REASONS TO BUY
Very stable
Comfortable seat
Ample storage
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Not agile
Seat straps not designed for heavier paddlers
Jackson Staxx Review
An incredibly stable sit-on-top kayak that is ready for lazy river floats
A comfortable option, particularly for kayakers.
Credit: Sara James
RELATED: Best Kayaks of 2024
Our Verdict
The Jackson Staxx delivers a comfortable and stable experience on gentle waters. Measuring in as one of the widest of all the kayaks we tested, this boat is hard to tip, but if you do, the grab handles and self-draining design make it easy to self-rescue. The picnic seat design is comfortable but not as robust as the rest of this sturdy beast. The Staxx was one of the heaviest kayaks we tested, but it also has some of the best-designed handles, easing the pain of carrying it considerably. The internal storage is conveniently located but not as large as a craft this size could deliver. The real star feature of this kayak is the deck space, leaving room for a small dog, cooler, or tackle box. If you have additional items to carry, this craft will be among the best options for you.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Jackson Staxx | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Great Value for a Sit-on-Top Model | Best Bang for the Buck | |||
| Price | $799 List Check Price at Backcountry | $800 List | $550 List $422.06 at Amazon | $650 List Check Price at Backcountry | $410 List |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | If you want comfort, stability, and storage and don’t mind a bit of extra weight this kayak delivers a reliable ride | If you are looking for a fun and safe kayak that the whole family will enjoy, then this boat offers a great bang for your buck | An entry-level recreational kayak that can keep you and your bank balance afloat | If paddling comfort and affordability are your priorities, then this may be a great option | The Aruba is a stable and easy to paddle beginner's kayak that's easy on your wallet |
| Rating Categories | Jackson Staxx | Ocean Kayak Malibu... | Pelican Argo 100X EXO | Old Town Vapor 10 | Sun Dolphin Aruba 10 |
| Glide and Tracking (30%) | |||||
| Stability (20%) | |||||
| Maneuverability (15%) | |||||
| Ease of Transport (15%) | |||||
| Comfort (10%) | |||||
| Construction Quality (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Jackson Staxx | Ocean Kayak Malibu... | Pelican Argo 100X EXO | Old Town Vapor 10 | Sun Dolphin Aruba 10 |
| Measured Length | 10.67' | 11.42' | 10.00' | 10.00' | 9.83' |
| Measured Width | 33.0" | 32.0" | 28.0" | 28.5" | 30.0" |
| Measured Weight | 64 lb | 59 lb | 38 lb | 47 lb | 40 lb |
| Measured Height | 10.5" | 12.0" | 14.0" | 16.8" | 13.0" |
| Weight Capacity | 375 lb | 360 lb | 275 lb | 325 lb | 250 lb |
| Material/Construction | Polyethylene | Singler layer polyethylene | Polyethylene | Single-layer polyethylene | UV-stabilized Fortiflex high density polyethylene |
| Features | Fold down adjustable seat, multiple molded in grab handles, drainage scupper holes, stackable, large bow and stern storage area with bungee, small day hatch in the center of kayak for semi-dry storage | Tri-form hull with an integral keel and sponsons, AirGo molded in seat and seat pad with adjustable AirComfort backrest, molded-in foot wells and calf rest, paddle holders, side/stern/bow carrying handles, molded-in oversized bow and stern tank wells with bungees, splash resistent QuickStash dry hatch, 2 molded in fishing rod holders, 3 water bottle holder, replaceable skid plate | Small front storage hatch, rear well with removable ExoChill 17-liter storage compartment, bottle holders, padded backrest with seat cushion, molded footrests | Adjustable comfort flex seat, glide track foot brace system, stern day well, molded-in cockpit tray with cup holder, molded-in paddle rest, built in carry handles, thigh pads, drain plug, skid plate | Adjustable padded backrest, rear gear compartment with bungee shock cord, adjustable foot braces, water bottle storage, carrying handles, paddle holder, padded thigh braces |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The Jackson Staxx is a 10-foot, 8-inch long, and 33-inch wide sit-on-top kayak with a raised, metal framed seat. It weighs 64 pounds and has two storage compartments, one that is sealed dry and one that is open and secured with a bungee cord.
Performance Comparison
Delivering superior comfort and ease of access, the Jackson Staxx is a great option for paddlers wanting extra leg room.
Credit: Sara James
Glide and Tracking
The Staxx has an average length compared to other recreational kayaks we tested but is also among the widest out of the lineup, and it sports a relatively flat hull. This doesn't help it glide very fast and means it takes a few extra strokes to get up to full speed — this will never be the fastest kayak on the water. However, the wide design delivers stable tracking and helps keep this barge moving in the right direction.
Given the shorter and wider nature of this kayak, it cuts through the water relatively well but doesn't glide as well as longer models with v-shaped hulls.
Credit: Sara James
Stability
The Staxx stood out as one of the very top performers in this important metric. Not only is this stable to sit on, but many users will find it easy to stand on this kayak, making it a good platform for casting a reel. Our (smaller) testers were literally jumping up and down on the Staxx without rocking the boat.
The superior stability of the Staxx makes it a fun option for jumping off into the water. It's also easy to get back onto. Those that like to recreate with their dogs will also appreciate the stability and ease of access that this boat affords.
The Jackson Staxx was one of the more stable kayaks we tested thanks to its wide hull design.
Credit: Sara James
Maneuverability
The long and wide profile of the Staxx makes it a slow turner. This kayak took the longest to turn 360 degrees out of all the kayaks we tested. In addition, it also was a slow and awkward mover through our timed slalom course. The multi-chimed hull profile further lags the process.
The Staxx is well suited to gently meandering rivers but wouldn't be suited for more technical or rocky river sections where maneuverability is more critical.
Credit: Sara James
As you have less connectivity with the kayak in this open-seat design, you also lose out on some efficiency of control. This doesn't mean that you won't be able to turn this kayak, but it may take you a few extra strokes.
If you do end up tipping over this kayak or taking on big splashes of water, the self-bailing design makes it quick to empty. In addition, the large handles make re-righting this heavy kayak slightly easier than even some of the much lighter options.
The large side handles on the Staxx make it easier to re-right if you do manage to tip it over.
Credit: Sara James
Ease of Transport
The Staxx is among the heaviest of all the kayaks we tested. This makes carrying it to and from the river a bit of a hassle, in addition to the struggles of loading it onto your car's roof rack. It does have some of the most ergonomic handles we came across, which makes this task slightly more bearable, especially if you have two people. Those with kayak trailers will be grateful when hauling this kayak down to the beach. There is a replaceable skid plate on the rear hull, as the manufacturers clearly recognize that you may just end up dragging this beast.
The molded handles were some of our favorites to carry.
Credit: Sara James
Comfort
The open style of this kayak design, as well as the raised seat, make this boat very comfortable to lounge in, with plenty of room to stretch even the longest of legs. Tall paddlers enjoyed using this kayak more than any others. The bottom of the seat is molded into the plastic of the kayak, and the back of the seat is adjustable, with two buckles on either side. The high seat back is very comfortable, as long as you are wearing the right style of PFD (thin back or high back).
Unlike many other kayaks, the molded seat of the Staxx is raised a few inches, helping to avoid getting a wet bottom from the splashes that come through the scupper holes or from the water that collects in the bottom. With bountiful on-deck storage and a bit of dry in-deck storage, this kayak can comfortably carry you and your cooler down some cruisey rivers or ocean channels.
Depending on what you intend to do with your kayak, the rear storage well provides ample room for a child or a small dog. Depending on your weight, you could also bring a friend along without much stress.
The raised seat floor and high seat back, help to create a very comfortable seating system.
Credit: Sara James
Construction Quality
The shell of the Staxx is made of uncompromising plastic, and we suspect it can handle far more than the actual kayak is designed for. A conveniently placed internal storage hatch can hold a small stash (approximately 7.5 liters) of essentials. Given the large capacity of this kayak, we had hoped this would hold a bit more in these dry storage areas. Jackson advertises this compartment as semi-dry; however, we had issues keeping the lid completely sealed from wetness.
The quasi dry storage compartment is convenient to access but smaller than we had hoped.
Credit: Sara James
The storage hatch on the Staxx seemed to expand in hot weather and then loosen in cool conditions, often resulting in the lid falling off unexpectedly. Without a security leash, it would also be easy to lose this important cover. Given the volume of the kayak, we were surprised at how small the deck dry storage space actually was, with only enough space for small dry bags under 10 liters. The storage well at the rear of the kayak is considerably larger; however, this does not offer dry protection for your gear. Overall there is plenty of space to store things; we were just disappointed that there wasn't more specifically dry storage on this barge of a kayak.
The non dry storage well in the rear of the kayak is quite large and it is secured by a bungee cord
Credit: Sara James
We do have concerns about the weight capacity of the seat. We broke it with only a 185-pound paddler, and we know larger kayakers who would otherwise have found this kayak suitable. Replacement parts are available from the Jackson website, and we have heard the replacement seat straps have stronger buckles. Hopefully, they upgrade the standard buckle to this superior quality soon, making it the standard.
The Jackson manufacturers are fond of fisherfolk with many bespoke design features to cater to their needs. With the Staxx, they have designed the geometry of this kayak to accommodate convenient fishing pole management. There is also the option to add a Staxx-specific fishing kit which includes deck pads, rod holders, tackle pouches, and gear racks.
Value
The Jackson Staxx is a hefty kayak, and it comes in at a pretty hefty price. That being said, its storage, versatility, and high load capacity mean that it's a great option for loading up for adventures or bringing a furry friend along, and you can't put a price on that.
Conclusion
For those looking for a stable and comfortable float, the Jackson Staxx maybe your boat. With bountiful on-deck storage and a bit of dry in-deck storage, this kayak can comfortably carry you and your cooler down some cruisey rivers or ocean channels.
—
Sara James
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