Itiwit 1-2 Person Cruising Kayak Review
Rating
Performance: 7
Size/Weight: 7
Durability: 5
Setup: 8
Value: 7
OVERALL: 6.8
Quality workmanship, but pretty squishy for two.
The Itiwit 1-2 Person Cruising Kayak is, as to be expected, very similar to the 1-person version that we’ve also tested. Decathlon’s done a pretty good job of making something relatively cheap that is durable enough to not fall apart, is easy to inflate and is nicely packable. However, as almost the shortest kayak on our list, it’s a real squeeze with two people (there is also a 2-3 person, which we’d consider as more appropriate for two people), and not pleasant to spend a heap of time paddling.
Comparison
Open Size: Short, very wide
Packed Size: Mid-range
Weight: Fairly Light
Capacity: Very low
Best For: Recreation on calm water.
Pros: Stable, well-constructed.
Cons: Very small for two people, uncomfortable seats, no footrests, not great tracking.
Verdict: A good option for occasional paddlers and families.
Skip ahead to First Impressions, Setup/Packdown, Paddling Experience, or the Final Verdict, check out how the Itiwit 1-2 Person Cruising Kayak 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: 340cm x 103cm
Packed Size: 67cm x 44cm x 30cm
Weight: 14kg
Capacity: 150kg
Approx Price: $599
First Impressions
The Itiwit 1-2 Person comes in an easy to carry backpack, and at 14kg isn’t onerous to carry. Note though that it doesn’t come with a paddle or pump, which will need to be strapped to the outside of the backpack as it’s not big enough to fit them. We did like though that the backpack zips all the way around, making it easier to get the kayak back in afterwards.
In terms of pieces, it’s pleasingly simple - there’s the kayak itself, and three removable skegs (which are very short). When you take the kayak out for the first time the seats are already in place, though you will probably need to adjust them depending on who’s paddling. The kayak also has inbuilt handles in the bow and stern, and at the sides, making it easy to carry once inflated.
The kayak is fabric-covered - more on that in a moment - but the actual weight of the fabric appears durable, and it fits nicely over the tubes so there’s not too much sagging.
Setup/Packdown
Inflation is simple, with three valves (floor and two sides) situated conveniently close together at the stern of the kayak. The next step is to inflate the seats, which definitely have some of the thicker cushions we’ve seen in our testing.
Flip it over and the skegs clip in underneath - the shorter skegs mean it’s ok to paddle in pretty shallow water, and we could flip the kayak back upright without bending or damaging them, but on the flipside, it means you have to spend a few more seconds putting in two more skegs that your standard kayak.
Note though that there are no footrests to clip in - one less thing to do, but a big negative for us.
Being a fabric top, the kayak takes longer to dry off than PVC outers. You really need to be diligent with ensuring the kayak is totally dry before you pack it back up into its bag and store it, otherwise it’ll go mouldy. We kept it out for about two days before we packed it.
Paddling Experience
The kayak, being one of the widest on our list, is stable to enter and when still - however, as with the 1-person version, is somehow quite wobbly when moving along, particularly when it’s hit by sideways chop.
The three skegs do help with its straight-line tracking - we tested it without them and it’s not even worth paddling like that. However, because it’s so wide, it’s hard to build up any speed and there’s relatively little glide (ie. as soon as we stopped paddling, we came to a pretty fast stop).
However, the physical experience of actually paddling was our main gripe. The inflatable seat base, being so thick, elevates you up higher to help reach around those bulky side tubes, but feels quite wobbly. The seat back, though firmer than an inflatable back, is so low that it provides very little support. In addition, no footrests mean nothing to push against - you have to do more work with your muscles to get the kayak to go, and because the kayak itself isn’t designed for speed, it’s pretty hard work.
Final Verdict
The Itiwit 1-2 Person Cruising Kayak is well-made of durable materials and packs down well. However, the cockpit is very cramped for two people, and its paddling performance is poor, owing mainly to its width. It’s a good option if you’re after something durable at a lower price - and that you’ll only use occasionally.
Want to see how the Itiwit 1-2 Person Cruising Kayak compares to other kayaks we tested? Head over to our list of the Best Two-Person Inflatable Kayaks.
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