
I’ve circumnavigated small islands in Fiji and French Polynesia by kayak and have paddled through the waters of Hawaii, California, Western Australia, and Tonga. The Expert (Chantae Reden): I have over two decades of kayaking experience. I got my hands on an early prototype Oru kayak, which I kept in the back of an old Toyota Camry for three summers to hedge my bets against missing out if an impromptu flatwater adventure came my way. In that time, I’ve personally tested over a dozen folding kayaks in conditions ranging from an inadvisable open ocean night paddle off the coast of Washington, to trying to fold one up while surfing in heavy beach break in San Francisco. The Expert (Joe Jackson): I have tested kayaks for a living since 2008 for publications like Paddler Magazine, Canoe & Kayak, and Outside.


Kayaks are fantastic to play with on the water… And just as big a hassle to deal with off of the water.
