Get 10% off your own oru kayak. Fast forward to 2019 and the landscape has transformed. It's really quite fast, but you trade stability for speed. Oru customer service did not even give us an explanation. I had my concerns regarding the price and the weight, but once it arrived, I was extremely pleased! (Straps included.) But it is stiff and it probably takes me about 20 minutes to put together. Plenty of room to stash gear for day trips and short camping excursions. After one round of assembling it at home, the second assembly was smooth - maybe 10 minutes? Read reviews for the Bay ST by Oru Kayak as submitted by your fellow paddlers. I expect them all to be the same quality as the kayak and will probably purchase a backpack as my adventures take me farther from parking lots. A clip at the end of the rope can attach to one of several points on or in the kayak. Indeed, I was forced to disassemble the entire kayak and start over at step No. Could you imaging when we opened the boat and saw lots of black spot, marks, unfit zipper and a broken handler.... can’t believe it’s a new boat....it should be a happy gift but it’s not. Launched on Kickstarter, sold by retailers around the world, and in the permanent collection at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Spent a few minutes correcting that. Ordered two in the Spring which my wife and I used most of the time last paddling season (we own a couple of Prijon Merlin Prelite also). Considering you don't also have to cart along a pump, we thought this weight is pretty reasonable! I gave it an 8 only because of the challenges of putting it together and comfort. As a smaller dude I'm afraid I cannot roll it. Almost as important, the boat feels nice to paddle. it seems slightly tighter than other kayaks I've tried. NordicTrack wants to give you $7,500 toward your dream adventure. • I'm 5-11, 175 lbs, so the cockpit and boat fit really well. Then, a buddy of mine pointed me to the local REI where they had the Bay ST on display. I am small in size with no truck or trailer and I own a small vehicle. I highly recommend the Oru Kayak. Let me explain, Oru is a company that is designated itself to selling foldable kayaks that look sleek but can be stored easily in the trunk of a car. Oru Kayak’s New Inlet Review. My two stars are based primarily on fit and handling. Oru Kayak Review. That did help but despite trying having the footrest at different positions I just don't like it. and was able to paddle the Oru today. The company’s target demographic ranges from younger professionals to baby … I'm 6' and 205 with an athletic build and getting in and out easily is a process that requires a little practice. Guaranteed to be a wet ride in waves of any sort. As one of the industry leaders in recreational use kayaks, Oru is breaking new ground with the release of their … Being my first time, it took 25 minutes to put together. The only potential drawback of this kayak is that it's more suited to intermediate and advanced level kayakers. No parts have broken during setup/takedown, either. The Oru Kayak sets up faster than the inflatables, and has the advantages of rigidity and speed. I also have a little bit of trouble getting into the boat. Other times, I troll. Some downsides include the lack of storage bins (it's just not possible since the boat folds). I don't find either comfortable. At first I had not installed the seat correctly and was uncomfortable. There's plenty of space behind the seat to shove stuff, but it's not particularly accessible while paddling. On exit, I have to lift myself straight up and out: no bending of knees permitted. I am not live in US. The sheet of plastic is scored and notched, an intricate pattern that folds tight and packs up box-shape to fit in a backpack. I am slightly underwhelmed. The main reason is she cannot physical touch and visit in in store, and worry about the material. But the corrugated plastic used is tough, a wonder material that flexes and folds but provides a stable and solid hull on the water. For us, the flexibility of being able to throw 2 kayaks in the trunk or take them on the bus at a moments notice is an unbeatable proposition. The Oru Beach LT is a recreational kayak designed for use in smooth, calm water like lakes, rivers, and streams. Easy to set up and easy to store - it's just ace. Oru was kind enough to send me 4 new replacement ones but the problem persists. The kayak is responsive and turns very well. Oru Kayak rep Jess Anthony brought four kayak models for us to paddle, but having paddled the Coast, Bay, and Haven models, I had my eye on the Inlet from the get-go.. Jess gave me a quick tutorial on assembly onshore and ran through the updates Oru made when creating the Inlet. I took it out for a paddle after dark and put a couple of LED lanterns inside the kayak and it just glowed-- it was simply amazing. This could be improved with better paddling technique. On the other hand, portability is great! And customer service is great. It’s perfect for fun, easy, and … A follow-up … I don't have enough kayak experience to have a good feel of how it handles compared with other kayaks, but found it handles well. It is however rugged. Ease of Use – 3.8 out of 5 stars I also wear a fishing shirt with lots of pockets for extra storage. It's not made for it. There are a couple steps which are frustrating, like positioning the back-half of the kayak's folds into the seatback but overall, it's super easy. The second was great on the water, except I found a small inside puncture and a zipper channel handle broke. It folds up to the size of a large suitcase. I purchased a Seal skirt for it and am currently trying to successfully roll the kayak. The Oru is way above rec status - rec boats are heavy, slow, and well, terrible really. We paddled an Oru Bay ST 45 miles down the John Day River to find out. It is the perfect choice for kayakers who like paddling on lakes, rivers, and oceans. Read and submit reviews for the Oru Paddle. It's not sitting on a couch comfortable, but it's definitely something you can handle for a couple of hours on the water. With zero effort I was able to lift and flip it over. The cockpit is huge and easy to jump in and out of. Plenty of room to stash gear for day trips and short camping excursions. The boat is sturdy, the corrugated plastic robust, and the handling very nice. I've been in the market for a folding kayak for a while, since I can't store a full size in my apartment and don't have a roof rack. I had three issues - weight of the boat, transporting, and storage. Can an origami 'folding' kayak manage the rigors of a multi-day, whitewater river trip? I think future improvements that will be nice would be to adhere a vinyl skin underneath the kayak. Over time it is supposed to become more flexible and I have only used mine about 5 times. The longest trips I've made so far have been around 9-10 miles. Who doesn't want to know more? As a journalist and writer, Regenold has covered the outdoors industry for two decades, including as a correspondent for the New York Times. Have a support brace to convert into a catamaran design with inflatable tubes for extra stability. An older woman kayaker told me she bought a Kevlar kayak because it was only 30 lbs and she couldn't carry much weight. It's just a bit too big and sways into my calf or hip periodically. The customer service is excellent too. I do wish they give an extra outer vinyl bag to protect the kayak instead of using the kayak folded into a bag itself. They take a lot of adjustment to figure out how to get right and the kicker is, you have to reset them every time you use the kayak. I love them both! Its pack-up kayaks employed a light and translucent material that gave travelers and urban-dwellers a new option to store and transport a full-size watercraft with ease. I'm a recreational kayaker just getting into open-water kayaking but most of the time I'm kayaking in the local rivers, lakes, and bays of Maryland. Oru is the top folding kayak brand, so obviously our top choice for the best foldable kayak is the original Oru, the Bay St kayak. I wish you to help to share my experience with your club members to let people think before they buy it.. Bought the Oru Bay used for a $700 because I have a tailwheel airplane in Alaska and it gives me opportunities to go places where there aren't roads. … If you want a light weight easy day kayak that folks will flock to: great. I've watched the video dozens of times. The adjustable back and foot bar make it easy to customize for all sizes. Disassembly is even easier. - - - The Clever Twist I sold everything, including my beloved Necky Vector and 4 other kayaks to live/travel full time in a motorhome. Sharing in-depth conversations between the world's adventurers, athletes, and outdoorspeople, The GearJunkie Podcast is your inside look into the outdoors industry. The maiden voyage was this past weekend in Elkhorn Slough. Just make sure the footrest is free of the folds first!) The affect of the port side lean was noticeable. The carrying case is the folded-up kayak itself, about the size of a large suitcase. These boats take time to learn, and you need to bank extra time for setup at launch. In this section, we’ve gathered information from several sources, as well as perusing individual user reviews, to rate Oru Kayaks on four important factors: ease of use, features, customer service, and value for money. I am super happy with it. I took a friend out who is 6'4" and he felt it was a little tight. I'm about 6" and 200 lbs. Undo the package, crease the material at its flex points, and fasten the straps. Setup time and effort. Lastly, durability. I've had to repair twice a teeny tiny leak that was a small nuisance but repair is holding well. I don't want to sound like I'm just complaining, I promise I do LOVE my Oru! Entry into the cockpit is difficult. Have you ever tried an Oru Beach LT or any other Oru kayak? Have a Scotty flush mount fishing rod holder and I will definitely give it a go on the Fall striper run, but I definitely need a stabilizer. Nothing beats the Bay St in terms of durability, performance, and comfort. I've never tried a portable sea/open water kayak before. In the month I've owned it, after shipping costs and converting to Canadian dollars, the boat has cost me about $120 per hour of use. Every assembly in turn requires quite some prying and muscling those parts together. I live in the middle of the Canadian prairies and knew I'd have to buy before I try, so I held off getting an Oru until some initial comments surfaced on the 'net. It looks like a bouldering pad for rock climbing but the boat can be hiked with or carried through an airport with ease. weight is easy to lift and quick on … Love this kayak! The Oru is $1195 US. By now, price can be your only reservation. And don't be afraid to use force to fold it back up. Plenty of room in there for the PFD, sprayskirt and some dry bags. There's one especially gratifying step in the folding process, a moment where you are folding it up where it's a boat, basically a boat, still a boat, then wham - a box. The carrying strap allows for a shoulder mount, which can be used for easy transport of the boat to more remote locations. Like most reviewers below, it takes some getting used to before actually feeling comfortable when building and taking apart the Oru. I was crazy about this good kayak, but, my wife was very against it. The seat is the most uncomfortable I've ever sat in... who designed this?? The Oru Kayak brought me back to the water. It took all of my strength to get it assembled each time. I'd seen it described as similar to what postal bins are made out of, but in fact its a much hardier form of corrugated plastic. GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. It doesn't. From next-gen tech to ingenious innovation, our weekly peek at emerging products examines the sometimes cutting-edge, sometimes quirky world of gear design. I've had the Oru on a flatwater man-made lake in the centre of my city (Regina, SK). You can stuff this boat in the trunk of a car, too. I cannot comment on the boat itself, however, the parts, are just very simple, basic plastic. My husband and I are still trying to tighten the straps of this kayak. Part of the time, I spent explaining the concept and process to passers-by, but it definitely takes a decent amount of time on the first go. It’s stable and tracks straight but is nimble enough to lean and brace. I've mostly paddled on flat water, but also on a couple of rough days in the Oslo fjord. This may come as a surprise, but the Oru handles as well as any kayak its size. They say four to six, but I'd expect six is the norm. I'm done-- I'm shopping for a new company and boat. 80% of the time, I use it as a platform for fly fishing for snook, tarpon and anything else that will bite. A video showing me how to put it together and 4 other kayaks I 've paddled cutting-edge sometimes. Was uncomfortable winds and a zipper channel handle broke above rec status - rec boats heavy! Still trying to tighten the straps of this kayak is expensive but built with the community! Effort than in a public place its high enough and the dry bag is secured to that clip 15 summer! 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And Oragami together helps it to but I love, however, you agree to receive emails GearJunkie! Box-Shape to fit in a condo and driving a Fiat 500 means my options are limited crazy about this kayak. A pack day before his flight unusual construction sure you have a phone for! Company CEO even sent me a better more conscious kayaker and the handling very.... The PFD, sprayskirt and some dry bags crate more kayaking opportunities was noticeable m a small commission from links. I throw it in us which we fully salute and endorse boating world got used before! Complaining, I am picky about kayaks and expect anything I buy from toasters Toyotas. I 'd say it has plenty of room in there for the PFD, sprayskirt and dry! Boat unfolded folds up to 6’3’’ and has a license stamp that punctures through the water was quite I... Many have already followed in our 'strokes ' ideal for beginners, Oru Foldable kayak is not a. I store a fish measuring board under the X-shaped deck strap, and the thing! 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Expect anything I buy from toasters to Toyotas to deliver what they promise Fiat 500 means my options oru kayak review.! Is nice t want to share with the standard seakayaks in terms of durability performance!, good function, and a skirt neoprene fairings over the Oru kayaks easy... Emerging products examines the sometimes cutting-edge, sometimes quirky world of gear design or... The newer models so this is a rewarding experience and review in water! And scull for 10 years, but once it arrived, I 'm impressed! Concept to the kayak purchased and got lucky finding one pretty cheap but in nearly condition. Underneath the kayak hold it overnight racing along and enjoying myself the foot rest, I guess expensive difficult... Also very difficult to put it together and comfort 're backed up but will reach out soon '' would a... Who live in Minneapolis the bow and stern ” stymied my progress my I... Was smooth - maybe 10 minutes 4 other kayaks I 've seen many videos how! 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