Kann ich das VIK 5.0 PRO auch alleine fahren?

Ja, das ist möglich. Dank der verstellbaren Sitzpositionen kannst du den Schwerpunkt so anpassen, dass das Boot auch solo gut im Wasser liegt. Beachte jedoch, dass ein 5-Meter-Boot wie das VIK 5.0 PRO alleine mehr Kraftaufwand bei Seitenwind erfordert. Wenn du zu 80 % alleine paddelst, ist das wendigere VIK 3.8 PRO und VIK 3.8 ULTRA meist die bessere Wahl.

Wie stark beeinflusst die Länge des Kajaks die Geschwindigkeit?

In der Hydrodynamik gilt: „Länge läuft“. Ein längeres Boot wie das VIK 5.0 PRO hat eine höhere theoretische Rumpfgeschwindigkeit. Während das VIK 3.8 PRO oder das VIK 3.8 ULTRA auf ca. 8,8 km/h kommt, erreicht der Zweier durch die längere Wasserlinie deutlich höhere Spitzenwerte. Für weite Strecken auf offenen Seen ist der Zweier daher effizienter.

Ist ein 2-Personen-Faltboot nicht viel zu schwer für den Transport in der Bahn?

Klassische Zweier wiegen oft über 30 kg. Das VIK 5.0 PRO hingegen liegt bei knapp 18 kg. In Kombination mit unserem Rucksack-System ist es für zwei Personen absolut bahntauglich. Das Packmaß beträgt gerade mal 70 x 58 x 25 cm. Während einer das Faltboot trägt, übernimmt der andere das restliche Gepäck. So bleibt man auch mit dem Zweier-Modell maximal mobil.

Wie viel zusätzliches Gepäck passt in den Zweier bei Mehrtagestouren?

Das VIK 5.0 PRO ist ein echtes Platzwunder. Mit einer Gepäck-Zuladung von bis zu 30 kg bietet es neben zwei Erwachsenen (mit bis zu 180kg) genug Raum für ein Zelt, Schlafsäcke und Proviant für ein Wochenende. Das macht es zum perfekten Begleiter für Expeditionen, bei denen man autark unterwegs sein möchte.

Benötigt das VIK eine Finne für einen guten Geradeauslauf?

Nein. Aufgrund der speziellen Formgebung und der Steifigkeit der Hohlkammerplatten spurten sowohl das VIK 3.8 PRO oder VIK 3.8 ULTRA als auch das VIK 5.0 PRO hervorragend geradeaus. Du sparst dir also das Gefummel mit einer zusätzlichen Finne und hast ein Teil weniger, das beim Transport verloren gehen könnte.

Direktvergleich zwischen dem 1-Personen Faltkajak VIK 3.8 PRO und dem 2-Personen Faltboot VIK 5.0 PRO.

Paddling Solo or Tandem? How to Find Your Perfect Folding Kayak Setup

on Jan 27 2026

Contents

Introduction Folding kayak for couples 1- or 2-person VIK folding kayak Lightweight by design: Developed in Berlin Winter: Conquering the cold Find the right folding kayak for you FAQ

Just imagine…

You are standing on a lakeshore, the morning mist clears, and before you lies mirror-smooth water. The only question that matters now: Do you paddle alone at your own pace, or do you share the rhythm with a partner?

View of a wide, mirror-smooth lake with an impressive mountain panorama in the background on a clear day.

The reward for the journey: discovering places where you can still enjoy the tranquillity of nature all to yourself.

The choice between a 1-person folding kayak or a 2-person folding kayak is more than just a question of seating. It's a decision about your future flexibility, your logistics on public transport, and your dynamics on the water. In this guide, we analyse the advantages and disadvantages so you can buy the folding kayak that truly suits you and your lifestyle.

Folding kayak for couples: Shared experience or synchronised stress?

"Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success."

Henry Ford

A folding kayak for couples is the epitome of teamwork. There's hardly anything more beautiful than gliding silently across the open water and sharing the effort.

But be careful: two-person kayaks are often jokingly referred to as "divorce boats" for a reason. In a two-person kayak, you are literally in the same boat.

Synchronicity is crucial. The person in front sets the pace; the person in the back steers. This requires communication.

However, when you are in sync, a tandem kayak is incredibly fast. Due to a longer length waterline (LWL), boats like the VIK 5.0 PRO achieve a higher hull speed than their shorter single-person counterparts. Physically, length matters.

A man paddles with a child in the VIK 5.0 PRO folding kayak on a calm lake, while the tip of another kayak is visible at the edge of the picture.

Adventures for all ages: The VIK 5.0 PRO offers enough space and safety to take even the youngest explorers out on the water.

VIK 1- and 2-Person Folding Kayaks: A Direct Comparison

Before you decide, let's look at the facts. A 2-person folding kayak offers excellent stability on the water but demands more effort on land.

FEATURES	SOLO (VIK 3.8 PRO)	TANDEM (VIK 5.0 PRO)
Length	3.80 m	5.00 m
Weight	12 kg	18 kg
Pack Size	70 x 55 x 16 cm	70 x 55 x 16 cm
Setup Time	approx. 3-8 min	approx. 8-10 min
Load Capacity	Max. 120 kg	Max. 230 kg
Logistics	Boot/Train/Public Transport/Bicycle	Public Transport/Boot/Train/Bicycle

Our VIK Folding Kayaks

2-Person Folding Kayaks: When is the larger option the better choice?

A 2-person folding kayak is always the right choice when you're paddling with a partner and carrying a lot of gear. The VIK 5.0 PRO folding kayak's massive load capacity of up to 230 kg makes it a pack mule for expeditions.

Folding Kayak Load Capacity and Storage for Multi-Day Tours

If you want to be self-sufficient on a week-long river expedition, you need space for a tent, provisions, and cooking equipment.

While every gram counts in a single-person kayak, a two-person folding boat offers an enormous amount of storage space between and behind the seats.

The hollow-chamber plate construction characteristic of the VIK series keeps the centre of gravity low, ensuring the kayak is stable on the water even when fully loaded.

Plenty of storage space in the folding boat: The VIK 5.0 PRO loaded with a child for a shared expedition.

The two-seater VIK 5.0 PRO folding kayak not only offers luggage space but also provides safety for the little ones.

Solo or Tandem Folding Kayak? A Practical Look at Weight and Logistics

This is where the wheat is separated from the chaff. The weight of a folding kayak determines whether you use it or if it gathers dust in the garage.

Solo model: The VIK 3.8 PRO at 12kg or VIK 3.8 ULTRA at 11kg are our lightweight models. You strap them on like a backpack and hop on the subway or take it from the car to the lake. Stairs? No problem. Changing trains at the station or hiking to a secluded lake? A breeze.

Tandem model: A 5-meter boat like the VIK 5.0 PRO weighs about 20 kg. This is remarkably light for a boat of this size, though carrying it on foot requires a bit more strength. If you're travelling by train, it works best with two people: one carrying the kayak and the other the rest of the gear.

A paddler easily transports the VIK 5.0 PRO folding kayak to the water.

The two-seater also remains mobile: At 18 kg, the VIK 5.0 PRO is a lightweight in its class.

Explore more articles on transporting folding kayaks:

VIK 3.8 vs. VIK 5.0: Which is the right model for your?

VIK 3.8 PRO or ULTRA: The Soloist

The VIK 3.8 PRO and VIK 3.8 ULTRA folding kayaks are for independent adventurers. They are extremely agile and respond to the slightest paddle stroke. Fast and nimble. Thanks to the hydrodynamics of the hollow-chamber panels, they glide with directional stability like a rigid-hull boat, but remain agile enough for narrow canals and withstand wind and small waves.

The ideal companion for spontaneous short trips or after work.

VIK 5.0 PRO: The Allrounder

The VIK 5.0 PRO is the answer to the quest for speed and stability. It lies in the water like a rigid-hull kayak and is barely disturbed by crosswinds.

The ideal travel folding kayak for couples, solo paddlers, and parents with children. Great for long and short paddling tours.

Expert Tip: Paddling alone in a two-person kayak

We get asked this a lot: "Can I paddle the two-person folding boat alone?"

Yes, you can – the VIK 5.0 PRO is designed so that the seating position can be easily adjusted to sit centrally.

That said, a 5-meter kayak has more surface area for the wind to catch when you're solo — no problem at all, just something to be aware of

If you paddle alone 80% of the time, go with the single. The agility and easy handling of the VIK 3.8 PRO are hard to beat for everyday paddling

Two paddlers sit together in a two-person folding kayak, gliding relaxed through the Spree in autumn.

In perfect sync: In a two-person kayak like the VIK 5.0 PRO, the effort is shared — and so are the views.

Our Folding Kayaks

Lightweight by Design: Developed in Berlin

Classic folding kayaks often rely on a combination of a PVC skin and an internal frame made of wood or aluminium. The VIK series does it differently: the kayak's skin is also its skeleton.

Precise folding edges define the VIK's hollow-chamber panels, which are shielded against saltwater and UV exposure by an EPDM cover.

Detailed view of the robust hollow-chamber panel construction of a CLR Outdoor folding boat.

Stiffness without a heavy frame: The secret behind the VIK's shell-free design.

The design makes all the difference:

Effortless Assembly: Since you don't have to tension a complicated internal frame against a stubborn skin, the boat is set up in record time — just unfold and click the fasteners into place.
Direct feedback on the water: The panel construction is exceptionally rigid, meaning paddle stroke energy is not "lost" in a flexible skin — it's converted directly into propulsion.
Low maintenance and robust: No frame means nothing to bend or break. The smooth panel surface resists scrapes from rocks and gravel, and wipes down easily after your trip.

Local Production, Uncompromising Quality

We manufacture every VIK at our Berlin workshop. This is not an end in itself — it allows us comprehensive quality control over every unit.

Every fold must fit perfectly so the kayak holds its tension for years to come. For you, that means a product built to last the demands of real urban paddling life.

Which VIK folding kayak is right for you?

Still unsure? Quickly go through these three questions. If you answer "Yes" more than twice, you've found your model:

The VIK 3.8 PRO or ULTRA is your match if you...

often go out alone and love complete independence.
mainly do day trips to the water by train, public transport, or car.
go on short evening paddles and a very quick setup time of 3 minutes is a priority for you.

The VIK 5.0 PRO is your match if you...

mostly paddle as a pair (or often have your dog or child with you).
plan longer multi-day tours and need a lot of storage space for equipment.
paddle on large lakes, canals or rivers, and seek speed and endurance.

Test Out Your Folding Kayak Match Now: A Summary

Decision made? If you're looking for total freedom and minimal logistics, the VIK 3.8 PRO or VIK 3.8 ULTRA is for you. If you want to explore the world as a duo and need storage space for camping equipment, there's no getting around opting for the VIK 5.0 PRO.

Buying a folding kayak is investing not in plastic, but in experiences. In sunsets on the water and the silence of an early morning paddle.

Your next step to freedom

Still unsure whether you want a solo or tandem kayak? Try them on for size!

Arrange a test paddle: Visit us at our Berlin flagship and test out both models.
Personal consultation: Tell us about your lifestyle and we'll find the perfect setup for you. Book an appointment now and experience the VIK series for yourself!

FAQ: Solo & Tandem Folding Kayaks — Your Questions Answered

Can I paddle the VIK 5.0 PRO solo?

Yes, it is possible. Thanks to the adjustable seating positions, you can adjust the centre of gravity so that the boat sits well in the water even when paddling solo. Keep in mind that a 5-metre kayak like the VIK 5.0 PRO requires more effort in side winds when you're alone. If you go out paddling solo 80% of the time, the more agile VIK 3.8 PRO and VIK 3.8 ULTRA are usually the better choice.

Does a longer kayak mean more speed?

In hydrodynamics, length equals speed. A longer boat, like the VIK 5.0 PRO has a higher theoretical hull speed. While the VIK 3.8 PRO or the VIK 3.8 ULTRA top out at around 8.8 km/h, the VIK 5.0 PRO's longer waterline allows for significantly higher peak values. For long distances on open lakes, the two-person kayak is the more efficient choice.

Isn't a 2-person folding kayak too heavy to carry on a train?

Classic tandem kayaks often weigh over 30 kg. The VIK 5.0 PRO, however, weighs just under 18 kg. In combination with our backpack system, it is perfectly suited for train travel for two. With a packed size of just 70 x 58 x 25 cm, one person carries the folding kayak, while the other takes the rest of the luggage. Even with a 2-person model, you stay completely mobile.

How much extra luggage can fit in the two-person kayak for multi-day trips?

The VIK 5.0 PRO is a true space-saver. With a luggage capacity of up to 30 kg, it offers enough room for two adults (up to 180kg) plus a tent, sleeping bags, and provisions for a weekend away — the perfect companion for self-sufficient expeditions.

Does the VIK need a fin for good straight-line tracking?

No. Thanks to the special design and rigidity of the hollow-chamber panels, the VIK 3.8 PRO, VIK 3.8 ULTRA and the VIK 5.0 PRO all track exceptionally straight. This means no fumbling with an extra fin and one less thing to lose in transit.