Over the past 3 years, I've tested many kayaks and specifically inflatable kayaks. The Sea Eagle 393 RazorLite and the Decathlon Itiwit X500 stand out as two of the highest-performing inflatable kayaks I have seen. I often get asked which is better, the Sea Eagle 393 or the Itiwit X500. Well, let’s see, in a direct head-to-head comparison of the Sea Eagle 393 vs Decathlon Itiwit X500.
Both the Sea Eagle 393 RazorLite and the Decathlon Itiwit X500 are inflatable touring kayaks. But what does that mean? Well, many inflatable kayaks are designed to be completely stable. However, these two kayaks both give up some stability for performance and to travel through the water more efficiently. These kayaks are intended to be fun to paddle and allow you to cover longer distances too.
The reality is that both these inflatable kayaks are fantastic. However, there are some key differences between them. So, a better question to ask is, which kayak is better for you?
Decathlon Itiwit X500 Specifications
Price: $1300
Length: 12’ 6”
Width: 25”
Weight: 35 LBS (16 kg)
Capacity: 275 LBS (125kg)
Sea Eagle 393 RazorLite Specifications
Price: $1100 (USD) (comes with a pump, bag, and paddle)
Length: 12’ 10”
Width: 28”
Weight: 35 LBS (16kg)
Capacity: 500 LBS (227kg)
Similarities: Sea Eagle 393 vs Decathlon Itiwit X500
On paper, the 393 and the X500 are similar in width, length, weight, and price. But beyond that, there are even more similarities. They both have real footpegs, raised seats, and drop-stitch construction. The inflatable tubes on a drop-stitch kayak are sewn together by thousands of threads.
Therefore you can pump them up to a very high psi (10 psi), and they will become rigid and stiff. Drop stitch is an expensive upgrade but gives you a rigid kayak that performs similarly to a hard shell kayak.
Differences Between the Sea Eagle 393 and the Decathlon Ititwit X500
An obvious difference between these kayaks is that the Decathlon Itiwit X500 is a sit-in kayak and has a closed deck. It even has cockpit combing that allows it to take a paddle skirt. The Sea Eagle 393, on the other hand, is wide open. It is almost like a canoe/kayak hybrid.
The other, less obvious, difference is in the hull shape. The Sea Eagle 393 is more of a traditional inflatable kayak because it has a flat hull. It has a nicely shaped bow that helps it cut through the water. The surface of the hull is completely flat. Because of this, it needs to have a removable fin to help it track through the water.
On the other hand, the Decathlon Itiwit X500 is a drop-stitch kayak without a flat bottom. Much like traditional hard shell kayaks, the Itiwit has a V hull. The bow and V-shaped hull allow it to cut through the water, hold its line and track well. That is why the Itiwit X500 does not come with a removable fin. It does not need one.
Speed
One of the most important factors I like to test when comparing kayaks is their speed. Does the V-shaped hull make the Itiwit X500 travel faster? The only way to tell this was to take both kayaks out for a whirl and see how quickly they go.
I tested both kayaks to see how fast I went at 75% of my top speed and 100% top speed. At 75%, my average speed in the Sea Eagle 393 was 5.2 mph (8.4kmh), and my top speed was 6.4 mph (10.3 kmh). Both of which are very respectable speeds. In the Decathlon Itiwit X500, my average speed at 75% was 5 mph (8.04 kmh), while my top speed was 6.7 mph (10.7 kmh).
So, the Sea Eagle 393 had a slightly higher cruising speed, but the Itiwit X500 had a higher top speed. It is safe to say that these kayaks are very similar in speed.
Comfort
Comfort-wise, both these kayaks are very similar. They both have comfortable raised foam seats and fixed foot pegs. The main difference is the open deck on Sea Eagle 393. It allows you to sit in almost any position you want. You can even hang your legs over the side if you want a change of scene! So the open deck gives the Sea Eagle 393 a slight edge in comfort.
Stability
Both kayaks are a similar width. The Sea Eagle 393 says it is 28”, but it is 25” at the water line, which is the same width as the Itiwit X500. Although neither kayak makes you feel rock solid and invincible on the water, they both feel like stable kayaks. They trade some stability to get higher performance.
One difference is that the Itiwit X500, when held on edge, has slightly better secondary stability. It locks into the secondary position comfortably. Secondary stability only matters when you are kayaking in windy or rough conditions. But it is worth noting.
Performance
It was immediately apparent that the Sea Eagle 393 tracks much better than the X500. This is due to the large removable fin on the back of the Sea Eagle 393. On the other hand, the X500 was much more maneuverable. It was easier to tilt and turn. It acted far more like a hard shell kayak of a similar class.
Where Does the Sea Eagle 393 RazorLite Excel?
The Sea Eagle 393 is designed for calm conditions. That is where it excels due to its open design. If you paddle the Sea Eagle 393 in wavy, rough conditions, it will not sink. However, it will become easily swamped and bogged down with water. It is not designed for conditions where you need to deal with waves, rough conditions, or white water. It is a calm water boat.
The Sea Eagle 393 is also an incredibly comfortable kayak. Sit inside kayaks can give some people a feeling of claustrophobia, but because the Sea Eagle 393 is open, it feels spacious and roomy. The only drawback of the open deck is that you cannot use it in rough water.
The Sea Eagle 393 shines when it comes to its capacity. The capacity of the Sea Eagle 393 is 500 LBS. This is almost double the capacity of the Itiwit X500. The 393, with its large capacity, opens up the opportunity for kayak camping. You can easily load the 393 with bags and heavy equipment. You can even bring a child or a dog along too. The huge capacity of the Sea Eagle 393 makes it a more versatile kayak.
Where Does the Decathlon Itiwit X500 Excel?
The Itiwit X500 excels in a variety of conditions. It can handle far rougher conditions than the Sea Eagle 393. There are a few reasons why. The biggest reason is that it is a sit-inside kayak and can take a paddle skirt. Therefore you can take it in rough water without risking any swamping.
The other thing the Itiwit X500 allows you to do is roll the kayak. The skirt will stop water from getting in when you roll. But, on top of that, there is enough fabric that you can grip with your knees so that you can get enough purchase to roll the kayak.
That being said, the cockpit combing is small and cannot take every skirt. Decathlon sells a specific skirt to use on the Itiwit X500, but the kayak has a narrow rand, so the skirt does not provide a strong seal. So there are limitations to your ability to use it in rough water. In rough conditions, a wave might cause the spray skirt to pop off. This would allow the water to swamp the kayak.
The other area that the X500 excels in is its handling. It handles like a hard shell kayak due to the V-shaped hull. It turns when you put it on the edge, and it can deal with wind much better than the Sea Eagle 393. Overall, it is much easier to maneuver than the 393.
Who Are These Kayaks For?
The Decathlon Itiwit X500 is for someone who wants a kayak where they can wear a skirt. They can see themselves taking their kayak into rough water. It is also for someone willing to pay more to get that feature.
On the other hand, the Sea Eagle 393 RazorLite is for somebody who intends to paddle in calm conditions. It is for someone who would like increased capacity to bring a child, a dog, or plenty of camping gear. It is also for someone who wants to save money. Not only is the Sea Eagle 393 slightly cheaper than the Itiwit X500, but it also includes paddles and a pump.
Both of these kayaks are fantastic kayaks. So you need to choose which kayak is right for you, not which kayak is better!
