Gear of the Week: Oru Kayak Inlet

Our take Multisport adventuring just got way more convenient. Oru Kayak’s newest boat, the Inlet, folds down into a box about the size of a duffel bag, weighs just 20 pounds, and retails for $899—making it both the lightest and the least-expensive craft in its class. (Most foldable kayaks weigh over 30 pounds and very few break the $1,000 barrier.) The Inlet’s weight savings come from a new folding pattern that cuts down on the amount of excess plastic in the boat. Another bonus of the new design: It folds up more like a suitcase and less like an origami crane, making setup faster than other collapsible kayaks.

The details The Inlet is slightly wider than previous models, leaving more room to stash gear and boosting its comfort and stability on the water—a feature our tester appreciated on a windy, choppy day on Jackson Lake in Grand Teton National Park. It comes with an adjustable foot rest and a comfortable, padded back rest. 

Trail cred “I was able to build the boat in under five minutes on my first try,” says one tester, who also estimated a break-down time of three minutes.

$899; 20 lbs.; Buy the Oru Kayak Inlet now