Kayak, Packraft and SUP: Water sports equipment from Decathlon tested

Whether it's a calm lake, a wild river, or a remote mountain valley – anyone out on the water will sooner or later encounter water. It's good to have the right vehicle in your backpack. The inflatable kayaks, stand-up paddleboards (SUPs), and packrafts from Decathlon's Itiwit brand promise just that: maximum flexibility with minimal pack size.

• Dimensions when assembled (L x W) 300 x 95 cm
• Pack size (with stuff sack, L x W x H) 50 x 30 x 45 cm
• Weight (with pack sack) 12.2 kg
• Paddle pack size (L x W x H) 125 x 30 x 4 cm
• Paddle weight 1.1 kg
• Price (boat, without paddle) 199.99 Euro

The inflatable Itiwit touring kayak weighs a good 12 kilograms including the dry bag and, along with the paddle and air pump, fits easily in the trunk of your car. Setting up the kayak is quick: The bottom air chamber, the two side tubes, and the seat are inflated one after the other. Then, the seat backrest is secured at the desired angle with two straps and the three fins are attached to the underside of the kayak. With a little practice, setup takes a maximum of ten minutes. The relatively inexpensive Itiwit kayak, which is also available as a two- or three-seater, is ideal for beginners and recreational paddlers who want to paddle leisurely on a lake or slow-flowing river. Due to its short length, it is less suitable for longer tours – as well as for whitewater trips, where the necessary robustness and protection against splash water are lacking.

• Dimensions when assembled (L x W) 230 x 90 cm
• Pack size (with stuff sack, L x W x H) 38 x 24 x 31 cm
• Weight (with pack sack) 3.8 kg
• Paddle pack size (L x W x H) 60 x 22 x 8 cm
• Paddle weight 0.9 kg
• Price (boat, without paddle) 479.99 Euro

Setting up the Itiwit packraft is quick and easy. After about 15 charges of air from the inflation bag, the tube reaches the correct pressure. Next, the seat needs to be inflated and secured, and the two thigh straps attached – then the packraft tour can begin. And how does the packraft handle? On calm waters like lakes, you'll notice the boat's short length and lack of draft. Compared to long kayaks or canoes, you'll travel less quickly.

The packraft also sits relatively unstably on the water and changes direction with paddle strokes. If you stop paddling, it quickly starts to spin – especially if the packraft, like the Itiwit, doesn't have a fin on the bottom.

• Dimensions when assembled (L x W) 305 x 89 cm
• Pack size (with stuff sack, L x W x H) 40 x 26 x 53 cm
• Weight (with pack sack) 9.1 kg
• Paddle pack size (L x W x H) 64 x 18 x 6 cm
• Paddle weight 1.1 kg
• Price (board, without paddle) 359.99 Euro

The Itiwit SUP board (model name "ultra compact and stable 10 feet") we tested is an all-around board with high tipping stability, making it particularly suitable for beginners. Inflating the board takes a bit longer than a kayak or packraft, as the air pressure in a SUP board (1 bar) is considerably higher than in a kayak (0.1 bar) or packraft (0.07 bar). Dismantling the SUP board is also more complicated, as the air must first be forced out of the board, which requires some effort, before the board can be folded. With Itiwit kayaks and packrafts, the air escapes from the boats more quickly.