Best Kayak Value Under $500: Blade 120 Review
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- Опубліковано 30 чер 2024
- In a market full of overpriced toy yaks there are still a few good values to be had. Afters shopping around I decided the best box store value in 2022 was the Feild and Streams Blade 120. In my last video I purchased it from Dicks Sporting Goods, and today I get it on the waters and put it to the test.
Here are the stats:
Weight: 55 lbs
Max Capacity: 300 lbs
Length: 12'
Width: 29" - Спорт
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I was a canoe guy and always wanted a yak. Now that the kids are out of the house and wife is working I found myself with free time.
I'm 6'5" 220lbs. and picked up the Pelican Mustang 120x based on your review.
Found a Blade 120 with the leg pads peeling on clearance a week later for $300!! Went ahead and picked it up also. The Pelican has a better overall build quality but the Blade is decent.
Appreciate the reviews for us new folks.
( Man, paddling Canoes and Kayaks are way different.)
Me and my wife have been renting kayaks a lot recently at local lakes and these entry lvl kayak videos are great keep up these kindof videos they are great and as soon as I get my finances in order I'm buying entry lvl and seeing how far I take this hobby
I bought his & her blades based on your assessment a few years ago & couldn't be happier with your excellent assessment and my purchase! Many thanks Dan, you rock!!
Glad to hear they’re treating ya well. Thank you!
Been waiting for this review, thanks!
Thank you. Love the detail information You give me some to think about if I want to upgrade my current kayak
Just bought a Blade 97 based off your first video. We’ll see how I get on with it. Afterwards this will be my next upgrade. Great video. Thanks again!
Grabbed this one on sale at Dick's and have had fun with it in the past 2 mos. It is 55 lbs and a lil unwieldy if you're not a tall person, with it being 12' long. Once on water, however, it handles great and feels solid. Again, with the height issue, the dry bag is in an unfortunate place, and yeah, strapping much down with the bungees isn't easy. That metal brad popped off on the first bungee in front of the seat day one. With some thought, I'm making adjustments and really enjoying the ease of the glide on the water. Awesome for taller, beefier folks! Thanks for the thorough review.
Man it looks like it glides effortlessly and when you quit paddling it's straight as an arrow. I have the sit on top version in 10' and love it.
Thanks, Dan! I’m buying a Pungo. I would have paid an additional $200 for this boat with a better seat, foot pedal, knee pad/thigh brace system, bungees, etc etc. Too bad because I bet it paddles nicely. I bought that perception hook angler you recommended during your walkthrough at Dick’s. Love it, nice throw and go. Own a Moken 12.5 v2 because of your recommendation also. That’s my “get serious” rigged out fishing vessel that can go anywhere. 👍🏻
Nice! Pungos are freaking sweet, I'm sure you'll be pumped on it!
GREAT POINT about that front hatch.
great video and review. Thank you!
Good video Dan! We’ll rounded as always. Thank you.
Thanks for watching!
Wonderful review, Dan! Very well done. I want to get this Kayak, it looks great and for the price, not so bad. Not sure if Canada sells them, as that's where I am, plus I'm a lot shorter than you, so I'd imagine I'd have very restricted access to that front storage. Nonetheless, thanks for sharing this - I definitely want to sharpen my kayaking hobby and purchase one soon so I can get out!
Just got this for $300 on sale at Dick's. I'm also 6'2" but closer to 220 and wanted something that would be stable for a bigger person, so this will fit the bill. Thanks for the review.
Nice enjoy the water
Dicks is already phasing the Blade 120 out. They're currently on sale for $301 if you can find em. We picked up 2 today.
I just bought this boat for my 14 year old son to use and overall it is very nice, with just a couple issues. You are right on about build quality as some things may need attention. On our second paddle the screw attaching a seat strap to the frame popped out…up to that point it was comfortable for him at 150 lbs. However, if you are tall this may not work as my son is over 6’2 with long legs (still growing) and has the pegs all the way forward and would like just a bit more extension (knees are pretty bent). Still happy we got it as it goes well, is stable and has a durable hull. We can probably repair the seat easily but will likely pass this boat on to my shorter son
Build quality is always a sacrifice when buying cheap. The plastic is molded well but all the pieces and parts are pretty chintzy.
I brought the Blade 97 and it’s pretty good. I definitely only have the one issue where the front hatch is far from reach but other than that I’ve been having fun surfing some waves along the shoreline haha!
Good review. Still waiting on that Moken 10 V2 review.
Coming very soon!
There's a sit on top version of this kayak hull and would love to see a review for it. Seems like it would be an efficient boat that offers better safety (no need to add float bags) than a lot of the entry level boats in this range.
Love the video! If you ever come down to Lodi with it, I’d buy it from you!
Sorry bud, I sold it a little closer to home.
Another great honest video. Only if FF had asked you first 😂😂
Thanks man!
I would like to hear from owners after owning it for a while. Any Seat change that can be made? 🤔 Also, how is fishing from?🎣🐟 Love the review!
I bought this exact yak a couple years ago. I modified it instantly. I ripped out the seat and screwed in a almost 3" padded seat which gave me all the back support needed. Next I added a thick durable rope on front to pull in shallow water, and then I have an anchor system that I need to mount and I added 3 more fishing rod holders at different angles that can be easily taken off if not fishing. I also drilled out the drain plug to scupper plug size and used a scupper plug for the cover because the hole isn't big enough or in correct position to drain properly. I have done an 8 hour trek with it and it was comfortable, tracked well, and extremely stable. I love mine but definitely needed some modifications to make it perfect.
Interesting!
@@HeadwatersKayak the drilled out drain plug has been fantastic for using a hose to clean inside up and then flip and it drains fast and all the way. The seat was key. I bought it on Amazon. At the time it was like $75 and it has a high back support. I intentionally went for a the thickest seat I could find, but also while finding some contours and then I needed something that would support the lower back for long treks but still be high enough to support some of my shoulder blades. That seat happened to be it. The way I mounted it was I put 5 screws with some powder coated washers I had lying around and evenly screwed them in at the bend in the seat between bottom and back support. I don't feel them when sitting there because seat padding is so thick but comfortable and the back doesn't need a fabricated strap to keep seat up because the wideness, height, and thickness comforms to your back nicely. I'm 5'9 so 5 inches shorter than you but it worked perfectly for me. The rod holders are mounted 1 dead center on that console right in front and then I have 1 on each side and the way I mounted them doesn't conflict with my legs or body and easily can grab pole outta.
The 1 main takeaway I could give to anyone, if you're on a budget, need to purchase 1 even much cheaper than this 1, buy whatever yak suits your budget but also budget a good thick seat with high back support, you can easily fabricate in and then you can withstand long treks without your butt killin ya, your lower back being super sore and stiff, and the lack of high back support.
I found your review recently and had to watch it being I owned it to see what your thoughts were. I noticed it definitely takes a lot to tip it but I haven't gone as far as you did tilting which I found extremely intriguing. Your complaints/downfalls in it, I modified mine because I ahead of time realized that would be an issue, so with that being said, yes I have some money into mine along with some modifications, but I'm still cheaper than upper end yaks, and I've perfectly fixed for myself all the downfalls it carries and made quite the yak I'm satisfied with. Thanks for responding on an older video. Hopefully my insight can give people a broader idea of what they can do
@@Boogly83 What seat did you get? That seems like the most needed mod. I’m about your height, so it would be nice to know what fits well.
@Generic0000 it was a seat I found on Amazon. Best investment ever. Just search for thick kayak seats and you'll find one. Mine was made for a sit on top but I removed strapping and drove my screws through on bend of seat where I'll never feel them
Great review... as most are. I'm looking to buy kayaks for my myself and my wife and we will likely use on both smooth water and occasional light chop on intercostal waterways. Can you recommend a video review or perhaps models we could consider... love to keep under $500 if possible.
It’s hard to recommend a sub $500 kayak for those kind of conditions. You’re better to get something with sealed bulkheads if you like sit insides or something a little longer and faster that is sit on top
Great review, so if you only had 500 to spend would you buy this boat or a good condition used Pungo 120
Used Pungo 100% if it was in decent shape.
I just bought this kayak as a replacement for my wife's outgoing future beach trophy 126. Could you recommend a decent replacement and maybe do a follow up vid for this one
thanks D.
Please review the Ozark trail angler 10, I had just recently got it for salt/off shore fishing and cruising and its only 275 at Walmart. The only bad thing I had found was that the rear hatch breaks so I just cut the plastic off amd use it as a bag holder.
I always enjoy watching you do reviews on kayaks I have pungo 105 and crescent lite the two things I learned is I don't want the most stable feeling kayak and with the lite I could do 100 for my type of paddling I do more just catching sun but you always talk about how much you like longer boat so I have 12'4 better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it
Good video
I would love to view reviews of Wilderness Systems Tsunami models.
Putting 2 stainless steel screws, bolts and quarter size washers in the fold of the seat between the top and bottom seat sections made a HUGE difference in our 10ft blades.
Good to know. Thanks for the feedback. Do your seats slip when you lean your weight against them? The strap was slipping on mine.
@@HeadwatersKayak actually they do not, but what has helped the comfort is an 18"x18" 2" thick sitting / kneeling pad from Ace Hardware behind the back rest. Real comfy for the wife.
I also used a dremel to cut out the 5 gal spot in the rear and dropped in an 8" locking hatch and dry bag there. Makes it easy to access the rear for installing float bags.
Hi Dan. I was wondering if you feel that the pelican mustang 120 tracks as well as the blade. I have the 10 foot version and was really thinking I should sell it and get a 12 foot one. Thanks Dan. I am a subscriber and appreciate all you do.
12’ always tracks better. I think the Blade 120 and Mustang 120 track very similar.
@@HeadwatersKayak Dan. Keep on keeping on and happy paddling. 😊
Lol. Thank you
Hey, could you review the advanced elements expedition elite? Would love to see some info about inflatable kayaks! Thanks!
I'll be reviewing some inflatables soon. I don't have any contact with AE but I'll see if I can find someone.
Great vid.love yer channel 👏 have u ever checked out Dicks sporting goods Trophy Evoke? Was hoping for yer expert advice before I buy.....
Haven't tried any of the Evoke kayaks yet, but they look pretty decent!
To adjust your bungees drill two holes instead of one stick the line down for the first one and then back up boom there you go
Hey man I've been looking at those folding kayaks and was wondering your thoughts on them.
They are expensive, but the portability is nice. I reviewed one here on the channel a while back,
Saw this one at Dick's a week or so ago. Hull design looked decent, but the bottom was warped, caved in and the plastic not the thickest. Mustang 120 looked decent, was going to sell my Hook Angler 10.5 for the Blade but I think I'll hang on to it.
Yeah, big box stores often aren't as careful when shipping/storing their boats, so it seems like they often end up warping before the make it to the stores. A good little boat though as long as it's stored and transported right.
@@HeadwatersKayak LTL carriers aren't very careful when shipping pretty much anything either. Everything gets handled by too many people from terminal to terminal and there isn't alot of accountability.
Real easy to drill a bigger hole and add a rubber well nut with a D-ring if and when you need to replace that front bungee. I recently re-rigged my positively ancient Potomac 100 ES and did this for all the blind holes like this one in the front.
It could be done, but it would be even easier for them to mount padeyes for the bungee in the factory 🤷🏻♂️
@@HeadwatersKayak Sure but gotta work with what you get. 😃
Great review. I think the only negative you brought up that I felt concerned about was the seat. Is that something easily upgraded down the road?
Not really. Seats are so specific to kayaks nowadays. You may be able to rig up a aftermarket clip and seat.
What about a piece of foam(wedge) that you could put between the seat's back rest and the molded one of the boat?
Can you do inflatable kayaks for vanlife? A lot of us need storage space but enjoy kayaking. Preferably higher end inflatable kayaks
We've got some inflatable videos coming up this summer!
I bought this same kayak and I noticed it pulls to the left. Idk if it’s my paddling style or the kayak itself?
Would love to see a review of the Bass Pro Shops Ascend FS10 kayak.
Noted!
Had one. Stable for a 10 ft. Nice seat in it.
Bought one today for 124 in Spokane, couldnt turn it down for that. I'll make it work for this price. Annoyed i ditched those polystyrene blocks that were rattling around in the bottom though...
No headstand? What kind of review is this? 😏
But seriously... The Blade 120 looks like a pretty good value for under $500. Thanks for the review.
Dick's just dropped the Pelican Mustang 100x down to $299. Would you take the Field & Stream over the Pelican? Also, love the Astral PFD! I have the E-Ronny... LOVE the pockets and the thin back.
That’s a good deal. Pelican would probably give you a better seat comfort. Ergonomics probably a little better on the Pelican. Field and Stream overall construction a little stronger/solid. Otherwise I’d say they will paddle/track fairly similar, IMO.
For $299 that would be a hard deal to pass up.
Astral for the win!
How about an old town twister kayak review sometime? Thanks
Hmm never heard of that but maybe!
I wonder if a small, inflatable wedge pillow behind the seat could provide more back support? Other than the seat, this would be enough kayak for me. Do you think the cockpit is open enough for a 58 lb dog to fit with a 180 lb person?
Would like to hear about kayaks for larger people greater than 250 lbs.
I think you could pull that off, but it would be a little snug.
Thank you, yes I am thinking it would not work and am strongly considering a Swell Scupper 12 now for a fun paddling SOT with the dog
I have come to inform people that it is currently on sale $301.49
Would you say there is a big difference between the blade 120 and seastream gt 105? I wanted the blade but picked up the GT because of availability during the pandemic.
Similar kayaks for sure. The GT has better back support and it has a bulkhead. The Blade 120 does track better. If you're larger than 6' I'd say go with the Blade otherwise the GT is probably a better value.
@@HeadwatersKayak thanks. Planning on adding a flip down skeg or rudder to the GT. Not sure if I really need the turning to justify adding turn controls, but it will be a fun summer project to design the mounding for it. Thanks for getting me into the sport even if I can no longer park my car in the garage due to a fleet of kayaks and paddle boards. Thankfully I have a supportive wife.
So which boat do you like more this boat or the pelican mustang 120?
This one because of the build quality.
Those small tabs on the latching hatch tend to break …otherwise nice Kayak…
Sorry, man. I have to say, I don't love the Blade 120...
I've had a Pelican Mustang 100X (10-footer) for almost a year now, and I love it! I just picked up a brand new Field & Stream Blade 120 today, and the outfitting is so lousy that it greatly took away from the experience in my opinion...
I adjusted the seat straps so I'd be sitting upright. Soon as I sit down and apply any pressure to the backrest,the left strap button snapped!
For perspective, I am 5'10, 270lbs; I do not exceed the weight limit on either kayak.
My legs are more comfortable in the Blade, but I think that's a matter of 12' vs. 10', not Blade vs. Mustang.
Come to think of it, I don't love the paddling in the Blade either. I feel like I've had a smoother ride in my Mustang.
I will be either returning or selling this Blade and looking at a Mustang 120X as an upgrade to a 12-footer.
between this boat and Mustang 125 what one witch one would you think is best?
This one is heavier but is better made. I’d go blade unless the weight is an issue for loading and unloading.
DICKS currently has this on sale for $300. As a beginner is this a no brainer deal?
The front hatch must be for car keys, wallet, and stuff you don’t need to use while paddling.
I have a set of Toyota keys in the bottom of that pond. Let me know if you find them. 👀
I’ll keep an eye out
what is the best and cheep way to transport a kayak. I just got a lifetime tamarack pro on clearance for 200 and I have a Chevy Trax and I just can't get it into j bars it's not that it's heavy it's aquard any ideas tia
J bars kinda suck for loading kayaks unless you have two people. I prefer sliding the kayak up the back and strapping it to the bars. I use a foam block to protect my kayak, and a bath mat on the back of the car to protect the pain while sliding.
Look for soft roof racks on Amazon. Mine is Abahub I think and it works well. I slide my kayak on a blanket onto the top of the rack on the roof.
Any thoughts on the new Lifetime Tundra sit-in? Looking for a sit-in with a good seat which I believe Lifetime has. Would love to see a review...
No experience with that one.
Can you upgrade the seat?
Not easily
Cool PFD 🤩
Kayak is not so, but price is good. Couple days ago, I was practicing secondary stability in my kayak (Perception Carolina 14) people thinking that I need help, my weird movements lure them to finding what I did.
Usually a lower price means a less fancy kayak. Get what ya pay for in this business for sure. It's just another option to get folks on the water on a tight budget.
Can seats be upgraded?
It would be possible to add a clip and seat but it would take some rigging to make it work. But for the price it’s still tough to beat. I’m doing a comparison of this kayak versus $1000 similar kayak.. Be sure to subscribe and watch a Video next week
Hi guy
Tell me the top 3 kayaks for sea fishing.
Depends on what sea/what you want out of the kayak! Old Town Salty is a good one, lots of people like Stealth kayaks, and the Ocean Kayak Trident is a classic sea fishing design that does well.
Thank you for your answer
Your opinion was helpful~ ^^
Hi Dan, I am new to kayaking. I was wondering how paddling skill affects how well the boat tracks?
A lot!!! A good paddler can get a loose boat to track well and still enjoy the maneuverability. Where as Poor technique will make a loose boat feel out of control. That’s why most beginner boats have deep kills. They just are meant for going straight. But that means as you progress you have a very dull paddling boat.
@@HeadwatersKayak Thank you so much! Very helpful!
Max weight on sticker says 390..? I really need a good deal on a yak for a bigger guy. (275)
It’s pretty stable. I’m 220 and it felt big on me.
has anyone tried the blade 97? - thoughts?
You guys selling any feelfree kayaks?? Id much rather go through you guys than anyone else.
I don't sell Feelfree direct, but I can help you find a dealer close to you. Where are you from?
@@HeadwatersKayak Clovis. Its by Fresno. Thanks for the help. Much appreciated. Do they still do work like installing wiring for fish finders and trolling motors??
Which one is better pelican 120 or blade 120
Both have pros and cons. The blade is burlier but heavier, the pelican is lighter and has more bells and whistles.
@@HeadwatersKayak thank you im a bigger guy 260ish and will be on some slow moving river water is the pelican 120 a good choice or would a 10 foot be better
My first time Kayaking and this Kayak held strong. ua-cam.com/users/postUgkx4k5UrhC3v_Y4hIEaXLGvHcN5a5aBmZNB The water got pretty rough as a speed boat zipped by me, and the Kayak withstood it (I expected to be capsized). The Ores are very easy to put together, the pump worked beautifully. the seats are a bit hard to sit in after a while (I recommend sitting on the floor). after reading the reviews I was very scared it'd get a hole in it, the material is very strong and durable. The Air valve may need a small Phillips head screwdriver to adjust, other than that, it's well worth the money!(update)I've gone Kayaking in 3 Lakes and 2 rivers totaling about 40 miles. the kayak had two holes and they patched easily and no other problems can't wait for kayaking season this year!
I wish my head was only 8 pounds. It's rough on the neck.
Hello Dan how's it going man. Good video man. I see this kayak every time I go into dicks Sporting Goods. I was always wondering how good is this kayak. I learned something about it today. My son is looking to purchase a another kayak & we were wondering how well is it to kayak barefooted 👣 like you was. Me and my son we both have very very extremely wide feet & we both have to kayak barefooted 👣 styles because there is no water shoes that are wide enough to fit our feet. Some of the foot braces on The Kayaks are very uncomfortable for being barefooted 👣 so we are curious to how comfortable it was to kayak barefooted 👣 before we go out and buy this kayak. After watched this video he likes this kayak & would like to buy it if it's comfortable to kayak barefooted 👣. I will appreciate your help. Thank you for sharing this video.
I paddle barefoot a lot and it felt fine to me!
@@HeadwatersKayak oh okay that is good news to hear. Hopefully we can go out tomorrow and buy the kayak so we can have it for the 4th of July weekend on the water. That's awesome to hear that you can kayak it barefooted 👣 styles. Thank you so much for replying back I really appreciate that. Happy Fourth of July to you and your family and have a safe holiday.
Watching from Georgia
What’s up Jerry. Thanks for checking in.
Sup
Yes
Why is it getting only 4.1 rating? What are the red flags?
Looks like a POS to me.
May have a good hull design but the outfitting and seat is horrible.
It is an inexpensive kayak, so it's gonna have inexpensive features. Definitely not for someone who's looking for the best kayak money can buy, but if it gets someone on a budget to the water then it's doing it's job.