NRS Escape Inflatable SUP Review

NRS is a pioneering company with a rich history that started four decades ago. You’ll find this name printed on all kinds of products that are used for different sports starting with apparel, coolers, sleeping pads, life jackets… , all the way to rafts and boats. Everything NRS makes is of great quality which reflects the dedication of Bill Parks, founder and President of NSR, and his employees whom he trusted to own his company.

Now enough with the brand as a whole, we’re here because you’re interested in one of NRS’s inflatable stand up paddle board and I mean come one; who wouldn’t be. NRS offers an amazing collection of inflatable SUPs that vary in design, size, color and purpose to make sure everyone gets what they’re looking for.

Long story short, the NRS Escape iSUP board is your guy, and this is what we got to tell you about it.

NRS Escape Review – Features & Specs

Measurements

The Escape iSUP comes in 3 different sizes which is something NRS does with almost all of their iSUPs to make sure their products are suitable for everyone. So, here is what it looks likes:

• The Escape 11.6: 11’6″ Long x 32″ Wide x 6″ Thick (Green)
• The Escape 12.6: 12’6″ Long x 30″ Wide x 6″ Thick (Red)
• The Escape 14: 14′ Long x 29″ Wide x 6″ Thick  (Blue)

Pretty big guys, huh? Well, this board is meant to make some heads turn that’s for sure, and in terms of dimensions, we can assure you that getting one of these boards means that you’re getting yourself one of the best iSUPs out there.

Stability won’t be a problem because anything that is 30 inches wide or beyond is guaranteed to keep you perfectly balanced. Also, the Escape boards are designed in a way that’ll allow them to handle weight very professionally while being able to fire up the water and pull as many tricks as you want.

Now that being said, we must point out the fact that such sizes and dimensions are more likely to suit mediocre to advanced level paddlers, and in case you were a beginner, you’d appreciate NRS’s all-round iSUP the Thrive which also comes in different sizes.

Quality

NRS is proud to announce that all of their inflatable stand up paddle boards are made of heavy duty military grade PVC which guarantees a huge deal of toughness and durability for all types of inflatable products.

That’s on the one hand, on the other; the Escape iSUP’s construction includes the Axis Technology™ that works via an acrylic stiffener on the board’s deck to eliminate flex and bounciness.

Then of course there is the drop stitch material which is universally known for being used by all pioneering iSUP brands. The drop stitch is what maintains the board’s shape and body as it came the first time you got it; regardless of how many times you pump and deflate it; it’ll always look as good, thick and dense as day number one.

However, and it’s here where we like to be realistic and pragmatic; the Escape will forever be an inflatable board, in other words; just like any other inflatable product, it’ll require a certain amount of maintenance, secure packing and friendly usage to help make the top notch looks and performance last longer.

Features

The Escape iSUP lacks on nothing to be called a perfect board; it has the strength, the good looks and all the necessary features for an inflatable SUP to be 100% functional.

• First things first; the Escape is featured with 2 tie-down systems; the first is on the board’s deck with 6 D-rings while the second is near the tail with 4 D-rings. The bungee cords are thick and durable and the whole system will allow you to bring enough items, tools and food on board for a long adventure.

 

• There is also the traction pad which covers more than half the board’s back; it’s soft and super grippy to offer both maximum comfort and control at the same time.

 

• At the end of this latter, you’ll find a kick-pad featured as well to make sure the board is opened to more possibilities once in the water. With this feature, you’ll be able to pull some quick turns and swift maneuvers in different water conditions.

 

• Also, there are handles on the Escape iSUP; a central one, another on the nose and the last one at the end of the board. All of them are strategically located to offer the comfiest and most practical grip for when transporting the inflated board.

 

• And finally, the 3 sizes in which the Escape is presented come with a single large fin that’s removable and changeable to a better and more customized performance.

Performance

Have you seen that pointy nose? I’m pretty sure you have, and looking at it we don’t think that much needs to be said. The NRS Escape is exactly its name; this board is designed to take you away on long distance touring adventures with all the cargo and goods you need on board.

The sharp nose is meant to cut through different water conditions using minimum effort and facing minimum water resistance; you’ll be moving fast and smooth making your way anywhere you like.

Another aspect related to performance is water tracking. The NSR Escape’s navigation system is a sharp and versatile one which will allow you to adjust the board’s performance according to the nature of the water you are in using the 2 featured fins.

Stability is not a concern here because the NRS Escape offers 29-32 inches in width. However, we need to re-mention the fact that this board is best suited for intermediate to advanced level users who can handle speed and different water conditions.

Packaging

NRS offers some really great packages for all of their iSUPs even though it’s a matter of fact that they lack a paddle. Thus, the best thing you can go is ordering yourself a paddle along with the board because other than that, the package got you all covered offering:

• (1) Touring Fin, (1) Grass Fin
• High-pressure pump
• Pressure gauge
• Sup Travel Pack Bag
• Leafield Valve Adapter
• Repair kit