Intex Excursion Pro K1 Kayak
Summary
Price At Time Of Writing | $179.99
Our Overall Rating | 69 out of 100
Pros - Fairly stable, easy to dry
Cons - Slow, less durable
Overall - Stable, ok handling. Just slow & made with thin materials
Technical Specifications
Open Size - 120x36in
Weight - 37lbs
Load Capacity - 220lbs
Packed Size - 23x20x13in
Our Analysis & Ratings
This kayak is fairly stable and easy to handle for its price point. The Intex Excursion Pro K1 is made of thin materials, which, while prone to puncture, are easy to dry. If you're mostly going to be using the kayak on calm rivers, then we'd say this is a decent lower-cost option for recreational paddling.
Performance (speed, tracking, maneuverability, stability, load handling): 4/10
Speed: It drags in the water at times, and it took us more effort to get up to speed. We also wouldn't want to use it in conditions that are too rough, it's more bouncy than sleek and would be a lot of effort to battle against the waves.
Tracking: Surprisingly, it tracks quite well in a straight line.
Maneuverability: Despite its wide width, we were still able to maneuver without much effort and keep it stable, which was really good to see and is great for its price.
Construction (materials, seams, valve quality, durability and fittings): 2/10
With a PVC vinyl laminate and polyester core, this was a little flimsy for our liking. There were instances that worried us while maneuvering through rocky areas, as we felt one scrape too many could puncture the kayak.
Setup/Pack Down (inflation time, valves, folding, and drying): 5/10
Though it is easy to inflate, the valves are a bit hard to work with when pumping. However, drying time wasn't an issue, as PVC dries very quickly.
Portability (weight, packed size, ease of carrying): 4/10
One of the heavier kayaks we reviewed at 37lbs, however, it folds down to quite a small size. We marked it down, as it does sacrifice a bit of quality in the materials to increase portability.
Comfort (seat support, legroom, fatigue over distance): 4/10
The features that give this a boost in comfort are its ergonomic backrests and removable footrests, but the inflatable seats, unfortunately, don't create a good firm surface to paddle against.
Value for money:
For the price, it's an ok budget option, though the thin materials and slow speed mean it's best kept to recreational use in good conditions rather than anything more demanding.
Best for:
Casual, recreational paddling in good conditions
Budget-conscious buyers
Calm water rather than rough conditions
Paddlers who value easy drying and quick setup over speed
Overall:
A fairly stable kayak with average handling, but the materials are flimsy. However, if you're after something at the cheaper end of the scale that will get you on the water, this does the trick.
