5. Sevylor Big Basin 3-Person



Best 3-Person Model

While most inflatable kayaks top out at a capacity of two people, the Sevylor Big Basin is made for three. And not only can it accommodate three, but it does so by keeping them comfortable and still allowing for plenty of storage room. Quick Specs Size: 12.3 Foot

Material: PVC & Tarpaulin

Includes: Seats

You have a heavy-duty PVC construction that’s durable and high quality, as well as a tarpaulin bottom to protect it from rocks. Even if you do puncture one of the chambers, the others will keep you afloat until you get to the shore.

Factor in the adjustable seats (that you can remove if you don’t need), and you’re looking at a very versatile inflatable kayak that’s pretty great in just about any regard.

6. Sevylor Quikpak K5



Easiest Set-up

If there’s one thing that people who have looked at inflatable kayaks don’t really love it’s the amount of time it takes to set them up. If that’s the case with you as well, you’ll love the Quikpak K5 by Sevylor. It’s a one-person inflatable kayak that takes no more than 5 minutes to set up. Quick Specs Size: 10 Foot

Material: PVC, Tarpaulin & Polyester

Includes: Pump, Seat, Paddles Check Price on Amazon Made of PVC, and with a tarpaulin bottom and polyester cover, you’ve got a durable construction that won’t get easily damaged by rocks on a lake bottom. Unless you damage it intentionally, it’s going to last you a good while. There’s a multiple air chamber system that allows you to stay afloat even if you get a puncture, and the airtight system will not leak.

The seat, unfortunately, can’t be moved, which is a shame, but it’s positioned rather well on the kayak and is pretty comfortable. You also get plenty of storage room both behind the seat, and in front of it, so you can take a few things with you without much problem.

All things considered, the Quikpak K5 is the perfect kayak for people who want to get up and running quickly, and spend more time on the water.

7. Elkton Outdoors Cormorant



Best Tandem Fishing Option

Most of the foldable kayaks you’ll come across are made for day-to-day use, but not much more than that. This means that if you want to go out fishing, you’re pretty much out of luck. Well, that’s not the case with the Cormorant by Elkton Outdoors, which is an excellent fishing model for just about anyone. Quick Specs Size: 10 Foot

Material: PVC, Tarpaulin & Polyester

Includes: Pump, Seat, Paddles, Rod holders Check Price on Amazon The kayak will inflate out of its storage to a full size kayak within minutes, which means you’ve got a lot more time to spend on the water than setting it up. At 10 feet, this is a pretty good size that gives you balance between maneuverability and maintaining direction, and performance is pretty great in that regard.

The material of choice is an 18-gauge, rip-resistant 1000D PVC. Not only is this durable, but it will also resist conventional wear and tear very well, and that includes the occasional rock you might hit, or hook that might try to find its way into the kayak.

When it comes to storage, not only do you have plenty of room behind the rear seat and in front of the front one, but you also have a lot of room for fishing accessories – six rod holders round out this really great fishing tandem kayak.

8. Intex Challenger K2



Best Beginner Tandem Model

We already spoke about the K1, and we said it’s one of the best inflatable kayaks out there. Well, the K2 is its tandem brother, coming in at a slightly larger size, bigger weight capacity, and with an extra seat. Quick Specs Size: 11.5 Foot

Material: Rugged vinyl construction

Includes: Pump, Seat, Paddles Check Price on Amazon However, aside from those few changes, the Challenger K2 is pretty much the same excellent inflatable kayak that you’ve come to expect from a company like Intex. It comes with a very rugged build that’s resistant to punctures, as well as UV damage, and can support up to 400lbs in weight, which is impressive.

Inflating and deflating the kayak is a breeze, and you also get Intex’s high output pump that helps with it quite a bit. There’s also the fact that the design is pretty bright and helps significantly with visibility in the water, so people can spot you rather easily when you’re out there.

All things considered, if you’re just getting into the paddling sport, the Challenger K2 is one of the best tandem kayaks you can do that with.

9. Intex Excursion Pro



Best Touring Option

We might’ve mentioned this already, but the one issue many inflatable kayaks have is storage. They’re made to be compact and they don’t have a lot of room for a backpack or a dry bag, which isn’t great. Enter the Intex Excursion Pro, a large inflatable kayak that fulfills all your storage needs, and lets you and another person enjoy a long day out in the water. Quick Specs Size: 12.7 Foot

Material: Polyester, PVC

Includes: Pump, Seat, Paddles Check Price on Amazon To begin with, this is a large kayak, coming in at almost 13 feet. It also accommodates a total weight of 400lbs, which should be enough for two paddlers and their gear. The material of choice is a 3-ply laminate, which makes it durable and resistant to day-to-day wear and tear.

There’s quite a lot of room for storage, both behind the rear seat, and in front of the front one, so you can carry your gear with ease. There are two skegs that come with it, one of which is for shallow waters, and the other one is directional, so you can have it set up for the environment you’re in. Factor in all the adjustability you get with the Excursion Pro, and you’ve got yourself a magnificent kayak for long days out.

10. Advanced Elements Attack Pro



Best For Rough Conditions

While many would advise against getting an inflatable kayak for whitewater situations, sometimes you don’t really have a choice with storage. If you want an inflatable for rougher conditions, nothing beats the Attack Pro from Advanced Elements. It’s built like a tank, and comes with a lot of nice things you won’t find on many other inflatable kayaks. Quick Specs Size: 10 Foot

Material: PVC, Tarpaulin

Includes: N Check Price on Amazon To begin with, you’re looking at a durable build that resists nicks and scratches really well. It’s also very resistant to daily wear and tear, so you’ll get an overall long lasting kayak. There are self bailing ports to keep water out, which is a nice addition.

The seat is adjustable, and so are the thigh straps, so you can sit tight inside and be positioned pretty much wherever you feel most comfortable in your kayak. The fairly low seating position gives you plenty of maneuverability, which is critical in whitewater. The kayak itself is really responsive, which is nice when you want to move quickly.

All things considered, while this might not be the best kayak for long outing out on the water, if you’re out to just have some fun and do so quickly, this is definitely one of the best options out there.

Brand Rankings

To come up with these inflatable kayak brand rankings we scoured the internet on a research project to find the top companies for inflatable kayaks. We tried to determine from brand pages how many products were currently on the market as well as a list of the popular products. The popular products were determine to be "popular" if they had 10+ reviews, negative or positive from customers across the web(we realize this is not a scientific measure but it serves our purpose to give a rough estimate of popularity). Finally from the reviews we could find on products we added them all together and tried to get a running average from all products.

The Top Tier Players/ Companies

BRAND Average Rating % Official Products Found Popular (3+ Reviews) Advanced Elements 87% 30 14 Sea Eagles 82% 11 9 Innova 83% 14 12 Aire 94% 11 9 Pakboat 84% 4 10 Seyvlor (Coleman) 76% 17 11 Honorable Mention ​

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Airis (WalkerBay) 93% 3 0 Bic 84% 8 3 NRS 80% 8 0 Zoik 95% 6 0 Intex - 3 0 Airhead - 4 0 Infinity - 3 3

How do I choose an inflatable kayak?

Inflatables Kayaks are great, whether you are an expert kayaker that rides on the ocean and any kind of river or a rookie who is taking his first steps/paddles. Inflatable Kayaks are easy to transport, if you have a car, and they store really easy. The best thing you can do is not buy a cheap one because they are not durable, and are difficult to paddle. The $100 to $300 inflatable yaks are a little bit better than pool toys, can't track well and are deadly for use in open water and windy conditions.

With inflatables you get what you pay for. A cheap one will probably hold water, and may last through a season or two without any air leaks. When you pay for the best inflatable kayak you can find you get a boat that makes you fall in love with the sport. If you struggle paddling, you might come to the conclusion that kayaking isn´t for you. If you start with a better quality Kayak you will enjoy paddling for years to come.

So how can you determine which inflatable kayak that’s right for you? It’s easier than you might imagine. Just follow these simple guidelines, and you’ll soon be relaxing in a boat that was made for you:

1. The Size is Important When it comes to choosing an inflatable kayak, the first thing you’ll probably want to decide on is whether to get a smaller, more compact variant, or a larger one that can accommodate more people or gear. One major mistake people make here is choosing to go for a single person kayak, and then figuring out later on that it just doesn’t fit them all that well.

One of the major pros of an inflatable kayak is that the seats are often movable and have multiple anchor points. Therefore, if you get a tandem kayak, only to figure out that you’re usually paddling alone, you can just remove one of the seats, move yours towards the center of the kayak, and enjoy all the extra room for gear.



2. Sit On Top or Sit In? If you’re a new kayaker, you may want to consider the sit-on-top inflatable kayak. In fact, the majority of inflatable kayaks are of the sit-on-top variety. This type of model is easier to control requires less expertise than decked kayaks need. Where are sit-on-top inflatable kayaks most effective? They’re perfect for calm lakes and rivers, sounds, near shorelines, and even whitewater! Remember the rule of “safety first” when choosing an inflatable kayak. Even if you’re really adventurous, it’s advisable that you master a sit-on-top inflatable raft first. It also can ease your fear of being upside down and under water while in your kayak.

3. Set a Reasonable Budget Another thing inflatable kayaks have going for them is the fact that they’re usually pretty good value. However, value doesn’t necessarily mean cheap, but instead, it means that you get a lot of bang for the buck. They’re versatile in terms of storage, as you can just deflate them and shove them in a corner of your house until you need them further.

Therefore, it might be a good decision to set a reasonable budget that will allow you to get a decent kayak, as well as a few accessories for it. Make sure you can grab a dry bag or something to keep things dry, as inflatable kayaks don’t have closed storage areas.

4. Materials

This type of material was first created in 1940 and is registered to Dupont. The material is very durable and strong its a synthetic rubber and has another name (chlorosulfonated polyethylene (cp)). It is seen in only the highest quality kayaks. The fabric itself is known for being very durable against extreme weather, different chemicals, strong UV rays, different types of fungus's and impacts. Usually kayaks have a Hypalon coating on the exterior with the interior being polyestor. A drawback to the material is that it is not abrasion resistant like some PVC types and it can cost quite alot. Hypalon® & Pennel Orca

On top of that the material is glued on by hand with overlapped seams, this is very labor intensive and increases the price of a kayak greatly however it makes them super durable and allows the manufacturer to provide warranties of up to 10 years.

In 2010 the USA plant for Hypalon was closed by Dupont so now NRS and different kayak companies go with the Pennel Orca type which is very similar to Hypalon and manufactured in France.

PVC PVC is a material created from vinyl polymer plastic. It is not as strong against the elements and different stressed such as abrasions and UV rays compared to its Hypalon counterpart however the material is less costly and manufacturing processes allow it to be a very cost effective alternative.

When looking for a kayak a good rule of thumb is to look at the thickness of the fabric. It is measure in denier, a higher denier means that the kayak will be thicker and stronger.

Nitrylon

This is a type of coating that was iintroducedby Innova a kayak manufacturer. It is a Nitrylon with a lamination of nitrile synthetic rubber and contains a natural rubber of the base. The materials is strong and more resistant than the more traditional PVC it is also said to be eco-friendly and green since it can be recycled.

There is one negative however and that is that it is heavier however manufacturers only coat the outer hull with it to remedy this problem.

Inflatable Kayak Benefits Portability -- because they can deflate to fit into a closet, garage or a trunk. Affordability -- a good inflatable for about $500 can last for many years. Resistant -- Inflatables may be made from new material like PVC, hypalon or nitrylon. Versatile -- There are many styles: expedition, fishing and ocean kayaks. A good model can be used in a river or ocean as well. Easy to maintain – You can treat some kayaks with 303 Protectant for the sun. You simply need to wash off the grime and let them dry completely before storing them. Easy to repair – It´s easy to apply a patch if it gets a puncture, after that let it dry and get your kayak back in shape for use. Great for beginners -- inflatable kayaks are easy to use for beginners. They're easy to maneuver. Accessibility -- Many people perceive it's too expensive. With a good inflatable kayak and paddle you can get started for less than $800. Benefits of an Inflatable Kayak Full Article Other Inflatable Kayak Questions To Consider

Inflatable kayak Design Considerations The performance and characteristics of a kayak is really determined by its hull size and shape. The fact is that long kayaks the size of 13 feet or over can glide and track easily, while the shorter ones can turn easier. The most important thing is the boats waterline length, which might be much shorter than the overall length.

While the wider boats have more stability in calm situations, the narrow boats are quicker and better with regards to the secondary stability, which is when the boat is leaning on its side. To see how easy it is to ride on the kayak, just try getting in and out the cockpit. The depth of a touring kayak from the hull to the decks top may be from 13 to 16 inches, while the sit-on-tops kayaks height is about 11-16 inches deep. Taller and bigger paddlers should make sure of the ample depth for having enough legroom and space. Besides providing more space, the taller sides also help to deflect water, but they can catch more wind that causing you to slow down.

The triangular metal plate under the stern that is called the skeg reduces the weather cocking effect of a boat in the wind. It improves tracking in cross-currents and crosswinds. To adjust it to different positions, you can use the hand lever or hand controls. Skeg is a popular feature for kayaking addicts, although its not easy for the beginners. There is also a rudder, a paddle that goes up, down, left, and right, which is attached to the kayaks stern top that is lowered using a hand lever into the water. The foot lever is used to turn easier, deciding the direction the rudder goes.

Other kayak design considerations that you have to be careful of are weight capacity and limit for each boat. You should think of how much paddlers your boat will take and the weight you are going to carry. At one or both ends of touring kayaks, there are storage areas that are enclosed with a lid on the deck. The hatch lids come in different types or variation with their own advantages and disadvantages.

-neoprene cover stretches over the hatch secured with straps and sometimes combined with hard outer cover

-plastic lid with a gasket attached to the deck and lid that closes with cargo straps

-toggled hatches with toggles and a gasket sealing a plastic lid-rubber hatch cover snaps to molded deck or the hatch ring

Aside from those kayak design considerations above, I also want to inform you of some of the things you should know for the hatch. After capsizing or during rough situation, you should carry a bilge pump, and replace the old gaskets when they worn. You should also use some small dry bags instead of one big bag. To add extra buoyancy whenever it is capsizing, you can also put the float bags in the hatches.

Inflatable kayak Safety considerations

Any moving water has some level of danger and consideration. Life jackets are essential and helmets should be considered. In an inflatable you are likely to swim rapids on occasion, that means your swimming skills and comfort in the water should be in a good level. You also should have a first aid kit and know basic water rescue skills. It´s very important to get the best paddle you can: a heavy paddle, a paddle that's too short, aluminum or a plastic paddle can really reduce your enjoyment.

Look for a used wooden or fiberglass one -- it will greatly improve your paddling experience. All Kayaks are susceptible to leaks, that´s why a good patch kit with a full roll of waterproof duct tape is a must! Avoid rivers with lots of overhanging trees or wood in the water.

Go with an experienced group a couple of times first, or take an introductory course from a local instructor.

If your looking for the best inflatable kayak in terms of security we recommend the Advanced Elements Advanced Frame it is more expensive but in our opinion is the best inflatable kayak out there today.

Whitewater There was a day when whitewater kayakers wouldn't even consider using an inflatable kayak. However, things have changed. The whitewater inflatable kayaks that are manufactured today are highly rugged, extremely sturdy and will rival the performance of a hard-shelled kayak. They also have the added convenience of being very portable and easily stored in small spaces.

Whitewater inflatable kayaks are perfect for someone that wants to take their kayak hiking, travelling or camping as well as be able to store it in a closet or throw in the trunk of a car. They offer supreme convenience,

versatility and fun.

The most popular brands of whitewater inflatable kayaks are Aire, Innova, NRS, Advanced Elements and Sea Eagle. Below are the most popular models on the market right now.

Aire Force - This kayak is very popular for whitewater with up to class IV rapids. It is geared for the intermediate to advanced paddler that expects great performance and versatility from their kayak. It comes with thigh straps, foot pedals and a phenomenal ten year warranty. It is also available in XL size for a person who wants or needs more room.



Tributary Tomcat - The Tomcat comes in a solo or tandem version. Tributary is Aire's imported line of kayaks and will be much less money then the American made Aire products. They are a much more affordable option for a person who is a recreational whitewater paddler and doesn't mind sacrificing a little bit of the quality of the boat for a great price and still a great performance. The Tomcat comes with a one year warranty and is great for paddlers of all levels.Innova Safari - The Safari is extremely light as it weighs only twenty-four pounds. This kayak is perfect for anyone who loves to travel and wants to easily be able to bring their inflatable kayak on an airplane. It can handle up to class III rapids and is best suited for intermediate to advanced kayakers as it is fairly narrow and not completely stable. If you know how to handle a whitewater kayak, the Safari will not disappoint.



NRS Bandit - The Bandit is really cool because it is an environmentally friendly kayak (it is PVC-free). This kayak is very light weight as it weighs only twenty-one pounds and can literally be taken anywhere by any mode of transportation. It is not a high performer but will get the job done nicely on some nice river runs. It is very much suited for a smaller person. There is a tandem version that would be better for a taller person or for two people.



Advanced Elements StraitEdge - The StraitEdge is a very stable kayak and will suit beginner to novice whitewater kayakers. It can handle a lot of different water conditions and track decently on open water. It is light enough to be taken anywhere in the world and easy enough to handle for a person of any age.



Sea Eagle Explorer Kayaks - The Explorer kayaks are very popular. They are not your best performing whitewater kayak but what they offer is excellent versatility. They can handle heavy whitewater rapids easily as well as be paddled easily on flat water or on the ocean. They are unbelievably rugged and stable as well as super comfortable. The Explorer kayaks come in three different sizes, the 340X, 380X or the 420X and can each hold an unbelievable amount of gear. They will get you anywhere you need to go and come with a great three year warranty.



All of these whitewater inflatable kayaks are self-bailing, solid and great quality boats. Finding the right one for you will depend on what level of kayaker you are as well as your price range. They can vary greatly in price so it should not be hard to find one that is affordable and also suits your needs. An inflatable kayak is a great investment in some eco-friendly outdoor recreational fun. Commonly heard inflatable kayak myths



Caution – They are going to pop the first time they hit a hard rock This is what can happen with the pool toy that you purchased for the kids however the modern-day inflatable whitewater kayaks are a distinct strain they perform very well and though sometimes punctures do occur the majority of them are made from a PVC shell that bounces right off rocks and causes no damage.

Caution – They are slow and aren’t that maneuverable I remember when I used to lug around my large fishing kayak around the pond it was huge and was very hard to get into the water by myself it would take me forever to move it from one side to the other and I’m a rather big guy the great thing with inflatable kayaks is aside from the bonus of them being lighter and quicker to get into the water they actually perform very well in regards to tracking.

Caution – They are not meant for Whitewater This is one of the funniest myths I’ve heard because inflatable kayaks in many cases are better for Whitewater since they can take a beating and jagged rocks have the kayak bounce off them rather than sustaining hard-hit many manufacturers make and promote inflatable kayaks made expressly for IV Whitewater.

Caution – They take on water very easily Since the majority of the inflatable kayaks out there don’t have a cockpit that’s enclosed many people believe that inflatable kayaks are going to fill up a lot of water compared to their hardshell counterparts however there are Whitewater inflatable kayaks that are self-bailing, and you can find openings that allow water to drain out of these.

Caution – Even the best inflatable kayak is not as safe as a standard hardshell kayak Inflatable kayaks are usually wider than hardshell kayaks this leaves the more stable and waves I can count the number of occasions I’ve noticed Whitewater kayaks that have been smacked around whereas an inflatable kayak was sustained with no damage or a scratch on it.

Caution – They are not for professional kayakers. This is just completely not true when you look at the sites of some of the leading inflatable kayak makers some of the top Whitewater kayak contest out there are handing out awards to the best competitors in some of these and competitors are using inflatable kayaks.

Caution – They are tough to inflate It only takes a few minutes to fully inflate a kayak it’s much quicker than you think many of the kayaks come with a hand-held pump that allows you to pump the kayak full of air without issue quickly.