Updated on April 2, 2026
What to look for when choosing a Kayak
My search for information about buying an inflatable Kayak quickly became confusing with so many amazing types and designs available. Lots of reviews and links were viewed, the Razor R2 Ultra popped up with positive reviews a number of times and stayed at the top of my list.
I was looking for an inflatable kayak to keep packed in the campervan, ready to use at any time, one that would be comfortable for two paddlers but also easily managed on solo trips—a kayak that was quick to set up on a whim, as well as for planned paddles. The Razor R2 Ultra ticked all of these boxes.
Kayak Features Wish List:
- Well built, stable, solid, comfortable to paddle on long trips.
- Quick and easy to inflate/deflate and get on the water.
- Light enough to carry when necessary, but tough and robust.
- Easy to paddle, a kayak that glides through the water efficiently and tracks well, keeping in mind that an inflatable will be quite different to a hard shell.
- Suitable for calm and slightly choppy water conditions.
- A quality kayak that we should get years of use from.
- Good for taking the dog out on. Whether she wants to or not (she loves it).
- Big enough to pack supplies for overnight/multi-day trips.
- Something that I can swim off and get back onto without too much hassle.
- Possibly even a kayak that could be slept in, just occasionally – for fun.
Setting up the Razor R2 Ultra for the first time
The Razor R2 has three identical inflation valves, all placed close together, making it easy to inflate and get on the water. The bayonet fitting on the pump is simple to attach and stays firmly in place.
The instructions do mention to make sure the white button on the spring valve is pushed up when inflating, or the air rapidly escapes when the pump hose is removed. I learnt that from experience too. Rather amusing.
It takes me about 10 minutes to inflate and be ready to get on the water, without rushing. The three sections take less than two minutes each to inflate. I can easily inflate the kayak in 6 mins; the seats are then attached, the paddle is quickly put together, the life jacket (PFD) is put on, and the adventure is ready to start.
It is seriously quick to get set up and pack away. Even if I’m going for a quick paddle, the short time taken to get ready does not deter me, it is all part of the process and the fun of kayaking. When I get home again, there is nothing to do as it is permanently in the van ready for action.
The floor and side chambers inflate to 8 psi; this means it is not a strenuous workout to pump up the kayak. Some SUPs (stand-up paddle boards) require 15psi – that is hard work for one’s biceps.
The kayak has a skeg/fin that slides into a slot under the boat and helps it track really straight. I usually attach it by the water’s edge to reduce the chance of damage on the way.
Deflating the Razor R2 Ultra kayak is seriously fast. Undo the cap, push the white button on the valve, and the air gushes out. It will blow your hat off if you are in the airstream.
There is also an outlet on the pump to deflate the boat. This isn’t necessary when packing it up, as enough air escapes to roll it up easily and put it back in the decent-sized bag that comes with the kayak. To get it into an even smaller roll, if space is an issue, do a final deflate with the pump to suck all the air out.
Left image: 3 well-placed valves (plus a ‘Railblaza mount for a light pole, secured with double-sided very high bond tape) | Centre image: valve | Right image: Removable fin.
Inflating a kayak or SUP – Hand pump versus 12 volt pump
Razor Kayaks offer three pump options: double-action, triple-action, and 12-volt. I have tested out both the triple-action pump and the 12-volt pump. Both are quick and easy to use, taking about the same time to inflate the kayak.
Both pumps have a deflation option if required, though the Razor Kayak deflates quickly and doesn’t require additional manual deflation unless the user prefers to remove as much air as possible.
Using the Razor Kayak Triple Action Hand Pump
The triple-hand action pump has three settings and a PSI gauge on the top. Setting 1 is used for the initial pump. When it gets hard to push, use setting 2 (equivalent to a double-action pump), then setting 3 if required. I can easily inflate the boat using just the two settings.
It takes me under 6 minutes to inflate the kayak’s 3 sections, with very little effort. The hand pump can be used anywhere to inflate the kayak or a stand-up paddle board (SUP) beside a vehicle or by the water, no power needed, of course.
Using the Razor Kayak 12 Volt Electric Pump
I’ll confess to being rather smitten with the 12-volt electric pump from Razor Kayaks. It comes with numerous fittings to inflate a variety of inflatable items.
For anyone with back problems who may lack the strength to manage a manual pump, or simply wants to make life a bit easier, this pump is perfect.
It takes about 2 minutes to inflate each of the three sections of the Razor Kayak, the same time-frame as using the manual pump, without the effort.
The 12-volt pump connects to a car auxiliary outlet (cigarette lighter socket), or it can connect directly to a battery using the included clamps.
- Comparing both the triple action pump and the 12-volt pump, they both inflate the kayak in around the same time frame of about 2-minutes for each of the three sections.
- The 12-volt pump inflates to the required PSI without any problem at all. It would be excellent for SUPs too as they require a higher PSI and can take more effort to pump manually.
- The digital readout is easy to set to the PSI recommended for the item being inflated, and the pump stops automatically when the required pressure is reached.
- It does require being near a vehicle to use the 12-volt pump.
Getting the kayak to the water
Sometimes it’s possible to park beside a launch area, but if a short walk is involved, the Razor R2 Ultra is light enough (12.9kg) to carry. It has strong handles at both ends, making it really easy for two people to move. If going solo, I pick it up in the centre and carry it with one side perched on my shoulder or under my arm against my hip.
For longer treks to the water’s edge or for trips with a bit of gear to carry, a C-Tug was purchased. It is a fabulous kayak cart. Made in New Zealand by the RailBlaza Company, the C-tug keeps the boat stable and is easy to pull along.
The kayak can be carried in the sturdy backpack that comes with it.
How well does the Razor R2 Ultra perform on the water?
From the very first paddle, the Razor kayak was a pleasure to use. The first few outings were solo (plus the dog), and it didn’t take long to feel comfortable on the water.
It is ideal for beginner paddlers, anyone who is a bit nervous, and more experienced paddlers. The Razor is not just an ‘entry-level’ kayak; anyone can enjoy it.
The kayak tracks really well and stays in a nice straight line when drifting. The fin/skeg improves tracking and stability; the kayak can be paddled without it, just not quite as well.
It’s best to remove the fin when riding small rapids or in shallow water, where it’s possible to get marooned on a sandbar or mud.
The Razor R2 Ultra is rated for calm/ choppy conditions, and after using it for a few months consistently, we have now paddled in a variety of conditions.
Perfect calm days are always going to be ideal for paddling, but a bit of wind will be encountered at some stage. The kayak can get blown about by the wind to a degree, and it’s a bit harder to paddle than a hard-shell kayak. It is an inflatable, and this is a minor trade-off, in my opinion.
There will always be upsides and downsides to whichever kayak is chosen. No kayak is perfect for every paddler or all conditions. The Razor is a versatile option.
I recently went out on Port Philip Bay, Melbourne, with a friend and battled a bit of onshore wind and choppy conditions. Heading directly into the wind and waves was fun; we got a little wet as water washed over, but not too much. The kayak ploughed into the waves with no problem and never felt likely to tip.
Is the Razor kayak stable on the water?
It certainly is stable! I have yet to find a tipping point with this kayak. I’ve jumped off it into the water, climbed back on, and can sit on the edge without any sign of it tipping.
The Razor has been down the Yarra River on grade 1/2 rapids (it is not actually rated for white water by the company; this was my personal choice). Not for a second did it feel like it might capsize, despite taking on a bit of water, naturally, and had to be bailed, but it kept drifting along. A bilge pump has been added to the essential equipment pile.
With a rigid ‘tech-stitch’ (drop-stitch) floor, it’s easy enough to move about in the kayak if you need to rearrange gear or set up the night light. I can even stand up in it and pretend that it’s a SUP (stand-up paddle board).
Getting into the Razor kayak is a breeze, sit on the edge and slide on in with no worries or carefully step in.
The Razor Kayak is ideal for adults taking their kids out, or for a couple of kids to paddle solo. The stability of the boat helps enormously with peace of mind, knowing children are as safe as can be expected when on the water in this kayak.
When out paddling it is brilliant fun to turn sideways and drift along, feet in the water, comfortable too. Or to release the seat clips and lay down, on a calm lake. Yes, I’ve done that too.
Kayak Paddles, Seats, & Footrests
The seats that come with the Razor are sturdy and easy to attach with adjustable straps, allowing you to get the perfect position. They clip onto well-placed D-rings at the front and back to keep them in position.
The R2 Ultra is perfectly designed for one or two paddlers.
Solo paddling is not a problem; one seat can be placed in the centre, where the D-rings are evenly spaced for this purpose.
The Razor R2 Ultra is designed as a convertible kayak for one or two paddlers. There is also a detachable pocket on the back of each seat.
For longer trips, the seat felt a bit hard after a few hours of paddling. Everyone is different with comfort expectations, so I’m not considering that a fault. I did buy a squishy kayak cushion from eBay, and it makes all the difference and is super comfy.
The footrests are a nifty design; they attach securely to the kayak’s D-rings with Velcro and are easily adjustable.
Razor Kayaks sells three different paddles. I bought the basic aluminium paddle and also the next model up, made from fibreglass. There is about a $100 price difference, but also a noticeable change in performance for the money. The third paddle option is made from carbon fibre, doubles the cost, but it is said to increase paddle efficiency and speed by 1 to 2 kmh.
The aluminium paddle performs perfectly well, though the fibreglass paddle is smoother and cuts through the water better, making a day out even more enjoyable.
Kayaking with the dogs
We have a Jack Russel/Fox Terrier pooch. She’s terribly nervous in the car, but loves being on the kayak. The Razor R2 Ultra is durable enough to handle dog paws without issue.
‘Maisy’ loves to stand on the bow, even without anything stowed underneath it to brace against her weight; it shows no sign of wear and tear. Her bed is sometimes added in the front on longer solo paddles.
Carbon Fibre Electric Fin Motor
Up the game with an electric fin motor. With a remote control included, this would be hilarious fun as well as making a paddle easier for people with mobility issues.
Overall thoughts on the Razor R2 Ultra Inflatable Kayak
I’m really pleased with the Razor Kayak. Stability and durability were my two main requests, and it delivers admirably. It is easy to set up and pack away, not too heavy and has been a great choice for solo or double kayak trips.
There is plenty of room for gear on overnight or multi-day trips, and it can take a maximum load of 288kg which is ideal.
The Razor R2 can handle small rapids and has survived some accidental heavy-duty knocks on rocks and tree branches, and even a scrape along a concrete pillar.
The kayak is durable, made with 1000 denier PVC and toughened mesh. Sliding up on a sand bank or pebbly shoreline isn’t a problem at all. It can take a reasonable beating and bounce back with gusto.
The heat-treated thermoplastic construction of the Razor Kayak is the same as that used in the construction of top-quality white-water rafts and safety rescue boats.
The storage areas at the back and front provide a tidy space to pack spare clothes, food, towels, etc., in waterproof/dry bags, and the bungy cords at the top of both ends hold items safely too.
A bung on the front of the kayak is useful for tipping out water; it unscrews, and it can be lifted to point downwards to drain water.
A certain amount of water will inevitably enter the kayak from splashes or drips off a paddle, maybe, channels along the side of the drop-stitch floor prevent the paddler from sitting in water.
The Razor comes with a repair kit containing a valve spanner/wrench to tighten or replace the valves of the kayak if necessary, and small sheets of PVC to patch any punctures.
The bag it comes with is strong with two backpack straps, it is large enough to pack the kayak away easily and the seat plus PFDs can fit in too.
Inflatable v Hard Shell Kayak?
This is a personal choice, and I am not going to go into the benefits of one over the other.
Having the Razor in my van permanently is so perfect. A quick paddle on the spur of the moment is easy to do.
The time taken to get the bag out of the van, inflate the 3 sections, then deflate and pack away, is probably comparable to loading a hard shell onto a roof rack, securing it, and taking it off again, etc.
Purchasing a Razor Kayak
The Australian Razor Kayak company makes a number of innovative designs, including inflatable and foldable models.
Delivery was fast and any questions I had were responded to by email quickly and clearly.
Read more details about the Razor R2 Ultra on their website here.
Check out their full range of Razor kayaks online here.
This is not a sponsored/paid review, the opinions are 100% my own.