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Are you wanting to try out kayaking with the family? But worried it’s just too big and difficult to store and transport? We are always supporting those brands that can break down barriers to enable everyone to enjoy the water. The Intex Challenger K1 is one of them, being one of the best-valued kayaks available today, it has all the features and accessories you need to get out on the water and have some fun.
Intex is a market leader in inflatable technologies from swimming pools and spas to inflatable mattresses and beach toys. With over 40 years of experience in the market, there really is no better company to choose from.
Their latest kayak is the Intex Challenger K1 and it’s a great looking option, which is the perfect boat for beginners, easy to use, and super fun.
Keep on reading to find out some more about this affordable inflatable kayak.
Specifications
| Length | 9’ |
| Width | 30” |
| Weight | 24 lbs |
| Weight Capacity | 220 lbs |
Review
Intex Challenger K1
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Portability - 10/1010/10
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Storage - 8/108/10
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Toughness - 6/106/10
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Comfort - 7/107/10
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Tracking - 6/106/10
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Versatility - 6/106/10
Summary
This is the most affordable inflatable kayak you’ll ever find, you get a tremendous amount of value for the money you’re paying. If you’re on a budget but still want to give kayaking a go, this is the inflatable you should buy. It’s not a high end kayak by any means, but it does the job, getting you out on the water and letting you experience kayaking. It doesn’t track very well and it’s not too durable either, but for the amount of money you’re paying, that is to be expected. We recommend taking it to calm waters to have the best experience possible.
Materials
Intex has been a brand leader in inflatable components for over 40 years, over this time they have researched and studied just what is needed for each product to excel.
The Challenger K1 inflatable kayak is no exception by using a rugged laminated vinyl that has been welded, this allows the kayak to hold its shape and offer maximum durability.
The sturdy i-beam floor helps the boat to be rigid even with the largest rider.
As always the styling has to be important and Intex’s use of color certainly helps this inflatable kayak stand out from the crowd. The green, black, and blue styling are exciting and fun.
Seat
The Challenger K1 incorporates a large, oversized inflatable seat. Designed for maximum comfort the seat is super adjustable.
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.
The inflatable seat is really comfortable and offers a great amount of support for long days out on the water.
Deck lines + Bungee
Being able to easily stow everything you need for a day on the water is important. That’s why Intex has incorporated both a front cargo area and rear deck line.
The front cargo area allows for accessories, shoes, and water to be safely stowed within reach of the seat for easy access. The rear deck line is super versatile with a whole host of uses from aiding re-entry to tieing on when a child is using close to the shore. The well-placed rope can be used for storage or safety.
Fins
The Intex Challenger K1 has a removable skeg included in the package, this is ideal for aiding directional stability and helping the kayak to track in a straight line.
Inflatable kayaks like sups are lightweight and susceptible to being pushed off course by wind or waves. That is why the Challengers removable skeg is necessary for helping you reach your destination. Of course, you can paddle the kayak without the fin, this is great in shallow conditions to stop you from getting hung up on weeds.
Inflate/Deflate
Using only 1-3 PSI of pressure the Challenger K1 from Intex is super easy to inflate. In just 5 minutes you can go from getting out of the car to paddling away from the beach.
The chambers are easily accessible and fast to inflate with the included high volume pump. Deflating is fast and easy by opening the valves allows the air to release quickly so you can roll it up and pack it away stress-free.
Overall Performance
Intex has always taken all of their products seriously, striving to make improvements and developments in both performance and technologies. The latest edition of the Challenger K1 is no exception.
As soon as the postman had left the carton we were like children at Christmas, eager to open it and find out what was inside.
As we cracked open the lid we found everything we needed right there in the carton. Kayak, pump, repair kit, and breakdown paddle, the only thing we needed to add was a life jacket which we had already.
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.
On the water, the Challenger K1 feels soft and very comfortable. It is not a performance piece and certainly won’t look to break any records but it felt extremely stable and easy to control.
The added rudder helped us to stay straight without any difficulty only slight yaw in its tracks.
We managed to paddle one of our favorite courses around a secluded bay we found the Challenger to take it in its stride.
For children, the Challenger K1 is an extremely fun option with its worst-case scenario of tipping over extremely unlikely due to its stability.
If by chance you do end up in the water, then the Challenger K1 is extremely buoyant, floating to the surface and self-bailing before you re-enter.
Overall we found the Intex Challenger K1 one of the most comfortable kayaks we have tested with its adjustable, inflatable seat giving all-day support and comfort. The superb package from Intex is a great price and guarantees years of fun on the water.
Accessories
Paddle
A paddle is your engine. It’s your way of moving the kayak around and luckily for you, Intex understands its importance. They’ve included a simple break down paddle that stores easily to the package. This means that you can really hit the water right from the get-go.
Pump
Intex understands a thing or two about inflatables and that’s why they have chosen to include their own high output, double action pump. This means that your pump inflates both on the upwards and downwards strokes so you get maximum results for the least effort. The compact pump design is easy to carry and store, inflating the kayak reasonably quickly to allow you to start your adventure.
Repair Kit
A simple repair kit is included with each inflatable kayak. This includes a couple of patches and a valve tool. It is important to familiarise yourself with all of these items so if disaster strikes you can repair and be back on the water as soon as possible.
Pros
- The value of this kit is amazing: an inflatable kayak, paddle, hand pump, and repair patch is great value for money.
- Fast and easy to set up
- Lightweight and portable for any adventure
- Fun for all of the family
- Stylish color scheme
- Paddle and pump included for convenience
- Removable skeg ideal to aid tracking and stability
Cons
- Not suitable for open waters
- Only one color option available
- Designed for recreational use and not performance
Conclusion
So you’ve read what we think now it’s time to really make up your mind. If you want fun and excitement for a low startup cost that will last, then this is for you. Everything is included ready to hit the water straight from the carton.
The Challenger has really been designed as an introductory kayak. Its simple and easy set-up design will get you on the water as fast as possible with no prior knowledge needed.
Intex also offers a Challenger K2 model, this is a two-seat version which is slightly bigger. By adding the second seat means you can share the experience safely with friends or family.
The Intex Challenger K1 is one of our favorite inflatable kayaks purely due to its ease of use. if you want hassle-free fun delivered direct to your door for an awesome price then look no further.
