A portable personal vehicle for all seasons created by German engineers, this transforming back-mounted marvel lets you finish your hillside hike then sled back down or portage between lakes (or rivers or oceans) on day trips along both land and water.

The trick behind the Backyak is in sharing the load – two people together carry pieces of the dual-person kayak then assemble it on site. However, halves can also be deployed separately for single-person use.

A slightly different ‘Relax’ configuration lets you strap together the parts to form a bathing platform. A further ‘Sail’ package turns this platform into a catamaran sailboat you can drive with wind or paddles.

For winter usage, the ‘Snow’ package adds skis to the bottom and lets you cruise down hills using your feet to steer the sled. Any extra equipment or add-ons are designed to fit neatly into the voids of the hollow pieces being carried. An electric motor for powering your water rides and additional floating pontoons are also available.

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Kayaking is being made volumes easier by the Oru Kayak, an incredibly lightweight boat that folds up and can be carried on one’s shoulder. Oru Kayak was inspired by origami and weighs in at a lightweight 25 pounds. When it is unfolded and in ready position, it’s 12 feet long and surprisingly sturdy – sturdy enough to withstand the normal battering any kayak takes on the water.

Folded up and in its case, the Oru is about the size of a large portfolio briefcase. It fits right into a car’s trunk – no special roof rack needed. Its shoulder strap allows it to be carried comfortably from the car to the shore. And once you get to the launch point, the kayak assembles in a mere five minutes.

Although its light weight and foldability might suggest that the Oru is delicate, it is quite rugged. The double-layered corrugated plastic construction allows the kayak to be folded and unfolded some 20,000 times before it begins to lost structural integrity. According to the makers, the Oru will last many years with proper care. The team behind the Oru far surpassed their fundraising goal on Kickstarter and plan to start shipping the product in Spring 2013.

The post Fold + Float: Origami-Inspired Kayak is Ridiculously Portable first appeared on Gajitz.