Oru Lake Sport Foldable Kayak Review

our favorite Portable, compact, easy-to-use kayak for flatwater

Oru Lake Sport Kayak Paddling

August 25th, 2024
Home > Gear Reviews > Water Sports

Our Verdict

My Oru Kayak Lake Sport folding kayak has become my favorite piece of gear this summer. It's ultralightweight, takes up minimal space, travels well by car or plane, and fits in small apartments or rentals.

It's portable enough to fit into a backpack to hike into remote places, and assembles in less than five minutes without tools (no pump!). You don't need a kayak mount for a roof rack or even a roof rack to drive it around. It's beginner-friendly but expert-kayaker approved for casual, recreational paddling. 

I've taken my Oru Lake Sport from remote alpine lakes in the Sierra to the urban beaches of Lake Michigan. I've flown with it as checked baggage and driven it up rough, 4WD roads. I've backpacked with it for miles to remote lakes on the Sierra High Route. I've taken it on freshwater and saltwater lakes (with good washings in between). Despite its light weight, the Oru Lake Sport's durability has been impressive. 

I'm obsessed with the Oru Lake Sport —and as someone who tests gear for a living, that's not something I say often. It's changed the way I think about not just water sports, but the entire outdoor landscape. Now when I look at a pond or lake, all I can think is, "Could I take my boat there and paddle?" I spent much of the summer trying to see how many different lakes I could paddle, which led me to get on the water almost every single day.

The author kayaking in the Oru Lake Sport on one of the many lakes on the June Lake Loop in the eastern Sierra.

The author kayaking in the Oru Lake Sport on one of the many lakes on the June Lake Loop in the eastern Sierra.

I've shared my boat with everyone from beginner boaters who couldn't swim, to former National Park Service kayak rangers. Everyone agreed — the Oru Lake Sport is a lot of fun. 

As a beginner kayaker, the Lake Sport has given me the joy of not having to be an expert at something to have fun—and the ability to look cool doing it. The Oru Lake Sport Bundle included everything I needed to get on the water for an easy box-to-water experience. 

Kayaking in the Oru Lake Sport over the 4th of July weekend. 

Kayaking in the Oru Lake Sport over the 4th of July weekend. 

When I’m on the water in the Lake Sport, I feel at peace almost immediately in a way that takes me several days when backpacking or hours of biking or yoga. 

There's not many pieces of gear out there that I get this excited about as the Oru Lake Sport. If you have a lot of boating experience and have long wanted a kayak,  or are deterred by the weight and space of rotomolded or inflatable boats, the Lake Sport is a great solution.


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Specs

Oru Lake Sport folding kayak

Price: $499
Weight: 18 lbs
Experience Level Required: Beginner-friendly
Max paddler height: 6'4"  (193 cm)
Weight capacity: 250 Lbs (113 Kg)
Water Type: Calm, flatwater
Assembly Time: 1-3 minutes claimed, 3.5-7 minutes in practice


Who it’s for

The author kayaking in the Oru Lake Sport in one of the many Mammoth Lakes in the eastern Sierra after completing a hot hike in the mountains.

The author kayaking in the Oru Lake Sport in one of the many Mammoth Lakes in the eastern Sierra after completing a hot hike in the mountains.

The Oru Lake Sport is best suited for flat, calm water on lower wind days. It's designed for:

  • Casual kayakers sticking to flatwater

  • Casual and Experienced kayakers who live in apartments, major cities, vans and RVs, or smaller spaces who want a boat

  • People who want a boat but don't have a car (shout-out to my NYC friends)

  • People who want to travel with a boat and not have to count on rentals

  • People who want to hike a boat into a lake


What we liked

The author kayaking in the Oru Lake Sport at a remote alpine lake.

The author kayaking in the Oru Lake Sport at a remote alpine lake.

  • Incredibly light

  • Easily fits in a car 

  • Can be checked-in as luggage during air travel

  • Fits into a backpack and can be hiked in miles to alpine lakes

  • Quick assembly and disassembly


Features

Oru Lake Sport Unfolding Suitcase Mode

Unbuckling the Oru Lake Sport folding kayak from "suitcase" mode.

Weight

The Oru Lake Sport kayak is the second lightest kayak on the market, weighing 18 pounds. It's the second only to the original Lake Sport (still available), but we think the extra 1 lb is worth it for the upgrades on the Lake Sport. 

I hate carrying big and bulky things and found the Lake Sport's 18 pounds to not be a big deal to move around. When it's folded into the "suitcase" mode, I can easily load it in my car. I also have had no problem carrying it in suitcase mode from the car to the lake. 

The backpack that I tested, which is technically for the bigger Oru Inlet kayak, weighs an additional 3 pounds. You can read more about the carry options below.

Dimensions (folded and unfolded)

Folded, the Oru Lake Sport folds into 42" x 10" x 18" (107 x 25 x 46 cm), a little bigger than a suitcase. This is what I call "suitcase mode." 

Unfolded, it's a normal-size kayak at 9’ 0” (274 cm) x 32" (81 Cm).

Capacity

The Oru Lake Sport is a solo kayak and there's no way you want to add a second person. It just won't be stable. There's enough room for a backpack/cooler, or any gear you'd want to have along. 

Close-up on the material used in the Oru Lake Sport, a lightweight plastic material that can withstand thousands of folds. 

Close-up on the material used in the Oru Lake Sport, a thin, lightweight plastic material that can withstand thousands of folds. 

Material

The Oru Lake Sport is made out of the same material as the other Oru Kayaks, a lightweight plastic material that Oru says it is guaranteed for 1000 folds and can withstand tens of thousands of folds. It's a 5mm double-layered, custom-extruded polypropylene with a 10-year UV treatment. It is puncture and abrasion-resistant and can withstand being dragged over rocks. 

However, it isn't fool-proof. As if aiming to put fear in my heart, one 12-year old told me as I kayaked in the middle of a deep, cold alpine lake, "Cool folding kayak! I used to have one until I punched a hole in the bottom." In conclusion, maybe this isn't the most kid-friendly option. Durable: yes. Kid proof: maybe not.  

Folding time

After about my sixth time on this kayak, I could set it up from fully-loaded in the backpack to sitting in the water in six minutes. If my boat is folded in "suitcase mode," I can unfold it in 4 minutes. At the end of the day, I can go from paddling in the water to carrying it to the car in "suitcase mode" in 3.5 minutes. This is without rushing.

This is all to say there is a learning curve but it's a lot easier than I expected. The Oru website says 1-3 minutes and maybe one day I'll get there, but sub-5 minutes I think is pretty typical. And five minutes is not a lot of time at all in terms of getting out on the water.

Price

The Oru Lake Sport is one of Oru's most affordably-priced kayaks. It's considered an entry-level kayak because it is designed for flat and calm water, so doesn't require higher-tech features. But, it has a premium feel and durability that you'd expect to find in their higher-end boats.

Additionally, you can often get a discount during the off-season or if you purchase an Oru kayak as a bundle with paddles, PFDs, and other accessories

We called around kayak rental places and found that rates usually run about $75 for two hours or $125 for a day. That means after as little as four trips, the Oru Lake Sport would pay for itself. Plus, you can take it to lakes that don't have rental services, too!


First Impressions

Putting the floor board and seat into the Oru Lake Sport kayak during assembly. 

Putting the floor board and seat into the Oru Lake Sport kayak during assembly. 

We don't normally write first impressions and unboxing notes here at Treeline Review, but we're including it for the Oru Lake Sport because, well, the unboxing of this thing is quite the experience. It's a big item and if you live in a small space, that can be intimidating. Given the sheer size of this thing, I'm going to share my experience.

Unboxing experience

The box for this kayak is 44" x 21" x 11" (112 x 53 x 28 cm) —as big as the box for a TV I got around the same time. However, unlike the TV, because it is pretty light, I didn't have much trouble dragging it up several stairs. If you live several floors up a walk-up apartment or have a small, shared entryway, this may be more annoying than what I experienced. 

Packaging quality

The box itself is high quality with no punctures or warps (I wish I could say the same for the box my TV came in). The contents arrived in perfect condition.

It's worth noting that the accessories — like the paddle and seat cushions —come in separate (also giant but not quite as big) boxes. 

Initial thoughts on the kayak's design

The kayak arrives folded in "suitcase mode." From the first look, it's incredibly clever in the design. The aesthetics are modern with sharp angles and the right amount of accents in color. Even before putting it in the water, it looks cool — and based on the compliments I get all the time from strangers, I think they agree, too. 

Assembly process

What the Oru Lake Sport looks like while partially unfolded but without any of the buckles secured. 

What the Oru Lake Sport looks like while partially unfolded but without any of the buckles secured. 

I was highly skeptical of Oru's claim that these boats could be put together in less than 5 minutes and am still shocked that it is true. I hate assembling anything. To make things worse, I rarely read instructions unless I really have to. I liked that the Oru Lake Sport doesn't require tools or accessories to get it up and running. 

Here's my experience with folding and unfolding. 

Step-by-step description of the assembly

I used the paper instructions included with the boat. After about 10 minutes, I gave up and watched the video (conveniently, the QR code to watch the video is printed on the boat). Here's a synopsis of the steps in layman's terms and how difficult I found them:

  • Unbuckle the straps on the suitcase: No problem here. 

  • Unfold both ends of the kayak: It looks like a flat kayak now. This was easy. 

  • Fold out the tail: I struggled here to figure out what folds needed to be punched in or popped out. The tail is the side with the swallowtail (not as pointy) end. The video was helpful here as well as the printing of 1 and 2 on the boat for what parts are first. The first time is the hardest and once those X's get folded a few times, it is quite easy. 

  • Tighten the strap on the swallowtail part of the tail. 

  • Fold out the front end: I struggled to know exactly what to punch in here, too. 

  • Tighten the strap on the front end.

  • Slide in your floor board: This was tricky at first to get it to line up right.

When folding the Oru Lake Sport, be sure to the tuck the corner into the "pocket" on the buckle, as seen here. 

When folding the Oru Lake Sport, be sure to the tuck the corner into the "pocket" on the buckle, as seen here. 

  • Buckle up the tail end: The key here is first to tuck the corner into the "pocket." Then buckle up the second buckle.

  • Buckle up the front end.

  • Buckle in the seat back and footrests.

  • Adjust all straps as needed.

Time to assemble

Tightening the buckle on the Oru Lake Sport folding kayak.

Tightening the buckle on the Oru Lake Sport folding kayak during assembly. 

The first time I folded up the kayak, it took about 30 minutes with several people's help (they also had never set up an Oru before). In Oru’s video, their staff person folds it in 1.5 minutes. By the third time I set it up, I can get it unfolded in less than five minutes. By the seventh time, I was down below four minutes. 

Initial challenges of the beginner

The author setting up the Oru Lake Sport folding kayak at a remote alpine lake. After getting the hang of the set up, it is quick and simple to do by yourself. 

The author setting up the Oru Lake Sport folding kayak at a remote alpine lake. After getting the hang of the set up, it is quick and simple to do by yourself. 

The first set up is the hardest set up. Once the folds get some "muscle memory," it all becomes a lot easier. On that first set-up, I had to learn to not hesitate on pushing in the material forcibly — it's a lot stronger than it looks. 

Another trick I've learned is that almost all the "X's" you see on the folds are places that need to be pushed in or out, and that helps streamline setup too.

Tips for set up

Close-up on the tight X's showing the fold lines on the Oru Kayak Lake Sport. To construct the boat, fold along these lines. The lines get more pronounced the more times you use the boat. 

Close-up on the tight X's showing the fold lines on the Oru Kayak Lake Sport. To construct the boat, fold along these lines. The lines get more pronounced the more times you use the boat. 

The instruction manual was helpful, but definitely can be  improved by watching the YouTube videos on how to set it up. My advice is to do your first set up in a yard or park where you have the ability to watch the videos and pause them as you go through each step. Choose a day with low wind when you have a lot of time. Then, take it to the water.


Long-term testing notes

Oru Lake Sport Foot View

View of the author's feet inside the Oru Lake Sport kayak using the footrest while boating on a reservoir in the eastern Sierra. The footrest is a new addition in the updated Oru Lake Sport (compared to the older Oru Lake model). 

We spent four months testing the Oru Lake Sport—including nearly daily for a month in the Eastern Sierra. Here are our testing notes. 

Ease of Use

As a beginner, I found the Oru Kayak Sport to be really easy to use. Setting it up was tricky the first time, but was a lot easier after that. Now after a summer of use, the setup feels nearly automatic.

The Oru Lake Sport feels more like a sit-on-top kayak than an enclosed kayak. This makes it more beginner-friendly because you don't have to worry about getting stuck in the boat if it were to capsize. 

However, the Oru Lake Sport is low, which means it's possible to take on water. It's not a tippy boat, but I've taken in water when rushing to get into the boat (admittedly, to get a photo). I recommend entering the boat slowly. Once you're in and seated, though, it is pretty hard to tip. 

The large, open cockpit means easy and fast entry. 

Oru Lake Sport on Mono Lake

The author tested the Oru Lake Sport kayak on freshwater and in salt water at Mono Lake, which is 2.5 times as salty as the ocean.

On-Water Performance

The Oru Lake Sport has the word "lake" in it for a reason —it's designed for calm, flatwater. If you expect rapids, white caps, waves, or wind or are headed to rivers or oceans, consider Oru kayak's more advanced models or an inflatable kayak. 

Stability

The Oru Lake Sport has a wide, flat bottom. That makes it easy to feel stable and also easy to dump out any residual water before packing up the boat.

The Oru Lake Sport has a wide, flat bottom. That makes it easy to feel stable and also easy to dump out any residual water before packing up the boat, as seen here during the unfolding process.

The Oru Lake Sport has got a wide, flat bottom that is made for beginners who value stability. It's got enough rigidity to feel stable. 

Still, it handled some waves and winds better than you'd expect for such a lightweight boat. The boat feels light in the water and you definitely feel getting pushed around by the wind. Expert kayakers who tested this alongside me said they were impressed by the stability. 

Make no mistake–it's not going to be as good as what you'd get in a rotomolded boat, but it's enough to get you back safely if the wind picks up. I tested this in afternoon winds at two bigger lakes–Mono Lake in the eastern Sierra and the lakeshore waves of Lake Michigan. I kept near the shore in both cases and felt reasonably stable in the boat. 

Oru Lake Sport kayak in Chicago in Lake Michigan

A former kayaking guide tested tracking on the Oru Lake Sport kayak in Chicago in Lake Michigan. 

Tracking

Tracking refers to a kayak's ability to move quickly and accurately in a straight line. The Oru Lake Sport doesn't have a built-in tracking system like a rudder or keel (though you can add a skeg for extra). As a result, the expert kayakers who tested this say it feels more awkward at tracking than a heavier boat. Still, they found it to be surprisingly good and better than they were expecting from such a simple boat. The experts found it to be superior to similarly-priced inflatable kayaks and everything you'd need for a casual paddle.

Maneuverability

The Oru Lake Sport changed directions well, in part due to its light weight. The Lake Sport is shorter than the Oru Inlet, so can pivot and make turns more quickly. In wind it can get pushed around, but it's pretty low to the water and that helps. 

Comfort

Close-up on adjusting the footrest on the Oru Lake Sport kayak. Paddlers of different leg lengths can easily change the strap length to feel secure. 

Close-up on adjusting the footrest on the Oru Lake Sport kayak. Paddlers of different leg lengths can easily change the strap length to feel secure. 

The Lake Sport kayak has a roomy cockpit. I kept my gear — like my jacket, lunch, phone, wallet, and keys — inside a small dry bag. You could easily fit a small cooler inside. There's enough room to sit cross-legged. Oru even says it can fit a small dog, but we weren't quite willing to risk sharp claws on the material, even though it is abrasion and puncture-resistant.

The adjustable lumbar support works well for paddlers of different heights. I also like that you can adjust the straps to keep the seat, upright or adjust it to recline. .

The seat back and cushion on the Oru Lake Sport are designed to have more padding than the base Lake kayak model. I found the standard Lake Sport cushion to be plenty comfortable for paddles of under two hours, which was my typical after-work spin in the kayak. But if you're out for longer spans of time, a lot of paddlers think it’s essential to get the upgraded gel seat cushion. I'd recommend thinking about how sore your butt gets after sitting on a plane for a while. That's a good indicator of whether it is worth upgrading the cushion.

Portability

Oru Lake Sport Backpack Sierra

The author backpacked the Oru Lake Sport to a remote alpine lake along the Sierra High Route. 

With the Oru, the anxieties that have kept me away from kayaking don’t prevent me from doing so. It's the upgraded version of the lightest kayak on the market, so the weight of loading and unloading, fitting it into my car, and finding a place to store it are not an issue. If I had a rotomolded kayak, I would spend a good portion of time on the water dreading lifting it back into or onto the vehicle instead of being present in the moment. 

With the Oru, I know I can fold it up in less than 4 minutes and carry it to the parking lot without a grunt. There's no need for expensive cargo racks mounted on my car, either. 

I've carried the Oru Lake Sport into remote alpine lakes in the eastern Sierra where other backpackers definitely wondered, "How the heck did that get here?"

I've checked it as luggage on a plane and carried it around airports.

Storage isn't an issue. Here are some places where I've stored it: a small apartment in Chicago, a small room I was renting in the eastern Sierra, and on a gear rack in my garage, amongst other gear.  

I also have no problem fitting in my car without putting down the seats. I've driven with it in tow up rough 4WD roads without it getting damaged.

Durability and build quality

We haven't had any issues with four months of heavy testing. However, the material is thin, so it is easy to imagine durability issues for someone who’s hard on their gear or just less mindful taking it over rocks or submerged items. The Lake Sport has more acute angles for folding than other Orus that Treeline Review has tested, and that could potentially be a failure point over time. 

The buckles are plastic and that seems to be a failure point as many boats use metal buckles. I haven't had any issues, but I recommend showing more care here than you would with buckles on other boats.

Warranty and guarantees

The Oru Love Your Boat Guarantee offers 30-day returns. However, they want the boat back in unused condition — which means you can fold and unfold it, but can't take it on the water lest you risk not getting your full refund. You'd also have to pay for return shipping. For more details, see their return Policy here. If you aren't sure, we recommend getting your Lake Sport from REI, where you can return to a brick and mortar store and not worry about shipping costs. 

The Oru Lake Sport model comes with a 3-year warranty.


Kayaking gear list and accessories

Essential accessories

oru kayak personal flotation device

PFD

It is absolutely essential that you wear a Personal Flotation Device while boating (this especially goes for beginner boaters and less-experienced swimmers).

The PFD that Oru sells is made by NRS and is a high-quality life jacket that is designed to fit into the Oru backpack to make your whole system even more portable. You don't have to use the Oru PFD, though. Any PFD will do but don't skip it. 

Paddle

There are plenty of paddles on the market, but Oru’s paddle is a good option for beginners. The lengths and the angle of the paddles are adjustable to work for folks with different wingspans and heights. Most notably, it folds down and the pocket on the outside of the Oru backpacks is designed to fit them perfectly. These paddles are easy to use. And best yet: sometimes it comes for free if you order your boat directly from Oru's website.

Sunscreen

Always head out on the water with sunscreen for your face and body. Water is reflective and the sun will get you, even if it is a cloudy day. I learned this the hard way when I wore a swimsuit and not enough sunscreen on my first paddling trip in the Oru.

Sunshirt

A long-sleeve and hooded sunshirt has become my go-to for paddling. You'll see these on anglers and other paddlers for a reason–it just offers a lot more UV protection than a swimsuit. Another good option that is the best of both worlds is a rash guard.

Sunglasses

Sport sunglasses can help with the glare from the water.

Sun hat

You're exposed, so don't forget your sun hat!


Other Accessories

Oru Kayak Pack

Oru Kayak Pack

You don't need the Oru kayak pack to enjoy using this boat, but I can unequivocally say it is AWESOME and expands the type of places you can go with your kayak. I was surprised how easily the kayak fits inside the pack without needing to stretch and force it. There are pockets for the paddles. We found it to be surprisingly comfortable for hiking into remote lakes. It was similarly comfortable carrying it half a mile from an apartment to the lakeshore in Chicago. 

Another benefit of the pack is that it makes it much easier to check the kayak on planes. The consensus on reddit seems to think that although the Lake is technically too big for standard luggage and should be considered an oversize bag (with an oversized baggage fee), most airlines will let you check it as regular baggage without an extra fee if it is in the backpack. Indeed, I've been on a couple of flights with my Lake Sport in the backpack and haven't been charged.

Oru Kayak Pack

Gel cushion seat

The Oru Lake Sport can accommodate Oru's upgraded thicker gel cushion seat. If you're out for more than an hour at a time or if you get a sore butt from airplane seats, it's worth upgrading.

Splash Deck

The Oru Lake Sport has an open kayak that can easily get water inside if there are waves. While not a full spray skirt, the Splash Deck helps keep the majority of the water out.

Oru Repair Kit

It includes high-bond waterproof tape patches and a primer stick to improve glue and tape bonding.

Shoulder Strap

The Lake Sport comes with a single sturdy handle for carrying in suitcase mode. However, there have been instances when I'm carrying a cooler or backpack in my hands where I've wished I had another strap to secure the kayak on my shoulders.

Camera mount, rod mount, drink holder mount, phone holder mount

I didn't test any of these accessories, but for kayakers who want these features, it's good to know that they exist and can be added to your boat easily. These accessories mount with adhesive, so no extra tools are needed.


What could be better

  • Tracking, especially in wind or waves

  • Cockpit is very open, meaning there isn't much protection from waves if you don't have the spray skirt


Should you get the Oru Lake Sport?

The author at a remote alpine lake in the eastern Sierra assembling the paddle and about to launch the Oru Lake Sport kayak.

The author at a remote alpine lake in the eastern Sierra assembling the paddle and about to launch the Oru Lake Sport kayak.

If you want a portable boat, the Oru Lake Sport is hard to beat. It's lightweight and fits into cars, on public transit, and as check-in luggage on planes. It is easy to store in small apartments or if you living in a van. It sets up in minutes without tools or pumps, like would be required for an inflatable kayak. It's lighter than inflatable models, too. It doesn't require a car rack. And it's relatively affordable compared to similar quality boats out there. 

If you've ever wanted a boat or find yourself renting kayaks a couple of times a season, the Oru kayak will expand where you can take your boat and how often you get out on the water. I know it certainly did for me.

(Need more convincing? Read our take on the value of Oru kayaks in general.)


oru lake folding kayak

Oru Lake Sport vs. Oru Lake

The Oru Lake is the original version of the Lake Sport and they have many similarities. The Oru Lake is the lightest kayak on the market (17 pounds) but the Lake Sport weighs only one  pound more. It’s updated design is  more comfortable and adjustable. 

The Oru Lake Sport has nearly the same specs, but can work with the upgraded seat cushion. It also has more straps for customizing the fit to your body. 

The strap we're most thrilled about on the upgrade is that the foot rest is included and is adjustable. It is easy to change for paddlers with different leg lengths. 

The seat also can be adjusted more easily on the Lake Sport. It has a thicker, knob-adjustable seat back to control the height, which is an upgrade from the Lake. The floor board on the Lake Sport also has added trim and an additional support seat wall to keep things in place.  

Similar to the Bay ST and Coast XT, which are Oru's more advanced kayaks, the Oru Sport has a splash-deck ready cockpit. However, the Lake Sport is half the price of those models and best suited for calmer waters. You'll have to purchase the splash-deck separately. 

A lot of paddlers are excited that you also can swap in the Oru Gel Seat Cushion on the Lake Sport model (the Lake Sport could only work with the non-gel version). I found the upgraded gel seat cushion to be a tight squeeze when you're folding the kayak up at the end of the day. For that reason, I usually opted for the standard seat.


Comparison with other Oru kayak models

Oru Inlet

Oru Inlet

Price: $899
Weight: 20 lbs
Experience Level: Beginner
Water Type: Calm
Assembly Time: 3-5 minutes

The Inlet is Oru's other beginner-friendly model. As with the Lake and Lake Sport, it is a recreational kayak best suited for beginners and calm water. It has a slightly higher weight capacity of 275 pounds but a shorter maximum paddler height of 6'2". It also weighs slightly more than the Lake Sport at 20 pounds.

As with the Lake Sport, assembly and disassembling took us less than 5 minutes. 

It's about 8" longer than the Lake and Lake Sport. As a result, it feels a bit speedier and tracks a little better, though not by much. However, the Inlet doesn't turn quite as quick. Additionally, as the base model, the Inlet doesn't come with quite the accessories, adjustability, and comfort of the Lake Sport.

Oru Inlet


Oru Beach LT

Oru Beach LT

Price: $1,199
Weight: 25 lbs
Experience Level: Beginner
Water Type: Calm
Assembly Time: 5-10 minutes

The Beach LT model is for light, easy kayaking. It’s suited for day trips down a lazy river or paddling along flat, calm water. At 29" wide and a nearly flat bottom, stability is its stand-out feature. As a result, it’s best suited for beginners and first-time kayakers. The newest version of the Beach LT is even easier to assemble, use, and even has a new exterior print pattern design.

Oru Beach LT


Oru Haven

Oru Haven

Price: $1,999
Weight: 41 lbs
Experience Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Water Type: Calm
Assembly Time: 10-15 minutes

The Haven TT is Oru's tandem kayak, but it is also easily converted to a single-seater. It's rated for 500 pounds, the most in Oru's lineup. The Haven TT also has the largest hull of Oru's kayaks. The integrated track system supports accessories such as cup holders, fishing rods, and camera mounts–so no need for adhesive mounts like on the Oru Lake Sport. As with the lake Sport, the Haven TT is best suited for flatwater kayaking. The newest version of the Haven features sturdy straps, buckles, reinforced accessory-holding rails, as well as a new print pattern.

Oru Haven


Wash your kayak

As a beginning kayaker, many folks don't realize the importance of washing off your boat between uses. So here's my PSA to give your boat a little TLC–if not for you, then for the ecosystem.

There are lots of invasive aquatic animals and plants that can catch a ride on your boat. Luckily, giving your boat a wash is relatively easy. Rinse it off on the inside and outside with freshwater with a boat-safe soap. Wash far from the lake or river you were boating and preferably use a biodegradable soap. Dry it out completely before storing.


About the Author / Why you should trust us

The author kayaking in the Oru Lake Sport on Silver Lake on the June Lakes Loop in the eastern Sierra. 

The author kayaking after work in the Oru Lake Sport on Silver Lake on the June Lakes Loop in the eastern Sierra. 

Liz Thomas is an award-winning Los Angeles-based writer and Editor-in-Chief of Treeline Review. Liz came to Treeline Review from New York Times/Wirecutter, the New York Times’ product review site, where she was a staff writer on the outdoor team.

To test the Oru Lake Sport, Liz spent a summer taking the Lake Sport to as many different lakes as she could manage. She backpacked it into remote alpine lakes, drove it up rough 4WD roads, and launched from sandy beaches and grassy parks. She flew it across the country as checked baggage, hiked it on urban city streets, and paddled in freshwater and salt water (with a good wash between).

To get as many perspectives as possible, she also shared her kayak with everyone from beginners who couldn't swim to a former National Park Service ranger kayaking guide. 

Liz has talked gear on Good Morning America (TV), in The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, Buzzfeed, The Washington Post, Men’s Journal, Women’s Health, Gizmodo, and Outside Magazine.

You can read more about Liz on her website or at her Wikipedia page here. You can read all her Treeline Review stories on her author page.