The ARGO family is Pelican’s iconic sit-inside kayak series — trusted by paddlers of all levels and known for easy, confidence-building paddling.
ARGO Series – Stable, Comfortable Sit-Inside Kayaks for Calm Waters
Pelican’s ARGO family is the brand’s core recreational sit-inside series, the place where many paddlers begin — and a favorite that even experienced kayakers keep coming back to — and the category Pelican is most known for. These are kayaks built for people who want an easy, confidence-building paddling experience on lakes and calm waters.
What ARGO Is Designed For
ARGO kayaks focus on comfort, predictability, and ease of use. The large cockpits make them easy to enter and exit, and the twin-arched hulls provide strong initial stability — meaning the kayak feels steady the moment you sit in it. This makes the ARGO series ideal for anyone who wants a relaxing, low-stress day on the water.
What you can expect from an ARGO kayak
ARGO models are lightweight, simple to transport, and designed to feel “friendly” even if you’ve never paddled before. They track well on flatwater, glide smoothly, and feel secure without requiring perfect technique. Upgraded editions like the XR or EXO offer even more comfort and outfitting. To better understand Pelican model names and what they mean, explore our complete guide here.
Tradeoffs
Because these kayaks are optimized for calm water, they aren’t designed for surf, strong current, or advanced touring. They are best used exactly where most people paddle: lakes, cottages, and slow-moving rivers.
Best fit
Someone who wants a classic, comfortable, easy-to-paddle sit-inside kayak for relaxed outings — with no surprises and no steep learning curve.
The Pelican ARGO series is offered in six distinct models, each built on the same stable, beginner-friendly platform but tailored to different paddlers, body sizes, and on-water activities.
Argo 80X
8' Sit-Inside Recreational Kayak – Compact, lightweight kayak designed for smaller adults or youth paddlers. Easy to carry, easy to store.
Argo 100X
10' Sit-Inside Recreational Kayak – The classic ARGO experience. Offers an excellent balance of stability, glide, and comfort for most adult recreational paddlers.
Argo 100X EXO
10' Sit-Inside Recreational Kayak with ExoChill Cooler – A more versatile version of the 100X, featuring a removable cooler for enjoying lunch right out on the lake.
Argo 100XR
10' Sit-Inside Recreational Kayak – Comfort Edition – A comfort-focused upgrade with enhanced seating and premium adjustability, designed for paddlers who want extra support without added complexity.
Argo 100X Angler
10' Sit-Inside Fishing Kayak – This model pairs the ARGO platform’s stability with fishing-ready features for relaxed, accessible angling outings.
Argo 136XP
13'6" Tandem Sit-Inside Recreational Kayak – A spacious tandem kayak designed for two paddlers. Stable, predictable, and easy to handle, it’s ideal for couples, friends, or families paddling together.
With multiple sizes and purpose-built options, the Pelican ARGO series makes it easy to choose a stable, comfortable sit-inside kayak that fits your body, your plans, and the way you want to enjoy the water.
*The numbers and letters in Pelican kayak model names have a specific meaning, and all hardshell kayaks are made from RAM-X™, Pelican’s exclusive material; to learn more, check out our blog posts Understanding Pelican Kayak Model Names and What is RAM-X?.
Ready to get out there?
Grab your PFD, and see you on the water 💙