Gear Review: Dagger Axiom Whitewater Kayak
Value Rating: 10
Durability Rating: 10
Overall Rating: 10
Location of Test: Ireland, France, Italy, Slovenia, Scotland
Duration of Test: 18 months
Product Name: Axiom
Product Brand: Dagger
Best Use: Grade 3-4 whitewater with strong deep flows and clean eddy lines to help get the boat vertical!
The Full Review:
If it were practical I would talk about this boat forever - but all you need to know for now is that this is one of the best whitewater boats ever designed. This boat excels at everything, from a great learning platform for people new to kayaking (hence the 6.9 kids version) all the way to running stout grade 4/5 whitewater if you really want to challenge yourself with something that isn't a big volume creek boat.
The perfect way to utilize this boat in grade 3-4 whitewater where you can really feel how snappy the edges are throughout the length of the boat. Being lighter than the average creek boat really helps you drive and accelerate the Axiom when you need to, combined with the low volume tail it makes it super easy to adjust your line on short notice. This low weight and low volume tail also make the Axiom boof its way through anything from wave trains and holes too big drops.
The displacement hull design and sharp edges also make for a super fun surf on waves both in the river and sea, making this a super versatile boat. The best fun you can have in a slicey boat, however, is getting it vertical. With a little bit of practice in the right spot, anybody can learn how to tail squirt, pirouette or splat this boat.
The Good
- Carves and edges like a dream
- Super easy to get vertical
- BOOFS EVERYTHING
- Super fun to surf
- Dagger plastic is bomber
- Dagger outfitting is sooooo comfortable
- Nice and easy to carry around
- Relatively inexpensive compared to other boats
- Great platform for any whitewater paddler
The Bad:
Once you start hitting those grade 4 whitewater sections it gets pretty sporty. Make sure you know what you're doing.
The Bottom Line:
Best boat ever. Simple as that.
- Check out our full selection of Dagger Axiom Kayaks! -
The Full Review:
If it were practical I would talk about this boat forever - but all you need to know for now is that this is one of the best whitewater boats ever designed. This boat excels at everything, from a great learning platform for people new to kayaking (hence the 6.9 kids version) all the way to running stout grade 4/5 whitewater if you really want to challenge yourself with something that isn't a big volume creek boat.
The perfect way to utilize this boat in grade 3-4 whitewater where you can really feel how snappy the edges are throughout the length of the boat. Being lighter than the average creek boat really helps you drive and accelerate the Axiom when you need to, combined with the low volume tail it makes it super easy to adjust your line on short notice. This low weight and low volume tail also make the Axiom boof its way through anything from wave trains and holes too big drops.
The displacement hull design and sharp edges also make for a super fun surf on waves both in the river and sea, making this a super versatile boat. The best fun you can have in a slicey boat, however, is getting it vertical. With a little bit of practice in the right spot, anybody can learn how to tail squirt, pirouette or splat this boat.
The Good
- Carves and edges like a dream
- Super easy to get vertical
- BOOFS EVERYTHING
- Super fun to surf
- Dagger plastic is bomber
- Dagger outfitting is sooooo comfortable
- Nice and easy to carry around
- Relatively inexpensive compared to other boats
- Great platform for any whitewater paddler
The Bad:
Once you start hitting those grade 4 whitewater sections it gets pretty sporty. Make sure you know what you're doing.
The Bottom Line:
Best boat ever. Simple as that.