REVIEW: Klepper Commando - 2: The Construction

This is a folding kayak from Klepper: above being used by Navy SEALs (not quite real) and on the left being carried to the deployment site by a man where it needs to be assembled. In the first part of the review of the Klepper Commando, we introduced the boat in general, this time we focus on the interior. We assemble the boat for deployment and show how easy it is. Plus: What gets folded on a folding boat. SPARTANAT not only goes into the water for you (see image from the photoshoot above), but also delves into the depths of the technology.

We've seen this before: Free from the carrying bags, the folding boat is now laid out and ready for assembly. It looks quite delicate here, but from these parts comes the world's best Klepper folding kayak - and all in just over ten minutes.

Even for laymen, it should be possible to correctly identify these parts: the bow and stern of the boat are unfolded. Red is "Front", blue is "Back", everything is also labeled. What could go wrong there...

Here the parts from front and back meet, and what is folded is now made straight. In hand is the plank that forms the bottom of the boat. Hook it in, done, stable. At the bottom rear, rods from the hull are joined together with connectors.

The bottom is now straight, and the boat skin is supported by ribs. Also, the very secure option: everything nicely numbered so you can't go wrong.

Insert the next piece. Four locks hold this frame in place and keep the boat in shape. It's really a pleasure to assemble this boat. Each time you connect more pieces, you think to yourself, "Wow, someone really thought things through in the design here."

The bottom of the boat: It is made of durable natural rubber Hypalon. The manufacturers recommend treating it with a special agent once a year. Otherwise, no problem if this boat bottom scrapes against something.

No, you can't attach a flagpole here (or maybe you can?). The metal part is designed to hold a mast, so you can also sail with this boat. By the way, there is also a pedal-operated rowing system, which we did not install in our boat.

The front of the boat is reinforced to withstand harder contact. The metal on the rear side accommodates the rowing system. There are toggles with wooden handles at the front and back for lifting and carrying the boat - or pulling it in the water.

The seats are inside and very comfortable. Of course, the space is not huge, but it is pleasant for a kayak. On the floor, inflatable air cushions can be seen on the right and left sides. These can change the position of the loaded or unloaded boat in the water, as the shape of the hull changes depending on whether these are inflated or not.

The air cushions are inflated via this hose. The closure reminds us clearly of an air mattress from the 1970s. Here we found the only two possibilities for improvement: The tape holding the cord to the plug doesn't like high heat. The adhesive becomes gooey. It would be good to use a better tape. In addition, the hose could be secured by fixing it with Velcro to the side frame of the boat.

Speaking of Velcro, we were afraid there wouldn't be any: The spray deck is attached and closed with Velcro to the structure.

Luggage and equipment that need to be taken along do not have to be attached outside the kayak, but go into the cargo hold, which is open here.

Here is the link to the first part of this review of the Klepper folding kayak Commando.