Pelican Bandit 100 NXT

Looking for a lightweight sit-on-top kayak for recreational use? Pelican Bandit 100 NXT is worth considering. It’s cheap, it’s fun to use, and it can offer a lot of fun on the water.

Size, Weight, Capacity

Pelican Bandit 100 NXT is a 10-foot kayak (305 cm long) with a 30-inch (76 cm) beam and a deck height of 13.25 in. (33 cm). The boat weighs a manageable 43 lbs (20 kg), which makes it easy to handle. Pelican Bandit 100 carries up to 300 lbs (136 kg), so it should be capable enough to support an average adult and some gear.

Materials

Like most Pelican models, the Bandit 100 NXT is made of RAM-X material. This is Pelican’s patented three-layer sheet of high-density polyethylene. The kayak is made using thermoforming technology. A sheet of RAM-X is heated up and stretched over a mold using vacuum. Two parts of the hull are then melted together, creating a strong bond.

Features

The kayak has a total of four carrying handles. There are cord and plastic handles on the bow and the stern, plus two molded-in handles on the sides. Some users reported that those are not very easy to use, so you might want to check those before purchasing this kayak.

Pelican Bandit 100 NXT also has molded footrests and a molded dual-position bottle holder. Molded footrests are great when several people take turns paddling the kayak but they can be less comfortable if your ideal foot position is between the footpegs.

The Ergoform seat is a small step up from Pelican’s entry-level seat pad. It provides a little more cushioning and better ventilation. If you want the same kayak but with a better seat, check out Pelican Sentinel 100X.

Behind the seat, you get a large open storage platform secured by a bungee cord. It should fit some large dry bags or a cooler. There’s also a small platform on the bow but it’s not very useful because there is no way to secure your gear there.

Performance

Pelican Bandit 100 NXT uses the twin-arch multi-chine hull common to most beginner kayaks made by Pelican. This hull shape gives you great stability and is perfect for beginners.

For its short length, the kayak tracks pretty well. It’s very agile and responsive. You are not going to win races in a boat of this length, but it’s fast enough for short relaxed trips that it was designed for.

Remember that this kayak is designed for flat waters only. Some beach surf is OK because unlike a sit-inside, this boat will not be swamped by waves. Any water that gets in will drain out through the scupper holes in the bottom. However, any serious open waters or fast-moving rivers are definitely off-limits.

RELATED: Best Sit On Top Kayaks: Reviews and Buying Guide

Regardless of where you paddle, always wear a life jacket. PFDs saved more lives than you can think of.

Warranty

Pelican Bandit 100 NXT is covered by Pelican’s limited lifetime warranty for the hull and a 1-year limited warranty for pre-installed accessories. For more information about Pelican’s warranty terms, click here.