Intex Explorer K2 Inflatable Kayak Review 2023

Based on some decent experience, I can comfortably say that inflatable products are taking charge when it comes to water sports. Inflatable kayaks happened to be on the rise in the last few years thanks to the advanced science and technology used to build them. An inflatable kayak now has a lot to offer when it comes to both; practicality and fun.

Why Opt for an Inflatable Kayak?

With inflatable kayaks, you get the same level of enjoyment as a traditional kayak without having to deal with all the nuances that kayaks are so well known for. For starters, with inflatable kayaks, it is easy to set it up and get on with your adventure. You do not have to worry about how you are going to tote it from your home to your destination. Even if you drive the smallest sedan possible, you simply need to find a small area where you can neatly fold it up. Inflating up your kayak is often quick and easy and anyone can do it.

The only downside with having an inflatable kayak is the fact that you will need to be a bit more cautious when you are in the water. Even a small stick or jagged rock has enough power to puncture your kayak and ruin your adventure.

In today’s article, we are going to take an in depth look at the Intex Explorer K2 Kayak and why so many have fallen in love with it when it comes to enjoying the outdoors.

Intex Explorer K2 Kayak

This review is going to be about Intex Explorer K2 inflatable kayak which is presented to us by Intex whose kayaks are known for their streamlined design and directional stability. The Intex provide you with almost any inflatable product that you can think of, as well as the accessories needed to handle them.

The Intex Explorer K2 Inflatable Kayak is quite the deal if you ask me because it’s reasonably priced for a kayak that is full of functional and fun features.

FEATURES

2 separate air chambers
Boston valves for quick inflation/deflation
Inflatable I-beam floor for rigidity
Removable skeg for directional stability
Adjustable inflatable seat with backrest
Sporty graphics for high visibility
86″ Aluminum Oars & High-Output Air Pump

SPECIFICATIONS

Use	Recreational (Low-profile for lakes and mild rivers)
Dimensions	10’3″ x 3′ x 1’8″
Material	Heavy duty puncture-resistant vinyl
Weight limit	400 lbs
Number of Chambers	2 separate air chambers
Fins/Skeg	1 removable skeg
# Carry Handles	2 carry handle
Warranty	90 day limited warranty
# of persons	1 – 2

Quality

You can find Intex products in more than 100 countries around the world, and this name has been on the market since the early 70s’. The motto of this brand is “Fun Is In The Air” at a very affordable price. The Explorer K2 is a kayak made for family time; with two seats, this kayak is 10.3 feet long, 36 inches wide with a taller profile on the sides than most other kayaks; it goes up to 20 inches high.

The Intex K2 Explorer Kayak is made of heavy-duty SUPER-TOUGH™ 30-gauge vinyl over a 1200 denier nylon shell with an inflatable I-beam floor and internal tubes; it’s puncture resistant, and it’s made to meet the quality standards that emphasize maximum durability. Also, this kayak is lightweight compared to other two-person kayaks weighing in at just 31 lbs. That’s a plus when it comes to carrying it around! The Explorer K2 can hold the weight of 2 adults without affecting its performance; however, the kayak has a maximum carrying a weight of 350 lbs which is enough for an adult and a child. The 350 lbs weight limit of the inflatable boat should allow you to experience the best kayaking time.

Moreover, the details on this kayak are highly pleasing; looking at it, you’ll find that it has a curve on both the front and back which makes it possible to take it on rougher and white waters. Those curves are covered with strong inflatable and durable skirts that do not only prevent the water from getting inside the kayak but also reinforce it against crashes and shocks.

The Explorer K2 is a very large kayak with plenty of room for anything you’d like to take on board with you. The front seat does have more legroom than the back seat; however, you’ll get to store something in the space at the back.

All in all, the Explorer K2, according to a large users’ platform, is rated as one of the strongest kayaks on its category and I actually approve of that.

Features

On this part of the review, we’ll try to present all the prominent features which make the Explorer K2 a kayak worth considering. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again now; this kayak is the real deal for such a price.

With an open cockpit, this kayak is made for two people; thus, you’ll find two inflatable seats on the package; both are very comfortable with a higher back-rest. The adjustable seats are removable, and you can attach them to the kayak with the Velcro pads at the bottom of the boat. They are featured with those strong and well-made buckles on the sides which provide you great support to lean back comfortably on the backrest.

Inflatable kayaks can get a bad rap for being unreliable and wobbly, but the Intex Explorer is well-designed. Most importantly, the Intex K2 Explorer Kayak is featured with three separate chambers; one on the bottom, and one on each side. This means that if something went wrong and one of the air chambers gets deflated or punctured, the other two air chambers can get you safely into shore.

Keeping a repair kit with you is a must whenever you go kayaking. The kayak’s exterior is very tough and ‘puncture resistant,’ but things go wrong. Having the ability to patch the kayak and get it back to safety can be achieved in most situations with the included patch kit. The kayak’s I-beam down the center does an excellent job of keeping the boat rigid and stable even with two adults sitting in it.

Additionally, this kayak is featured with two carry handles and two grab lines for easy transportation once fully inflated. Those carry handles are rigid, durable and made of lightweight vinyl.

You’ll find a removable skeg along with the kayak, and you can easily attach it via the slide-in box underneath the boat.

Performance

The Explorer K2 is built with a flat hull that is for recreational kayaking, and with the high nose and tail of this board, its sporty design, and sharp details, you can absolutely do more than recreational kayaking in lakes, rivers or in open waters.

This kayak is relatively easy to manoeuver and control especially when the featured skeg is in place; it dramatically improves speed and tracking especially if you are paddling in a straight line.

The Explorer K2 is a very stable kayak even when it reaches a high weight capacity, which reminds me to tell you that it’s possible to use this a fishing kayak. There is so much space on the kayak that you could use to store any needed cargo, equipment or some of your fish catch, and still be completely comfortable and have complete hold over the kayak.

Although the Intex sit-on-top kayak can carry two people, bear in mind that the kayak is designed for recreational use only and not for any extreme kayaking or paddling in water with strong currents or big waves. If you’re thinking of doing extreme paddling, you need to buy a much stronger kayak which will come at a higher price.

Yellow Exterior

The bright yellow-colored exterior makes it easier for other boaters to see. Combine this bright yellow with safety orange life vests, and you increase your visibility when kayaking.

Packaging

The Explorer K2 comes in nice package actually, and this is what to expect once you order it:

The kayak
Two inflatable seats.
Two aluminum oars that go up to 86 inches with padded handles for comfortable paddling.
A repair patch.
A storage duffle bag.
A skeg.
A high output air pump.

Pros

The best thing about the Intex Explorer K2 is the quality of details and features for an unbeatable price.
It’s durable, lightweight and puncture resistant.
The featured skeg makes it easy to manoeuver and control.
It comes with two paddles.
The two inflatable seats come with backrests for more comfort.
It has so much space even with two riders on it.

Cons

The carry handles tend to twist while carrying the kayak since they’re not made of rubbery material.
You might find that the paddles are a bit heavy.

Final Review of the Intex Explorer K2 Kayak

The Intex Explorer K2 Inflatable kayak is one of the best portable boats available today for beginners. Seasoned and experienced kayakers may find the kayak a bit bulky, but it’s a good fit for more newbies to the sport. The kayak is affordable and easy to find. Getting on the water is comfortable with this kayak which comes with paddle, kayak, repair patch kit, and a high volume air pump.