As it is getting hotter, enjoying the great outdoors becomes almost an instinctual need for us humans. Plus, with the need for social distancing being more prevalent than ever, kayaking is a great way to enjoy your summer while keeping away from other people. It’s a fun time outdoors that will not be hindered by certain lockdown guidelines in states across the country.
A traditional hard kayak can be hard to store and hard to transport. This is why we will be talking about the Intex Dakota K2 in this article. The Intex 68310VM Dakota K2 2-Person Heavy-Duty Vinyl Inflatable Kayak with 86-Inch Oars and Air Pump, Gray & Red is available online that you can use when you are wanting to take a trip kayaking. In this article, we will be exploring what the Intex Dakota K2 is and the positive and negative reviews that other users have shared.
Note: As the Index Dakota K2 kayak is currently unavailable in most online shops, we suggest trying out similar inflatable kayak, the Intex Explorer K2.
You can check out our full review of the K2 here.
What is the Intex Dakota K2?
As mentioned earlier, the Intex Dakota K2 is an inflatable kayak. This is different than the traditional, hard kayaks that you’re probably used to. Just because this kayak is inflatable does not mean that it is not reliable. It can not only hold two people, but it can also hold up to four hundred pounds. That means you can have two grown adults sitting in this kayak and use it comfortably and safely to have a fun time in the great outdoors.
The Intex Dakota K2 includes two eighty-six oars and an air pump. This means that you have the ability to inflate this kayak and take it on the road with you. You will be able to inflate it on location, which means you don’t need to worry about packing a kayak up on your car on your road trip.
This tough, vinyl kayak is heavy duty and safe to use. It contains three separate air chambers and an inflatable I-beam floor. It also includes inflatable seats with backrests that are removable and adjustable! Included in this purchase are also two dry bags and a carry bag. Which, makes it completely easy to transport, especially if you have to do some walking before you go to the water.
When it comes to the Intex Dakota K2, you don’t have to sacrifice safety or even comfortability simply because it is an inflatable option. If anything, this makes it easier to transport and a better option for those who are looking for a practical kayak that you don’t need to find a lot of storage in your home for. Don’t lug around an extremely heavy kayak that needs multiple people to carry it when it comes to a kayak that can be inflated right then and there.
Pros and Cons
Now that we have gone over the bare bones of what this inflatable kayak is, we are going to explore the positive reviews left by purchasers.
The Intex Dakota K2 is lighter than a hard-shell kayak, which makes it easy to transport. This seems to be the general consensus for this kayak option, which makes complete sense. If you are looking for an inflatable kayak, it’s probably because you aren’t wanting to carry around the hard, traditional kayak. So, it’s a great option for this very reason.
Intex Dakota K2 is quite easy to inflate, which you certainly want when you are taking it out with you to the water. One user did suggest an air compressor for floaties, as it’s a lot of work inflating it by hand. I certainly can imagine this, just as hard as it is inflating tires by hand. Imagine inflating a kayak by hand? So, certainly make sure you look into this!
Lastly, one of the biggest draws for this inflatable option is that it is certainly more affordable than the hard kayak. This is great, because with everything going on in the world, not many have a lot of money to spend on non-essential items. If you are looking for a better option money-wise, this could be the perfect choice for you.
Of course, with any item, there will also be some drawbacks. But, are there any when it comes to this kayak? According to the reviews on the internet, there are unfortunately some negatives. Let’s go through those cons to see if any of them are absolute deal-breakers.
One of the users expressed that the seats were the biggest drawbacks when it came to this purchase. According to him, the seats do not stay in place and need to be constantly adjusted. Despite this, they did say that they still enjoy using the item, just to know that you will be “semi-comfortable” while on the water.
Another person did also say that the kayak swings its front end – so make sure you are aware of this when paddling. Although others have stated that they enjoyed the trip they took with this kayak, others state that it is hard to maneuver with two people in the kayak. And another person said that only after five uses it developed a hole/tear in the vinyl fabric.
Conclusion: Should You Go For Intex Dakota K2?
Our rating: 
4.5 / 5
When you purchase a kayak, you want it to be reliable and long-lasting. While there are a few negatives that people have experienced, it seems that the majority of those who have bought this kayak really enjoy it. From online reviews, it seems to be a lighter and easily transportable version of the hard kayaks that people usually get. Now that it is beautiful out, make sure you get out there and enjoy the summer. You don’t need to let money or lack of space prevent you from getting out there – the Intex Dakota K2 is a great option for the avid kayaker.