When it comes to inflatable kayaks, the Intex Challenger K1 is arguably the best value kayak on the market. It is an affordable, reliable, and durable beginner kayak for lakes or mild-flowing rivers.
The Intex Challenger K1 Kayak is a single inflatable kayak made from durable and high-quality materials. It provides great support, safety, and speed on the water. It is designed to be nimble, stable, and sturdy. For its price, the Intex Challenger K1 Kayak is a great value inflatable kayak.
You will find tons of information in this article on the Intex Challenger K1 Kayak to help you decide if it is right for you. Read on to learn why the Challenger K1 Kayak is such as great value inflatable kayak.
Also, take a look at the Intex Challenger K1 on Amazon for more info and to see their great reviews:
Click here to see it on Amazon.
Intex Challenger K1 Kayak Review
The Challenger K1 Kayak has many features designed to give kayakers a great time on and off the water. Continue reading to know some of the features that make this beginner inflatable kayak worth every penny.
What Is the Challenger K1 Kayak?
The Intex Challenger K1 Kayak is a one-person sporty inflatable kayak that offers easy paddling because of its streamlined design. This kayak is highly visible on the water even from afar because of its bright green color and flashy graphics.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
Intex is known for making inflatable boats and kayaks of high quality. The Challenger K1 Kayak, part of their Sports Series line, is no exception. Using this kayak is a great way to enjoy solo paddling in mild rivers and lakes. It’s compact, lightweight, and quite easy to assemble.
This kayak comes with a high-output air hand pump. With this pump connected to the Boston valve of the kayak, you can quickly inflate it in just a few minutes.
This one-person kayak is ruggedly built, so you can take it on lakes, rivers, and wherever you go. It has a rugged vinyl construction, a low-profile deck, and an inflatable beam floor. And there are high buoyancy side chambers that provide stability and comfort to the kayak.
Also, this inflatable kayak comes with a removable skeg or fin, enabling you to make precise directional maneuvering. It has an adjustable and inflatable seat complete with a backrest for comfortable seating. A grab line is provided for the convenience of the kayaker too. There is a cargo net at the bow or front of the kayak if you need extra storage.
The Intex Challenger K1 Kayak is NMMA-certified with a corresponding U.S. Coast Guard ID. In other words, its capabilities are way beyond the standard required by the U.S. Coast Guard. The kayak also comes with a repair patch kit for emergency repairs, including an 86-inch aluminum paddle.
Video Reviews of Challenger K1 Kayak
Here are two video reviews of the Challenger K1 kayak. These two videos will show you what to expect if you buy (and use) this particular kayak.
This Challenger K1 Kayak review (shown below) was done by Mission for Fishing after one year. It is a review based on real-life experiences of using the kayak for one year. According to the reviewer, after one year of using this kayak, it performed above and beyond expectations.
In this review, he said that there were problems and issues with the kayak, but overall, it provided him the service that it was supposed to give – for one whole year. Watch it. You will learn how capable the Intex Challenger K1 Kayak is.
Two bloggers created the below video review. They are Alisha and Josh, the creators of the travel blog Terradrift. Alisha is saying, right at her opening spiel, that it’s wiser to buy a Challenger K1 instead of renting a kayak every time you go kayaking. It is also cheaper and better.
Together with her partner Josh, they demonstrate how to assemble the kayak and how it manages on the water. They also gave their impressions on how the kayak performed on the water. It’s a great and informative video review, especially if you’re looking for a beginner kayak.
Specifications of the Challenger K1 Kayak
The Challenger K1 inflatable kayak has the following dimensions:
- Length – 108 inches
- Width – 30 inches
- Depth or Height – 13 inches
- Weight – 27.2 pounds
- Maximum Capacity – 220 pounds
What Comes with the Challenger K1 Kayak?
Several accessories are included in the Challenger K1 inflatable kayak package. They are as follows:
- One unit high-output hand pump
- One pc. aluminum paddle (86 inches long)
- One unit adjustable seat complete with backrest
- Cargo net for extra storage
- One unit removable skeg for directional stability
- Grab line on front and back
- Inflatable floor
- Quick-fill Boston valve
- One unit repair patch kit
- One unit carry bag
- U.S. Coast Guard ID with NMMA certification
Most Notable Features and Benefits
As you can see, the Challenger K1 Kayak has many features that offer lots of benefits to the owner or user. Here are some of its most beneficial features:
- The cockpit of this inflatable kayak is designed to give comfort to the user. It also offers maximized space for natural movements while kayaking.
- This kayak offers great stability because of its inflatable I-beam floors.
- It is nimble and durable, which are two qualities that make a very functional kayak.
- Added safety on the water is provided by its bright green color and eye-catching sporty graphics.
- Its rugged vinyl construction ensures a long service life (as long as you take care of it properly).
Complete Features and Details of the Challenger K1 Kayak
Here is a more comprehensive list of all the features of the Intex Challenger K1 inflatable kayak:
- Its inflated size is 9 feet x 2 feet 6 in x 1 feet and 1 inch
- Streamlined design for easy paddling (The kayak’s overall design makes paddling and rowing easier than other kayaks.)
- Person Capacity – 1
- Maximum Weight Capacity – 220 pounds (while this kayak weighs less than 30 pounds, it can carry a maximum of 220 pounds)
- Rugged vinyl construction
- Sporty graphics for high visibility (The Challenger K1 is decorated with sporty graphics that ensure its maximum visibility over long distances. It comes in two colors: bright green and sky blue.)
- Cockpit designed for comfort and space
- Adjustable inflatable seat with backrest (This kayak comes with an inflatable seat and a backrest, combining functionality and comfort.
- Low-profile for lakes and mild rivers
- Inflatable I-beam floor for rigidity and comfort (It ensures enhanced steadiness on the water since this type of floor is designed to offer maximum stability.)
- Cargo net for extra storage (This additional space can store supplies and gear, so there’s no need to store them behind the seat. This extra storage is large enough to accommodate your sandals, towels, lures, water bottle, fishing rods, and other accessories.)
- Removable skeg for directional maneuverability
- Grab line on both ends
- Includes a repair patch
- TUV approved
- U.S. Coast Guard ID with NMMA certification
Easy Inflation Process
The Intex Challenger K1 lake kayak is an inflatable kayak. So, it means that you have to inflate it before use. This could mean heavy work, right? But with the Challenger K1, it’s not. There is no hassle involved in inflating this kayak.
It will only take you 5 to 10 minutes to have it ready to take out on the water. Thus, you’ll spend less time on its assembly and devote more time to your kayaking adventure. This kayak also comes with a powerful hand pump that will quicken the process. Inflate this kayak by following the steps below:
Step 1: The Challenger K1 has two air valves. Get the hand pump and inflate the one on the floor first and then the one on the side.
Step 2: Once inflated, turn the kayak over and slide in the skeg or fin. The skeg will clip easily on the provided slot.
Step 3: Get the hand pump and start to inflate the seat. When done inflating, secure it with the Velcro strip on the floor of the kayak. Next, attach the straps of the seat to the D-rings on the floor.
Step 4: Assemble the aluminum paddle, which is composed of five parts.
Step 5: Wear your personal flotation device (PFD) and hit the water.
Intex Challenger K2 Kayak
There’s another Intex inflatable kayak that can accommodate two rowers. It is the Intex Challenger K2 Kayak. This kayak can comfortably seat two people who can paddle through easy-flowing rivers and lakes.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
It is also made of rugged, super-tough vinyl that is resistant to UV damage and puncture. So, you can expect this inflatable kayak to last long. It has a large cockpit that optimizes space and comfort as well.
Just add a bit more cost to the Challenger K1, and you will have this two-seater kayak. You can use the extra seat for storing fishing gear or extra supplies if you are going alone. This inflatable kayak also has a USCG certification.
The Challenger K2 Kayak is longer than the K1. Its dimensions are 138 inches long, 30 inches wide, and 15 inches high. It can carry a heavier load than the Challenger K1 because its maximum carrying capacity is 400 pounds. Additionally, it comes with two 86-inch aluminum oars, an air pump, repair kits, and so forth.
About Intex
Intex Recreation Corp. manufactures the Intex Challenger K1 Kayak. Apart from making inflatable kayaks, this company also distributes boats, furniture, air beds, toys, spas, ground pools, and many more. Intex has been in the business for over 40 years and has built a network of companies all over the world.
All products that this company manufactures undergo intensive testing to ensure customer satisfaction. Trained Intex employees monitor various factors, such as machine calibration, quality of materials, manufacturing, and assembly of every product. They also perform quality control, product testing, and careful packaging to ensure that all products are 100% satisfactory according to specifications.
Intex’s mission is to deliver products that are of the highest quality. To achieve this goal, the company routinely tests completed items to ensure that they always provide high product safety standards, quality, and value. Intex strives to market its products at very affordable prices.
This company ensures that all of its products are safe to use and will not pose any danger to its users. In this regard, the company urges buyers and users to read their product’s instruction manual carefully. Users will avoid accidents and misuse or abuse of the products if this precaution is carefully considered.
Intex Recreation Corp. is also continuously working with its suppliers to reduce the amount of fossil fuels used in manufacturing its products. In this way, it can help the company cut its carbon footprints for the past ten years.
Conclusion – Intex Challenger K1 Kayak Review
So, to recap, why is the Intex Challenger K1 Inflatable Kayak a great choice for anyone searching for a kayak? The Intex Challenger K1 Kayak is an excellent choice for lakes and mild rivers as it is nimble, stable, and sturdy.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
This inflatable kayak for one person is also made from high-quality and durable materials. It can provide excellent support, safety, and convenience both on and off the water. For beginners, the Challenger K1 Kayak is definitely worth every penny.
Related reading:
Best Inflatable Boat for the Money – Our Top 10 Picks
Intex Challenger K2 Kayak – Complete Review and Specs
