Intex Challenger K2
Summary
Price At Time Of Writing | £129.99
Our Overall Rating | 64 out of 100
Pros - Simple, stable and cheap
Cons - Uncomfortable and not durable
Overall - A budget, family kayak
Technical Specifications
Open Size - 351x76cm
Weight - 17.3kg
Load Capacity - 181kg
Packed Size - 71x46x30cm
Our Analysis & Ratings
The Intex Challenger K2 is a kayak for the casual and occasional recreational paddler. It’s a simple, budget kayak that has impressive stability, and its streamlined design means even first-time kayakers will find it easy to paddle along. It can be a little uncomfortable and squishy, but for the price, it’s a great family kayak.
Performance - The Intex Challenger K2 has great stability with a streamlined design for easy paddling, even for first-timers. The chunky side tubes can interfere with paddling, especially for smaller paddlers, but it’s easy to get in and out and the paddles are quite long and reach the water easily. It also doesn't go very fast and if you forget to attach the skeg, it’s not stable and will likely tip while paddling.
Construction - The vinyl material of the Challenger K2 feels a bit flimsy compared to other kayaks, with the seams clearly visible. It comes with aluminium paddles, a pump and a repair kit, and is built with an inflatable L-beam floor and low-profile deck for comfortable paddling. The seats are a little short, so they are not the best for reclining.
Setup/Pack down - The Intex Challenger K2 inflatable kayak takes less than 8 minutes to set up with the 3-point inflation and the pressure gauge allows you to see when it's at the right pressure. An extra pump is handy to bring, though, as the included pump is small and can be a pain. Packing it down is easy as it's a fairly small kayak and it's easy to dry and deflate.
Portability - The duffel the Challenger K2 comes in has plenty of space for a life vest or two and stores away easily in a cupboard. The paddles are light as well, so the whole pack is not heavy to carry down to the water, however, the thin handles can make it difficult to carry.
Comfort - The kayak is a bit squishy and cramped to sit in, especially for larger paddlers. The backrests are a tad short, so are not great for those who enjoy reclined paddling. It does, however, have adjustable seats and cargo nets for storage. The cockpit isn’t waterproof, though, so don’t expect your belongings to remain dry.
Overall - The Intex Challenger K2 is not going to win awards, but it’s a cheap and simple budget kayak that’s good for paddling on lakes and calm rivers.
