Wilderness Systems Aspire 105

Size and Weight

The Aspire 105 is a 10’ 6” (320 cm) long, by 29”(74 cm) wide craft and weighing 48 lbs (22 kg) with a 15.5” (39 cm) deck height. The Aspire 105 has sturdy soft-grip handles for easy transport to and from the water.

Capacity

The Aspire 105 boasts a hefty weight capacity for a boat of its size. The Aspire 105 is designed to carry 400 pounds (181 kg) making it capable of carrying any size kayaker and a good share of gear. Paddlers interested in a more lightweight craft should check out Aspire 105’s younger cousin, the Aspire 100.

Features

Bow to stern, the Aspire 105 is thoughtfully equipped with all the basic features you need, with a couple of extra amenities geared toward comfort and precision tracking.

Starting at the cockpit, paddlers will enjoy a spacious opening for easy-in easy-out maneuverability for people of all sizes. At their feet, paddlers will find adjustable Slidelock foot bracer systems with ample padding around the knees and thighs (which also provides a comfortable shoulder prop when transporting). The seat is a highly-acclaimed Phase 3 Airpro model consisting of mesh-covered molded foam that is ergonomically fitted to the body. The foam drains well when wet, and is breathable on sticky, summer paddles. Upgrades to the seat can be seen starting in models manufactured in 2020. Leg raisers in the bottom cushion add extra support- and the top cushion raises, lowers, and adjusts forwards or backwards based on the paddler’s height and preference. The molded-in dashboard includes a water bottle holder capable of holding a bottle upright or laying sideways. The kayak does not have built-in paddle holders. Additionally, a spray skirt may be handy for limiting water entering the larger open cockpit.

Behind the seat, there is some stowaway space behind the cockpit, fore of the bulkhead that could house a tackle box or some extra provisions. In the stern is a bulkhead and a waterproof compartment capable of holding about 30 L worth of gear. The plastic hinges sealing the compartment hatch can be stiff and seem to be made of a brittle plastic- but have no fear, the manufacturer offers a one year warranty on manufacturer defects.

The boat is molded entirely out of high-density polyethylene. There’s a replaceable skid plate on the keel for durability. Shock cord deck rigging is also provided on the bow and stern for extra storage.

On the underside of the boat, there is the cockpit-deployable TruTrak skeg system. Having a skeg is helpful when encountering a crosswind, and may help novice paddles not overcorrect.

Performance

The Aspire 105 offers top-notch maneuverability and handles great on the water. The drop-down skeg prevents weathercocking and balances out tracking when needed. The skeg really helps you feel like you are gliding in the water and almost makes the overall feel of the ride more touring style. The Aspire turns smoothly with only a couple of paddle strokes.