but the same tips work for Halkey Roberts, Summit and military valves.

How to Clean and Store Your Inflatable Boat

Step-by-step video instructions for cleaning and storing your inflatable.

How to Prevent Shoulder Injuries

Prevent kayak- and raft-related shoulder injuries with targeted rotator-cuff strength, proper paddling technique and a solid warm-up/cool-down routine.

Kicking the Cooler Habit

Learn how Lacey Anderson can outfit a 10-person group for an eight-day trip that doesn't require refrigeration or costly coolers.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Whitewater SUP

In the image-obsessed world of action sports, whitewater SUP has reached its most awkward teenage years, complete with pimples and unknown potential.

Fabrics That Protect You From the Sun

UV radiation carries a significant health risk, but sun protective clothing uses modern fabrics (NRS H2Core) to keep you protected and on the water.

Is Your Life Jacket Safe?

Learn how to know with certainty that the life jacket or PFD you've purchased is safe and Coast Guard approved (and what that even means!).

NRS Terraprene Neoprene

What is Terraprene and why does NRS use it? Sure, it's warmer and lighterthan traditional neoprene. But the big deal is that Terraprene leaves the oil behind.

Know the Ropes

Learn about the important characteristics for ropes used in many boating applications, including the ability to float, its visibility and its strength.

Modular Frame Facts 101

The NRS modular frame system is a marvel of simplicity and strength. This visual guide walks you through the step-by-step process of assembly.

The Making of Cataract Oars

Learn how a company that makes guided missile parts, armor piercing projectiles and parts for advanced aircraft got into making carbon fiber oars for rafting.

Werner Construction & Design

Learn how Werner designs and builds their kayak paddles. Swing weight, straight or bent shaft, dihedral? We explain so you can feel confident in your purchase.

West System G/flex Epoxy Adhesive

G/flex Epoxy is a resilient two-part epoxy that gives a superior waterproof bond to plastics, metals, fiberglass and more. Add some to your repair kit.

What is Drop Stitch?

Discover how drop-stitch construction works, why it delivers hard-shell performance in inflatable gear and what it means for durability and transportability.

The Iconic Bill’s Bag Dry Bag: A History

Read the story of how our iconic waterproof NRS Bill’s Bag came into existence, directly from the legend himself: Mr. Bill Parks.

The Fine Nine

Preparing yourself to prevent or recover from on-the-water emergencies.

Treating Backcountry Water: How to Filter and Purify for Safe Drinking

Learn how to safeguard your body on trail: from protozoa and bacteria in backcountry water to effective filtration, purification and hygiene methods that keep you healthy outdoors.

Riding the Flood

The dangers of high water boating and how to avoid them.

Paddling Guides, Expert Advice & Outdoor How-To Articles