Itiwit X500 2P
Summary
Price At Time Of Writing | £1299.99
Our Overall Rating | 85 out of 100
Pros - Tracks well and is manoeuvrable
Cons - Minimum storage, heavy and unstable
Overall - Heavy but has good speed capabilities
Technical Specifications
Open Size - 528x70cm
Weight - 24kg
Load Capacity - 210kg
Packed Size - 100x45x38cm
Our Analysis & Ratings
The Itiwit Strenfit X500 2-person kayak is built for more intermediate kayakers wanting a nice kayaking experience on the lake. It's quite a large kayak, so it can be difficult for beginners to control, but everything is pretty much waterproof, so even if you do get water inside, it's quick and easy to dry and deflate.
Performance (speed, tracking, manoeuvrability, stability, load handling): 7/10
Speed: It has better manoeuvrability at higher speeds, due to its V-shaped hull.
Tracking: Its V-shaped hull gives it better tracking performance.
Manoeuvrability: The X500 is easy to manoeuvre, though it may take a bit of practice to learn how to get it to move steadily and smoothly, due to how unstable it can be. This is common with narrower, performance-oriented kayaks.
Stability: It can feel quite unstable as it's narrow, especially on rough waters.
Construction (materials, seams, valve quality, durability and fittings): 6/10
This kayak comes with a rigid, drop-stitch floor and has a V-shaped hull. It is quite narrow, like the 1-person kayak, but is more durable and well made.
Setup/Pack Down (inflation time, valves, folding and drying): 9/10
The Itiwit X500 is easy to assemble, and it's also simple to attach the included pump to the valves. The footrests easily slide into the sides, and the buckles position them into place. It takes about 10 minutes to set everything up.
The outer covering is quite waterproof, so it's easy to dry, deflate and fold back down.
Portability (weight, packed size, ease of carrying): 6/10
When folded, it's quite large, but it packs into a trolley bag so you can easily wheel it around. It can be hard to move if you're launching from an uneven location where the wheels can't move smoothly across.
Comfort (seat support, legroom, fatigue over distance): 7/10
The X500 2P kayak has comfortable, foam seats and adjustable footrests, so Itiwit has thought through its design so that it can fit different-sized passengers.
Value for money:
For intermediate kayakers wanting a genuine lake kayaking experience, the X500 offers a good balance of tracking, manoeuvrability and comfort, even if it takes some practice to get used to its narrower, less stable hull.
Best for:
Intermediate kayakers rather than complete beginners
Calm lakes and rivers
Two paddlers wanting adjustable seating and footrests
Paddlers who want easy setup and quick drying
Overall:
A heavy, yet speedy kayak, perfect for calm lakes and rivers.
