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Intex Challenger Series
The Inext Challenger series comprises the inflatable kayaks and small boats in the lower price range. They are incredibly popular with families, in particular, considering their relatively cheap prices, ease of use and set up, and general safety.
The Intex Challenger K2 is their two-man inflatable kayak, the bigger brother of the Intex Challenger K1 inflatable kayak. This very well-priced kayak is great for couples, families, or just someone looking to find a new way to explore the water.
Intex Challenger K2 Breakdown
- Streamlined design for easy paddling and steering
- High visibility of kayak makes it easy to see, a brilliant safety feature
- Aluminium paddles and high output pump included
- Incredibly strong vinyl that is puncture and UV resistant
- 400-pound weight limit
- Very compact and lightweight
- 2 separate air chambers
- Quick and easy inflation and deflation
- I-Beam flooring increases
- Reasonably priced, very budget friendly
In-Depth Review of the Intex Challenger K2 Inflatable Kayak
With all of our reviews, we like to take the product out and put it through its paces, the Challenger K2 is no different. We found a lovely little lake, it didn’t have any strong currents or waves.
This review was more focused on how well the kayak did as a recreational piece of gear. It is designed for the whole family, beginner and expert kayakers, and we wanted to see if it was fun and enjoyable.
Ease of Transport and Inflation
Like with every inflatable kayak, how easy it is to transport and how quickly it inflates is half of the reason you would get one. You want something that is compact, that can fit in your car or pack, and something that inflates in a matter of minutes.
The kayak is lightweight and very easy to carry and move, and the high-output pump that is included with the kayak allowed us to inflate it very quickly without too many problems. We parked the car inflated the kayak and got all our gear ready in less than 15 minutes.
Our Rating – 5/5
Comfort
The kayak comes with two inflatable seats with backrests, which provide a relatively good amount of support and comfort while you are in the water. You just have to ensure they are fully inflated before heading out on the water.
Many people feel inflatable seats aren’t always the best as they tend to fall back too easily and you have to use your own strength to sit upright, we didn’t find this problem with the K2 seats, they stayed comfortable for the duration of the trip.
Our Rating – 4/5
How it Paddles
Another problem that some people discover once they buy an inflatable kayak, is that the sides are either too high or too low. Too high, and paddling becomes uncomfortable and difficult, too low, and you risk capsizing while paddling.
We found the K2 to be pretty easy to paddle, you feel comfortable and secure while paddling, and considering we weren’t trying to go as fast as we could and paddle with huge amounts of strength, it worked very well.
Our Rating – 4/5
One-Man vs Two-Man
The K2 is designed to be a two-man kayak, but it works just as well as a one-man kayak. The vessel is just as easy to control and steer, and with less weight in it, you are able to cut through the water much quicker.
We don’t suggest allowing younger kids to use this kayak by themselves, as it may become too unwieldy in rougher waters, but accompanied by an adult will definitely make it easier and far more enjoyable.
Our Rating – 5/5
Durability
The K2 is incredibly rugged and durable, with the strength coming from the incredibly high-quality vinyl. This vinyl is not only punctured resistant but also protects your kayak against UV damage, no need to worry about spending too much time in the sun.
The interior of the kayak has two, incredibly strong main air chambers. These chambers are designed to stop you from sinking, in the instance of a puncture, one air chamber will deflate, but the other one will allow you to stay afloat and reach shore.
The inflatable I-Beam flooring adds an immense amount of rigidity to the hull of the kayak. You don’t feel like you are on a waterbed when you are out paddling, but it is very similar to the feel of a hardshell kayak.
Our Rating – 5/5
Extras
The K2 has a very spacious main cockpit, which can easily and comfortably fit the two inflatable seats and backrests. The high-visibility graphics make the kayak incredibly easy to see, maximising safety on the water.
It is fitted with a cargo net which can store essential gear. The kayak also has grab lines on either end for easy carrying. The full package includes two 86-inch aluminium oars, a high-capacity pump, and a patch repair kit.
Our Rating – 5/5
Price
With regards to price, the K2 is definitely on the cheaper side, it is, in fact, the cheapest two-man kayak we have reviewed. Cheaper definitely does not mean lower quality in this case, and you shouldn’t let the price make you think it’s not worth it.
If you are looking for a two-man kayak that has a few more features, is bigger, and more versatile, we suggest the Sea Eagle SE370. It is great for whitewater, fishing, and of course, recreational paddles.
Our Rating – 5/5
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Very well-priced
- Fun for the whole family
- High-quality build and materials
- Puncture and UV-resistant
- Two paddles, high-output pump, and repair kit included
Cons
- Not very versatile
- Can’t be used at sea
- Will struggle in strong and rough waters
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Intex Challenger K2 is another quality product from Intex, that we can easily give a score of ⅘ to. It does its job as a recreational two-man kayak incredibly well. It is a great piece of gear next time you head out camping or to the lake.
If you are looking for something that is more versatile, this may not be the best choice for you, but if you are just looking for a solid investment that the whole family can enjoy, you can’t go wrong with the K2.
