Hot or not? The Oru Inlet Folding Kayak on Test

Nothing has revolutionised our leisure time like the Oru Inlet Folding Kayak. Whether you’re on a date, police chase, a joyride in a Porsche 911 cruising along on a cargo bike or simply hiking. But why? And how can it change your everyday life and leisure time? In our Hot-or-not test, we tested the Oru Folding Kayak to find all its strengths and weaknesses.

The Oru Inlet Folding Kayak is the ultimate kayak for those who didn’t know they needed a kayak. This includes us! And our friends. You see: we’re quite passionate about this “origami” kayak. Why? Because otherwise, we wouldn’t have had many of the experiences we had in our time off and would have had only half as much fun. The Oru Inlet is by no means perfect, but definitely enriching.

On a cargo bike, on a folding bike, on joyrides in a Porsche 911 and on your back on a post-work hike – that’s all possible with this “origami” kayak. On top of that, we got chased by the police in non-navigable waters and escaped – it’s really worth paying € 1000 for a folding kayak just to outsmart the authorities 😉 Oh, and we also took along our kayak on our cargo bike comparison test in Paris – but the risk of transporting the Mona Lisa in a kayak was simply too big.

What can the Oru Inlet Folding Kayak do?

The trick: with its small pack size and 9 kg weight, the foldable Oru Inlet Kayak can be taken anywhere. It fits perfectly on the collapsed back seat of our original Porsche 911, as well as in or on a cargo bike, and even on your back for a hike or a ride with a folding bike. In this story with a Brompton T-Line, we’ll tell you why you should never leave the house without one.

The special thing about the Oru Inlet is that it’s the perfect blend of modern design and functionality. It’s made of 5 mm, double-walled plastic and comes with predefined folding and crease points. It takes a bit of practice to assemble and disassemble but after 2 to 5 times you’ll get the hang of it. According to the manufacturer, you’ll be ready to use it within 1-3 minutes once you get familiar with the procedure.

The quick disassembly time often works into your favour. For example, after a small exploratory tour on a lake, a jogger informed us that two police officers were looking for a kayaker and were heading our way. No problem: 2 minutes later, our kayaker – of course, we don’t know who it was – was sitting on a park bench with a book in his hand and a backpack on his side. When the police officers asked us about a kayaker, we couldn’t help them 😉 They didn’t seem to care as they continued to enjoy nature.

If you’re not being chased by the police, you can paddle your way through calm waters with the Inlet Folding Kayak. Pick blackberries directly from the shore, watch passers-by, or simply take a deep breath and think about what to do next with your kayak – or with your life. Because especially on calm waters, time tends to stand still, giving you the chance to contemplate, meditate, and reflect.

We also took the Oru Inlet to (more relaxed) whitewaters – during the floods in our area, through raging streams and in Bamberg over the whitewater slalom course. The outcome? It worked well, though it gets a bit wet! The big cockpit opening quickly lets water into the boat, while the 5 mm plastic of the folding kayak is robust but not exactly stiff. The same goes for the collapsible carbon paddle, which shows that the Inlet is rather designed for calm waters.

One drawback – even on calm waters, the Oru Inlet’s foldable shell didn’t always hold its shape. A dent formed in one spot, which doesn’t affect safety but does affect precision and straight-line tracking in the water. As a result, you always have to correct your line. Overall, the Oru Folding Kayak is a bit wobblier than a traditional kayak due to its construction and rigidity – but there are also big differences depending on the model and type.

For those who have never sat in a kayak before: the Oru Folding Kayak is easy to handle and great fun from the get-go. Getting on board is quite simple if you step into the middle of the boat, and there’s still plenty of space for luggage behind the paddler. The maximum load capacity is around 125 kg, which we exceeded on one date – is that bad? Sure, the kayak sinks deeper and water splashes in more easily, but that’s not a problem per se! Pro tip #1: there are also two-seaters with matching approval! Also cool: you can take your four-legged friends on expeditions too.

Expensive but worthwhile: with the optional carrying bag, which costs an additional € 250, you can strap the Oru Inlet on your back like a backpack – and take it with you on hikes and bike rides into the wilderness – or back! Pro tip #2: with a folding kayak and a Brompton folding bike, you’ll secure yourself the ultimate micro-adventure set. The disassemblable paddle costs € 120, and can be purchased directly in Oru’s online store. The best option, however, is to buy the full bundle consisting of a bag, kayak, and paddle for around € 1,200. In terms of durability, we were surprised at how much rock strikes and groundings the foldable shell material withstands. Only the plastic parts of the tension straps are not very robust; one of them broke – Oru seems to be aware of this and include spares in the package.

Do you need the Oru Inlet Folding Kayak?

Yes, you do! The Oru Inlet opens up new dimensions for exploring your surroundings: whether in the city or in the countryside – as long as there’s a river or navigable waters nearby. Thanks to its small pack size, you can take it on many outings and trips. The water doesn’t even have to be your destination. With the folding kayak in the trunk, you’re prepared for surprises. How awesome is it to turn a business car trip into an adventure – and a paddling session on a nearby lake after work or a long meeting? Thanks to its intuitive handling, the Oru Inlet Folding Kayak is also – or especially – suitable for beginners. Either way, the possibilities with the Oru Inlet are endless and definitely improve the quality of your life! With a hand on our heart, we can say: the Inlet Folding Kayak has only brought more fun and adventure into our lives.

Would we buy the Oru Inlet Folding Kayak?

That’s a clear yes! Even though there are significantly cheaper alternatives that also open up a new world of experiences. €1,000 for a plastic kayak is a hefty sum. You could also use an inflatable boat or a packraft for your explorations. But the Oru Inlet is sleeker, sexier, and sportier. And compared to an inflatable boat, it’s a lot lighter. And honestly: the Oru Inlet is just a cool key to new experiences. And that is priceless, isn’t it?

For more information, visit orukayak.com.

Words: Robin Schmitt, Robin Ulbrich Photos: Robin Schmitt, Mike Hunger