Denise F.
It's great--I mean it's a Sevylor so it's good quality. I bought it to replace a Sevylor blow up kayak that came from the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. Actually the old one hasn't given out yet--and I think that says something about the brand.
The only issue was the paddle. It was flimsy and didn't function well on the river. We're buying a separate paddle and getting rid of the one that came with it.
Mari E.
Love it!! Perfect for canal cruising.
Jesse K.
Oh man, this kayak is great! I live in MN so of course we have a lake near. Took my 8 year old who would rather play video games than anything else and we had a great time!
It was very easy to set up and we had plenty of room. I might be a couple more for the rest of my family in the spring.
Stacy N.
Wow! For the money, this is a great boat. I'm a 55 year old 5'6" 135 lb in-average-shape/health female and it fit me really well. I under inflated the seat and seat-back and it's much more comfortable that way. It's maiden voyage was a 3 hour trip on a tranquil river.
The Pros:
Heavy gauge vinyl holds up well (got hung up on an underwater stump but no damage)
Inflates quickly and easily
Easy to port by yourself (no problem hoisting it on my shoulder along with the paddle)
Fits in the trunk of a rental car to take wherever
Paddle is surprisingly sturdy and breaks down for packing
Awesome storage space in the boat behind the seat that stayed dry
The Cons:
The fin limits traditional low kayak clearance (but it's necessary to keep the boat from going all over the place)
The pump seems super flimsy and cheap compared to the boat, but works well for now
There are no anchor points for your feet but your core gets a great workout as a result. lol
Getting your feet into the hull is awkward but doable
I'm moving the net from the front to the back because it's more comfy to sit like I am in the pic but if all your stuff was up there, that wouldn't work.
This boat performed well in every aspect right out of the box, to the trunk, to the river, in the river, back in the trunk. Will store in the basement for the winter until next summer.
Jill Z.
LOVE my kayak!! This is the best $160 I have ever spent, I can get on the water without a truck, super easy to inflate right at the water’s edge. It is comfortable and easy to maneuver and with my feet on top there is lots of storage room under the ‘hood’, the ability to lay back and truly relax on the water is something hard shell kayaks don’t afford. I just bought my second one so I can bring a friend anytime. The K2 (two person) is also a great buy, my husband wanted the extra room (over 6 ft tall and 210 lbs) and he uses it as a single. The Explorer kayaks are not nearly as easy to maneuver or inflate/deflate. Keep in mind the low sides make it much easier to row than the Explorer version of the inflatables by Intex. We did purchase longer paddles (94 inch) and this makes it really easy to go anywhere on a lake or slow moving river. We are trying them on a class 2 next week! SO FUN!
Heidi A.
I love this!!! Such a great buy. Believe me, it’s super easy to inflate!! I can do it myself if I have to, although it helps to have someone help hold the nozzle.. the pump that comes with it has worked well for me! Takes maybe 10 minutes in total, once you know what to do. The paddle has also worked well for me.. I read other reviews before purchasing that mentioned buying a new paddle.. I haven’t had any issues.. but I’m not going extreme kayaking either. I don’t worry about puncturing it at all.. I take my dog with me and his nails are never a concern. Once deflated the kayak easily fits back inside the bag (no one believes me until they see it). The oar and bump fit in the bag as well, although with the pump it can be tight depending on how deflated the kayak is. The bag isn’t very durable; no issues yet, but I think that will need replacing well before anything else. Bottom line: I’m very happy with this and everyone I meet is impressed/asks about it too lol. Don’t hesitate!
Jamie B.
What I love about this product:
1. Quick and easy to set up
2. Great tough quality kayak and surprisingly, paddle too
3. Enough storage space for short leisure trips
4. Brilliant for family lake kayaking
5. Great value
What I don't like about this product:
1. Back support
2. The skeg can be tricky to remove
3. Not easy to transport on roof bars when inflated compared to rigid kayak
I was looking around at plastic/fibreglass kayaks for my family and realised storage and transport was going to add a lot more money. Roof bars or a trailer don't come cheap. So when I found these, I was hopeful yet sceptical, having wasted lots of money on inflatable products in the past, mostly due to punctures or welded seam failures.
I started off by buying one and letting each one of my family try it out for stability and comfort. Contrary to what I had expected, they are very easy to get in and out of (you'd think the opposite and could imagine them folding in half as you get into them!) . On the comfort side, I actually prefer them to a rigid kayak because you can take your footwear off and not end up with scratches or blisters on them at the end of a day's paddling. The base of the removable seat is plenty comfortable enough but the back support is where this kayak is limited compared to rigid kayaks. On our first trip out in them we went kayaking on a fresh water lake and covered around 3 miles over a couple of hours during a leisurely paddle. That was enough to make my back ache a bit but oddly enough, I found it more comfortable the second time out in them so perhaps this is just a period of physical adjustment after so many years out of kayaks.
The pack is very generous for the price point too. You get the following:
1. Kayak
2. Good quality 5 piece clip together aluminium/plastic paddle with two water deflectors
3. Decent hand pump
4. Inflatable seat
5. Inflatable bulkhead support
6. Clip in skeg
7. Inflation indicator
8. Repair kit
9. Instructions
The paddle was a real surprise. It's not only lightweight but a decent size at 7'2" long. It also has a design that supports 3 different positions of the two paddle ends so you can have them flat or positively/negatively offset. Overall, the paddle proved to be versatile enough to be a good fit for both adults and 12/14 year old kids alike. In fact, you could probably spent the same amount on a paddle alone as this complete kit!
On the water, the kayak is easy to paddle and manoeuvre, thanks to the removable skeg. However, the skeg was a little tricky to remove on two of the units I bought as you need to depress two clips on either side of it whilst pushing it along the length of the kayak. It really needs three hands!
Deflation is a little trickier than inflation because the material really is very tough. This makes folding it up quite strenuous and as with many inflatable products, getting it back into its carry bag is nowhere near as easy as getting it out!
We've transported two of them on the roof of a car for a short 3 mile trip but I would not recommend doing anything more than 20-30mph as they are, well, not rigid and hence flap about quite a bit, even when tied down at the bow/stern via the integrated rubber loops.
Cost wise, I'm amazed at what you get. We went on a camping trip recently and didn't have the room to take them and regretted it as we paid the same to hire a rigid kayak for 3 hours as we did to buy one of these.
Overall, this is an excellent product and I'm so glad we bought 4 of them. We'll be using them a lot this summer so I'll report back at the end of the season.
Kiriana M.
I can not recommend this kayak enough for people who want to kayak with their dogs. Worried about their nails scratching or puncturing this kayak? You don't need to! Our 47lb Kelpie mix jumps off these things multiple times a trip. And thanks to the body being flexible, we can easily pull him back in with no worry of tipping over. Despite these actions, there isn't a single scratch anywhere on the sides or nose.
Another great thing is when we can actually get our pup to take a breather, the front nose area is roomy enough for him to lay down. Even if it is just for a few minutes.
Dog stuff aside, these are easy to paddle, in calm inlet Waters or fresh water with some current. The tail fins help prevent that annoying zig zag you find yourself wasting energy on.
They're easy to "assemble" and put away. I'm 6'1" , 175lbs, and I fit comfortably. But if I was any taller don't know if I'd say the same. It's more comfortable for me to hang my feet off the sides than to tuck them in the nose.
Elaine W.
Best purchase of my life
62yr old women who could never go out on my own due to getting hard shell on and off my suv.
Now, I'm out on this kayak daily.
I have made a YouTube vlog and posted so many pics that so far 5 of my friends have now purchased one.
Only problem is price gouging..bought mine couple weeks ago for $155
Now it's $199
So waiting for price to go down lower so I can purchase two more.
To say I'm in love with my new toy would be an understatement!!
Alexas V.
My husband and I LOVE these kayaks. I got them as a surprise for our 9 year anniversary and the very first sunny day we went out on the lake by our house.
Super easy to blow up with the pump provided. (Make sure to blow it up correctly, we did the top spot first not seeing the bottom one inside and while it wasn’t “wrong” it did make blowing up the bottom a little hard)
Leg room was great for me at 5’6” but my husband 5’11” did have to bend his knees a little (he said he’s fine with that).
The ores seemed a little short and we had to try a little harder then what we liked to go quickly in the water. (We have since purchased longer ores and have no problems)
Make sure to clip in the seat! While I did so on mine my husband didn’t (thinking the clip was meant to be around you personally) If the seat is fully clipped in you can even lean back and relax and it’s very nice while just resting on the water.
Suggested purchases to add to your kayak:
LIFE VEST!!! While you may be able to swim you can alway get stuck on something or tip over and be blindsided for a moment. Make sure it is coast guard approved as well.
A water proof bag to put your items into. Water does still get on the outside/top of the kayak (due to the short ores for us) and it’s nice to know things (jacket, phone, wallet) are dry even if you tip over.
A microfiber towel to dry off you kayak once your done so you can nicely put it all away without having to wait.
Aqua socks/Aqua shoes: unless you have a special dock to get in a out without getting wet YOU WILL GET WET. Having Aqua socks or shoes making getting your feet wet easier to dry and doesn’t mess up your normal shoes.
Not needed but still nice to have...
Ore strap: a bungie strap material to keep your ore attached to your kayak (not provided in this purchase) that way you don’t have to worry about losing your ore in the water.
A more heavy duty waterproof bag to have your kayak in. The one they give is nice, very big to hold everything but honestly the material it’s made out of will rip over time if you use your kayak often.
A battery powered pump. The one they provide is nice and small and does the job quickly but it does require work and it’s nice to just have a battery powered one to do it for you.
Eric P.
This kayak is fun and easy! Got it for about $150, so there wasn’t much risk!
I’m new to kayaking, but have been out a few times in the past, and love the water and outdoors. I live near a bay and lots of little lakes, so this is perfect for summer time exercise and adventure.
Pros: easy setup, lightweight, well made, stable, and it looks good.
Cons: getting water out is a little tricky, but a pump or wet/dry vac might be helpful; oars are a little too flexible, so aren’t too efficient, but otherwise are made well.
I made a simple wheeled board that attaches with a bungee to one end of the kayak for longer transports. Works well.
Richard F.
I just took this kayak for its maiden voyage and was impressed. It took about 5 minutes to setup. The seats were comfortable and provided support. I tried it without the skeg and it would not track or stay in a straight line. Once I put the skeg on it track fine. I covered plenty of water in a Miami mangrove canal and went out to the sea. I've kayak before but I'm not a kayak enthusiast but I think that is going to change now. Great introduction to kayaking.
Tania C.
An affordable way to explore lakes and calm rivers where you live. A inflatable kayak that you can easily toss in your backseat and head off to explore lakes and rivers far afield.
I purchased this kayak after moving close to a wildlife refuge that allowed kayaking and thought it would be fun new outdoor activity. It's price point makes it an easy choice for novice kayakers who are unsure if this activity will suit them in the long run.
For the price the kayak has a number of features that make this well worth the purchase. The bright coloring of the craft makes it easy to spot. Especially if you find yourself in a tricky situation. Grab ropes lining the bow and stern of the kayak are another added safety feature in case you jump out of the kayak and want to get back into the kayak. Two air chambers increase the odds of not sinking if one of the chambers is punctured. The kayak comes with an emergency patch kit if you notice a puncture. This should always be part of your kayaking kit.
Along with the included skeg, the flat hull makes for great stability in the water. I always feel comfortable moving about in the kayak while on the water.
There is good amount of storage room for me at 5'6'. Both the bow and the stern have space to store your gear under the upper deck. The bow netting is useful to safely store items that require quick access. Please note, that these items should be stored in a waterproof bag as the bow can get quite wet while paddling. Well, at least how I paddle.
An inflatable seat is provided along with a high output hand operated hand pump and paddle. It has been my experience inflating the kayak takes only a few minutes. Also, the seat can be customized to your suit your needs. I don't inflate the 'seat' portion of the inflatable seat as I find I sit too high in kayak with it fully inflated.
All the essentials to get you out on the water are contained in this kit. Although, I would seek out guidance from an experienced kayaker before jumping in. And don't forget your life vest.
I have discovered this craft can easily handle the addition of a small dog, like my precious pup, Penny. Once she was acclimated to the dock and the kayak along with a properly fitted life vest she took to kayaking like she'd been doing this all her life.
Overall, this is a great purchase for novice kayakers looking for a fun and easy to use kayak that won't break the budget.
Cheri N.
The Intex Challenger K1- WOW. Good quality, easy to transport, easy to inflate, With the covered cockpit it looks sleek, paddles easily, and maneuvers like a hummingbird flitting across the surface of the water.
My first trip out was a five hour river trip. If you are young and agile, this may be the perfect inflatable kayak for you.
For me, it is not, and I put those issues here in case they help someone else make the right decision.
1. Because it is a covered deck, getting in is snug...sort of like a tiny Italian sports car wearing a life jacket.
2. The top rests on your feet. I found myself either flexing my toes to lift it or pointing them to avoid it but after a few hours it got on my nerves.
3. The leg room is snug. Since I'm in my 60s and not as flexible as I thought I was, I found it hard to change positions. After 2 hours, my legs were stiff; after 5 hours, I had to have help getting out.
So for me, this was not the right choice, but the quality was so good that I just ordered the Intex Explorer K2. With the open cockpit and more room, I can't wait to get back on the river.
Sam M.
Well I just lost my skeg. Common problem but I can't complain. I took it out in rough seas and a replacement was easy enough to find. Previous to this I took the craft out on 6 occasions totaling about 30 kilometers on calm rivers and it performed beautifully. The skeg stayed secure in calm waters and even after being dragged over some sharp rocks the kayak and skeg survived. If you are planning on taking the craft out on calm lakes and rivers I wholeheartedly recommend this kayak. Feeling more confident, I took it out for a 5 kilometer jaunt in the Japan Sea, but the strong waves proved too much for the skeg to endure. I was able to pilot the craft back but it was a chore. I will find a way to secure the replacement skeg to the craft with rope but that won't keep the skeg from popping out again. For 100 dollars this was a tremendous buy. I got a lot of mileage out of this craft. Sure the skeg was lost, but it lasted muc longer than I thought it would. The craft itself is still in very good condition.
UPDATE - After another season of use I have put on another 20 kilometers with the replacement skeg and had no problems. In fact the replacement has a tighter fit, and has survived much better than the original. Strong recommendation.
Ryan D.
If I could give six stars, I would! I am an avid outdoorsy person...hiking, camping and kayaking especially! I have been dying to have a kayak for a while now, but I drive a Honda Civic with no luggage rack, so there is no way to haul a kayak. When I first heard mention of an inflatable kayak I had serious doubts as to how similar it would be to the real thing, but I decided to do some shopping anyway to see what I could find. I came across this one, and between the endless positive reviews and the insanely cheap price tag when compared to a "real" kayak, I decided to give it a try just in time for a family vacation to Table Rock Lake in Southern Missouri.
I was initially shocked by how heavy this thing was for something that was inflatable. As soon as I lugged it into the house from where the delivery guy left it in my carport, I had high hopes. Something this heavy can't possibly be cheap! And it definitely wasn't. As soon as we got to the lake I unfolded it, blew it up, snapped together the paddle, and took it for a spin. The quality is impeccable. It maneuvers through the water splendidly, and even bumping up against the rocky shore didn't phase the heavy duty material it is constructed from. Another plus - it didn't flip over once, even with my rough-and-tumble sons at the helm. This will no doubt last a long time, and it will be making countless trips to the local small lake near my home all summer long. I. Love. This. Thing!
And at $150 for the kayak, pump, and paddle? I will buying two more - one for each of my sons!
Mary P.
I bought this kayak for when I travel solo. I'm a 65+ year old women, 5'2" & needed something I could handle alone. I love this thing! It's easy to inflate & great for smooth water paddling. The hardest part for me is folding it back up to fit the carrying case but it gets easier each time I pack up. I haven't taken it out in the ocean or fast moving rivers but it's great for exploring. I bought the same model for my grandson's 7th birthday & he was thrilled. I looked at children's kayaks but decided he should have one that will last him years. I've dragged mine over sand, forest floors & small rocks with no problems. I recommend this kayak for recreational kayaking. You won't be disappointed.
Willy R.
I have been out with friends with hard side kayaks. Compared to having a hard side, inflatable is easier to carry, transport and store. I can inflate this in 60+85 pumps, in each respective cavity. I can carry it fully loaded (water, snack bag, dry bag, vest, paddles) from my car to the water, just heated up on a shoulder, sideways. After the adventure I rinse w soapy water (from a big dish detergent squeeze bottle) and dry it lakeside and then when I get home I wipe it down again and prop it open on the kitchen floor until it’s dry inside. I store it in the laundry room in a laundry basket, makes for easy carry to the car. Putting it back into the bag it arrived in would be difficult. I use that bag for the pump, towels, water shoes, hat, etc. my friends w hard sides have to drive solo because their vessels fill the whole car. Three of us could ride together w inflatables. I’ve had mine 3 years now and just love it. No drama. No tears.
Ian T.
I am a T-2 paraplegic and a water baby at heart and have always wanted a kayak, but my lack of trunk control and balance has kept me from enjoying one. This boat is AMAZING! It is completely stable and gave me no worries of flipping over. I was able to unpack it, inflate it, get in it and go in no time at all. The material is super tough and feels very solid. Once inside the cockpit you feel nice and snug, and the skeg gives you great control over the craft. I plan on spending as much time on the water as possible with my new favorite toy! Great product!!
Adrian F.
This kayak is amazing. I've taken it out about 3 times now for extended periods of time (8+ hours).
-No skid problems (like some reviews mention)
-no control problems
-durability is quite amazing.
I even use this 2 person one when I go out on my own. Taking out the 2nd seat gives me tons of storage space!!
Packing up/taking out have a learning curve but it's easy to get into the swing of it. Just read the instructions and you'll be fine :)
Taking it out on rougher waters tomorrow. Will update.
Paul B.
I received this last Wednesday and took it to a lake in northern Maine for a 5 day trip. I fished, and fished and fished and fished. I had my 60 lb dog with me, and this held up beautifully! It took 5 minutes to blow up with the Intex quick fill electric air pump (ordered separately.) I only used the included pump to top in off on a super cold morning. After blowing it up at the car, I walked it about 100 yards to the shore of the lake and used it. It was PHENOMENAL!!! I love this kayak! LOVE IT! I love the bright colors. I love how easy it was to blow up. The paddling isn't as efficient as a hard side kayak, but I traveled in a Chevy Cruze. This fit so easily in the trunk along with other gear for 2 plus a dog for nearly a week. I didn't use the included paddles, so I can't rate them. I loved that I was able to sit so comfortably. There was plenty of space behind the seat and in the front to stow gear/lunch/camera... The seat kept my butt relatively dry, but not completely if I squirmed or reached while fishing. I could sit with my legs totally extended (great for the tan!) or cross legged. There was plenty of room for my dog and she was comfy as well, I imagine she felt like she was spending her days on an air mattress. She's never been on any type of personal watercraft before, and it was stable enough she was comfortable after a few minutes. There were rocks and downed trees (as you would expect along a northern lake) and I had no worries about a puncture. I would totally recommend this to ANYONE! If it goes on sale for Black Friday, I will definitely fill out my Christmas list with a bunch of these hahahaha. My son (6' 180 lbs) was with me, and he also used it with the dog. He and I did not use it together. While at the lake, we had the option of hard side kayaks, a few canoes and this inflatable kayak. Without fail, this was the first choice of anyone there. It was easy to get into either directly from the water standing- I wouldn't want to mess around with it over waist high, but I wouldn't want to mess with a hard kayak over waist high either. From the dock was insanely easy. I just love this thing!
Christina V.
Wow!!!! The best $160 I have EVER spent. I received a ton of compliments as well while out on the lake. Reasons why I love this kayak:
1) I'm a woman- I'm strong but I can't carry a hard plastic kayak. This kayak is ultra light!!
2) Its super fast to inflate and deflate
3) It fits in the back of my Lexus NX 200t
4) My dog can kayak with me, he naps and watches the birds go by. I'm never worried that his nails may puncture the kayak.
5) Its safe and sturdy
6) It's FUN!!!!!!
Now just go and click "BUY" already and it will arrive in 2 days!! You'll be out on the lake by the weekend :-) :-) Have fun!!!!
Melissa O.
We own three of these Intex Challenger 1-Person kayaks, and two of the Intex Explorer K2 2-Person Inflatable Kayaks .
We love these kayaks and recommend them to anyone looking for the fun and flexibility of a kayak without the typical hassles of transportation and storage. If you're looking for a fast ride down a waterway, this isn't it. They move well but you won't be able to race a hard shell kayak.
The single ones are fantastic for teens and adults. The 2-person ones are great for two younger people, one adult and child, or a single person that really wants a lot of room to stretch out. You can but don't have to put both seats in if you only need one. I prefer the green 1-person kayak myself. It's a little narrower and possibly moves a little faster, which I like, but my husband usually chooses the 2 person even if he's riding solo.
Thomas C.
Live in florida, brought it on a 6 mile kayak trip. It was absolutely great. Got tons of compliments... Plus... We went kayaking in a camaro.. Fit it right in the trunk. Very Comfortable and heavy duty. I am heavy set and i had a cooler loaded with drinks and it was still perfect. We have recommended all of friends to get one.