Itiwit X500 One Person Review
Rating
Performance: 9
Size/Weight: 7
Durability: 7
Setup: 8
Value: 9
OVERALL: 8.0
A great budget-friendly option for speed.
The X500 looks and feels a lot like a hard-shell kayak, thanks to its V-shaped hull and stiff drop-stitch construction. It moves quickly and smoothly through the water, but don’t expect it to be super stable. Since it doesn’t have real fins, it wobbles a bit when you stop, but if you know what you’re doing and want speed, this is a good choice for a kayak.
Comparison
Rank: #2
Open Size: Longer and thinner
Packed Size: Middle
Weight: Heavy
Capacity: Good
Best For: Paddling fast on calm, flat water.
Pros: Super firm drop-stitch build, sleek V-shaped hull for smooth gliding.
Cons: Pretty tippy, so you’ll want to keep up your speed and avoid sharp turns.
Verdict: You can find better-performing kayaks, but not at this price.
Skip ahead to First Impressions, Setup/Packdown, Paddling Experience, or the Final Verdict, check out how the Itiwit X500 compares to others in our list of the Top Ten Inflatable Kayaks or see how we choose the best inflatable kayak.
Specs:
Open Size: 25.2”x12’6in
Packed Size: 37x19.7x10.6in
Weight: 39.7lbs
Capacity: 275lbs
Approx Price: TBA
First Impressions
Decathlon nailed the backpack design! It’s big enough to hold all the kayak’s extra gear but not so huge that it’s a pain to carry. The straps are comfy and sit just right.
The materials feel tough and built to last. We’re big fans of drop-stitch because it keeps things stiff, making this inflatable kayak act more like a hard-shell one.
Inside the pack, you’ll find the kayak, hard plastic footrests and a firm padded seat, but just a heads-up: the paddle and pump aren’t included, so you’ll need to buy those separately or bring your own.
Setup/Packdown
The X500 has five air valves, which is more than most inflatables but not as many as some others. These fill up the floor, both sides and extra chambers at the front and back, which helps prevent punctures and adds strength to the kayak’s long shape. Inflating them is simple since all the valves work the same way.
The footrests and seat pop in easily, though you don’t have as many adjustment options as with some other kayaks.
When it’s time to pack up, the full PVC shell makes it easy to rinse off and dry with a towel before folding. The bag is a little roomy, so stuffing everything back in takes a try or two at first, but you’ll get the hang of it.
Paddling Experience
The X500 paddles better than most inflatables we’ve tried. It’s never going to be as fast as a hard-shell kayak, but it gets pretty close—the drop-stitch material and V-shaped hull help it glide smoothly and stay straight.
The trade-off is that it’s not the most stable. The long, narrow design makes it wobblier, and it’s the only kayak we flipped (when we hit choppy water sideways). Turns aren’t its strong suit either; small adjustments are fine, but big direction changes take effort. That’s just the downside of a sleek, speedy shape.
Comfort is great, though. The seat is supportive, the footrests give you something solid to push against, and there’s plenty of storage space (just remember it’s not waterproof, so bring dry bags).
Final Verdict
The X500 is a smartly built inflatable that almost feels like a hard-shell kayak. It’s not the most stable, and Decathlon could’ve tweaked that, but that might’ve hurt its smooth, straight-line performance. If you want a kayak for distance, fitness, or just getting from A to B, this is tough to top for the price.
See how the Itiwit X500 compares to the other kayaks that made our Top Ten list.
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