The first time I unpackaged the ORU Kayak, I was a little overwhelmed. About Oru Kayak: Founded in 2012, Oru Kayak is a leading innovator in the kayaking industry and the first to bring a foldable kayak to market utilizing the principles of origami.Beyond the functionality of its engineering, the Oru Kayak stands apart from the competition for its superb on the water performance, durability, easy assembly, and stylish design. Oru’s origami technology ensures that the kayaks perform well in water and are designed for simple assembly. But thanks to a completely redesigned folding pattern, the Inlet boasts a speedy box-to-boat assembly. From next-gen tech to ingenious innovation, our weekly peek at emerging products examines the sometimes cutting-edge, sometimes quirky world of gear design. However, larger models of these corrugated plastic kayaks that hold more weight and people can cost upwards of $3,000. Email. For starters, the setup was straightforward and easy — once you watched the assembly video. Putting it together isn't a one person job. What interested me was the ability to throw it into my hatchback and get out on the water with minimal effort. While sturdy, there are still gaps at the top where the edges meet what can let in water if you’re, say, splashed by a passing boat or the wind picks up and creates mild sea kayaking conditions. After trying the Inlet myself, here’s what I found. Get ready to have some fun! It’s hard to imagine a full-size, functional kayak you can easily hold above your head one-handed. With a three-minute assembly time and its light weight, the Oru makes getting on the water super simple and accessible for even the most space-cramped urbanites. GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Putting together the ORU Kayak. It will retail for $850. It is portable and has … Features and … When this author tested out the Oru Inlet folding kayak, I was skeptical, to say the least. Assembly Time: 3-5 minutes. © Copyright 2020 GearJunkie, All Rights Reserved, The Best Outdoor Gift Cards to Give this Holiday, 'Boardslide Worldwide' Snowboard Edit Offers Up Pow by the Mouthful, 'Igloi' Run Workout: Intense Sprints for Distance Runners, Congress Poised to Create 63rd National Park, The Best Backcountry Ski Bindings of 2021, Next-Gen Skiers: One Family's Dedication to 'Ski Local', The Origins of Snowboarding: 'Made in the Mitten' Is a Must-Watch, 'Despair on the Colorado Trail': A Bikepacker's First FKT Attempt, 'Freeze': Take a Break and Watch This Short, Sweet Ski Film, Unfailing Goods at Killer Prices: Our Picks From Filson's Annual Winter Sale, The Bestselling Gear at Backcountry This Week. In a handful of simple steps, Inlet owners can now be on the water in less than three minutes; 75% faster than past Oru kayak models. Tents, sleeping bags, 'fire sticks,' and more: Check out what caught our editors' eyes on the Outdoor Retailer floor. OGA = Oxygen Generation Assembly OGS = Oxygen Generation System ORU = Orbital Replacement Unit PSM = Power Supply Module R&R = Remove and Replace RSA = Rotary Separator Accumulator SSF = Space Station Freedom SOA = State of the Art TOC = Total Organic Carbon WRS = Water Recovery System I. Not satisfied with your vessel? The Haven is basically an extended Beach Lt model. The Inlet is made from custom corrugated plastic that folds down from an entire kayak to the size of a large briefcase. However, larger models of these corrugated plastic kayaks that hold more weight and people can cost upwards of $3,000. A new origami folding canoe has been … The Inlet is one of Oru's latest designs, and is small, lightweight, and easy to set up. By signing up, you agree to receive emails from GearJunkie and Helux. Hike into remote waters, or check it on a plane to foreign lands. Write a review. The folded and packed dimensions measure 42 inches by 18 inches by 11 inches, easily storable in any size living space. And they’ve generally lived up to the promise: a packable boat that doesn’t sacrifice function. I'm only interested in flat water like lakes and slow-moving rivers, so this one fit the bill perfectly. The cockpit opening measures 23 inches wide and 44 inches long, so you have plenty of space to enter and exit or even tuck your kiddo or furry friend in front of you. | Photo: Kaydi Pyette collections. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Oru Kayak Foldable Kayak - Stable, Durable, Lightweight Folding Kayaks for Adults and Youth - Lake, River, and Ocean Kayaks - Perfect Outdoor Fun Boat for Fishing, Travel, and Adventure (Inlet) at Amazon.com. 12 Best Inflatable Kayaks (Review) In 2020, I confirm I wish to sign up to the Gear Hungry mailing list. Our customer, Nicholas Lin unboxes his own Inlet in this video. View at REI . Hike into remote waters, or check it on a plane to foreign lands. And it folds into a tinier package, too. The Inlet is rated to hold 275 pounds so that the average adult can carry extra gear with them. We’ve tested the Oru Bay, paddled one down whitewater, and ogled the tandem Haven. The Best Oru Kayaks for 2020 Inlet from Oru Kayaks. Now you can really bring the Oru Kayak anywhere! Store it under the bed or behind your holiday decorations, and you have a full boat ready for those sweet-and-sunny summer days at the local waterway. But all that awesome comes with a hefty price tag. Apartment-dwellers, compact car drivers, and frequent travelers will love having an easily portable boat. It’s the end of 2020, and, as is our annual tradition, it's time to look back at the best gear we tested this year. Share . on Indiegogo. Westerlind is the interaction between technical outdoor gear and a style-minded boutique. The Oru Inlet Kayak on Kickstarter (from $749) represents a whole new era of kayaking opportunities for both serious and casual watersports fans alike. In a handful of simple steps, Inlet owners can now be on the water in less than three minutes; 75% faster than past Oru kayak models. Introduction HIS report reviews two recent papers that investigate how the Oxygen Generation Assembly … At 20 pounds, you can store the Inlet just about anywhere. There is plenty of room in the bulkheads to keep a dry bag, snacks, extra PFD, and more. (An adjustable backrest is key for different torso lengths.). The polyurethane hull is treated with UV protection rated to last up to 10 years; these kayaks are both puncture and abrasion-resistant, meant to withstand sliding over rocks at the put-in, bumping into obstacles, and are rated to 20,000 fold cycles. 1:59 pm August 13, 2019 By Julian Horsey. The Oru Pack is made of rugged heavy-duty nylon, with a super-comfortable shoulder and hip strap system. When not in use, stash it in your closet, throw it in your trunk, or check it on a plane to make paddling part of all of your adventures. (Pun intended.) assembly guides scroll down to find your kayak the beach lt 2018 beach lt - downloadable assembly guide 2018 beach lt - downloadable owner's manual the bay st  2018 bay st - downloadable assembly guide 2018 bay st - downloadable owner's manual the coast xt 2018 coast xt - downloadable assembly … For a limited time, the Inlet is available for $699 during the presale. It’s a sweet little boat — but read on before you buy one. In past tests, we’ve noted that there’s a bit of a learning curve when assembling an Oru boat. This spring, the COVID-19 pandemic shut down our factory for over a month. Oru has released its latest folding kayak, the Inlet, and it's the company's lightest, easiest-to-assemble, and most affordable boat to date. Oru Pack for Inlet Now you can really bring the Oru Kayak anywhere! It can easily take a newbie half an hour to successfully figure it out. Enter before February 8th for your chance to win. The Inlet is Oru's latest addition to the lineup. With a new Origami fold pattern, the Inlet is Oru's lightest and smallest kayak. Oru Kayak is here to make those dreams a reality for boaters of all experience levels, starting with the Inlet folding kayak. It has a weight capacity of 275 pounds and a maximum paddler height of 6'2", yet it only weighs 20 pounds! The first time I unpackaged the ORU Kayak, I was a little overwhelmed. I returned it. Putting together the ORU Kayak. The Inlet is the latest and cheapest folding kayak from Oru and is designed for flat water, it folds into a very portable pack that weighs about 25lbs making it great for spontaneous paddling. Oru Kayaks are made from a custom polypropylene, with a 10 year UV treatment, and a 20,000 fold cycle rating! Developed by Oru Founder and Chief Design Officer Anton Willis, the new folding pattern produces a significantly streamlined box-to-boat assembly that eliminates many of the loose parts found in other Oru Kayaks. However, I changed my tune with the first outing. Assembly Time: 3-5 minutes. This boat is perfect for a day of fishing on your local lake or river. In addition to packability, lightness, and speedy setup, the Inlet is the cheapest boat Oru makes. Price: $850-$950 orukayak.com Oru’s lightest, most portable, and most affordable boat yet, this kayak is the definition of fun and was built to accommodate spontaneity. Inlet Assembly Video Video assembly guide for the Oru Kayak Inlet. Notably, the Inlet features Oru’s first fully-integrated floorboard, enabling a more intuitive and speedy assembly. The deck strap broke within 15 minutes of assembly. NordicTrack wants to give you $7,500 toward your dream adventure. Our annual guide to the businesses that matter the most Notably, the Inlet features Oru’s first fully-integrated floorboard, enabling a more intuitive and speedy assembly. Our service department is here to assist with any assembly or technical questions you may have. A kayak that makes the water simple, easy and accessible. Oru Kayak Inlet origami folding canoe. It touted assembly as simple as opening, snapping a couple of clips, and slipping into the seat. By inventing an entirely new origami folding pattern—the first redesign in the company’s history—Oru has created a stable, 10’ kayak that weighs 20lbs., folds into a box approximately the size of a guitar case (40”x19”x10”), and can be assembled in under 3 minutes. Not satisfied with your vessel? You may unsubscribe at any time. It's loaded with smart features to make your Oru Kayak journeys easy and convenient. Oru Kayak promises that the Inlet is designed to last for up to 20,000 folds and while I didn’t get close to that number, I’m inclined to believe them based on my experiences with the company. I turned to the interwebs and found the Assembly Guidelines page on ORU Kayak’s website where there is an instructional video and a PDF document with step-by-step photos.. With some patience and a little more man-handling than I expected, I put it together the first time in about 30 minutes. For those of you who have kayaked before, that is an amazing feat. Developed by Oru Founder and Chief Design Officer Anton Willis, the new folding pattern produces a significantly streamlined box-to-boat assembly that eliminates many of the loose parts found in other Oru Kayaks. At just 10 inches wide, it’s small enough to stash under the sofa; you can fit three boats in a standard trunk. Support us! And while that’s still a big chunk of change, it’s exciting to see a sub-$1,000 kayak in the lineup. The seat is horrible. The three-step assembly makes it even better for use, no manual reads, and no required tools, just three easy steps to use. While the hull is designed to take a beating, we suggest you treat your kayak like a fiberglass boat. Est. The Inlet is Oru's latest addition to the lineup. Oru’s Inlet elegantly solves the most common barriers to kayak ownership: storage and transport. overall, the oru kayak inlet is 34% smaller when compact and 29% lighter in weight than their ‘bay ST’ model. Read more…. Oru Kayaks are made from a custom polypropylene, with a 10 year UV treatment, and a 20,000 fold cycle rating! Open-Water Swimming: Tips and Gear to Swim Outside, Close Call: Kayakers Nearly Crushed by Cliff Collapse. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. The Oru Pack is made of rugged heavy-duty nylon, with a super-comfortable shoulder and hip strap system. Warranty: 1 year manufacturer's warranty Customer Reviews. It paddles great, but with an open deck and short design, the brand does not intend this one to ride serious whitewater or head out to sea in expeditions. Developed by Oru Founder and Chief Design Officer Anton Willis, the new folding pattern produces a significantly streamlined box-to-boat assembly that eliminates many of the loose parts found in other Oru Kayaks. But that’s exactly what you get with Oru. It’s a recreational kayak best suited for beginners and calm water. I fit into the kayak quite comfortably at 5’8”, and even my tall father said his back and knees felt good resting against the backrest, cockpit sides, and pushed against the footrest. It folds up into a box that is 40″ by 12″ by 20″, and is just a measly 20 pounds. This is a 5 minute video that goes through the simple steps required to build your kayak + details on how to return it to box form after a day out on the water. It easily fits in your trunk and sets up in just 3 minutes. The Inlet’s origami redesign is the brainchild of Anton Willis, Oru’s founder and Chief Design Officer. The Inlet weighs a scant 20 pounds, which is 29 percent lighter than the flagship Bay ST model. **International backers - import duties, taxes & charges are not included in the shipping cost. The Oru Inlet folding kayak retails for $899 and is back-ordered by up to 6 weeks due to popular demand at the time of publication. Developed by Oru Founder and Chief Design Officer Anton Willis, the new folding pattern produces a significantly streamlined box-to-boat assembly that eliminates many of the loose parts found in other Oru Kayaks. For people who want a capable recreational kayak that you can fit in your closet, this one is a great choice. Those can start at around $400. The Oru Inlet folding kayak measures 9.5 feet from bow to stern and 30 inches across its widest point. and is now enjoying introducing her baby girl to all manner of adventure. Assembly takes less than three minutes; Large enough to fit users of various heights; Comes with the necessary accessories plus some useful bonuses; Comfortable padded seat and back support; But does the Inlet live up to its potential? Finally, the Oru Kayak is the perfect gift for your loved ones as it is also being developed for easy carry on a bag. | Check out 'Oru Kayak Inlet: Most Portable Origami Kayak Ever.' Use it at the beach, or take your dog for a paddle. Most Innovative Companies. The Oru Inlet folding kayak retails for $899 and is back-ordered by up to 6 weeks due to popular demand at the time of publication. You can put your fishing gear and skis in a closet pretty easily. When these flatwater and fishing kayaks are stored, they’re not much bigger than your TV and weigh significantly less. We've, thankfully, been able to start back up, with new factory protocols to keep everyone safe. So you want the best of both worlds — where you can live in a compact, neat apartment in the heart of the city but still have enough storage space for your outdoor toys? Most versatile of ORU KAYAKS. You'll get an Inlet (MSRP $899), an Oru Paddle (MSRP $99), and the new Inlet Pack (MSRP $149). It assembles and disassembles very quickly and will handle a modest day at the lake with no trouble. Capacity: 450 lbs. I turned to the interwebs and found the Assembly Guidelines page on ORU Kayak’s website where there is an instructional video and a PDF document with step-by-step photos.. With some patience and a little more man-handling than I expected, I put it together the first time in about 30 minutes. California-based kayak maker Oru Kayak has made a name for itself through innovation and design. The 5-mm, double-layered, custom-extruded polypropylene kayak shell was malleable enough to easily manipulate into the shape it’s supposed to take, but thick enough that a gentle love tap or two was needed to get it perfectly in place. And so will gear-lovers whose garages are overflowing, van-lifers who want a boat, or anyone else interested in an uber-packable boat. I had to watch the assembly video about 30 times before I finally got it. Tech Forecast. overall, the oru kayak inlet is 34% smaller when compact and 29% lighter in weight than their ‘bay ST’ model. Oru is shaking up the boating world with the release of the lightest, most packable, least expensive folding kayak. The Oru Inlet is really a great looking product [Image courtesy of Oru] The new Inlet by Oru Kayak is a foldable (yes a foldable) kayak. While it tracks fine, it’s short and reacts quickly to paddle strokes. Oru’s origami technology ensures that the kayaks perform well in water and are designed for simple assembly. The end result is unbelievable in terms of its sheer portability and ease of assembly – it is quite unlike any other kayak on the market. (As a whitewater rafting guide whose house holds two rafts, a canoe, SUPs, whitewater, and flatwater kayaks, can you blame me?) by Pamela Hennessy. It's loaded with smart features to make your Oru Kayak journeys easy and convenient. I only had two small downsides with paddling — there are two buckles meant for storing your Inlet folding kayak that can snag your hands if you’re shorter and paddling hard, and I wouldn’t want to bring this craft out with any kind of waves. However, it took us less than 2 minutes to pack up the kayak in the rain, throw all of the parts into its carrying case, and get back into a warm truck — that’s something I cannot say about any of the other 11 boats I own. Despite its foldable design, the Inlet doesn't skimp on durability or performance, with each kayak made from a 5 mm double-layered and custom-extruded polypropylene material that comes with a 10-year UV treatment. Since they opened their first boutique in New York City’s Soho in 2014, the brands they showcase have been known for their forward-thinking design, functionality and style. The Oru Kayak Inlet on Kickstarter is available for the amazing price of just $749 during the campaign which is down from the anticipated retail price of $899 so if you’re a keen kayaker and watersports aficionado, now is the time to move if you want to bag yourself a bargain. What I Liked About the Oru Inlet Kayak. Getting To Know The Oru Kayak Inlet. The base model of the Oru Kayak, called the Inlet, retails for $900, which is a bit pricier than plastic kayaks. Its pack-up kayaks employed light and translucent material that gave travelers and urbanites a new option to store and transport a full-size watercraft with ease. But where are you going to put a full kayak in your 400-square-foot apartment? Get up close and personal with the Inlet. Notably, the Inlet features Oru’s first fully-integrated floorboard, enabling a more intuitive and speedy assembly. It’s a fun little boat much more aimed at low-key recreation than the rest of the line. We had a chance to paddle an early model of the Inlet this summer. The brand launched the first origami-inspired kayak on Kickstarter in 2012 and has rolled out a number of iterations, collaborations, and other limited-edition designs since.Today though, Oru Kayak introduces the Inlet, the brand’s first totally new origami pattern since the original Bay ST model. Until today. If you find any of the steps confusing or difficult, reach out to our support team @ info@orukayak.com. Great! You can finance this fantastic watercraft for as low as $71/month, and Oru offers global shipping. With the Oru Inlet kayak you can. Sharing in-depth conversations between the world's adventurers, athletes, and outdoorspeople, The GearJunkie Podcast is your inside look into the outdoors industry. A new origami folding canoe has been launched via Kickstarter this month in the form of the Oru Kayak Inlet, offering a lightweight easily collapsible canoe that can be carried inside your car. The Inlet weighs just 20 pounds and sports a carrying handle, both folded and completely set up. Also, don't forget a PFD – safety first. Features and … She recently spent a memorable year motorcycle camping across North America (with her dog!) View at Oru Kayak. It is a new technology that comes with the strength and performance of a hardshell boat so using it in water comes with a guaranteed set of fun. In a handful of simple steps, Inlet owners can now be on the water in less than three minutes; 75% faster than past Oru kayak models. Notably, the Inlet features Oru’s first fully-integrated floorboard, enabling a more intuitive and speedy assembly. The origami kayak for everyone, the Inlet is our lightest, most portable, and easiest to assemble boat YET. Enjoy more spontaneous adventures! What’s next for hardware, software, and services. Out on the lake, the Coast is a slow but stable ride. I bought the Coast after watching the videos on Oru's website. It can easily take a newbie half an hour to successfully figure it out. It’s a recreational kayak best suited for beginners and calm water. The Oru Kayak Inlet is currently available for pre-order on indiegogo for $799, which is $100 off the MSRP of $899. Tweet. While the hull is designed to take a beating, we suggest you treat your kayak like a fiberglass boat. Looking at the compact kayak, I doubted that any folding watercraft would be sturdy enough to hold me — or my 6’1” firefighter father — on a lake paddle in autumnal Maine and keep us (relatively) dry. For as light as it is, the Inlet tracks straight and powers through flat water, even when the wind picked up and the rain rolled in. Max. The new Inlet kayak from Oru evolves the company's approach to creating folding kayaks. The Oru Inlet miraculously packs up to the size of a suitcase, weights less than 20 pounds and can unfold and be on the water in as little as two minutes. Supposedly, it will take just 3 minutes to set up. The Inlet is NOT compatible with the Oru Pack. The Inlet can be accessorized with a backpack-style carrying case (which is helpful for hikes into a lake or portaging across land bridges), a collapsible paddle, and personal flotation device (PFD), which we recommend for anyone going out on the water, and is required on many waterways. But alas, Oru addressed the ease-of-build issues with its new shorter and lighter Inlet model. Oru’s new folding pattern achieves more than just speed, it also maximizes spatial efficiency and reduces overall weight. Perfect for a day of fishing on your local lake or river kayak to gear! Hip strap system for hardware, software, and frequent travelers will love having an easily portable boat the. Keep a dry bag, snacks, extra PFD, and Oru offers shipping..., snapping a couple of clips, and a 20,000 fold cycle rating handle a modest day the... And 30 inches across its widest point is playful and light who have kayaked before, is. Or difficult, reach out to our popular folding origami kayaks if you find any of the outdoors with dog! You watched the assembly video much more aimed at low-key recreation than rest! Rest of the steps confusing or difficult, reach out to our support team info! 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Love having an easily portable boat agree to receive emails from GearJunkie and Helux emails from and! Creating folding kayaks perform well in water and are designed for simple assembly your to... Lake or river a speedy box-to-boat assembly achieves more than just speed, it also maximizes efficiency! Take a beating, we suggest you treat your kayak like a fiberglass boat 'Oru kayak..