Driftsun Rover 120 Review

Rating

Performance: 4

Size/Weight: 7

Durability: 7

Setup: 8

Value: 7

OVERALL: 6.6

The go-to pick for whitewater lovers.

The Driftsun Rover 120 handles rapids up to class IV with ease, thanks to its stiff drop-stitch floor and handy extras like a strap for mounting a GoPro. Even though it's not huge, it can hold up to 300 pounds, so if you're skilled, you might even manage to bring lunch along for the wild ride.

Comparison

Open Size: Big (thicker tubes)

Packed Size: Small

Weight: Fairly heavy

Capacity: High

Driftsun Rover

Best For: Whitewater rapids, no question.

Good Stuff: Super firm drop-stitch floor, fin that pops off when you don't need it and drains that let water escape on their own.

Not-So-Good Stuff: Doesn't move fast or stay straight on calm water and Driftsun doesn't include a repair kit.

Final Say: If you live for rapids, this kayak is hard to beat.

Skip ahead to First Impressions, Setup/Packdown, Paddling Experience, or the Final Verdict, check out how the Driftsun Rover 120 compares to others in our list of the Top Ten Inflatable Kayaks, or see how we choose the best inflatable kayak.

 

Specs:

Open Size: 8’6"x36in

Packed Size: 28x21x9in

Weight: 22lbs

Capacity: 300lbs

Approx Price: $699.99

First Impressions

Right away, you can tell this kayak is built tough. The heavy-duty PVC material and stiff drop-stitch floor feel thick and sturdy, ready to handle bumps and scrapes while giving you a firm base to push against when paddling.

Before you even pump it up, you'll notice handy features like the splash guard, carry handles and GoPro mount (because let's be honest, if you don't film your awesome moves, did they really happen?). Some features matter more in rough water, like the five drain holes in the floor (they might slow you down on calm water, but are lifesavers when waves are crashing in). There's also a long removable fin that helps with steering on flat water, but needs to come off when tackling rocky rapids.

We liked that the storage bag fits everything, from kayak, paddle to pump, which isn't always true with other models. At 22 pounds, it's light enough to carry to the water without trouble.

Setup/Packdown

Pumping up the Driftsun Rover is straightforward. There are three air valves (the kind with a button for quick deflation), all close together. We filled the sides first, then the floor, but the order doesn't really matter.

The main accessories are a firm foam seat that clips in easily and an adjustable footrest that slides on velcro straps, both of which are simple to put in place.

When it's time to pack up, the PVC material dries quickly before you deflate it. We needed a couple of tries to fold it small enough to fit everything back in the bag, but you'll get the hang of it.

Paddling Experience

We first tried it on calm water. For a kayak made mainly for rapids, it did better than expected. With the fin attached, it went fairly straight, not as good as kayaks made for flat water, but much better than other whitewater models.

The stiff floor felt great underfoot, and the footrest gave something to push against (though the velcro straps couldn't handle too much force). We preferred the firm foam seat, but if you like softer inflatable seats, this one might feel uncomfortable after a while.

The wide sides made reaching the water with the paddle take some getting used to, especially if you normally use hard-shell kayaks with thinner edges.

On choppy water, the drain holes worked perfectly, quickly getting rid of any water that came in. The slightly raised front and back helped glide over waves instead of plowing through them.

While my testing partner and I enjoy whitewater, we're not experts, so we had a friend try it on class III rapids. He said it performed great, draining water well, though he noticed the bouncy feel against rocks that's typical of inflatables (and different from hard-shell kayaks). Overall, he had a blast with it.

Final Verdict

The Driftsun Rover 120 is a tough, well-made kayak perfect for rapids that still works decently on calm water. We wish it came with a repair kit, considering its rough-water use, but if you want an inflatable for whitewater adventures, this is a top choice.

Looking for something more suited to calm water? Have a peek through our list of the Top Ten Inflatable Kayaks of 2025.


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.

Em Forster

Em Forster is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Water and Outdoors. She is a certified Divemaster, has hiked on five continents and has been waterskiing since her feet would fit into skis.

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