Gumotex Twist 2/1 Review
Rating
Performance: 6
Size/Weight: 8
Durability: 7
Setup: 8
Value: 6
OVERALL: 7.0
A noticeable upgrade from budget models.
At first glance, the Gumotex Twist 2/1 shares much with cheaper kayaks, being compact, wide and not offering completely rigid surfaces. What sets it apart is Gumotex's special Nitrilon material, allowing inflation to 3psi for slightly better stiffness than similar models.
Comparison
Rank: #6
Open Size: Wide but short
Packed Size: Small
Weight: Very Light
Capacity: Mid-range
Best For: Various water conditions (not rapids)
Pros: Easy to transport, adaptable seating, better firmness than competitors, responsive handling
Cons: Could be stiffer, seats aren't the most comfortable
Verdict: Stands above other portable, low-pressure inflatables in quality
Skip ahead to First Impressions, Setup/Packdown, Paddling Experience, or the Final Verdict, check out how the Gumotex Twist 2/1 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: 11’10x2’9in
Packed Size: 21x14x8in
Weight: 29lbs
Capacity: 396lbs
Approx Price: $735.00
First Impressions
To begin with, the Gumotex Twist 2/1 doesn’t come with a backpack or even a great carry bag (though you can spend extra for one of Gumotex’s backpack-style bags and those are actually quite decent). It’s not a big deal, though, because it folds up light and small, so it’s not hard to carry it down to the water in your arms. The seats roll up inside the main bundle, so the only loose item is the fin (along with your usual pump, paddles, life jackets and so on).
The Nitrilon material that Gumotex uses for many of its kayaks is promoted as much stronger than the thinner PVC or vinyl you normally find in kayaks at this level. To be honest, the glossy look of the Nitrilon can feel a bit strange when you’re used to the rougher-looking matte PVC seen on more expensive kayaks, but in our test, it held air at the recommended pressure of 3psi and handled some bumps on rocky shores just fine. We’d need more time to say how tough it really is long-term, but since it’s rubber-based and thicker than vinyl, it’s clearly more rugged than cheaper options.
As for the other parts like the valves, bungee cord, and carry handles, they all felt nicely made, and it’s easy to see why this kayak costs quite a bit more than others in the same category.
Setup/Packdown
The kayak’s base setup is fairly straightforward, with three air sections (one for the floor and one for each side) and one valve per section. Pumping them all to 3psi doesn’t take long with either a hand or electric pump (we used a double-action pump and it took about a minute and a half per side). You can blow up the seats by mouth, although you’ll get firmer seats with a pump, but switching the nozzles is a bit of a hassle, so using your breath is usually quicker.
One helpful feature is the floor’s automatic pressure release valve, which is the only one like it in our list. It lets out extra air if the floor goes over 3psi (like on a warm day when the air expands). That’s useful because the floor uses i-beam construction, which is a set of long air chambers that share the air. These can break more easily if overfilled compared to a drop-stitch floor or one big chamber. On the plus side, i-beam floors are firmer than soft panel ones.
Since Nitrilon is slick and shiny, it dries quickly and rolls up easily, so we didn’t have any problems there. It also has carry handles on the front, back and sides, and because it’s so light, you can walk it to the water while fully pumped up without any struggle.
Paddling Experience
The Twist 2/1 is a good size for a two-to-one-person convertible, and this helps with how it feels when paddling. It’s wide enough to keep things steady but not so wide that it feels heavy to move and the shorter length makes it easy to steer. The removable fin is absolutely needed if you want it to stay straight, but once the fin is in, it tracks nicely.
It’s never going to feel as stiff as a drop-stitch kayak, which means it won’t be as comfy, quick, or smooth, and without a shaped front or back, it doesn’t slice through choppy water well, so we found ourselves bouncing over waves instead of pushing through them like in tougher kayaks.
When it comes to comfort, it’s still a little short for two adults to stretch out, with a total length of 11’10”, but that actually makes it more practical when used by one person. There are also built-in inflatable beams in the front paddler’s leg space that work like a footrest, but they’re part of the floor and can’t be moved, and there’s no footrest at all for the back paddler. We think a footrest makes a big difference for comfort, so this setup doesn’t work great for long trips.
Final Verdict
Gumotex clearly set out to make their lightest and most budget-friendly kayak, without letting go of their usual high standards, and we think they’ve done that well. There are a few trade-offs in the design, like the softer feel and a bit less paddling power, but if you want a strong, well-built kayak for less money, this one is a very good pick.
Want to see how the Gumotex Twist 2/1 compares to other kayaks we tested? Head over to our 2 Person Inflatable Kayak Review.
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