The Complete Guide to Pelican Recreational Kayak Series

A friendly guide to SEEK, ORION, ARGO, SENTINEL, iESCAPE, SPRINT, ALLIANCE, RIVER GORGE, & SOLO kayak families.

2025-12-20

Pelican Recreational Kayak Lineup Explained

Understanding Pelican’s kayak families can feel complicated at first glance — especially when models come with names, numbers, and letters, and when some Pelican kayaks appear only at specific retailers. Pelican has spent years refining its recreational kayak lineup into clear kayak families, each designed around a specific paddler, paddling style, and experience level.

This guide breaks down every Pelican recreational kayak series so you can instantly understand what each kayak family is built for — and which Pelican kayak matches the paddling experience you want:

  1. SEEK Ergonomic Sit-On-Top Recreational Kayak - New addition
  2. ORION Upgraded Sit-Inside Recreational Kayak - New addition
  3. ARGO Classic Sit-Inside Recreational Kayak Series
  4. SENTINEL Classic Sit-On-Top Recreational Kayak Series
  5. iESCAPE Inflatable Recreational Kayak Series
  6. SPRINT Sit-Inside Touring Kayak Series
  7. ALLIANCE Tandem Sit-Inside Kayak
  8. RIVER GORGE Tandem Sit-On-Top Kayak
  9. SOLO Kid Sit-On-Top Kayak Series

Before diving in, three important notes:

  1. Pelican model numbers and letters (e.g., 100X, EXO, etc.) have specific meaning.
    A full breakdown is available here: Understanding Pelican Kayak Model Names.
  2. Several Pelican kayak models like Mission and Summit are retailer exclusives, made specifically for Costco, Canadian Tire, and more. A full overview is available here: Pelican Retailer-Exclusive Kayak Series.
  3. All Pelican hardshell kayaks are made from RAM-X™ material.
    RAM-X™ is Pelican’s proprietary high-density polyethylene designed to deliver exceptional impact resistance, durability, and light weight. Unlike standard plastics, RAM-X™ flexes on impact instead of cracking, making Pelican kayaks tough, long-lasting, and easy to transport — ideal for recreational paddlers of all levels.

SEEK Ergonomic Sit-On-Top Kayak

The SEEK 100X recreational kayak represents Pelican’s newest generation of recreational platform, built around accessibility, comfort, and ease of use. Designed to welcome more people onto the water, this Pelican kayak simplifies entry and exit thanks to its ergonomic grab bars. Wide cockpit, comfort-focused configuration, and thoughtful design details make the SEEK recreational kayak feel intuitive and reassuring from the moment you get on board.

Find out more about the Pelican SEEK Sit-On-Top Kayak Series by exploring the complete lineup here.

Drone shot of a man lounging in a blue Pelican SEEK recreational kayak

ORION Upgraded Sit-Inside Kayak

The ORION kayak model is for paddlers who want more than the basics without committing to full touring kayaks. This Pelican kayak blends comfort, premium outfitting, and noticeably better glide than entry-level recreational kayaks, all wrapped in a fully color-molded hull with a distinctive, refined look.

Find out more about the Pelican ORION Sit-In Kayak by exploring its key features and specifications here.

Pelican Orion 100X recreational kayak with man seen from drone on the water

ARGO Iconic Sit-Inside Kayak Series

Pelican’s ARGO sit-inside kayak family is the brand’s core recreational kayak series — the place where most beginner paddlers start, and the category Pelican is most known for. Built for easy, confidence-building paddling on lakes and gentle rivers, ARGO kayaks are also a line many experienced paddlers return to for their simplicity, reliability, and grab-and-go versatility.

Find out more about the Pelican ARGO Sit-In Kayak Series by exploring the complete lineup here.

Pelican Argo 100X pink kayak with woman lying down, feet on cockpit, seen from drone on water

SENTINEL Iconic Sit-On-Top Kayak Series

If ARGO is about comfort inside the cockpit, SENTINEL is about the freedom of staying on top of the kayak. SENTINEL kayaks are Pelican’s go-to sit-on-top kayak line for paddlers who want simplicity: hop on, paddle, jump in for a swim, climb back on. No fuss, no cockpit, no constraint.

Find out more about the Pelican SENTINEL Sit-On-Top Kayak Series by exploring the complete lineup here.

Pelican Sentinel 100 orange kayak seen from drone with woman and her small black dog

iESCAPE Inflatable Kayak Series

The iESCAPE kayak line was created for people who want the freedom to paddle but don’t have space for a full-size kayak, or who want a portable kayak they can take anywhere and easily bring along as a second kayak option.

Find out more about Pelican iESCAPE Inflatable Kayak Series by exploring the complete lineup here.

Pelican iEscape inflatable kayaks, blue tandem and solo, seen from drone on water

SPRINT Touring Sit-Inside Kayak Series

The SPRINT kayak line is Pelican’s true touring family — longer, sleeker kayaks designed for paddlers who want more speed, glide, and efficiency than any recreational kayak model can provide. With sharper lines, narrower profiles, and a focus on tracking and performance, the SPRINT series is built for covering distance with less effort.

Find out more about Pelican SPRINT Touring Sit-In Kayak Series by exploring the complete lineup here.

Drone shot of a man enjoying smooth gliding in a green Pelican Sprint 120XR touring kayak

ALLIANCE Tandem Sit-Inside Kayak

The ALLIANCE kayak brings Pelican’s recreational kayak design philosophy — focused on accessibility and the joy of easy, constraint-free paddling — into a two-person tandem format, making it perfect for couples, families, and friends who want to paddle together. This tandem sit-inside kayak offers a reassuringly stable platform while still being comfortable and spacious for two adults (and sometimes a younger paddler or pet).

Pelican Alliance 136T tandem kayak with man and woman seen from drone on water

RIVER GORGE Tandem Sit-On-Top Kayak

The RIVER GORGE kayak model is Pelican’s tandem sit-on-top recreational kayak — wide, durable, and extremely stable. This Pelican kayak is designed for easy entry and exit, warm-weather paddling, and relaxed shared adventures on lakes and calm rivers.

Find out more about the Pelican RIVER GORGE Tandem Sit-On-Top Kayak by exploring its key features and specifications here.

Blue Pelican River Gorge 130XP Tandem Sit-On-Top Kayak

SOLO Kid Sit-On-Top Kayak Series

SOLO kayaks are Pelican’s dedicated youth kayak line, designed to be safe, lightweight, and easy to manage, both on shore and on the water, so young paddlers can build confidence and enjoy their first kayaking experiences.

Find out more about Pelican SOLO Kid Kayak Series by exploring the complete lineup here.

Pelican SOLO Evo DLX yellow kayak with a smiling girl inside

From relaxed weekend outings to spontaneous lake and river escapes, there’s a Pelican recreational kayak designed to match your pace and your sense of adventure. Built on proven designs, trusted materials, and decades of on-water experience, Pelican recreational kayaks are made to help you enjoy every paddle stroke, simply, comfortably, and with confidence.

Pelican recreational kayak comparison chart used in an English blog post

Ready to get out there?
Grab your PFD, and see you on the water 💙

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