Folding Kayak Gear Review - Oru Kayak Inlet

In this video I'm testing out the Oru Kayak Inlet folding kayak. It's a portable recreational kayak that weighs 20 pounds and folds together like origami in under 5 minutes. Sounds great, but how does the Oru Kayak perform compared to other kayaks in its class and price range? Is it worth it? These are some of the questions that I'll answer in this detailed gear review.

Gear I have tested and recommend:

Paddles:

PFDs:

Dry Gear / Layers:

Jackets:

Shirts:

Pants:

Footwear:

Sunglasses

Other Paddling Gear

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[balletstef]

I have the Beach, and love it! I've never had a problem with water getting in my kayak. Like one of your other commenters, I think that has to do with the paddle that you're using. I ordered all the bells and whistles with mine: the Oru paddle, (which looks longer than yours, ) backpack, the solar lights, floaties, and more comfortable seat. Their Youtube video is really helpful to learn how to set it up and take it down. I always attract an audience when I use mine. It's fun to answer their questions. My favorite place to kayak with it is Marina del Rey, CA. It's so convenient to pop it in the car, carry it to the water, and paddle out among the boats. I have two replaced hips, and this works perfectly for me. It's light, well made, easy to set up, and fits in my car. I use it on lakes and have done fine in the wind. I would like to try it at night for a sunset cruise. Best purchase I've made in years...definitely worth the money, in my opinion.

[fayleya]

I was talking to a woman on another forum and she was so excited about this kayak because she has a disability, and this means that she can go kayaking (she couldn’t get a kayak onto a roof rack or down to the water, but she could paddle and self rescue). It’s a great idea.

[Lueemah]

Got mine a few weeks ago and love it so far! I live in an apartment so the portability is fantastic. I've only kayaked in an enclosed lake so far, but I'm hoping to take it out on a smoother river soon!

[wernerpaddles]

Thanks for the shoutout Ken! The bent shaft is actually the "heavier" version versus the straight shaft Ovation. Our straight shaft comes in at 18.5oz/521g! That bent shaft is 20.5oz/577g. Great insight on Oru's Inlet as well, we've always wondered ourselves.

[sallymcbeth]

I am a (5'4"/110 lb) single woman who lives in downtown Denver. So far, I love everything about this kayak; I especially appreciate that I can manage it myself (transport, weight, assembling).

[kevinkrause]

I recently received my ORU Haven, a tandem. I went paddling solo recently and love it.
To me another feature of portability in the improved gas mileage I will receive from not having a kayak on the roof of my vehicle.

[DJPK]

Just ordered mine! Can't wait for it to arrive! Thank you so much for your unbiased, thorough, and captivating reviews of the various kayaks and gear that's out there. Your insights and comments were a HUGE factor in helping me to choose the right starting boat.

[canadianlady]

I have one like yours...I paddle here in Florida near Bonita Bay and Osprey....I paddle with the dolphins and manatees fish and sea birds...I love the folding aspect of this kayak because I carry it inside my RV and car trunk..It handles very well in the relatively flat water of the back bays or inter coastal waterways..I run it up on the sandy beaches to go exploring on foot...
You gave an excellent report of this kayak and your videography was superb...Thank you...

[NBCdirector]

Hey Ken, love the channel, thanks for all of the reviews. One more note on the Inlet's portability. We tend to take short jaunts (2-3 days) from our home to kayak in central Florida. The Inlet can be stored in the hotel room, which would be difficult (if not impossible) with a hard shell kayak. And leaving a hard shell strapped to the vehicle overnight is probably not a safe option. In terms of comparing the Inlet to the Pakayak, agreed that it may be more of a "real" kayak...if 3 times the weight and twice the cost are not an issue. Different kayaks for different use cases, but all of them are good when it gets you on the water!

[pascaldeshayes]

I love my Inlet!
Now, it also catches wind a lot so it's definitely more indicated for calm waters.
Portability, size, weight, ease of use is just remarkable!
I've also DIYed a bivy tent so that I can sleep in the Inlet on a beach and it works very well. So, for me, the Inlet makes it possible to go for adventures very easily from the city center, which was exactly the intention.
Great job, Oru!

[rickpopham]

About three years ago I got the Oru Beach, which is the 12' recreational model (the Inlet didn't exist back then). My commute takes me through a lot of nice country with many ponds and small lakes, so I keep it in my car all summer and stop to kayak as the urge takes me. It's light (25 lbs), easy to set up and stabile enough for photography. It's held up very well despite hitting stumps and rocks. There are some scratches and creases, but nothing serious.

I have a higher performance, hard shell kayak that has to go on the roof racks, and I love to get out on the water in that boat. But I'm afraid It'll get stolen while I'm working, so it stays at home during the week. The Oru is ALWAYS with me and ready to take me out in some backwater with my camera. It was more expensive than most comparably sized 12' recreational kayaks, but it fits my needs perfectly.

If you're planning to try other Oru designs, I hope you try their Coast model -- the 16' sea kayak. It's always intrigued me, and I haven't seen many reviews -- at least not from experienced paddlers.

Thanks, Ken. I look forward to your videos and value your advice.

[lorainea]

I have a 15 lb canoe and just bought the ORU Lake as a second boat. I use a 96" paddle in my canoe and tried it in my Oru Lake. I didn't get any water in the kayak from the paddles. So maybe a longer paddle would solve the water in the Inlet issue. Great review here!

[beckygee]

Great review! I love my Inlet. I've kayaked in protected Bay Area waters and in calm waters in El Dorado National Forest. Love the portability. So happy with my Inlet!

[MrUma-San]

This is a fantastic video, the information was great and the quality is astounding. How do you not have more views and subscribers?

Wife and I bought a couple of these after watching your video, they should pay you!

[paulbouchard]

Got mine this summer and it's some of the best money I ever spent and saw loads of urban wildlife. I would recommend buying the carrying bag or something else to protect the it during transit because I find it hard not to occasionally bump elevator walls or door frames and have scraped through the outer layer on a couple corners. Setting it down on asphalt is hard on the corners too. They're the point of a three way crease, so quite vulnerable while folded.

[cynthiagood]

I ordered my Inlet a couple of days ago and am anxiously awaiting it's arrival. Thanks for this video!

[dhdove]

Love the Oru Lake+. I’ve had it about a year. Carry it with me everywhere. Never know when you’ll get a chance to paddle.

[sandrapisarski]

I am thinking about getting one of these, thank you for this review!

[DanVilleneuve]

Regarding the water getting in from paddling, Oru makes a splash deck that you can Velcro on. That greatly reduces the open area. I got one for the front and back and its great!

[bleon]

I own this Oru Inlet and I also own the Oru Beach LT model. Both have the large open cockpit. You showed in your video a large amount of water coming into this large open space from your paddle. I NEVER get this water in my Oru kayaks! I think the paddle you are using may have too small paddle oar drip rings. Or maybe the rings are dipping into the water. For extra comfort in the seat, Oru makes an extra pad that you can purchase separately. I now have this extra pad, but I did not use it for my first 3 years in my Beach LT and I was still comfortable - but, I only weigh 115 pounds. I love my Oru kayaks for flat lake kayaking, portability, storage, and just plain coolness. Oh, and my Golden Retriever fits in both models.