You should release your review of the Prijon Beast, I think it's important for people considering buying it to get a honest review on it and for Prijon to step up their game. You do great reviews!
Can’t wait for you to add your thoughts on the clutch and reactR, also interested in Hannah’s opinion if any of these are small enough for some one 5’2” 130 or under, they all seem too big lol
Thanks for the comprehensive round up. What would be your suggestion for myself at 6'7" ~235 lbs. Slalom background so I like the idea of the Ninja. I've demoed the puffy and enjoyed it (and could stern stall it!) but I'm not convinced by the plastic. Indra is tough to get and very pricey in the UK unfortunately. Thanks!
You should try get your hands on a zion slalom. I feel it fits into this big half slice group quite well. same volume as a steeze in the large. Still has a big, wide tail but less aggressive chimes and and a funky keel like thing on the nose. I love mine but i guess it's easier to get them being in europe. still worth checking out if you get the chance 100%.
@@AlexBarham ok cool, I've been playing with running the seat further back in the puffy. I feel like it helps with that unpredictable edging out of skips, loosens the bow up, and makes my pivot turns smoother. Hasn't bitten me yet
Hey Judy! The Indra M/L is similar in size to the Steeze but the plastic is thicker. I know that people love to say the Dagger outfitting is heavy. I've handled and converted more outfitting than most and I ASSURE you you will not notice the difference. It is maybe a pound when dry.
Considering it’s 3lbs heavier than a Steeze. Both are 50lb kayaks. Having that bombproof cage of plastic isn’t light. But it won’t fold on you in a pin. Plus there’s that 5 year warranty too. It’s in the back of our minds yes, but weight is also a perceived feeling too. How a boats balanced, plastic in the hull vs the ends/deck, swing weight , stiffness, etc. It’s a trade off, but we believe we have a sweet spot. Always improving of course.
Is that 50lbs off the website? In person there is a night and day difference between the Steeze/Ninja and the Indra. I would have to pull out a scale to trust that
Mine hasn't arrived yet, but my basic impression from seeing them around is that this is a return to the river running days of old. I think once people stop trying to stern stall these boats and just enjoy the way they carve going down stream they will love it.
I spent a few days in the Reactr on playful class III and IV runs. The Reactr is a great, fast, forgiving creeker. The bow stays up and the stern stays out of the way during most maneuvers. It really is not a big half slice like these other models. Just a high performance creeker to compare to boats like the Scorch, 9R/2, Gnarvana, phantom, etc.
Great rundown, Alex. I ran all of them except the Prijon. Glad to see my reactions to them line up with yours. I loved how controlled and poised the Indra felt on the water, but as an all-around boat I preferred the Ninja 2. After getting in the Clutch, I unloaded my Indra and committed to it - such an incredible platform. It edges out the Ninja 2 most days, but it’s a tough call after doing your seat mod and lowering the Zet. Can’t wait for your thoughts on the Clutch.
Very interesting feedback! You guys are getting me more and more keen on the Clutch. And yes! The Zets come alive with the lowered seats. At this point I've dropped all the seats in my demos and offer the conversion for free when someone buys one for the life of the boat
@@AlexBarham Really looking forward to your analysis of the reactr. I bought one as my first kayak, and have only paddled Nirvana, Rewind, Cross, and Flow.
How light/tall are you? Throw a booster seat in it. It’ll help. I’ve paddled the large at 147lbs and felt reasonable. Still paddling the small day to day, but unless you’re sub 130lbs I’d say the small/medium can be outfitted to fit you well.
@@MicajahMcCurry you and I are about the same weight. I’ve paddled the s/m twice. I’ve put 2 dagger seat shims in and it feels like a medium, just a little smaller than a medium code. I usually paddle a s code, a nova and a s scorch, so I’m not surprised that the Indra feels big. I had a medium rewind for a couple of seasons. I wanted to love the Indra and hoped it would replace my small scorch. I’m interested in trying a goat.
I thought the seat and hip pads were perfectly functional, the outfitting is definitely bear bones but for sure keeps it light. The chines were VERY soft tho.
@seanhogan563 the seat and hip pad system is comfy and works as installed from the factory. However, if you move the seat forward or back the hip pads stay in the same place. Go forward and they wind up behind your but. Go backward they are down your legs. Also with no support from below every rock hit transfers straight to the paddler. This kind of system is okay in my Murky carbon playboat because the hips can be moved too, but doesn't hold up here
I would definitely take it for a spin yourself. I was skeptical at first but really rated it when i paddled it. Apart from the indra ive tried all the other boats on this list + the reactr and it came out on top for me. I loved the steeze but found it overly wide. I really felt that the added stiffness increased the performance, especially in big water. Outfitting is a bit odd but not a game changer. And its by far the lightest
Solid roundup review, but I disagree about the stern tapping comment. Nimble half slices give you so many more options for controlling boof angle and swing vs a regular "creek boat." They make stern management way easier in my opinion. I hit way fewer rocks in my Steeze than I do in my creek boats when I'm doing low water laps.
I feel it would still be really nice to put that beast Review out there for the people considering to buy one.
Thank for the video though!
Looking forward to your review on the clutch. This is the segment that I feel is most fitting for my waters.
Thanks Travis! It looks like it will be the one that keeps the most play. Where that balancing act lands is what most interests me with the Clutch
You should release your review of the Prijon Beast, I think it's important for people considering buying it to get a honest review on it and for Prijon to step up their game. You do great reviews!
Can’t wait for you to add your thoughts on the clutch and reactR, also interested in Hannah’s opinion if any of these are small enough for some one 5’2” 130 or under, they all seem too big lol
Thanks for the comprehensive round up.
What would be your suggestion for myself at 6'7" ~235 lbs. Slalom background so I like the idea of the Ninja.
I've demoed the puffy and enjoyed it (and could stern stall it!) but I'm not convinced by the plastic.
Indra is tough to get and very pricey in the UK unfortunately.
Thanks!
You should try get your hands on a zion slalom. I feel it fits into this big half slice group quite well. same volume as a steeze in the large. Still has a big, wide tail but less aggressive chimes and and a funky keel like thing on the nose. I love mine but i guess it's easier to get them being in europe. still worth checking out if you get the chance 100%.
I almost took one out in Chile, but it was the smaller size. Definitely liked the looks of it!
OG RIPPER!!!🫨🫨
A fantastic half slice for sure, but more on the play side than these ones. That is going to be the ReactR's niche
Any noticable differences between the ninja 1.0 and 2.0?
th-cam.com/video/qqDGxGla45s/w-d-xo.html
See that video
where do you run your seat in the steeze
Stock or forward for big water for the Steeze. Stock for the Puffy
@@AlexBarham ok cool, I've been playing with running the seat further back in the puffy. I feel like it helps with that unpredictable edging out of skips, loosens the bow up, and makes my pivot turns smoother. Hasn't bitten me yet
Thank you for the detailed reviews. Why is Dagger's Indra so heavy? Is the outfitting heavy?
Hey Judy! The Indra M/L is similar in size to the Steeze but the plastic is thicker.
I know that people love to say the Dagger outfitting is heavy. I've handled and converted more outfitting than most and I ASSURE you you will not notice the difference. It is maybe a pound when dry.
@@AlexBarham I know this is from way-back-when but is the plastic thickness also the reason the Wave Sport Recon was so heavy?
@dangerjudy5334 I would imagine so, as they had the same outfitting
Considering it’s 3lbs heavier than a Steeze. Both are 50lb kayaks. Having that bombproof cage of plastic isn’t light. But it won’t fold on you in a pin. Plus there’s that 5 year warranty too.
It’s in the back of our minds yes, but weight is also a perceived feeling too. How a boats balanced, plastic in the hull vs the ends/deck, swing weight , stiffness, etc. It’s a trade off, but we believe we have a sweet spot.
Always improving of course.
Is that 50lbs off the website? In person there is a night and day difference between the Steeze/Ninja and the Indra. I would have to pull out a scale to trust that
Just curious what your thoughts on the Reactr?
Mine hasn't arrived yet, but my basic impression from seeing them around is that this is a return to the river running days of old. I think once people stop trying to stern stall these boats and just enjoy the way they carve going down stream they will love it.
I spent a few days in the Reactr on playful class III and IV runs. The Reactr is a great, fast, forgiving creeker. The bow stays up and the stern stays out of the way during most maneuvers.
It really is not a big half slice like these other models. Just a high performance creeker to compare to boats like the Scorch, 9R/2, Gnarvana, phantom, etc.
Thanks for chiming in! If you look at the stern lines they are high and the deck is shedding water, not cupping. That tells the story
Great rundown, Alex. I ran all of them except the Prijon. Glad to see my reactions to them line up with yours.
I loved how controlled and poised the Indra felt on the water, but as an all-around boat I preferred the Ninja 2. After getting in the Clutch, I unloaded my Indra and committed to it - such an incredible platform. It edges out the Ninja 2 most days, but it’s a tough call after doing your seat mod and lowering the Zet.
Can’t wait for your thoughts on the Clutch.
Very interesting feedback! You guys are getting me more and more keen on the Clutch.
And yes! The Zets come alive with the lowered seats. At this point I've dropped all the seats in my demos and offer the conversion for free when someone buys one for the life of the boat
Clutch and Reactr!!
Coming lol
@@AlexBarham Really looking forward to your analysis of the reactr. I bought one as my first kayak, and have only paddled Nirvana, Rewind, Cross, and Flow.
I wish Dagger made the Indra in a smaller size.
I feel for them. It would get tough fast for retailers
Also you're the right size for a Goat anyway
How light/tall are you? Throw a booster seat in it. It’ll help. I’ve paddled the large at 147lbs and felt reasonable. Still paddling the small day to day, but unless you’re sub 130lbs I’d say the small/medium can be outfitted to fit you well.
@@MicajahMcCurry you and I are about the same weight. I’ve paddled the s/m twice. I’ve put 2 dagger seat shims in and it feels like a medium, just a little smaller than a medium code. I usually paddle a s code, a nova and a s scorch, so I’m not surprised that the Indra feels big. I had a medium rewind for a couple of seasons. I wanted to love the Indra and hoped it would replace my small scorch. I’m interested in trying a goat.
Very disappointing news on the beast, was hoping for prijon plastic in a modern platform. . . Alas
Same. Unfortunately the blow-molded boats have issues with tight corners and thus sharp edges.
I thought the seat and hip pads were perfectly functional, the outfitting is definitely bear bones but for sure keeps it light.
The chines were VERY soft tho.
@seanhogan563 the seat and hip pad system is comfy and works as installed from the factory. However, if you move the seat forward or back the hip pads stay in the same place. Go forward and they wind up behind your but. Go backward they are down your legs. Also with no support from below every rock hit transfers straight to the paddler. This kind of system is okay in my Murky carbon playboat because the hips can be moved too, but doesn't hold up here
I would definitely take it for a spin yourself. I was skeptical at first but really rated it when i paddled it. Apart from the indra ive tried all the other boats on this list + the reactr and it came out on top for me. I loved the steeze but found it overly wide. I really felt that the added stiffness increased the performance, especially in big water. Outfitting is a bit odd but not a game changer. And its by far the lightest
Solid roundup review, but I disagree about the stern tapping comment. Nimble half slices give you so many more options for controlling boof angle and swing vs a regular "creek boat." They make stern management way easier in my opinion. I hit way fewer rocks in my Steeze than I do in my creek boats when I'm doing low water laps.
This could be because you creek in size medium and the Steeze is basically a large
Nah I still think it’s was I said, but agree to disagree. Thanks for the thoughtful reviews.
No worries!