What's Up with Folding Kayaks?

When choosing a kayak, folding kayaks are often overlooked. But should they be? How well do folding kayaks perform? How durable are folding kayaks? Are folding kayaks easy to assemble? Who are folding kayaks designed for? These are some of the questions that I answer in this video, which includes a full demonstration of how a folding kayak is assembled.
Learn more about TRAK Kayaks: TRAK Kayaks: www.trakkayaks.com/
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OTHER KAYAKS I recommend
Sea Eagle 380x: bit.ly/37jRbxP
Sea Eagle 393rl: bit.ly/3mVOXbw
Sea Eagle 385ft:
Tucktec: bit.ly/3mQnmcn
Pakayak: pakayak.com/?uap_ref=ken
Decathlon Itiwit:
Oru Kayak Inlet: bit.ly/3vpjxhS
AquaGlide Chelan 120: bit.ly/3IRNde0
Advanced Elements Advanced Frame: bit.ly/3hJNpAl
Star Rival Inflatable Kayak: bit.ly/3lipNno
Isle Switch Hybrid SUP/Kayak: islesurfsup.sjv.io/5bJMJn
Jackson Kayak Tupelo 12.5: bit.ly/3phR8aS
Wilderness Systems Pungo 120: bit.ly/3E5BoOl
Perception Pescador: bit.ly/3FPuWeK
PADDLES
Aqua Bound Manta Ray Carbon Paddle:
Aqua Bound Tango Fibreglass Paddle: bit.ly/3iaGleJ
Aqua Bound Whiskey Carbon Bent Shaft Paddle: bit.ly/3z1kiOH
FOOTWEAR
NRS Kicker Remix Shoe: bit.ly/36F1B6Y
NRS Boundary Boot: bit.ly/2TaCMgl
PADDLING SHIRTS / TOPS
NRS Guide Long Sleeve Shirt: bit.ly/3yVID8j
NRS Guide Short Sleeve Shirt: bit.ly/3dkDYaD
NRS H2Core Silkweight Shirt: bit.ly/3xF43pX
NRS H2Core Silkweight Long Sleeve Shirt: bit.ly/3yZGbO2
NRS Hydroskin Short Sleeve Shirt: bit.ly/3wCvoI3
NRS Riptide Splash Jacket: bit.ly/3BbAZZJ
NRS Flux Dry Top: bit.ly/2U3Pvlw
PFD’S
NRS Odyssey PFD: bit.ly/3ibIk2n
NRS Zen PFD: bit.ly/2VCfrF3
NRS Chinook PFD: bit.ly/2TaEAG9
OTHER PADDLING GEAR
Zoleo Communicator: bit.ly/3zw7gw1
NRS Drylander Sprayskirt: bit.ly/36z5BG6
WRSI Current Helmet: bit.ly/2Te6KA6
PADDLING SHORTS/BOTTOMS
NRS Benny Board Short: bit.ly/2VIbK0L
NRS Hydroskin Shorts: bit.ly/3hCXPl2
SUNGLASSES
WileyX: bit.ly/3NtJQKR
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PRODUCED BY
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#PaddleTales #FoldingKayak #SeaKayaking

[@Themanoutdoors]

That is the best folding kayak design I’ve seen. Love how you can adjust the bow up and down!

[@brianmgrim]

the man outdooors: Correction...bow AND stern!

[@longwelsh]

Your channel has got me back into kayaking after 25 years. Thank you.

[@PaddleTV]

Awesome to hear it Ed! Hope you have a great season!

[@jacktyler7599]

Absolutely fascinating stuff. Thanks, Ken.

[@cypvh74]

I’ve paddled a skin on frame Kayak like this on the puget sound and loved how it feels on the water compared to rigid shells, flowing and flexing with the waves making it feel so stable.

[@jimmurdy5762]

if you are looking for used folding kayaks, feathercraft is similar (aluminum frame) but no longer produced, klepper is the german classic, folbot the use classic (no longer in production), nautiraid for french built and longhaul made in colorado. beyond that lots of oddities like pouch east german

[@wisenber]

Kleppers don't really hold up well. My 30 year old Klepper probably won't last another 30 years.

[@audreymeschkuleit3466]

Bought My Folder Kayak in 1974, still use today and it still works perfectly. It has even spent time in a Super Cub and flown in Northern Ontario, . Got Lazy and made a Motor Mount for it, Now (its a 2 seater) its capable of LONG TRIPS up North.

[@ernstbohm3295]

I ordered one quite some time ago and can't wait to get it! I hope it will be available soon.

[@christopping5876]

The TRAK production problem! Expect to wait for around two years for yours to arrive.

[@ianashmore9910]

I got a Tucktec folding kayak this year. It's not as fancy as Trak, but it's so much cheaper. It works great for calm-ish waters. Love it.

[@josefckngai6114]

hahaha, good for you

[@PaddleTV]

Haven't heard of it. I'll check it out.

[@ianashmore9910]

Update: I got a Pakayak a few weeks ago and it's soooo much better. But.. it's also five times the price of the Tucktec.

[@dreamzofhorses]

Mine just arrived we will be trying them out this week. They are going for $350 but I got two and they gave me $50 off. I am so excited! I love kayaking but not sure how to manage on my own. This makes it manageable for me, a 60 year old 5’1” grandma!

[@jimwortham8634]

Thanks for making video it makes me appreciate my hard sided kayak

[@carlospandis3483]

I bought the Oru Beach model after I saw a girl riding the smaller model with ease and stability. I love the whole concept of modern design and perfect handling, and it fits in my Mini Cooper!

[@PaddleTV]

Very cool. I actually just got the Oru Inlet to do a gear testing for. Can't wait to try it out!

[@frankhorowitz8341]

Paddled a Folbot for years. Huge upside was I mailed the boat to our destinations. Boxes were post office legal. Downsides. Rinsing salt out of fabric and drying inside . Live in S Fl mildew is always present.

[@RonK]

Awesome video, thanks a ton - what a beauty that boat is, amazing

[@PaddleTV]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@AtilaVasconcelos]

Wow! Amazing video! And kayak 😊

[@PaddleTV]

Glad you enjoyed it! I'm actually writing this from Finland, where I just used this kayak for a 2-day river trip. Fun times!

[@pablojimenez7859]

Awesome Kayak and what a great video thank you

[@kristaps2010]

seems a high quality materials. I like tent pole type concept, frame looks nice.

[@PaddleTV]

Stay tuned... I'm doing a full review of the Trak kayak very soon, where I put it through a real test.

[@Xerophyllum]

Really enjoying your in-depth reviews. I would love to see a review of the Pakboat Puffin Saco and/or Quest 150, if you're able to get your hands on them to review. The design and set-up of the Track definitely looks better, and I'm sure it performs better, but besides being beyond my budget, I'm really looking for something lighter that's easier to portage. I'm also considering an Oru, though I have some misgivings about it for the price.

[@stonekayaking]

Very informative video!

[@PaddleTV]

Glad you liked it

[@stubear5150]

What do you do with the storage/carrying pack when you go out paddling? Does it roll up enough to fit behind the seat or do you have to leave it on land?

[@ziptagfit]

I thought this was going to be about Oru or Tucktec. Interesting.

[@Caltelt]

Yea this seems more like "skeleton folding" than just folding, to me.

[@mar_robs88]

I have an oru and it takes les than 5 minutes to unfold and clip. His is pretty cool though if you dont mind taking 20 mins.

[@akakitai1110]

@@mar_robs88 Which one do you have? I thought about buying one, but I'm not sure about the durability. For example the footrests. How hard can you press against them? o.o

[@mar_robs88]

@@akakitai1110 I have the Inlet wich is designed for pretty chill waters so i don't need to press that hard and seems pretty sturdy so far. For more aggressive paddling or if i wanted to go pretty fast i would go for the other models. Its been super easy set up and take down so far too. I have a small car so its the portability i had to pay for.

[@akakitai1110]

@@mar_robs88 thanks a lot for the answer :) Maybe I can try one of those kayaks out one day

[@kennicholson1620]

I have a two man German build klipper kayak wood very heavy but lots of storage so can go on long trips same sort of build but it's wood frame and has built in air sporrins

[@cypvh74]

Just picked up a used Folbot Greenland II for cheap. Can’t wait to get it out in the water.

[@wyndlpoons76]

I have a Pakboat kayak and enjoy it a lot. I live in a smaller apartment, so there's no way I could own a kayak without it being a folding one.

[@robertkelleher1850]

Skin-on-frame is a different category. This is about a foldable as it is inflatable. And the price to go with it.

[@carlosvera2807]

Have you tried the inflatable grabner escape?

[@Phrancis5]

There was a Trak yak at a paddle event a few yrs back and I loved how it's Greenland style hull and overall dimensions was almost identical to the (44 lbs) Pygmy Arctic Tern 17 that I built 10 yrs ago. I love that ability to change the rocker and the portability, but these things are way pricey and kinda heavy. Last yr I ended up buying the folding ORU Coast XT, which is 16', 35 lbs, and several thousands less than the Trak. It's not as fast or tough, but an awesome folding yak that's easier to assemble and gets a lot of attention as well. LOL - I also forget to insert the float bags at the beginning....

[@skyak4493]

Trac website says $3600 for a folding kayak and a drysuit. I recall being put off by price in the past but I see no problem with current offering.

[@lynnmahan154]

So. Much. Work!!!! LOVE my tucktek!!!!!

[@PaddleTV]

True... a lot of work, but a totally different experience from the TuckTec. I just tested the TuckTec last week... stay tuned for the full review!

[@katjahirsch726]

Looks similar to the Klepper. How does it compare?

[@chrislatchem1854]

Thanks for the video. Interesting to see this boat almost in person! This boat, and others like inflatables are interesting to me also for storing. Not sure I understand how well it paddles compared to a glass, carbon or wood rigid boat? Or is this more a factor of shape? I saw you leaping waves in the video, very impressive. I assume you had the rocker dialed up, and you said for speed you flatten it out. Do you fide it reduces the drag a lot? I find my skin boat has more drag from the fabric, but it's shape is NOT too clean and it is short, so those are factors too. Previously I had notice with another 'skinned boat' this time a 17' double, the skin (heavy course canvas, needed more filler and paint) was very draggy when coasting as compared to a glass 16' ft. canoe, about the same weight aboard each. When paddling 'fast', the kayak seemed to have much less 'wave' drag. This is just my observations and assumptions. I may have it all wrong. I noticed the Trak's skin seemed very smooth. I am assuming it is pretty slippery in the water. If you dump it, do the dry bags keep out a lot of the water? Thank again for the informative video!

[@trishschofield7808]

Question 1. How comfortable is this seat? 2. What the life expectancy for it with good care?

[@PaddleTV]

I'm a big guy (6'2" and 200lbs) and I find the seat a little small for me. Instead of all the weight being on my butt, some of the weight is on my hip bones, which isn't ideal. I think it would be comfortable for smaller paddler though, as it's a contoured seat and padded well.

[@6yjjk]

How small does the bag itself pack down? It looked to have hard ridges running the length of it. This doesn't matter if you're planning to kayak back to where you started, but if you're planning to (for example) paddle downstream and get a bus back, the bag has to come with you. Especially on a multi-day trip, I'd want that bag somewhere out of the way where I didn't have to think about it until I took the boat apart.

[@PaddleTV]

Good point. You could roll the bag up and put it under the stern bungees. It would be a little bulky back there, but totally doable.

[@bemybrotherasociacion9376]

Amazing Kayak, Trak doesn't have a tandem version, do you recommend any other fondable kayak for 2 with similar features?

[@PaddleTV]

Although I haven't tried it, Oru Kayak makes a tandem www.orukayak.com/products/the-haven-tandem-kayak I was really impressed with their 'Inlet' model, and so I have high expectations for the Haven... hopefully I'll get to try it soon.

[@cypvh74]

@@PaddleTVI don’t like all the plastic, I worry about the long term durability of the Oru.

[@zzarkS]

A bit of work up front but damn I would trust this thing without hesitation.

[@burtgordon4796]

I really want a good fishing kayak but watching your vids makes me want several different types.

[@PaddleTV]

:)

[@cwryu96]

I hope you can have a chance to review Pakayak which is one of the folding kayaks in the market.

[@PaddleTV]

I'm excited to say that I have a Bluefiin 142 being shipped to me now! Look for this review early in the new year!

[@PC2011HK]

Folding kayak great for emergencies... Especially with the melting glaciers! And living on an island, i.e. Queens or Manhattan in NYC. Islands. Not so much for Teaneck, NJ. Too steep a plunge...

[@mattwalker5129]

Spin more, Toby! Spin!

[@matthewreynolds1096]

Ever tried a packraft? Packs down small and light. Easy to set up.

[@PaddleTV]

I'm dying to try a packraft! My plan is to test some out next season, and do some reviews about them.

[@matthewreynolds1096]

@@PaddleTV I have a Kokopelli XPD Packraft. I ran the Lower Madawaska and Lower Petawawa in it this year. I ran everything that was Grade 3 and less. I was tempted to run crooked chute and Slate Falls but i think i should have the class 4 packraft the Kokopelli Recon or Nirvania for that.

[@barriereid9244]

Wow! I am smitten.

[@jamesbarros950]

I've never built a skin on frame that quick ;-p

[@cypvh74]

I wish Trak would make a tandem!

[@maze400]

Blue for bow red for rear. My bags don't have a zipper?

[@catherinemiceli7737]

He showed the expedition gear/dry bags -- slightly heavier duty than the standard issue ones (with no zipper) that you have.

[@christopping5876]

Also a little smaller than the standard bags supplied. When you have had to wet exit a skin on frame kayak, every bit of bouyancy is a big help!

[@davayposmotrim]

In Russia we have "Vector 1" from Triton company. It costs 1000$ and has similar characteristics.

[@PaddleTV]

I'll have to check that out!

[@brontewood]

Do they have a website? I can't seem to find them.

[@davayposmotrim]

@@brontewood yes, here it is triton-ltd.ru/baydarki/dlya_bolshih_vodoemov/vektor_19 and there is e-mail for foreigners below

[@brontewood]

@@davayposmotrim Thank you!

[@brontewood]

I sent them a few emails to their general email and 'foreingers' email and no reply. It's too bad. Looks like a great product at a good price point.

[@troismotos]

It's a skin on frame kayak. They have worked well for many centuries, no reason to think they shouldn't be a great boat. The only wrinkle is that it's collapsible. Unclear how the coming seals to the skin. Nice boat!

[@catherinemiceli7737]

The skin fits very tightly around the coaming.

[@richardhill194]

I own one of the older models (original?) from Trak I assume its the same as this one, the edge of the fabric around the coming reminds me of a drysuit seal, and its a very tight fit.

[@PaddleTV]

When under tension, the coming does make a great seal to the skin. It's not 100% dry, but pretty close.

[@skyak4493]

I wondered the same. Drysuit seals need to be replaced every few years. How long has anyone had these last? replacement?

[@martin.feuchtwanger]

@@skyak4493 It's very strong, not like a drysuit gasket.

[@FrankLadd]

Interesting! Their site say about $3600 gives you the boat, bags, paddle, and paddling clothes or boat bags and dry suit. Not a bad price for a full kit. I think some might prefer to get just the boat and bags and use their own gear and save the $900 in free stuff if they already have their gear. Hope to see them on the water soon!

[@armadilllo]

🤣🤣🤣huh? you can get a decent boat for that

[@ThatKayakingGuy]

I wonder how this trak would compare to a Pakayak

[@ryancooper3629]

They are pretty different boats. Pakayak is a touring kayak, this is a sea kayak. This one will be far more nimble and handle big waves much better.

[@VT-kh7uf]

Are they ocean legal in Los Angeles?

[@PaddleTV]

I've never heard of them being illegal anywhere. You'd have to check with them to be sure.

[@jamesbarros950]

Given what I've sailed open ocean from LA and Channel Islands, I can't imagine much is illegal.

[@drc3857]

That’s a lot of task ... great review though.. tnx

[@mountbeckworth1]

Great to see you without the baseball cap.

[@stephenarmstrong7354]

Klepper? Long Haul?

[@coppershark1973]

Outside of the US the postage costs are ridiculous. £500!

[@PaddleTV]

Ouch!

[@fadecomic]

Expected delivery: March 2022.

[@Ratschi91]

I love the System but here in germany it costs 3990€

[@davayposmotrim]

Look at russian "Vector 1" from Triton company.

[@evanpilot]

@@davayposmotrim Do you have a website for the company, All I get when I look it up is the Triton boat manuf.

[@void_presence]

technically, this isn't a folding kayak, it's a skin-on-frame tear-down kayak; Oru and Tuktech kayaks are fold-up ones (and a lot cheaper).

[@TheCsel]

Technically it is a folding kayak because it existed long before Oru. I think it’s referring to the skin of kayak folding up and everything packed together in a bag. British commandos used them a few times in WW2, and they gained popularity before the war.

[@incognito6469]

Folding kayaks are more than half a century old. We had them in Germany in the 1970's. The frame work was made from wood. The center section had the frame piece on hinges. Front and back put against each other and pushed out would stretch the skin. No hydraulics needed. Simple mechanical design. Nobody cared about bulk heads in those days.

[@zyklking9372]

My favorite kayak is my 1926 Klepper.

[@mattwalker5129]

After all that, I'd rather lay in a hammock, drink a sixer and toss empties into the kayak.

[@allenabilov]

Насколько такой каяк хрупче, чем обычный

[@martin.feuchtwanger]

Если вы не пересечете очень острые заостренные камни, он очень прочный.

[@learntechwithruth2147]

I am never going to use a folding one or an inflatable one. I finally took that one lady's advice on here who told me I could shove my kayak into the SUV. It works. Diagonally I can even shut the tailgate.

[@robertc9211]

We’re you paid, sponsored or in any way incentivized to produce this review? How many days/ miles have you used this kayak? Thank you!

[@PaddleTV]

I've used Trak Kayaks since they first came out about 15 years ago. I've taken TRAK kayaks on paddling trips around the world, and have tested them in some extremely rough water conditions. Of course, you have to be more careful than you would be in a plastic kayak, but it's amazing how tough they are. They didn't pay me to do this product review. I'm not personally sponsored by them. That being said, they do support our Paddle Tales series, because they're the best, high-performance kayak that you can actual travel with. As I've said before... I only use the gear I want to use, and promote the gear that I think deserves it.

[@skyak4493]

I find it interesting that PTV is sponsored by NRS. It appears that if you get a trak folding kayak they throw in a drysuit or drywear. Trak is a competitor to NRS. IMHO @ $3.5k if you are going to buy a kayak and drysuit comparable in performance, you won't find a better deal. If you don't live waterfront intending to leave your kayak outside by the water, folding is even better than hard shell. He undersells the value of easy storage and transport.

[@Kevin_geekgineering]

this is literally too much man, just get a pakayak or a hardshel, in engineering when you have too many possible failing point (all those snap pins, all the flimsy beams and not to forget the outter covering fabric, just too much) your risk of failure goes up exponentially comparing even to a drop stich inflatable (though they are also not ideal, and not a "kayak") at this very high price point you should probably look into other options in the market

[@PaddleTV]

I totally agree that there are more points of failure with a kayak like this (vs a hardshell), but you'd be surprised how tough this boat is. I've tested it in sizeable ocean surf kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6O9k2VmhruqepI and I've run it through class 4 whitewater kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqnGYYqIaNyEkKc If you know of another good option for a high performance sea kayak that you can travel (fly) with, and store in your closet, I would love to know about it!

[@Kevin_geekgineering]

​@@PaddleTV actually you're right if there's no option to carry a hardshell, we have to accept some innovative design, I'm glad that you approve this kayak (in terms of performance and quality) I think there some other alternative ( I think even better that trak kayaks) these are modular kayaks (hardshel modular) 1- Pakayak (available on mec in Canada): I owned it its supper easy to setup and personally I think much closer to a hardshel, you can fly with it, I don't have a car and I carried this almost everywhere on buses on trains and even with my bicycle, very high quality and perfect for touring and sea kayaking 2- Piont 65 kayaks: you can not fly with them but if you have car they are perfect There are some other modular design from Europe but not accessible in Canada I'd really really appreciate if you could have some (even short) video reviwing these kayaks as well very nice videos, big fan, keep it up please Thanks a lot

[@artgordon319]

Sounds like a solution looking for a problem......

[@Phrancis5]

Storage and transport is a problem for many who want the performance of a touring kayak.

[@3starsfell]

Does he even mention they are 3500 dollars

[@PaddleTV]

Here's the full review video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGWwY5mrbdV3apI

[@k956upg]

Too much to go wrong too much to wash & maintain I’m buying a German boat from kayak innovations that’s segmented.

[@jimwortham8634]

$2,000 50 lb not for me

[@PaddleTV]

Nope... it's not for everyone. But it's amazing for some!

[@catharticreverie]

jesus, $3K, that ain't cheap

[@trehanero]

Not easy assemble. I prefer my gumotex..

[@PaddleTV]

Yup. Inflatables definitely are great kayaks in many conditions! I'm looking forward to reviewing a number of inflatable kayaks next season.

[@sergeykopylov652]

I don't trust it. I never tried...but it looks weak.

[@christopping5876]

I have one, and weak is the last thing it is! Look at some videos, it is a very good craft in the sea and surf but does occasionally have some issues in the manufacturing process, which can be overcome and the warranty service is good.

[@sergeykopylov652]

@@christopping5876 high short waves?

[@christopping5876]

@@sergeykopylov652 Yes, tidal rip with standing waves from different directions.

[@richardhill194]

Its build out of a drybag like material, except its probably more thick and durable. if you trust bags to not spring a leak while paddling, a trak kayak should be fine. once you tension the frame in the skin, it really holds together and stays rigid.

[@sergeykopylov652]

@@richardhill194 I don't use dry bags

[@armadilllo]

yeah, no. who wants to deal with all that crap

[@capodad2u]

What a pain in the ass.

[@petrosspetrosgali]

Lol. It’s only hard to assemble the first time. It’s so easy to put together and take apart.

[@TheWildernessEnthusiast]

What a waste of so much time! Better off getting an Oru Kayak, if you want a foldable one.

[@christopping5876]

I would rather paddle a Trak than an Oru. Granted Oru's are far easier to clean afterwards but not as sturdy, not that quick to put together, and the plastic locking mechanisim clip at the deck apex are a little weak. Some Oru models weathercock a lot and are hard work in a strong breeze. You can adjust for this in a Trak using the jacks. For calm waters and leisure paddling an Oru is probably a better, easier to care for bet. Rough stuff, touring and surfing, a Trak is my choice.

[@PaddleTV]

I'm really looking forward to trying an Our Kayak. I'm hoping to do a review next season. They sure look easy to assemble and good for paddling. I definitley wouldn't call the TRAK a waste of time though. The adjustable rocker is a huge bonus, and it's very high performance kayak.

[@magicalleela666]

@@PaddleTV Hope you do a review of the Oru Bay ST. Just got myself an inflatable last month for $90, lots of paddling and not going anywhere fast. Good for the harbor. $3500 is too much money for a next step, and at 50lbs, a bit heavy for some little old lady weighing 100 lb and less than 5' tall.

[@christopping5876]

Depends if you paddle only on flat water. Having tried Orus and Traks I would never take an Oru off shore or in any waves.

[@landrew3847]

Oh my lord this is more money than some peoples cars…

[@Wings_of_foam]

I feel bad for people who don't have the privilege to transport a normal kayak around. Even though you learn to assemble it fast, it still must be a pain in the a**, when you just want to get out in the water fast.