Aquaglide McKenzie 125 Review
Rating
Performance: 8
Size/Weight: 10
Durability: 8
Setup: 9
Value: 9
OVERALL: 8.8
A great match for all kinds of water.
If you want a kayak that’s simple to pump up and handles nicely out on the water, you’re in for a good time with the Aquaglide Mckenzie 125! It’s a newer take on the earlier versions, with plenty of upgrades and it’s definitely got what it takes to compete with the best. Weighing only 30lbs, this light kayak comes with tough reinforced PVC and a big touring fin that helps it stay steady in the water. The main drawback for us is the Evo-Beam floor instead of a drop-stitch one, though it still feels impressively firm for what it is.
Comparison
Rank: #2
Open Size: Wider and spacious
Packed Size: Portable
Weight: Very light
Capacity: Higher
Perfect For: All kinds of water.
Pros: Quick to pump up, comfy and flexible.
Cons: No drop-stitch.
Verdict: A reliable kayak for just about any water, but the missing drop-stitch keeps it a step behind.
Skip ahead to First Impressions, Setup/Packdown, Paddling Experience, or the Final Verdict, check out how the Aquaglide McKenzie 125 compares to others in our list of the Top Ten 2 Person Inflatable Kayaks or see how we choose the best inflatable kayak.
Specs:
Open Size: 12’2x34.5in
Packed Size: 30x22x17in
Weight: 30lbs
Capacity: 600lbs
Approx Price: $999.99
First Impressions
The McKenzie 125 is hands down one of the most flexible kayaks we’ve tested. It’s a mix-use model, so it can go from calm lakes to whitewater without any fuss. At first, we had doubts about how it would perform on different types of water, since it’s not common to find a kayak that handles both calm and rough water equally well, but this one caught us off guard with its clever adjustable setup.
The removable posi-track fin was a real highlight and made our flatwater trip a smooth one. It’s built with bendy vinyl, which helps if you forget to take it out in shallow spots. While we’re still curious how much better it would be with a drop-stitch base, the Evobeam floor they used (shaped with a raised V-style bottom) gave us decent tracking, but it did slow things down a bit.
Setup/Packdown
To start with, it comes with a carry bag and weighs about 30lbs, which makes it manageable for a short walk to the water. Getting it ready was quick, as it unpacked easily and only needed three main air chambers to be filled, all done in under 10 minutes. Looking closer, we appreciated how simple the valves were; just a small twist to hook the pump in and it clicks on nice and secure.
The paddles that come with it break into two parts for easy packing and snapping them together was no trouble at all, which is pretty similar to most other paddles out there. What we liked most was that the paddles had markers showing you the right length, so both you and your paddling buddy can get an even setup once you're on the water.
Did we mention it also works as a solo kayak? Aquaglide really packed a lot of flexibility in! We were big fans of the movable seats that come with strong straps and D rings to keep them locked into place.
Packing it down was just as smooth as putting it up. After a rinse with clean water, it took around 8 minutes to let the air out using the same pump and fold it back into the bag. Easy as.
Paddling Experience
We’ve got a lot to say about this part, but first up: the tracking and control were really impressive! That vinyl fin really came in handy while cruising down the river.
The seats came with six straps, so we stayed locked in and comfy the whole way. Like we said before, it can switch between one person or two, and the seats can even be flipped to face each other. Sounds weird? Maybe, but it’s handy if you’re paddling with a kid or just floating along and sharing snacks. Flatwater only, of course.
That said, the thick sides of the kayak made paddling a bit awkward. Compared to kayaks with slimmer sides, we had to work a little harder to move the paddle from side to side, which did get tiring over time, but since those thick sides also help keep things nice and steady, it’s not a dealbreaker, just something to keep in mind.
Final Verdict
This kayak is a great kayak and it really shines when it comes to flexibility! If speed is what you care about most, there are definitely quicker kayaks out there, and we’re always wishing for a firmer floor, which this model doesn’t have, but if we look at everything else, the Aquaglide McKenzie 125 really makes an impact with its tough build, smooth tracking and loads of features you can tweak to match nearly any water trip. All that, and the price is still fair.
Want to see how the Aquaglide McKenzie 125 compares to other kayaks we tested? Head over to our list of the best 2-Person Inflatable Kayaks.
Water & Outdoors reviews are written by our staff writers, who combined have over fifty years of experience on the water and outdoors. We may earn commissions if you choose to buy through a link you’ve clicked on our website, however this does not influence our reviews. For more information, please see our Editorial Policies.