INTEX Challenger Inflatable Kayak Series: Includes Deluxe 86in Kayak Paddles and High-Output Pump – SuperStrong PVC – Adjustable Seat with Backrest – Removable Skeg – Cargo Storage Net

I’m new to kayaking. I had resisted for years, thinking it to be a confining death trap. Then my FOMO got the best of me. I tried it and, turns out I’m a kayaker. Not the kind who buys a hard-sided rig with all the accoutrements. I can rent those for longer or more difficult water. For local paddles in smooth water this kayak is perfect for me. As its product description states, it’s not for rapids. This is no problem for me as I wouldn’t be comfortable doing those even with a hard-sides kayak. I have two friends with the same kayak who let me try theirs first. I hoped I wouldn’t feel as though I was paddling around in a blow up mattress. Happily this kayak feels pretty substantial for an inflatable. Enough so that I purchased mine, on sale to boot. I think mine is an improvement over the friends’ models. The valves on my model (purchased in late 2021) are much easier to cap when filling and, more importantly, to open when deflating. I live in a warm climate but my fingers are often chilled and tired at the end of a paddle, when I most want to break down and leave quickly. By contrast with the borrowed kayak, I can open the valves myself without resorting to a tool fashioned from PVC that my friend uses to open her valves. Set up is surprisingly easy with the supplied air pump. It’s faster than getting an electric air pump. It is a bit of a work out. I try to think of it as a warm up before paddling. If I could wave my magic wand, the pump’s foot stem would be longer so I could stand up straight. I tried sitting on a camp chair but it works best and fastest standing. OP have mentioned this in their reviews and I concur; I, too, have waved my behind embarrassingly a few times, finding just the right back-saving position when pumping up my kayak. Still, it’s a matter of about 15 minutes to get it ready to go. I am 5’ 8”. The length is a bit stunted for me if I put the uterus-shaped float thingy in the bow. It is meant to keep the kayak from dipping in front. I use it for this reason but it does take up precious foot room. The seat is comfortable enough. There are Velcro strips and straps to keep it in place. Because I have to move the seat back as it will go so I can have leg room, I must sit bolt upright. I have a 6’ 3” buddy who wanted to try mine to see if he wanted one. We came to the conclusion that anyone taller than me would be happiest with the two-seater, using only one seat. Happily there is a two-seater version. The paddle is decent to get started. I plan to purchase something more suited to my skills but the included one is easy to assemble and will get you moving. I keep my supplies, including the pump and small repair kit for just-in-case, in a dry bag which I lash to my kayak with the net. There’s no space inside the kayak for stuff but this works for me. Another upgrade I plan to make is to add lights. We often paddle on a town lake after dark. It’s not easy but I found I can use my bike lights. It takes a bit of faffing to get the lights pointed correctly, especially to the rear. Sometimes I just wear my headlamp backwards with the red light on. It’s very durable for the way I use it. I haven’t tested the durability in places that might be rocky or with sharp trees, mainly because those are far enough distant that I prefer to rent hard-sided. Not a knock against this kayak, I think it would hold up. It just takes up a lot of space. While easy to transport locally, for longer trips that might include luggage and several people, it takes up too much room. I bought IKEA bags with straps that I use instead the included carry bag. The shape of the bags make folding up (dry, never, never store it wet) easier. It also means I can never fold it the same way twice, a good thing so as not to stress a fold and develop leaks. Overall I’m happy with my purchase. And even happier when I’m on the water in minutes.

If you’re thinking about trying kayaking but don’t know if it’s something you’re gonna want to stick with past a single summer, this really is a great way to test the waters. ((full pun intended)) It’s cheap, easy, and if you decide you don’t like it, you don’t have a giant plastic boat laying around you have to try and sell… Take the time to dry and fold it up after each use in the handy carry bag they provide and it’s super convenient to toss one ((or more)) in the truck of a small car and go off on adventure. No giant roof racks you have to install on your car and pray it doesn’t scratch the paint. No trying to manhandle a bulky heavy boat possibly by yourself… I know a lot of people gave poor reviews to this inflatable kayak because it’s inflatable, but honestly, all I can think is they must not have been doing it right because things went fantastic from the first time out. Luckily, I guess for me, I was very excited to try kayaking, but skeptical of an inflatable boat. So in addition to reading reviews here on Amazon, I also watched the “unboxing” videos other customers provided. This turned out to be a blessing because in doing so I learned you want to inflate the boat past what you think you need to. Also that there’s TWO Boston valves you need to fill and one is hidden inside the boat. A lot of people complain about maneuvering and it sinking but I’ve learned that comes from not inflating the boat enough. This isn’t a pool tube, you need to make sure it has enough air to function right. Basically, use your little powered air pump to fill it as far as it will go, then use the provided foot pump to give it 8-12 more pumps. You will have a much stiffer boat that’s easier to use. As for the handling, I’m not sure it would be the best for river rapids where rocks or branches could cause it to pop, but for some weekend lake paddling it’s super nice, and a ton of fun! It can be a little hard to squeeze in and out of, especially if you’ve got long legs like me ((I’m 5’10”)) but after a few tries I got the trick of it, and can even pull my legs out in the water and straddle the boat to cool off. The videos and other review also mentioned good ways to dry your kayak before deflation so it doesn’t get musty in storage. One thing they don’t tell you as an inexperienced kayaker:: it WAY easier to get in from the ground than a dock. Take the boat out into the water about a foot deep so the fin doesn’t scrape the bottom of the lake. Straddle the boat and lower yourself down. Then bring your legs in. Far less chance of tipping all over the place. The paddle is decent. Compared to the paddles provided by different inflatable kayak companies my friends got their boats from, this one is a real nice quality. Neither the paddles nor the pole are super flimsy and the paddles are rounded for easy movement. They will also float for moment so you don’t have to panic if you drop it in the water. I can easily get up a nice little bit of speed with it. Wouldn’t try and use it for competition kayaking or anything, but all in all this whole set up is exactly what I said. A nice, inexpensive way to test out kayaking and see if it’s for you before dropping huge amounts of money on big plastic boat you have to store, clean, mount to the roof of your car, etc… If I had a single complaint about this boat it’s that my friends’ boats had places to pop the paddle in and hold it on the side of their boats, while I have to juggle mine.

Well built. Good material. But border police stopped me from using on open sea.

Sorunsuz, sağlam duruyor. Bayıldımmm

🚣‍♂️ Le kayak K2 Explorer est tout simplement INCROYABLE ! 🤩 Après plus de 500 heures sur l'eau, je peux vous dire qu’il est ultra stable, très robuste, et procure un vrai plaisir de navigation 🌊🔥. ⚠️ ATTENTION : ne le gonflez pas trop ! Sinon, l’une des valves devient très difficile à dévisser 😅. Il faut bien respecter les pressions indiquées ✅ – tout est clairement renseigné dans la notice, donc prenez le temps de bien suivre les instructions 📝👌. La qualité des pagaies est également au top 🏅 – solides, légères et efficaces 💪. Franchement, pour ce prix, c’est une valeur sûre, même après des heures d'utilisation intensive ! Un grand bravo pour ce produit qui m’accompagne sur tous mes parcours 👏🌞🌿

Works as expected, a bit struggle with getting the air out before folding, and the paddle blades could have been stiffer, but overall very good for the price level. (I have used it frequently during first 2-3 w so no long term experience)

Pagato 144 euro ,dopo averlo visto identico in spiaggia dove sto in vacanza, chiedo al proprietario che impressioni avesse sul Kayak Intex Challenger 2 posti. Me ne ha parlato molto bene. Così, ho deciso di acquistarlo anch' io e da 2 giorni lo sto usando al mare con mio figlio di 17 anni . Ti arriva in un robusto scatolone dove all'interno il tutto è riposto dentro una sacca morbida ,facile da trasportare per quanto un po' pesanti a. Una volta estratto il kayak , con l'apposita pompa in dotazione in max 10 Min. lo gonfi. Attenzione: ci sono sul kayak 2 punti dove misurare la dilatazione delle camere d'aria ,in modo da non incorrere in deformazioni o scoppi delle stesse. E c'è un semplice misuratore contenuto nella busta trasparente delle istruzioni . Sullo scatolone poi è riportato il massimo peso che lo scafo può sostenere ed indica 180kg totali. Ma la Intex consiglia vivamente un peso max di 160kg ed io mi sto attendendo a questo indice di carico. Tanto tra me e mio figlio arriviamo a 148kg totali. Dopo il gonfiaggio, gonfiare e collocare le due sedute e intuitivo, così come montare/assemblare le due pagaie e la pinna di deriva, sottostante lo scafo che va fatta scorrere su di una slitta con un fondo corsa con blocco a scatto. Difficile poi perderla, molto facile danneggiarla se si vuole salire sul kayak a bordo riva . In acqua: salirci è facile, difficile che tenda a ribaltarsi. Durante le prime pagaiare, sempre utilizzato con mio figlio, ho provato a spostarmi rapidamente col peso a destra e poi a sinistra più volte,per vedere quanto fosse stabile : ti devi proprio buttare a peso morto di lato per andare in acqua. Quindi, per il ns complessivo peso è molto stabile. Manovrabilità ottima, chiaramente considerando che la struttura è morbida rispetto ad uno scafo in vetroresina. Struttura in gomma bella spessa con valvole Boston di gonfiaggio ottime. Per sicurezza però ho portato a bordo due giubbotti salvagente che ancora non ho indossato ,visto che non mi sono poi spinto ancora lontano. Ma li consiglio e li ho presi omologati 150N . La sicurezza prima di tutto. Consiglio il prodotto? Certamente sì , per chi come me alla fine lo userà solo per le ferie estive. E poi anche gonfio, lo trasporti fino al tetto dell'auto da solo. E poi per il prezzo pagato...il divertimento e un po' di sana attività fisica sono assicurati.