Itiwit X500 Quick Packdown Guide

How to correctly pack down your Itiwit X500 inflatable touring kayak.
EQUIPMENT USED IN THIS VIDEO
Kayak: Itiwit X500 tidd.ly/3gEXm0x
Paddle: X500 (sold separately) tidd.ly/3HMatZF
Pump (sold separately) tidd.ly/3Hhv0Eb
PFD (life jacket) tidd.ly/364EOo9
Wetsuit tidd.ly/3gFMpM4
Neoprene boots geni.us/uhhm
Filmed and edited entirely by myself using the following…
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Kayak Camera: Insta360 GO2 www.insta360.com/sal/go_2?ins...
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#kayaking #itiwit #packrafting

[@olhungers]

Another wonderful video - there's nothing not to like, great presentation, likable chap, informative content and terrific production! Oh, and the X500 looks good too...

[@aileenlina6672]

Thanks for the video! I just wanted to go kayaking for the first time with the Itiwit and had some difficulties packing it 😅. So this video was super helpful!

[@StevieWyatt]

You're welcome, I struggled too which is why I made this video. Really glad to hear it has helped

[@audetnicolas]

Congrats on 1000 subs! I use the pump to suck out the air completely. You end up with a more compact package, which is easier to fit into the bag. It also gives you somewhere to put the valve caps when you fold : screwed onto the valves. The problem is that if there is still some air in the chambers but the caps are screwed on, when you fold the air can't go out. However if the caps aren't on the valves while you fold (and you actually sit on the kayak to fold it) it feels like you could damage the caps, or even the kayak itself. Best way to deal with this is to get all the air out with the pump.

[@guindeo]

Entonces válvulas arriba o abajo para que se deshinche sola? Si además le quitas más aire con la bomba, válvula arriba o abajo? Y que pliegas antes, proa o popa??

[@thalesofmiletus2966]

Same here. Do the same with my paddle boards.

[@cakesteak]

Thanks for this. I tried it out and deflated with the pump, but as soon as I disconnected, the air would rush back in a bit. Was hoping it would stay under vacuum, haha.

[@audetnicolas]

@@cakesteak Same with mine actually. You would think that when the valve is in the "deflation" mode it wouldn't let air in, but somehow it does. The best you can do is to disconnect the pump and very quickly press on the valve button to stop the air from going in. It's not perfect but once you get the hang of it it's an acceptable solution.

[@voyagerr40]

Thank you for your tutorial on how to pack the kayak again, first attempt took up to an hour and even then it was rubbish (following the manual btw) after watching your video it took me hardly 7 minutes 😀 thanks once again.

[@StevieWyatt]

You're welcome!

[@jeffreymagni1272]

Usefull Video! I like that you went straight to the point! Thanks

[@MrleMyTho]

Thank you so much ! It was way easier to understand than decathlon’s guide ! 🙏

[@jameswagstaff8640]

Great vid. More please. I just got my x500 after having a go in a mates one. Would be good to see more adventures.

[@adler-rt]

Very good, thanks 👍👍

[@federico_it]

The comment on the strap killed me 🤣🤣🤣

[@dylantorraville1375]

Been looking at investing in the X500 since last summer! Love watching your videos and hearing about your experience with it. Keep up the vids mate, Itiwit needs to sponsor you! Stoked to see what you come up with next. Any plans on reviewing any of the Itiwit SUPs? - big love from Toronto

[@StevieWyatt]

Thanks so much Dylan, thanks for watching! I've never SUPed before, so my plan this spring is to try it for the first time and make a video about it. It is something I'm interested in taking up alongside the kayaking. People on those boards always look like they're having a great time!

[@guojunlong2247]

Very nice, thanks bro😃

[@StevieWyatt]

Thanks for watching 🙏

[@CROSSFIRE_TACTICS_SOFIA]

Great job.

[@StevieWyatt]

Thanks 🙏

[@josetorcato8097]

Thanks

[@Ryanstuff]

I don't know if it's necessary for this kayak specifically but most air pumps have a deflate mode so you can get it packed down super-thin. I read a ton of reviews were people complaining that they can't put it back in the bag or have difficulty doing it but I guarantee you they are using the deflate mode on their pumps.

[@williamj8349]

Two videos in one day...... Spoilt for choice!

[@DegeaVR]

It's a gorgeous kayak, but....no one says, the backpack with everything you need weighs around 24 kg, which is a lot, it's heavy. I returned it, it seemed unmanageable. I have a Gumotex Swing 1, the backpack is full of everything necessary, it weighs only 13.5 kg

[@poutsandboots5891]

Wow ! I have no clue how you can fold it so tight ? My major problem is the back coaming valves which prevent folding the kayak completely flat on the side. It cause at least a 6 inches bump. But I don't see that bump on the video ? Why ? I did not find a way to fold it on the side with that valve flat. Anyone can help me out ?

[@laszlodezso-masztera1014]

How did they welcome you at the pub when you arrived in this sea suite, life jacket and shoes carying a kayak on your back? :) Great guide, thx!

[@bugrairmak3269]

I am thinking about buying one for this summer. Do you have any updates about Itiwit X500 ?

[@TheUnavngivet]

Hi Stevie, do you leave the valve bottons open without closing it up when packing down the kayak? :)

[@StevieWyatt]

Hi Magnus, yes I do just so any residual air has a chance to escape when it's rolled up

[@Muppetkeeper]

I have the 8PSI pump for my X100, it also has a deflate function, I always suck some air out of the boat before I pack it, makes it easier, does the 10PSI pump also deflate?

[@StevieWyatt]

It does deflate, yes. I haven't tried that on the X500 yet, that's a good tip, thanks

[@6yjjk]

Question about the Itiwit paddle: Will the two halves fit inside the bag? I definitely don't want to give it to Helsinki's bag-smashers with those sticking out. If not, any recommendations for a paddle that will? I can make do with the 5-piece one that came with my Intex, but I'd like something better. It looks as if I can pull the foot pegs off their rails and have enough length in the strap that they'll sit outside the boat when I fold it up. That way, the adjustment is already done for next time. Any reason why I shouldn't do that? I haven't even got my kayak wet yet (Nordic winter) and Finnair put a flithy black streak and a hole in the bag and took a chunk out of the kayak, thankfully just cosmetic this time - "special handling", they called it. "Fjällräven FLIGHT BAG 90-100L" fits over the Itiwit bag perfectly., as if it were made for the job. Not sure it's airport-proof, but I'm hoping it'll take all the damage next time. It's at least more slippery, and keeps all the straps out of harm's way, so the whole thing is less likely to catch on a belt somewhere and have a hole dug through it.

[@StevieWyatt]

Unfortunately the paddle won't fit in the bag. When you break it apart it is not symmetrical - one side is longer than the other, and slightly longer than the bag. You could get a paddle bag as a separate piece of luggage but that's not ideal. Or, like you say, the Intex paddle broken down will fit in the bag. It's a compromise in quality, but it will fit. That Fjällräven flight bag is a good idea, I've seen backpackers use them for rucksacks to stop straps getting caught in machinery. Perfect for this.

[@sean2795]

For the foot pegs you could use this hack: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eIvYgmWMa9ideMk, or mark the position (as Ken Tan mentioned below Stevie's Quick Setup Guide video.

[@Celisar1]

18 kg is really more difficult for a woman to get onto your back than you might think- not the lifting but getting it around to your back and the straps onto your shoulders. Plus it is really bulky. Nearly threw out my back today at my first try! The planed trip tomorrow now seems more like a survival training than a pleasant leisure activity :/.

[@StevieWyatt]

Some people who have struggled with the weight of the X500 have told me they use a fishing trolley to wheel it to and from the car. This also helps carry other gear as well. Sees like a good idea.

[@Celisar1]

⁠@@StevieWyatt Yes, like the eckla beach rolley which is ideal for both transporting the bag in an upright position as well as for the inflated kayak. Problem still is the much too low position of the straps of the bag pack that makes it much harder to put on your back and to cary it than necessary.

[@williamj8349]

FIRST!!!!!

[@sean2795]

In this video you are folding the boat in a different way than it was in your Quick Setup Guide (at 1:04). There it is folded like a W. Here you are folding the other way around in the middle. Is one of the methods better than the other?

[@StevieWyatt]

Well spotted! The manufacturer say to fold it in the W position, but I've never really been able to get that to work as well. When I was preparing for the pack-down video I had a go at different methods and this one, which is what I normally do, seems to work best. I can fit the pump in better. I think this might have something to do with the slightly different hull design of the new X500s from the original boats. It is also quicker as you just fold it over again, whereas keeping it all together to make the W shape can be a bit of a faff.

[@sean2795]

@@StevieWyatt Thanks for your answer. I am planning to buy one this spring, so it will have the new design. Nearby Decathlon store says it will switch from winter sports to summer end of March / early April. I hop they will have one inflated so I can see it before buying.

[@KayakingVince]

This is better than Decathalon's recommended method as it makes the centre fold less sharp. Mine has developed puncturres along that fold line so I use this rather than the W method now to prevent more punctures. My approach is a bit different as I also jam the seat in the middle before tying it down with the strap. This increases the bend radius even further and lowers the stress on that critical centre fold line.

[@DiggaDiggaDug]

@@KayakingVince But the two other folds see just as much stress, do they not? Sure you reduce it from 3 high stress folds to 2, but the issue isn't totally resolved.

[@KayakingVince]

@@DiggaDiggaDug true, but all the wear looks to be near the central fold on mine and it's also where the puncture repairs are so I'm happy to reduce stress on that one fold for now. Jamming some cut up bits of pool noodle in the other folds could increase the bend radius on those, I suppose.

[@gullepomp]

I tried this with the demo at decathlon, yea it deflates when you press the valve. 🤦‍♂️

[@danm2986]

there is an internal water removal method? I mean entirely :)!

[@StevieWyatt]

No, but I always have a bailing sponge with me anyway so that's what I use to mop up the last drips

[@williamj8349]

I hate it when all my bits fall out.