Cheapest Kayak in the World! | Intex Challenger K1 Review
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- Опубликовано: 7 июн 2024
- Over the past year, I've done in depth reviews of kayaks ranging from $500 to $3000. But even though $500 is inexpensive for a quality, hardshell kayak, I knew there were cheaper kayaks available. And so, I went to Amazon and searched for the cheapest kayak that they offer. This is how I discovered the Intex Challenger K1 Inflatable kayak. I was blown away to discover that for around $100 you get an inflatable kayak with a pump AND a kayak paddle! I was even more surprised to discover that it had over 20,000 reviews, with an average rating of 4.4/5.0 stars! My curiosity got the best of me, and I bought it so that I could do this review and let you know is the Intex Challenger K1 Kayak a good kayak? Is the Intex Challenger K1 worth the money? Who, if anyone, should consider buying the Intex Challenger K1 Kayak?
Intex Challenger K1: amzn.to/3u276JY
Gear I have tested and recommend:
Paddles:
Aqua-bound Shred (whitewater) tidd.ly/3HRZCyq
Aqua-bound Manta Ray Carbon 2-piece (rec/touring) tidd.ly/3jND8qB
PFDs:
NRS Chinook PFD (fishing) tidd.ly/3XodlTv
NRS Zen PFD (whitewater) tidd.ly/3Yy7yMk
NRS Odyssey PFD (Touring and Rec) tidd.ly/3xcsXih
Dry Gear / Layers:
NRS Flux Drytop tidd.ly/3KfoYcH
NRS Riptide Splash Jacket tidd.ly/40Kf0pi
NRS Axiom Dry Suit tidd.ly/3YGUSmg
Jackets:
Cotopaxi Fuego Down Hooded Jacket www.cotopaxi.com/products/fue...
Shirts:
NRS Silkweight Long-Sleeve Shirt - Mens tidd.ly/3DVrNva
NRS Guide Short Sleeve Shirt tidd.ly/3YIa6XV
Pants:
NRS Benny Board Shorts tidd.ly/3lrG78z
Footwear:
NRS Boundary Boot tidd.ly/3DXamKT
Astral PFD Sandal tidd.ly/3xjPtWI
Sunglasses
Wiley X Outdoor Sunglasses bit.ly/3NtJQKR
Other Paddling Gear
NRS WRSI Current Helmet tidd.ly/40EUkiB
NRS Drylander Shock Cord Sprayskirt tidd.ly/3YHTaBD
Surf Ears Ear Plugs bit.ly/3AbMl1y
GoPro Hero 11 Black amzn.to/3ZWVXHN
Rapid Pure Purifier amzn.to/3iuIo1C
Zoleo Satellite Communicator amzn.to/3kv0hOt
NOTE: These are affiliate links in which I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you, but it is a great way to show your support. Thanks!
Special thanks to my Global Partners for supporting my mission of helping get people on the water and creating life-long outdoor participants.
Outdoorplay: outdoorplay.com
NRS: nrs.com
Wiley X: wileyx.com
Check out our full Paddling Gear Guide here: in4adventure.com/paddling-buy...
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I bought this the first summer of the pandemic as an affordable way to get out on the lake without space to store a “real” boat. It had a huge impact on my mental health and opened up the world of paddle sport to my spouse and I. We’ve since invested in a tandem kayak and two paddle boards but I’ll never part with my little Intex. ❤️
That's great to hear! Happy paddling this season!
Excellent report awesome 😎 to discover a healthy sport.
This was my First kayak. It made me fall in love with the sport I highly recommend it for anybody starting out.
yeah for starter this is okay....i got it too for myself....we live in a comminjty where theres is a private beach so decided to buy and I fell inlove with it.
@@novieboclongan6976 You think it would work well in canals and springs?
My biggest concern is it would get thrown around on the water
@🐺 wolf🐺 I really appreciate this info. We ended up picking them up but we will see how they work.
@🐺 wolf🐺 my boyfriends birthday is coming up and we love the little lake near by, but ofc he’s a beast and is 6’4 and 268 😂 do you think it would work for him ? 😩
@🐺 wolf🐺 thanks.. thinking of getting him the two person 1 and just taking one of the seats out! 😂😂
Also, don't blow up the bottom part of the seat only blow up the back that way you get better stability
what a good tip, thanks! 👍
Dont seat get wet
@@turbod15 no it doesn’t. I put a towel in the bottom of my kayak to catch any water
Thanks for this tip! Glad I found this comment
@@Steamy1223 tried and tested you get a better centre of gravity the lower you are in the kayak 😁
These gear reviews are not just helpful, they're WONDERFUL! They're straight, consider a number of perspectives (as in who the buyer would be of this particular kayak), and they're always informative, fair, and really, really useful. I enjoy watching them so much, and learn so much from them, I watched this one about the cheapest kayak in the world (not because I'm in the market for one), but I really wanted to get your perspective on it. Great video, very fair, honest, and forthcoming, yet considering who would buy this kayak and for what purpose and seeing the positive and negative sides of that equation. Well done.
I bought my kayak a couple of years ago and I Absolutely love it. I would recommend it to anyone that's looking to add a little adventure into their lives. Being out on that open water getting away from the hussle and bussle, relaxing and getting to see everything from a different view is pretty cool. I would definitely buy another. In fact my mom liked mine so much she got one for herself and she 72.
We own two of these, and they have been great!. They've paid for themselves in rentals avoided and have enabled us to do more paddling. We recognize they are not the best kayaks, but, as you said, good enough. It's not just the cost of a kayak that can be a barrier to entry... it's also the need for storage, a rooftop rack, etc etc. We will get a "proper" kayak in the future, but for the past year, these have served us very well. We are indeed, careful not to go out in bodies of water or conditions beyond the kayak's - or our - capabilities. We will get a "proper" kayak in the future, but for the past year, these have served us very well.
Glad to hear it! Enjoy the shopping when it does come time to upgrade!
have you ever flipped over?
Very good, fair and honest review Ken. I know a lot of people who have this kayak, and they all love it. For the price, it looks like a good entry level kayak for someone who wants to tests the waters. But like Ken said, it has it's limitations, and it's intended use, small bodies of calm water, smaller rivers and creeks. It's not meant to compete with the Sea Kayaks, you are not going to be 7kms from shore on Lake Ontario, but you will have fun exploring smaller rivers, creeks and calm small bodies of water.
**** Please remember to wear your PFD ****
im thinking about getting this kayak for trips to the toronto island, do you think it would fare well?
@@KieranRamnarine086 If you want to use this kayak at the Toronto Islands, I would very strongly recommend taking the ferry boat across to the islands and inflating it on the island and paddle the inner waterways through the islands. This is not the appropriate kayak for paddling over to the islands or paddling in the inner harbour of Toronto.
Just took this thing out on the ocean (about a quarter mile from shore) and it he’s up to 4 foot white caps without issue.
That’s coming from some who has next to zero kayaking experience
Very fair review. You pointed out the flaws but also recognised that none of these flaws really matter if this is the kayak that suits you. I have used one of these for 5 years to give me access to the lochs of Scotland on 3 or 4 camping trips a year and it does that job really well.
Thanks for the review. It's refreshing to see an avid kayaker give an honest review of inflatables. I've taken kayak classes and explained to the instructor why I was interested in an inflatable kayak and he was just like, "there are no good inflatable kayaks on the market, they are all trash". I asked him if he's tried any and he basically stated he didn't want to put his life at risk. Really? I've been looking at the Sea Eagle 300 series and mentioned that to him and the same thing, they are all junk. He was an excellent kayak instructor, but didn't have an open mind about inflatable kayaks and was not interested in my reasons for not wanting a hard kayak. Thanks again for the info and honest and open reviews.
Interesting review. I have one of these, bought for around AU$100. I use it in open water in a Corinthian Gulf bay, Greece. It's lots of fun. I don't inflate the seat base, and have not had any stability problems, even in choppy and windy conditions. My paddle doesn't flex; neither the blade nor the shaft, so maybe I'm lucky. I average 4-5 km/h without exerting myself. Overall, it's great fun, exercise and relaxation. PS: I'm 69.
Started with a similar inflatable a few years back, and it was definitely my gateway to the world of paddling. It's so easy to pick one up on a whim, get on the water, and see if it's for you. We see so many of Challengers on the water around us, lots of families and folks getting into the water for the first time. I do have some worries, given we're coastal kayakers, that it's equally very easy for beginners to rapidly get out of their depth, or into situations they're not prepared for.
what are your tips for kayaking in coastal/sea for beginners?
@@Francisco.Rizzuti if you can, find a good local club, and get some training. I think it's important to learn how to be safe on the water, how to recognise the dangers, and to build the skills to deal with it. I'll do things with my club I wouldn't if I was out in a smaller or less experience group because I know and trust the people around me, and that they have the skills and experience if things go wrong. Good kit helps, especially making sure you have good safety kit.
This one of my favorite things I bought in 2020. I still have it and it’s in perfect working order. Not one complaint! I treat it well when I come to shore and don’t drag it across rocks or anything. Definitely recommend
So helpful...just ordered one today and looking forward to trying it out!! First time kayaker here.
When I started with Urban Exploration, I often found myself in situations close to water where a floatation device would able me to explore further. So I got one of these, and its always in its carrying bag in my car. Together with the pump, collapsable paddle and an added life vest, it all fits inside. Its perfect for me.
me too!
Ayee great minds think alike my friend 😎👌
I started with a Sea Eagle inflatable to see if I would like kayaking - spoiler alert, I sure did! After a little over a year I upgraded to a Wilderness Systems Aspire 105 and sold my Sea Eagle to my sister who wanted to try getting on the water herself. I appreciate the Aspire's maneuverability and, importantly, foot braces, something lacking on the Sea Eagle. Makes for a more comfortable trip downriver. I purchased an upgraded paddle and also watched enough RUclips videos to learn how to get the 'yak on my car's roof by myself. Keep up the videos - I always learn something new. :)
Awesome! I'll keep doing them as long as people keep watching and benefiting from them! :)
I took a couple of my friends out on the river on these and they had a fantastic time and acted as a cheap entry method to the sport. They now want to join me for a sea kayaking trip, but their main interest is just to have a bit of fun on sheltered water rivers on sunny Sunday afternoons. These boats are ideal for such trips - a bit of a laugh and a fun way into the sport
Thank you Sir for a great review.
This is my 1st kayak, it arrived today and will be taking it out tomorrow for my maiden trip.
Keep up the good work.
Regards from the UK.
Hope you enjoy it!
I love my kayak ❤️ I've been using her all summer, even had a paddle a few days ago. It's so easy to inflate and very comfortable. No problems with her at all. It's a pleasure to get on the water.
This was really useful - thank you for posting! I ordered this during Prime day. I know I'm going to love kayaking (I've done it a couple times on holidays) but I also didn't want to invest in a higher quality one with half of summer gone. So, my plan is to use this until the end of summer, then keep it for when my OH and friends show an interest - and they'll only be interested in joining on the odd day throughout the year I'm sure! You're review reassured me that I made the right decision. Thanks again!
Great to hear! Happy paddling the rest of the summer!
Thanks for the review. We bought 2 of these last week and used them twice this past weekend. We wanted inflatables so they are easier to transport as we pull a travel trailer behind the pickup, and there just isn't room for hard shell kayaks. With us at our ages, theses worked very well. Hubs didn't blow up the bottom of the seat to let him sit a bit lower, it worked well for him, I am smaller and was glad to have the whole seat inflated. I do think that going forward I would like to place a towel over the bottom and back of the seat for a bit more comfort than just the plastic to sit on. Where we camped/kayaked was a reservor large enough that motor boats and pontoon boats could go fast enough to pull water skiers. There was wake waves and we found that turning the kayak to meet the waves on either the front or back instead of the side was much more stable. Neither of us fell in which is good. We got in and out, both at a dock and also at the side of the water, and it was doable, and something we will have to do a few more times to feel more comfortable at. We got really lucky and found an end of season sale for half price - $83.99 each. Thanks for your review.
I think that's the way to buy these. They are glorified pool noodles but good for what they are. Stock up on the end of season and throat a spare yak in your bow for when you blow out.
I bought two of these for our first kayaks. In windy conditions, choppy water we found them to be somewhat unstable. Boyfriend took a dunk early on and was not happy!! LOL! Great value for the money and well equipped ( pump, repair kit, inflation guides built in, carry bag ) We have yet to try them on calm water but I imagine they would be very good.
I had this in my basket for ages now and never committed to buying as I'm a beginner however this review has sealed it for me. It's exactly what I want for a few days a year. Loch Lomond here I come...
Thanks for the in depth review. I've been considering one, and this is very helpful
First, kudos for doing a fair review on a cheap kayak when most experienced paddlers would have blown it off as a POS. But, rather than an entry level kayak I suspect most of the users are people with families that visit the local park pond 2 or 3 times a year and this provides an inexpensive way for the kids to explore small ponds. Some of these kids will no doubt go on to love paddling and get more rugged higher performance boats. Regarding your question, I have made a purchase based on your videos, I just bought a Cali case for my phone. I have a supposedly waterproof phone, and a waterproof case for it, but I'm had a couple close calls on the river, and a friend of mine has lost a couple phones because they didn't float. This summer, my phone will be in a fluorescent orange Cali Case. Thanks again.
Thank you. Best review I’ve seen on this product so far
Great review, Informative and realistic. Seems like a great starter.
Can see so many people using this. I started with a plastic / hard kayak and then went to advanced elements. Happy with it.
Great videos, nicely and simply explained
Just bought this kayak and this video made me feel a lot better about my purchase!!!
Thank you for the review, very helpful!!
I bought that boat because of this review. thanks man
amazing video! planning to buy one of these for the summer. Thanks for all the info!
Glad it was helpful!
Another great review, greatly explained in details, beautiful images. Few years ago i was thinking getting it, since it is so cheap to start kayaking, but i knew already that i am gona like it a lot so i skipped it and waited for a few years until i got enough money to get something better. And i was not wrong. i spent a bit more on Gumotex Thaya and i am super happy :)
Thanks! I haven't heard of the Thaya. I'll check it out.
I have the K2. Tandem. I simultaneously love it and hate it. It fits in the back seat of my civic with room for my daughter and nephew. It only takes 10 minutes to blow up. It was a birthday present from my wife. The material is more rugged than I’d have guessed. You are spot on about the two-chamber design. Riverside in Maine often have submerged trees. It’s just a matter of time. The legroom is tight in the K2. In the back seat, my legs sit around the front seat. In the front seat, there’s just enough room for my gargantuan 5’7” frame. However, my daughter has a short shelf life for paddling. So I spend most of the time alone in it, and legroom is great then! The K2 is longer and wider and very stable even with a wriggly 10yo. Edging is non existent. The skeg is impressive. I didn’t give it any thought until I forgot to put it on. Without the skeg, tracks like a beach ball. Because it is. With the skeg it does remarkably well. Like a beach all with a skeg! Okay kidding….One comment I have to disagree on is comfort. The seat sucks. There’s pretty much zero lower back support. That’s my biggest complaint as it cuts down my time I can kayak. Just too painful. Something you didn’t mention but mine takes on water horribly. Would I recommend it? Wholeheartedly! For a beginner or extremely occasional use. Or for a glorified pool toy! The paddle is one of my favorite features. It’s lack of rigidity is a clear handicap. But it doesn’t rattle in the middle from looseness. It’s reasonably good. Not outrageously heavy. I like that it’s a 5piece design. I’m looking at Riot 13’ or Aventura 14’ for my next ride. My daughter loves a certain Field and Stream. The seat is perfect for her and that’s no minor concern! I apologize if my comment is longer than your vid…but was jazzed to see you review it.
Ha! Awesome. It's great to get this information from someone who has more than a few hours of experience in it! Thanks for sharing.
My dad owns one and it’s amazing. It can even handle uneven awkward winds and waves. Obviously not meant for bigger waters but for what it is, it’s amazing.
What do you mean by bigger waters?
@@hatersgotohell627rough waters like a fast past rivers things like that
Far from outgrowing this kayak, I have grown into it! I started with a fast, sleek but fairly unstable sea kayak, and when I wanted to do solo saltwater exploring moved to a much more stable wave-piercing sit-on-top, but as I wanted to reduced weight and storage space I bought an Intex K1 and it ticks all the boxes. For sheltered salt water trips (mainly creeks), rivers and lakes I find it ideal, and now have no wish to move on. I started with the K2, hoping my wife might join me, but she has stuck to her SUP. For one person the K1 is a better boat - I love it!
You are awesome! Such a great review!
Jus the answers I needed I saw one a few days Back and now watching your video I’m about to go perchase one thanks
Let me know how it goes!
I bought 1 back when i left the comment. It is a great little kayak and it has helped with my recovery from a heart attack and soothes the mind best buy i have made in long long time. Get one you will not regret it even if you give it to your kid in a year . There is so much fun to be had on this. Love you all.
Thanks for the review!
Love it that you test everything from high to low end. Love your video production values too. Any chance of an Oru Beach review?
Thanks! I do plan to test another Oru model this summer. I'm going to start with the Coast XT, but hopefully I'll be able to test the Beach soon after. Cheers.
Your reviews are always great and practical, thanks! One review I'd love to see you do is of the Delta series of kayaks. I'm particularly interested in the Delta 17, as I'm planning to buy a new touring kayak this year and am looking for options. Cheers!
I wish I could help with the Delta review. Unfortunately, I reached out to the them, and they weren't interested in having me review any of their kayaks. Makes me wonder why.... :) Seriously though... I think they look really nice. Feel free to send Delta's customer service an email telling them they should send me a kayak to review! :)
@@PaddleTV Thank you for your reply, and yes, that is very interesting. But that's an excellent idea! I will reach out and suggest exactly that. Cheers!
What a perfect review video!
I paid $100 for mine on Amazon & have actually seen it go cheaper sometimes. Put it in your cart & keep an eye on I'm a short woman, 5'4", with a big rear & squeezed into this. I have to agree the biggest annoyance was the cargo net holder he mentioned. I folded some fingernails back a couple times on them. Made me want to graduate from it faster. It was fun tho. Easy to pack alone.
I'm sure I was also very entertaining to watch as I came out of the boat onto a floating dock like a sea creature with the boat trying to shoot away & me trying to remember all the RUclips tips to exit a kayak.😄
I bought one of these last year and it's the best purchase EVER.. I paid £100 from Amazon and I take it out on the Scottish lochs that I live beside. I cannot wait for Spring/Summer this year 2022 so I can get out in my kayak again. Never too old.....I'm female age 62 !!!!
I recently bought one of these, my first kayak, likewise for exploring Scottish lochs. Did you have any concerns about getting back in if you capsized? I'd like to be able to get out, go for a swim and get back in safely...
Yes that’s an interesting question. I’ve not fallen out of my inflatable in water above my knees. ( below the knees, many times). And I’m not game to try it out in deeper water. Yes I would like to know too.
Love the positive attitude dude!
:)
I could see adding the next-grade-up of that to my kayak collection. Some days you just want a refreshing view on the water with minimal hassle. The common next-grade-up paddle has a pitfall tho; the aluminum shaft bends under pressure but won't spring back straight.
Re: gear bought due to your channel...We now own 3 Aqua-bound paddles and absolutely love them. We live in a lake side community with many new paddlers and I always refer them to your channel to start learning about gear. Thanks!
Thanks Andrea! Great to hear you're loving them!
Great Review; really helps. Thanks.
Great review!
Bought this for even LESS on Amazon Prime day. Took it to the lagoon and loved it. The only gripe is that I kept rubbing against the sides with my paddle. Also, it goes side to side as you paddle - not straight - as in a hard kayak. Maybe due to short length of the front? Overall though, so happy I got it! Great starter kayak!
I got this very type of Kayak as a birthday present in last years autumn, since we moved to an area with a lot of lakes around and I was openly looking for a way to get onto the water. (Coincidentally also some time after I stumbled over this channel :) ) It is a bit cheaper here in Europe I think, new maybe around 140 dollar? I think it was even cheaper back then.
I inflated it and used it on the very same day and a few more times till winter came. What you described in this video pretty much sums up my experience as well. Even down to the issue with the cargo-net holders :D didn't bruise my hands, but it can get a bit annoying while paddling. Sitting became a bit uncomfortable when using it for 1-2h.
It is really nice to get quickly onto the water, possible to carry by hand or with a bit of rope you can even attach it to a bike in the back. I don't have a car, so that was a necessary bonus for me.
I did use it in some windy-conditions as well - on a lake, not open water, coast was always within swimming reach. Paddling with this against the wind and "waves" is not something I'd recommend for people in a hurry, but I had my fun :D Had no real stability issues there, but also never really went side-ways compared to the waves. Better not to push my luck.
Unfortunately, when taking it to my possible last trip before winter, I discovered that I got a hole into. Must have happened somewhere during storage or transporting, but definitively not on the water.
I could not yet try out the repaired version. Winter came soon afterwards and lakes are basically frozen over uninterrupted since then.
It did do a great job of keeping and increasing my interest in kayaking though, so I used out-of-season sells to buy a hardshell kayak which I'm eagerly waiting for to finally try out. More than a dry sit-in in the garage was not possible yet. And a trailer for the bike to be able to transport it - still got no car, Kayak was higher on the priority list...
I'd recommend it for the purpose it is designed to fulfill: a quick, easy and cheap way to get onto calm waters. There is a K2 version for 2 people as well, if you want to bring someone with you - or want to introduce somebody else to kayaking.
I'll definitively use it the coming summer again when I force friends and family to come with me onto the water :D
Agree with all you said. I have the K2
Awesome! Thanks for sharing your experience with it!
So glad you mentioned the rubber cargo net holder placement. I'd say those knuckle scrapes are a definite deal breaker for me.
Perfect video! Thanks!
This guy loves to sit on the fence. It's a basic kayak for scenic trips not for riding down rapids, no other way to decribe it. It's a budget friendly way to traverse your local rivers and/or lakes, it provides a fun day out exploring local areas from a different perspective and sneaks in a little exercise while you do it. I enjoy using it on calm rivers going through towns and countryside with a pack lunch. Hours of memories and maybe one day I'll spend a little more when I have more space to sort a rigid kayak.
I just moved down south and this is my first kayak. In fact, it will be the first time I've ever been on the water in a kayak or boat by myself. I picked this up a couple days ago on Amazon for $80. Totally looking forward to showing this off to my own viewers.
Nice! Happy paddling!
@@PaddleTV Looking forward to it!
Great review. I found them on Amazon 7th apr 2022. $95.00. My wife and i got paddle boards and i think these kayak will be great for our kids that are 9&11.
$95! It really is amazing... Enjoy the family paddling trips!
thanks!! excited to try it out in Custer, South Dakota!! :-)
Good review. I think this would be fine if one stays on small water on calm days. If you have storage space I would recommend the Tamarack 100. It has a low price and is a very good kayak.
Excellent review presentation. Well done.
Thanks!
I ordered the K2, for 2 people, looking forward to trying it, also had great reviews and even cheaper now, paid only Cad. $199. The K1 is going for Cad. $138.
Nice to see designs like these getting more and more popular. Had considered one myself, but I'm too heavy (300 lbs.) for basically any of them without dropping serious $$$ on one that could support me, so I'm stuck looking for other options.
I just tested a kayak that you might be very interested in... the Decathlon Itiwit 2/3 person kayak. It's around $300, and a much better quality kayak than the Intex Challenger. They call it a 2/3 person kayak, but it's actually a great single kayak too. It's capacity is 500lbs. Here's a link: bit.ly/3Pk7bk9
I love these for travel or for guests at home. Personally, I don't inflate the bottom portion of the seat because I like to be lower, I put a plastic shoe box inside to give me toe room, and I use an 8 foot paddle instead of the one that comes with it because I, too, have long arms. I put it in a rolling suitcase for ease of transportation.
Interesting stuff! Thanks for sharing.
This is so helpful! I'm going to use all of your ideas. tyvm :)
I think you did it and awesome job explaining all the specs. The only question that I had would it do good in creeks.
Great video!
Buying 1 today in the UK £80 new. Thanks for your advice.
Just tried it today did 2 hours not a bad thing for price except the seat was deflated so better not inflate the bottom and you r good!
Hey Ken I have been watching for a while now and I’m interested in what your always reviewing. I was wondering if you could take a look at the Pelican Mustang 100x kayak. I have been looking at it for a while and I wanted to see how good it really was. Keep up the great work!
I got mine for $50 at Menards four years ago. Still going strong and I live on a lake!
I just bought the older version on Amazon for $90. First one! I’ve only been in a kayak twice and I’m super excited to get started.
Well done vid and review, I just bought the larger model.
I use this to set crab pots in the Puget Sound. I made a pvc table to go over the top and rest the pots on before setting them. I don’t use the inflatable seat.
I’ve taken it out in two foot swells and felt pretty safe (doesn’t make it easy to drop pots though).
I have gotten a hole or two that I patched.
This video helped me decide to buy this.
Thank you. I did buy the cheapest kayak. Why not? My main concern is the pump and the weight. I am a 60 yr old skinny lady who normally just chills on the small beach of the neighborhood warm, calm, shallow lake - one of the two best joys of Michigan. Every Saturday, I watch kids play and swimmers of all ages do laps (yes, it is that small) and many young people have inflatable paddle boards and kayaks. I do not have a truck or any old pals who dig my weekend chill routine, and we are running out of summer. Was going to purchase the Outdoor Master pump, which cost as much as the kayak... so I will hope this one works. Can't wait to make people laugh- especially myself!
Very informative.
I only paid $75 for mine back in December! I love it.
I got a good deal on the sea eagle 3 person (paid $150). For me and my son, we are both well over the standard weight limit for regular kayaks but really wanted to enjoy the sport! We found this challenger kayak on sale for $50!! I bought it for my 9 year old to kayak solo and I would use the big one for all our gear. He loves it! We are headed to the beach this weekend and try out hand at ocean surfing with them. I can't wait!!
Awesome! Thanks for sharing!
this review was very helpful. I did buy this kayak on amazon and it is great for what I use it for. I am just starting out on the water and this works really well. I'm still learning how to get out of the kayak. lol.
Great to hear!
Where i am its now selled for only 70$... I got one! Dude for that price its amazing! You can transport it easy to any place. I have a army backpack. It fits in there and i still have 50% space... So you can use it on vacation or local trips. That's a benefit i don't have from a standard highend kayak
Wow, talk about timing. I literally just came home, dropped the Itiwit X500 that I bought to replace my Intex Challenger, and saw this!
Can't believe that price, I paid half that before the 'rona hit. Hopefully it'll be back below $100 at some point - at that price you really can take a gamble on whether you'll like kayaking. But even at $170, I really don't think you can beat the bang for the buck, just in terms of being able to get out there at all. I have a K1 and a K2 (because I'm now too fat for the K1) and take friends out paddling with me all the time. Some of those have gone on to buy K1s.
I find the stability is greatly improved by not inflating the lower part of the seat. It's certainly good enough that I've taken complete beginners out around the islands downtown and nobody's felt anything other than completely safe. I've taken mine on four-day missions, island-hopping my way across the lakes, and even in some conditions I probably shouldn't have been in, overloaded with gear because I'm an idiot, I felt completely confident in the boat.
Definitely do not over-inflate it! It'll split along a seam and be impossible to repair. But I've done that, slowly lost 50% of my buoyancy, and still made it back to shore OK. Losing the bottom half, I was up to my armpits in the boat until I knelt on the sagging floor, then I was able to paddle to shore. Stayed dry throughout, even though the kayak became landfill.
As to the placement of the grab rail: Either Ken's built like a gorilla or my technique sucks. Or both! Never had a problem with it, never even came close to grazing my knuckles on it. I'm 5'11".
And the flex in the paddle blades, that's not a bug, that's a feature! Probably saved the paddle from snapping :P
Pro-tip for K2 owners: You can clip the seat strap into both clips on the same side, roll the deflated seat around it, and make yourself a very comfy carrying strap. Much easier way to carry it, great for a long walk from car to water.
In short: Buy it. Treat it with the respect any inflatable thing on the water deserves. And who knows, you might just find yourself slightly sad to be outgrowing it and looking for better. I've had several years of fun with mine, I'm not done with them yet despite the brand new X500, and I'd recommend them to anyone.
Ha! That's a great visual I have of you paddling with the boat at your armpits! Thanks for sharing everything here. Great information for people!
Great review! So happy to see a new video from you. Winter is sooooo long.
If you want to review a foldable kayak, you can use my TuckTec. I live a couple of hours away in La Belle Province. :)
It was my first kayak that allowed me to dip my toes in the sport before upgrading.
Cheers!
Thanks! I actually just got a TuckTec to review, and I'm really looking forward to it. It'll have to wait until the ice melts though!
@@PaddleTV Awesome! In the meantime fight the urge to use it as one of those crazy carpet toboggans. ;-)
Ha! I wish you hadn't given me that idea....
Thanks ! The right person for the review I was looking for. I DO have a Sevylor HD inflatable sea kayak and an Old Town hard kayak, both of which I love. But I was looking for something a bit more compact and light, to stow in my Jeep TJ for my long trips to just have on hand ~in case~ I found water I wanted to float. Usually remote edges of Lake Powell or mountain lakes / ponds I 4x4 to, and want to get out on the water and maybe fish. (I know this boat may be sketchy with hooks around it so may avoid that). Avoiding the high price of a kokopelli or similar for right now. I got this intex on amazon for $64 bucks ! hehehe. Yeah, disposable in my mind. But it alows me to bring all my toys (mnt bike, boat, snow shoes.....yadda yadda...) and top notch off road and camp gear saving some weight and space. And again, having a kayak in case. On trips that will focus on a significant amount of paddling I'll grab one of the others. This one would also let me bring it as boat #2 for a friend.
Anyway....THANKS ! good stuff from an obvious "go-to" subject matter expert.
Great video, it looks great
Wow, $170. I got mine for the now price of $90.79 + tx. LOVE IT!
New to the sport. Was contemplating the purchase of one- hesitant only because the cheap price (usually translate into cheap product/experience). However, after watching/listening your video (very carefully) .. I AM SOLD. Will purchase for my birthday (this month). Thank you.
Here's a comparison with a slightly more expensive inflatable that might be helpful: ruclips.net/video/cRlRaqZEUbg/видео.html
@@PaddleTV GM. XU. Very informative. Choosing SMART! Will purchase the AVANCED E over the INTEX ($360 .. $90 .. respectively on AMAZON).. Will get my money's worth (... live in MIAMI.. 25 mins from the beach... probably use it twice/week- it hasn't snowed here in years- so multiplied by 52 weeks will get 104 experiences, each at $3.46 ... pretty good deal). Thank You for sharing your invaluable experience.
Haha, I've been waiting for this review since you mentioned it last year in one of the comments. I bought the Challenger K1 in April 2021 (for 76£ on Amazon UK) and used it throughout the season. After gaining initial experience and finding out kayaking really is for me, I now moved on just like you said here. But I still love this little craft and will use it from time to time. One important thing with it is to inflate the top part less and leave it softer, otherwise you can really get it burst on you on a hot day... so no 1PSI here, please... 😉
I had an old broken inflatable pool mattress - I cut the pillow off it, took the original K1's "footrest" out and put that pillow in instead. After blowing it up, it effectively formed semi-rigid foot brace under the deck, which allowed me to transfer more power into paddling. Also, I used the Itiwit x100 paddle for a moment instead of the 5-piece one that comes with Challenger. The x100 has aluminium shaft and nylon blades but it's stiff like nothing else in this price range.
Ken, now it's high time for a review of Decathlon's Itiwit x500 Strenfit: full drop stitch (10 PSI), hydrodynamic V-shaped hull, decked, can take a spray skirt, has foot pegs... that's the second kayak I'm waiting for you to review (although I already have it). I'm really interested in hearing your unbiased opinion on that one too.😁
I've just upgraded from K1 to X500, but it's winter in Finland so I haven't had the new one out on the water and won't for several months. How did you get on, making that transition? I'm expecting to be thrown into the drink a few times.
@@6yjjk I'm in the same situation as you... bought the x500 Strenfit in November (I'm in the south of the UK) and waiting for some reasonable temperatures to take it out... 😅
I don't know if I'm going to be capsizing. Last year I decided to learn how to paddle properly, I was watching videos of kayak sprint professionals, and had a chance to train on kayak ergometer a little... I even bought a sprinting paddle (Epic small mid wing), curious how this combination works out in the end. I will be kayaking mainly around the southern coast, the sea sometimes tends to be really calm here (Worthing and neighboring areas).
Also, I want to test that wing paddle with my Challenger one day, that might turn out to be something crazy, especially if I manage to get 4-5kph out of this little craft... will be fun to see - a 76£ kayak and a 330£ paddle... for science 😂
Nice! Sorry for the wait. :) I really want to test the x500. They don't have it in stock at the moment, but they're supposed send me a review version when they have it in late spring. Here's hoping!
@@PaddleTV That's great news! I look forward to seeing it then 👍
By that time I'll also have experienced it myself so I'll have a good comparison. Thank you and have great paddling days 😁
Thank you for the review. Have you ever thought of doing a Tucktec review? I'm curious.
Stay tuned! It's coming this season!
Have the k1 and k2 and love them best buy ever 👍
Amazon just had them on sale for less than $100! We've had ours 6 almost 7 years now. We got them (two K1's and a K2 Tandem) as an entry into the idea of Kayaking with the family. We had a ton of fun with them! We keep them for friends and relatives as an introduction to kayaking for them :) My at the time almost 2 year old would crawl into the front of the K2 and fall asleep as soon as we got out on the water. Make mom do all the work ;)
7 years! That's amazing. Is Mom still doing all the work on the water, or have you trained them to help? :)
@@PaddleTV He got his own little JR. sit on top this year for his birthday,, so he can do his own work :) and mom finally got her hardshell this year too!
We call these booze barges. You will see them on my local river hauling beers usually attached to some tubers. It serves as a kayak just enough to tow the tubes to the takeout, and that's fine. There are plenty of people who enjoy them, and occasionally someone upgrades to a rec boat.
Just bought one. It'll be here on Tuesday 😊 just in time for a long weekend of camping 🏕 and yaking.
Awesome! Have a great weekend!
I bought a Sevylor Rio (single) as my first boat. Hopeless in any wind and poor in calm conditions - a different boat with a retrofitted skeg but takes ages to dry.
Next boat was a Feelfree Nomad SOT - amazing improvement but a lot heavier and needed a roof rack and a boat shed.
The latest (and current) boat is Dagger Axis 10.5E - a bullet by comparison but getting in and out not so easy - perhaps I should have taken this up before I retired! I am persevering with the Dagger as it’s a great boat, easy to paddle and fast - kayak camping this year if I can work out how to fit a C-Tug and camping gear in/on the boat.
Great channel Ken - love it.
Good stuff, Ken. Thanks for doing this. I got a Costo inflatable a few years ago and kind of hate it. 🤷♂️👍🙂
Ha! Thanks for the honesty. :)
Just bought one of these to mess around on, cant wait 😂
Dear Sir, thanks for this helpful information. Appreciated.
You are most welcome!
Got the K2, awesome so far 😎
As long as it's not so bad that it makes the buyer hate kayaking. On the other hand, I would look for a used rotomolded boat if you don't need an inflatable for storage and transportation. Our family's Perception Keowee is about the same size, barely heavier, very stable and a lot of fun to paddle. It's 20 years old at least and it might as well be brand new.
Thank you for this. The challenger [2 seaters] was my very first kayak. I have moved on quite a bit since then. At first it seemed ok ish but soon it started to lose shape, one side seemed to inflate more than the other giving it a crooked appearance and I also hated how it would sag in the middle with my weight. Absolute crap. I bought my daughter and aquamarina Betta that cost less than double and we are still finding it a far superior inflatable and still extremely cheap. Last year I invested in a skin on proper kayak but I also own an Aquaglide Deschute 130. It is extremely light [9.5 kilos] and has an interesting solid floor. Extremely portable and quick to inflate. It is much more expensive. The bow does, however, drift a bit and with it being very wide it is not the fastest. I wonder if you would consider doing a review of it? I would be very interested to know what you think. Thanks. Enrica
Fantastic review.
I'd love to see you review the Itiwit 100 2/3person & the Aqua Marina Mamba 2person Cross stitch, if possible.
I was able to review one of those kayaks, check out the review of the Itiwit: ruclips.net/video/czmZkXbguAs/видео.html
@@PaddleTV
Bought the itiwit & fully waterproofed the fabric to aid drying out time.
Also bought this Challenger at a winter half price bargain as a quick fun thing to do the odd hour.
got it use, but never used for 60-$-Can with a balloon for feet confort. i'm experienced paddler but broke, that was my option to paddle this summer.... I really like it for what it is :)