Decathlon Itiwit Strenfit X500 Kayak
Summary
Price At Time Of Writing | $1,199.00
Our Overall Rating | 78 out of 100
Pros - Fast & tracks well
Cons - Heavy, uncomfortable, unstable, hard to dry
Overall - Great speed in the water, just unstable and uncomfortable
Technical Specifications
Open Size - 380x64cm
Weight - 18kg
Load Capacity - 125kg
Packed Size - 94x50x27cm
Our Analysis & Ratings
On paper, the Decathlon Itiwith Strenfit X500 should be a great kayak. It certainly delivers on the speed and is the closest inflatable kayak in terms of design to a hard shell. It's a bit heavy to carry, but the main issue we have is the lack of stability and less-than-great finish quality of the build. If you are just looking for something fast in the water and are an experienced paddler, this may be a good option. For us though, it is just too uncomfortable and unstable.
Performance (speed, tracking, manoeuvrability, stability, load handling): 8/10
Speed: It certainly delivers on the speed, handling well and feeling similar to a hard shell in many ways with its extremely thin width of 64cm.
Manoeuvrability: At times it is hard to manoeuvre.
Stability: It is not at all beginner, or intermediate, friendly due to a lack of stability.
Load Handling: There's little space for extra equipment, so you wouldn't want to take it touring.
Construction (materials, seams, valve quality, durability and fittings): 5/10
Great drop stitch features and a good small storage compartment. However, the manufacture seems a little rushed, as the joins were evident on our test model, and the PVC appears thinner than on other kayaks, which would make it less durable.
Little space for extra equipment means you wouldn't want to take it touring.
Setup/Pack Down (inflation time, valves, folding and drying): 6/10
Setup has five inflation points, which is middle of the road in terms of complexity. We found it hard to dry because of the enclosed design.
Some parts soak up water, so it does take a bit of waiting time before you can put it back in the bag.
Portability (weight, packed size, ease of carrying): 6/10
At 18kg, this is one of the heaviest kayaks we reviewed. The two-strapped backpack it comes with helps to carry it, but you do notice the extra weight.
Comfort (seat support, legroom, fatigue over distance): 3/10
It's built for speed, and the lack of stability and low profile of the seat make it less comfortable than some of the others. Even fairly competent paddlers will spend half the time trying not to capsize.
Value for money:
If you're an experienced paddler chasing speed above all else, this may be worth considering. For most paddlers, though, the lack of stability and comfort are significant trade-offs against what you're paying.
Best for:
Experienced paddlers prioritising speed
Those comfortable managing a less stable kayak
Short, focused sessions rather than touring or all-day comfort
Paddlers who don't need much onboard storage
Overall:
Great speed in the water, just unstable and uncomfortable.
