ORU Bay ST Kayak – Very Capable Kayak That Folds into a Briefcase

Andrew Piotrowski

“Woah what is that thing made of” is a common inquiry I get when launching or assembling the Bay ST Origami Kayak from ORU. And while explaining the concept gets old after a while, the question itself is valid. The ORU Bay ST Kayak is a newer, more advanced version of the original “Origami Kayak.” This kayak goes from a briefcase measuring at 33x14x29 to a 12FT performance kayak in as little as ten minutes. When folded up this sleek beauty can easily fit in the trunk or back seat of a car or small SUV. This makes it perfect for paddlers with storage or transportation constraints. 

On Water Performance: I was pleasantly surprised the first time I slide into the cockpit of the Bay ST. First off, the cockpit area is tight with just enough room for you and the essentials. This is a good thing as it allows the boat to stay light, snappy, and easy to control. There is an adjustable foot brace that was unexpected but adds a lot of comfort and control. The Bay ST is very light (26lb) but does not feel as if you’re paddling a weak or sloppy rig.

I expected to feel lots of flexing when in chop, but instead, the Bay ST held strong and felt like a normally constructed kayak. I took the Bay ST out in the choppy waters of the Chesapeake Bay and enjoyed every second of it. The V shape in the Bow and Stern of the hull allows the boat to track nicely but isn’t so aggressive that its tippy or unstable.


Bay ST - Oru Kayak

 

Assembly/Break Down: Putting the Bay ST together is straight forward but definitely takes a bit longer the first couple times. It took me a little over fifty minutes the first time I took it out of the box. However, as you get more familiar with the boat, it gets easier and faster. Oru advertises that you can assemble it in ten min; this is 100% true after you get good at it. But don’t expect to be at those times right away. While it takes a little longer to assemble than a standard ISUP, the added performance, weight saving, and storage space far exceed the standard ISUPs.

Durability: So far so good! Let’s not fool ourselves, this isn’t going to be like the nearly bomb-proof Royalex or Tuf Weave material that some kayaks/canoes are made of; however, those boats don’t fold into a suitcase either. I have been testing the Bay ST for a few months now, and there are zero signs of wear or tear on the hull. 

Comfort: If you are new to kayaking or a bigger person you might find the Bay ST a little tight. It is a closed cockpit and there is not a lot of room for extras. There is some top deck rigging and some room in front and behind the seat but not much. However, this keeps things light, nimble, and fast! I found the Bay ST to be comfortable and to have just enough space for my essentials. The added foot brace and adjustable seat keep things comfortable without giving up performance. 

Weight: Coming in at a feather-light 26lbs makes the ORU super easy to transport, portage, and pull out of the water. 

MSRP: $1,499

---

Andrew Piotrowski

Andrew is a trail runner, climber, paddler, snowboarder, marketer, and most importantly a dog dad. Andrew grew up in suburban Philadelphia and now lives on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

While he lives pretty far from the mountains, he puts a heavy focus on preparing for them and inspiring others to do the same. He first fell in love with the mountains on family trips to the White Mountains and the Adirondacks. He spent the majority of his early life competitively running and leisurely paddling, however after college he began focusing on learning to climb, snowboard, and backpack.

Over the past ten years since then, he has been fortunate enough to gain some amazing experiences exploring North America. Some of the most memorable thus far are alpine climbing in the Sierra, trail running in Alberta, learning to splitboard in NH, countless days hiking in the Catskills, or a plethora of mellow days paddling the Chesapeake Bay with friends.

When he can’t be in the mountains Andrew is often running or hiking with his favorite training partners, his two rescue dogs Calvin and Enzo. Andrew is also a self-proclaimed gear junkie and confessed that his gear loft is the most organized place in his home.

Blog: Flatcityclimbing.com

Instagram: pack_mule_piotrowski