Kayaking is a popular outdoor activity, and you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get started. In this Pelican Argo 100XR Kayak review, we will share an affordable kayak to help you start.
You can discover remote coves with a kayak on your favorite lake, slow-moving river, or other waterways. You can often reach places that you might be able to get to with a larger boat or foot. Kayaks are great for a relaxing day on the water.
Many people kayak as casual outdoor activity and don’t want to spend a lot of money on equipment, but still want a durable, stable boat, which brings us to the Pelican Argo 100XR kayak. This economical kayak checks many boxes.
Pelican has been in the kayak business for a long time, and they offer a lot of value with their boats. Let’s take a look.
Let’s take a deeper dive and look at the features and benefits that make this kayak stand out.
Pelican Argo 100XR Kayak Summary
- Comfortable: The premium quality Ergocoast seating system can easily be removed from...
- Premium Features: Includes one back quick lock hatch with storage bag and a storage...
- Safe: Added floating blocks on each side of the kayak along with a flatter hull type...
- Stable: The Twin-arched Multi Chine Hull offers excellent stability giving you a...
- Lightweight: Our kayaks being made with exceptionally durable high molecular density...
| Number of Paddlers: | 1 |
| Weight Capacity: | 300 lbs |
| Kayak Weight: | 43 lbs |
| Length: | 10 feet |
| Width: | 28 inches |
| Construction: | RAM-X |
| What’s included? | Kayak, adjustable backrest, adjustable footrest |
The Argo is made from RAM-X, Pelican’s impact-resistant, UV-protected material. RAM-X is known for its durability.
The kayak has a twin-arched multi-chine hull, which may sound complicated, but it means it is designed to be stable, versatile, and tracks well. This combination of stability and versatility is excellent for beginners and kids.
The Argo 100XR measures 10 feet long, 28 inches wide, weighs 43 pounds and has a carrying capacity of 300 pounds. So it’s lightweight and pretty easy to transport for one person.
The kayak comes with an adjustable backrest and molded footrests for paddlers of different sizes. The front bungee and rear storage are excellent for a casual day on the water.
Pelican has designed an easy-to-paddle kayak accessible at a reasonable price point.
Pelican Argo 100XR Features
Easy to transport
This kayak weighs only 43 pounds, making it lightweight and easy to transport. However, people often overlook when they buy a kayak is how they will transport the boat.
Many kayaks are heavy and hard for one person to carry. Think about all the times you have to lift and carry the kayak. First, you have to load it at home, then from the car to the water.
Sometimes you can’t park close to the launch spot, so you have to wrestle to the kayak even more. Then, when you finish the day, it’s back to the car again. That’s a lot of lifting and hauling your kayak. You want a kayak that is easy to maneuver.
The Pelican Argo 100XR is about 43 pounds, which is pretty lightweight and easy to transport. Adding a kayak cart can help you get the kayak to and from the water. Click here for more information on kayak carts.
Durable
Pelicans’ RAM-X material makes for a durable, impact-resistant kayak that is lightweight and easy to carry around.
The Argo 100XR is ideal for beginners and kids at a low price point. However, the Argo 100XR can take a beating, so it’s okay if you make a few mistakes along the way and run into some obstacles.
The Pelican Argo 100XR is a durable kayak that is lightweight and easy to transport to and from the water.
Sit inside
There are different kayaks, including sit inside and sit-on-top (SOT). There are pros and cons to each. You can read more here.
The Pelican Argo 100XR is a sit-inside kayak, which means the paddler sits in an enclosed cockpit.
A sit-inside kayak is often more stable than a sit-on-top kayak because the center of gravity is lower. In addition, there is less chance of flipping the kayak when the center of gravity is lower to the water.
Stability is one aspect that makes the Argo kayak an excellent choice for beginners or casual kayakers. The other nice thing about a sit-inside kayak is that your lower body is partially covered from the weather. You still need to wear sunblock and the right protective clothing, though.
Storage
The mesh storage area on the back of the kayak is for keeping things you don’t mind getting wet. The front of the kayak has bungee storage and a hatch. Be careful with items in the front hatch, though, as water can get in.
You may want to invest in a dry bag for items you want to keep dry on your kayak. You can read more about dry bags here.
Who is the Pelican Argo 100XR kayak for?
The Pelican Argo is an excellent kayak for beginners, kids, or casual recreational paddlers. It’s appealing because you have a stable, durable kayak that will not cost you a ton of money. In addition, this is a lightweight kayak that is pretty easy to transport from place to place.
If you are looking for a lightweight kayak that is easy to paddle, the Argo 100XR is a solid option. There is enough storage for short day trips, and you sit low to the water, so there is less chance of flipping.
The adjustable features, including backrest and footrests, are excellent for paddlers of different sizes. You can also adjust the backrest to relax, lean back, and soak in the surrounding.
Who is the Pelican Argo 100XR kayak not for?
If you are a hardcore paddler, this kayak is not for you. It’s difficult to fish from this kayak since there aren’t any fishing rod holders, and storage is lacking. If you want a fishing kayak, you might want to check out something along these lines.
If speed is your game, you want to travel long distances, or maybe you want to do some kayak camping, there are better options.
Other things to consider
Storage
Storing a kayak is something a lot of people overlook. Hardshell kayaks are awkwardly shaped and can be hard to lift. Storage is essential if you want to take good care of your boat and have it last a long time.
Ideally, you want to store your kayak in a garage or shed, where it’s locked up, safe from the weather and potential thieves. However, storing your kayak up off the ground, protected from the sun, is best. You can use a wall mount in a garage, shed, or on the side of your house.
The Pelican Argo 100XR is lightweight, so it’s not too difficult to lift, making it pretty easy to store. But, of course, you need to be able to lift 43 pounds.
Maintenance
There isn’t a lot of maintenance for the Pelican Argo 100XR, which makes it great for beginners and casual paddlers. However, we recommend you wash it off with a hose to get any dirt, mud, or other grime off your boat before you store it.
Launching
Since the Pelican Argo is a lightweight kayak, it’s easy to portage to the water and launch. However, you may still want to invest in a kayak cart to help take some of the load off. A kayak cart is a great way to go if you have bad knees, shoulders, or other joints.
You can read more about kayak carts here.
PROS
Lightweight
Easy to transport
Front and rear storage
Bright color, easy to spot
Inexpensive
CONS
Not a lot of storage space
Paddle not included
FAQ’s
Does the Pelican Argo 100XR come with a paddle?
No, the Argo 100XR does not come with a paddle, a blessing, and a curse. Undoubtedly, you will have to spend more money on a paddle. That’s the downside.
The upside is that you will be able to choose a paddle that fits you. Paddles included when you buy a kayak aren’t necessarily the best quality, and it’s kind of a one-size-fit-all paddle. You can read more about paddles here and choose one that works best for you.
Does it come with a spray skirt?
No, the Pelican Argo 100XR does not come with a spray skirt.
Does it have a drain plug?
Yes, the Argo 100XR has a drain plug.
Conclusion
Thanks for tuning in for the Pelican Argo 100XR kayak review. This kayak is great for beginners, kids, or leisure paddlers. If you are in the market for an inexpensive, durable kayak, the Pelican Argo is worth a look.
You get a lightweight, stable kayak that will last a long time. The kayak is easy to paddle and comes with an adjustable seat back and footrest. In addition, the Argo 100XR has a decent amount of storage space, enough for a day on the water.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out!
Steve Morrow owns Paddle About, an outdoor recreation and travel blog. Steve loves to travel, kayak, paddle board, camp, hike, and spend time outdoors with his wife and two kids. When he's not exploring the great outdoors, Steve enjoys writing about his adventures and sharing tips for getting the most out of your outdoor experiences. He has a lot of interesting stories to share, and he's always happy to help others get more out of life.
Szeve, I’m 190cm tall Would this boat work for me?
Well, it will depend on other factors too, like the weight capacity of the kayak. You can read my article about why it’s important to consider the kayak weight limit when you buy a kayak. Make sure that you take into account, your body weight and the gear you will be packing with you. Try to keep the loaded weight of the kayak about 65-70% of the actual weight capacity of the kayak. Overloading the kayak makes it more difficult to maneuver, and more prone to capsizing.
You may also want to check out this article for more information on what size kayak is right for you.
I am a little bit shorter than you are, and I prefer a little bit bigger kayak, with more legroom. But each person is different. It’s tough to tell you exactly if this is the right boat for you. I also tend to paddle on large lakes with choppy water, so a longer, heavier kayak is better suited for those conditions. If you are paddling on flat water, this kayak might be fine for you.
The Pelican Argo 100X is an entry-level kayak that will work well for a lot of people, it just depends on what your needs are, and what type of conditions you will be paddling it.