Intex Challenger Inflatable Kayak with Paddles & Pump

I purchased the Challenger to try out a lighter, more “packable” option for extended camping trips. Big pros: It’s easy to carry, fits compactly into my cargo box with the rest of my gear, and is super easy to inflate (less than 10 minutes start to finish). I replaced the flimsy carrying bag that it came with (which I could never successfully tetris the deflated kayak back into anyway) with a sturdier, larger, and easier to carry duffle bag I had in my garage. Now: packing perfection.

Handling: I have taken it out several times now on flat-water, in calm conditions. (I’m still a beginner, so that is my current comfort level anyway.) It feels sturdy and maneuvers decently in those conditions. A friend of mine has a Challenger that she uses for river kayaking (nothing beyond Class II) and says it handles decently in those conditions as well. The paddle that comes with the kayak is functional and gets the job done, but it’s not great. (i.e. If you don’t already have a more solid paddle to swap it out for, you might consider purchasing one.)

Legroom: I’m only 5’3” but the legroom still feels VERY cramped to me. My work-around is to only inflate the bottom of the seat in order to gain an extra couple inches (the trade-off being no back support). I met a woman (similarly framed to me) on a recent trip who was using the 2-person Challenger as a solo-kayak, with comparable ease of navigation. In retrospect, this might have been the way to go in terms of enhanced comfort.

OVERALL: For the low price point, I feel like this kayak was a very solid purchase for a novice like me. I am confident that I am going to get my money’s worth out it, many times over, and have a lot of fun doing it, in some remote and beautiful places that it would be a pain-in-the-ass to transport my hard-shell too.

A cautionary note: deflate the kayak (at least partially) in between uses. I inflated the kayak for an early morning paddle, then left it fully inflated in my camp while making breakfast and readying things for a much lengthier paddle afterwards. The temperature increased by over 20 degrees in the meantime. The expansion of air in the kayak created three bulbous lumps in the PVC shell: one on the floor, two in the stern. This is in no way a manufacturing defect: it’s pure user-error of not considering basic physics. 😂 The kayak still functions perfectly fine despite now being slightly misshapen (and earning the name “Hunchback Pickle”) but I’m sure all of those areas are now weak points that will lessen the lifespan.

I have a lake nearby, but my regular kayak is a bit to heavy for me to easily maneuver on my own, and I am an independent lady 😝
This was the best money I ever spent. It takes four minutes to inflate and it’s light enough to carry on one shoulder. There’s plenty of room for your gear and your legs stretched out. I just leave her in my car, so she’s there whenever the water calls me. She is very stable, but I do recommend not inflating the seat (just inflate the back of the seat) because you can maximize the stability if you are sitting lower in the craft. The main body has valves that don’t allow air to escape when you’re securing the caps after inflation. The seat valves don’t have that, and it can test your patience. Also, one downside to an inflatable kayak is the wind can blow you around more than traditional kayaks. And, obviously, don’t be dumb and puncture it by dragging it across a bed of nails. It’s made of pretty thick material, so if you’re careful, it will last you a long time. Look at the You Tube reviews. Very helpful. I want to buy the 2-seater now.

We just got back from our 4th kayak outing this Summer with the Intex Challenger:

Pro’s:

1) The price (we got them on black Friday at a substantial discount) for what you get is really superb. Don’t be put off by a low price on these – they’re not cheap in any way.
2) Easy to transport and store. This was the primary reason we went with inflatables. I can toss them in the trunk of my car – no need for a roof rack. Also – they fold up and easily store in the supplied bag – allowing us to store them in a corner in the basement. A hardshell kayak will weigh 50+ lb’s making them harder to transport and store.
3) Setup is easy. I haven’t timed it but I suspect they inflate in less than 10 minutes. It’s really quick and easy to pull it out of the bag and have it ready to go in the water.
4) Very stable on the water. They’re easy to get in and out of (as easy as it can be anyways) – I’ve not come close to capsizing one. They feel stable and inspire confidence on the water.
5) Storage is adequate. You can store items behind the seat – I take my pump along on every trip just in case. It easily stows away behind the seat. The cargo net in the front of the kayak is sturdy and allows for ample storage for a dry bag and towels etc.
6) Light and easy to carry. Both my wife and I can carry them with ease. This allows us to setup on the shore then carry to a launch site with no trouble. A little awkward to carry – yes – but we have no real problems.
7) They feel very sturdy and well constructed. We’re careful not to overinflate them and avoid running into anything or grounding them. No concerns about leaks thus far.

Con’s:

1) Comfort is just okay. I’m 5”9’ with pretty standard sized feet and I have a hard time getting super comfy in it. My feet feel a little cramped in the front compartment after a bit. It’s possible I need to experiment with the air pillow a bit more. That said – it’s not bad – I just wish it was a tad more comfortable. If you’re over 6” or have giant feet you may struggle with it.
2) Setup and tear down is easy – but it is a job you have to do every trip. They deflate pretty quickly – then you have to wipe them dry (lest you risk mold later on) then fold them up and store them back in the bag. Easy enough to do – but it adds probably 30 minutes (setup and teardown) to each trip. Not a big deal for us but a con nonetheless.
3) The valves are a real bear if you over-tighten. Now – the solution is to not over tighten them, but it’s a judgment call and I tend to err on the side of caution which leads to twisting a bit too much. If you do this it’s virtually impossible to loosen the valve to deflate without the aid of a tool (I keep a pair of Channellock’s in the trunk now just in case!!) which can be a problem getting them back home. I don’t blame this on the product but it’s something to be aware of.

Just Okay:

1) The seat is comfy enough – but it’s not great.
2) I see some people in the reviews ding the supplied paddle as a negative. I find it to be fine and more than adequate for the inflatable. It’s light enough and moves the boat just fine. You’re not going to use it for an Olympic time trial but that’s not the purpose of this kayak!
3) Maneuverability. With the supplied skeg (the little plastic rudder like device you attach to the bottom of the boat) the kayak tracks straight and is easy to keep on course. If you forget the skeg or lose it you’re doomed! Overall the boat performs just fine – but understand it’s not going to perform like a hardshell kayak.

Things to get along with your kayak:

1) You’ll likely want a PFD – get one designed specially for kayaking. You need to be able to move your arms and shoulders freely. Search for a kayak PFD and you’ll be fine.
2) A Dry bag. You’ll want a place to store items to keep them dry should the worst happen. In my dry bag I carry:
a. Some rope and carabiners. Just in case.
b. A loud Whistle. Recommended for emergencies.
c. A waterproof carrying case for my phone.
d. Bottled water.
e. Granola bar.

Final Thoughts:

We’re supremely happy with the kayaks! For our wants/needs (we’re 60 years old and like puttering about on calm lakes and rivers) they’re awesome. Realizing they’re not perfect we are very happy with our purchases. A superb bang for the buck purchase and lots of fun.

Avevo già il modello singolo, quando ho visto l’offerta sul modello doppio l’ho comprata immediatamente.
Dal momento che tutti gli anni vado in Sardegna (dove avevo già testato la prima), ho approfittato per mettere alla prova questa canoa in modalità due passeggeri. dopo un paio di giorni di mare tranquillo, sono uscito con mare mosso (con tutti i dispositivi di sicurezza), senza allontanarmi troppo dalla costa e con una buona dose di coraggio, posso affermare che ha superato egregiamente il test, chiaro la manovrabilità non è semplice, ma ha reagito molto bene nel cavalcare le onde.
Oggetto economico e molto utile per raggiungere spiagge e calette, chiaramente a distanze contenute.
Facile e rapido il gonfiaggio, molto più complicato “riporla” difficile asciugarla in tutte le sue pieghe, (continua a saltar fuori acqua ovunque) occorre molto tempo per rimetterla nella sua borsa perfettamente asciutta per non rovinarla. Consiglio il montaggio per un utilizzo di più giorni, diversamente è più la fatica che il gusto.
Attenzione, fondamentale: la canoa va tenuta sempre abbastanza sgonfia quando non la si utilizza in mare, se la si tiene gonfia e magari anche al sole, si deforma, quindi sgonfiatela molto, tanto con due pompate ritorna al top.