An Inflatable Touring Kayak That Actually Feels Like A Proper Kayak
The Razor Kayaks Edge Pro 1 is one of those kayaks that immediately changes your opinion of inflatable kayaks.
Most inflatables I’ve used over the years have always involved some compromise. Usually portability comes first, while paddling performance sits somewhere behind it. They are convenient, easy to store, easy to transport, but once on the water you are constantly reminded you are paddling an inflatable.
It has far more in common with a hard-shell touring kayak than it does with the cheap inflatable kayaks most people picture when they hear the words “inflatable kayak”. The hull shape, the rigidity, the glide through the water and the overall feel while paddling all point toward something designed by people who actually paddle properly themselves.
For me, this sits firmly in the category of a genuine touring kayak that just happens to pack into the boot of a car.
Razor Kayaks Edge Pro 1 Specs
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Length | 398 cm |
| Width | 83 cm |
| Hull Weight | 18.8 kg |
| Packed Size | 84 x 50 x 33 cm |
| Capacity | 170 kg |
| Construction | Full drop-stitch Tech-Stitch™ |
| Tracking | Removable skeg |
| Setup Time | Around 5–10 minutes |
| Style | Sit-in inflatable touring kayak |
First Impressions On The Water
The first thing I noticed paddling the Razor Kayaks Edge Pro 1 was how efficiently it moves through the water.
A lot of inflatable kayaks feel wide, slow and slightly disconnected from the water beneath you. The Edge Pro 1 tracks beautifully and glides surprisingly well between strokes. Once you settle into a rhythm it just keeps moving.
That longer touring hull really makes a difference.
It also feels incredibly stable without feeling sluggish. Usually stability and speed do not come together that well, but Razor Kayaks seem to have found a really nice balance here. It feels confidence inspiring for beginners, but still enjoyable for more experienced paddlers who want to cover some distance.
On calm rivers and lakes it feels brilliant, but I was also impressed with how planted it felt in rougher water and wind chop.
Razor Kayaks Edge Pro 1 Review – Touring Performance
This is where the Edge Pro 1 really shines.
If your paddling involves distance, overnight trips, expeditions, river journeys or simply spending long days on the water, this kayak makes a lot of sense.
The front and rear storage areas are genuinely usable for dry bags and camping gear, and the kayak still feels balanced once loaded up.
That touring ability is what makes it so appealing.
It is the kind of kayak you can keep in the back of the car and suddenly decide to paddle a section of river after work, or load up properly for a multi-day adventure.
That style of travel and paddling is something I’ve always loved, and it is a huge part of why I wrote my book, https://vildmark.co.uk/lakes-lures-laughter/
Spray Skirt And Cold Weather Paddling
One thing I really liked with the Razor Kayaks Edge Pro 1 was the proper rigid cockpit coaming. That means you can fit an actual spray skirt properly rather than relying on awkward clip-on splash covers.
I used the Razor Kayaks Spray Skirt and honestly, I’d recommend it if you plan on doing longer paddles, colder weather trips, coastal paddling or crossing open lakes.
It makes a huge difference.
Keeping water and wind out of the cockpit keeps you far more comfortable over distance, especially here in the UK where conditions can change quickly.
For colder conditions I also paired the kayak with my Neris Multi Sport Drysuit which has become one of my favourite bits of paddling gear for winter trips and coastal paddling.
The Carbon Paddle
A good paddle changes everything.
I used the Razor Kayaks Carbon Paddle with the Edge Pro 1 and absolutely loved it.
It is lightweight, stiff and genuinely a dream to paddle with over longer distances. You notice it most after a few hours on the water when your shoulders and arms are far less fatigued compared to using heavier alloy paddles.
Because it breaks down into four sections it also packs away perfectly alongside the kayak itself, which suits the whole portable touring setup really well.
It is one of those accessories that initially feels expensive until you actually use it properly for distance paddling.
Then you realise why people spend money on decent paddles.
Is The Razor Kayaks Edge Pro 1 Better Than A Standard Inflatable Kayak?
In my opinion, yes. Massively.
The difference mainly comes from the hull shape and rigidity.
Cheaper inflatable kayaks tend to feel soft and inefficient on the water. The Edge Pro 1 feels sharp, responsive and much closer to a traditional sit-in touring kayak. The drop-stitch construction gives it impressive rigidity, while the skeg helps it track properly in a straight line.
That means less correcting with every paddle stroke and more actual paddling.
For casual beach use, cheaper inflatables are absolutely fine. But if you genuinely enjoy kayaking and want something capable of longer journeys, the Edge Pro 1 sits in a completely different category.
When I Wouldn’t Use The Edge Pro 1
As much as I rate this kayak, there are situations where I would choose something else.
If I was hiking miles into remote rivers or mountain lakes, I would personally take a packraft instead. Something like this explains the difference well:
The Edge Pro 1 packs down well, but it is still a reasonably substantial kayak once packed.
I also would not choose it for technical whitewater or tiny twisting rivers. This kayak is designed for touring, distance and efficiency rather than bouncing through rocky rapids.
That longer hull is brilliant on open water but less ideal on extremely tight waterways.
Video Review
I also filmed a video using the Razor Kayaks edge pro 1 which gives a much better idea of how these kayaks actually perform on the water in real conditions.
Whether that’s tracking across open water, loading gear for longer trips or simply seeing how the kayak moves compared to a standard inflatable, it gives a good feel for what this style of kayak is all about.
Watch the video here:
After paddling the Edge Pro 1 myself, it really reinforced what stood out straight away. This is not just an inflatable designed for convenience. It genuinely feels built for people who actually enjoy covering distance and spending proper time on the water.
Is The Razor Kayaks Edge Pro 1 Worth It?
If you want a serious inflatable touring kayak, absolutely.
It is not a cheap inflatable, but once you paddle it, you understand why. The build quality feels excellent, the setup is straightforward, and most importantly, it is genuinely enjoyable to paddle.
That matters.
There are plenty of kayaks that are convenient. Far fewer that actually make you want to keep paddling further.
Final Thoughts
It is probably one of the closest things I’ve paddled to a hard-shell touring kayak while still having the portability benefits of an inflatable.
For me personally, with a back injury, I would not want to be carrying this miles down a trail to a remote put-in. But from the car to the water a few metres away, it is absolutely fine.
Once on the water though, it feels fantastic.
It is a really solid, stable kayak to paddle whether that’s a week-long touring trip carrying camping gear or simply an afternoon paddle on the river. It tracks beautifully, glides efficiently and genuinely makes you want to stay on the water longer.
That, really, is the biggest compliment I can give it.
FAQs
Yes. Although it is designed as a touring kayak, it feels surprisingly stable on the water. The hull shape gives good tracking and glide without feeling overly twitchy, making it suitable for beginners wanting something more capable than a basic inflatable kayak.
Yes, in suitable conditions. It works very well for coastal paddling, estuaries and sheltered sea touring. Adding the Razor Kayaks Spray Skirt also helps keep the cockpit drier in wind chop and rougher water.
Once familiar with the setup, inflation takes around 5–10 minutes. The drop-stitch construction inflates quickly and the overall setup process is straightforward.
Absolutely. Touring is where the Edge Pro 1 performs best. The longer hull tracks efficiently, carries gear well and feels comfortable over longer distances.
In my opinion, yes. The Edge Pro 1 feels far more rigid, efficient and responsive than most cheaper inflatable kayaks. The touring hull shape and drop-stitch construction make a massive difference once on the water.
Yes. The kayak has usable front and rear storage areas that work well for dry bags and lightweight camping gear, making it ideal for overnight trips and longer adventures.
Yes. It works very well on larger rivers and calmer moving water. However, for very tight technical rivers or whitewater, I would personally choose a packraft instead.
I used the Razor Kayaks Carbon Paddle and loved it. The lightweight carbon construction makes a noticeable difference over longer paddles and reduces fatigue compared to heavier alloy paddles.
Yes. One of the biggest advantages of the Edge Pro 1 is that it packs down small enough to fit into the boot of a car or camper van without needing roof bars or a trailer.
If you want a serious inflatable touring kayak, then yes. It is far more capable than cheaper inflatable kayaks and genuinely enjoyable to paddle over longer distances.
