# Urban Kayaks The Transformer TRAK By MisterRob | Published 2008-11-13 | Special Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/a-kayak-in-your-closet-for-city-dwellers References: [rethinkkayak](http://www.rethinkkayak.com/why) & [rethinkkayak](http://www.rethinkkayak.com) Wired Magazine called it a 'freakin transformer.' How else could a shape-shifting, high performance, 16 foot kayak fit into a [portable 4 foot bag](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/collapsible-cart)? Through 10,000 years of R&D from Inuit of the North. For centuries the Inuit have paddled [foldable boats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/conqueror-inflatable); today, TRAK has brought that innovation to the city by creating the world's first [Urban Kayak](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/otter-bike-explorer). Their innovation goes from your place, to the subway, to paddling the water in less time than it takes to read your morning paper. According to TRAK [their T-1600](http://www.rethinkkayak.com/technology/) brings urban dwellers access to a whole new world… to the waters of their own backyards and from mild to wild… There's a whole lot of your city that you just haven't explored. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.7/10 - Popularity: 15% | Activity: 88% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Special](https://www.trendhunter.com/special) > [Olympics](https://www.trendhunter.com/olympics) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Portable Kayaks:** Opportunity to disrupt the traditional kayak market by offering a more portable and convenient option for urban dwellers. - **Foldable Boats:** Opportunity to explore the potential of foldable boats and bring Inuit's innovation to a wider audience. - **Urban Outdoor Activities:** Opportunity to tap into the market of urbanites who seek outdoor activities and offer innovative solutions that fit their lifestyle. ### Where This Applies - **Outdoor Recreation:** Opportunity to disrupt the traditional outdoor recreation industry by offering innovative and convenient products that cater to urban dwellers. - **Sporting Goods:** Opportunity to expand the market of sporting goods by introducing new and innovative products that appeal to urban adventurers. - **Transportation:** Opportunity to integrate urban kayaks with transportation, such as offering kayak racks on public transportation or partnering with ride-sharing services to transport kayaks to waterways. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Blacked-Out Origami Kayaks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oru-kayak-1.md) - [Collapsible Carbon Fiber Kayaks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/packable-kayak.md) - [Stealthy Lightweight Origami Kayaks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oru-kayak-black-edition.md) - [Featherweight Folding Kayaks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/featherweight-folding-kayak.md) - [Hybrid Inflatable Watercraft](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/isle-the-switch.md) - [Portable Folding Boats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portable-folding-boat.md) - [Customizable Electric Trikes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/maven-urban-etrike.md) - [E-Trike Boat Hybrids](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ztriton-20.md) - [Performance-Driven Packraft Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/alpacka-raft.md)