Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Kayak Review Video

In this video we take a close look at the Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame, a fabric-covered inflatable kayak built around aluminum ribs at the bow and stern rather than a drop-stitch floor.

We cover how that construction shapes the way it paddles — strong straight-line tracking helped by the built-in skeg and low profile, traded against a softer floor that gives up stability and makes it slower to turn than the stiffer drop-stitch models we've tested alongside it.

The review also walks through the parts of ownership that don't show up in a spec sheet: a setup process with multiple inflation points and mismatched valves, the drying time the fabric deck demands before long-term storage, and a shoulder-carry bag that makes longer walks to the water harder than they need to be.

As with every kayak we review, we assess the AdvancedFrame across performance, construction, setup and pack-down, portability and comfort, then weigh value for money and best use cases. It scored 84 out of 100 in our testing — a well-built kayak that rewards lighter paddlers on calm water.

For more information, read our full review of the AdvancedElements AdvancedFrame.