NRS Ninja Pro VS. Astral Green Jacket PFD (+ Vector Sneak Peak!)

[@brentwade9346]

I love my Indus, but having held these in a store I agree completely - NRS really stepped it up with these. Great review!

[@AlexBarham]

Thanks! We will be on the Ottawa next week if you want to check them out

[@JulieOParkCity]

Thanks for your review. I’m looking at getting a new PFD for kayaking. I have an older NRS Ninja that I’ve been using for SUP but it doesn’t fit me well when sitting in a kayak. The shoulders ride up and aren’t comfortable. I’m about 5’1”. I ordered an Astral Layla which seems to fit better. It’s a women’s specific design. I haven’t taken the labels off yet and decided to order the new Ninja before making a final decision. I do love the front pocket on my Ninja. Hopefully the redesigned Ninja will fit me better than the old one. Thankfully I’m ordering from REI. Unfortunately our local shops don’t stock them and I live in South Lake Tahoe.

[@AlexBarham]

Good luck! The new Ninja is a total redesign that fits both of our very different bodies very well. It has the ability to wrap around and grab you so the fit should be as good as it gets

[@SantiagoAriasEskapa]

Great review! thxs. Question, can you get rid of the belt when you dont need it or is permanently attached to the pfd?

[@AlexBarham]

@@SantiagoAriasEskapa it is integrated into the pfd. You don't even notice it when not in use

[@paulmartin5889]

The Astral Green & Blue pfd’s have buckles on the side. You do not have to ‘always’ wiggle it on over one’s head to get it on as you claim.

[@AlexBarham]

@@paulmartin5889 maybe not if you loosen the straps all the way. It is undoubtedly more of a hassle.

[@paulmartin5889]

I’ve put on my Astral Blue PFD over my head-buckles attached-for the past 5 years and never had a ‘hassle’ slipping it on. I don’t mean to cause trouble here. Love NRS products. Love doing business with NRS, but the Astral PFD’s do have buckles on the side that can in fact stay attached,if one chooses, and the user can slip the PFD over one’s head…

[@ladiaep]

Does the pouch keep your stuff dry….?

[@AlexBarham]

No. No PFD has a dry pouch because the vest's price would more than double.

[@WhitewaterOutdoors]

Those look way nicer than the old ninjas!

[@AlexBarham]

A ton of thought and effort went into this whole line of PFDs. They are absolutely awesome

[@dangerjudy5334]

Great review, thank you!

[@AlexBarham]

Thanks Judy!

[@scottmcdonald1819]

For mostly canoe use and the occasional rafting trip would you recommend the pro or the regular ninja? Also curious if you have any time with the Astral YTV 2.0?? Seems to be the main competitor to the Ninja ?

[@AlexBarham]

Hey Scott! You will probably be fine without the additional rescue capabilities of the Ninja Pro.

[@codychitwood2383]

Do you still have to go over the head with the ninja pro because of the quick release safety harness? I have the OG ninja and really enjoy the side entry. Not a fan of the overhead deal and loosening and tightening straps every time like you find on most rescue vests so the ninja pro seems like a good option to get into a rescue vest since it still has the buckles on the 2 side straps. But I’m thinking the safety harness doesn’t have a buckle and so you’d still have to go overhead because of that. Is that correct?

[@AlexBarham]

You could pull the QR strap out, side enter and reset it each time, use the quick disconnect on the left side of the vest to side enter, or leave the QR strap as loose as possible and just pull that strap over your head.

[@codychitwood2383]

@@AlexBarham interesting. Seems slightly less aggravating than traditional rescue vests. But still more aggravating than the regular ninja. I guess that’s just the nature of having the safety harness. I may try it out

[@AlexBarham]

@codychitwood2383 the 2 seconds of noticing it when putting it on has been the beginning and end of it for me. We have been living in them for a week in Canada and I have to say it is the perfect mix of what I need and what I want. Still pulling out the Vector for the big stuff.

[@matustrencansky6435]

I'm choosing between Vector, Green Jacket, and Palm Nevis PFD. Can you make a walkthrough for Vector, @alexbarham?

[@AlexBarham]

That is the plan for this weekend!

[@MicajahMcCurry]

Owning both, my ninja is ripping at the seams. And that’s even though I always wear my green jacket…

[@AlexBarham]

The new one just landed. I don't know how you could have blown it put, but that would be an automatic warranty replacement just contact NRS

[@MicajahMcCurry]

@@AlexBarham old ninja. Same fabric though. I’ve had my ninja and green vest the same amount time. But I wear my green vest 90% of the time and never take my ninja anywhere but a play hole. Give them a feel. I can tell the astral vest won’t tear in comparison.