Lifetime started making kayaks back in 2010, but as a company, they’ve been providing durable polyethylene products since 1986.
And in recent years, they’ve steadily developed a reputation for offering affordable, durable, and practical fishing kayaks, as well as recreational watercraft for all the family.
Their Tamarac model might be the kayak that everyone is more familiar with – given that it’s been in almost every big box store up and down the nation – but the Lifetime Teton 100 Angler is a serious step-up.
But is it the right choice for you? What are its pros and cons? How does it match up to other fishing kayaks out there?
And most importantly – does it come in a nice color?
Let’s find out.
Our Verdict on the Lifetime Teton 100 Angler Kayak
The Teton Angler 100 has a great balance of features, performance, and comfort, with a choice of stylish colors, and all at a price point that won’t break the bank.
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The Lifetime Teton 100 Angler Kayak – What is It?
The Teton 100 Angler is a single person, sit-on-top fishing kayak that offers high-end features at a more budget-friendly price.
Designed to bridge the gap between cheap fishing kayaks and mid-range models, the Teton 100 is easily one of the best fishing kayaks for under $500 you can find – and you can follow that link for more.
Lifetime claims it offers “versatility, luxury, and performance on the water,” and I certainly don’t think they’re wrong in that assessment.
There’s also plenty of scope for upgrading and customizing the Teton how you see fit, and it all wraps up nicely in a functional, affordable fishing kayak that offers a lot of bang for your buck.
What’s it For?
The Teton is perfectly at home fishing glassy lakes, lazy rivers, small ponds, and calm inlets and bays.
It also makes it an ideal recreational kayak for leisurely paddles (even when you’re not fishing), for anyone who isn’t getting any younger.
I know my aging bones are coming to the point where I only ever want a sit-on-top kayak with frame seating – and the Teton fits the bill, especially if you’re on a budget.
Check out the video below to see the Lifetime Teton Angler 100 in action.
The Lifetime Teton 100 Angler Kayak Review
Durability
Lifetime is famous for their super-durable, molded polyethylene products. They’re basically designed to last, well, a lifetime!
The same can be said for the Teton 100. It’s been made from a single piece of rotomolded, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), so you know it can take a beating.
It’s also UV protected, which means the color won’t fade or warp when it’s out in the sun.
That’s not to say you leave it out there for long stretches of time, though! Take a look at this article on how to store kayaks to help improve their longevity.
Performance
Now, here’s the kicker.
Budget-friendly fishing kayaks might talk the talk – but they don’t often walk the walk.
Sure, the Teton 100 looks good, has an impressive amount of features, and is very affordable. But how does it perform on the water?
Tracking
The Lifetime Teton Angler 100 features a molded-in skeg running the length of the hull, which has been included to improve its tracking through the water. A pronounced, sharp bow also assists in this endeavor, and for the most part, it’s a winning combination.
As such, the Lifetime tracks surprisingly well for a craft at this price point, and you can be sure you’ll be able to get from A to B without slaloming all over the place.
Speed
The sharp bow helps in this department, too, as it’s designed to cut through the waves and provide more speed. At 30.5-inches wide, the Teton is also relatively streamlined for a craft in its class.
Depending on your levels of fitness, you could probably hit around five miles per hour on a flat out sprint.
It’s never going to match the Vibe Shearwater or the Bonafide SS127 for pace, but there’s enough under the hood here to suggest a decent amount of efficiency in calm conditions.
And unless you’re competing in a tournament, or fleeing from a storm, speed isn’t the most important factor for most anglers. I much prefer taking my time when I’m out on the water.
Stability
The Teton 100 offers a nice balance of tracking, speed, and stability, given the flat hull, sharp bow, and tracking skeg.
But can you stand up in it?
Yes.
Can you confidently stand up in it?
No.
Standing straight up is one thing, casting and reeling in a catch is something totally different. Once you’re on your feet in the Teton, you’ll probably want to sit right back down again.
It certainly isn’t designed for standing casts and reels, so I wouldn’t recommend it.
If that’s what you’re looking for, check out this review of the best stand-up fishing kayaks on the market, and choose a wider, heavier kayak with EVA foot pads on the deck.
Maneuverability
The Teton is easy to turn, and you’ll feel comfortable negotiating hazards and obstacles in this kayak.
I wouldn’t try it on an Olympic whitewater run, but it’s more than adequate for most angler’s needs.
All in all, the Teton isn’t bad in the performance department by any means – it’s just there are always going to be many more fishing kayaks that are better than it head-to-head.
And if you are looking for something that offers a little more oomph, then there is the Teton 116 Pro version, which has a few extra features to kick things up a notch.
While kicking the price up a notch, too.
Features and Accessories
When I first reviewed this kayak for a previous article (the best budget-friendly fishing kayaks – if you’re interested), I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of features offered at this price point.
Let’s take a look at what’s included:
- Two 12-inch sections of universal track for accessories.
- Two flush mounted rod holders.
- Bungee strap paddle parks.
- Central mounting plate and wire hole.
- Paddle cradle for hands-free fishing.
- T-handles at the bow and stern.
- Luggage-style handles.
- Drain plug.
- Molded foot braces.
- Six self bailing scupper holes.
- Bottle holder.
Now, it’s never going to rival a feature-rich fishing machine like the Vibe Shearwater 125, but the Teton 100 still has plenty going for it, and more than most anglers will need to get the job done.
Some points to note:
The rod holders are positioned at an angle, which is ideal for trolling, but some anglers prefer if they go straight up. There are reports of them being in a bad position for obstructing your paddle stroke, too.
The T-handles aren’t the best, and can result in the kayak swinging from side to side and spinning when transporting. More on this in the portability section, below.
The mounting plate is great – but still needs a bit of DIY if you want to fix a mount to this section. Some people don’t like drilling holes in their kayak – which is perfectly understandable.
A cup holder would have been nice, given the fact that the bottle holder is positioned in a poor location right in the middle of the deck, and it can easily fill up with dirty pond water.
The paddle cradle is very ineffective, and you’re risking losing your means of propulsion if you put it there. Use the bungee strap paddle parks instead, and/or invest in a paddle leash.
The accessory tracks are located in a great place, within easy reach of the cockpit position, and are compatible with most aftermarket mounting accessories.
And speaking of, you can customize the Teton until your heart’s content, and improve anything you feel isn’t going to cut the mustard.
Add some of these awesome kayak rod holders, for example, or fix some extra Scotty track mounts if you need even more room for gear.
Comfort
Perhaps the real boon when it comes to this impressive little kayak, is the lawn-chair style seating. It’s rare that you get such luxury in a budget-friendly craft.
Fully adjustable, the frame is super-sturdy and powder-coated to resistant corrosion, while the material on the back and seat has been designed for quick-drying breathability.
Tilt the seat to your desired position when either fishing or paddling, and you’ll be good to go for a full day on the water.
This style of seating is also great if you suffer from any back problems, and it will help reduce fatigue, so you can stay out for longer.
It can also be removed, so you can take a break, sit on the beach and enjoy a cold one. Maybe from one of these kayak fishing coolers?!
However, while it’s impressive enough to feature a frame chair where typically you’d find a molded seat with butt-numbing padding, this is by no means a high-end derrière delight.
It’s still way more comfortable than the Lifetime Tamarack, or the Intex Excursion Pro, for example, but it’s not even remotely comparable to the likes of the Vantage seating from Hobie, or the Hero seating from Vibe.
The seat also comes away pretty easily, and there are reports of them getting lost to the depths when paddlers have flipped over.
However, there are clips that are meant to hold it in place, as well as a bolted in bracket underneath that you can attach the seat to. I’m also told that Lifetime will replace a lost seat if such an unfortunate event should occur.
The molded foot braces are okay. They might be a bit of a problem for some anglers, given the fact that we’re all different sizes and shapes, but they do the job for the most part.
Adjustable braces would have been nice – but then you’d be paying more money, wouldn’t you? If that’s what you’re looking for, you can check out the Teton 116 Pro version, instead.
The cockpit space is pretty limited, and larger paddlers might feel a little restricted in the Teton. Still, as we transition into mid-range kayaks, the Teton is an impressively comfortable ride overall.
Storage
Although it’s a compact kayak, the Teton 100 offers a large tank well to the rear, and a smaller one at the bow.
Both are covered with a six-point bungee tie-down system, to ensure your gear is safe and secure, and remains where it should for the duration of your adventure.
However, that’s about it for storage, and there are no extra pockets, compartments, or tackle trays to be had. Underseat space is limited/nonexistent, and even with the tank wells provided you’ll need to be careful about finding the right kayak crate or tackle bag to fit.
The Teton 100 doesn’t offer a dry hatch either – which I always think is a very useful addition, especially for keeping valuables safe.
Certainly, in this department, there’s room for improvement.
Weight Capacity
The Teton offers a maximum weight capacity of 275 lbs, and while that can’t rival such fishing machines as the Old Town Sportsman or Hobie Mirage Pro, for example, it still allows plenty of scope for a decent loadout.
And you have to remember that this is a relatively compact kayak, so 275 lbs is pretty impressive.
Remember, you should never attempt to come close to a kayak’s maximum capacity, as it can leave you seriously unbalanced, which can easily cause you to tip, capsize, take on water, and maybe even sink.
Portability
Weighing 53.5 lbs, and with durable side handles and T-handles at the bow and stern, the Teton 100 is pretty straightforward to transport.
And at just 10 feet in length (although the stats read it as 13.5 feet for some reason), it’s a compact kayak that can easily fit in the back of a truck bed, or on the roof of a vehicle with minimum fuss.
As mentioned in the feature section above, some paddlers report that the T-handles aren’t that great, and the kayak doesn’t feel secure when carrying it to the next fishing spot. But I think that’s more a personal preference than anything else.
While not quite as portable as these inflatable fishing kayaks, the Teton is still a great choice for on-the-go fishing, when you’ve only got a small window to throw a line in.
Ease of Use
There’s a reason I’ve included the Lifetime Teton 100 in a review of the best beginner fishing kayaks.
It’s because it’s really easy to use!
Seriously, there’s a very shallow learning curve here, and it makes a great option for first-time paddlers who are looking to jump right into owning a kayak with frame seating.
If this was available when I was just starting out, you’d better believe I’d be picking one up.
Aesthetics
Some anglers couldn’t care less what their kayak looks like, but for others – it’s an important part of their image on the water.
Which type are you?
Personally, I tend to fall into the latter category, and I like my kayaks to look the business.
That’s why I think the Teton 100 is surprisingly pleasing on the eye, with simple, clean lines, attractive symmetry, and a functional look. It doesn’t look too “busy,” which is nice if you’re a fan of minimalist designs.
The Lifetime logo is bolted in at the front of the kayak, and isn’t going to wear away or rub off. Fading logos on what should be quality products are a pet peeve, and this is a hill I will die on.
The side Lifetime logos are indented and laser cut, but the kayak’s name is a sticker – and stickers and water don’t go well together. Expect to lose this after several hours of moderate use. You’ll also find an orange warning stick to the stern.
The Teton is available in four smart color schemes – azure fusion, lemongrass fusion, tactic fusion, and recon fusion.
Each will appeal to a different type of paddler/angler, but I particularly like the striking orange and blue livery of the azure.
Whatever your preference, I’ve got no doubt that you’ll turn a few heads paddling this great looking fishing kayak.
Safety
The Lifetime Teton Angler 100 is a pretty sturdy craft, and it’s going to take a fair bit of wobble for it to tip.
That said, it shouldn’t be taken out in inclement weather or particularly choppy conditions.
I like the blaze orange accents on the more muted color schemes, which ensures it will still be visible in poor light. The lemongrass fusion isn’t going to have this problem!
If you do manage to tip the Teton, there’s a good chance you can flip it back over, given the fact that it’s relatively lightweight.
If you can’t, and you happen to be in open water, be sure to remain with the kayak, as you stand a better chance of rescue.
And as ever, always be sure to wear a dedicated PFD. Try one of these fishing PFDs which can save your life, AND give you a great place to store your fishing gear.
Price Point
What can I say that hasn’t already been said?!
With the Teton 100, you’re pocketing a decent amount of change from $500 (at the time of writing), and I seriously don’t think there’s a better value fishing kayak on the market.
You’re certainly not going to find a kayak with these features and lawn chair seating for less.
And if you happen to spot it on sale – then you’re particularly lucky. Snap it up while you can.
Overall
I have to say I love this kayak.
So much so, that I even included it in my list of the best fishing kayaks for 2024. I think that Lifetime has knocked it out of the park with this one. To mix up my sporting references.
The Teton Angler 100 has a great balance of features, performance, and comfort, with a choice of stylish colors, and all at a price point that won’t break the bank.
It’s solid, durable, and practical, and I’ll bet my bottom dollar you’ll do as well in this as you would a kayak that’s twice the price.
Sure, it could do with some more storage options, but if you’re an angler who likes to travel light, this is a great option.
Summary
I hope this review of the Lifetime Teton Angler 100 has given you food for thought, and you’re one step closer to finding the right fishing kayak for your needs.
Let me know if this one fits the bill – or if you already own it. What’s it like to use? Have you added any customizations? Is there anything you’d like to change? Would you buy it again?
Stay safe out there, everyone, tight lines, and happy kayak fishing!