Oru Kayak has partnered the outdoor gear rental firm GetOutfitted to launch the first national kayak rental program that delivers foldable kayaks to consumers' doorsteps for a convenient, affordable experience outdoors.
The program is a partnership between, a web service that rents outdoor gear and ships it directly to customers anywhere in the US, and the makers of the first origami-inspired foldable kayak. Customers from beginners to advanced can have the kayak package delivered to their door for $125/week. The package includes Oru’s innovative Bay Kayak, a paddle, a lifejacket, assembly instructions, and a return shipping label. Renters also get a $125 credit towards purchasing a kayak directly from Oru after the rental.
The process is easy: customers simply go to GetOutfitted.com, select the gear, enter the dates of their trip, and provide a shipping address. The gear will arrive one day prior to the trip; after the rental ends customers place the gear back in the original box, attach the prepaid shipping label and drop it off at their nearest FedEx location. Shipping and returns are free.
For GetOutfitted, who launched a similar program with popular camping & backpacking brand Kelty in June, this partnership is another step towards making the outdoors more accessible and inclusive. The company was founded to serve people who want to participate more but are challenged by the sky-high costs, storage, and common underutilization of outdoor gear.
GetOutfitted also aims to combat the intimidation factor of trying something for the first time without the right gear.
“There are endless ways to apply our model to various outdoor activities aimed at getting more people outside and bringing down the barriers most people face,” says Julian Flores, GetOutfitted Founder & CEO. “This partnership with Oru is yet another win for us and for customers interested in experiencing the water. We did a quiet launch of the Oru service a few days ago and we’re already overbooked.”
“GetOutfitted is a great partner for Oru Kayak,” said Oru Kayak founder Anton Willis. “ As a brand we are committed to enabling people to easily experience the outdoors and one of the great things about Oru Kayaks is they transform from box to boat in five minutes” said founder Anton Willis. “And they’re easy to check on a plane, throw in a trunk, or hike one in to remote waters!”
By using technology and the national infrastructure of FedEx to deliver experiences and convenience to people all over the US, GetOutfitted and Oru Kayak are seeking to upend the traditional way of serving the committed and aspiring outdoor enthusiast. The two companies are keenly aware of the rapidly growing millennial generation that is spending more time and money seeking live experiences; this program gives both companies the perfect opportunity to address those needs head on.
GetOutfitted was founded in 2013 and pioneered a through-the-mail rental program for ski clothing. Since its founding, it has worked with partners such as Patagonia, Vail Resorts, Kelty, and others to make it easier than ever to enjoy outdoor experiences without the burden of owning gear.
Oru Kayak has grown rapidly since its original 2012 Kickstarter launch, collecting accolades for innovation and design from Outdoor Retailer, ISPO, and Edison Awards, among others. The company has grown its team to expand its market reach and streamline its design and prototyping. In the last year, Oru Kayak has begun to build international distribution channels, forge partnerships with large US retailers such as REI and Backcountry.com, and invest heavily in a refined manufacturing process. With an ambitious product roadmap, Oru Kayak remains proud its past while gaining excitement about things to come. All Oru Kayaks are available for purchase at orukayak.com and at select retailers.
