Razor Kayaks Edge Pro 1 Review
Rating
Performance: 10
Size/Weight: 9
Durability: 10
Setup: 10
Value: 10
OVERALL: 9.8
The next evolution of inflatable kayaks.
It’s hard to pick what to highlight about the Edge Pro 1, but here are a few of the things we love: the innovative construction that actually bends drop-stitch to create a hard-shell hull shape while keeping a minimum of chambers; the outrageously durable materials; the way it slices through the water; its stability; and how comfortable it is to spend hours in. There are just so many things this kayak gets right in our book, and it redefines inflatable kayaks.
Comparison
Rank: N/A
Open Size: Longer
Packed Size: Small–medium
Weight: Medium
Capacity: Highest
Perfect For: Calm, choppy and coastal water; all weather; longer paddles.
Pros: Excellent paddling efficiency, comfortable, handles a great variety of weather and water conditions.
Cons: On the more expensive end.
Verdict: A dream to paddle, easy to set up, durable… our new go-to.
Skip ahead to First Impressions, Setup/Packdown, Paddling Experience, or the Final Verdict, check out how the Razor Kayaks Edge Pro 1 compares to others in our list of the Top Ten Inflatable Kayaks under $1200, or see how we choose the best inflatable kayak.
Specs:
Open Size: 398cm x 83cm
Packed Size: 84cm x 50cm x 33cm
Weight: 15.8kg
Capacity: 170kg
Approx Price: $1,496.00
First Impressions
It’s impossible to talk about the Edge Pro 1 without mentioning the hull shape - it’s an advancement in inflatable kayak design that we haven’t seen before. The kayak has engineered folds within the individual drop-stitch panels, which does two things: gets closer to a hard-shell hull shape than any other inflatable, while keeping the number of chambers to three for ease of setup.
This is important because until now, kayak manufacturers have been working with flat drop-stitch panels, which were a huge innovation that provided firmness, but a limitation in terms of trying to achieve the curved hull profile of hard-shells. With a fold in the panels, this kayak gets extremely close to that.
Other than that, what struck us was the durability of the materials. The PVC outer is extremely rugged and high-spec marine-grade stainless steel is used on all the attachments.
The underneath hull surface is composed of only one panel of drop-stitch with bends in it.
Setup/Packdown
Setting up the Edge Pro 1 is quick and simple.
The Edge Pro 1 is an extremely simple kayak to set up: three matching valves to inflate, clip-in the seat and footrest, slide the fin in, and you’re done.
Packdown is also simple - give it a quick rinse with fresh water (pro tip: we carry a big bottle with us so we don’t have to worry about tap access where we’re paddling, or getting it back out to hose down at home), wipe the PVC surface dry easily, press the valves to deflate, unclip the accessories and roll it back up. A quick-drying surface means you don’t have to leave it out for ages in the Australian sun and avoid unnecessary UV exposure.
If you got any water inside the cockpit (unlikely with this design as most of the waves splash over and off the deck), there’s also a bung that you can open at the stern to easily drain it out.
Packing it back into the bag was super easy - between the bag zipping all the way open and the hard surfaces on the kayak itself being quite streamlined, it’s pretty forgiving about how you fold it. The only reason we couldn’t give it 10/10 across the board was just that it is a little heavier than some of the other options out there - but at roughly 16kg still very manageable with the backpack-style bag.
Paddling Experience
Paddling the Edge Pro 1, you really notice the difference in hull shape between this and any other inflatable kayak. Razor Kayaks has managed to create a fast performance and touring kayak that is somehow also stable and manouevrable - a rare feat.
We’ve taken it paddling both on calmer harbour water and launching off the beach, and it was great in both settings. The enclosed hull means you can take it in a whole range of conditions, with spray, waves, rain or wind being no obstacle. Though we didn’t try the optional spray skirt, that would provide another layer of protection if you really didn’t want to get wet.
The footrest was perfectly positioned, striking right in the middle of my foot which is my personal preference, and the dense foam padding on the bottom of the seat made for a comfortable few hours in the sun.
It also had great tracking, without sacrificing the ability to turn quickly - on the whole, a pretty faultless paddling experience.
The Edge Pro 1 has excellent paddling efficiency.
Final Verdict
If it didn’t sit above the price bracket of our top ten list (under $1200), we would absolutely be giving the Edge Pro 1 the #1 honours. As it is, it’s easily the best inflatable kayak we’ve ever paddled.
Want to see how the Razor Kayaks Edge Pro 1 compares to other kayaks we tested? Head over to our list of the Best Inflatable Kayaks.
Water & Outdoors reviews are written by our staff writers, who combined have over fifty years of experience on the water and outdoors. We may earn commissions if you choose to buy through a link you’ve clicked on our website, however this does not influence our reviews. For more information, please see our Editorial Policies.