Review: NRS Flux Dry Top

Everyone wants to run big rapids, but being wet after the fact sucks. Don’t get me wrong, I love charging big class IV’s as much as the next guy, but once the adrenaline wears off, you're just sitting around soaked and shivering. It’s hard enough to psyche yourself up and get in a boat in a state like Montana, where the cold spring run-off can be enough to make a grown-man shriek. Thankfully the days of discomfort are behind me, and it's all because of the Flux Dry Top by NRS. Now I can enjoy the thrills of high water boating and while staying comfortable and bone dry.

Like all dry tops, the Flux is equipped with skintight latex gaskets on the wrists and neck and a dual-adjust waist mate for tightening above my spray skirt. Unlike other dry tops, the gaskets on the Flux are made from an updated material that’s dryer, more comfortable, and easier to repair than previous models. Tapered neoprene sleeves protect the gaskets from the outside, so you likely won’t need to even think of a repair for a while. I’m especially fond of the cut of the Flux, which allows for ample shoulder movement and is less restrictive than other dry tops I’ve worn in the past. On top of all that, the 4-Layer Eclipse fabric it's made of is incredibly durable and made from 100% recycled materials—how cool is that? There’s also a splash-proof pocket on the chest I can access even while wearing my PFD. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, the Flux is the best dry top I’ve ever worn, and I'm sure to be wearing it for years to come.

Available at NRS.com; $450.