The Itiwit x100+ inflatable kayak is a further development of the popular Itiwit Touring kayak series from Decathlon. It is a 2-person inflatable kayak with drop-stitch floor, which can be paddled by two persons or single. Decathlon promotes the Itiwit x100+ as a kayak for occasional tours of 2-3 hours, which offers a good combination of performance and stability. We have paddled the Itiwit kayak and in this article we would like to tell you about our first impressions and experiences on the water.
Technical Specs
Max. paddlers:
Length:
Width:
Capacity:
Packed size:
Material:
Weight:
Pressure:
2
365 cm | 11’1”
103 cm | 3’3”
190 kg | 418.9 lbs
67 x 40 cm | 2’2” x 1’3”
PVC Tarpaulin, Polyester
16 kg | 33.3 lbs
0.2 bar | 3 PSI (sides),
0.35 bar | 5 PSI (floor)
Produced in:
China
Which model has been reviewed?
Itiwit x100+ 2-Seater from 2020
How did we organize the review?
The Itiwit x100+ was provided to us by Decathlon, a French manufacturer and distributor of sports equipment and clothing. Itiwit is a brand for the paddle sport of Decathlon. Our review is independent of the manufacturer or shop and reflects our own opinion of the boat.
How intensively has the product been tested?
low
2 bars = min. 1 day/ 2 half-day tours
3 bars = min. 4 tours
4 bars = min. 8 tours
5 bars = min. 12 tours (very intense)
Where have we tested the product?
Whitewater
Calm rivers
Lakes
Table of Contents
First impressions and assembly
The Itiwit x100+ comes in a well-sized backpack that is comfortable to carry. A very useful feature of the backpack are the outside pockets where you can stow your paddle. The front of the backpack can be opened almost completely with the zipper. This way you can easily take out the boat and pack it back in without any big efforts. For the total price of the boat we think it is great that a backpack and not just a carry bag. The backpack is functional and has a good quality.
The Itiwit x100+ has two separate side chambers and a removable drop-stitch floor. Before inserting the floor we inflated it slightly and then put it into the boat. The floor is attached at the bow and stern with a strap click fastener, so that it remains well in its right position without moving around.
What is Drop-Stitch?
With the Drop-Stitch technology, the upper and lower inner walls of the air chamber are additionally woven with nylon threads. This is the only way to achieve a significantly higher air pressure than with air chambers without the tangled nylon threads. The air chamber thus achieves very good dimensional stability and rigidity. The Drop-Stitch technology is very common for SUP boards (Stand Paddling Boards) and is used more and more for inflatable kayaks. Learn more about this type of inflatable boats, in our buyer’s guide for Drop-Stitch kayaks.
The floor is inflated to 0.35 bar (5.1 PSI), which was an easy job with the Decathlon air pump. The side chambers are then inflated to 0.2 bar (2.9 PSI). For a beginner kayak in this price range, such operating pressures are hard to find. For example, Sevylor inflatable kayaks are in a similar price range but they only have an air pressure of 0.1 bar (1.5 PSI). The higher the air pressure of the air chambers, the stiffer the kayak and better the performance on the water.
The kayak has reasonable valves that can be closed or opened by a spring (same mechanism as on Innova and Grabner inflatable boats). The handling is very simple. The backpack even contains a valve key so that it can be removed and cleaned or retightened if necessary.
It takes less than 5 minutes to inflate the air chambers. After inflation, three small skegs are attached to the bottom of the boat. A skeg is very typical for inflatable kayaks to improve straight-line stability. We have not yet paddled an inflatable kayak with three skegs. It is very likely that the Itiwit x100+ has more skegs than other models, as it has a remarkably wide and flat hull, which would otherwise be very turn-happy when paddling.
Depending on whether you want to configure your kayak for 1 person or 2 persons, you position the seat. The seats have a high inflatable seat cushion. This allows a raised seating position so that the wide side tubes are not in the way when paddling. You can also inflate the seat a little softer or harder, depending on your preference, to find the comfortable seat firmness for you. The seat is attached to the bottom of the boat by the Velcro strip, which prevents it from slipping while paddling. The Velcro strips on the bottom are sufficiently long for the front and rear seats, so that you can vary the position of the seats.
The robust backrest is attached to the side chambers with a belt on both sides. The position of the backrest is also adjustable. All in all, we really like the seats. They look comfortable, have a good workmanship and promise a good grip when paddling. We are curious to see how they feel once we are on the water.
The outer skin of the kayak makes a robust impression. It consists of a polyester fabric coated with PVC Tarpaulin. Due to this robust outer skin, no textile cover is necessary to protect the tubes, as with the Itiwit Touring or Sevylor Adventure. The boat dries more quickly after use (significantly less risk of mould growth) and is easier to repair in the event of a defect. The permanently integrated side tubes are also equipped with a pressure relief valve, so that it is impossible to damage the boat due to excessive inflation or heat exposure.The drop-stitch floor, seats and other parts of the boat can be re-ordered and replaced in case of a defect.
The drop-stitch floor has a recess on each side where drain valves are located. For example, if you are paddling on the beach in the summer and a wave does come into the boat, the water will run off when the valves are open. This way no water will accumulate in the boat.
The Itiwit x100+ also offers important features of a good kayak. At the top of the bow and stern there is a carrying handle to carry the boat to the water. What we really like are the side carrying handles. If you are paddling the kayak on your own, you can easily put it in the water yourself.
At the bow and stern there are small spraycovers which provide additional protection against spray water. Furthermore, the kayak offers possibilities to fix luggage or to store small items. On the stern there is a large luggage net where you can put a large backpack or dry bag. At the front of the stern and at the back of the backrests there are small net pockets for small items, which are easily accessible when paddling. Such features seem less important at first sight, but in practice such details prove to be very useful and you don’t want to miss them.
You can also use the boat backpack and store all your stuff there. This even fits in the rear of the boat if the rear seat is placed far forward. You can attach the backpack to the luggage net.
We also attach the backpack with its grey compression strap to the orange luggage net, so that in case of a capsize the backpack would not sink. Note, however, that the boat backpack is not waterproof.
Review of the Itiwit X100+ on the water
The Itiwit kayak has a very high stability due to the wide and flat hull. You can get into the kayak without any worries. Due to the drop-stitch construction it feels very stable when you get in. We have paddled the kayak as a single and two persons configuration.
The Itiwit X100+ as a 1-person kayak
If you place the seat in the middle of the boat, you can use it as a solo kayak. The carrying handle on the side tube makes it very easy to carry the boat to the water.
Since the three fins are very small, you can already get into shallow water and paddle without touching down. Should there be a shore or a river section with shallow depth, you will touch down very late with the small fins. Nevertheless, we recommend on rivers with very low level to omit the fins to avoid unnecessary grounding.
During paddling, the kayak lies extremely stable on the water. Jerky movements, adjusting the seat on the water, even standing up can in no way cause the boat to capsize. We have never paddled such a stable kayak before.
In favour of stability the kayak loses performance on the water. The straight-line stability is only moderate with the three fins. The kayak also glides only slightly through the water when you stop paddling. Due to the wide side tubes we found a 220 cm long double-bladed paddle a bit too short. It is possible to paddle with it, but a paddle at least 230 cm or 240 cm long would be more comfortable, so that it is easier to get into the water with the paddle blades.
Despite the three skegss, the kayak has good manoeuvrability. However, a complete turn (i.e. 180°) is only possible with many paddle strokes.
The Itiwit X100+ as a 2-person kayak
The kayak is very quickly reconfigured into a 2-person kayak. The front and rear carrying handles make it easy for two people to carry the Itiwit x100 to the water. The carrying handles are placed nice and far outside.
When paddling as 2-person kayak, the stability is also very good. The performance on the water is noticeably better with a two persons, as the kayak lies more in the water and thus forms a longer waterline. So the speed and the straight-line stability are better.
You can reach a speed of between 2,5 and 3,1 mph when paddling comfortably. Compared to other kayaks, the straight-line stability is not really good, but still okay. Here you should not forget that the kayak with a length of 365 cm and a width of 103 cm is not designed for fast but rather for calm and stable paddling tours.
What surprised us is the space available. For a 2-person kayak the Itiwit x100+ is not very long. Nevertheless, as large persons we had enough space inside and enough legroom. The seating position is really good in a kayak. This is normally something you don’t get in this price range. The seats give a good hold and enough comfort for a nice paddling tour. Due to the integrated drain valves and the raised seat position you will never really sit in the wet. In addition, the seat backs give good support and sufficient comfort for a leisurely paddle.
If the seat cushion of the rear seat is firmly inflated, it is difficult to move it far back to the end of the Velcro strip on the floor. The interior is somewhat narrower at the rear and front due to the design. In the photo below you can see the maximum rear position when the seat cushion is fully inflated. If you still want more legroom in the back, you have to let some air out of the seat cushion so that it can be moved further back.
On one of our recent trips on a hot summer day, we also really appreciated the Itiwit x100+ as a bath boat. We took the seats out and paddled a bit into the deep water. The double paddle can be attached to the paddle holder on the side tube. Since you can stand in the boat, jumping in from the boat into the water is no problem and also really fun. Since the boat is so tilt-resistant, you can also get back out of the water into the boat.
Itiwit x100+ 2 seater vs 3 seater
The Itiwit x100+ 2-seater is also available as a larger variant, i.e. 3 seater and 4 seater. The kayaks are identical in terms of equipment, air pressure, tipping stability and material. They differ only in price, color scheme, dimensions, load limit and weight.
We have tested the 3 seater and compared it to the 2 seater. The Itiwit x100+ 3 seater gives you the possibility to go paddling with three people. With two adults and one child, it offers plenty of space. For three adults, the space is significantly limited, but for short (2 to 3 hours) and leisurely tours still possible.
In addition, the 3 seater can also be interesting for you as a 2 seater kayak, if the load limit and the space offered by the 2-seater seems too little. The 3 seater is another 45 cm longer and has a 50 kg higher load capacity. The rear paddler has much more room to stretch his legs. In addition, the extra space in the middle can be used to carry more luggage or even a dog. With two people, the 3 seater is about 0.5 km/h faster and drifts less when you stop paddling. However, we would not recommend the 3-seater simply because of the minimally better driving characteristics. If you don’t need the extra space and payload, the Itiwit x100+ 2 seater is a good choice.
Dismantling the Itiwit x100+
The dismantling of the kayak was quick and easy. All you have to do is open the three valves. Most of the air escapes by itself. The remaining air can either be pressed or pumped out. We normally pump out the remaining air. If you use the Itiwit air pump to pump out the remaining air, you have to disconnect the pressure gauge.
Remove the drop-stitch floor and fold it back up as originally. Then fold the kayak once lengthwise and place the folded drop-stitch floor on top. Finally fold them together to a packable size. The folded kayak fits back into the supplied backpack right away thanks to the large opening. Squeezing is not necessary here. There is even room for the air pump on the side of the backpack. Before closing the backpack, you still put the two seats and three fins in.
According to the user’s manual, the double paddle is stored in the outer side pockets next to the boat, seats and air pump. This did not work with us, because the backpack was already too tightly filled.
Strengths and weaknesses of the Itiwit X100+
The Itiwit x100+ is one of the most stable inflatable kayaks we have paddled so far. Thanks to the wide hull and drop-stitch bottom, you can even stand up in the boat without capsizing. The entry and exit is also very safe and due to the flat fins already possible in shallow water.
Unfortunately, when dismantling and wiping dry after another tour, we had to find that the bottom with the side tube is not glued cleanly in case of our model. This had had no effect on the functionality of the boat so far, but it is still unsightly. When asked, Decathlon assured us that such processing errors do not usually occur. Nevertheless, we recommend that you always check the quality of workmanship (especially in the glued joints) of the model when buying an inflatable kayak (regardless of the brand).
Otherwise, Decathlon offers a robust and well thought-out kayak for the price. However, those who want to make long distances on standing water with the kayak will have less fun with the Itiwit x100+.
Advantages
+ high air pressure and thus a good stiffness for a beginner kayak + extremely stable against tipping + safe and comfortable entry and exit due to drop-stitch floor + drop-stitch floor is replaceable + thoughtful details (e.g. side carrying handles, pockets on the back of the seats, …) + very comfortable and plenty of space inside + robust boat skin + comfortable seats with sufficient back support + solid transport backpack + very suitable as a bathing boat + spare parts can be reordered
Disadvantages
– wide and hull and therefore slower – moderate straight running – on our model the bottom with the side tubes was not sufficiently or improperly glued (so far no effect on the functionality of the kayak) – no foot braces
Conclusion on the Itiwit x100+
Decathlon offers with the Itiwit x100+ a very functional and solid kayak. It is not a cheap inflatable kayak. The price is justified in our opinion. We think the price-performance ratio is very good. It was our first Itiwit inflatable kayak we reviewed and we have to say that Decathlon has launched a good recreational kayak for beginners. It is perfect for paddling on a lake and enjoying the peace and quiet on the water. The boat looks very well thought out. The Itiwit x100+ is unrivalled in this price range.
Due to its high stability against tipping, the kayak is mainly aimed at beginners in paddling who would otherwise be afraid of capsizing. The inflatable kayak is also a clear recommendation for adults with children. Decathlon has also launched a 3-persons drop-stich kayak, which is aimed at small families. The Itiwit is a good kayak for small explorations on calm rivers and small lakes. If you want to do a day trip and paddle a long distance (over 20 km), you will have less fun with the kayak. Decathlon advertises a good combination of performance and stability. Stability clearly outweighs performance when you interpret performance as the speed of a kayak. The kayak makes a solid impression in terms of workmanship and robustness.
Alternatives to the Itiwit X100+
The Itiwit x100+ is not the only kayak from Itiwit. There is also the Touring series and we have also reviewed the 2 seater version. The performance on the water is quite similar but it takes much longer to dry due to the the polyester cover. Therefore, the boat is much cheaper.
And then there are also inflatable kayak brands like Intex and Sevylor, which are also well-known for entry-level kayaks.
Thanks for the great write up. Do you think the x100 is worth the premium over the standard touring one (~70%) especially in terms of long term durability?
Hello Adam,
we have also paddled the Itiwit Touring 2-Seater and will publish the review soon. The great advantage of the x100+ is that it’s much easier to dry. The nylon cover of the touring takes much longer to dry. The higher pressure on the x100+ gives the boat also some better performance on the water. Regarding long term durability, I would say they should be pretty close because you can replace many parts of both boat where as the material of the x100+ is probably a bit more robuste.
Christian
Hi, Thanks for the review! – It would be really useful to see a re-packing video. That is to say, getting all the elements back into the provided backpack.
Dear Christian and Sebastian,
I’m considering buying an Itiwit x100 inflatable kayak. However, I would like to use it in autumn, spring and winter if the weather is good with no winds and 8-10 celsius degrees, in a suitable dress.
Is there a temperature restriction for the product when it should not be used? Is it a summer kayak or can I use it all year around?
Thank you so much,
Peter Kolta
Budapest, Hungary
Hello Peter,
we have been using Itiwit kayaks also in winter and there are no temperature restrictions. But keep in mind that it’s first of all a recreational kayak designed for good weather since it’s an open kayak. So for winter paddling there are other infltable kayaks, which are actually better because they can be closed with a deck and a dryskirt to keep the warm inside the boat. However you could go on your winter paddling tour also with the x100+ but make sure to wear a drysuit. You should always dress to the water temperature and not to the air temperature. 🙂
Christian
Hello Christian,
thank you so much for your well documented reports on so many different Kajaks, it has been very helpful on my decision to buy one for myself. Therefore, I would like to ask regarding drysuit, as I know their importance for fall, early spring and winter conditions in and around München. Maybe you have some recommendations on where to start looking for entry level drysuits in Germany.
Many thanks in advance for your support.
Best Regards,
Alejandro
Hello Alejandro,
we have the Anfibio Packsuit and are pretty happy with it because it’s very compact and light … a perfect fit for any inflatable kayak or packrafter.
Best regards
Christian
Hello Christian,
Sorry for the late reply, thanks again for the recommendation! At the end I took another offer for a cheaper Crewsaver drysuit, but it worked perfectly during the winter. I would like to further ask if you have any recommendations on places to rent an inflatable Kajak around Munich? , as it would be nice to paddle with friends that don’t own one. Thanks again for your help 🙂
Very good job, I need to purchase a Kayak and for sure your reviews helps a lot for the choice.
By the way I would need to clarifly deeply some points so I would like to ask you something more.
May I use this “reply box” to ask you ?
Many Thanks
Stefano
Thanks for this very useful review
Re the 3 skegs, do you think if I customised these (made them longer&deeper) this would improve straight line stability?
Hello Rick,
some inflatable boats come with two different skegs, one for shallow and one for deep water. Longer skegs would improve the straight line stability but you have to consider the whole performance. Because a too long skeg would decrease the manoeuvrability on the other hand.
Chrisitan
Hi there,
I’m have two questions if you don;t mind sharing your thought?
Firstly, would you recoment the X100+ for two boys (agned 14 and 12) or do you think an adult should always take one seat?
And do you think the drop-stitch floor makes it suitable for the sea (in calm weather)?
Thanks,
Matthew
Hello Matthew,
the Itiwit x100+ is a good kayak for families with children thanks to its great stability. No matter if inflatable or solid kayaks, it’s always better if an adult goes together paddling with the children (the Itiwit x100+ is also available as a 3 seater). But sure, it depends on the situation. If you are on the beach and the children are just paddling a bit near the shore, then it might be ok. Nevertheless, safety should come first especially regarding children and you can only assure it when an adult is with them. And please make sure that they wear a PFD. Concerning your 2nd question, yes the Itiwit x100+ is also suitable for the sea and the drop-stitch floor isn’t a problem there. But it’s only suitable for sunny days and on calm water. Otherwise there are other kayaks, which are made especially for sea kayaking.
Christian
Hello,
I am considering getting the itwit x100 as a first kayak. My wife and I live in Marseille in France and we would be using it together for short trips (2 hours top) along the coast (Calanques or beach).
Do you consider the Itwit a good choice? You recommended it for calm waters such as lakes… Wondering if sea kayaking in good weather could be OK.
Thanks for your help, and for all those amazing reviews.
Kamel
Hello Kamel,
when you have good and calm conditions on the water you can use the Itiwit X100+ also on the sea. There are no worries about that, especially for short trip where it’s more about a relaxing tour the kayak is a good choice.
Christian
Thanks for your reply. I was also wondering if you were planning on testing some of Aqua Marina products such as the steam. I read some good stuff about it.
K.
We are not planning to test any kayaks from Aqua Marina this year.
Christian
Hi How is it X100 durability compare to itwit touring 2 or 3 ? its my main concern because of the drop stich if you hit a rock or the bottom seperate as someone show in youtube. in touring you can just replace the bidon
Hello Iva,
you can also replace the drop-stitch floor of the x100+ and the x100+ feels actually more durable and more high-quality than the touring. You should always use your inflatable quite often in the beginning to see if there are any construction problems with it.
Best regards
Christian
Heya,
Really appreciate the review as it has cleard out a lot of things for me, I do however wonder how durable do you think the kayak is? Me and my brother are looking for an inflatable kayak for fishing but we are concerned that some shallow water with rocks on the bottom are gonna puncutre it pretty quickly even if we are extremely careful. Does the material feel durable enough that this won’t happen so easily?
Hello Manny,
it always depends on the rocks. As with every inflatable kayak, if something really sharp hits your kayak, it can damage the surface. But the x100+ is already pretty robust and we didn’t have any problems when touching the the ground with it.
Best regards
Christian
Hello,
from your opinion, with cost factored too, would you rather have the Itiwit X100 or the Intex Excursion Pro K2? Basically which is the best all around inflatable Kayak which is good value for money, and a long term investment. Thanks in advance.
Hello Matt,
the final decision depends on your specific requirements because both kayaks are pretty close in terms of use and then the details make differences. If you like a very stable kayak (when getting in and out), then the Itiwit x100+ with the drop-stitch floor is the right one. It also feels kind of higher quality in terms of material and workmanship. You can also replace some parts in case of damage. The Intex Excursion Pro performs a bit better on the water because it’s longer and less wide. If this matter most for you then the Intex kayak would be more interesting for you.
Best regards
Christian
Thank you for the honest review, there aren’t that many out there. What do you think the larger, 3 person version would be like? Looking at the specs, the 2-person version is 103 cm wide and 365 cm long, while the 3-person version is 102 cm wide and 410 cm long. I think that this is quite a bit better in terms of performance, since it is that much longer, do you agree? We are two guys, 6’1 and 6’4, about 170 kg plus luggage, so that is kind of between the 2 and 3 person version in terms of the payload. To me, the 3 person version seems just way better, except for price and a slight increase in weight, what do you think?
Hello Michael,
we have also paddled the X100+ 3 person kayak and will share our experience with that on this site in the near future. The 3 person version makes especially sense if you paddle with 3 persons or with 2 persons and some extra luggage. You are just a bit faster on the water but it doesn’t really make a big difference compared to the Itiwit X100 2 person version. Both kayaks are not designed for great speed and best paddling performance on the water. They are designed to be very stable kayaks for beginners where you can perfectly chill on the water.
Best regards
Christian
Hello Michael,
just a quick update the review of the Itiwit x100+ 3 seater is also available now on the website.
Christian
Great question. Plus can the x100+ (3 seater) be easily manoeuvred by a single beginner kayaker (i.e. solo)?
Hello Mario,
paddling solo is definitely a great option to have with the kayak from time to time for short distances but it shouldn’t be the first use case. If you paddle it solo the paddling performance is much worse. The stern and bow of the kayak is not really in the water because there is not enough weight at both ends but only in the center.
Best regards
Christian
Thanks for the great review. I am torn between the x100+ 3 seater and the Z pro tango 3. Do you know if there any big differences apart from materials between them and which you would recommend? Cheers
Hi Ben,
we have never paddled or seen the Z Pro Tange 3 and can’t compare them really. However, the Z Pro Tango 3 seems to be pretty similar with the Itiwit Touring 2/3-Seater. The Itiwit kayak has an Drop-Stitch kayak, which is the big difference and the boat skin is pretty solid and without nylon cover easy to dry. We have already paddled the Itiwit x100 3-Seater and for the price it’s a pretty good boat.
Best regards
Christian
Good review. I have owned my X100+ for a year now with my partner and it has been an incredible purchase as far as inflatable kayaks go. It performs very well on canals, lakes and is surprisingly easy to handle on rivers too. The size and stability also make it extremely adaptable for use in the sea (calm conditions naturally). I have recently returned from two weeks on the Isle of Wight and the kayak was fantastic for kayaking off shore. I cannot recommend this kayak enough, it is definitely worth spending the extra for it. My only negative comment would be that, in my view, it is very large / wide for solo paddlers whereas it is ideal for a duo. I expect it would be tiring to use over long distance if solo.
Hi Max,
thanks for sharing your experience with the Itiwit x100+. Insights from other paddlers are always a great addition to our reviews. 🙂
Best regards
Christian
Thanks so much for this review. It’s really helpful. Can you recommend a paddle for a beginner to pick up to use with this kayak?
Hi Liz,
the x100 2-part paddle from Decathlon is a pretty good one for a beginner.
Best regards
Christian
Hey Christian,
Maybe a strange question: The website of Decathlon says it’s weight load is 195 kg. But all over the internet I read it’s 150 kg??? Any idea what’s going on?
Hello,
150 kg was the original recommendation from Decathlon when they introduced the boat to the market. It was not the maximum weight load they put in the specification but rather an ideal weight load recommendation for boat so that it still has a good paddling performance. However, many people got confused and didn’t know what the maximum would be. That’s why Decathlon specifies now the maximum weight load, which helps customers much more in their buying decision. I also changed the information in our article. Thanks for your question! 😉
Best regards
Christian
The Itiwit x100 is a good kayak, very stable. We went out in the Mediterranean Sea at a distance from the coast up to 1.5 km with a wave of 0.6-1 m. It is very similar to the Sevylor Inflatable River Xk2 Kayak which I have been operating for almost 8 years. The Drop-Stitch hard floor is its main advantage.
Dear Christian!
Can You please tell me som information about speed of the Itiwit x100+ kayak compared to a sup?
I have bought two sups ( 11″ itiwit sup from decathlon ) and i also bought a 3 person itiwit touring kayak without drop stich floor. We had a tour, but the kayak, only with two person was so slow compared to the sup (also with two person on a sup) we could not stay together. The kayak was not only slow, it was an eternity to paddle wit it 3 km distance :). I got back it to decathlon.
But mow…I am considering to buy a X100+ kayak with drop stich floor. Do You think this kind of kayak is quicker than a touring one, is it possible to reach the speed that you can reach with a sup?
Thank You for Your answer in advance!
Hello Laci,
I can’t compare it with any SUP model because I don’t do stand up paddling. However, the Itiwit x100+ is not really faster than the Itiwit Touring kayak. So, I think it wouldn’t be fast enough for you. The Itiwit x100+ and Touring are not designed for speed and great paddling performance but rather for stability and comfort. In contrast, the Itiwit x500+ is designed for speed and great paddling performance and is very sportive kayak.
Best regards
Christian
Dear Christian!
Thank You for Your answer.
Have a nice day!
Laci
Thank you for your thorough reviews!
We are thinking of getting two kayaks for over night camping trips on lakes and calm rivers. That means bringing camping gear like one or two tents, sleeping bags and mats etc.
We are two adults and two children in their early teens.
Do you think the Itwit+ would be suitable for this? We’ve been considering getting two 3-person kayaks, to get more space for luggage.
Or do you think there are better options? The Gumotex kayaks look nice, but are quite a bit more expensive (about twice the price).
Best regards
Martin
Hello Martin,
you can do these kind of trips with the Itiwit x100+, that’s not a problem. It’s right that kayaks from Gumotex are more expensive but it’s still a very fair price for kayak made in Europe. The x100+ is rather a good quality entry level kayaks. Gumotex kayaks like Seawave, Rush, Solar or Swing are just another level of inflatable kayaks. They are very robust and perform really well on the water.
Best regards
Christian
Hi. Thanks for the in depth reviews – it’s really helped me choose my first inflatable kayak.
I’m pretty much settled on the x100+, but had a question about the size.
I’m considering going for either the 2 or three seater. Most of the time it will be used by me and my young son (4 years old), so the 2 seater makes sense. However there may sometimes be more adults, making me want to go for the 3 seater.
75% of the time I will be the only adult paddler. Did you notice any significant difference in solo paddling between the 2 and 3 seater?
Thanks in advance & for the great reviews
Hello Jon,
both kayaks profit from some weight in the front and rear. Otherwise the waterline of the boat is too short because the stern and bow are not really in the water and consequently paddling is less efficient and fun. Thats why they perform best when paddling with two or three persons. I would personally prefer the 2 seater when paddling solo because it’s better to handle for one person.
Best regards
Christian
Thanks for the quick reply – really helped make my mind up!
Cheers, Jon
Great review! I’m trying to decide between the Itiwit x100+ and the Tahe Beach LP3 as I’m looking for the most stable kayak for three people. They both are about the same price point. Just tying to determine which one is the best option. Have your compared them? Any suggestions?
Hello Frank,
we haven’t paddled the Tahe Beach LP3 yet. However, I would rather compare it with the Itiwit Toruing 3 seater since it has also a nylon cover and no drop-stitch floor. Here, the Itiwit Touring 3 seater is much more affordable than the Tahe kyak. If your focus is on stability, I would go for the x100+. It has a drop stitch floor, which adds some extra stability and it comes without nylon cover, which makes it much easier to dry.
Best regards
Christian
Hi thanks for the review, we are two ladies of slim build with a springer spaniel do you think the 2 seater X100+ would be big enough. We are intending to use just for day time fun paddling on rivers and sheltered coast in calm seas
thanks YOU
Hi Lynda,
that’s pretty hard to answer because it depends on what would still feel comfortable for you. The front paddler should move his seat more to the front so that you more space. The dog would be between your legs and the question is if it’s ok for you when paddling. The 3 seater would definitely provide more space for a dog.
Best regards
Christian
Hi Christian,
Great reviews. We are about to buy our first Kayak and leaning toward the Itiwit X100+ Planning to buy the electric pump but I’ve read a review that says you need a different pump to inflate the seats. Is that true?
Cheers
Hello Richard,
the seats have a different valve and there you need the right adapter for the pump. We also use an electric pump from time to time but always inflate the seats with the hand pump or by mouth.
Best regards
Christian
Just a general note of thanks for your reviews. I’m looking at an inflatable kayak because we recently bought a holiday coast on the NSW south coast (in Australia) with two beautiful lakes close by. I’m tending to an inflatable for ease of transport and storage, and like the option for 2 people on the occasions my wife wants to join me.
I’ve been reading a lot of reviews, and am tending to the Itiwit x100+ 2 person model.
But what I really wanted to say is that your reviews are clear, cover all aspects of the models you’re review and you provide heaps of feedback. They’re really the best out there!
Thanks Christian, great review. My only questions were:
(1) for 2 “normal” size adults just looking to go day touring and not taking much gear other than mayb a couple of dry bags, is the X100 long enough for that or would the X100+ be better? I will probably use the kayak about 60% solo and 40% day trips with a friend as a tandem. We do not take much with us other than drinks, food, etc because we only go out for about 3-5 hours normally.
(2) I go kayaking about 70% on the sea and 30% on rivers. The X100 looks stable and should be Ok on the sea even if it gets a little rough sometimes, do you think? I think with the tubular side pontoons and 103cm width, it should cope fine with a bit of sea swell. We do not go out more than about 200m from the shore normally and do not go out if the sea it very rough. Thanks
Hello Gareth,
(1) It depends on the size of your dry bags but if you say you only want to take drinks, food, some extra clothes then this should be fine. You can put a bigger dry bag on the stern and you have also some space between your feet for storing a little extra dry bag if needed.
(2) It’s not a sea kayak for sure but if the weather conditions are good and if you stay close to the shore then the kayak will do the job. And do not forget the life vests when paddling on the sea.
Best regards
Christian
Thanks for your honest review. I can’t seem to find out if it is ok to use Canadian style single paddles instead of double . I’m thinking it might be difficult because of wide side walls compared to a solid canoe ,if I can would you know what length paddle would be ok. I am 5,6 and partner is 5 ft. Thanks
Hello Ivor,
you can use single-blade paddles for the x100+. There are even product pictures from Decathlon where you can see that they use single-blade paddles. However, it won’t be the same feeling as with an actual canoe but there are people who prefer it anyway and are fine with it. You have to try it out to see if you are comfortable with it but it’s basically possible. 🙂
Best
Christian
Thanks for your great review of the Decathlon Kayak. If the kayak deck/base is detachable and at a similar pressure to a SUP, does this mean (in theory at least) that it could also be used as a paddle board? It seems to me that the kayak is essentially a paddle board with inflatable sides on it. This would make it appeal to all members of our family. Thanks again, Simon.
Hello Simon,
the floor of kayak is a separate part but it’s not designed to be used as a SUP board. SUP boards have an air pressure between 10 and 17 PSI. The floor chamber of the x100+ has only a pressure of 5 PSI, which is totally enough as a kayak floor but not as a SUP board. Even if they would allow a higher air pressure, the shape of the floor wouldn’t be good for Stand Up-Paddling. However, you can use just the floor as air mattress on the water for fun and a relaxing.
Best regards
Christian
Hi Christian, I love your reviews. I’ve been considering buying the 2-man Itiwit X100+ for me and my dog to go river exploring (2-4 hours, some relaxed paddling, some more active time). I will sometimes have another adult on board but it’ll mostly be me solo. It feels like I may need something a little more responsive with speed than the Itiwit X100+ … I am less fussed about stability, and I would say I am more experienced that a beginner (have canoed in hard canoes on rivers before).
It needs to be good quality as it is an investment for me. I am in the UK with up to £500 to spend on boat and accessories (I have dry bags already).
Can you recommend what boats I should consider?
Thanks
Holly
Hello Holly,
regarding your budget I have only the Itiwit x100+, the Aqua Marina Steam 412 and the Intex Excursion Pro in mind. Other inflatable kayaks with better performance on the water that come to my mind exceed your budget (for example a kayak from Advanced Elements or Gumotex).
Best regards
Christian
Hi, do you think the x100+ for 2 person is a good choice even if I will always use it alone in the sea not too far from the shore? Or there are any better choice?
Hello Daniel,
it depends on your expectations and how much you are ready to invest. If you want to do only short and relaxing tours with any big expectations regarding performance on the water, you will be happy with the kayak. There are kayaks with better performance on the water but they cost more, like the Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame.
Best regards
Christian
Sorry again,
But rereading your review properly I noticed that the x100+ has not the brightest lateral stability, having to use it in the sea do you think it could be a problem with waves? (I don’t plan to use it for reckless things but in any case it’s good to foresee even the eventuality that the weather conditions suddenly worsen!)
Of the other kayaks you reviewed I was also eyeing the intex excursion pro which however I understand is by construction worse than the x100+ (though slightly faster). Do you think for sea use it might be more appropriate?
The Advance elements unfortunately are rather difficult to find in Europe, and they have the problem of being slow to dry anyway so I wasn’t considering them as much :(.
Sorry for writing such a long message 🤣, and thanks again for your time!
Hello Daniel,
the Itiwit x100+ has a very good stability. The Intex Excursion Pro doesn’t offer better stability. However, both kayaks the x100+ and the Intex Excursion Pro are not the best choices for sea kayaking. But if you stay close to the coast during summer both will do alright.
Best regards
Christian
Hello, great review! I’m now looking to purchase this kayak but can’t decide between this and the Aqua Marina Memba 2022 model (currently on offer in a very similar price point). Which of these two would you recommend?
Hello Lukasz,
it really depends on your preferences and what you expect from your kayak. Both kayaks are alright. The big differences are the dimensions and the nylon cover of the Aqua Marina Steam. The Itiwit x100 is wider and shorter and will therefore perform probably not as good as the Aqua Marina kayak. But the difference won’t be huge and a wider and shorter kayak feels more stable. Important is to consider about the nylon cover from Aqua Marina Memba. It will require a longer drying time. Actually, the Aqua Marina Steam is more similar to the Itiwit x100+.
Best regards
Christian
How does it compare to the intex excursion k2
Hi Toon,
The Itiwit x100+ is more expensive than the Intex Excursion K2 but you get more for it – most of all a more robust boat skin that allows a higher air pressure and better seats as well as a drop-stitch floor.
Best regards
Christian
hi thank you for the reviews has really helped been looking at the itiwit x100 3 person for my parnter , me and the dog to go on rivers and lakes but im confused it says occasional use and only 2 to 3 hours what does this mesn ?is it okay to go longer than 3 hours ? thanks for help
Hi Paul,
there is no problem paddling it longer than for 2 or 3 hours. This is only a reference that its primarily focus are recreational paddling tours. But there are people going on long paddling tours with the x100+ but Decathlon has better options for that (x500) where you can store more luggage and which perform better on the water.
Best
Christian
Hey Christian, great review! I wanted to ask if by any chance you have some tips for removing the fins when they get stuck to the kayak? I’ve been looking online but with no luck..
So far we’ve been using it at sea so I’m assuming some sand might’ve gotten stuck in there, maybe salt from the water as well(?).. Many thanks!
Hi Tudor,
have you tried to pull it out with some good pliers?
Best
Christian