Dagger Roam 9.5

Size, weight, capacity

At 9’9” (296cm) long and 31.5” (80cm) wide, the Roam 9.5 mixes speed, balance and maneuverability into one versatile kayak.

Of course, a kayak that does everything and is built to last is unlikely to come without a bit of extra bulk. The Roam 9.5 weighs 56lbs (25kg), so it’s unlikely you’ll be loading this kayak on your own or carrying it too far.

A capacity of 250lbs (113kg) is relatively high for a kayak of this size, although that includes any equipment you take with you for your day on the water.

Features

The Dagger Roam 9.5 is fitted with the Contour Surround seating system. Designed for maximum comfort and durability, this system has comfortable hip pads and a leg raiser to keep you in an optimal paddling position. The adjustable Keepers XL foot peg system allows you to drive the boat around the river while making sure you don’t move around in your seat.

Watertight bow and stern hatches give you access to loads of space to keep your kit dry on the water, while bungee on the top deck and a large storage area behind the paddler mean you will be able to make the most of that large capacity.

An adjustable skeg system, controlled from the paddling position, keeps you in control of how effectively you want the Roam 9.5 to track through the water.

Soft grip carrying handles are fitted at the ends of the kayak, while on either side of the seat there are rigid carrying handles, plenty of options for hauling around this heavy boat.

Scupper holes drain water out of the kayak to make sure you’re not weighed down as you paddle and a ‘paddle park’ bungee system allows you to go hands free on the water.

Performance

The Dagger Roam 9.5 is an excellent choice of kayak for recreational paddlers of all levels and interests. It has the maneuverability and robustness necessary to paddle rivers up to grade three with confidence. The outfitting allows you to really connect yourself to the kayak and navigate the twists and turns of white water, but the thigh braces seem to be an optional extra and these really make the difference on technical water.

On open water, the skeg system comes into its own and the Roam 9.5 tracks well enough that you can build some speed and cover distance comfortably. The width of this kayak allows you to really take in your surroundings, secure in the knowledge that you’re unlikely to turn it over unless the water is getting wild. This stability makes this boat a great platform to fish from or to carry camping or hiking gear to difficult to reach places, a brilliant multi-adventure kayak.