The Paddler Magazine issue 71 Late Spring 2023 | Page 10

PADDLER 10

REVIEWS

NRS Women ’ s HydroSkin 0.5 long sleeve shirt www . nrseurope . com By Sarah Thornely ( Supjunkie )

NRS has recently updated its HydroSkin range to include improved stretch , warmth-to-weight ratio , and new water-shedding materials . All are made with their Terraprene ( TM ) neoprene , made from limestone and recycled rubber tyres , using low-emission water-based adhesives . It may not sound very sexy , but it ’ s excellent news for our environment , and NRS is “ deepening our commitment to the planet .”

NRS Women ’ s HydroSkin 0.5 Pant

By Sarah Thornely ( Supjunkie )

This long sleeve top is not only beautifully made but so , so comfortable . Buttery soft to the touch and hugs you nicely without being restrictive . I am a huge fan of the strong and vibrant colourway ( not all ladies appreciate pink !), so thank you for that NRS .

I also appreciated the fit ; I am tall , and the sleeves and body length were perfect . No tugging at them to keep them in place , and because it ’ s so form-fitting , it restricts water entry meaning you stay warmer for longer . The 0.5mm Terraprene ( TM ) neoprene with heat-reflecting titanium locks in your body ’ s warmth . The water-shedding fabric is perfect for my stand-up paddleboarding and outrigger canoe sports .

Depending on the conditions , you could layer up this top or wear it under a cag . I road-tested this on a very blustery and cool day on the canal , and it certainly did what it was supposed to . Isn ’ t it wonderful not to overthink the technical gear you are wearing – you can concentrate on what you are doing and have a fantastic session on the water ? Price : £ 100

Think of your favourite leggings and add a hefty dose of innovative properties , comfort for miles and a very stylish textured weave . For colour , you have ‘ Dark Shadow ’ akin to air force blue , and it ’ s nice to have something different to black that is smart and flattering .

Being tall , I once again appreciate the length of these pants – they have a yoga-style waistband with extra fabric on the back for maximum coverage whether you sit , stand or are constantly bending and stretching when exercising or moving around your equipment on or near the water . They fit like a glove and are made from Terraprene ( TM ) neoprene which NRS has recently updated to include improved stretch .

The premium nylon-spandex exterior sheds water , and the hydrophobic interior provides next-level softness whilst locking in warmth .

The HydroSkin Women ’ s range has clearly been designed with us ( women ) in mind , from the styling to the cut and comfort – it ’ s good , and I mean really good technical wear , without being fussy or unforgiving .

I wore this in chilly March , battling the flow and wind on my local river , and the product certainly lived up to expectations . The pants gave me the right amount of warmth that day but bear in mind you could easily slip them under another layer . I can imagine wearing these for many , many months of the year .

What I also love about NRS ( est . 1972 ) is that since 2013 has been 100 % employee-owned . Very cool . Price : £ 100