The Equipment Guide UK

View Original

Razor Kayaks R2 Ultra

Summary

Price At Time Of Writing | £995.00

Our Overall Rating | 92 out of 100

Pros - Durable, easy to paddle and quick to inflate

Cons - No waterproof storage

Overall - A fantastic kayak for the price

Technical Specifications

Open Size - 430x78cm

Weight - 12.9kg

Load Capacity - 288kg

Packed Size - 80x50x35cm

Our Analysis & Ratings

The Razor Kayaks R2 Ultra is an incredibly dependable 1-2 person convertible kayak that is light, quick to set up and dry, as well as stable on the water. It has a great deal of storage room for snacks and lunch, and any extra gear, all without impeding on leg room.

Performance - The R2 is stable and tracks well due to its stiffness against the water and the reinforced bow and stern that sharply cut through chop. The kayak is very responsive to paddle strokes, allowing you to move smoothly and track well in a straight line. While its relatively wider hull shape means it’s not as fast as narrower kayaks, we found its shorter length makes it more manoeuvrable so it’s a great all-rounder for multiple uses. Its length also means it’s easy to handle as a single paddler, without compromising on comfort for two people.

Construction - The R2 Ultra is built with reinforced PVC mesh, the same material found in rescue boats. The firmness of the kayak’s Tech-Stitch floor, layered with high-density PVC and toughened mesh put it well above other kayaks.

Setup/Pack down - It took us less than 5 minutes to inflate using a triple-action pump - it’s simply three matching close-together valves. The seats and footrests clip on and thread through D-rings and the skeg is simply slid on. The PVC allows for a quick wipe down or air-dry and the kayak is easy to roll and pack into the backpack.

Portability - The R2 is very light for a 2-person kayak and the fact that it's made from quality materials. The backpack is spacious and can hold the kayak, folded seats, footrests, fin and a pump. Since the bag is the same size as the one-person edition’s backpack, though, you need to make sure you follow the rolling method mentioned on the instruction card, otherwise it’s much more of an effort to fit it back inside.

Comfort - The R2 Ultra comes with comfortably firm padded seats, a big plus for us over inflatable seats. The footrests have a smart and simple design: they're crafted from cushioned nylon straps with velcro. This lets you easily adjust their position to fit your leg length and paddling style. Inside, there's lots of space, ensuring comfort for your legs and leaving ample room for additional gear.

Overall - The Razor Kayaks R2 Ultra is a durable, high-quality choice for all types of water at an excellent price.

See this content in the original post