REASONS TO BUY
Very large cockpit
Stable
Easy-to-adjust seat
Includes storage compartment
REASONS TO AVOID
Sluggish
Difficult to load
Drink holder is far away from seat
No cover for storage
Old Town Vapor 10 Review
A comfortable and stable kayak at a reasonable price that's ideal for casual days paddling on calm water
The Vapor was not the fastest kayak but overall performed well in our testing in for both glide and tracking.
Credit: Sara James
RELATED: Best Kayaks of 2024
Our Verdict
The Old Town Vapor 10 is a great option for those looking for a stable and comfortable float without breaking the bank. Constructed from durable materials and with a more intentional design, this isn't your average inexpensive kayak. An extra large, open cockpit makes this easier to get into than all the other sit-in kayaks we tested, and the design also allows for plenty of leg room, so you can ensure you stay comfortable throughout your journey. The Vapor will not be the fastest on the water, but it won't slow you down either and can deliver a comfortable ride — both on your body and your wallet. To compare it to the competition, check out our article on the best kayaks.
Editor's Note: This review was read-through and updated on August 28, 2024, to include comparisons of newly tested options.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Old Town Vapor 10 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Great Value for a Sit-on-Top Model | Best Bang for the Buck | |||
| Price | $650 List Check Price at Backcountry | $800 List | $550 List $422.06 at Amazon | $799 List $799.00 at Amazon | $410 List |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | If paddling comfort and affordability are your priorities, then this may be a great option | 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 | An all-around popular and stable boat that is fast and tracks well in various conditions | The Aruba is a stable and easy to paddle beginner's kayak that's easy on your wallet |
| Rating Categories | Old Town Vapor 10 | Ocean Kayak Malibu... | Pelican Argo 100X EXO | Perception Tribe 11.5 | Sun Dolphin Aruba 10 |
| Glide and Tracking (30%) | |||||
| Stability (20%) | |||||
| Maneuverability (15%) | |||||
| Ease of Transport (15%) | |||||
| Comfort (10%) | |||||
| Construction Quality (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Old Town Vapor 10 | Ocean Kayak Malibu... | Pelican Argo 100X EXO | Perception Tribe 11.5 | Sun Dolphin Aruba 10 |
| Measured Length | 10.00' | 11.42' | 10.00' | 11.42' | 9.83' |
| Measured Width | 28.5" | 32.0" | 28.0" | 30.5" | 30.0" |
| Measured Weight | 47 lb | 59 lb | 38 lb | 57 lb | 40 lb |
| Measured Height | 16.8" | 12.0" | 14.0" | 12.6" | 13.0" |
| Weight Capacity | 325 lb | 360 lb | 275 lb | 350 lb | 250 lb |
| Material/Construction | Single-layer polyethylene | Singler layer polyethylene | Polyethylene | UV, impact and abrasion resistant, high-density rotomolded polyethylene | UV-stabilized Fortiflex high density polyethylene |
| Features | 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 | 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 framed seat, padded seat, molded-in footrests, molded-in bow and stern well with bungees, replaceable stern skid plate, 6" central cockpit hatch with liner, 3 drink holders, side handles, front and rear toggle handles, drainage scupper holes, draing 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 Old Town Vapor 10 is a 10-foot, 3-inch long, and 28.5-inch wide sit-inside kayak. It stands out for its high sides, measuring 16.75 inches tall. The cockpit is 48 inches long, and it has an open storage well in the rear of the boat.
Performance Comparison
The Vapor was a fun and easy kayak to float around in.
Credit: Sara James
Gliding and Tracking
The Vapor 10 employs a hybrid hull design with a gentle V at the front and rear and a much flatter central hull. This combination enables the kayak to perform relatively well on flat water and skip through gentle rapids without too much concern.
The Vapor isn't very narrow or long and doesn't have a skeg, so it's not winning any awards for its glide or tracking. It just doesn't cut through the water like some of the longer, sleeker models we tested. However, it does perform adequately, and we didn't feel like we held up the group in this kayak when out on short adventures. For longer trips (over 5 miles), we preferred to be in a more streamlined boat.
The Vapor 10 is easy enough to turn but is not the most agile of crafts we tested.
Credit: Sara James
Stability
The Vapor 10 has great primary and secondary stability thanks to a wide hull, low-to-the-ground seat, and large rounded side walls. You wouldn't expect to be tipping this kayak over, even if you are a bit wobbly on the water. However, a capsize could happen if you do take it in splashy conditions or down rapids.
Due to the large open deck, if you find yourself in unexpected winds or waves, this kayak quickly collects water and is not easy to keep dry. Once the Vapor takes on water and starts moving from side to side, the kayak will no longer feel stable to paddle. This boat really is designed for sheltered conditions and flat water.
We enjoyed using the Old Town Vapor in sheltered water conditions.
Credit: Sara James
Maneuverability
Easier to spin on a dime than many of the other kayaks we tested, the flatter central part of the hull helps the Vapor 10 excel in some aspects of this metric. Moving through our slalom course was a little more stressful in this kayak, as the length means you have to intentionally avoid hitting things with your bow or stern.
If you capsize the Old Town Vapor, it is a pain to haul back to shore, especially as it takes on more and more water. In addition, it takes some energy and time to completely empty it, although this is aided by a well-positioned drain plug on the nose. You can use float bags in the empty space in the kayak to reduce the amount of water the kayak takes on in such a scenario, or just stay seated and away from dynamic currents to stay upright in this stable beast.
There is a drain plug on the nose of the Old Town Vapor which you can unplug to help you drain water from the kayak.
Credit: Sara James
Ease of Transport
Weighing in at 47 pounds, the Vapor 10 is one of the lighter kayaks we tested. However, regardless of how strong you are, the exceptionally wide cockpit makes it difficult to find a convenient place to lift this kayak from if you are trying to load it onto your car roof bars by yourself.
If you have help, the robust, thick handles make a paired carry a comfortable experience. Ultimately this kayak is best suited to having two people to load it or a small trailer to carry it to and from the water.
The handles on the front and back of the Vapor are plastic molded and make carrying this kayak with a friend easy work.
Credit: Sara James
Comfort
The Old Town Vapor is designed to deliver a cruisey ride. With plenty of room to stretch your legs, a padded reclining back seat, and easily-adjusted foot pegs, you really can stretch out and relax in this kayak. The outfitting is basic but perfectly sufficient for a comfortable experience.
This boat even includes a drink holder in case you get thirsty during your float, but some of our testers complained that this holder was too far away to be of real use. The rear storage well is also somewhat awkward to reach and is most safely accessed by a nearby floating friend.
The outfitting in the Old Town Vapor 10 is more basic than some of the more expensive kayaks and was only comfortable enough for shorter paddles.
Credit: Sara James
The padded seat back is appreciated, yet overall, the seat outfitting is lacking compared to some of the other kayaks we tested. The Vapor 10 has one point of adjustment for the seat, which will raise or lower the angle of the backrest. Other kayaks allow you to raise the height of the backrest and/or adjust the angle of the bottom part of your seat. Since the Vapor doesn't have these options, it means there are fewer things to break on the kayak, so this minimalism may actually benefit you in the long term.
By pulling on the attached handles you can easily adjust the footrests of the Vapor from the comfort of your kayak seat.
Credit: Sara James
Construction Quality
Made of a durable roto-molded plastic polymer and with basic but well-designed robust features, we had no issues with the durability of any aspect of this kayak during testing. The Vapor isn't made of the absolute strongest plastic available, but it is plenty strong enough for the gentle environments for which it is designed.
The 16.5-inch by 10-inch storage well in the rear of the kayak is convenient and an obvious place for small bags, coolers, and drinks. However, without any decent attachment point, you run the risk of losing these items if you do happen to capsize. This kayak is designed to be kept upright.
The rear storage well was handy for stashing bags, drink or other essential but unfortunately it doesn't have a latch or cover to keep it dry.
Credit: Sara James
Should You Buy the Old Town Vapor 10?
A great choice for those looking for comfort and affordability but who don't want to compromise performance or durability, the Old Town Vapor 10 is a good performer across all testing metrics, and it is good enough for most kayakers to enjoy an afternoon on the water.
What Other Kayaks Should You Consider?
Another great affordable option is the Pelican Argo 100X EXO. It similar in size, but lighter in weight. Or, you might consider the Sun Dolphin Aruba 10, a much lower-priced option perfect for beginner paddlers.
Spacious enough to stretch your legs but not so big that its hard to handle, the Old Town Vaor is a great option for recreational paddlers looking for an affordable kayak.
Credit: Sara James
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Sara James
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