Costway 2-Person Kayak
Rating
Performance: 2
Size/Weight: 7
Durability: 1
Setup: 7
Value: 2
OVERALL: 3.8
A budget-friendly tandem that punches well above its weight for weekend adventures
The Costway/GoPlus 2-person inflatable kayak is one of those rare budget buys that actually delivers on most of what it promises, especially for couples or first-timers wanting to get out on the water without spending a fortune. It sits firmly in the affordable end of the market, but thanks to its drop-stitch floor and good overall build, it feels far more capable than you would expect for the price. It is not perfect and it definitely has a few design quirks, but taken as a whole, it is a really impressive little package for casual paddling and light touring.
Comparison
Rank: #10
Open Size: Mid-length, wide
Packed Size: Mid-size, moderate
Weight: Moderate
Capacity: High
Best For: Couples and beginners wanting an easy, stable first kayak.
Pros: Very stable, rigid drop-stitch floor, durable build, great value.
Cons: Uncomfortable paddles, wet seats, fiddly carry bag.
Verdict: A brilliant budget tandem that delivers way more performance than its price suggests.
Skip ahead to First Impressions, Setup/Packdown, Paddling Experience, or the Final Verdict, check out how the Costway 2-Person Kayak compares to others in our list of the Top Ten 2 Person Inflatable Kayaks or see how we choose the best inflatable kayak.
Specs:
Open Size: 382cm x 92cm
Packed Size: 87 x 46 x 27cm
Weight: 17.5kg
Capacity: 230kg
Approx Price: $377.00
First Impressions
What we can say is that straight out of the bag, the first thing that stood out to us was how well built it felt for an inflatable. The reinforced PVC material feels thick and durable, not like a pool toy, and once you see the drop-stitch floor, you immediately understand why people compare it to a hard-shell kayak. The shape is long and wide, which gives it a reassuring, stable look even before it hits the water.
It comes with pretty much everything you need to get started, including two paddles, two fins, seats, pump and carry bag, which is great for beginners who just want a complete kit without chasing extra accessories. The only slightly underwhelming part is the paddles, which look fine but feel a bit cheap once you hold them.
Setup/Packdown
Setting it up is fairly straightforward, though the manual could do a better job explaining the best order. The best method is to partially inflate the side chambers first, then slide in the drop-stitch floor and pump that up to a firm 8 PSI before finishing off the sides. With the included hand pump, you are looking at around 15 to 20 minutes of effort, which is fine for most people, but does get old if you are doing it often. An electric pump makes a massive difference and is almost a must if you plan on using it regularly.
Packing it down is simple enough, just deflate and roll, but the carry bag feels slightly too small for everything. You can fit it all in, but it takes a bit of Tetris-style packing, especially if you want the paddles and pump in there as well.
Paddling Experience
The Costway’s stability is excellent, to the point where it feels more stable than some hard-shell kayaks, which makes getting in and out stress-free even for beginners. It tracks surprisingly well, especially if you use just one of the fins at the rear, and it holds a straight line without constant correction. The drop-stitch floor makes a huge difference here, giving it a rigid, responsive feel instead of that saggy inflatable bounce.
It is not built for speed, but it moves along efficiently and feels confident in small waves and light chop. The biggest downside while paddling is comfort. The metal fittings on the paddles can dig into your hands and the paddle mounts on the sides can get in the way, with us often smacking our knuckles on them. The seats are okay for short sessions, but they sit low and tend to get wet from paddle drip, which gets uncomfortable after about 20 minutes unless you add a foam or inflatable cushion.
Final Verdict
For the price, the Costway GoPlus is genuinely hard to beat. You get a stable, rigid and durable tandem kayak that packs down small enough to live in a cupboard and still performs well enough for proper days out on the water. The flaws are mostly in the small design details, like the awkward paddle mounts, average paddles and slightly cramped carry bag, but none of these are deal breakers. They are more like minor annoyances that you can work around or upgrade over time. If you want an affordable, no-stress way to start kayaking with a partner, this is one of the best value options out there.
Want to see how the Costway 2-Person Kayak compares to other kayaks we tested? Head over to our list of the Best Two-Person Inflatable Kayaks.
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