Seven pounds. That’s the full weight of a kayak you can carry on your back — the Pontos 2.0 folds into a tent-sized bag, then stretches out to 10.5 feet on the water.

“It takes less than seven minutes to assemble,” says designer Adam Mulsow. Credit: New Atlas


The creator, Adam Mulsow from Lubbock, Texas, wanted a boat that didn’t demand a roof rack or storage space. Folding kayaks already exist, but most tip the scales between 17 and 40 pounds. The Pontos 2.0 cuts that down to just 3 kilograms — lighter than some camping gear.

320 cm, 74 cm wide. Credit: New Atlas


The secret is a skin-on-frame design. Carbon fiber poles snap together like tent rods, guided by shock cord and polymer joints. Over that skeleton, a waterproof skin made of TPU-bonded nylon is pulled tight and zipped closed. Inside, the seat inflates. The whole setup takes five to seven minutes — quicker than boiling water for coffee.

How many minutes would you trade for a kayak that fits in your closet? Credit: New Atlas


Durability was the weak point in the first model. The original used 420D TPU nylon in stress zones. The 2.0 doubles that to 840D, reinforcing the bow, stern, and rib junctions. Even the seat fabric has been upgraded from 70D to 210D. Denier (D) measures fiber thickness, and higher numbers mean tougher material. Fittings have also shifted from 3D printing to injection molding, improving strength and consistency.

Adam Mulsow’s 10.5‑foot kayak folds into a backpack, redefining portability for paddlers. Credit: New Atlas

Tracking — the ability to move straight across water — is another detail. Many origami-style kayaks use flat hulls that drift. The Pontos 2.0 adds an internal keel pole running the length of the hull. It’s a simple change, but it keeps the boat aligned, even on flat water.

The Pontos 2.0 weighs just 7 pounds — lighter than some camping stoves. Credit: New Atlas


Assembly has been streamlined. Four rib sections are now two, reducing fiddly connections and strengthening the cockpit. Once built, the kayak measures 320 cm long and 74 cm wide, dimensions that place it firmly in the recreational category: stable enough for casual paddling, compact enough for easy handling.

Price will be the next test. Mulsow plans to launch the Pontos 2.0 on Kickstarter, with early backers offered a US$525 entry point. Inflatable kayaks are cheaper, but compared to other folding designs, the Pontos is competitive — especially given its weight advantage. For anyone who wants a kayak that disappears into a backpack, the calculation may be simple.

The Pontos 2.0 isn’t trying to replace traditional boats. It’s carving out a niche for people who want freedom without storage headaches. A kayak that weighs less than a bowling ball changes the equation: spontaneous trips, easier travel, fewer excuses. The engineering is sound. The real question is how many people will see themselves in that vision — willing to trade heft for portability, permanence for flexibility. If enough do, the sight of someone unzipping a tent-sized sack and pulling out a full kayak may shift from novelty to norm.