Rating
Performance: 10
Size/Weight: 7
Durability: 9
Setup: 10
Value: 9
OVERALL: 9
The inflatable kayak that paddles like it forgot it was inflatable.
If you've ever wished you could have the speed and feel of a hard-shell kayak without needing a roof rack, a big car, or a garage to store it in, the Razor Kayaks Sprint Solo might just be exactly what you've been looking for. It's a full drop-stitch inflatable that sets up in around 5–6 minutes, fits in a backpack, and then surprises you the moment you get it on the water with just how fast and smooth it feels. It's the kind of kayak that makes you do a double-take and wonder why you didn't make the switch to inflatable sooner.
Comparison
Open Size: Long and narrow
Packed Size: Bulky
Weight: Moderately heavy
Capacity: Generous
Best For: Paddlers who want a fast, stable inflatable kayak that's easy to transport and store without sacrificing on-water performance.
Pros: Incredibly fast and smooth, drop-stitch, feels like a hard-shell, quick setup, generous weight capacity, comfortable for multi-hour paddles.
Cons: Bulky and heavy when packed, getting it folded back into the bag takes some practice, the low sides could be a concern in rougher conditions.
Overall: The Razor Kayaks Sprint Solo punches well above its weight as an inflatable, delivering genuine hard-shell performance in a package that fits in your trunk or below decks on a yacht.
Skip ahead to First Impressions, Setup/Packdown, Paddling Experience, or the Final Verdict, check out how the Razor Kayaks Sprint Solo compares to others in our list of the Best Inflatable Kayaks or see how we choose the best inflatable kayak.
Specs:
Open Size: 13’1”x30”
Packed Size: 32″×17″×14″
Weight: 31lbs
Capacity: 364lbs
Approx Price: $1099.00
First Impressions
The Sprint Solo is a full drop-stitch inflatable kayak, which basically means the inside is reinforced with thousands of tiny threads that hold everything rigid once it's pumped up, and that makes a huge difference to how it looks and feels compared to the soft, floppy inflatables most of us picture when we hear the word ‘inflatable.’ Once it's fully inflated, it's almost board-stiff, and honestly, if you didn't know better, you'd be forgiven for thinking it was a hard-shell.
At just over 13 feet long and 30 inches wide, it's a proper-sized kayak, not some bathtub toy. The package is solid too! You get a foam-padded seat, an adjustable footrest, a removable fin, a backpack-style carry bag, and a repair kit. It weighs around 30 pounds, which isn't light, but it's manageable on your own, especially with the backpack carry system.
One thing that stands out straight away is the hard rubber nose caps on the bow and stern. They give the kayak a sharp, defined shape that looks great and is actually functional and they protect against bumps and knocks and help the hull cut cleanly through choppy water. There are also subtle curves built into the floor and top deck that shape the underside more like a traditional hard-shell hull, which is a genuinely clever design touch you don't often see on inflatables.
Setup/Packdown
There are three chambers to inflate (the floor and the two side tubes) and they all use the same type of valve and inflate to the same pressure of 10 PSI, which keeps things nice and simple. The instructions suggest starting with the floor, but honestly, it doesn't seem to matter much which order you go in since nothing shifts around or gets in the way during inflation.
With a hand pump it takes just a few minutes, and it's even quicker with an electric pump, which we'd genuinely recommend picking up if you don't already have one. Once it's pumped up, the seat clips in easily, with a handy bit of Velcro underneath to stop it sliding around on the smooth floor. The footrest clips in and adjusts without any fuss, and then you just slide the fin in at the water's edge and you're good to go. Most people will settle into a setup routine of around 5–6 minutes, which is pretty hard to complain about.
Pack down is where you'll need a little patience, at least at first. Deflating is easy (although sucking the air out with a pump or a 12V inflater/deflater makes it much quicker) but folding it back into the backpack takes a bit of technique. Those hard rubber nose caps that look so good are also a little bulky, and you'll find yourself staring at the pile wondering how it all fit in the bag to begin with. It does fit, every single time, but you'll want to look up the specific folding technique online before your first pack down, because the instructions in the box aren't quite detailed enough on this point. That's a fair criticism, and something Razor could easily fix.
Once it's packed, be honest with yourself about how far you're carrying it. The backpack works well, but this is not a lightweight setup. It's bulky enough that if you've got a bad back or dodgy knees, you'll want to think carefully about the distance between your car and the water.
Paddling Experience
The Sprint Solo is fast as its name suggests. The rigid hull, shaped underside, and sharp nose all work together to let it cut through the water cleanly and keep that momentum going between strokes. Get a good rhythm going and it just glides. It's a really satisfying feeling.
It also tracks brilliantly, meaning it holds a straight line without you constantly having to correct your course. The removable fin does a lot of the work here, and it's worth waiting until you're at the water to clip it in so you're not waddling around a car park with it sticking out the bottom. In a crosswind, you might notice the nose wanting to drift a little, but a small correction here and there is all it takes and is pretty standard for any kayak in those conditions, inflatable or otherwise.
Stability is genuinely impressive. At 30 inches wide with a weight capacity of 364 pounds, it feels planted and confidence-inspiring on the water, even when there's some chop or wake from other watercraft nearby. It handles light ocean conditions well too and you can even catch small waves in it if that's your thing. The sides are on the lower end, which is worth knowing if you're planning to paddle in seriously rough open water, but for lakes, rivers, sheltered bays, and light coastal conditions, it's a complete non-issue. A spray skirt is available as an optional add-on if you want extra peace of mind.
Getting in and out is easy thanks to the open cockpit design, and there's plenty of legroom even if you're tall. The seat is comfortable for a couple of hours of paddling, though like most kayak seats, you might start to feel it on longer sessions. There's a handy zipped pocket on the back of the seat for your keys, phone, or wallet, which is a small but really practical touch. Storage-wise, the bungee lacing on the deck gives you somewhere to strap down extra gear, and the open cockpit means you can bring along a decent amount of kit without feeling cramped. If you want to go motorized, there's a motor accessory available that owners rave about for paddling upstream or into a headwind.
Final Verdict
The Razor Kayaks Sprint Solo is the kind of inflatable kayak that makes you rethink what an inflatable kayak can be. It's fast, stable, comfortable, and genuinely fun to paddle, and the setup process is simple enough that it won't put you off getting out on the water. For anyone who's always wanted a kayak but doesn't have the space, the car, or the lifestyle for a hard-shell, this is one to really think about.
The trade-offs are minor. The packed bag is bulky and heavy enough to be worth thinking about if you have physical limitations or a long carry to the water. And the first few times you pack it down, you'll want to have that folding technique queued up on your phone, but once you've got the routine down, neither of these things will feel like a big deal.
Whether you're a weekend lake paddler, a coastal explorer, a camper, or someone who wants a capable kayak stowed on a sailing yacht, the Sprint Solo is a well-made, well-designed boat that's very easy to recommend.
Want to see how the Razor Kayaks Sprint Solo compares to other kayaks we tested? Head over to our list of the Top Ten 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.