Review Contents
Last Updated: 29th March 2017
Kayaking is making real strides in popularity across the world, but particularly in the USA. This rise in popularity can be attributed to a number of factors, not just fact that kayaking is awesome.
Firstly, with all the press around the environment and how some ecosystems days seem to be numbered, so getting out in the open and experiencing things before too late has to be up there.
Secondly, and perhaps what will begin to take shape in to the bulk of this review, is how extremely good value kayaks have become in recent years, largely thanks to revolutionary new construction methods and diversification of materials.
The Intex Challenger K1 Kayak really epitomizes the latter of those two points. Designed to be cheap, effective and accessible to all, the Challenger K1 aims to fill that kayak shaped void in your life and get you out on open water, albeit relatively slow moving water, but we’ll talk about that later.
As an introduction, all you need to know is that the Challenger K1 is setting the bar for inflatable kayaks, and lowering the price.
Available at the time of press for just over a hundred bucks, you don’t have to spend months saving up your hard earned wages just to dip your included oars in the water. Read on to find out just what makes this kayak such a bargain!
Important Information – Intex Challenger K1
| Dimensions | |
| Overall Length | 9ft (2.74m) |
| Overall Width | 2ft 6in (76cm) |
| Capacity | |
| Passengers | 1 |
| Maximum Weight | 220 lb (100 kg) |
| Compliance | |
| Certified by the National Marine Manufacturers Association using ABYC standards. | |
Positives
Value For Money
It’s tough to chose a starting point for all of the positive features of the Challenger K1. Perhaps the most stand out of these positives is the price.
Intex really needed to be given recognition for producing such as a high quality kayak for such a budget price.
The reason for the low price is the material. Constructed from super tough vinyl which is puncture and UV damage proof, this inflatable kayak is both lightweight and durable.
Lightweight
As well as lightweight, the kayak is capable of keeping unto 220lbs buoyant at a time, so it’s by no means weak.
Portable
Also, with the benefit of it being an inflatable kayak, it will collapse down to fit into the trunk of your car, making it extremely portable which only goes on to further your scope for kayaking locations.
Stability and Buoyancy
A common concern with inflatable products is their stability, anyone who’s ever tried to surf a “lilo” into a swimming pool will testify to balance being difficult to obtain. Well, this kayak is built with stability in mind, with I-Beam support added to the already natural buoyancy of inflatable kayaks.
This gives enough support for you to sit however you like, as well as the ability to stand up when needed without the risk of taking a swim.
Comfort
Comfort is also considered, with the cockpit designed for maximum space, as well as containing an inflatable seat back for that extra support during the longer outings.
Practical
Finally, there is a handy cargo net to lock down whatever you are carrying with you, so the cockpit remains uncluttered.
Saftey
One more subtle benefit, and perhaps what the uneducated kayaker will miss, is that this kayak is colored with safety in mind.
As a brightly colored kayak, with particularly striking decals, everyone can see it.
Where some may say its garish, I say it’s safe. As a kayak is so low to the waters surface, it’s too easy to go unnoticed by other water users.
With striking body work, this kayak is sure to stand out from the color of the surrounding reeds and water, giving other waters no excuse to collide with you.
As well as all of the above, the Challenger K1 also comes with everything you need to get going.
Bundled with your new kayak comes an 84″ aluminium oar, a high output hand pump and a puncture repair kit.
Negatives
Unfortunately there is a flip side to every coin, and their are some features that Intex have not completely nailed with the Challenger K1.
Before discussing them, I’d say that there is good reason why this kayak is scored so highly on Amazon, it suits the basic needs and ticks the boxes well.
However, it’s not really an all purpose kayak.
Limited Water Conditions
With the inflatable build and leisurely tracking pace, this kayak is really only suited to lakes or slow moving rivers.
It’s very difficult to get ample traction when you’re battling against any kind of current in the Challenger K1, so it’s not recommended you take it out on the open ocean or white water rapids.
This immediately restricts the number of places you can take your lovely new kayak, so you need to think about your needs before you go ahead and take the plunge with this one.
Low Quality Paddles
Also, kudos to Intex for including an oar, everyone loves to see that. It’s a shame really that this oar seems to fall in the same category as all the other included oars from other manufacturers. That category is kindly labelled, ‘not very good’. Many users have reported that the oar has broken on their first outing, so there’s definitely an issue with quality control here.
Where you can pick up a decent set of oars fairly cheaply, this is adding your budget which isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.
Conclusions
All in all, this is a really great offering from Intex. For people looking to get out on the water without having to break the bank, it’s absolutely perfect provided you can out source some oars.
For the beginner, it’s hard to fault it.
It’s nimble, easy to manoeuvre and has designated storage space which is surprisingly rare to come across.
However, for anyone other than beginners, it’s tough to see what you can gain from the Challenger K1 over the kayak you already have. If you need to go out in fast paced water, or are looking to fish offshore then you should carry on your search as this isn’t the kayak for you.
To sum it up, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better first kayak, but it’s not an essential addition to your kayak fleet.
Review
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Design
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Value
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Quality
Thank you for your thorough review for inflatable kyaks for the whole family. I am feeling confident that I can buy this kyak for family use on the lake by our house and the mangrove estuaries when we go to the beach. You answered many of the questions I had about the ease of use, durablility and use with children. I will take your advice and buy new paddles.
Thanks for letting us know Melanie – please do stop by and let everyone know how you get on please 🙂
Don’t forget to get PFD’s for anyone using the kayak. They don’t cost much, and are essential safety equipment.
I hoped to read how heavy the kayak is and how many air chambers it contains. This is important.
The whole kit, in the bag is 22 pounds from what I have read. I carried our two for my wife and I down the stairs from our third floor apartment, without too much trouble. It has two separate air chambers, a lower one which is the bottom, and the outer oval ring. The seat is also inflatable, with two valves, but I recommend just inflating the back support portion, because it is less stable to sit with the higher center of gravity. Awesome kayaks though, we had no fear going into deeper waters, and distances beyond our swimming abilities. A little slow, compared to solid kayaks, but in our late 40’s the wife and I could still cover a good distance without too much trouble.
Don’t know about number of air chambers, but the weight of the 2 person version is 35 lbs.
Oars are not used on kayaks.
Thanks for your review and I think you nailed it.
Husband and I purchased the K1 last summer and enjoyed many of the local in-lakes.
Though we enjoyed some ripple waves from passing ski/fishing boats, definitely not a kayak you would want to take out on rough waters. Don’t forget to put the Rudar on under the boat, without it you will go in circles! This Kayak is easy to maneuver as well. Covered a lot of water in a short amount of time. We are getting ready to purchase more so that we can all go out as a family!
QUESTION:
Do you have any idea how this Kayak does on colder waters? Getting anxious to take it out and don’t want to wait for the summer.
Thanks!
This product, and probably any inflatable must not be inflated or deflated below 15 degrees celsius as the vinyl is less flexible at lower temperatures and may result in excess stress to seams.
Excellent advice Andi. Thanks for dropping by.
Thanks for the review, I’m just looking for fun with my sons and I think I’ll go for the challenger K1 as I’m not looking for anything to serious, glad I’ve read this now thank you
Very welcome William – don’t forget to get PFDs for you both – safety is of utmost importance especially when out kayaking!
This is a great lite recreational kayak. We loved ours until it developed a large rip on the inside near the front of the kayak….very inaccessible and difficult to fix! We are considering how to replace it…buy another?! It is only two years old and has been used maybe 8-10 times. It is very reasonably priced, but keep in mind it may have a short life!
I managed to patch a hole in the same spot using a kit containing vinyl patches and glue bought from a local kayak shop. It did involve a bit of discomfort lying with my head inside the front, but has held well on subsequent voyages!
Good, solid review. I’ve always wanted a kayak that breaks down to fit in a bag. I bought this on an Prime sale for $50. We are headed to the Fla panhandle next month, and I will paddle around in the lagoons while my wife shops. WIN-WIN! I’ve taken my flatwater kayak down there, but I didn’t like leaving it, locked to the SUV’s roof. And I’ll take other paddles along. These look very short, and have too many joints. But it is portable…
This looks perfect for still waters. I can even stick it on a plane. But only if I’m layered in all the clothes I’ll need for the trip… A good, cheap, entry-level kayak, To get your feet wet – and everything else. Just understand the limitations.
(and the Amazon reviews are often funnier/ dumber than informative. One person asked ‘would this be good in water with alligators?’ Smart-ass!
Definitely not alligator proof – unless you are a very fast paddler hahaha Thanks JJ for giving me a smile 🙂
We purchased 2 of these challenges K1’s last summer and this summer we found several pin holes. Is there anyone that could help us with this. We really wanted to be using these now but unfortunately we can not.
Did you get in contact with Intex? They’ve proved very supportive when I’ve contacted them before.
(800) 234-6839 M-F 8:30 AM – 5 PM PST
What would you recommend (very affordable); that is suited mostly for lake, calm waters but also can be taken into puget sound, seattle [50% lake, 50% protected ocean]?
I’ve done white water (love it); husband is beginner. and he liked small pelican singles.
I will spend a lot of time with him in protected waters, but want to lean towards a maneuverable ocean environment on occasion
Or sometimes white water with other family(more experienced).
What would you recommend that’s great for all environments(myself)?
What is the best calm waters kayak (for hubby)?
Hubby is not keen on flipping training…so an open kayak is best.
Myself, I wish to state im partially trained but prefer an open seat as opposed to tight opening.
Please email me a response, or at least a link to the posting. Thx
J