Aqua Marina Laxo 320 Review
Rating
Performance: 6
Size/Weight: 6
Durability: 5
Setup: 6
Value: 6
OVERALL: 5.8
A very cozy two-person option that tracks well in the water.
Straight up: the Laxo 320 is the shortest kayak on our 2-person list, and it’s a genuine squeeze for two full-sized adults. No footrests and a hard-to-dry fabric cover add to our gripes. BUT, with its dual fin system and slight V-shape to its hull, it manages to track much better in a straight line than its direct competitors, and that puts it back on our list.
Comparison
Rank: #9
Open Size: Very short, wide
Packed Size: Bulky
Weight: Light
Capacity: Very low
Best For: Calm water, recreation.
Pros: Simple setup, stable, tracks well.
Cons: Lacks firm surfaces, very cramped for two people.
Verdict: A decent lower-cost option for people that don’t mind snuggling up.
Skip ahead to First Impressions, Setup/Packdown, Paddling Experience, or the Final Verdict, check out how the Aqua Marina Laxo 320 compares to others in our list of the Top Ten 2 Person Inflatable Kayaks or see how we choose the best inflatable kayak.
Specs:
Open Size: 320cm x 90cm
Packed Size: 90cm x 55cm x 40cm
Weight: 12kg
Capacity: 180kg
Approx Price: $599
First Impressions
As with the 285 (and the three-seater version, the 380), the Laxo 320 comes with everything you need in the box - two paddles, two seats, two fins, a foot pump, and a pretty well-design bag. The included paddles do the job, but as per our Laxo 285 review, the foot pump is not even worth using. Do yourself a serious favour and buy a good double- or triple-action pump, otherwise you’ll never want to use the kayak because you can’t be bothered inflating it.
The two fins are a good idea in a non-drop-stitch kayak to assist with straight-line tracking in the absence of a really firm hull.
The included bag conveniently zips all the way around the edge to open, which makes it easier to get the kayak in and out, so that’s a plus.
Setup/Packdown
The 320 has three matching Boston valves, all adjacent to one another — so from what we’ve seen, the easiest possible format to inflate. You start by inflating the floor to 1 psi (check the pressure gauge!), and then the side tubes.
The seats don’t need any inflation — yes! — and the velcro on the bottom lines up with a velcro strip on the floor before you clip them onto the D-rings on the side tubes. It’s one of the few kayaks of this price with plastic clips which we’re skeptical about the durability of. The fins slide and clip in easily, but the pin is a bit painful to take out.
We said it in the 285 review and we’ll say it again: THERE ARE NO FOOTRESTS. The paddling is not as easy as a result.
And then there’s the pack down, which is hampered by the fabric covering. Being entirely covered in fabric, it takes ages to dry — it’s a roll up, throw in the back of the car, get back out, re-inflate at home and leave sitting out in the air for a few days situation before you can pack it away properly.
Paddling Experience
The Laxo 320 is definitely not a high-performance vehicle, but compared to others in this class, has reasonably good straight-line tracking. This is assisted by the slight V-shaped arrangement of the long inner tubes down the length of its hull, which provides the underside of the kayak with a natural propensity to head in a straight line, as well as its two fins (though you have to think that a single longer one would also do it… but then you wouldn’t be able to paddle in super shallow water). It’s also pretty stable for a V-shaped kayak with wide side tubes.
However, as with the Itiwit Cruising Kayak, the wide side tubes do require some reaching over to get the paddle into the water, which makes it a little more strenuous to paddle.
The biggest issue once you’re in the water is just the overall lack of space. The cockpit is super cramped for two reasonably-sized adults, not to mention for me and my testing buddy, who is 6’4” (his feet were about halfway down my thighs). It’s not a super fun position to spend a long time in.
The seats, being of fairly sturdy foam, is comfortable and supportive, but I’ll say it again — NO FOOTRESTS. Having something to push against with your feet really aids in the biomechanics of paddling. Without it, combined with the softer feel of an inflatable floor, don’t expect to go very far in this thing.
Final Verdict
The Aqua Marina Laxo 320 makes a decent stab at a straight-line tracking kayak for a lower cost. There are some serious drawbacks like the very cramped cockpit, fabric covering and lack of footrests, but at this price point it’s a reasonable option if you don’t want to go crazy trying to keep something in a straight line.
Want to see how the Aqua Marina Laxo 320 compares to other kayaks we tested? Head over to our list of the Best Two-Person Inflatable Kayaks.
Water & Outdoors reviews are written by our staff writers, who combined have over fifty years of experience on the water and outdoors. We may earn commissions if you choose to buy through a link you’ve clicked on our website, however this does not influence our reviews. For more information, please see our Editorial Policies.