Sevylor Quikpak K5
Bottom Line:
Experts agree – the Quikpak K5 is one of the most portable recreational kayaks, is impressively stable, and has a PVC hull that will withstand rocky rides.
However, it’s not the best boat for long rides and is best suited for beginners. Waterproofing problems, too, make the kayak tricky to dry out, carry and store at times.
Price Comparison:
$245.99
in stock
3 new from $245.99
1 used from $145.10
as of March 31, 2023 6:01 am
Amazon.com
Specs:
| Brand | Sevylor |
| Size (length x width) | 10'0" x 2'10" |
| Weight | 25.5 lbs |
| Capacity | 250 lbs |
| Material | 24 gauge PVC and polyester |
Comparison to Similar Kayaks:
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| Sevylor Quikpak K5 | Advanced Elements Expedition Elite | Advanced Elements Island Voyage 2 | Sea Eagle RazorLite 393rl | Sea Eagle 380x Explorer | |
| Expert Rating | 6.4 | 8.3 | 8.1 | 7.9 | 7.9 |
| Size | 10'0" x 2'10" | 13' x 32" | 11'2" x 37" | 12'10" x 28" | 12'6" x 39" |
| Weight | 25.5 lbs | 42 lbs | 31.5 lbs | 35 lbs | 40 lbs |
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Sevylor Quikpak K5 Review
- Very easy to pack up and move
- Its 24 gauge PVC makes it extra-durable
- There's plenty of legroom
- It's a stable ride on calmer waters
- The kayak's cover isn't waterproof - making it tough to dry
- It's not the easiest kayak for tracking
- Some accessories aren't great quality
Performance of the Sevylor Quikpak K5
The Sevylor Quikpak K5 is a rugged, recreational kayak built for beginner paddlers, with an emphasis on portability and ease of packing. Experts agree that the backpack features of this kayak are impressive, as most of the boat is simple to compact and carry away.
Experts also agree that the boat, while not comfortable for long trips, offers plenty of legroom. Reviewers also agree that the boat isn’t the easiest to track, but its dual skeg setup offers reasonable handling.
Tests show that the Quikpak K5 is a stable ride as it sits high on the water. Reviewers note that there are no self-draining holes on board, meaning bailing out is a manual task.
Other areas of agreement include the accessories provided – that the paddle and pump aren’t the best, but will offer enough support until you upgrade. It’s quick to set up, light to carry, and only really becomes a problem when it’s drying time – it’ll weigh down and create smells in storage!
It’s a kayak that scores well on general value compared to others at similar price points.
Expert Reviews of the Sevylor Quikpak K5
Gear LabThis is a great all-in-one paddling package that offers a lot of confidence in its durability. We love that it transforms into a backpack - everything you need (sans the pump) is ready to go. A few waterproofing, long-term comfort, and accessory issues let the side down slightly, but it's great value compared to other lines.Read more
PumpupBoatsThe Quikpak K5 is a reasonable recreational kayak for beginner paddlers. Its main selling point is its portability - but we found it surprisingly sturdy, quick to set up, and resistant against rocks and edges from trip to trip. It can be difficult to dry out, and the tracking gets tricky if you don't have the best paddling form.Read more
Handling of the Sevylor Quikpak K5
Gear LabDespite looking a little cumbersome, the Sevylor Quikpak K5 rides reasonably high, and comes with skegs to help you track. Even while testing on smaller rivers, we found this boat handles with confidence - it's unlikely to take on water. A word of warning - the kayak might work against you if you're up against the wind - and it has a somewhat blunted bow, which stunts its speed a little.Read more
PumpupBoatsThe Quikpak doesn't look like it'll perform too well at first - as it looks as if it's sagging - but appearances are deceiving. We took this boat out on choppy waters and never worried about tipping. That said, the boat's high position on the water does reduce maneuverability, and the speed isn't great. The skegs can help with tracking, but we found the boat wobbled a little when form was tricky to perfect. Read more
Stability of the Sevylor Quikpak K5
Gear LabThis is a relatively stable boat that we found kept us free from water,both against the waves and on milder waters. However, we did find that the lack of waterproofing in the upper fabric can add weight to the boat. There's also no drainage hole, meaning you may end up paddling a filling bathtub around if you're not careful! It doesn't always feel too steady getting in and out, but once we were on the water, it was a stable enough ride.Read more
PumpupBoatsThis is an impressively stable kayak despite how it looks - we were pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to lie back and float on this boat without capsizing. Just make sure you unzip the deck cover before you do so!Read more
Comfort of the Sevylor Quikpak K5
Gear LabThe Quikpak K5 is reasonably comfortable for slow and steady days out on still waters. It boasts an adjustable seat, meaning there's quite a bit of legroom. However, long-term paddling can lead to an uncomfortable bum - and the boat's height on the water didn't always make it easy to get in and out.Read more
PumpupBoatsAs a recreational kayak, some fatigue is expected - and we started to feel this after a short time on the water. That said, there is some back support that converts back into the seat itself. We missed the lack of padding, but again, this was somewhat expected from a recreational boat. Impressively, the cockpit was comfortable enough for a taller user - it's got reasonable legroom.Read more
Onboard Storage of the Sevylor Quikpak K5
Gear LabThere's a small storage area towards the stern of the boat that works a little like a cooler, that we found easy to access via fabric zipper. It's reasonable enough space for a few items, but it's by no means waterproof, so you're at risk of soggy kit.Read more
PumpupBoatsWhile onboard storage isn't notable, we were able to bring plenty of gear with us thanks to the bungee lacing and D-rings provided. We found this reasonable for short trips when carrying heavy loads.Read more
Portability of the Sevylor Quikpak K5
Gear LabThis kayak is really convenient to carry around as it's built into a backpack! At just over 23lbs, it's also very light on your back. We like the fact that adding the paddle and pump added minimal weight and kept hands free. Out of the backpack, the bow and stern carry handles make getting to and from the water a breeze. The paddle, however, does stick out a little awkwardly, and it weighs down a lot when wet.Read more
PumpupBoatsThis is an impressively portable kayak - we love the padded shoulder straps for extra comfort, which proved useful when trekking to the water. The weight, at around 25lbs, proved light enough for shorter hikes and trips to and from the water's edge.Read more
Durability of the Sevylor Quikpak K5
Gear LabThis kayak's PVC bottom feels nice and robust, and we like the fact it comes with a small repair kit and instructions. This boat holds its own over rocky rides and a variety of challenges. That said, while the PVC adds confidence, the fabric takes some away - we'd prefer it to be waterproof. We tried getting it dry before packing away - which isn't always easy - and it ended up smelling a bit funky in storage! Read more
PumpupBoatsThis kayak's brilliant 24-gauge PVC gave us fantastic confidence on the water, and it's ideal for taking pets kayaking - it's puncture resistant. We took particular notice of the NMMA certification, which adds a lot of confidence to a purchase.Read more
