K-PUMPS

A K-Pump is a compact, highly durable, and efficient manual hand pump specifically designed for inflatable watercraft like kayaks, rafts, and stand-up paddleboards (SUPs). Made in Oregon, they are a very common sight on rivers in the Pacific Northwest and are prized for their reliability and portability.

 

Unlike a simple, bulky barrel pump, a K-Pump has several key features that make it ideal for paddlers:

  • Two-Stage System: This is the pump's most important feature. Most models operate in two modes:

     

    • High Volume (Low Pressure): You start in this mode to fill the boat with air quickly.

    • High Pressure (Low Volume): When pumping becomes difficult, you twist the handle to switch to this mode. It moves less air per stroke but makes it much easier to "top off" your boat to the firm, high pressure required for performance, something that is very difficult with a standard barrel pump.

  • Durability: K-Pumps are built to be "bomber" or nearly indestructible. They are made from heavy-duty, UV-resistant PVC and ABS plastics, designed to be thrown in a boat, get sandy, and still work.

  • Portability: They are much more compact and lightweight than traditional barrel pumps, making them easy to stow inside a kayak or strap to a raft frame. This makes them the perfect pump to bring on the river for topping off or for emergency field repairs.

  • No Hoses: The pump nozzle is integrated into the body, so there are no clumsy hoses to kink, lose, or have pop out of the valve while you're pumping.

     

  • Field Serviceable: You can easily take them apart to clean out sand and water, and they come with spare O-rings and lubricant. This is a critical feature for multi-day trips where gear failure is not an option.

     

In short, a K-Pump is a premium, purpose-built tool for serious paddlers who need a reliable and portable way to inflate their gear to the proper pressure without relying on batteries. While you can inflate a whole raft with one, they are most valued as a high-pressure "top-off" pump to bring on the water.


When choosing the size of a K-pump, you can consider factors such as the pump's intended use and the amount of volume it needs to produce:
  • K-Mini
    This ultra compact pump is good for inflatable crafts like kayaks, pontoons, and kick-boats
  • K-100
    This compact pump is a good choice for inflatable kayakers, float tubers, pontoon boaters, and yacht tenders
  • K-200
    This pump is good for rafts, cata-rafts, and pontoon crafts, and allows the user to stand upright while using it. It has almost double the volume of the K-100
  • K-40
    This compact pump is a popular choice because it's lightweight and easy to pack, but still produces over 70% of the volume of the K-400 

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