Advice We’d Give to A Friend

The Basics

How do inflatable kayaks perform? - Initially, we thought these kayaks wouldn’t perform as well as conventional hard shell kayaks, but some surprisingly perform just as well. That is only applicable to the high end models though. Some low-end models tend to move slower on the water, which may come as no surprise.

Will they puncture or fall apart? - No. The best inflatable kayaks are incredibly durable, some using 1,000 denier (density) plus material, similar materials to those used in rescue boats. Cheaper models though can be made of pool toy like materials, so we’d personally prefer to avoid those.

How onerous is the setup? - Typically, it doesn’t take long to set up and pack down, depending on the kayak. Some do take a bit longer due to multiple inflation points. For instance, AdvancedElements Expedition Elite have 7+ inflation points, which takes a while to prepare. We prefer around 3 inflation points or foldable kayaks for this reason.

Should I get an inflatable kayak? - Yes. While the obvious storage benefits are a good enough reason, they open up new doors to explore the wilderness. Their portability and ease of use on the water make them a great option to add to your outdoor kit.

How long do inflatable kayaks last? - The best kayaks should last years. Cheaper models have less life expectancy, but as always, proper care should improve longevity.

Budget

Price makes a huge difference in choosing the best inflatable kayak to buy. We can break the market into three categories:

Over $800 - You should get an excellent, well-crafted kayak at this price point.

$400 to $800 - Though kayaks in this price range are still of good quality, they may compromise a bit on performance as they can be a bit slower and tend to be bulkier in the water compared to high-end models. However, there are some exceptions here and if you know what you’re looking for you can get a great kayak for a great price.

Under $400 - This category has some poorly crafted kayaks that are slow in the water, hard to paddle and are made with cheap materials. We suggest spending a bit more for a good kayak that performs well.

Purpose of Use

If your primary use of the kayak is for regular exercise or touring on multiple-day trips, go for the $800+ range. If you’re looking to buy one for recreational purposes or occasional use, a mid-range kayak should do nicely — we’d still suggest buying in the mid-range if you can afford it as you’ll get a much longer-lasting kayak at this price point.

Inflatable vs. Foldable Kayaks

The difference between inflatable kayaks and foldable kayaks is a matter of preference. The former is more stable and versatile, while the latter is smoother in the water and doesn’t require pumping. It really comes down to personal preference.

Ratings By Category

Method

We follow a structured process that allows us to identify and examine each product’s qualities. After reviewing the market, we pick what we think will be the best inflatable kayak in each category from a variety of retailers. Each product selected gets 50 points automatically for being selected. We then perform field tests and in-person assessments to rank them out of 10 in the following categories: Performance, Construction, Setup/Pack Down, Portability and Comfort.

Rankings are adjusted or weighted based on importance and how much they vary e.g. some categories will be categorised from 1 to 10 whereas others 4 to 9 etc. but there are sometimes outliers as well. We have tried our best to paint an accurate picture of how we rate each kayak overall and why.

If you are looking for an inflatable kayak in the US this is where we hope to provide you with all the info you need. We believe a good inflatable kayak review should provide you with all the info you need to decide whether you are looking for a kayak for a particular purpose or outright best all-rounder.

Construction

Construction has four main elements: durability, design, quality of materials and craftsmanship.

There is a fairly clear line here between the cheaper and more expensive brands. The Intex Challenger, for instance, is made from vinyl similar to that found in a pool toy, which makes it more susceptible to puncture. The high-end brands like Advanced Elements use much stronger puncture-resistant materials. The Oru Lake is cleverly designed and well crafted, while the Itiwit Cruising Kayak leans towards basic, beginner-level design rather than prioritising high performance.

About Our Testing Process

Here at The Equipment Guide, we write reviews for the US with the goal of providing genuine personal assessments of the best products on the market. We do detailed research, including field tests to make an informed judgment and help you get a better understanding of what is out there.

All products are reviewed and ranked in a methodical and careful manner and we assess them on relevant key features. We do not accept free products from manufacturers.

Our mission is simple: To create the US’ best outdoor gear reviews.

Afterword

We take pleasure in providing comprehensive reviews of the best inflatable kayaks in the US!

Whether you are looking for the best kayak reviews or individual model reviews, we hope we’ve been able to help. If you have any feedback or would like us to review a product, we’d love to hear from you. Feel free to drop us a note.

If we helped you pick and buy an inflatable kayak, please share your photos with us — we’d love to see you in action!