Razor Kayaks Edge Pro 1: Tested
Kayaking is one of the most popular water-based activities in Australia, and that’s for obvious reasons. As an island continent, we have thousands of kilometres of coastline, inlets and tidal rivers, not to mention inland waterways. To that end, a kayak is close to the ideal craft in which to explore these, although that’s not always possible for some, due to the common hassle of finding somewhere to store a 3- to 5-metre kayak. Enter the inflatable kayak, of which there are myriad options. These are often perceived as not being ‘tough enough’ for exploring ‘further out’ into large bays and along sheltered coastline, a perception that Aussie brand Razor Kayaks is keen to change with its all-new Edge Pro 1, aimed at the more adventurous inflatable kayak user.
We were stoked to get hold of a pre-production model to see if this new kayak could be the ‘best of both worlds’ for those with minimal storage space but who are still keen to go further afield in their aquatic exploration.
Design
The first thing you need to do is throw out any preconceived notions of what an inflatable kayak looks like. The Edge Pro 1, when inflated to its full 3.98-metre length and 83cm width, looks similar in silhouette to a sea kayak made from plastic/fibreglass/kevlar, and far removed from the ‘old’ style of inflatable kayak that often (and perhaps unfairly) resembled an overgrown child’s toy. Of course, this design is not just for looks. That svelte profile (with a nicely streamlined hull) is designed specifically to assist momentum through the water, so every paddle stroke is rewarded with efficient forward motion.
The kayak’s main body material is a seriously robust dual-layer 1000-denier PVC (as used on Inflatable Rigid Boats – IRBs – and whitewater rafts) that features what Razor Kayaks describes as “5cm Tech-Stitch™ construction”, which translates as meaning even more strength – and impact-resistance – all-round, both above water and below, in the hull. That burly construction ethos so strongly adhered to by the kayak’s design team is further obvious in the reinforced bow (front) and stern (rear) of the craft (note that the bow is slightly flexible).
More tough stuff is apparent in the cleverly designed (unobtrusive) valves, and the inclusion throughout of marine-grade steel D-clips, used to secure the adjustable foot rest and seat (more on this later). These D-clips also feature as anchors for the bungy cord storage systems at the front and rear of the cockpit itself. One interesting feature of the Edge Pro 1’s design is the inclusion of a coaming edge on the cockpit, for those who wish to use a spray skirt, and it also has a removable fin, which aids manouevrability. Yep, impressive stuff.
Even more impressive is the seat design; compared to what other inflatable kayaks term ‘seats’, the one in the Edge Pro 1, secured via Velcro on the base and straps/D-clips inside the cockpit, is next-level. Using high-density EVA foam for optimum comfort, the seat’s back is reinforced with a dual-layer of material.
In terms of portability and storage, the overall weight of the kayak is a claimed 15.8kg (hull), its load capacity 170kg, and it is rated for touring/adventure. Packed-down, the kayak measures 84cm long, 50cm wide and 33cm tall, and it can be stored in the included backpack.
In the field, on the water
Razor Kayaks claims it only takes four minutes to set up the Edge Pro 1 (when using an electric pump). As your typically cynical journalist, I was initially doubtful of this claim, but was very happy to be proved wrong. Even during the first ‘test’ of the set up process, when I was unfamiliar with how it all worked, I was pleasantly surprised to note it only took around five to six minutes max. Since then, I have got it down to the four-to-five minute mark without even trying to be quick – it really is that fast.
The Razor Kayaks rechargeable electric pump (an optional accessory at $245) is money well spent; pre-setting the pressure and then letting it rip saw the separate air chambers of the Edge Pro 1 inflated in no time at all. Once the craft is inflated, fitment of the foot rest and seat are equally as quick, with the only ‘extra’ time taken being when setting up different paddlers’ seat and foot rest comfort.
The seat’s Velcro base is surprisingly secure, and then, once you’ve affixed the four seat straps to their respective D-clips, and adjusted fit, you’re done with the seat. The foot rest is easily changed to suit leg-length, thanks to a series of loops running along each side of the cockpit offering different lengths that you clip the footrest into. All in all, the cockpit is a comfortable and user-friendly place to spend plenty of time; both bungy cord stowage areas are easy to reach (the front more so than the back) and you can also stow gear inside the kayak; my water bottle’s permanent home was in the small nook behind the seat-back.
As someone who sometimes suffers from lower back pain, the Edge Pro 1’s seat is a welcome surprise. For something that looks/seems pretty simple, the adjustabilty is excellent; it’s easy to achieve that ‘just right’ level of support and comfort, thanks in part to the high height of the spine/back section of the seat. Plus that EVA foam is super-comfy, with a nice mix of support and softness. Once seat and feet are sorted, you just have to flip the kayak over to affix the fin, and it’s time to hit the water.
Having paddled solid-material sea kayaks for many years, and often looked at inflatable kayaks from afar with (unreasonable) slight suspicion, my first impressions of the Edge Pro 1 centred around how the designers had managed to closely replicate a very similar ‘feel’ when paddling this compared to a hard-shell equivalent. No, of course it’s not 100 percent the same, but for most of us recreational paddlers, it is close enough to the point that, for the benefits of its compact stored size, ease of transport, and overall functionality, it’s very close.
One standout throughout testing (for this reviewer) is the speed of the kayak, along with just how easy it is to turn. No, it has no rudder (I will say it took me a few paddle trips to stop pushing on the footrest to change direction!), but the fin, combined with proper paddle technique, means tight turns and fast adjustment of direction are easy to achieve.
The final word for now…
It’s still relatively early days with the Razor Kayaks Edge Pro 1 but even now, we can safely say it’s the most impressive inflatable kayak we’ve ever used; for its asking price, it offers fantastic performance. From its streamlined shape and robust exterior, to its highly customisable seat/cockpit and ease of setup and packing down, the Edge Pro 1 excels.
For those paddlers who cannot store a hard-shell kayak – or simply don’t want one – and are looking for an easy-to-transport, fast set-up option that performs very well on the water, the Edge Pro 1 is definitely worth checking out.
Look for a longer-term review in Issue 15 of Australian Geographic ADVENTURE, on sale in February.
RRP: $1595
See Razor Kayaks Edge Pro 1 for more info.
