Travelling by Air with a TRAK Kayak - Pro Tips and Tricks
Forward:
This article provides best practices for taking your TRAK kayak on a plane, either for domestic or international travel. Each suggestion is based on the real life experiences and best practices developed by TRAK paddlers and Pilots around the world. While our recommendations are based on the most common airline requirements, we encourage you to double-check with your own airline prior to packing.
Happy paddling ahead!
*Please note that this article may not apply to TRAK 1.0, Seeker, or T-1600 models. For best practices for flying with these older models, please refer to this video resource.
The world is full of amazing paddling destinations.
Some, like Vancouver Island, are easy to get to. Meanwhile others, like the Solomon Islands, require complex logistics and planning. Some regions have kayaks easily available for rent, while many others have never seen a kayak before.
Regardless of where you dream of paddling, all destinations become more accessible when travelling with a TRAK folding kayak.
Bringing your TRAK along with you on vacation or during work abroad allows you to explore new waters while maintaining the same safety, performance, and versatility you’ve come to expect when paddling close to home. Not to mention make unforgettable memories in the process!
Follow the steps below - developed by real paddlers like you - for a smooth and stress-free experience at baggage check and beyond!
Step 1: Check Airline Policies:
Before packing, review your airline’s specific policies regarding checked baggage, oversized items, and sporting equipment like kayaks. Pay attention to weight limits and dimensions for checked bags. Your TRAK rolling travel bag (included with purchase) is designed to meet most dimension requirements.
Most airlines permit up to 50 lbs / 23 kg for each checked bag. While the assembled weight of the TRAK 2.0 is under 46 lbs on the water, additional accessories and essential safety equipment can bring your total weight over 50 lbs when trying to fit everything into your TRAK rolling travel bag.
So, what to do when taking your TRAK on a plane?
Step 2: Pack Strategically:
For smooth and stress-free travel by aircraft, we highly recommend that you break up the contents of your TRAK rolling travel bag into two sets of components and accessories, each in their own dedicated checked bag. These can be combined into a single bag again upon landing.
The reason for this recommendation is three fold; by removing certain items from the rolling travel bag and placing them in a second checked bag, we can:
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include other paddling related items like clothing, camp gear, PFD, drysuit, etc.;
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reduce the total weight of all bags to meet airline requirements; and
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minimize the potential for damage of critical components during transit, such as your hydraulic jacks and carbon fiber paddles.
Pack each of your checked bags according to the graphical tables below. Exact weights of TRAK 2.0 components are provided.
Step 3: Protect Your Components
Arguably, the most critical components of any TRAK kayak are your three hydraulic jacks. While our mechanical ‘spare tire’ jacks are great to bring along for peace of mind, it’s still important to protect your hydraulic jacks and avoid scratches to the ram shaft (the bronze-colored area). For this reason, we recommend wrapping each jack inside your gear flotation bags, or another piece of clothing, just in case.
The second piece of gear that you may want to protect from mishandling during air travel would be your carbon fibre paddle. TRAK’s 3-piece Solstice King Paddle is designed to fit inside your TRAK rolling travel bag, and at only 650 grams, you may be able to get away with stowing it there for air travel, instead of your second checked bag.
Similar to your hydraulic jacks, we recommend wrapping each segment of your carbon paddle in soft materials like clothing, and placing them in the centre of your checked bags to provide maximum padding in the event of mishandling by a baggage attendant.
Important: Please keep in mind that most airlines do not permit paddles as carry-on items. Be prepared to store your paddle in your checked luggage.
Step 4: Be Prepared for Fees (and Know How to Avoid Them)
Most airlines charge per bag for international travel, with a limit of 1-2 pieces of checked luggage. For domestic air travel, you'll likely be charged on a per-bag basis. Be aware of potential overweight fees, and avoid them by following the recommendations in Step 2, above.
While airlines are often familiar with large and oversized items like golf bags, skis, and snowboards, most are not yet familiar with portable kayaks, and may charge an extra fee simply due to their unfamiliarity with this product. To avoid the potential for undue fees at the check-in desk, simply state that your bags are full of “sporting equipment.”
Step 5: Consider How You’ll Move Around Upon Landing:
After landing and baggage claim, you will likely want to compress your kit into fewer and smaller bags to make it easier to move around. In most cases, putting everything inside (or strapped to the outside) of your TRAK rolling travel bag will make movement a breeze. The straps surrounding your rolling travel bag can be used for securing other items when on the move.
Planning to hike in? TRAK offers a Flexhaul Backpack Harness to turn your wheeled travel bag into a backpack for easier transport over rough ground, stairs, or trails to hike-in destinations. We also offer a 60 litre Drybag Backpack for keeping gear dry inside your kayak, which can also serve as an excellent large carry-on bag.
Other Considerations:
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Travel Insurance - check with your insurance broker to ensure that your TRAK kayak and accessories will be covered in the event of damage or loss during your trip.
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Roof Rack Transport - in some cases, it may be ideal to transport your assembled TRAK kayak on a roof rack during your travels. We recommend bringing your own tie-down straps for this purpose, and providing padding at the touch points to reduce potential for abrasion on your kayak's skin.
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Backups and Patch Kits - planning to paddle far from civilization? Will you be fully self-sufficient? Consider investing in at least one mechanical ‘spare tire’ jack, as well as some Type-A tear aid (included with purchase) to fix any accidental punctures in your floatation bags or hull.
Got questions or suggestions for the TRAK team?
We love to hear from our paddlers around the world! Please give us a call (+1-250-824-8725 ('TRAK') or send us an email at support@trakkayaks.com.
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