If you think embarking on a body of water in a paddling vessel filled with air sounds like an ill-fated outing, you aren't alone. But fear not—today’s inflatable kayaks are a far cry from those blow-up boats you used to mess around in the pool with as a kid. In fact, these inflatable watercraft are giving traditional hardshell kayaks a run for their money. And in this extensive guide we'll demonstrate exactly how and why.
Differences Between Hardshell Kayaks and Inflatable Kayaks:
When you think of a kayak, a pointy plastic form with a hole in the middle may come to mind. Aka a traditional hardshell kayak. Hardshell kayaks are made from wood, fiberglass, plastic, or composite materials like Kevlar, which forms the body of these rigid boats. These "regular" kayaks can be quite heavy, and you need a car and roof rack to transport them.
Inflatable kayaks, on the other hand, are made from more flexible materials, like rugged vinyl, which is often coated in either polyester or nylon. When deflated, they pack up reasonably small for easy storage and transport—many inflatable kayaks fit into a conveniently sized carrying bag that may fit in airline overhead storage and definitly fits in the back of a small car, no roof rack necessary. Inflateable kayaks, much like inflatable tents, are convenient, but do require an extra step: when you arrive at your destination, you have to pump them up with an electric pump, foot pump, or hand pump to the recommended pressure.
The allure of inflatable kayaks is the incredible ease of transport, and that they're light and easy to carry to and from the water. This makes them ideal for multi-sport activites, like packrafting.
Inflatable kayaks can accommodate between one and three people with a combined weight of between 350 and 700 pounds, depending on the model. Remember that more people means more paddles, bags, personal flotation devices (PFDs), and other gear though. Inflatable tandem kayaks may be best for larger groups.
The length of inflatable kayaks ranges between 10 and 16 feet, with most landing around 12 feet in length. Longer kayaks are usually more stable in the water, while shorter kayaks are easier to maneuver.
Courtesy Thomas Woodson
Key Features to Consider Before Purchasing an Inflatable Kayak:
Where You Will Be Kayaking
Calm water—think ponds and lakes—is ideal for simply constructed (and slightly cheaper) inflatable kayaks. In contrast, whitewater models have to be more robust and able to take more of a beating; if you plan on getting in whitewater or open water, consider looking at a self-bailing kayak (a type in which the water automatically drains from the bottom of the boat).
Construction & Materials
The construction of the kayak goes hand-in-hand with the environment in which you plan on using it. Less expensive inflatable kayaks have fewer features, and they may also be made from a slightly less durable material. These will work if you want to kayak in calm waters, ponds, or close to docks.
More extreme environments, like open ocean or advanced rivers, require a more robust inflatable kayak. Longer excursions or kayaking in more extreme weather and water conditions will need to be done in a kayak built to withstand these environments.
More expensive inflatable kayaks often have two or three layers of material. These make the walls of the kayak stronger and more puncture-resistant.
Some inflatable kayaks have multiple air chambers, too. You have to inflate each chamber individually, but the benefit is that if you get a puncture, only one chamber will deflate while the others will keep you afloat long enough to get to shore.
