I never really took this kayak seriously. When inflatable kayaks get compared to pool toys, the Intex Challenger is what comes to my mind.
However when a friend of mine showed up with her new Intex Challenger one day when we were going out paddling I was so surprised by just how much fun it was.
I decided this kayak needed to be given a fair chance so I bought one and put it through my full testing process.
Below are my thoughts and honest review.
To be clear this is not my favourite inflatable kayak, BUT…
Considering that I paid very little for it on Amazon.com I was very pleasantly surprised by how comfortable and ultra portable it was.
For a crazy low price you get the kayak, a compact paddle, a pump and a fin, which all fits inside the included carry bag. Very cool!
Even though it is small in size there is ample room in the cockpit to get comfortable.
I haven’t tried paddling it with my dogs, there isn’t a lot of extra space for them. However I have seen pictures of those who have taken their dogs and made it work.
Best Suited For:
The Intex Challenger K1 is best suited for flat water paddling and total beginners.
It is not designed for anything too crazy and I wouldn’t want to get stuck in heavy winds with this little kayak.
However it is perfect for warm days at the lake, cruising along ocean bays and building up those paddling muscles.
It couldn’t be more ideal to take camping, bring along in the RV and for adults or kids to play around with.
I quite enjoyed propping my feet out of the cockpit onto the top of the kayak and soaking up the warm sun. 🙂
The Most Portable Kayak Ever
The Challenger may just be the most portable kayak ever. It folds up Into a very SMALL package that is easy to carry and store in a small space.
This is definitely one of the smallest kayak packages I have seen.
The size of the bag fully stocked with the kayak and all equipment shocked me.
It’s hard to believe there’s a full kayak, paddle and pump in there.
Dimensions:
The Bag dimensions when fully packed are: 23″ long x 14″ high x 8.5″ deep
Kayak Size: 9’ long x 30” wide
Kayak Weight when fully inflated: 27 lbs.
Max Load: 220 lbs.
Construction & Durability
The Challenger is made with welded vinyl construction. Most inflatable kayaks are made with more durable PVC material.
The vinyl won’t hold up as well and is more susceptible to punctures and scrapes.
So for that reason I would say to be extra careful around sharp objects and be conscious not to drag it over gravel or rocks.
I’ve had my Challenger out several times now and have had no issues but the construction is noticeably cheaper than what I am used to and I noticed that superficial scrapes do show up quickly.
The one-way valves work just fine and are easy to figure out.
I had not issues with air inflation or leakage.
Performance
This is where it got interesting for me because I did not expect to enjoy paddling this kayak.
I have tested a couple other ‘cheaper’ models that didn’t track well at all and were more frustrating than anything to paddle.
However I was pleasantly surprised with the Challenger and found I had no trouble keeping it paddling in a straight line.
You are not going to be breaking any speed records out there but for what it’s worth it is really easy to paddle, takes very little effort to propel forward and turns quickly and effortlessly.
With over 32,000 reviews on Amazon it seems a lot of people agree!
My Video
See the Challenger K1 solo kayak in action in the video below as I paddle it down the Alouette River.
Comfort
There is ample leg room in this little kayak. I am 5’8” tall and when sitting in the cockpit there is a good foot or more of space past my feet.
The inflatable seat is more comfortable than one would expect and the back support is decent.
The seat secures to a velcro strip on the floor of the kayak and then also attaches to the D-rings on the floor. The seat did not budge while I was paddling.
The 30” width of the K1 Challenger didn’t require a lot of reach when paddling and I think with the smaller size and light weight design even kids would really enjoy using this inflatable kayak.
Setup
My first time setting up the Challenger took me about ten minutes. It took me 7 minutes to inflate and then another 3 minutes to secure the seat, attach the paddle and slide in the fin.
However I am getting faster each time I go out and the last time it took me only 7 minutes to get everything done.
The package comes with a little hand pump. It is one of the smaller hand pumps I have ever seen and a bit awkward to use, I don’t love it.
That being said the small size fits neatly into the carry bag and worked just fine to get the kayak inflated.
There is no pressure gauge on the pump so you won’t know what air pressure you are at when inflating it.
I simply inflated the kayak until it got too hard to pump anymore then stopped, which seemed to be enough.
These are the steps to follow to quickly setup the Intex Challenger:
Step 1 – There are two air valves. Inflate the floor first, then the side.
Step 2 – Turn the kayak over and slide in the fin. It clips in easily.
Step 3 – Inflate the seat and secure seat to velcro strip on the kayak floor. Then attach the seat straps to the D-rings on the floor.
Step 4 – Attach the paddle together. It comes in 5 pieces.
Step 5 – Put on your PFD and hit the water.
Storage
There is a little storage room in the cockpit underneath the front spray skirt. You could fit a 10L or 15L dry bag under there.
There is also bungee nets on top of the nose of the kayak that can hold more.
I normally have my water bottle under the front netting. It is easy to reach and totally secure. You could easily place a dry bag or two under there as well.
There is rope on the back of the kayak that can also be used for securing extra gear or for tying to a dock or boat.
Safety
I didn’t feel any safety concerns when paddling the Challenger. It feels stable and I had no worry of tipping at all.
However there’s a million safety precautions printed on the back tail of the Challenger that you may want to take a quick look at. They definitely cover all their bases!
One thing to mention is that there are only two air valves on this kayak as opposed to three, which is the norm.
With three air valves inflatable kayaks tend to be extremely safe.
If there is ever a leak in one area there are two other fully inflated valves that will get you safely back to shore.
With only two air valves this one doesn’t rate as high in safety. For that reason it is recommended not to venture too far from shore and to always wear your lifejacket.
Where To Find The Best Deal
All things considered you really can’t go wrong for the price.
Hands down Amazon.com has the best price plus free shipping.
I will update this review as time goes on to let you all know how well it holds up. So far so good!
I have heard some great reviews and feedback from other people who own the Intex Challenger as well.
The consensus seems to be don’t expect the world from it but it’s a great deal for the price and is sure to bring loads of summer fun!
Pro Tip: Be sure to dry it off completely after use and store it in a dry cool place to keep the material and seams strong.
The Challenger also comes in a tandem version if you would like to paddle with another person or your dog.
The best deal for the 2-Person Challenger can also be found at Amazon.com.
*Review Update
Two years in I passed this kayak off to a friend for her son to use. The kayak was still in perfect shape, nothing wrong with it, I just no longer had use for it.
Her son has been using it for a couple summers now and the kayak is still holding up well. With a little care the Intex Challenger seems do just fine and I still think it is well worth the cost.
Do you already own this inflatable kayak? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
Used only a few times summer of early 2022, stored correctly, went to use this summer, 2023, and a huge, irreparable seam in the side has come undone. It’s about 20cm long. No good if you only get a couple of uses. Very disappointed with product.
I had a very fun few paddles with mine last summer and a couple this year until a catastrophic seam bust. Tried patching it several times but when I inflate it the seam rips even bigger. I’m guessing storage is important for this kayak. I’ve had to over winter mine folded up in its bag. Maybe not the right choice for anyone with no room to dry and store well
We purchased two of these. They are easy to carry and quick to inflate. Unfortunately, two summers later, after only being used a handful of times, they both disappointed us. The bottom part would deflated after about 3min after being inflated. We can’t find any hole that could be causing the deflation, and we’ve checked the valves. We’ve always taken good care of them. Won’t purchase this brand again. Unfortunately.
It only inflates to a point but feels soft and that it can use more air. I tried an intex electric pump and it did no good. Other than that, it worked for my 13 year old son. No issues.
Tips needed for drying our baby on the go. Love this for gentle paddling in lakes and rivers. The only issue is getting it dry after. We go from place to place and it gets stored in the boot (trunk) of the car between rides. Currently i deflate the botton first then dry with a sponge then a dry towel. The ends are really deep and i use an oar to push the towel into the tips to get all the moisture out. Any Tips out there?
Can I carry these on top of the car after inflated?
Here’s a question: Are you able to store the carry bag in the kayak itself when on the water for us paddlers without cars?
Definitely. The bag rolls up small and fits easily in the kayak.
Hi
Looking for some advice on the valve of our kayak. It looks like this has expanded in the heat and the bottom of the valve has popped up and is rigid plastic. Is there anyway this can be pushed back down without damaging the seals?
Thanks
I have the same problem,, and can’t find an answer anywhere!!! So I’m not that much help. I called Intex and the person I spoke, had no idea what I was talking about….They said they’d call me back, but they didn’t.
I need to know if I have ruined my brand new kayak by over filling it . I have dimples near the valve after I deflated my very fat ( huge rookie mistake ) kayak . Can this be fixed and am I safe to use it it again ? I have pictures.
Hi, I came across the k2 that is the 2 person variant and was wondering if its enough to go safely on the sea. I have no experience with kayaks but saw this one so cheap that I think it could be fun for the summer. I live in the Canary Islands and the Atlantic Ocean can get a bit harsh so I don´t now if it´s save to use.
Hi Ricardo, It’s definitely a fun cheap kayak but not the best option for rough water. It isn’t made as strong as many other inflatable kayaks, which is why the price is so good. That being said if you can paddle along the shoreline and stick close to shore, you’ll likely be fine. However just know that it isn’t designed for sea kayaking, more just recreational fun on calmer water.
Very nicely done – covering everything one needs to know before buying.
Still, a few questions:
– how stable is it?
– how reliable is the paddle? Seeing how it is made of so many parts, is it prone to bending (from harder paddling, for instance, or from longer usage)?
– does the paddle float?
I’d say it is more stable than one might think. It would be hard to tip unless you are paddling in bad weather and extremely choppy water. The paddle is cheap but it’s reliable. I didn’t notice much bending although it is what it is. A one or two-piece paddle will always be stronger and more rigid. Yes the paddle does float.
I concur with your review of the Challenger K1. I purchased this kayak based on portability along with price and mostly positive reviews.
A few things that I’ve done to improve performance comfort as well as set-up time:
-I got an oversized beach towel that I drape over the seat and spread it across the floor to reduce the sweating that results from being encased in vinyl, it keeps you dry and comfortable.
-I purchased a new paddle at Walmart. The included paddle work sufficiently on calm, still water… but a stiffer, more rigid paddle that you can really “dig in” is needed if facing a headwind or current.
-Although some reviewers said to not inflate the bottom part of the seat because it perches you too high in the kayak, I feel that you get much better clearance with the paddles over the sides of the kayak.
I absolutely enjoy this kayak and you can find me in it every Thursday and Sunday at various locations throughout SW Florida!
I just bought one of these I live in Wyoming the wind blows chronically so I’m going to go check it out and see how it does in the wind and I can let you know how it works in the wind I’ll see how far I can get from Shore LOL
Good luck! Paddling in strong wind can be hard work, hope it goes well. 🙂
Now at Amazon for $200! (not $ 50)
Thanks Richard! The price changes so often, I can’t keep up. I’ll update it now! 🙂
I ordered one today, off the excellent reviews the only concern I’m 6’2″ 220
But a Brickshithouse. Ordered lifevest costs more but rather safe than dead. Using it to photo on slow 6′ deep river.
Hey Roger, Hope it works out for you. Definitely agree to go with a good lifejacket, much better to be safe! 🙂