Intex Excursion Pro K2 Review
Rating
Performance: 7
Size/Weight: 6
Durability: 6
Setup: 7
Value: 8
OVERALL: 6.8
The perfect starter kayak.
You won't find any comfort complaints here. With its customizable seats, roomy interior and built-in drain, it's great for leisurely paddles. That said, we can't overlook the cheaper materials used, which is understandable given the rock-bottom price, but it does affect our overall rating.
Comparison
Rank: #7
Open Size: Short
Packed Size: Small
Weight: Heavy
Capacity: Lower
Perfect For: Peaceful lakes and slow rivers
Pros: Exceptionally comfortable, comes fully equipped, amazingly budget-friendly
Cons: Construction quality could be better, limited weight capacity
Verdict: Great bang for your buck if you're just getting into kayaking
Skip ahead to First Impressions, Setup/Packdown, Paddling Experience, or the Final Verdict, check out how the Intex Excursion Pro K2 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: 151x13in
Packed Size: 31x20x14in
Weight: 44.98lbs
Capacity: 400lbs
Approx Price: $364.99
First Impressions
This is easily one of the most budget-friendly two-person kayaks you can find that still performs fairly well. We didn’t expect much, but the way it stayed on track really surprised us. That’s probably thanks to the handy skegs you can take off, which come in two sizes: one for regular depth and another for shallow spots. That means it’s got more ways you can use it, depending on where you’re paddling.
It’s built to work for a bunch of different water activities. There are fishing rod holders and brackets that can hold extra stuff like a GoPro. You also get decent storage space at the front and back, which is enough for lunch and a picnic rug.
The triple-layer PVC makes it able to handle some wear and tear from bumps, sun and general use. What we didn’t love is that it doesn’t have any drop-stitching, so it doesn’t feel as sturdy or firm as some other inflatables that are starting to feel more like hard kayaks.
Setup/Packdown
The Intex Excursion Pro K2 comes with two paddles that break into five pieces each, a pump, a gauge and a carry bag. It’s pretty much a full set, so you don’t need to buy much else. We found it simple to get started and the instructions were easy enough to glance at once. Great choice for someone new to kayaking.
Pumping it up and letting the air out was quick and simple thanks to the easy valve design. Letting the air out was just a matter of popping off the second cap. The screw cap that sits over the valve spring made it a little annoying to open and close, though. Dirt and sand like to collect there, so we had to brush that off first before deflating. Still, once open, it emptied fast.
We were glad to find that drying off the PVC, folding it up and putting it all back in the bag was a breeze.
Paddling Experience
We had a mix of good and not-so-good things to say about how it felt on the water. The blow-up seats weren’t as comfy as the firmer foam ones we’ve tried and we did feel like we were bouncing a bit while paddling. The footrests didn’t have many length options either, so taller paddlers may feel a bit squished. We think it might actually be better as a one-person kayak, which is an option, as it’s a really short kayak for two people.
The paddles felt a bit too bendy, but once we got paddling, they did the job well enough. The different skegs definitely helped the kayak move in a straight line, which made a big difference.
What really stood out was how well it stayed on course, especially compared to the single version. It’s best used on calm water and would be a nice pick for someone just getting into kayaking.
Final Verdict
This is crazy cheap and a great pick for beginners. It’s priced about right for what you get in terms of build, features and how you can use it. Sure, there are stronger and firmer two-person inflatables out there, but you’ll pay a lot more for those. This one is a smart pick for fun weekend paddles if you don’t want to spend too much.
Want to see how the Intex Excursion Pro K2 compares to other kayaks we tested? Head over to our list of the Best Two-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.