Home > Kayak Types > Recreational kayaks > Old Town Loon 120 Kayak Review

Old Town Loon 120 Kayak Review

Mark Armstrong
Updated on:
- If you buy via a link on this page, we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you. Learn more
- Read our review guidelines

Sometimes when you’re looking for the ideal kayak, there are certain things you may have to compromise on, such as comfort, special features or storage. But Old Town Loon kayaks might just be able to offer you a combination of the useful features you want.

We’ve checked out the Loon 120 and some of the other models in the series to see what they can offer and if they might be the right crafts for your next paddling trip.

Old Town Loon 120Pin
  • Length: 12 foot
  • Width: 30 inches
  • Depth: 15.25 inches
  • Weight: 54 pounds
  • Weight Capacity: 375 pounds

Are You A “Loon” For Wanting One?

The Old Town Loon is a sit-inside kayak designed for recreational use in ponds, rivers, lakes and the ocean.

With the sit-inside design, you could have the option of paddling all year round, as the closed cockpit should help to keep you drier. There’s also the possibility of adding spray skirts to these vessels to keep you even more protected against the weather and splashes if you’re paddling in colder climates.

The Loon could be a good choice if you like to paddle in a range of conditions and water types, as it’s designed to offer a combination of speed and stability. This could suit a range of paddlers, from beginners to more experienced ones.

The large cockpit could help newer paddlers feel more comfortable and could also be beneficial for other activities, such as fishing, where you might not want to be too confined.

The Loon Family: 106, 111 & 126

The Loon series offers a range of sit-inside vessels to suit different paddlers. The 106 (pictured below) is a 10 foot 6 inch yak that is similar in style and features to the 120 but with a slightly wider 31 inch hull for added stability and a wider cockpit.

Old Town Loon 106 KayakPin

The 126 is also similar in style and features to the 120 and the 106 but is longer, at 12 foot 6 inches and wider at 31 inches. It has a more spacious cockpit and has a larger weight capacity of 450 pounds, which could make it more suitable for carrying more gear or for larger paddlers.

The 111 has slightly less features than the rest of the vessels in the Loon series. It’s 11 foot 1 inch long and 28 inches wide but is built for stability and could be a good choice for beginners.

Old Town Loon 111Pin

The 111 (pictured above) doesn’t have the same storage facilities that the others have but there is bungee rigging at the stern for securing gear. The seat on the 111 is also a little different with less advanced materials but could still be comfortable for anyone learning to paddle.

Loon Angler Kayaks

The Loon Angler yaks come in a 10 foot 6 inch (106) version and a 12 foot 6 inch (126) version. Both of the Angler models feature the same hull design, for boosting speed and performance on the water.

They also both benefit from many of the same features as the other vessels in the Loon series, including the USB work deck and storage options. One feature that’s unique to the Angler versions is the built-in rod holders. There’s also an anchor trolley system on both.

Both the 106 and 126 Angler yaks are an inch wider than the Loon 120, giving you the extra stability that you often need when you’re fishing.

Top Features Of The Loon 120

The Old Town Loon 120 is recreational sit-inside kayak that’s designed with a large cockpit and extra comfort features for longer days on the water.

Power On The Go

One feature that may come in handy during a long trip is the USB charging port. This means, with the addition of a power source, you can keep your gadgets charged up while you’re on the water. It could be useful for a phone, GPS, camera, fish finder or whatever else you might need.

Video: Old Town Loon With USB Work Deck

The USB port is built into a removable work deck that sits at the front of the cockpit. The work deck has plenty of storage for smaller items and gadgets and can be useful for fishing or photography.

Comfort Cockpit

If you’re out all day, comfort is important and with the Loon you have a spacious cockpit, measuring 56 by 22 inches, which can help you feel less confined.

The ACS2 seat is padded, breathable and designed for comfortable paddling. The seat back and bottom can both be adjusted to suit your paddling style. There are also adjustable foot braces on tracks inside the cockpit so you can stabilize yourself and paddle more comfortably.

Video: Old Town Loon 126, 120 & 106 Recreational Kayaks

The seat also benefits from having a cup holder built in, so you can keep your beverage within easy reach while you’re paddling.

Day Storage

For keeping your gear safe and dry there’s a storage hatch in the stern, which can be ideal for holding larger items. As well as this, there’s bungee rigging at both the bow and stern where you can easily secure other gear.

The cockpit also opens into the bow, so you could potentially store other items in there, as long as you leave enough room for your legs and feet.

On The Water Performance

The Loon is designed with a V shaped keel, with sharper edges at the bow and stern. This can allow for straighter tracking and improved speed, as these types of hulls can generally slice through the water a little easier.

It has a versatile hull that could be good for lakes, rivers and the ocean. Because of the hull design, it should have good secondary stability, meaning that small waves or riffles shouldn’t be much of an issue.

The sit-inside design could make it an ideal choice if you plan to paddle in colder climates, as a spray skirt could be purchased as an optional extra to keep you drier and warmer.


Alternatives To The Old Town Loon Kayaks

Perception Carolina 12

Perception Carolina 12 KayakPin

The Carolina is a lightweight 12 foot touring yak, so it might be a good alternative if you’re looking for extra speed and efficiency on the water for longer journeys. It benefits from an adjustable seat and front and rear storage hatches, as well as bungee rigging for additional gear.

However, because it’s designed for touring, it’s also much narrower than the Loon 120, at just 26 inches. But beginners should still feel comfortable with its stable hull.

> Our full Carolina review

Dagger Axis 12.0

The 12 foot sit-inside Axis is built for all types of water, making it a good alternative if you like to paddle in a range of waters. It’s designed to be easy to maneuver, track straight and has the benefit of a drop down skeg.

There’s a stern storage hatch and bungee rigging on the deck for overnight gear and there’s a customizable seat in the cockpit for more comfortable paddling.

Old Town Vapor 10

Old Town Vapor 10 KayakPin

The Vapor is a recreational sit-inside that’s 10 foot long by 28.5 inches wide, which could make it easier to transport and maneuver on the water. It has a spacious cockpit with an adjustable seat and sliding foot rests for added stability.

The open tank well at the stern could be ideal for a small cooler or fishing gear and the skid plate also helps boost its durability.

> Full Vapor 10 review


Loon Kayaks: Q&A

Do the Loon kayaks come with paddles?

No, paddles will need to purchased separately.

What is the tracking like?

Because of the hull shape, the Loon is designed to track well.


Wrapping Up

The Old Town Loon could be a great option if you’re looking for a vessel that’s versatile, comfortable and spacious. With the large cockpit on all the models, there could even be space for a small dog. The USB work deck could also come in handy, helping you stay on the water for longer.

Old Town Loon 120Pin

Pros

  • Comfortable seat
  • USB charging port
  • Storage
  • Tracking
  • Ideal for beginners or experienced paddlers

Cons

  • Not a budget kayak
  • Wide hull may affect speed over longer distances

If you think the Loon 120 might be what you need on your next paddling trip, check it out here. Just don’t forget to let us know how your trip goes. And if you want to help out your like-minded followers, simply share this with them.

Old Town Loon 120 Kayak Review - Pinterest ImagePin

Leave a Comment