NRS Star Raven 1 Kayak
Summary
Price At Time Of Writing | $995.00
Our Overall Rating | 82 out of 100
Pros - Super stable, tough, easy to maneuver
Cons - Slow, you sit in water
Overall - A fun, durable tank for rapids, not for lakes
Technical Specifications
Open Size - 9’10”x38”
Weight - 37lbs
Load Capacity - 275lbs
Packed Size - N/A
Our Analysis & Ratings
If you're looking for a rugged, one-person inflatable kayak that’s made for moving water, the NRS Star Raven 1 deserves a close look. This isn't your average lake lounger; it's a purpose-built craft designed for river running, from gentle currents to technical whitewater. While it has its downfalls, from our time with it, we found it to be an incredibly stable and playful boat that feels far more robust than its inflatable nature might suggest.
Performance - This kayak is not made for speed. Whether on a flat lake or a churning rapid, this kayak is a bit of a slowpoke, trading raw speed for great manoeuvrability. On calm water, it spins with a playful ease that's honestly a blast, making it feel more like a lake toy for messing around. It’s built for rapids, though, which will be where you notice its performance skills. The 18 inches of rocker in the bow acts like a 4x4 suspension, allowing it to climb over and skip off waves instead of plowing through them. This thing is an absolute tank on whitewater, feeling confident and secure even in conditions most paddlers would avoid. You do need to work harder for forward momentum, but the control and bounce it offers in exchange are well worth it for river runners.
Construction - Durability is a major selling point for the NRS inflatable kayak line, and the Star Raven 1 seems built to last. The advanced PVC-coated polyester material and welded seams should give it really good abrasion resistance and excellent air retention. The drop-stitch floor is really great to see and, when inflated to a rigid 8-10 PSI, this provides a stable platform you can even stand on. It has a three-chamber design and includes 10 stainless steel D-rings for securing gear. One major pitfall of this kayak, though, is that while the material is great, the floor's specific shape can lead to pooling water right under the seat, but we’ll address this more in comfort.
Setup/Pack Down - Getting the Star Raven 1 ready for the water is a straightforward process. The Leafield C7 valves are great for easy inflation and deflation, and quick with the included pump. The physical act of assembling the main components is simple, too; the seat attaches easily to the D-rings and the floor secures with two straps. The one area where you might spend some extra time is figuring out the best configuration for the seat, as the included instructions aren't the most detailed. Once you've done it once or twice, it becomes second nature. Packing it all down into the included carry bag is equally hassle-free, making the overall setup and pack-down experience very positive.
Portability - Weighing in at 37 pounds, the NRS Star Raven 1 sits at a very manageable weight for an inflatable kayak of this class. It's light enough for one person to carry solo over a shoulder for reasonable distances and loading it into a car trunk or backseat is a breeze compared to a hard-shell boat. The supplied backpack-style carry bag has sturdy handles, making the trek from your vehicle to the water's edge relatively painless, too. So, for anyone who needs a capable kayak but lacks the roof racks or storage space for a rigid one, the portability of this package is a huge benefit.
Comfort - Okay, so, comfort is the most divisive aspect of the Star Raven 1 and largely depends on your expectations. The high-back, padded folding seat is itself quite supportive and provides a strong paddling position. It’s the kayak's self-bailing design and the specific contour of the rigid floor that’s where it misses, though as it means that water pools directly beneath the seat. If you weigh over, say, 150 pounds, you will likely be sitting in a puddle of water. The neoprene-like material of the seat then acts like a sponge, so you basically have a perpetually wet and cold backside. This is a fundamental characteristic of this self-bailing design and not a defect. For warm summer days on whitewater where you expect to get soaked anyway, it's a minor issue. For cooler weather or calm water paddling where you hope to stay drier, it can be a significant drawback, so do keep that in mind.
Overall - So, who is the NRS Star Raven 1 for? We believe it's a great choice for a paddler wanting a durable, stable and incredibly maneuverable inflatable kayak specifically for river running and whitewater up to Class IV. Its sluggish speed on flat water and the unavoidable ‘wet butt’ phenomenon mean it's a less ideal choice for those who primarily paddle calm lakes or dislike sitting in water. If your goal is serious river fun and you can look past its quirks, the Star Raven 1 is a confident and well-built kayak that delivers a thrilling and reliable ride.
