Whether you’re looking for a lazy afternoon drift or a raging river adventure, the Razor Kayaks Edge Pro is built with performance, durability and portability in mind. I paddled the Razor Kayak Edge Pro 2 in rolling ocean swells and blustery lake conditions to see how it stacked up, and it quickly proved it’s built for more than just calm-water cruising.
Simple set up
The first time setting up this kayak took around 15 minutes while we figured out the nuances and adjusted the seats and straps. By the third time we set up the kayak, we were able to get it down to 7 minutes.
It has 3 recessed, one-way inflation valves: one for the floor and one for each side of the kayak. I had the luxury of using the Razor Kayaks Rechargeable Electric Pump, which meant I could set the PSI and simply press a button to inflate each chamber.
The seats attach to the cockpit using two velcro strips and 4 clips with adjustable webbing. My partner is a bit taller, so he was able to place the seat further back, giving him ample leg room. There are plenty of loops in the webbing attached to each side of the cockpit, so we could clip our footrests in the perfect bracing position.
Finally, the tracking fin slid into place right before we set the kayak into the water.
Performs well on the water
There was a little bit of flex in the kayak while lifting it from the carry straps on the bow and stern, but this didn’t affect its performance one bit. As soon as we launched it into the water and jumped in, the stability was apparent. The kayak glided over the water smoothly, tracked efficiently and responded very well to directional changes, even in windy conditions.
The streamlined shape of the Edge Pro 2 cut through the ocean swells with ease, and we had to put some intentional effort into tilting the boat before one of us fell out. The balanced shape made climbing back into the kayak effortless, and we were able to avoid pulling each other into the drink.
Durable construction
The backbone of the Edge Pro 2 is its 5 cm Tech-Stitch™ drop-stitch hull, giving it impressive rigidity and stability for any conditions. Built from dual-layer 1000D PVC, the same material used for rescue boats, this boat took quite the beating. We accidentally went over some branches in the lake, and the kayak came out unscathed. The chemically welded seams and reinforced bow and stern sections handled repeated contact with our sandy beach launches, and the kayak showed no signs of wear or sagging, even under load in coastal conditions.
Comfortable ride
I was worried about how my back end would feel since I neglected to bring my neoprene paddling shorts, but unlike the standard rock-hard poly kayak, the high-density foam seats kept me comfy all afternoon.
The dual-layer backrest was sturdy enough to provide some back support, and I was able to easily adjust the straps to pull the backrest forward for a stronger paddling position or lean it back during cruising and filming. I set the EVA foam footrests to fit my shorter legs and was able to brace against them to maintain a comfortable position throughout the day.
The coaming system is compatible with spray skirts, which keep you and your gear warm and dry. So I would be comfortable taking this kayak out in all seasons and wet weather conditions.
Convenient kit
Despite its touring-focused length of 489 cm, the Edge Pro 2 remains conveniently portable and packs down to fit into most cars. It includes a wheeled backpack for easy transport, and at 19.9kg for the hull, it’s manageable for one person to roll to and from the car.
After battling with wind and swell, packing the kayak away in a mere 3 minutes felt like a gentle breeze. We were able to fit the kayak, two seats, two collapsed paddles, the electric pump, and even the life vests into the backpack. The whole package was roughly 85 x 55 x 45 cm, which fit perfectly into the back of my van.
Overall thoughts
I was really impressed with the Razor Kayaks Edge Pro 2 as it sets a new benchmark for what a two-person inflatable kayak can be. There’s ample storage for gear in the cockpit, and with the bungee deck lacing, it’d be great to use for an overnight adventure. It has the right blend of agility, stability and comfort that I’d want in a multi-use kayak. It’s also tough enough for serious adventures yet practical enough to live in the back of my van.
