Oru Kayak Review

Model #3: Oru Kayak Coast Xt

Image of ORU Coast XT Model; Credit: Oru Kayak Company The Oru Kayak Coast XT is the top of the line model, designed from bow to stern to stand up to harsh wind and surf that is found in more extreme waters. Although this kayak is ideal for Pros who are looking for adventure, it can also be comfortable. Coast XT is able to provide incredible comfort and control, with the adjustable footrests, backrests, and thigh braces.

The kayak can be folded into a small size, even at 16 feet in length. This makes it convenient to transport and store. Hard-chine hull makes this kayak ideal for flatwater adventures on slow rivers or lakes. Coast XT ships with extra deck straps to carry gear and additional lines.

This durable, polypropylene material can withstand abrasion and punctures and folds in just minutes. Because it weighs only 34 lbs, the Coast XT makes it easy to transport. It’s great for hikes and overnight camping, as well.

Oru Bay is a kayak that’s designed and constructed to make the most of your kayak and life.

We will discuss how the original origami-style kayak was funded in our next Oru kayak review.

You Should Buy The Oru Bay Kayak:

Although it is not inflatable, the Oru Bay kayak can be folded and unfolded like origami. What’s more? Other than the fact that you can fold up the Oru Bay+ kayak, there is no actual carrying case.

The kayak Oru Bay is approximately 12 feet long. The assembly will usually take around 15-20 minutes. The first time it will probably take you around 25 minutes and after doing it a few times, around 15 minutes.

Amazon’s Oru Bay Kayak is available!

This is pretty average, as most of the inflatable kayak reviews we have done, on this site, indicate around 15 minutes of assembly (inflation / deflation) time. Remember that this Oru kayak belongs to the origami kayak class, and not the inflatable! Although this kayak may be more costly for novices, it’s still worth considering if you are a keen amateur kayaker. Our Oru kayak review will discuss the feel of the ride:

Are You Happy To Riding In The Oru Bay Kayak?

Although the Oru Bay kayak weighs in at a light weight, it makes very sharp turns, accelerates quickly, and is responsive when you accelerate. Many users have said that the Oru kayak performs better than a more traditional, heavy kayak. While it’s true that the cockpit is tight fitting and does require some practice, you cannot overlook how efficient it works.

You can consider the cockpit tight but you must also remember that it will not be uncomfortable with its high back.

This original Kickstarter project looks like a winner for all!

Go to Big Sur by Oru Bay Kayak and have some fun.

This collapsible kayak is perfect for summer adventures on-the-go

It’s possibly the most portable kayak on the water.

Courtney Campbell Credit / Reviewed Courtney Campbell Recommendations were independently selected by Reviewed editors. You may be eligible for a commission on any purchases made through these links.

I enjoy kayaking. The summer months are a time when I can paddle along the rivers, marshes or ponds. It’s a way to feel calm and disconnected from all the chaos around me. I find it makes me active, and allows me to get in touch with the natural world.

But kayaking doesn’t come without its own set of stressors: namely, getting the kayak to a body of water. This 12-foot-long vessel must not only be carried around in your car, attached to a rail or attached to a hook but also dragged into the water.

Oru Kayak It has been called the “original origami-style kayak” because it is foldable. When I first saw the Beach LT model, my parents were extremely impressed.

What’s the Oru Kayak exactly?

Credit: Courtney Campbell. Made from one single sheet of correlated material, the Oru Kayak folds up like an origami.

Oru Kayaks is a Kickstarter project which was funded in the first day. A single sheet made of lightweight corrugated plastic is used (specifically, 5mm double-layered Polypropylene) which allows for flexibility, lightness, and buoyancy. You can fold them up and put them in your carry case.

How easy is it to build an Oru Kayak?

Credit: Courtney Campbell. It took 10 minutes to make the Oru Kayak.

Golf carts, apart from bikes and some service vehicles, are my main mode of transport on this island. The 25-pound Oru Kayak was brought to me by the carry strap. I then took it to my golf car and rode the 10 minutes to the marsh dock. Because the kayak is so small, it fits easily into my golf cart. It’s light, but it doesn’t feel heavy. I could not imagine carrying it more than 5 minutes without feeling serious discomfort.

Oru claims the kayaks can easily be assembled within a matter of minutes. But, after some practice it only took me 7 minutes to do mine. Also, this from someone who’s built many standing desks by herself.

I watched the Oru Kayak 10 minute-long how-to video before I attempted to assemble the kayak. Without instructions, it can be a little tricky once it is unrolled. The kayak does come with a set of instructions, but watching someone build something first is always a better visual.

Although assembling the Oru was easy, I wasn’t expecting it to be as simple as I thought. That did not happen. When the kayak has been unfurled, it is easy to tell where to bend the corrugated poly and clips. This will create a water-tight seal. I was also assured that the contraption would flot because there were straps to hold it all together.

The entire procedure took less time than ten minutes, and it was about the same energy that I used to carry a plastic kayak from the shore to the water.

Can the Oru Kayak be used on water?

Credit: Courtney Campbell, Reviewed. Because it is lightweight the Oru glided smooth on the water.

I was nervous about getting into the Oru Kayak at first. It is thin and I was nervous about it flipping over after I got in the boat. The kayak was very sturdy after I placed my foot one-foot from the dock, crouching low. The kayak didn’t tip over as I got in and it stayed upright.

The Beach LT model, despite being lightweight, can support up to 300lbs. That was sufficient to carry Mila my mini Australian shepherd safely.

After I started paddling I was amazed at how smooth the Oru glided across the water. Even when the water was moving slowly, it felt like I was traveling faster than usual. This can be attributed directly to the lightness of this folded boat. You would think that less weight equals less effort. The ride was a great 30 minutes.

It was easy to get out of my kayak. It was easy to grab the dock’s edge and pull myself free without any effort. The 25-pound kayak was lifted out of the water without any difficulty, even when I had tired arms.

The Oru was easy to return in its original form. You can follow the folds and see two colored bullseyes which indicate where you need to insert the sides. Given how exhausting a kayaking session can make you, it was an amazing relief to have this guide.

Are You Getting The Oru Kayak Value for Your Money?

Credit: Courtney Campbell. Courtney Campbell reviewed the Oru. It was portable enough for me to use it in a matter of seconds.

The Oru Kayak is a great option for adventurers with limited space if you are willing to spend the money. You can easily fit them in your small apartment. It would be easy to imagine myself taking the Oru on the train ride from Boston to Charles River.

An Oru Kayak Pack, a nylon backpack designed to fit the Oru folded up, is necessary in order to travel properly with your kayak. It’s not necessary for short distances, but if you plan on flying with it or hiking a distance to water, it’s a must.

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These prices may have changed over time, although they were exact at the time that this article was published.

Assembling your Oru Kayak Haven

It is made from a single piece of hull. Pre-creased with lines, it quickly forms into a kayak shape and then clips together with nylon straps and buckles. It’s thoroughly postmodern, yet bears a remarkable resemblance to its sealskin predecessors in all its translucent glory.

Haven shipping began in the early part of 2019, after it was funded by Indiegogo. Oru’s four-folding kayak lineup includes the Haven. This tandem is a wide open-cockpit recreational design that looks similar to Oru Beach LT.

It is much easier than other folding kayaks to set up. For a family vacation, I packed the Haven boxed into my van and took it to a beach. I did not review the instructions nor watch the setup video, and it was quite difficult to put everything together. The advertised setup time of 10 minutes is achievable with a bit of practice.

How does the Haven withstand rough handling?

Oru addresses durability concerns by showing videos of kayaks being pulled across rocks and paddled through surf. If needed, field repairs are easy with duct tape or epoxy. This hull is UV treated for 10 years and has theoretically a 20,000-fold rating, which will allow it to withstand more than 50 decades of daily folding and paddling. Because it is 100% recyclable, you could toss it in a blue bin and turn it into plastic lumber.

With its floorboards and folded Oru, it can be carried in a small suitcase. It can also be easily carried by a strap or stowed in a trunk. Wyatt Michalek. These rigid, orange floorboards form the top/bottom of the Haven when folded. They then invert into it during assembly. Ours was cracked along its seams. This observation was also shared by online reviews that noted the bend and slippage of the G hooks connecting the seatbacks to their hull.

The G-hooks were strong but needed a backup knot in order to avoid slippage. On the pro side is the ease with which you could replace any of these parts. Oru stocks replacement parts on its website and stands behind its one-year warranty.

With a 31-inch beam, the Haven is as good on the water as any open-cockpit rec-kayak. Its lightweight, stable hull is responsive to every stroke. Even in stiff wind with little whitecaps, it tracked and kept dry.

Is This Folding Kayak A Haven For You?

Most people already know the Haven’s suitability for them. Many people have either liked it or disliked the Haven. Random guy on the beach giving me the thumbs up was definitely a fan. My wife (“What is this thing ?”), certainly not. This sort of gut response should make the decision easy. You also have the option of the Oru Haven, which folds down to the same size as a suitcase, and can convert from tandem kayak to single.

However, there’s a swath of potential buyers who should give the Haven a serious second look, and that’s anyone considering a regular open-cockpit tandem recreational kayak . The Haven costs half of the price of a 70-pounder, making it much easier to transport and store.

This article was first published in Issue 59 of Paddling Magazine.

Paddling Magazine can be subscribed to in digital or print format. From suitcase to shore in just 10 minutes, the tandem Oru Haven offers excellent portability in a recreational design. | Feature Photo: Wyatt Michalek Kayaks Whitewater Kayak Review: Dagger Rewind Boats Inflatable Kayak Review: Sea Eagle 370 Kayaks Touring Kayak Review: Delta Kayaks 14 Kayaks The Great Future Of Plastic Sea Kayaks Boats Boat Review: WaveSport ACE Kayak

Reviews: 84

Very Good Average Poorly Bad I’ve had terrible customer service. I first made my complaint in December after receiving a faulty Kayak. The company responded quickly and a replacement was sent to me several months later. My customer support rep. My customer support rep confirmed that they would cover import taxes. It’s been six months now, maybe 20 emails without any response. Your brand’s image is being severely damaged by Oru Kayak, your customer service system. Solid customer support is the only thing that design innovation cannot replace.

Until this issue is rectified, I will not and can not recommend this company or its products.

Although the kayaks work great, customer service is terrible. My Beach LTs had two parts go bad within the first 2 uses. While one of the parts was quickly replaced, the other took over two months. I received no response from customer service except for the claim that they would “expedite” my part order. Which is nothing. It’s pretty unbelievable how bad the service is for such and expensive product.

Another thing you should note is that the reviews posted on their website are fake. The Beach LT had a rating of 3 stars, with a small number of reviews in May 2021. They now have 5 stars and 48 ratings. But the negative review I wrote never got published.

Customer service is not responding.

This is my third interaction with Oru. Tried email 3 attempts no response.

Avoid this con company. The kayak has not arrived for three months. Customers service has not responded to my request. I placed an order for the inlet kayak back on April 25th and got it by May. Very easy to use and transportable. 10/10 honest. The manufacturing defect on the boat I received wasn’t apparent when I called the company. They responded very quickly and helped me return it. Fast forward to May 28th and no updates or news from Oru. I had a tracking number, but UPS said it didn’t contain a package. After expressing concern that the kayak wouldn’t arrive to me by the deadline for my international move on the 12th of July, the first support agent assured me my order would go through expedited. It took days to get a response by email. They don’t usually answer the phone so don’t assume you will be able reach someone on their helpline (I doubt they have any real live agents). You shouldn’t lie about it. Today I was told that they would deliver a kayak in a timely manner to me by the 9th . But it won’t be here until the 13. When I am already moving abroad, This was the worst customer service experience I have ever had. Although I am a lazy and easygoing person, it has been frustrating to deal with. You can’t trust a boat if it doesn’t work right away.

Is An Oru Kayak going to sink?

Oru Kayaks can sink when submerged but float bags will keep you floating and controllable in case you do capsize. These float bags, which are customized to fit in the bow- and stern compartments of your kayaks, have flexible valve stems that make it easy for you to inflate them.

What is the Worth of an Oru Kayak?

Oru Kayak the Inlet, $899. Orukayak.com Oru Kayak The Haven (tandem), $1,999. Orukayak.com. Mar 1, 2021

How Many Times Can You Fold An Oru Kayak?

The custom polypropylene vessel has a 20,000-fold rating. It can be tossed in any vehicle, taken to remote areas, or stored in small apartments. April 21, 2016.

Where Is The Oru Kayak Made?

While we’ve chosen some of our factory workers to receive recognition, this is a truly team effort. Oru kayaks are made with careful attention by everyone. Thanks to everyone on our amazing factory team in Mexico!Aug 3, 2020

.Oru Kayak Review