Review Contents
- Benefits of Inflatable Kayaks
- Finding the Best Inflatable Kayak
- Inflatable Kayak Comparison Table
- Download my FULL Excel Sheet with over 68 Inflatable Kayaks
- Pro’s and Con’s of Inflatable Kayaks
- Inflatable Kayaks – Further Information
- One Person Inflatable Kayak.
- Two Person Inflatable Kayak
- Inflatable SUP
- Inflatable Kayak Accessories
- Inflatable Sit On Top Kayaks
- Inflatable Kayak Construction
Page Last Updated: 3rd April 2017
We recently got an email from one of our visitors telling us that they loved the comparison guide on the homepage, but was it possible to do something similar to help them find the best inflatable kayak of 2017?
Well – it just so happened that the reader who emailed us was in luck. With our extensive research across the fishing kayak brands (which we used when building our best fishing kayak table), we decided that we could quickly build another comparison table for the best inflatable kayaks.
Benefits of Inflatable Kayaks
As mentioned previously, I have the Intex Challenger K2 inflatable kayak and the best thing about it, is that I can have it deflated and stored in the trunk of my car at all times.
Quite often I’ll be driving during the weekend on a road trip and I’ll come across a beautiful lake. If the weather is fine and the mood strikes me, there is nothing stopping me parking up and inflating the kayak in a matter of minutes to get out onto the calm water for a spot of relaxation.
They call this opportunity cost. I’ve paid a small premium up front (under $100) for at least a years worth of spur of the moment lake adventures. That, in my humble opinion is a GREAT deal.
Finding the Best Inflatable Kayak
Essentially it boils down to the best kayak is the one that you have available when you come across the perfect lake for a spot of paddling. You want to make sure that sitting in the trunk of your car is something that is going to be reliable and easy to use.
Granted the inflatable kayaks aren’t as maneuverable as the plastic hull versions, and they tend to be better in much calmer waters – but for a quick paddle around a newly discovered lake, they are perfect.
You can inflate them in under a minute (I have a 12v charger in my kayak pack, like this one) which was about twenty bucks. Plug it in, flick the switch and in literally a minute your kayak is fully inflated.
Deflating is just as easy, pop out the bungs and roll it away.
Inflatable Kayak Comparison Table
Budgets are important, so when I was looking at these, I put each make and model into a price bracket. Roughly, the prices of the models are indicated by:
- $ – Low (under $150)
- $$ – Med ($151-$300)
- $$$ – High ($301+)
Often Amazon will have really good discounts on inflatable kayaks, so sometimes the price will be lower than it was when I checked out the product. Unlike the olden days where the price was relatively stable, with competitive markets like fishing and kayaking, there are good discounts to be had. You just have to click through the links to view the products on Amazon to get the best available price today.
| Model | Price | Rating | Length (ft) | Weight (lbs) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 RAVE Sports Sea Rebel Kayak | $$$ | 4.7 | 8.5 | 22 | None |
 Advanced Elements FireFly Inflatable Kayak | $$ | 4.6 | 8 | 16 | Review |
 Advanced Elements Advanced Frame Kayak | $$$ | 4.6 | 10.5 | 36 | Review |
 Sevylor Inflatable Sit-On-Top Kayak | $$ | 4.5 | 13.1 | 17 | Review |
 Intex Explorer K2 Kayak | $ | 4.4 | 10 | 36 | Review |
 Sevylor QuikPak K5 Inflatable Kayak | $$$ | 4.4 | 10 | 34 | Review |
 Sevylor QuickPak Coverless Sit-On-Top Kayak | $$ | 4.1 | 8.8 | 21.6 | None |
 Intex Challenger K1 Kayak | $ | 4 | 9 | 27.2 | Review |
 Sevylor Tahiti Fishing/Hunting Inflatable Kayak | $$ | 4 | 10.9 | 32 | Review |
 Sevylor Fiji Travel Pack Kayak | $ | 3.9 | 10.4 | 23.4 | None |
Download my FULL Excel Sheet with over 68 Inflatable Kayaks
As has been requested several times, I’m willing to share my complete Excel spreadsheet with all the inflatable kayaks that Amazon stock. As it’s Excel you can slice and dice the data however you choose.
Click HERE to download.
Pro’s and Con’s of Inflatable Kayaks
When considering the actual construction of an inflatable kayak, you should just picture it as another method of designing a boat. As with other construction types, there are good designs as well as poor ones, exactly as we find with hard hulled kayaks.
The better quality inflatable kayaks will use a rubber over coating on top of low stretch fabrics. I can actually be pretty tough, some even consider it tougher than a rigid construction for tough situations such as bouncing off rocks and the bank of a river.
The cheaper made inflatables are actually pretty flimsy and will tear and puncture given moderate to hard use, so when it comes to inflatable kayaks you certainly get what you pay for.
Just like their rigid cousins, inflatable kayaks come in a huge array of designs, specifically for the type of kayaking you’re looking to do. A well designed touring kayak will be more streamlined for less drag and will sit lower in the water so it doesn’t get caught by side winds.
If you look at the table above, and the full table on the main page, you’ll see that you can purchase a decent inflatable double kayak for less money than a rigid recreational kayak. One of the benefits of inflatables is weight, and if you check the weight column, you can see often that the inflatable will weigh half as much as a rigid hull and has the benefit that it can be carried in your car trunk.
Inflatable Kayaks – Further Information
Since we’ve been reviewing a multitude of inflatable kayaks of late, we’ve taken the decision to try an collate the biggest hitters and best performers into one useful page of information.
Through this page which details every aspect of inflatable kayaks, you can find our recommendations for different types of inflatable kayaks, including inflatables for both one and two people, stand up paddle kayaks and because of the poorly bundles accessory usually shipped with the products, we’ll have some information about replacements you can buy.
In short, this extra section is going to be just as essential as our comprehensive reviews.
One Person Inflatable Kayak.
These kayaks tend to be the ones that dominate the market.
I can’t tell you why, but it seems that everyone wants to get out on the water on their own, rather than with a companion.
The reason inflatables are used for this, as we touch on in our reviews, is that they are simply the cheapest option.
You can pick up a half decent inflatable kayak for just over $100, and in the case of sales, sometimes as cheap as $80.
Combine this with the fact that there are all ultra portable, compressing down into the boot of you car, and in some cases as small as into a handy rucksack, they are ideal for those of us that live in the cities and want to avoid the added expense of a roof rack for the car.
As I’m sure you are aware, inflatables have a lot going for them, but as with all products, some do the job much better than others.
So which of the one’s on the market pack the most bang for you buck, and go above and beyond the call of duty for a cheap kayak.
We’ll, sometimes you get what you pay for, and sometimes you are pleasantly surprised, because of this I’ve included two models here, a cheap option and an expensive option.
Not everyone has the same budget so a little variation is always useful.
The Budget Option
Firstly, we have the Intex Challanger K1 Inflatable, currently price at under $100. With a striking green and blue design, you’re guaranteed to stand out from the crowd here. When I first came across this beauty, I was expecting it to be terrible, simply because it was so cheap.
I was really surprised with the quality here, with the kayak inflating quickly, compressing well and tracking reasonably well for an inflatable.
Comfort is good with an inflatable seat included, meaning longer outings aren’t going to be an issue at all.
The High End Option
Secondly, we’ve got the you get what you pay for option, in the form of the Advanced Elements StraightEdge Inflatable.
Coming in at over four times the cost of the Intex Challenger K1, the StraightEdge isn’t cheap. However, if you are looking for solid kayak standard tracking in an inflatable than this is the kayak for you.
Incorporating aluminum ridges into the design to define the bow and stern, this kayak will cut through the water with ease.
With an extremely comfortable seat to boot, if you can afford to splash out on this one then nothing should hold you back.
Two Person Inflatable Kayak
For those that want to get out on the water with a friend, then a tandem kayak is the option for you.
Inflatables are a great choice for tandems, as they are so naturally buoyant.
This natural buoyancy creates a really stable base for transport, meaning you’re going to have a fair bit of difficulty toppling one of these without really trying to.
Once again, I’m going to go with format of both a budget and a luxury option here, both of which would be an excellent choice for anyone looking to get out on the water.
Budget Two Person Inflatable Kayak
So for our budget option, we’ve got something that may look a little bit familiar, in the form of the Intex Explorer K2 Inflatable.
This model is almost identical to the K1 that we mentioned in the previous section, except that it comes with the additional seat for the lucky person you’re taking out with you.
Amazingly, you can get the extra carrying capacity for no extra cost, with the K2 currently retailing at 99¢ cheaper than the K1.
For your saving, you’ll gain the extra seat, an extra 100b carrying capacity and an extra set of included oars, although they are so bad that Intex should have to pay you to take them.
The added weight of the extra passenger, means that the kayak has a little more traction, which helps you paddle it in a straight line which is a little illusive in the K1 model.
However, thanks to the lightweight exterior, you can easily paddle this kayak with the extra person in on your own, so if your kids get lazy, you aren’t going to be stranded.
High End Two Person Inflatable Kayak
For those of you with a bigger budget, there’s the Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Inflatable Kayak.
The jump in price is justified by removable and configurable seating. This means that it can carry two people in three combinations of seating, so you can sit front, middle or back.
As well as the re-arrangeable seating, you also have the added bonus of the aluminium frame found in the Advanced Elements StraightEdge kayak.
This means that you gain all the associated benefits such as lightweight design, and superior tracking.
Tracking straight is even more important in a tandem kayak, because you can easily find yourself with conflicting paddle rhythm as well as different strengths, meaning you kayak is already prone to wiggling.
By having a kayak that cuts through the water with ease lowers the risk of this wiggling becoming exaggerated and a real hinderance.
This makes the AdvancedFrame kayak a really sensible buy if you can justify the price.
Unlike other tandems, this can be reduced to just one seat, so if you do want to get out on the water alone, then it’s more than capable of providing that service.
So to sum up this section, if you can afford the AdvancedFrame kayak, then that is definitely the one to go for.
Inflatable SUP
Next up, is the standout inflatable SUP. For those of you that are kayaking novices, SUP stands for Stand Up Paddle.
These inflatables are more of a surf board and kayak hybrid, being neither one or the other really.
Now, from our extensive research, we’ve found that SUPs do not come cheap, so you’ll be looking at around $500 straight off the bat.
The current number one best seller, which is part of the reason why we’ve chosen it, is the Tower Adventurer 9’10” Inflatable SUP.
Currently going for just under $700, which is markedly cheaper than it’s usual $1200 price tag, this SUP is a cut above the rest. As you’ll come to see, there’s a multitude of reasons for this.
First off, this SUP is extremely rigid. Capable of carrying up to 350lbs out on the water, this kayak is a beast.
In fact, when it’s fully inflated it feels a lot like a hard board, which is always a bonus as it will still have the increased buoyancy of an inflatable.
Secondly, the Tower Adventurer is incredibly durable, which may prove invaluable when surfing, as you can never rule out things going awry and being introduced to my good friend the reef break.
Constructed from military grade PVC, you don’t have any cause for concern when it comes to board cracks and punctures.
Of course, you also have all the other benefits of an inflatable. The SUP will compress down to only 1 foot in diameter and 33″ wide when rolled up, meaning that it is ultra portable.
No need to splash out on a expensive roof rack like you’d have to with a hard board.
Finally, this board does come with some of my favorite things, bundled accessories.
As you’ll come to see, bundled oars are usually terrible. The Tower Adventure however, show’s it’s class buy coming with a good standard paddle. At $700 you’d expect a certain level of quality and once again the Tower Adventurer doesn’t let you down.
If you are looking for a replacement however, it’s worth remembering that the distance between you and the water is going to be greater as you’re standing up, you therefore require a more specific paddle. There’s also no point in buying an oar that has paddles on both ends, because you’ll only by using one.
It’s much better to buy a designated SUP paddle, as they come with comfortable handles on one end of the shaft.
If you’re looking for more a real surf experience than sea kayaks can provide, the SUP is a great middle ground.
Where they are notoriously expensive as they bring the best of both worlds, finding a bargain isn’t impossible.
The Tower Adventurer is a prime example of this, and if it’s in your budget that it’s well worth a purchase. It would make a great addition to you fleet and is stable enough to entice beginners. It’s an all round winner.
Inflatable Kayak Accessories
If you’ve taken the time to read any of the full reviews present on this site, then you’ll know of my hatred for bundled accessories.
Where it’s a nice thought from the manufacturer to include something in the price of their kayak, it actually turns out to be really annoying, as quite frankly they are rubbish.
Where there are some exceptions to this rule, such as packaged bags and pumps, in general, you’re going to be looking at shelling out for some better quality accessories if you want to get the best out of your inflatable kayak.
We will start with the painfully obvious, you’re going to need a decent set of oars or paddles, whatever you want to call them.
These are the most common ‘shipped with’ accessory, and they just so happen to be the worst quality ‘shipped with’ accessory too.
Top of the leader board on two counts, neither of them a good thing.
The ones that the manufacturer give you just aren’t going to cut it, they are flimsy, they break easily and they are just plain unreliable.
Many users report that their bundled oars have actually snapped in half while they are using them, which first of all makes it really hard to get back to sure, and secondly means that they are going to have to buy a new pair anyway.
You may as well buy them before going out on the water.
The current number one best selling kayak paddle on Amazon, and one of my personal favorites, is the Shoreline Marine Kayak Paddle Rounded Blade.
Priced at a very reasonable $37, these paddles are leagues apart from the shoddy excuses that will come with your new kayak.
These paddles are actually well thought out, with drip guards to keep you dry, three positions that will compensate for people of different sizes using them, foam grips for comfort and lastly their blades are rounded, which makes them cut through the water easily and generate more movement from your strokes.
Now this is a detachable oar, meaning that it has two parts that should really be put together before use. However, if you’re in a tandem and are happy to use the half like canoe paddles, then you can really get away with just buying the one paddle.
For those looking to get a little more speed, and more of a kayak experience, two paddles are going to be necessary, but at the price these are currently, that shouldn’t be too much of an ask.
As I mentioned in the opening paragraph of this section, the other bundled accessories are actually usable, and so what they advertise.
The foot pumps are designed specifically for the model of kayak you’ve purchased, so there’s no need to go and buy a bigger one of those.
Also, the bags are designed to fit the kayak in comfortably, if you went and purchases a different bag, you always run the risk of buying one that doesn’t quite take the entirety of your kayak.
Shoving it into a bag that it doesn’t fit in is a recipe for punctures, seem splits and general damage.
Inflatable Sit On Top Kayaks
In this final section we’ll be taking you through the Inflatable Sit On Top Kayak genre. With a whole page dedicated to inflatable kayaks, the Sit On Top models were a little over looked – so I recently updated this page, with information about Sit On Top information.
As an angler, I’m sure that we don’t have to explain the prolific rise in kayak fishing we’ve seen in recent years.
However, for those that are looking to get started with kayak fishing, but perhaps can’t afford the outlay of a hard based dedicated fishing kayak, inflatable sit-on-tops may be the way forward for you.
Just to reiterate, they are lightweight, portable, easy to handle and most importantly, they are vastly cheaper than their hard bottom counterparts.
Where the majority of inflatables are geared towards first time users and families, more recently there has been a push to address the gap in the market that is kayak fishing. Well, inflatable sit on tops fill this gap, no questions asked.
For a fisher, you’ll be looking for a few enhanced characteristics. You’re going to need extra buoyancy due to the level of gear you’ll have on board.
Furthermore, you’re going to need storage space for that gear, a comfortable seat for the longer outings, and also enough stability for you to be able to stand up and spot your targets.
Now that is a lot of boxes to tick, and not all kayaks will be able to tick them all.
One kayak that has real potential to become the sit on top inflatable, is the Sevylor Inflatable Sit on Top Kayak.
Sevylor are a well respected kayak manufacturer, so you know that you have a certain amount of quality guaranteed with your purchase. This particular model is a great entry level kayak, priced at just $160.
Although entry level, it has everything that you need for your first fishing based kayak, as well as a little more. The level of storage offered is great, with a front compartment for bait, line and tackle with enough space left over for a packed lunch as well.
There are also drinks holders either side of the cockpit that can be used a little imaginatively, they could hold one of your rods as well as a pot of bait if needed, although I would recommend getting a designated rod holder attachment.
As well as the storage, this kayak is really buoyant, and with buoyancy comes stability. There’s enough space for you to stand up and spot fish as well as to sit unencumbered for a long period of time. The only thing that really holds it back, is that it can’t deal with any kind of current.
Your fishing outings will therefore be limited to lakes, rather than faster moving rivers and the open ocean. However, as a first time fisher, it does the job and then some.
Where it lacks the space to become a more advanced users designated fishing vessel, it does more than enough to entice and beginner and kick start your angling career. This is one that definitely comes with the Drakkar Kayak’s coveted seal of approval.
Inflatable Kayak Construction
As with anything manufactured there is a cost/performance of the materials used – below we’ve published a small summary of the most common materials used in inflatable kayak construction.
| PVC | Hypalon | Polyurethene | Neoprene | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Affordable | Expensive | Expensive | Moderate |
| Seam Strength | Strong | Moderate | Strong | Moderate |
| Abrasion Resistance | Moderate (due to slickness of material) | High | High (due to slickness of material) | Low |
| Drag (lower is better) | Low | High | Low | High |
| Rigidity (low is better for rolling, high is better for on the water handling) | High | Low | High | Low |
My bride of 39 years and I are looking to upgrade from a SE 380X to individual inflatables. Not that we aren’t still in love, but sometimes we just want to go our own way. ;> We have considered the SE300X, but we haven’t been totally pleased with the 380X and wanted something faster while still tracking well.
We are concentrating on inflatables for the same reasons as everyone else and as we age, unit weight looms ever larger. The AE Sport looks like a possibility, though the addition of the backbone seems to make it a little less stable and perhaps more susceptible to damage (rubbing/wearing) in low water.
I don’t find any mention of the Airis models. The Sport, in particular, appeals to me though it would perhaps require the creation of an additional category $$$$.
Do you have any experience with the brand/model?
Are there others we should give a closer look?
Are you aware of anyplace a person could actually try them out before plunking down the cash?
Thanks for all your efforts,
Fran & Nanette McHugh
Arizona
Hi Fran and Nanette,
I’d personally recommend going with the AE Sport kayak. It’s almost identical to the AdvancedFrame kayak we have reviewed, but can’t take a spray skirt and is even more lightweight.
This is probably the safest bet financially, a respected brand with a multitude of high quality user reviews. So that should put your mind at ease.
As for the rubbing, the addition of the back bone actually adds some durability to the kayak and helps with the tracking which is really beneficial, particularly for the older generation.
As for hire, I honestly haven’t got a clue for that one, I’d recommend calling around local hire outlets to see if they have that model they could rent for an afternoon.
Good luck and please remember to drop back and leave a comment with your decision!
Hello Seth,
Do you know how i can get your excel spreadsheet of the inflatable kayak reviews ?
Thanks
Eric
Follow the instructions above and you’ll see a download link when you have ‘shared’ this page!
Hi Seth!
I need your help! I’m about to buy my very first inflatable kayak. Being a college student, I was planning on starting off cheap. I’ve done a lot of research and I’ve narrowed my options down to just two: the Interex Explorer K2 (the one from this article), and the Sevylor Adventure (not the Adventure plus!) The price difference is not too big – the Sevylor Adventure is about $200. Supposedly, the Sevylor Adventure is quite the tough kayak too, but I can hardly find any useful reviews of it on the web.
As far as usage goes, I don’t expect I’ll be using my inflatable solely to paddle on silky-smooth rivers and tranquil lakes – not saying I’ll be taking on grade 4 rapids, but I do expect it to handle the occasional grade 2-3 rapid if need be. Now, the Sevylor surely looks well-made (http://www.sevylor-europe.com/p-176-adventure.aspx), but seeing as I have absolutely zero points of reference as to how it’ll perform on less than mild rivers, I’m undecided on the matter. I know for a fact that the Interex Explorer K2 has proven to be of decent strength even on grade 2-3 rapids, which makes it an attractive bet.
I’d love to hear your opinion on this, as I really don’t have a clue. Any other suggestions are quite welcome too!
Cheers,
Luke.
Luke, sorry for the delay in replying! Both are excellent kayaks – they are both constructed with heavy duty materials, so neither will fall apart if you give them a bit of rough abuse!
No mention of the best inflatable on the market, Airis Sport by Walker Bay.
Thanks for the heads up Les – will try to get hold of one of these and give it a review!!
Thanks a lot for the research. it’s really helpful article, the inflatable kayak reviews is very informative. It’s a gateway for the beginners to understand what to do and choose a best kayak.
Please add comments for each kayak regarding spray skirts. I’d like to have a bit of warmth on a cold day. I see protective jackets…but not pants…..so might as well keep water OUT as well. I look forward to seeing the spreadsheet, and thoroughly enjoyed your article.
Thanks CC thats a great idea!
Really like your reviews. I wonder if you can help me. I’m in the market to purchase a 2 person kayak and would like to get the best for my money. Perhaps you could recommend 1.
I’m 250lbs and my girlfriend is 130lbs. We would like to do some light kayaking this summer. I’m looking for the lower budget inflatable 2 person kayaks that are about $130 or less. So far I am looking at the…Intex Challenger K2; Intex Explorer K2; Airhead Roatan Inflatable 2-Person Kayak; Sevylor Tahiti Fish/Hunt 2-Person Inflatable Kayak; & Solstice Rogue Kayak. Is there 1 of these you would recommend to be the best in regards to quality and ease of use? Or do you recommend another model in that price range? Also could you share with me your Excel file of the inflatable kayaks. The link above does not seem to work.
Thank you in advance,
Mike
Mike – out of those I would go for the intex explorer k2 it’s well within budget, easy to use and covers your combined weight (400 lb buoyancy). If you want to expand your budget the Sevylor Fish/Hunt is a great choice but is more expensive.
I’ll check the excel link – see why it’s not working!
Hello, thanks a lot for the useful review!
I’m much into inflatable kayak buying options these days and the most interesting offer I’ve found so far is this Viamare 330:
http://www.parsun.si/en/kayak-en/product/view/14/50
Can’t find any reviews on it though… Do you happen to have any information? Any advice would be useful.
Many thanks in advance!
I don’t but I will try to find out more about it and update the table!
Hi Seth,
very good review – Thank you.
Im thinking of buying the intex. However, I don’t know if the Challenger K2 or the Explorer K2 model.
Basically, I will use it mostly for myself, and from time to time with a partner.
Im a beginner, who would like to have some good fitness with rowing. The destination is our nearby lake.
Could you advice on this one?
Thanks
Hello Dear,
I’m desperately looking for advice between Challenger K2, Explorer K2 and my so far favourite Viamare 330 kayaks. Can you please advise as there seems to be no information to be found anywhere online.
Hello Seth,
I am looking to buy my first inflatable kayak, the main use should be in mangroves but also on beaches, i would like a kayak for at least 2 people to go with my wife or/and my 9 YO son.
I was thinking at the begging on the sea eagle 370, but i am not sure if it is competent for mangroves, next option could be the Intex Challenger K2 or Intex Explorer K2, but not really sure which one could better fit that.
It would be very nice to hear from you your comments/recommendations..
Thanks in advance.
Alexandre
no mention of sea eagle kayaks. They’ve been making air kayaks longer than any of the aforementioned yaks. I wanted to see how their razorlite model compares to the advanced elements kayak. money isn’t a deciding factor, i would like to know which ones faster, and stable in choppy seas.
thanks.
Seth, my husband and I are in our early 60’s and we have kayaked on rivers with up to class III rapids in Michigan. My husband recently had shoulder replacement surgery and cannot lift heavy objects above his head, so our hard kayaks are out. We are looking at the best single kayaks for under $500, but would prefer the $300 range. I am just afraid we won’t get the tracking, durability, and stability we will need as we age. what do you recommend?
Thanks for the excellent article