Oru Inlet vs Beach LT: Which folding kayak is best?
I’ve been an Oru Inlet foldable kayak owner for over two years now (you can read my ultimate Inlet review here). But I’m already setting my sights on spring and summer kayaking here in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, and my origami kayak has been heavily used and is starting to show its wear & tear.
So, I’m getting the itch to buy another kayak for the prime time Pacific Northwest flatwater kayaking season. But, overall, I’m really happy with the Inlet foldable model, and I’m definitely a big fan of the Oru Company – from their mission to their innovations.
Should I stick with the Inlet? Try out another Oru folding kayak model? The company offers so many great models, each with their own unique features and performance benefits.
I’ve already done an extensive Oru Lake+ Inlet comparison post, and another boat that people continue to ask me about – and got on my radar – is the Beach LT model. UPDATE: In early Fall, 2023, Oru sent us an Oru Beach LT kayak, and we did an in-depth test. So how do these two folding kayaks stack up against each other?
Oru Inlet folding kayak in green color
Maybe you’re in a position like me, and you need an in-depth comparison of the Oru Inlet and Beach LT kayak models, to see which origami folding kayak option is best for you. And if so, you’re in luck, because I did the in-depth research for you.
Both kayaks are foldable, designed for calm water use, and accommodate a single person paddler. But which is the best one to buy?
In this article, we’ll cover:
Why folding boats are great options for calm water paddlers,
Top features of the Oru Inlet and Beach LT models,
Specifications for the Inlet and Beach origami kayaks,
Key similarities and differences between the two folding kayak designs, and
Our recommendations on which option is the best for a recreational flat water paddler based on a variety of pros & cons criteria.
So, let’s dive in!
This website is unsponsored by Oru, but it does contain affiliate links, meaning if you purchase through my link, I’ll receive a small commission at no cost to you.
Folding boats for flatwater kayakers
One of the important things to note for this post is that Flatwater Kayak Club – in case it’s not obvious from our brand name – focuses on flat water paddling experiences.
What is flatwater kayaking?
Flatwater kayaking is a type of kayaking that is done on calm bodies of water such as lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers. These types of water bodies are characterized by having little to no waves or currents, and they’re considered to be relatively safe and easy to navigate, so they’re perfect for beginner and intermediate kayakers to enjoy (of all ages and skill levels!). It’s a great way to enjoy the beauty of nature and lakes, rivers, and ponds, while providing a wonderful low-impact cardiovascular paddling workout.
Why choose a folding kayak?
Flatwater kayaking can be done in a variety of different types of kayaks, including sit-in and sit-on-top kayaks, and inflatable and folding kayaks. We’ve tried them all.
Some calm water kayaks are designed for speed and efficiency, while others are designed for improved stability and maneuverability.
Flatwater Kayak Club testing and assembling the Oru Beach LT kayak along the Sandy River in the PNW.
Other kayaks have more storage room inside the cockpit, while others have higher weight limits.
When you’re deciding which kayak is right for you, it all comes down to your specific needs, skill level, gear budget, and paddling environment.
My Oru Inlet kayak folded in my compact SUV trunk - and behind it, there’s a collapsed paddle, life jacket, and my dry bag. Plenty of room!
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We personally love folding kayaks because of their convenience, portability, and ease of use. When I was first shopping for new kayaks two spring seasons ago, freedom and simplicity were my top priorities, and I didn’t want to compromise on durability and kayak weight.
Shop our Flatwater Kayak Club merchandise (like this trucker hat) on our online shop and show your love for kayaking!
Folding origami kayaks are easy to set up and take down. They also don't require roof racks or trailers to transport them, which can save you money, hassle, and time.
For me, a foldable lightweight kayak fit the bill as a great way to have it all.
Top 10 features of the Oru Beach LT kayak
1. Durability: This kayak is made with a double-layered, puncture-resistant polyproplyene that is designed to withstand the rigors of use – from sliding over rocks to thousands of folds.
2. Stability: The Beach’s wider and longer design makes it a stable kayaking option for smooth, calm water. It’s been reported to have great tracking that beginner, intermediate, and experienced kayakers enjoy.
Oru kayaks come in a variety of colors.
3. Easy to transport and store: Like all Oru kayaks, the Beach LT can be easily folded down for storage and transport, making it a great option for those who have limited space, whether that’s in the home, apartment, or vehicle trunk. It literally folds down into the size of a couch cushion!
Oru sent Flatwater Kayak Club a Beach LT folding kayak to test in August, 2023. This photo was taken when we unboxed a new Oru Beach kayak.
4. Adjustable footrests: The kayak has adjustable footrests, allowing for a comfortable and efficient paddling position.
5. Comfortable seat: The kayak has a mesh seat and a backing that can be adjusted for a custom fit and support. (As the owner of an Inlet, I’ll add that the Oru seat isn’t the most comfortable thing in the world for longer paddles, but that’s up for debate).
9. Lightweight: At 25 pounds, the kayak is considered lightweight, making it easy to handle and transport. During our Oru Beach LT testing, it was a bit more comfortable and easier to carry for our 6’1” paddler vs our 5’6” kayaker.
10. High weight capacity: The Beach LT kayak can support a paddler and gear up to 300 pounds in total weight, which is a pretty high weight capacity in the outdoor industry.
The folded Oru Beach LT flatwater kayak on the Willamette River in Oregon.
The folded Oru Inlet green edition kayak on a river bank. Oru folding kayaks really do go from box to boat in just minutes!
Here is the Oru Inlet (green) and the Oru Beach LT (clear + orange) folded kayaks side-by-side in a camper van.
Top 8 features of the Oru Inlet kayak
1. Durability: The Inlet is made with the same double-layered, puncture-resistant skin that is designed to withstand the rigors of use – the same material that the Beach is made from. It was tested to withstand up to 20,000 folds!
2. Easy to transport and store: Like all Oru kayaks, the Inlet can be easily folded down for storage and transport. If you have limited space in your home or vehicle trunk, this is a really fabulous benefit of any foldable kayak. The Inlet is definitely considered small and easy to set up.
3. Lightweight: The kayak is lightweight at only 20 pounds in weight, making it very easy to handle and transport (I can attest to this, as a female Inlet owner for over two years).
4. High weight capacity: The kayak has a weight capacity of 275 pounds, which allows you to bring gear and other personal items (in addition to your person, of course) on your paddling trips.
5. Nice sized open cockpit. We even bring our little dog in the Inlet - there’s plenty of room!
6. Suitable for flat waters: The Inlet is intended for calm, protected waters like lakes and bays and calm rivers (not choppy water or heavy currents), and performs with great stability and tracking on these water environments.
7. Fast and simple boat assembly: The kayak is easy to assemble and disassemble. You can set it up just in 3-5 minutes!
8. Excellent Oru customer service. I needed to contact the company a couple of times for support and questions, and their service staff were super helpful.
Kayaking with my Oru Inlet on the Deschutes River in Bend, Oregon
Summary: Oru Inlet vs Beach LT comparison for kayakers
Length: The Inlet Kayak is 9’8” long, while the Beach is 12’1” feet long. So, the Beach is the longer kayak. (Read here to find out if you’ll need a kayak permit in the PNW).
Width: The Inlet boat is 31 inches wide, while the Beach Kayak is 29 inches wide. The Inlet is the wider boat – which could provide better stability (over speed), making it a great option for beginners.
Weight: The Inlet weighs 20 pounds, while the Beach Kayak weighs 25 pounds. Since the Inlet is the lighter kayak option of the two, it can be a better choice for kayakers who prioritize boat weight in their buying decision. However, it should be noted that these boats are still about half the weight of a traditional hardshell kayak, so they’re both pretty light!
Weight capacity: The Beach LT has a weight capacity of 300 pounds, while the Inlet can hold up to 275 pounds in weight. If you have a larger body, plan on bringing a dog, or have a lot of gear (such as for multi-day kayaking trips), the Oru Beach LT has the higher weight capacity, and it may be the better option for you.
Folded size: When folded, the Inlet Kayak measures 42" x 10" x 18", while the Beach Kayak measures 33" x 12" x 29". These are both very compact options!
Number of seats: Both of these boat designs have one seat, making them both suitable for a single paddler.
Paddling style: Both kayaks were designed for calm recreational paddling experiences, so they are both excellent options for flatwater kayakers.
Price: While Oru product pricing varies by season and holiday deals, the Inlet costs less than $900, while the Beach LT will cost you over $1,150. This makes the Beach model the more expensive option.
Assembly time: You can put together an Inlet foldable kayak in less than 5 minutes, while the Beach LT model will take between 5-10 minutes to set up. This means that the Beach origami kayak takes a few more minutes to assemble.
Color options: Oru has recently launched a bunch of cool colors for their kayaks, but you can’t get all the Oru folding kayak designs in all the colorways. You can get the Inlet in green, for example, but not the Beach LT. If you have your heart set on a specific kayak color, this may sway your decision. And note, some of the color options make the boat price more expensive.
We put the Oru Inlet and Oru Beach LT folded kayaks side-by-side in a Winnebago Revel camper van. In this photo, you can see that they’re about the same width when folded, but the Oru Beach LT is taller.
One of our first testing sites for the Oru Inlet kayak was on Trillium Lake in Oregon.
Three years later and our second Oru Inlet kayak – paid for 100% by our company, an unsponsored purchase.
Ultimately, the choice depends on your individual needs and preferences, but this is a good round-up of things to consider before making your purchase.
It's best to consider the type of water you'll be paddling on, the needed weight requirements, how light you need the boat to be for carrying and transport, and the level of comfort that you're looking for – and, of course, your budget.
You can learn more about properly maintaining your Oru kayak here.
We have tested our Oru Inlet kayak on Lake River in Washington state many times.
And, if you’re curious, what second Oru kayak did I end up buying…?
I purchased a brand-new Green Edition Oru Inlet! And I’ve been loving my recent adventures.
We bought our second Oru Inlet kayak in April, 2023, in the beautiful green kayak edition.
More free kayaking resources
Oru Beach flatwater kayak: First Impressions
Oru Lake+ vs Oru Inlet: which folding kayak is right for you?
Oru Inlet ULTIMATE 2-YEAR REVIEW
See photos of the Oru Inlet kayak folded in the trunk of a compact vehicle
How to replace the fairings on an Oru kayak
Foldable boat experience on Trillium Lake, Oregon
About Flatwater Kayak Club
Flatwater Kayak Club is a leading woman-owned online platform dedicated to supporting beginner and intermediate kayakers in the Pacific Northwest. Our company founder, a former writer for The National Geographic Channel and a current ACA member, guides our mission with her passion for kayaking, nature, and storytelling.
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