Every kayak has its unique feel or essence. Some are big and powerful, others nimble and quick. The Quest Teton 100 Kayak is right in the Goldilocks zone of not too big, not too small—it’s just right.
Skimming across the lake’s surface in search of fish, the Quest Teton 100 Kayak moves like an aquatic creature itself, with smooth tracking and a low profile propel for effortless paddling. Proving itself an ideal boat for a variety of activities, it’s been my go-to this summer for both leisure sunset paddles as well as fishing expeditions into tight shoreline areas.
Feature-wise, the sit-on-top comes with tons of storage options, including a nice dry bin in front of the seat for a phone or keys. The ability to use this for recreation or to set it up as a serious fishing rig sets it apart from other kayaks.
The rear well has enough space to accommodate a 5-gallon bucket for easy storage, and the removable drain plug and four self-bailing scupper holes keep it balanced and secure in the water.
The first thing that jumps out with this kayak is its relatively small size. At just over 10 feet long and around 55 pounds, it’s not the biggest kayak on the water. For a 6’2” large angler like myself, this was initially a concern. Would the boat feel stable, especially while paddling or casting a fishing rod? Surprisingly, the answer was yes, this kayak is very stable for its size.
When you first sit in it, there’s a bit of rocking, but once settled and paddling across the water, the kayak is stable, smooth, and tracks nicely. I even tested it in a bit of chop and wind, and handled it with no problem. To be clear, this is a recreational kayak, and I would not take it on any whitewater or even fast water. It is best suited for lakes and calm rivers or streams.
Another standout feature of the Teton 100 is the comfortable, removable mesh frame seat that provides equal back support as well as gets you sitting slightly above the boat. This helps with paddling but also keeps you dry if any water gets into the base of the self-draining kayak. It’s easy to adjust and pops right out when you are done for easy transportation and storage. To further help with the dryness, you can put scupper plugs in the bottom of the kayak to help keep water out as needed.
The kayak has variable footwells to accommodate a paddler of any size. And another bonus is the ample storage with bow and stern bungees alongside the dry storage hatch that locks shut.
For anglers, there are built-in rod holders behind the seat, and a dedicated space to accommodate a 5-gallon bucket for bait, beers, or both. It also has built-in side rails for various accessories, from fish finders to GoPro cameras. Its versatility makes it fun for an angler to build out as much or as little as they like. Also, on either side of the Teton is a bungee paddle keeper that lets you secure your paddle while floating or fishing.
Transporting it is relatively easy also. Rope handles on either end make it easy to carry with two people, and I was able to just put it in the bed of my truck to get it to and from the water. You can also carry it solo, but it is a little cumbersome.
The only drawbacks are that it doesn’t come with a paddle (you’ll need to buy one separately), and the water bottle “holder” is just an indent to place a bottle. It won’t hold a can or bottle upright like a true cup holder would. And while stable, this is still a smaller kayak that will rock a bit if you move a lot. If you’re a really active angler or a paddler who likes to move around a lot, it’s not the most stable option; it’s more of a mellow kayak for floating and fishing.
Admittedly, I’ve yet to catch a fish while in the kayak, so I can’t report on how it handles when reeling. If you add a small anchor to the boat, it would help with drifting while fishing and stability for reeling in a catch.
All in all, this is a great kayak for the money. At $479, it’s a versatile rig that will get you around and also haul any fishing gear you want to bring along. While nimble and quick, it is still a stable ride that lets you turn on a dime and cruise with ease. Bottom line? If you are looking for a great fishing and rec kayak for under $500, the Quest Teton 100 is a great option.
–By Dave Young
Quest Teton 100 Kayak Specs
- Seating: 1 person
- Max Capacity: 275 lb
- Carry Weight: 55.5 lb
- Sit-On-top
- Length: 10’ 3”
- Material: LDPE
- Uses: Fishing/Recreation
- Seat: Removable mesh frame
