NRS Ninja Review

The Ninja is a unisex life vest that comes in three sizes. It's a low-profile, Type III vest covered in 400D urethane-coated ripstop nylon. The Ninja sports one large center pocket with compartments, as well as an attachment point and hand warmer pockets.

Performance Comparison

Fit

The Ninja is advertised as fitting chest sizes from 33 to 50 inches. We found paddlers smaller than the advertised 33 inches could also comfortably wear this jacket also. There are three points of adjustment to help you get everything just right.

Comfort and Mobility

The Ninja has some of the softest interior fabric of any of the models we tested, making it incredibly comfortable to wear against bare skin. Our testers unanimously agree on this point. Though the back of the vest is fairly thick, it also rides pretty low on the torso. Lowering the straps down to the bottoms of the ribs makes this vest more comfortable to wear when breathing heavily because it's less restrictive around the lungs. Because of its low profile design with concentrated flotation, it's more adjustable to shorter torsos and can be more comfortable for shorter paddlers restricted by the length of some standard life vests.

We aren't in love with the feel of the straps, though, and find them a tad scratchier and less well-protected than we would like. NRS aimed for more mobility in the shoulder strap design, keeping things minimal. The downside here is a slight reduction in comfort. When properly adjusted, the bottom cinch strap also digs in a bit around the sides. As a low-profile vest with concentrated areas of padding, those areas are far thicker than on a regular PFD. Though the Ninja is made of six small panels, the arrangement of these panels keeps them from flexing and bending around your torso. This effect is exaggerated on thinner paddlers and medium-to-large-breasted women. Not all of our testers were stoked about the side entry system either, though once you get used to it, we think it's just as easy as any front zip jacket, with shoulder strap tails that can be tucked away into the front panel.

Because the Ninja concentrates all the padding into such a small, low area, the shoulder mobility of this PFD is unmatched by any other jacket-style model we tested. Riding low on the torso, this vest expertly stays put while you paddle or when you take a spill in the water. The shoulder straps run a bit narrow, handily staying out of the way of your shoulder rotation, though they do cut in close to the neck. Added padding keeps them comfortable and less abrasive.

The only mobility issues we have with this vest are tied to its unbending shape and the subsequent struggles with fit that many women testers experience. Because it's difficult to fit over breasts or wrap tightly around smaller individuals, we were less able to get the right fit to keep it snugly in place in the water. That side, those who can get the right fit loved the added mobility of this low-profile model.

Quality of Construction

NRS has a reputation for making quality products, and the Ninja does not disappoint. Though it's constructed of standard materials — 400D urethane-coated ripstop nylon exterior, 200D nylon interior, and PVC-free foam — it's clearly been made to withstand some hearty adventures. The seams are reinforced, and the straps are thick and durable, minor scratchiness aside. The plastic clips and buckles are sturdy and had no problem buckling even after we tossed them in the sand while wet. Nothing on this PFD broke or frayed during testing. Even the extra features, loops, and specialty pockets in the front pouch are well designed and sturdy.

Features and Versatility

Designed for paddlers, we can't find any paddle sport that doesn't work well for the Ninja. It fits shorter torsos well and is conveniently out of the way for paddle strokes of pretty much any kind. It even has a nice cozy hand warmer pocket between the two layers of padding. It features a slightly off-center knife tab and a single pocket with two zippers, drain holes in the bottom, and sides that prevent the whole thing from flopping open and spilling your contents. This once singular pocket has been reimagined from previous versions and now includes a host of small pockets with daisy chains inside plus a smaller interior zippered pocket with a key clip. It's almost like wearing a tiny tackle box on your chest, ready to keep you organized or just hold one large snack without all those extras getting in the way.

Despite its compact design, the Ninja weighs 34 ounces, making it among the heaviest jackets we tested. Still, wearing it doesn't feel unduly heavy, so we don't hold the weight against this vest too much. Though the Ninja is a pretty specific paddler's design, we found it comfortable across many activities because of its openness. Yet, due to its concentration of padding into smaller, thicker areas, this isn't the best vest for lounging comfortably on the pontoon bench or leaning back in your favorite fishing chair. It's a more specific vest that's best suited to paddling and paddling hard.

Flotation

The Ninja is designed to deliver 16.3 pounds of flotation. Although it wasn't the most buoyant we tested, for a low-profile vest, it did exceptionally well, out-performing many much bulkier feeling vests.

When worn in the water, this secure PFD provides good flotation even if you are not actively treading water. Like all the vests tested, the Ninja will not turn an unconscious swimmer, but it will help a conscious, active swimmer stay afloat so they can get to rescue.

Should You Buy the NRS Ninja?

The Ninja is a low-profile PFD built with the avid paddler in mind. Its top-notch performance, mobility, and durability make it a great choice for paddling pretty much any watercraft. It features a high level of comfort and freedom to move that comes in handy during intense paddles. Though it's not the best fit for women or very petite folks, it's a great choice for many hardcore paddle enthusiasts.

What Other PFDs Should You Consider?