From an outsider’s perspective, the world of watersports is surprisingly expansive and multi-faceted. From water polo to rowing, there are plenty of ways to enjoy your time in the water for both purely recreational and professional purposes.
That being said, whether you are in the ocean or on the river, water can be dangerous if you are not prepared. Obviously, you will need to know how to swim if you want to enjoy yourself without worry, but you will also need the right equipment for the activity in which you are participating. At a minimum, that equipment should include an ample supply of life preservers, but it will probably include a whole lot more depending on what you plan to be doing.
From the title of this article, you have probably already deduced that we are going to be taking a look at two different kayaks that both come from the same company, and we will see which of the two would be a better purchase depending on your needs and desires.
We recommend that you look beyond these two products in search of other important pieces of equipment that you should always bring along whenever you go into the water. For now, however, here is our comparison of the Intex Challenger K2 and the Intex Explorer K2.
Contents
About the Intex Company
Both of the kayaks we are going to be comparing come from Intex, so we feel that it is important to give you a little bit of background information on the company.
Intex Recreation Corp. has been going strong as a company for over 50 years, though they were originally known as The Wet Set. The company has always endeavored to provide customers with high-quality recreational products to be used in and around water. Their first inflatable product was a beach ball, and since then, the scope of their product line has expanded exponentially. It now includes everything from airbeds to boats.
Intex is proud of the quality of their products, all of which are tested thoroughly before they are distributed. They also maintain a high standard of customer service, just in case something goes wrong.
Perhaps Intex’s most admirable endeavor as a company has been its commitment to decreasing its carbon footprint over the last 10 years or so. They are certainly a company that cares not only about their customers but about their environment, as well.
Overall, Intex looks great on paper, but how well do their products actually hold up? It would take several pages to rank and compare every single one of their products, so for now, we are just going to be looking at two of their kayaks, namely the Challenger K2 and the Explorer K2. Without wasting any time, let's take a look at these two popular options.
The Intex Challenger K2
The Intex Challenger K2 is aptly named because it will allow you and another individual of your choosing to challenge and brave the waters before you. It has a suitably sturdy design that is strong and durable. This inflatable kayak is a great choice if you are feeling particularly adventurous and are hungry for some excitement.
Design
When it comes to the Challenger’s actual design, there is not much that you would not normally expect from an inflatable kayak. Of course, this is not a bad thing at all. This design is reliable thanks to its streamlined structure, which helps make it a far sturdier craft overall.
In terms of pure aesthetics, the Challenger sports a nifty bright green along with some stylish sports decals, both of which make the kayak highly visible. Of course, a near luminous green will not be to everyone’s liking, but it makes it safer for use, in general.
Specifications
Of course, if you prefer to compare things with numbers, you will want to pay attention to the specifications of these two products.
The specifications for the Challenger K2 are as follows:
- Inflated size: 11'6" by 2'6" by 1'3"
- Weight: 33.52 pounds
- Weight capacity: 220 pounds
- Air chambers: 2
- No. of Seats: 2
Price
Different retailers will charge different prices, but in general, the Challenger K2 is the more expensive option priced at around $270.
The Intex Explorer K2
The Explorer K2, as the name implies, is great for more explorative types. If you are the easy-going sort, this will probably be the kayak for you. It features adjustable seats to maximize your comfort levels, as well as a spacious cockpit. You and a partner can explore the waters at your leisure and in absolute comfort.
Design
Whereas the Challenger has a very streamlined, to-the-point design, the Explorer appears far more extravagant. Make no mistake, though - this is still an inflatable kayak, and there is only so much that can be done.
Much like the Challenger, however, the Explorer features a bright yellow color, which makes it highly visible. This also makes it look like an oversized banana, but again, this will mostly come down to personal preference.
Overall, the Explorer is made to be more comfortable than its daring cousin, the Challenger, so it does make some sacrifices to sturdiness. This kayak is meant for smaller bodies of water anyway.
Specifications
The Explorer’s specifications are as follows:
- Inflated size: 10'3" by 3' by 1'8"
- Weight: 30.6 pounds
- Weight capacity: 400 pounds
- Air chambers: 2
- No. of seats: 2
Price
The Explorer is the cheaper of the two Intext boat options, priced at around $220, though the exact price will be determined by your retailer.
Final Thoughts
As it usually is with this kind of thing, which kayak will be better suited to you will largely depend on your personal tastes, your budget, and your individual needs. That being said, the Explorer is great for first-timers thanks to its more welcoming price tag, but it is not well-suited for more adventurous types who would like to brave larger bodies of water.
The decision is yours, however, and hopefully, we have provided you with enough information to make that decision. Happy kayaking.
