Editor's Note: If you're new to kayaking and looking for an interesting beginner's perspective on learning the ropes, we suggest you take a look at this blog by Derek Lenze
Founder of FloatingAuthority.com titled, Learn How to Kayak Like a Pro – a Step by Step Beginner’s Guide.

It’s hard to say which is more fun, using an Oru folding kayak or blowing peoples’ minds by proving there really is a sleek, full-size kayak in the cartoonishly large rectangular backpack you’re wearing.

Made from a single sheet of corrugated plastic, the Oru folds origami-like from a large backpack into a 12-foot boat. The original Oru Kayak created by Architect Anton Willis made its debut on Kickstarter 10 years ago. The first model is currently in the permanent collection of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

Willis was inspired by an article about origami engineer Robert J. Lange in New Yorker magazine and how he believes in applying the concepts of origami to everyday products. Lange's work in practical origami has shaped everything from medical devices to space telescopes and incredibly beautiful pieces of art.

“We love exploring the world around us, and we draw inspiration from all sorts of experiences -most obviously Greenland kayaks and Japanese origami, but many others that live in the details,” says Willis. “We’re building a business, but our real goal is to change how people connect with the water.

After two weeks of testing, Waterway Guide would add that the Oru folding kayak also helps connect people with eachother as a conversation piece and fun experience to share in your social media accounts. It's hard to resist sharing the unfolding and assembly process from backpack to kayak - #GuessWhatImWearing.

Willis started making kayaks out of folded paper. His prototype was made with printer paper. Later he moved on to cardboard and finally to that same corrugated plastic used to make lawn signs. Today Oru kayaks are made of a light-weight but sturdy form of corrugated plastic reminiscent of a yard sign, only much more durable.

Available models:

• The Beach LT $1,299.
• The Bay ST. $1,599.
• Coast RLE (Robert Lange Edition) XT $2,499. The RLE XT was a collaboration with Robert J. Lange himself. It features updated hardware and a new “butterfly design.” The model’s fundraising campaign began in March 2018 on Indigogo and crowdfunded $253,322 by April 11, 2018.  

What we tested

We chose the Bay St model. See our VIDEO. The selection was made because this is the mid-range model for price and is an upgrade from the first model that uses "zipper channels" for joining the seams that are also used in the new Coast XT. ORU Kayak Adventures loaned us the second generation of three designs for two weeks of testing. It was returned to the company after testing.

Our Crew

To help test the portaging, ease of assembly, use and break-down back into the backpack Waterway Guide asked the newest addition to the Old Dominion University Monarch Sailing and Big Blue Sailing Academy staff, Assistant Coach Morgan Collins and other ODU sailing staffers to help us out. Collins has a background in kayaking instruction.

Also part of our test team was Stephen Guglielmo who worked at a camp in Raymond, Maine where he led campers in learning everything from kayaking basics to steeper moves such as Eskimo rolls.

Assistant Sailing Coach Tyler Colvin aided in testing the deconstruction of the kayak and the repack. Countless students could not resist stopping to gape at the transformation and testing.

The kayak was also tested by random students and sailors over the course of the two week period.

Results

Bay St. is the second generation thoroughly updated the design for 2017, making it easier to assemble, more comfortable to use, and more graceful than the original.

It's stable enough for beginners, while the length and contouring make it fast and sporty for expert kayakers.

There's plenty of room to stash gear for day trips and short camping excursions.

You don’t need a degree in astrophysics, architecture or LEGO building to assemble one of these. No tools are necessary, although a little video instruction via YouTube goes a long way.

Transforming it from box to boat takes a bit of doing the first time around, but it gets much easier after the initial assembly. We found that after one practice run the assembly flew swiftly and easily on the second time around.

However, no amount of video or testimony really prepares you for the reality of what this product delivers. For starters, they really do fit neatly into the giant backpack the company provides.

“It’s lighter than any kayak I’ve ever used,” says Collins. “However, I can see how having it on your back for a longer hike could get old. You might want to take turns sharing the load on longer hikes. That said, this Oru kayak makes for some remarkably portable adventuring. A little more tippy than I’d expected. I’d give it Nine out of 10.” That’s one Burgee.

Guglielmo adds, “It’s very light. It has really nice adjustment straps on the feet with a pretty quick pull to get my feet and knees right where I want them to be. With the ease of use, being able to transport wherever I want I’d give it nine out of 10.” That’s a second Burgee.

Colvin and Waterway Guide News Editor each gave one Burgee as did all of the students who participated in testing.

In all, 15 volunteeres all gave Oru top marks. This is the first time we had to trun test volunteers away from a product test because, frankly, it was getting dark and too windy/cold to safely put anyone back out on the water.

Given the level of interest in this product of people simply walking by our test area you could probably make one of these into a carnival attraction and charge people for the fun of asssembly and being able to say they'd been in an origami boat.

Pros

• Portability - You can ride a bike with it on your back. We know. We did it. In its backpack state, the kayak will fit easily into the passenger or back seat of just about any car. It’s likely two or even three will fit into a larger car trunk; a minivan could carry a fleet. Paddles break into four sections that fit into pockets on the back of the pack.
  
• Storage: You can live in a tiny apartment in the heart of a city or a dorm room and have your kayak ever at the ready. Grab and go!
  
• While not as beamy and thus a little more tippy than an average single it's stable enough for beginners.
• The length and contouring make it fast and sporty for expert kayakers. 
  
• There's plenty of room to stash gear for day trips and short camping excursions. The backpack also stores easily inside.
• Disassembly is a snap. The clear markings with arrows pointing to color coded bullseyes marked on the hull make it very easy to fold the kayak. Repacking is surprisingly fast and easy.
• You walk away from this experience feeling like a bit of a genius.
• Super fun watching people in shock and awe as you perform the “magic trick” of converting a large backpack into a seaworthy craft and paddle away.
• Oru works to support ocean cleanup. We like this brand because, for years, Oru Kayak has contributed boats for United By Blue’s water clean-ups; a company program that pledges to remove 1lb of trash from an ocean or waterway for each product the company sells.

Cons

Transforming it from box to boat can be a little frustrating the first time around. We recommend having a construction buddy and/or the YouTube construction video literally in hand on your smartphone the very first time you assemble the kayak.

Priced high at $1,299 this is an expensive option as compared to some average one-person kayaks which average around $200-$400. However, those traditional vessels don’t offer the portability, storage ease, light weight or the WOW-factor of an Oru.

Definitely not made with plus-size boaters in mind. It's a snug hip fit. Those with long legs definitely have to tinker more to adjust the foot straps for comfort.

PRO TIPS from the Waterway Guide Test Team:

Don’t make the first effort at the assembly while on your adventure. Give it a test run first. Once you’ve successfully assembled the kayak repeat efforts become exponentially easier until it really does become a matter of just a few minutes from backpack to kissing the water.

Use the oil packet provided with the kayak. If you don't have the original oil then try just a tiny bit of a spray oil, Marvel's Mystery Oil or even cooking spray all help tremendously with the "zipper" joining strips sliding into place.

Our Rating System:

Burgee ratings: We demonstrate the products we test for a minimum of five testers plus our News Editor, Lisa Suhay. Each person either rates the product by either giving a Burgee to pass or no Burgee to fail.

A product must gain at least three Burgees to get a full Welcome Aboard rating as highly recommended. Two Burgees gets a medium rating. One Burgee low rating.

Whistle Blow = A product not up-to-snuff, meaning it got zero Burgees out of a possible six (5 testers, plus our editor). Nobody blew the whistle on Oru.

Our final panel decision is that despite the initial struggle with the first-time assembly this product is worth the higher price tag because the assembly becomes part of the fun. It’s more than just a kayak, it’s a portable spectacle. You get to be cool by association.

Full marks - Welcome Aboard! All six Burgees go to Oru.