Pelican Trailblazer 100 NXT Kayak

The Pelican Trailblazer 100 NXT is an affordable 10-foot recreational sit-inside kayak that is designed to be durable and easy to transport. This can be an ideal starter kayak and comes with a padded seat and an adjustable backrest.

• Length: 10 foot
• Width: 28 inches
• Weight: 35.6 pounds
• Weight Capacity: 275 pounds

This compact boat is made from tough RAM-X polyethylene material, which is designed to be UV and impact-resistant, and lightweight, making it great for beginners. The sit-inside cockpit can also make it an ideal choice for all-weather paddling.

Before You Buy A Pelican Trailblazer

The Pelican Trailblazer 100 NXT is a budget recreational kayak that is designed for increased durability and can be ideal for beginners. As well as being an excellent starter boat, this can also be great if you’re looking for a basic compact boat that’s easy to car-top and carry to the water.

It’s an affordable boat, built for flatwater paddling, with enough secondary stability to handle moderate waves.

This compact boat has a generous amount of space, with a large cockpit that can feel less confining than some narrower vessels. The storage deck at the rear can be great for holding larger gear or fishing equipment.

You can even store additional items on the deck using the bungees to secure them. For smaller essentials, there’s further storage under the cockpit rim.

This vessel is designed for ease of use, so it can be excellent for beginners, being easy to maneuver.

However, it may not be for everyone, particularly if you’re looking for something with a higher weight capacity. While the cockpit is roomy, it might not be comfortable if you’re a larger paddler, especially if you want to bring along heavy gear.

If you’re after something with more high-end features, this is probably not the one for you. There are no fishing features and the seat may not be the comfiest for extended trips. You’re best off looking for higher priced kayaks or even a dedicated touring option.

The Big Features Of The Pelican Trailblazer 100 NXT Kayak

Stability

One of the stand-out features of the Trailblazer is its stable hull. It has a multi-chine hull with a twin arch design to offer optimized stability on flatwater as well as moderate moving water. This can make it ideal if you want to be able to paddle in different bodies of water.

The high level of stability can also make it feel more comfortable for new kayakers.

Roomy Cockpit

Another feature that can be helpful for beginners is the large cockpit. Compared to narrow touring or sea kayaks, this one can be easier to get in and out of. This could also make it more convenient if you wanted to fish. The cockpit measures just over 42 inches long and just over 20 inches wide.

There are molded foot braces to help you stabilize yourself and optimize your paddling posture. The seat features a padded seat bottom and has the benefit of a padded Ergoform backrest that can be adjusted for comfort.

Storage Deck

A useful feature of this boat is the rear storage deck, which is a spacious area that can be ideal for holding dry bags or other larger items. There’s also bungee rigging so that you can keep all your gear safe while you’re on the move.

Video: Pelican Trailblazer 100 NXT Overview

The large rear deck can also be ideal for a fishing crate or cooler if you wanted to customize the boat into a fishing kayak.

You’ll even find a cockpit table at the front of the cockpit, where you can keep smaller items safely stowed and there’s a bottle holder with a bungee cord. Underneath the cockpit rim is a mesh storage hammock where you can keep small essentials.

There is another bungee cord at the bow which can be great for holding smaller gear, such as a jacket or small dry bag.

Impact Resistant

The Trailblazer is made out of RAM-X material, which is a durable polyethylene that’s exclusive to Pelican. This is a tough but lightweight material that’s built to retain its shape even after impacts. It also benefits from having a UV-resistant coating.

The boat is thermo-formed which helps to provide it with a rigid frame for improved strength and performance. The increased durability can make it ideal if you’re learning, as it can withstand the inevitable knocks and scrapes.

Easy To Use

This is a lightweight 10-foot kayak weighing just under 36 pounds, which can make it easier to carry and load on and off of your roof rack. Its compact hull can mean it’s easy to maneuver on the water as well as on land.

It’s also crafted for increased tracking performance, making it easier to control and paddle straight, which can be especially useful if you’re a beginner trying to master your paddling technique.

We’re not the only ones who think this can be a fun boat for a relaxing flatwater adventure.

@PelicanSport Another day enjoying our Pelican Trailblazer kayaks pic.twitter.com/VuRUpGCN5d

— JoJo Wonderdog (@jjwonderdog) July 2, 2016

---

Trailblazer 100NXT Alternatives

Eddyline Sky 10

If you’re looking for something a little lighter and quicker, the Eddyline Sky 10 could be a good option, especially if lakes and bays are your go-to paddling locations. However, it is much pricier.

This 10-foot sit-inside composite yak weighs 32 pounds and is 2 inches narrower, allowing for more speed and paddling efficiency. It also benefits from having two dry storage hatches, as well as deck bungee rigging for additional gear.

Pelican Maxim 100X

The Pelican Maxim 100X is a very similar kayak to the Trailblazer, as it’s the same size, weight, and weight capacity, with a spacious sit-inside cockpit. However, this one has the added benefit of a bow storage hatch, so you can keep gear safe and dry within the hull.

The hull is also slightly different, with a shallow V design, which can provide better secondary stability in rougher water, such as moderate waves or riffles.

Emotion Guster

The 10 foot Emotion Guster is a recreational sit-inside that is built for stability on flatwater. But it is a little heavier, weighing 48 pounds. It has a flat bottom hull with deep channels for improved tracking. It also has a padded seat with an adjustable backrest and a large cockpit.

There is an oval hatch in the stern for storing gear below deck and there is bungee rigging at the bow and stern for additional gear. In front of the cockpit, you’ll find a flat surface that can be ideal if you wanted to install accessory mounts (sold separately), which could be useful for fishing. 

---

In Conclusion: Is the Trailblazer 100 NXT Any Good?

Pros

• Lightweight
• Stable
• Good storage space
• Budget-friendly

Cons

• No dry storage
• May not be ideal for larger paddlers

The Pelican Trailblazer 100 NXT can be great if you’re new to paddling but it can also be just as good for more experienced paddlers looking for a lightweight, easy-to-transport vessel.

The spacious rear deck and additional bungee rigging mean it can be ideal for picnics or fishing trips. The roomy cockpit can also be convenient if you’re learning or want more space to fish.

Check out the Pelican Trailblazer 100 NXT and let us know what you think. Feel free to share if you want to help out your buddies.