Intex Challenger K1 Review | Whitewater Test | Best inflatable Kayak for $70

We recently purchased the Intex Challenger K1 on Amazon amzn.to/2nCTRfl for $50 on Prime day and immediately put them to the test. While these kayaks aren't designed for whitewater, they sure are fun to send down some rapids.
We also took it on the lake (where we believe it is designed for) and it cruises like a charm. We have now added Kayaking to our list of activities and love it! It really takes vanlife to the next level having another water option!
Intex Challenger K1 Kayak (Amazon) - amzn.to/2nCTRfl
Shot on Sony 6500 - amzn.to/2MMbmEZ
GoPro Fusion - amzn.to/2B8uCLK
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[@billybrand]

Very hard to flip compared to the hard shelled kayaks. Put the splash rings closer to the paddles. Don't inflate it too hard. If the PVC is flexible, it is less vulnerable to punctures. Put the patch kit in ZIP lock bag and bring it with you with scissors. Enjoy it and good luck!

[@Vankookz]

billybrantd awesome great tips!! Thank you!

[@billybrand]

@@Vankookz Your welcome!

[@andrewbradford5028]

Good fun, its a good idea to place a bit of like plastic sheeting on ground when assembling or dismantling for protection. Also its a good idea to always wear a flotation jacket, safety first,😮

[@soapsniffer]

I went through a bunch of (I think) class 2+ rapids in this kayak, lol. It was kind of difficult but not too bad. Definitely best for calm water or just smallish rapids if you have decent balance. Its really fun and a comfortable kayak though, absolutely worth the money. Its easier to stay inside it if you don't inflate the seat bottom. And it definitely will get really swamped full of water in rapids! Gotta drain it fairly often or it gets hard to steer. Have had it three years and no punctures yet, its very strong!

[@Vankookz]

PotatoSnail oh yes it does! We tipped so many times last time we hit it at high water we upgraded to life vest now!

[@Gkitchens1]

I just got one. I already have the explorer k2 which I absolutely love, I'm excited to try this one. People dont give inflatable kayaks enough credit, they are amazing.

[@Vankookz]

Thanks for sharing

[@BucksTheBear]

As for the tipping over, you can deflate the bottom part of the seat so your center of gravity is lower, making the kayak much more stable.

[@Vankookz]

Ok! Thanks! If I still had this I would try it. I've since upgraded but it lasted a long time and I even sent it down the Upper Colorado River

[@anettedouglasdotter]

Greetings from Sweden guys! 🤗🇸🇪 Thanks for your video - we are Challenger K1 buddies now! 👍🌟

[@Vankookz]

Awesome! Have fun!

[@billybrand]

One more tip, the section of the paddle with the three holes should be in the middle of the paddle so that you can switch from feathering to hard paddling on the fly.

[@Vankookz]

billybrantd Aaahhh... that makes a lot of since thanks you’re a real pro!

[@billybrand]

Your are welcome! Thanks for the great reply! I pegged you folks for being the pro's, that's why I enjoyed your video!

[@nm2795]

My sons decided this year they wanted kayaks for there bday. And of course during this Covid. There’s none. So I’m very grateful for ur video. We live near a river. So we are gonna see how they do. Thanks again for this video.

[@Vankookz]

Your welcome! Glad it helped. Yes they are fun little rafts and you can’t beat the price point!

[@LemonJackRazer]

Personally, I love this kayak. Great on calm water, okay on white water and I had no issues on waves. Anything over 3ft I had to be careful about taking on water but this thing really is hard to flip and FUN to take on the waves. Just know your skill level.

[@Vankookz]

Good to know!

[@aig5429]

Just ordered mines hope it's good! Thanks for the review

[@elainereaper259]

I bought one last year and I go out on the Scottish lochs where I live. This is a VERY sturdy kayak and very hard to flip. Being in the middle of a loch in the summer... nothing beats it !!!

[@Vankookz]

You really can't beat it for the price.

[@traveladdict4884]

I'm going to lock maree next weekend I think I'm going to get this kayak. Where did you go do you think this kayake would be suitable for loch maree

[@yuriyputty]

Thank you for the great review, saw everything needed to know this is perfect for me. Planning to take it down to the lake on my next bike trip!

[@Vankookz]

Sweet! Glad you enjoyed... You'll love this little raft..

[@pnotuner1]

Your K1 review is the best so far. I am now convinced it is worth picking one up. Or two.

[@Vankookz]

David Geiger thanks yeah they are legit for the price we have sent it in these things

[@danielorduz9154]

Good video, it helped me a lot in my purchase decision. I'm a newbie, thanks.can you tell me where is the fast start of the video?.👍🤞

[@Vankookz]

2x speed is key

[@jeffb.175]

I let the air of the bottom of the cushion. gave ma a lower center of gravity ans more stability.

[@justinteehee4358]

The problem with K1 inflatable though is when you go over a drop if you don't land flat (hard to boof in inflatable) the bow compresses and springs you out. 😂 Took down a class IV creek and ended up losing it. A few nasty swims but lots of fun! Thinking about buying another one. I have hard shells but this is great. Two for traveling as you can pack it in a suitcase. You want to get a better paddle though. You can keep the one that comes with it as a folding back up I guess. When I travel whoever I'm kayaking usually has a extra/old white water paddle

[@Vankookz]

Yeah we’ve been sent out of it a few times as well but we sent it down a few sections that it had no business in and it was still fun. Great point for traveling it packs down so small. We have another one that is massive . It’s no pack raft but it’s still great for the price

[@justinteehee4358]

@@Vankookz for sure if I could easily afford it I'd probably get a "ducky" style inflatable with thigh straps for travel.

[@cathyleigh1558]

Thanks! I just got one based on the reviews- love the video- can’t wait to take mine to the lake!!

[@Vankookz]

You’ll love it they are a great value for the price.

[@blankblank2345]

perfect review thank you guys

[@Vankookz]

Our pleasure!

[@MrLenchov71]

I love the, "Lean like a Cholo", reference.

[@Vankookz]

Front to back and side to side!

[@monkey_ish4117]

Great video, now I know it would be worth it to buy one.

[@jennykelly4111]

I've noticed if you don't inflate the bottom part of the seat very much, it is a bit more stable. It feels like you are going to pop out or roll if the bottom of the seat is inflated to a normal amount.

[@Vankookz]

Thanks 🙏 I’ll try it out

[@englishwoodsman]

Hi mate i have the same intex challenger kayak and its great on open water, a tip for you mate dont use the seat you will find it a better experience

[@Vankookz]

English woodsman outdoorer and adventure yeah we just started doing that. I have noticed that the seat does provide cushion from the rocks on the river...

[@englishwoodsman]

Van Kookz in open water mate you FEEL more in control without being on the seat ,, i have only used my kayak 4 time i think 😂😂 if you go to my playlists you will see

[@dominikdominic2075]

@@Vankookz Is there any better inflatable kayak you could recommend?

[@pnotuner1]

I really like my Stearns Spree2 inflatable kayak.

[@robhines4537]

These kayaks are brilliant, hot sellers in the UK, amazon sold out so secondhand EBay kayaks sells for £100s

[@king49334]

Now it is 135$

[@Vankookz]

Danm!

[@AS-xi6lp]

can't wait to get mine!

[@aarondelahaye-artist1017]

I discovered a great tip with these kayaks, is to not inflate the base of the seat.

[@Vankookz]

Ok. Ok... I'll try this next time. Thanks 😊

[@ronpreece3429]

Great Beavis and Butthead video LOL

[@Vankookz]

Shut up Butthead.....

[@bhris275]

just bought one yesterday & i'm 6'3 so I hope I can fit inside this thing

[@Vankookz]

It’s gonna be a tight fit! I’m 6’1

[@bloomonkey2011]

How did this go? I’m 6ft 2 considering buying one today. Did you find it comfortable for longer periods?

[@bhris275]

@@bloomonkey2011 it isnt that bad i did have to take out the inflatable seat then i had plenty of room for my size. 2hrs on the lake was a breeze

[@bloomonkey2011]

@@bhris275 awesome cheers man think I’ll give it a go!

[@randyw41]

I'm currently buying one of these, and after watching your videos, I think I'm a little less weary of my purchase. Only thing was, I couldn't find one on Amazon at the price you mentioned...

[@Vankookz]

Yeah I bought it on prime week 3years ago

[@suzetteroberts9072]

Thanks for the info.

[@honeste6652]

Thanks for sharing. Very informative. I suggest not using the fish-eye cam...very nauseating.

[@Vankookz]

Yeah this was the first and last time using the gopro fusion

[@honeste6652]

@@Vankookz Shame. GoPro makes good cameras. Lesson learned.

[@honeste6652]

I bought this kayak this past weekend. Tried it out yesterday. Only tipped over when I had the seat in, so I tucked it to the back. Only other drawback was that my feet were completely crushed under this thing and I'm not that tall. I ended up ditching the foot rest and next time I go I'm leaving that behind and the seat part not even blown up. I had already bought my own oar, so I wasn't worried about that.

[@charhamilton817]

Could i put a portable chair and tent on it?

[@Vankookz]

Depends on how big it is.. there is a little cargo area. Are you trying to use it to go across a lake to camp or something?

[@annakmeneses]

Our main issue with it was that the inside inseam kept cutting up my friend's legs... I don't have that issue with my kayak (aquaglide panther - love it), so we're trying to aee how to fix that problem. I'm thinking to maybe go over the inside seams with some kind of tape, maybe duck tape, to smooth out the sharp edges. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

[@Vankookz]

Just put a yoga mat in there.

[@MrEemancing]

Wow.. Its good kayaks..

[@tiggertoo1962]

Awesome vid, guys. I have the same kayak, and was wondering today while I was paddling on the canal how best to mod it for underwater photography. What I've done is put two strips of female self-adhesive velcro horizontally one above the other on the side of the kayak, and used the male strips to secure the handle of the selfie stick. Might work - I'll find out tomorrow - but it feels a bit on the wobbly side. Since you guys seem to be pretty experienced with action cams, I was wondering if you've come across any better ideas for an underwater mount? While I'm busy bugging you anyway, up til now I always inflated the kayak by feel. Today I decided to use the measuring tape, and noticed that the "10cm" marker on the top part was actually just over 11cm. If I deflate it so that it measures 10cm, the pressure in the top part seems WAY less than the bottom. Any experience/thoughts/comments on this? Thanks in advance :)

[@Vankookz]

We just put air in it and send it!!!

[@virginiasmith9161]

I cannot for the life me get the fin off my K1. Very few videos even address it. Should be easy but mine is STUCK in place.HELP

[@Vankookz]

I've had to whack it with the oar before. It gets stuck a lot.

[@letollard1226]

Pour les français un résumé : plutôt solide et stable (faut pas trop en demander c'est un gonflable), le filets et cordes sont pratiques, les rames sont en revanche assez nul (peut-être en acheté d'autre). SI vous faire sur lacon fleuve/rivière assez tranquille pas de soucis sinon il prend un peu l'eau.

[@franksflytraps]

How long did they last and do you have any room to move your legs? looks kinda tight.

[@porjiboi]

How much weight does it support, what’s your height and weight?

[@Vankookz]

I'm 6'1 and 185 and it holds well.

[@harrychalcraft6371]

7:31 I forgot about the kayak for a minute

[@tsizzle]

Thank the Chinese for making smart, affordable fun for everyone! Made in China! 👍

[@Vankookz]

Yes, Made in China and sent down a river in America!

[@abritandhisbikeinpoland6802]

Great film, but i have question for you. How tall are you? I am 6"2 and im really not sure if i will fit in that thing!? Did you have the inflatable bag at you feet?

[@Vankookz]

British Mountain Biker in Poland I’m 6’1 it’s a bit tight but if you take the seat out it’s a bit better

[@abritandhisbikeinpoland6802]

@@Vankookz Thanks, but did you have the little blow up foot cushion on your feet, i hear that takes up some room also!?

[@Vankookz]

British Mountain Biker in Poland yeah I did it’s not too bad it’s a bit small but for the price you can’t beat it

[@Gkitchens1]

I've seen advice to deflate the bottom seat to lower your center of gravity. Box says its rated for only 220 pounds though, that could be an issue for you being you're so tall. If you dont have enough leg room you could deflate or leave out the foot rest.

[@abritandhisbikeinpoland6802]

@@Gkitchens1 Thanks, I'm 194 lbs so i should be ok

[@jonikolb4981]

Is the bottom thick enough to resist tearing on rocks?

[@Vankookz]

It’s pretty damn tough

[@jonikolb4981]

Does the skeg get damage in shalow rocky areas?

[@Vankookz]

Yes!

[@Vankookz]

It can be removed

[@RootSuitMan]

What's the song playing during the whitewater part?

[@Vankookz]

MDRN HSTRY San Jose

[@DaemonZodiac]

why cant you use the fin in a river..?

[@Vankookz]

The river wasn't very deep and the fin would scrape on the rocks in the rapids

[@DaemonZodiac]

@@Vankookz thank u.

[@amandaadams3998]

I love my K2

[@victorgeorgearthur6098]

We just got these a week ago, brand new to kayaking. We're in Vancouver BC so we use it on the mouth of the Fraser River close to the strait, which means there is traffic from cargo and tug boats which means lots of wakes. Also strong currents and subject to strong winds. K1's handled these elements very well even if a bit terrifying at first. But we notice you didn't use the skeeg for the river, are we not supposed to use the skeeg on the river? What is the benefit of not using it? I ask as we have trouble with it (getting it off is a known problem). We ditched the paddles and got longer ones which made an immediate improvement. Love your review and seeing what you could do as beginners was very encouraging!

[@Gkitchens1]

I have an explorer k2 and I absolutely love it. By far one of the best purchases I've ever made.

[@Gkitchens1]

@@victorgeorgearthur6098 the skeg is used for directional stability, it's greak for lakes because it keeps you from spinning if you go to fast or if the wind picked up, but on more shallow bodies of water like rivers or around rocks you don't want to use it first because you can break it, second because you want to be able to manuver more quickly in whitewater situations.

[@sexyladyakb]

Got it on sale for $30! :)

[@Vankookz]

Get ready for some fun!

[@RC-hg9dw]

MORNING STAR... where did you find it on sale for only $30? I saw the company maker of this kayak having it on sale for about that but then it was a $20 shipping fee.

[@walleyehunter8862]

So I guess using the kayak for fishing wouldn't be good idea ...

[@Vankookz]

Bass King it would work. We just got a new kayak from Aqua Marina and it is defiantly a better option

[@aig5429]

@@Vankookz you can modify it it's possible

[@psalm2forliberty577]

Intex makes a fishing kayak model it's the Explorer 1 or 2

[@herno1]

Do you recommend it for the ocean?

[@Vankookz]

On a very calm day yes. We have flipped these kayaks quite a few times so be careful.

[@Zacklaps]

Please can you tell me the song name?

[@Vankookz]

Zacklaps it is a San Diego band, MDRNHSTRY, the song is called “San Jose” It can be found online here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/enyQaHewm9Z0psk If you are ever in San Diego, follow their Instagram @mdrn_hstry they are amazing live!

[@richarddorsch7275]

Where are your life vests?????

[@Vankookz]

What are those?

[@xts_eddy9527]

ok, this is tough i see. When it can go into the creek like the hard ones and hit rocks and all

[@Vankookz]

yeah we were pretty stoked on them. They do flip easy.

[@monanddom5933]

i ddnt get it hw do u take video?

[@byronwellburn]

Babe

[@pnotuner1]

I haven't heard anyone else calling them tippy or unstable.

[@Vankookz]

Well if you take it on the white water it will get ya every time

[@МаксимМухтаров-и1я]

Молодцы :)

[@budubudu]

I soooo pretty 🤩

[@seadude4869]

That stupid camera is too wide! very distorted and annoying to watch!

[@leonidbelenko7632]

First of all, this one is not the rafting kayak!

[@Vankookz]

When in Rome!

[@leonidbelenko7632]

what you mean?

[@jetlee7743]

The g pro is annoying

[@tomroood]

its now 150$$$

[@Vankookz]

Whatttt!?!?! Someone bought the lot and is charging a premium!

[@bhris275]

they just went back to $70 it's a 48% off sale on amazon. bought one today

[@tomroood]

@@Vankookz yeah

[@landonp629]

I used to own the K1... Then I bought a $350 Advance Elements Sport kayak, and needless to say, while this Kayak is 'fun', it's also not very durable and basically borderlines on a pool toy. In the world of Kayaks, you really do get what you pay for. Of course, that doesn't mean the need to spend $1,000 or more dollars on a Kayak, simply that the sweet spot of value to performance in the inflatable market is around $350 to $500. I'd certainly suggest anyone looking for an inflatable Kayak to research 'Advance Elements' kayaks.

[@Vankookz]

Awesome Landon! We will check then out! Yes, we have since upgraded to the aqua marina orca and I know what you mean about these being like pool toys... they were definitely fun to see if we liked kayaks!

[@whiggerhunter4268]

I paddled one of these from Coney Island to Sandy Hook NJ.. 6 miles ..

[@RaytangoTV]

Mother of God stop using the GoPro Fusion....wow I got dizzy watching this. lol

[@Vankookz]

First and last time using that thing

[@RaytangoTV]

@@Vankookz I honestly enjoyed the video when I could look at it. Props for the attempt in the mount though.

[@Vankookz]

Thanks! It was pretty kooky!

[@CS-uc2oh]

Damn, both of these folks sound slow as hell.

[@robochan0970]

You definitely got some angles, but are they cool? Yeah, nah.

[@Vankookz]

Haha. Yeah the early testing of the GoPro fusion... Not my favorite camera just playing around with it.

[@BrljoMrljo]

Sorry to say but that camera is just akward and awfull to follow what is happenning.

[@Vankookz]

Sorry you couldn’t figure it out. 360 cameras have an interesting perspective, definitely different from POV. thanks for watching!

[@BrljoMrljo]

@@Vankookz np. have fun!

[@smaganas]

Another video where at the end they announce it's only their first or second time kayaking

[@joesengu1208]

Wish this was recorded on a better go pro as the views are dreadful man, if anything don’t do that again because it’s annoying from a viewers perspective

[@Vankookz]

Yeah this was the first prototype of the gopro fusion. I don't think they make this camera anymore. I tried to give a feel for how hard you can send the yaks

[@whiggerhunter4268]

Not for people over 6ft. and over 180lb. Otherwise a decent kayak, had mine for 3 years and take it to the beach often. Get rid of the green bladder and use a tall water bottle between your inner thighs to keep water out, also don't inflate the bottom of the seat. longest run was 6 miles from Coney Island to Sandy Hook NJ. I don't recommend anybody trying it in this kayak cause of the chance of the current taking you out into the Atlantic ocean, but if your feeling lucky, prepare to paddle for 6 hours. Good luck..

[@Vankookz]

Danm! That’s a very brave paddle amigo! I wouldn’t ever attempt in this kayak! Props! It’s a fun kayak. Thanks for the tips

[@kennethbelote6059]

I took my initial paddle today. I am 6 foot and 190 lb. I felt like I was going to tip out of the boat it was so tipsy. I think maybe I should let air out of the bottom so I sit lower in the water. Any thoughts?

[@billmyers6743]

Let air out of the bottom part of seat cushion otherwise it feels unsteady. Not bad for an afternoon on a calm body of water. Get a better paddle. Don't bother with the green bladder either. Not fast but maneuvers easily and is lightweight and easy to inflate.

[@mar217rocks7]

This dudes slow ass drawl is fucking annoying! I don't see how she takes being in a relationship and listening to this dipshit..🤢

[@Vankookz]

Haha been with this dude for my entire life. We’ve been dating since juniors in high school. Wouldn’t have it any other way! Thanks for watching

[@xerexon2k]

maybe smoke less

[@Vankookz]

Maybe eat less cookies...

[@johngallagher912]

Please get rid of the fisheye lens. It just distorts everything so much that It's not worth watching.

[@Vankookz]

We will get right on that! ;)

[@kimmwthemm]

You sound impaired. Or perhaps that just the way you normally talk? But its painful 2 listen to.

[@Vankookz]

diamond hfx have you ever been to Colorado? I guess not! Thanks for watching!

[@kimmwthemm]

@@Vankookz Funny u ask that.. My Mom's from Greeley and my dad is from Denver. We ski in Aspen every year still. I've never heard that before. Well I have but it didnt have anything to do with dialect. Nvrmnd. I shouldn't have said that in the 1st place. I'm an asshole. :)

[@Vankookz]

diamond hfx it’s all good ✌️ ❤️

[@Zoltoks]

@@Vankookz I think you speak of the trees that are in Colorado.

[@Vankookz]

Zoltoks you are smarter than the average bear 🐻

[@earthman4222]

That is a swim toy, not a kayak. If you aren't in the backyard pool, you are overdoing it.

[@Vankookz]

Haha, yes we found it was pretty unstable in the river, but tons of fun. We had everyone on the river banks and on their inner tubes asking where we got it. We would just shout Amazon, $50! I'm pretty sure we accidentally sold about 10 in just the amount of fun we were having and the fact that it was actually the superior flotation device on the Boulder River. But now, we have the Aqua Marina Orca 2 Person Kayak and we agree with you after using it on the ocean. Check out our review on that one if you are in the market : kzbin.info/www/bejne/imSxhYF7mJeapqc Thanks so much for watching Earth Man!