Paddling Life got our hands on NRS’s Ambient and Vector PFDs—complete with their new Every Body Design and Orbit fit system, a rethinking of how life jackets fit and function—to see how they fare. Here’s how they stacked up:
Ambient: Designed for touring, recreation, and whitewater, the Ambient offers long-distance comfort with ample storage. We call it an everyday PFD that has everything you need to stay safe on the water. Don’t let its simplistic-looking design fool you; while its strange seems minimal, they’re in all the right, easy to access places for a snug fit, including two shoulder straps, two wide side straps, and a thinner waist strap. A front-zip makes it uber easy to get on and off (front zips really do make it easier that pull-over models), while two half-clam chest pockets on either side of the zipper (with drain holes) offer super accessible storage (perfect for that half of a PBJ in a Ziplock). One chest comes with a knife sheath and the other a plastic loop for clip-ons.
What we really like: the Orbit fit, which wraps around your side for a secure, snug fit, but not too much of a flap that catches on itself and gets in the way.
Would we use it on Class V where we need to carry more gear? Maybe not. We might opt for the Vector (below), with its additional safety features. But for every day paddling, when you want super quick and easy egress? You bet. We’re all in.
Vector: Many rescue PFDs are a tad cumbersome, with too many tightening straps, bulbous side flaps that get in the way, and more. Not the new NRS Vector, which is easy to slip on and secure. Pull it over your head, tighten the two side straps on each side, thread the rescue strap and you’re off. Our only knock, especially for us aging, not-quite-as-limber-as-we-used-to-be paddlers, is that the tightening straps on each side are still positioned a tad astern, making them difficult to reach for cinching. Any chance you could move them a hair forward?
For rescue purposes, the Vector integrates high-strength hardware and quick-release systems for professionals and river guides. It has two easily accessible sleeves for the webbing to thread through, and fastens securely with an easy quick-release.
Other nice features include plastic quick-release loops for attaching your spray skirt loop when hiking/scouting/portaging (handy to keep your skirt from dangling down by your knees); and a practical clamshell-shaped front zip pocket for knives, sunscreen, ‘bites, and more. We also found it a handy spot to store your rescue leash if you don’t want it dangling to the side as a possible entrapment hazard.
Bottom like? A rescue vest that’s not cumbersome, but has everything you need to help stay safe on the river.
NRS Revolutionizes Life Jacket Design with New Every Body Fit System (as Illustrated in New Ambient and Vector)
NRS has unveiled it calls a major advancement in PFD design with the launch of its new Every Body Design — a rethinking of how life jackets fit and function for paddlers of all sizes, shapes, and genders.
For decades most life jackets followed a one-size-fits-most model, often leaving many paddlers with stiff, bulky gear that didn’t truly fit. The Every Body Design initiative aims to change that by offering a tailored, comfortable fit without relying on outdated gender templates. Central to the new line is the Orbit Fit system and Graded Sizing, which together replace blocky foam with a precision-layered, PVC-free Etha Foam that forms to the body’s shape. By eliminating rigid design norms and unnecessary gender distinctions, the new jackets provide superior mobility and comfort for paddlers across all disciplines.
“With Every Body Design, we’re not just introducing a better life jacket—we’re redefining how PFDs fit and feel,” said Megan Kieninger, U.S. Dealer Sales Manager for NRS. “Traditional PFD sizing often failed to accommodate the full spectrum of body types. Now, every paddler can find a jacket that truly fits and works for them.”
NRS says “Every Body Design” addresses this by prioritizing three core values: accessibility, safety, and sustainability.
Accessibility: The new design eliminates gendered templates, ensuring that all paddlers—regardless of size, shape, or gender—can find a life jacket that fits securely and comfortably.
Safety: Proper fit enhances safety. By minimizing ride-up and allowing unrestricted movement, the design ensures that paddlers are more likely to wear their PFDs throughout their adventures.
Sustainability: Each PFD in the lineup is constructed using 100% post-consumer recycled materials. They are free of PFAS and PVC, and the foam shaping process reduces waste by 30%, further minimizing the environmental footprint.
The Every Body Design platform spans NRS’s full range of life jackets, tailored to different paddling needs:
Fishing: Redesigned versions of the Chinook, Chinook OS, Wrangler, and Zander deliver targeted performance for anglers.
Touring & Recreation: Models like the Ambient, Odyssey, Lucid, and CVest offer long-distance comfort with ample storage for open water paddlers.
Whitewater & Performance: Low-profile designs such as the Vapor, Ion, and Ninja provide flexibility for freestyle kayaking, SUP, and dragon boating.
Rescue & Safety: The Ninja Pro and Vector models integrate high-strength hardware and quick-release systems for professionals and river guides.
—NRS Every Body Design PFDs will be available through paddlesports retailers in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, as well as online.