Our verdict: This portable kayak can take you to places you didn’t previously think you could go with a boat — ideal for backpacking, campervanning and even train travel
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First impressions:
This packraft immediately stood out for its packed size and weight. At a mere 1.8 kg, it was light enough for me to carry in one hand and small enough to fit into my rucksack. The whole kayak was packed neatly into its own pump sack, which meant I didn’t have to carry a separate pump. There were some clever details including two grab handles at each end and the strap used to pack the boat down also attached the inflatable seat to the hull.
Set up and inflation
I loved that I could inflate this kayak without needing a bulky pump. The inflation tube was easy to push fit into both the pump sack and the kayak. The generous capacity of the pump sack meant I was able to inflate the kayak with just over ten fills of the bag.
There were clear inflation instructions both in the bag and attached to the sack. A recommended PSI of 1 was given but there was no pressure gauge. Despite this lack of accuracy, I was happy with the level of inflation I achieved with the sack. And more than pleased with the speed, convenience and ease of use of the system. The pump sack doubled as a dry bag and fitted neatly into the kayak, which meant we didn’t have to take anything back to the van before we set off.
Is it comfortable to sit in?
Despite its rather simple inflatable seat, I found this kayak comfortable to sit in. The seat doesn’t have a back rest, but the boat’s size allows for back support from the generous inflated sides in the stern. There were no footrests but in such a short boat, this didn’t feel like a problem and my feet fitted nicely against the sides. I found the ITIWIT Packraft easy to get into from the beach and the water, but being so light, it might prove to be a bit fidgety from a pontoon.
How does it perform on the water?
I wasn’t expecting too much in the way of performance from such a short inflatable kayak but was pleasantly surprised. We tested this ITIWIT PR100 Packraft kayak at the beach on a calm and flat day. When paddling, the front seemed to yaw (move from side to side) but because the boat was so short, the kayak’s forward trajectory was still impressive, making it a pleasure to paddle.
Although I wasn't going to win races in this kayak, I made decent progress and felt confident in its stability. Because of its shorter length, the flexibility of the inflation tube didn’t impact on performance. Our strongest paddler couldn’t make the kayak take on water at speed. Because of its lightness, I wouldn’t recommend this kayak in windy conditions.
Is it easy to pack down and carry?
Designed for lightweight portage, I can’t imagine an inflatable kayak that would be easier to pack down and carry. Deflation is very quick, and it rolls up easily to fit into the bag. This kayak would also have fitted into our campervan inflated (not recommended in warm weather) or rolled up. It was easy to carry around in any state and was also much easier to rinse and dry than most of the other boats we tried.
Durability and sustainability
The ITIWIT PR100 Packraft is rated for one person and their kit up to 110 kg on flat water, including lakes and rivers. For more adventurous conditions including white water, the PR500 is also available. The floor of the PR100 isn’t inflatable but it feels strong and is made from 420 dernier double-laminated Polyurethane.
The kayak’s single inflation tube might leave it vulnerable should a rupture occur but there is a repair kit included and the inflatable seat would offer additional buoyancy in this event. Decathlon have paid attention to the life span of this kayak and have designed it to be repairable on more than 80% of possible breakages and failures. They offer repair as a first option under their two-year guarantee, but the kayak doesn’t isn’t currently listed in Decathlon’s impressive buy gear back scheme.
Good value?
For the flexibility of use this kayak offers, I thought the price was good, especially in comparison to other packrafts on the market. But it doesn’t come with a paddle included.
The ITIWIT PR100 Packraft is perhaps not the most robust packraft in this growing market, but it is only designed for quiet waters and its lightness, versatility and packability are huge selling points. When paddling, I would always recommend wearing a personal flotation device and avoiding offshore winds.
Best suited for:
Adventures beyond your vehicle. This kayak has been designed for calm water and we tested it on the beach on a flat calm day. I wouldn’t recommend it in an offshore wind or in anything but the smallest of waves.
Facts at a glance: Decathlon ITIWIT Packraft 100 Inflatable Kayak
- Kayak type: Inflatable
- Kayak size: 1 person
- Packed measurements: 25 x 40 x 25 cm
- Boat measurements: 205 x 95 cm
- Material: TPU Polyurethane
- Weight: 1.8 kg
- RRP: £400
- Items included: Kayak, inflatable seat, pump bag and tube, repair kit
For more expert reviews, head to our full roundup of the best inflatable kayaks.
