Aqua Marina Laxo 320
Summary
Price At Time Of Writing | $759.99
Our Overall Rating | 74 out of 100
Pros - Easy to set up, well-made
Cons - Too short to comfortably seat two people
Overall - High quality but can be improved
Technical Specifications
Open Size - 320x90cm
Weight - 12kg
Load Capacity - 180kg
Packed Size - 90x55x40cm
Our Analysis & Ratings
The Laxo 320 is a snug two-person kayak with good water tracking. As a short kayak, it's a tight fit for two adults. Lack of footrests and slow-drying fabric are downsides, however, its dual fins and slight V-shaped hull enhance straight-line tracking, setting it apart from rivals and justifying its inclusion on our list.
Performance (speed, tracking, manoeuvrability, stability, load handling): 5/10
Speed: The Laxo 320 isn't a high-performance kayak. Combined with the inflatable floor's softness, it's not ideal for paddling long distances.
Tracking: It tracks decently straight due to its V-shaped inner tubes and twin fins.
Manoeuvrability: The wide side tubes make reaching the water a bit difficult while paddling, which affects overall handling. Despite supportive foam seats, the lack of footrests also hampers ease of paddling.
Stability: The floor and side tubes only withstand 1 PSI of pressure, leading to more flex and instability in the water.
Construction (materials, seams, valve quality, durability and fittings): 6/10
The two fins are a clever design feature on a non-drop-stitch kayak, helping with straight-line tracking in the absence of a genuinely hard hull. The kayak has three distinct air chambers, one for the floor and one for each side tube, made of flexible PVC covered with UV and water-resistant nylon fabric.
The floor and side tubes only withstand 1 PSI of pressure, leading to more flex and instability in the water. During launch and landing, the fabric withstands abrasion, although it's not puncture resistant against rocks and sticks.
Setup/Pack Down (inflation time, valves, folding, and drying): 5/10
The Aqua Marina Laxo 320 has three Boston valves, making inflation straightforward. The seats require no inflation, connecting via a velcro strip on the floor, however, the plastic clips attaching to the D-rings on the side tubes, which the seats clip onto, don't seem that durable.
The pack-down process is hindered by the fabric cover, as it takes quite a while to dry. This kayak requires a multi-step procedure: roll up, transport, reinflate at home and let it sit outdoors for days before properly packing away. The supplied bag opens by zipping all the way around the side, making it easy to put in and take out the kayak.
Portability (weight, packed size, ease of carrying): 5/10
At 12kg, the Aqua Marina Laxo 320 is on the lighter end of kayaks we've reviewed, and the supplied bag is easy to carry down to the water and then store away. That's only once dry, though.
As mentioned above, once you're finished kayaking and are ready to go home, it can't be packed away straight away, so you will be transporting it rolled up and damp to then dry when home.
Comfort (seat support, legroom, fatigue over distance): 3/10
The Aqua Marina Laxo 320 has comfortable foam seating, but it has no footrests, making paddling difficult and uncomfortable. A major concern is the limited space: the cockpit is cramped for two adults and even more so for taller individuals.
The kayak has no internal storage and the only D-rings are those used to attach the seat straps.
Value for money:
For the price, the Laxo 320 is a reasonable choice if you don't want to go crazy trying to keep a kayak moving straight. The tracking performance is a genuine strength, though the cramped cockpit, lack of footrests and slow-drying fabric are worth weighing against the cost.
Best for:
Paddlers who prioritise straight-line tracking over speed
Two smaller adults, or one adult and a child, given the cramped cockpit
Short trips rather than long-distance paddling
Budget-conscious buyers who don't mind the slower drying process
Overall:
Although there are some significant disadvantages, like a relatively small cockpit, fabric upholstery and no footrests, the Aqua Marina Laxo 320 does the job.
