How to choose an inflatable kayak
Nowadays, inflatable kayaks have soared in popularity for this activity. They are cherished for their portability, compact design, and robust construction. Moreover, owning a kayak lets you save money that you would otherwise spend on rental fees at various locations. You also receive all the advantages of a traditional board within an inflatable model. If you have concerns regarding the safety of inflatable kayaks, rest assured, they are constructed in accordance with safety standards, utilizing cutting-edge technology, materials, and designs, enabling their use in even the most turbulent waters. These kayaks instill a sense of security in users.
When you first hear of an inflatable kayak, the first thing that comes into mind is a pool toy for home use and not an actual watercraft. Most people do not expect inflatable kayaks to stand up to actual kayaks in terms of safety and stability. While inflatable kayaks do not look like the normal sturdy kayaks people are used to, this does not necessarily mean that they are unsafe.
Here are reliable inflatable kayak reviews for the best ones in the market.
Image | Title | Learn More |
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Top | Elkton Outdoors Steelhead Inflatable Fishing Kayak - Two-Person Angler Blow Up Kayak, Includes Paddles, Seats, Hard Mounting Points, Bungee Storage, Rigid Dropstitch Floor and Spray Guard | Learn more |
ADVANCED ELEMENTS Airfusion Evo Inflatable Kayak, Orange | Learn more |
Elkton Outdoors Steelhead Fishing Kayak
This rafter comes with a hull weight of 44lbs, load capacity of 600lbs, rigid dropstitch floor, front bow spray shield, seven hard mounting points, Halkey Roberts locking valves, ample bow/stern storage and side carry handles. The Rigid Dropstitch Floor is an excellent fishing platform for both seated and standing casting. The floor also protects the rider and their vessel from underwater obstacles and functions as an excellent and platform to support kayak fishing accessories. Unlike other inflatable kayaks, The Elkton Outdoors Steelhead series will not rip or tear when encountering underwater obstacles.
It also includes PVC kayak fishing boat, two lightweight breakdown kayak paddles, removable skeg, travel bag with backpack straps, two padded high back support adjustable Eva seats, 2 drop-in adjustable footrest and a dual action high volume / high-pressure hand air pump.
The Elkton Outdoors Steelhead series kayaks have multiple Scotty style mount attachment points for fishing rod holders, fish finders, bait tray and so much more. The bow features a robust bungie stuff compartment and storage.
- DIMENSIONS & SPECS - Hull Dimensions: 12 6 x 3 3, Hull Weight: 44lbs, Load Capacity: 600lbs, Rigid Dropstitch Floor, Front Bow Spray Shield, 7 x Hard Mounting Points, Halkey Roberts Locking Valves, Ample Bow/Stern Storage and Side Carry Handles
- STAND UP CASTING - The Rigid Dropstitch Floor is an excellent fishing platform for both seated and standing casting. The floor also protects the rider and their vessel from underwater obstacles and functions as an excellent and platform to support kayak fishing accessories. Unlike other inflatable kayaks, The Elkton Outdoors Steelhead series will not rip or tear when encountering underwater obstacles.
- INCLUDED - PVC Kayak Fishing Boat, 2 x Lightweight Breakdown Kayak Paddles, Removable Skeg, Travel Bag with Backpack Straps, 2 x Padded High Back Support Adjustable EVA Seats, 2 x Drop-In Adjustable Foot Rest and a Dual Action High Volume / High Pressure Hand Air Pump.
- BUILT FOR THE ANGLER - The Elkton Outdoors Steelhead series kayaks have multiple scotty style mount attachment points for fishing rod holders, fish finders, bait tray and so much more. The bow features a robust bungie stuff compartment and storage.
- GUARANTEE ON WORKMANSHIP & MATERIALS - All Elkton Outdoors Kayaks come with a 1 Year Guarantee on materials, workmanship, and assembly + 30 Day No Hassle Returns
ADVANCED ELEMENTS Inflatable Kayak
The 10’5” Inflatable Kayak from Advanced Elements is a hybrid of an inflatable kayak and a folding frame that come in a 3-layer construction. This high-end kayak boasts amazing features at an affordable price. You can set it up in a matter of minutes and take it on a weekend adventure without having to rent out a van since it does not take up too much space.
The hull on this Advanced Element inflatable kayak is built from PVC Tarpaulin, a strong and durable material made to last. The rigid panels, inflation chambers, and aluminum frame reinforce the heavy-duty construction in this kayak, ensuring that this kayak can give you years of service with proper maintenance.
Advanced Elements has incorporated a skeg for better tracking performance and ensured that you have plenty of storage space. Whether you want to take a long trip or a short one, this kayak ensures that you have zero issues stuffing it along with the inflatable gear, snacks, and on-board entertainment.
Overall, this Inflatable Kayak from Advanced Element is the perfect choice for kayakers who are into excellent tracking, extremely reliable hull construction and portability when it comes to inflatable kayaks.
- Hybrid aluminum frame and high pressure drop-stitch air chamber design
- Inflatable coaming for spray skirt attachment
- Roll-top rear storage access hatch
- Portable - no roof rack needed! pack in the trunk of your car or fly it to remote destinations
- Carrying duffel bag w/shoulder straps included
Driftsun Voyager 2 Person Tandem Inflatable Kayak
This kayak inflates quickly. The Driftsun Voyager Kayak can inflate to a full size kayak measuring 10ft. x 35” x 16” in less than 5 minutes, and comes with a deluxe high flow double action hand pump. You can go from garage, to trunk, to water in no time.
It is highly compact & maneuverable. When deflated for transport this inflatable kayak measures only 26” (L) x 16” (W) x 8” (H) and fits nicely into the included carry bag. It comes in a lightweight design that makes it easy to handle by one person, weighing in at only 27 lbs.
It come in a durable design featuring heavy-duty PVC tarpaulin bottom to provide durable protection from punctures. The double threaded Boston valves are guaranteed not to leak, while the tough 840d coated nylon oxford fabric top cover is rip and tear resistant.
This is a superior performance boat thanks to the rocker profile and pointed nose entry (bow) that deliver excellent performance in both calm and choppy waters. It has a removable deep fin that provides responsive tracking, rear drain plug for easy draining/cleaning and high quality Eva padded seats offer high-back support for hours of comfortable cruising.
This Driftsun voyager inflatable kayak comes with two adjustable Eva padded seats, two aluminum kayak paddles with ergonomic grip handles, deluxe double action hand pump, rear tracking fin, and travel bag.
How to choose an inflatable kayak
To make the selection process easier for you, here is a comprehensive guide on what to look for in the nest kayak for your next adventure.
Construction
Because you will spend at least 99% of your time in an inflatable kayak, you need to ensure you choose a well-constructed inflatable kayak. This melts down to the material used to make the boat. Generally, kayaks are made from either vinyl covered in a nylon or polyester fabric, vinyl or PVC, with vinyl as the most commonly used for mist inflatable kayaks.
Vinyl is a more affordable material compared to PVC and is easier to fold and pack. However, it is slightly less rigid than PVC, therefore delivering lower performance benefits compared to PVC kayaks. However, it you do not tour long distance, this is a small difference to dwell on.
With kayaks made from PVC material, there is no glue used in the construction. Instead, the seams are welded together, which makes the kayak lightweight and sturdier. PVC is also incredibly easy to fold, which is beneficial when packing your kayak for a drive.
The weight
Generally, inflatable kayaks come with weight capacities between 350 and 700 pounds, which is mostly determined by the sitting capacity. Generally, the more people the kayak can accommodate, the higher the weight capacity. The more people getting on a kayak, the more equipment you carry on board. Therefore, the best inflatable kayaks for your needs should have a weight capacity ideal for the people and the equipment it is meant to carry.
The length
Most kayaks are more than 12 feet long for better buoyancy even in wild water conditions. However, you will also find kayaks with a length of 10 feet or even longer wat 16 feet. A shorter kayak is easier to maneuver while longer ones offer more stability on water.
Other features to look out form include hand pumps, skegs, paddles, and rod holders, which vary from one kayak to the next. Removable skegs are used for navigation while the rod holders are ideal accessories to have if you are going fishing. Included hand pump and extra paddles eliminate the need of spending extra for the same accessories.
Bottom line
Choosing an inflatable kayak should not be a difficult task. With this guide, you can choose from the wide array of options in the market for the best one for your needs. To make it easier for you, any of the three options can be ideal for your whiter water paddling needs.