Innova Twist-1 Inflatable Kayak Review

Inflatable Kayaks

There are plenty of benefits when it comes to owning an inflatable kayak, but Innova Twist comes at the top of the rankings in a more compact and lighter model that is easier to store and transport, the Innova Twist-1 Inflatable Kayak. The nice thing about this particular model is that it actually keeps all its promises. This is one of the best compact and light kayaks you will find. There are more than a few reasons why it deserves such a high grade. Thus, let’s take a look at what it has to offer.

Size

One of the beautiful things about Innova Twist-1 Inflatable Kayak is definitely its size. This is an excellent kayak for those who live in apartments, have roommates, or simply for anyone who lacks the storage space needed to keep a traditional kayak. The dimensions of this product are only 18 x 11 x 9 inches and it weighs only 16 lbs in total. You can easily fit this into a car or backpack for several days! This is a small compact kayak!

Performance

But can it work outdoors? One thing is to have a kayak that fits in small spaces, but will Innova Twist-1 Inflatable be able to do everything you need a good kayak to do? The answer is a resounding yes. Innova Twist is suitable for both moderate, class 1 rivers and on any flat water. It can withstand these waters, and the polyester laminate and Lite-Pack natural rubber feel incredibly soft against the skin.

Durability

But how tough will the Innova Twist be when the waters get a little worse? How many times can you really handle your idea of an outdoor kayak adventure? For a very light kayak, the fabric is surprisingly strong. The Twist is built through a unique process that uses rip-stop polyester fabric (it can be pierced, but the hole will not close with a zipper) and a coating of natural rubber. 

The natural rubber compound inside the fabric was vulcanized through the unique kayak manufacturing process. This means you have a kayak built for durability and strength. Don’t worry about diving in this inflatable kayak. In the unlikely event of a hole, the design of the three rooms will allow you to reach the shore safely. Innova Twist-1 also handles like a dream. The high internal pressure allows perfect and responsive handling, similar to the latest generation of inflatable kayaks. More so, it is an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced kayakers.

Additional features

It comes with a few neat extra features, including a substantial detachable tracking fin (skeg), storage for bungee gear, a nylon bag for easy transport and a repair kit. An additional feature of this inflatable kayak is that it is “green”. Innova does not use PVC material in this boat, so it is better for the environment. A wonderful plus!

Innova Twist-1 Inflatable Kayak Overview

The Innova Twist inflatable kayak is essentially a shorter, empty outdoor version of the discontinued Innova Solar. In other words, it is a model without rubber coating anywhere on the outside, just the inside surface. Apart from the fact that it has no rubber coating on the outside, the weight is 16 kilograms compared to 20 from Solar, and the width is about two inches smaller. The total length of this particular model is 8’5 ″, quite short and comparable in that size to the old Innova Junior model. Other than this, the small Innova Twist-1 Inflatable Kayak can easily accommodate a very tall paddler of up to about 6’3 ″, with absolutely no problems due to the backrest being mounted quite far in the back. The tubes are a little over 8 “and the inside width is 13”. Twist’s comes with a removable, screw-free wing.

A powerful feature of the Innova Twist Inflatable Kayak is that it is incredibly small when it comes to packaging, not to mention it is very lightweight. It is ideal for hikers who want something that can be easily transported to a mountain lake or a gentle stream. In addition, the Innova Twist-1 inflatable has a very good quality foot pump and the paddle add up to no more than 22-23 pounds, allowing plenty of space for food and drink. 

We suggest you use Twist, especially for freshwater. We have used a seven-year-old Twist who has seen a lot of use of saltwater with small signs of harm, even after it has been cleaned most of the time. Despite this, we still believe that the salt in the inner layer of rubber will probably degrade it in a shorter time compared to one of the completely coated Innova models (which do not let water pass through their material at all) or compared to a Twist that is used only for freshwater.

Take care when entering the Innova Twist inflatable kayak. This is one important thing you should remember you need to do with a Twist, and this also applies to Innova Swings, is that these boats need to be boarded from a dock or stepped on after you are in 10 “to 12” water. They cannot be taken off the land in the water while you are in them and should not be driven ashore. This cannot be solved with any boat, Innova or anything else, that uses hollow fabric outer material. If you do this, the resulting abrasion will ensure that the bottom of the bow and stern will wear out very quickly. 

There is a three-stage inflatable footrest that you can remove if you wish. The inflatable backrest of this kayak is part of the boat and does not come out. This backrest is quite comfortable as long as you get it fully inflated. The Innova Twist-1 Inflatable Kayak comes in yellow as shown, or a camo pattern. The solo and tandem twists come with a nylon bag and a set of basic patches and detachable tracking fins.

Innova Twist – All accessories with 10% discount

Manufacturer specifications 

  • RIVER EVALUATION: Class I
  • LENGTH: 8ft. 6 in.
  • WIDTH: 31 in.
  • WEIGHT: 16 lbs.
  • AIR ROOMS: 3 Main
  • CAPACITY: 220 lbs (1 person)
  • PACKED DIM: 17x11x7 in.
  • MATERIAL: LitePack ™ – No PVC!
  • INCLUDES: Drybag/backpack for transport, tracking marks, repair set

Final recommendation

Innova Twist-1 Inflatable Kayak is a kayak that offers a lot in a small package at an excellent price. Are you looking for a flawless inflatable kayak? You found it. Thus, we strongly recommend you go to kayakcreek.com or to taigaworks.com where you will find the best prices on the market.

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