The Portable Kayak You Can Truly Take Anywhere Is Now Available at a Discount

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• Oru Kayak Beach LT: $1,119, orukayak.com
• Oru Kayak Inlet: $899, orukayak.com
• Oru Kayak Haven (tandem): $1,999, orukayak.com
• Oru Kayak Lake: $499 orukayak.com

Spring Promotion: Oru is providing a 15% discount on all items sitewide until April 2 with the code ORUSPRING, plus a complimentary paddle with purchases until March 26 using the code SPRINGPADDLE.

Whenever I take an Oru Kayak out on the water, I can always expect someone to shout from across the way:

“Can that thing really fold up?”

“What exactly is that?”

“How much does it cost? What’s its weight? Who manufactures it?”

“Look, Brian, it’s made from that material that folds!”

Every. Single. Time. But I don’t mind. I love talking about these kayaks. I’m basically their spokesperson at the marina. I initially borrowed Oru’s Haven, a tandem kayak that easily converts into a spacious solo craft with a few tweaks, and I enjoyed it so much that I decided to purchase the Beach LT—the brand’s classic single kayak—for myself.

So what makes Oru kayaks so great? To address the curious onlookers, they are incredibly lightweight (the Beach LT weighs just 26 pounds and the tandem Haven weighs 40 pounds), they can be folded and unfolded in about 5 to 10 minutes, and they are quite competitively priced starting at $899 for the Inlet. (Oru Kayak also provides 0% financing through Affirm, which I can personally recommend.)

The design is impressively clever and fairly user-friendly after a few tries. You unfold the entire sheet of plastic (actually 5 mm double-layered polypropylene) to form the hull. Then, secure four straps at the front, a couple at the back, insert bulkheads, footplates, one or two seats, and a supporting crossbar, and you’re practically set to go. The footrests and backrests are easily adjusted with straps, which also keep everything together when folded.

My five-year-old son and I took the tandem Haven out on the tranquil waters of Morro Bay on California’s Central Coast, and I had it launched in just minutes, even with him “assisting.” It was comfortable, smooth, stable, quick on the water, and so much more convenient than a hard-shell or even an inflatable kayak. After a couple of hours paddling and exploring deserted beaches, we had it packed back into the trunk of the car while our parking lot neighbors were still deflating their inflatable alternatives.

I absolutely love its portability; it truly embodies the free-spirited nature of kayaking. We’ve also meandered around Marina del Rey in Los Angeles, and I plan to take the Beach LT to Mission Bay in San Diego, Big Bear Lake, and really wherever I please. The Beach LT accommodates paddlers up to six-foot-six and 300 pounds, and it folds down to 33 x 12 x 29 inches, easily fitting in my car’s trunk. I can carry it over my shoulder with the strap and navigate long paths or rocky terrain. (There’s also a backpack-style option available separately.)

I might even fly with my kayak someday. One Oru owner has taken his to California, Hawaii, Texas, Florida, and Wyoming, and says that American, Southwest, and United all regarded it as a standard checked luggage item (although Delta charged $200).

The company claims the kayaks can be unfolded up to 20,000 times. Based on my experiences so far, I’m excited for countless adventures wherever there’s water.

A growing lineup of Oru products

Since I first experienced an Oru kayak in 2020, the collection has been refreshed and expanded. Oru made several design improvements to the Beach in 2021, introducing a new strap system in place of a reinforcing rod, a more comfortable seat and footrest, and a revamped floorboard system. For the tandem Haven, the company incorporated a stabilizing crossbar compatible with fishing kits and cup holders, upgraded some hooks to buckles, and adopted the new floorboard design.

Oru also introduced the Inlet, a smaller and lighter kayak, along with two sportier performance models: the Bay ST and the Coast XT. In spring 2023, they launched the black Beach LT Sport, which weighs just 28 pounds.

In January 2023, I had the opportunity to test the new Lake—the company’s most affordable, lightweight, and user-friendly kayak yet. At only 17 pounds and consisting of just two parts, it’s even more portable and easier to set up than its counterparts, priced at a more accessible $499.

I took it out onto Ventura Harbor, unfolding and assembling it in under five minutes. While it lacks some features of other models (like a footrest), it was perfectly comfortable for an hour of paddling. I ventured past the breakwater and a few determined surfers into the open ocean, where it remained stable even in mild swells. For beginners, it’s an excellent choice.

This article was first published in 2020 and has been updated multiple times to incorporate new products, with the latest update in March 2023.