Innova/Gumotex Rush 2 Review
Rating
Performance: 9
Size/Weight: 9
Durability: 9
Setup: 8
Value: 4
OVERALL: 7.8
The perfect companion for water adventures.
We're completely sold on this kayak's rigid floor panel, as it delivers both steadiness and good speed for coastal exploring, plus plenty of room to stash snacks and gear when you need a break. It hits that sweet spot of being lightweight yet packing down small and let's be honest, it's got serious style points. The only real drawback? You'll need deep pockets for this one.
Comparison
Open Size: Wide and spacious
Packed Size: Portable
Weight: Very light
Capacity: High
Perfect For: Leisurely paddles and coastal touring on calm waters
Pros: Rock-solid build quality, smooth handling in the water
Cons: Comes with a premium price
Verdict: A top-tier kayak featuring excellent materials that deliver outstanding performance
Skip ahead to First Impressions, Setup/Packdown, Paddling Experience, or the Final Verdict, check out how the Innova/Gumotex Rush 2 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: 13’9x2’8in
Packed Size: 27x19x17in
Weight: 34lbs
Capacity: 430lbs
Approx Price: $2199.00
First Impressions
Just when we thought we’d already tested the toughest inflatable kayaks out there, the Innova/Gumotex Rush 2 shows up with its firm drop-stitch base. It’s tough and handles really well on both calm and rough water. You can tell from the strong NITRILON® fabric that it holds up in all sorts of conditions, and especially during cold weather, which is a big plus.
It comes with a tracking fin, pop-up style valves, an optional cockpit cover and comfy seats, so it feels like every part of this kayak was carefully thought through to help it perform better.
Setup/Packdown
Even with its sturdy floor and tough outer material, we were impressed that it still only weighs 34lbs and folds into a 100L carry bag. We tossed it in the trunk of our car with no trouble, which shows how easy it is to take along.
Extra points for the fact that it’s made from a more earth-friendly rubber blend. It feels a little different if you’re used to the usual PVC and while we don’t have long-term info on how it holds up, it did seem pretty tough during our use.
It took us around 8 and a half minutes to pump it up from flat (yes, we time these things very carefully).
Paddling Experience
There’s a reason this was named Product of the Year 2020 at Paddle Expo. A few key features that really made paddling enjoyable were the PE foam seat with a comfortable back section and the shaped front end that slices through the water and makes river paddling fast and fun.
The wide side chambers added to the stable feel, but we noticed it didn’t do as well in rougher water. Due to its size, it had a tendency to get pushed sideways in waves, which made it harder to control, but if you’re mostly planning to use it on still water or quiet lakes, that won’t really matter.
Final Verdict
There are some clever design choices in the Innova/Gumotex Rush 2 and most of them go above what we usually expect from a quality kayak. With a few tweaks and some extras, it’s a great choice for paddling around rivers and lakes. The one drawback is the steep price tag; it’s not that it doesn’t deserve it, but it definitely makes the decision a bit more difficult.
Want to see how the Gumotex Rush 2 compares to other kayaks we tested? Head over to our 2 Person Inflatable Kayak Review.
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.