Aqua Marina Laxo 285 Review
Rating
Performance: 5
Size/Weight: 5
Durability: 4
Setup: 5
Value: 5
OVERALL: 4.8
The V-shaped hull saves this budget-friendly kayak
At first glance, the Laxo 285 seems nearly identical to the Itiwit Cruising Kayak, with both being wide, fabric-covered models with similar sizes, weight limits and price tags. But the Laxo has one key advantage that improves its performance: its V-shaped bottom is made from inflatable tubes.
Comparison
Rank: #9
Open Size: Short and wide
Packed Size: Bulky
Weight: Average
Capacity: Very low
Best For: Casual paddling on calm lakes and rivers
Pros: Stays steady in the water, comes with a helpful fin system, quick to set up
Cons: Fabric covering takes longer to dry, doesn't feel very rigid, costs more than it should
Verdict: A decent mid-range option for beginners or occasional paddlers
Skip ahead to First Impressions, Setup/Packdown, Paddling Experience, or the Final Verdict, check out how the Aqua Marina Laxo 285 compares to others in our list of the Top Ten Inflatable Kayaks or see how we choose the best inflatable kayak.
Specs:
Open Size: 28.5x21in
Packed Size: 28x21x12in
Weight: 25.3lbs
Capacity: 244lbs
Approx Price: $429.00
First Impressions
The Laxo comes ready to paddle with everything you need in the box (just bring your life jacket). The paddle works fine, but the included foot pump is terrible, so you'll want to buy a better hand pump with a pressure gauge. Since the floor only needs 1 psi, that gauge will help prevent overinflation.
An interesting bonus is that it comes with two fins (front and back), which we haven't seen before. The storage bag unzips completely around the edges, making it much easier to get the kayak in and out.
Setup/Packdown
Good news! All three valves are the same type. They're Boston valves, which take more effort to open/close than Halkey-Roberts valves, but that's a small complaint. First, inflate the floor to 1 psi (use that gauge!), then do the sides. The instructions mention checking the floor position first, but we skipped that step and it worked fine.
The seat doesn't need air (nice!), so just line up the velcro strips and clip it in. The plastic clips seem questionable for long-term use though. The fins slide in easily but the pins are tough to remove.
The biggest missing feature? No footrest. At this price, that's disappointing since it really helps with paddling efficiency.
Packing up takes extra time because of the full fabric covering. Even after drying for two days, we worried about mold forming in storage.
Paddling Experience
The Laxo isn't built for speed, but it does go fairly straight thanks to its V-shaped tube design. It's also surprisingly stable despite this shape.
Like similar kayaks, the wide sides mean you have to reach farther to paddle, which gets tiring. The foam seat provides good support, but again, no footrest makes paddling harder. Combined with the soft inflatable floor, you won't want to go too far in this.
Final Verdict
Aqua Marina's Laxo 285 offers decent straight-line performance at a lower price without cutting too many corners. Is it worth the extra $100 over similar models like the Itiwit Cruising Kayak? Yes, because that V-shape really helps it track better. The lack of a footrest, terrible pump and fussy fabric covering are drawbacks, but overall it's a good choice for the price.
Interested to see how the Aqua Marina Laxo 285 compares? Visit our list of the Best Inflatable Kayaks for a full comparison of our top ten.
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