They are made of thick inflatable material (thicker than a beach lilo for example), but less thick than some other inflatable kayaks on the market – but as I say, no problems as of yet. If you want a total package but would prefer something that's more durable and a better paddling experience all around, the Sea Eagle 370 Pro is the tandem we'd recommend. Then, you have to add the fin to the based of the kayak, inflate the seat by mouth (usually takes a couple of minutes) and clip it into the kayak, before connecting the oar poles. Whether you want it rock solid or a little softer is up to you, but once in the boat, you can adjust the angle of the backrest with the simple webbing. Good, robust quality product with good features, including net storage at the front, comfortable adjustable inflatable seat.

There are also frequent questions about the differences between the Intex Challenger K2 and the Intex Explorer K2. A grab line at each end is provided for your convenience, as well as a cargo net for extra storage and a repair patch kit.With so much of the boat under the surface of the water, the Challenger takes a little more effort to turn and maneuver. The material of the bag is so thin that already after the first use there was a small hole in the bottom. On the other hand, the drip rings, which reduce splashing water in the boat, are a positive feature. We unrolled the Challenger and started pumping, within 5 minutes we were on the water with a quick snap of the paddle and we were away.

However, you should not forget that a high-quality paddle often costs more than the whole Intex boat. It just needs 80 pumps to fully inflate the lower chamber and 60 for the upper chamber, taking about 3 minutes in total, based on muscles and fitness! For those items, there’s a mesh cargo net on the bow and grab line around the bow and stern so you can strap or lash more gear (waterproof gear or in a dry bag) on top of the kayak. Manoeuvring around corners wasn’t too bad, but it just doesn’t stay in constant forward movement and its lack of a hard surface on the bottom means it doesn’t go particularly fast either. The skeg is definitely a must-have for the kayak because it improved the performance on the water a lot.We timed ourselves the first two times we inflated our kayaks, both times right on shore next to a launch point. Can fit nozzle to other side of pump and rapidly deflate too (like one of those vacuum clothes bags), waaaay easier than pump/waiting/rolling on it and small/light enough to carry with you! Setup/Pack down - We suggest that you BYO pump since it is hard to work with the supplied pump, but it is fairly easy to inflate once attached.

The Intex Excursion Pro K2 is another solid choice for a complete package and outperforms the Challenger in every way. It is not a performance piece and certainly won’t look to break any records but it felt extremely stable and easy to control. lbs each, which is not too heavy for an entry-level double paddle) definitely serve their purpose for beginners and are comfortable to paddle for short distances. Inflatable kayaks like sups are lightweight and susceptible to being pushed off course by wind or waves. If you have got some experience with inflatable kayaks, you will also notice that the material is not as thick as used for high-quality inflatables.Compared to other inflatable kayaks, the Challenger K2 is somewhat sluggish and reacts slowly to a change of direction. It doesn't win any awards, but we think there are several valid reasons to purchase the Challenger K2.