6 Months Later…Oru Kayak Review!
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- Опубліковано 6 вер 2024
- Bought my Oru Inlet: October 4th 2021 / Filmed this video April 8th 2022
🚣♀️ Kayak Gear (affiliate links)
Get $50 off an Oru Kayak using my friend link: bit.ly/orusteph
Oru Kayaks
▶︎ Oru Inlet: bit.ly/3Qfwa7L
▶︎ Oru Lake: bit.ly/3RlGhcq
▶︎ Oru Gel seat: bit.ly/3TsnfSX
▶︎ Oru Lake Footrest: bit.ly/3z7iNkf
▶︎ Oru Float Bags (set of 2): bit.ly/3Dp5qP0
▶︎ Oru Float Bags for Lake Kayak: bit.ly/3zugZCn
▶︎ PowerPump for Float Bags: bit.ly/3CAe9xF
▶︎ Oru Kayak Pack for Lake/Inlet:
🏓 Paddles
▶︎ Aqua Bound Bent Shaft Paddle (225cm): amzn.to/3PQ48jE
▶︎ Oru Paddle: bit.ly/3DnFR0F
▶︎ Oru Carbon Paddle: bit.ly/3Do9X4b
▶︎ Yakgrips Paddle Grips: amzn.to/3GjV3fm
🛟Safety
▶︎ NRS Odyssey Lifejacket: amzn.to/3c97AYo
▶︎ NRS Kayak Bilge Pump: amzn.to/3MZftww
▶︎ Skwoosh Bilge Sponge: amzn.to/3bSGeFD
▶︎ CaliCase Universal Waterproof Floating Case: amzn.to/3MKVQbE
▶︎ Tick Tornado: amzn.to/39Qs1If
🧢 Wear
▶︎ The North Face Women's Aphrodite 2.0 Pant: amzn.to/3yjtbFC
▶︎ Sunday Afternoons Women's Shade Hat: amzn.to/3MFd75O
▶︎ Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap: amzn.to/3HVhTKM
▶︎ Hobie Venice Shiny Polarized Sunglasses: amzn.to/3dKEFKy
▶︎ Sunday Afternoons Cool Sleeves with Hand Cover: amzn.to/3NtQl0P
🚰 Hydration
▶︎ Osprey Hydraulics Reservoir - 2 Liters: amzn.to/3V3dlIw
▶︎ Osprey Hydraulics Bite Valve Cover: amzn.to/3Ca3Nmj
▶︎ Osprey Hydraulics Cleaning Kit: amzn.to/3e4EIRT
▶︎ Osprey Sternum Three Magnet Kit: amzn.to/3Eh4r4u
▶︎ Gearlab Deck Pod 2: amzn.to/3QVz42w
Hi I’m Steph! A DIYer, author, and podcast host. I live in Tallahassee, FL with my two adopted greyhounds.
I make DIY videos here: / motherdaughterprojects
You can check out my podcast, Discovering Our Scars here: bio.link/dospod
You can learn more about me at www.stephaniek...
I bought the inlet two summers ago. I to scratch the bottom on my first time out. So I glued a piece of rubber on the bottom.
At Home Depot they have carpets for individual stairs on the staircase, and they have individual rubber pieces for individual stairs on the staircase. It was five dollars. I glued it to the bottom and it saves me from scratching up the bottom. I love this kayak.
Can you please provide a link?
LOVE to see a 6 month review! Thank you for the thorough overview and thoughts.
One year review will be coming in October!
Hi Steph. Great video. I just bought my Inlet yesterday (ordered on REI - great return policy for members - I was concerned I might not like it - they had it ready for pick up in 2 hours - and it was on sale!) and put it in a pond today for the first time. I'm 61, 5'4", 135. Very easy for me to handle. I appreciate your comment regarding getting in and out by a dock and not on sand/gravel to avoid scratching. Looking forward to using this frequently which I would not do if I had to deal with a hard shell. Last weekend I rented a hard shell nearby with some friends and I would say that this is definitely a slower experience for the energy expended but perfect for me. I'm not trying to win a race, just enjoy the outdoors without being dependent on someone else's help. Keep up the great work and I love that you and your mom go together!
This is so great Mary! Thanks for sharing!!
thank you for your thoughts too. I am 64 and have a hard shell, but looking into foldable, lightweight kayak.
Hey! Fantastic review on the Oru Inlet. One of the best I've seen. I was actually looking at the Bay ST for my first kayak as I know I'll be wanting to do those longer day trips and some overnights along the shores up here in Vancouver, BC. I was close to purchasing it but found the Pakayak Bluefin 142. Crazy fast setup and breakdown system and it's a hardshell. The Oru's durability scares me over time and it's just not something I'd want to suffer as I'm wanting to push my kayak. The Pakayak is definitely in a price tier above Oru though, so I'll be paying for it. If I ever want to get a more casual kayak for friends and family though, I will most certainly be looking at the Inlet or Beach!
Thanks so much for the excellent 6 month review. Nobody does the follow-ups! Love it!
I'm SO tempted to get one of these! I am just insanely skeptical because I do not want to feel unsafe or unstable. I'm 6 ft 200 lbs, so I worry that it may not be fit for me. Your video is one of the most in-depth reviews I've found online. I can't find much on these things in this format. I really feel like I would love it I'm just struggling to pull the trigger on one.
I feel really stable in it. I have not fallen out (worse thing was falling backward on the seat that I showed in the video). I have a friend that is bigger than me and she tried my Oru and felt very stable in it. She likes it, but wants a little more room so she is going to buy the Oru Beach LT. It has more space is can hold a little more weight.
Hey dude, I'm 6'2 and 200lb and I had the same worries with the inlet so and went with the Beach LT. WOW!!! I'm a week in an go Kayaking daily and this thing is so stable - like ridiculously stable. Review videos doesn't do how stable this thing is any justice - you have to see it to believe it. Getting in/out or being on the water it to me feels like any kayak. I watch folks setting up inflatables or struggling to get onto roof racks and the ease of use of this thing is unbelievable. Don't even question it - just buy a Beach LT!
My husband is larger than you and went with the Beach. He loves it so much! We can fit my Inlet and his Beach in the back of my Mini Cooper and have loved getting out on the water whenever the urge strikes us.
We just ordered two Oru Inlet Kayaks! We are excited to use them on the banana river in Florida. Thanks for your fine presentation!
if I bought one of these I'd be playing with adding additional layers of sacrificial coroplast on the underside. I'd use velcro to hold it in place and just replace it when it gets damaged. It may add drag, but as people have said this is a casual kayak so you may not even notice any adverse drag effects.
The main problem I have with the idea of this is kayak is the getting in and out. I live in Alaska where there are rarely docks to use and that just seems like such a limiting issue with this. If the bottom were somehow more puncture proof it would be an easy decision for me but there is just no way to get around scraping in on rocks and sand even though I am someone who takes care with my gear. Thank you for this helpful review!
Most places I kayak don't have docks. Sand is easy to launch from. Also, sometimes I will walk in the water a little bit and launch from there so the bottom doesn't get scratch. I bet Alaska has some amazing places to kayak!
Thanks for this great info. Loved the cameo appearances from your Greyhounds! ❤
Great video. Here in Ontario, I've bumped my Inlet into catfish while paddling in muddy shallows and it's made me jump every time. I don’t know how I'd handle bumping into a Florida alligator. Much respect.
The terror is unreal
oh my goodness. I'm looking at this kayak to fish with, and I've been catfishing lately... I want to bump into one.
I got in on the lake on Kickstarter and received mine about 2 weeks ago!!! I haven't had a chance to get out in it yet. I hope you have received yours and I am anxiously awaiting a review on it from you.
Mine will be here in a week! Review for sure!!
Thanks for the vid! Just backed Lake as well. Let's revisit in August!
Awersome video! I just got my Beach LT a couple of days ago and am super excited to take it camping this weekend. I am definitely most worried about it lasting long term but we will see!
Awesome! Have fun! Where are you camping?
I've just started looking at Oru kayaks and your review was very helpful. My paddling background is in hard shell kayaks but in the last 2 years have been using Advance Elements inflatable kayaks so I don't have to hoist a kayak onto the car roof. We visit Florida for the winter (pre covid) so need portable easy to transport kayaks too. The Myakka and Silver Rivers and bays along the Gulf coast have been fun. Inflatables are a pain to dry out so I will definitely consider the Oru. Thanks.
Yeah, I love that the Oru doesn't have to dry out like inflatables and the Oru is so easy to fold back up. Inflatables always seem to be a guessing game to get it to fit back in the storage bag!
Thanks for the review and love your mini! I have a Cooper s and adore my car!
Great vid, only problem for me is I live in Australia, everything is twice the cost :)
Hi Steph, we just got the Haven TT and are looking forward to putting it together for the 1st time! Thanks for the review and happy paddling!
Awesome! Let me know how you like it!
@@smkauthor ok Steph, we finally got it out yesterday on Evergreen Lake. With the fresh snow it WAS fresh but after the initial hesitation (and fear) of unfolding and bending the kayak in the opposite direction to form a boat, very sea worthy! We had a nice paddle.
Awesome!! Thanks for sharing!!
Again an excellent presentation of a super product.
Hi, Steph! I´m looking for a kayak for "river-use" (in my case it´s the hungarian part of the danube!)! Have you any river-experiences? Thanks for your answer!
Greetings Manfred
Could you do a video of capsizing it in the middle of a lake and show how you recover?
I did practice last year in a pool: ua-cam.com/video/HY8_HDbsAiw/v-deo.html
Great video! I want the LAKE!! Thank you so much for doing this!!!
Great review. Thanks for making the video!
Just got my Oru Lake. Thanks for the great review!
hi Steph, thanks for this review! Did you manage to put the Greyhound (is it one?) inside with you? :D I was wondering if i could bring my Whippet in an Inlet
I never tried to kayak with my greyhounds. They don't sit so I think it would be hard to paddle with them. But I think you could fit a whippet in an inlet. They do sell a bigger Oru that would give you more space.
This is really well done, Steph! I'm building out a camper van, and I've already made room for a bike, but now I've been looking into bringing a kayak too! Oru seems like a good option!
Yes, it would be great in a van!
Thank You for the info and review I have been thinking of getting one.
We also ordered 2 Lake Oru Kayaks on kickstarter when we were looking into the inlets after watching your videos. Thank you for the reviews.
You're welcome! I'm excited to try the lake too!
@@smkauthor I love your hat! Do you have a link on where to buy it?
Sunday Afternoons Women's Shade Goddess: amzn.to/36CyVPV
@@smkauthor thank you so much!
You're welcome!
Thank you for this review! I am looking at foldable kayaks to put into my car instead of buying a trailer for my hardshell kayak. I have a Pelican Mustang, I really love it, but I don't own a truck and I have to rely on my friends IF I want to go kayaking. I sometimes want to go when and where they don't want to go, so I need some independence. So I thought, if I am going to pay $1100 for a trailer, why not look into foldable/packable kayaks first? Your review was VERY helpful!
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks for the 6 month review! I am considering Oru so this is helpful. Based on how you like the Inlet, what do you think of the upcoming Lake? I will check out the rest of your videos on mods!
I pre-ordered the lake so I will review it when it arrives!
Hi Steph. I always enjoy your videos. Can you make a video of how you exit your Oru? I just got mine, and I’m trying to figure out the best way to exit. Thanks again.
Sure
Hi Steph, your video makes me curious to know about folding kayak. Searching our web site, I accidentally found another folding kayak Tucktec that has attracted price than oru: all Tucktec kayaks are less then $500.00. I hope when you have a chance, take a look at Tucktec kayak and review it. Thank you Steph.
Hi Edward. I recommend checking out Paddle TV with Ken Whiting. He is a wealth of knowledge and funny to boot! Cheers!
Baking soda the cracks then drop super glue onto the baking soda it sets so hard
have you taken it on more shallow rocky waters? most of what i am on is shallow enough to reach the bottom with your ore and fairly rocky.
I think it is expensive but you can't put a price on fun and convenience
Tucktec? Half the price. But it looks like the Oru is a little higher quality and better folding capabilities. Also, a video I was watching he put float devices in the Tucktec so if it turns over he doesn't have to swim back to shore.
Thanks for the review!
Yeah, Tucktec looks cool too. @Fishaholicboy does a lot of good videos about them.
Great review. I’ve been looking at this one forever. Concerned about it holding up, so you saying there is a hole, how do you think the happened? Also, is the glue holding up?
No idea how the hole happened. I am very careful with my Oru. I have had a few more issues with it now (I'll be making videos soon about them). The glue did not hold, and I have been on the phone with Oru customer service about it and have some other things to try. With all that said, I still love the Oru. It's so easy to setup, manage by myself, and get on the water fast.
My biggest problem with the Oru kayaks is the 1-year warranty. It's far too short for the cost of the product. I wouldn't get a folding or inflatable unless there is a 3-year warranty at least.
They do sell an extended warranty. Up to 3 years I think.
Thank you Steph. Very informative video. Btw, I love your hat, where can I find one😀 please.
Sunday Afternoons Women's Shade Hat: amzn.to/3MFd75O
I just plunked my money down on The Lake, but the buy now get at the end of summer is killing me (especially since the season is so short in Canada). I want instant gratification so I may get an inflatable from Wal-Mart for this summer. So many extras you could buy, I skipped the T-shirt and water bottle but paid for a footrest as the lake doesn't come with one.
Yeah, we want the lake now too!
Hello Steph, your reviews about this kayak were really helpful! How do you think, will it survive an airplane flight?
I have seen that people fly with them a lot. I don't know if I would do it myself, but maybe. It would probably do ok in the bag Oru makes.
Great review! Thank you!
"It stil manoeuvre really well" Of course it did. The problem with such a short thing is not the curves, it's making it going straight moderately fast.
Where did you get your white sun hat???
❤️ Your videos!
Sunday Afternoons Women's Shade Hat: amzn.to/3MFd75O
Awesome and informative video…thanks!
Sandra bullock knows this woman.
Very helpful review, thank you.
Loved the video! You killed it! New sub from Fort Lauderdale
Thanks!
good review - very well explained
Great review...I'm just about to order mine. Can I ask what length paddle you use?
I had been using the Oru paddle, it's adjustable. But I just bought a new paddle and it's 225cm. www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/kayak-paddle.html
Thanks for the review! The hole in the bottom of the boat is a bit disturbing. Is a drop of glue the repair method the Oru support suggested?
Yes, the glue is straight from Oru customer service.
Great review
Hard shell kayaks are heavy
What is your footwear? Helpful review. Thank you!
I wear a few different types depending on the paddle, but I think in this I am wearing NRS Kicker Remix Water Shoes - Women's
Hi - another reviewer said that one negative was that water 'normally' got between the shells and the kayak needed to be set up at home and allowed to dry. Have you found that to be true?
Yes
How is it in moderate choppy waters? Such as a small lake with strong winds? Just curious because on the site it says calm water
I have been in some strong wind on a lake before and it was surprised how well it did, and I didn't feel like I was going to fall over. But I wouldn't take it on choppy water in general. Calm water is best for sure.
Great video! Thank you :)
Glad you liked it!
Has it ever flipped over? Does it have any drainage system?
Never while kayaking, but I did practice capsizing in this video and talk about how to drain it: ua-cam.com/video/HY8_HDbsAiw/v-deo.html
LOVE your videos. About to buy an Our but conflicted between Inlet and Bay ST. You mentioned you were going to get the Bay. If you've had a chance to use the Bay, how does it compare with the Inlet? I'm a beginner but pretty athletic. My lake is calm but with some motor boats creating wakes. Recommendation?
I have not gotten the Bay yet...but I do like the Inlet still and have no issues when motor boats come by. I do love that the inlet is so easy to put together, I know the bay takes more time. Have you kayaked before? If so, what kind of kayaks have you used?
@@smkauthor Thanks for the quick reply. Have not kayaked much before; am a newbie. I spoke to ORU's customer service earlier today and told them about me, my lake, ability, size, etc. I decided against the Bay as 99% of the kayak's use will be on a calm lake in New England. Then it was between the Beach and the Inlet. The rep said something very important - They're basically the same boat but the Beach is a bit longer and how these to handle is more about the kayaker than the kayak. as I'm smallish (5'6" and 150lbs.) he thought the Inlet is a better "fit" for me. Then called LL Bean and ordered as it's on sale for $749 and will pick up on Friday. Now I need to figure put the right paddle and get one of the seat cushions you spoke of. Which paddle works best for you?
Awesome! Sounds like a good fit. I started with the Oru paddle and really like it. My mom has the oru carbon paddle and she loves that one. It's lighter so you can paddle longer. I have been using the Oru gel seat cushion for a few months now and really like it.
@@smkauthor Thank you again.
Very informative. Thank You!
Is it easier to re-enter from deep water?
If you fall out? I have not fallen out so I can't say. But I do want to practice in a pool soon.
Canadian Intel
Is it pronounced Or-U or O-ru? I've heard both.
I've got one and mine's an O-ru, but possibly because it's an English version 🤣 Good video Steph.
@@smkauthor O-ru like Origami
If sticking to the origin of the word, Oru would be pronounced like “oh-roo.” It means to fold in Japanese. A previous commenter mentioned origami, which literally means fold paper :) Very nice, informative review. I enjoyed it very much.
@@grahamashby1409 Hi Graham. Did you order it from the US? If so any issues I should be aware of? Many thanks
Can you get a water bottle cage?
😍