“Wait a second,” you may be thinking, “why is a non-inflatable kayak winning the best inflatable kayak award?” Well, as we test inflatable kayaks, we realize that the number one reason to purchase a boat of this style is because of its ability to be packed away and more easily thrown in a trunk and stored in a closet. While most of the kayaks we tested are inflatable, a few notable non-inflatable, but still very packable boats also made our list. The Oru Beach LT is one. We've been testing, storing, toting, and paddling our Beach since , and for all this time — even in direct comparison with the smaller Oru Lake — this foldable plastic watercraft remains our favorite.
SPECIFICATIONS Measured Weight (boat and storage bag only) 25.8 lb Capacity Single; 300 lb Kayak Size (length x width) 12' 3" x 2' 6" Packed Size (length x width x height) 32" x 28" x 11.5" Included Accessories Repair pieces Once you've gotten used to folding and unfolding the Beach, it's a cinch to get out on the water, and you don't need a pump. It's longer than most others, providing excellent traction, while its plastic hull limits drag and help you paddle as quickly as you desire. The large, open cockpit is wide enough to please both new paddlers and those who've been enjoying kayaking for years. We had no problems hauling gear, 80+ pound dogs, and kids in this big boat. Though it's picked up a few cosmetic scratches, this craft is still our all-time favorite option for casual flatwater paddling.If you're hoping to crash through some waves in your kayak, the very open design of the Beach LT can let waves lap inside. The seat design is also rather minimal, though not uncomfortable, and the plastic exterior can cause some rubbing while carrying against bare skin if you're not careful. We like that it's easy to dump excess water as you pull this boat apart after your adventure, and the nature of the non-porous material means it dries very fast. With this model, you won't have to worry about waiting hours for your boat to dry or cleaning mold out of the crevices later because you didn't wait long enough.
While the Beach LT is far from alone in this review as a hybrid hardshell kayak that packs down like an inflatable, it's remained our favorite boat for every casual paddling mission. If you prefer a thicker seat, check out the Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame. Though it's more challenging to drain, this kayak features a comfy and adjustable seat.
Read more: Oru Beach LT review
In , Oru made some minor changes to the Beach, including: (1) Bungees to affix the seat back (instead of a bar), (2) Changed orientation of the orange base plate corrugation (making it easier to drain), (3) Longer base plates on the carrying strap, and (4) D-ring attachments to the shoulder strap (instead of the multidirectional triangles). We've tested both versions of this boat and find the changes to be an overall improvement to its usability.In a market that contains a huge range of possible prices and performances, it's extra impressive when a lower cost option outcompetes many more expensive models. That's exactly what the Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Sport accomplishes. Bundled with a pump, this kayak has an affordable price tag, without giving up everything that makes kayaking enjoyable. Sure, you could pay significantly less, but the precipitous drop in paddling experience of those sub-$300 kayaks is massive.
On the other hand, the AdvancedFrame Sport is a comfortable and stable inflatable kayak that still handles well and paddles easily. It hides an aluminum frame within the front and back (bow and stern) of the boat that give it a pointed nose. This alone makes an enormous improvement in how well the Sport cuts through the waves rather than smacking and dragging on the water like blunt-tipped, flat-bottomed alternates.
SPECIFICATIONS Measured Weight (boat and storage bag only) 25.8 lb Capacity Single; 250 lb Kayak Size (length x width) 10' 3" x 2' 9" Packed Size (length x width x height) 33" x 16" x 14" Included Accessories Repair kit, pump Though it doesn't have the same technical handling prowess as its “big brother,” the Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame, it still glides, tracks, and turns like a “real” kayak and not a glorified pool floaty. The Sport also weighs almost five pounds less than the standard AdvancedFrame model, but maintains the same dimensions and capacity. The most noticeable performance difference between these two is the floppier floor of the Sport, which can't be inflated into a rigid core and does cause some drag while paddling.The Sport has lots of features we love, including neoprene patches on the sides to stop painful scratches of your hands on the gunnels of the boat, velcro paddle holders to make it even easier to get from the parking lot to the water, and just two main chambers (and two very small ones) to inflate. It's biggest downside is that its construction (a thickened hull over all inflatable chambers) makes it impossible to fully dry the interior without completely disassembling it.
If this combination of medium size, casual-but-good handling performance, and reasonable price appeal to you, the hard-sided, foldable Oru Lake is another boat you might consider. It has a larger cockpit, dries while stored, and is exceptionally durable — though somewhat less stable and comfortable — for around the same price.
Read more: Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Sport review
With impressive durability and handling prowess, the AdvancedFrame Convertible Tandem from Advanced Elements can be paddled with a friend or on your own and is our top choice for a tandem inflatable kayak.
As a very long boat with integrated tracking fins and a slick PVC tarpaulin hull, this kayak can make masterful moves on the water. We were continually amazed by this vessel's maneuverability while still comfortably seating two adults. Its ability to be paddled by a solo adventurer with relative ease is another major selling point. We felt confident gliding over submerged sticks and underwater rocks thanks to this well-designed boat's quality construction and durable materials.
SPECIFICATIONS Measured Weight (boat and storage bag only) 55.2 lb Capacity Tandem; 550 lb Kayak Size (length x width) 15' x 2' 8" Packed Size (length x width x height) 35" x 21" x 12" Included Accessories Repair kit On the downside, this outstanding vessel suffers in portability. Weighing over 50 pounds, the AdvancedFrame Tandem is not light. Though you may be able to paddle it by yourself, carrying it to the launch point alone or heading solo upriver or against the wind may require a bigger feat of strength. The boat also lacks a drain but leaves plenty of spaces for water to hide, making it difficult to dry entirely before storing it again.Yet with useful features, a fairly simple setup, and the best on-water performance of any tandem we tested, we prefer the AdvancedFrame Tandem for every excursion with a co-captain. Still, if you don't require an extra seat, you can shed some pounds and some cash with the Advanced Elements PackLite. At 5.25 pounds, it's exceptionally light but will cost you in performance.
Read more: Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Convertible Tandem review
The Sea Eagle 370 Pro is one of several all-inclusive inflatable kayak packages we've tested over the years. The money-saving appeal of not having to purchase a pump and two paddles separately is obvious, but not all of these complete kits provide an enjoyable paddling experience. The 370 Pro has the right combination of adjustability and comfort, reasonable durability, and low price, making it our favorite budget-friendly tandem-turned-solo model.
SPECIFICATIONS Measured Weight (boat and storage bag only) 42.8 lb Capacity Tandem; 650 lb Kayak Size (length x width) 12' 6" x 2' 10" Packed Size (length x width x height) 36" x 20" x 8" Included Accessories Foot pump, repair kit, paddles This boat rides higher out of the water, lowering drag and increasing paddle comfort. Fully adjustable seats not only have supportive backs but can be easily positioned anywhere in the boat to accommodate leg room, gear space, and even a four-legged friend. Moderately thicker walls don't deform when fully inflated and maintain the shape of this boat even when loaded to its 650-pound capacity.Even for a tandem, this boat is very large, and it's pretty heavy. Its carrying bag offers a single shoulder strap, and its long shape is cumbersome to haul. Although the components are functional, they're not of the highest quality. The included foot pump is small and tedious to use, and the paddles loosely fit together, causing them to wiggle and wobble when paddling.
We appreciate the comfort of sitting higher above the water as we paddle, but it also causes this boat to catch the wind more than its low-profile contenders. Yet, among all the budget-friendly tandem kayaking packages we reviewed, we enjoy paddling this one the most. If you're looking to upgrade, check out the AdvancedFrame Convertible Tandem. The durability, handling, and features made it our favorite pick for a tandem. Just keep in mind that it's a larger investment.
Read more: Sea Eagle 370 Pro review
The Pakayak Bluefin 142 is a long sea kayak masquerading in a compact bag that fits in your trunk or closet. This hardshell boat snaps together with stainless steel clamps over watertight seals to become a full-length 14'2" sea kayak. The length tracks exceptionally well in the water, and the hard exterior glides easily through the water.
SPECIFICATIONS Measured Weight (boat and storage bag only) 68.0 lb Capacity Single; 300 lb Kayak Size (length x width) 14' 2" x 2' Packed Size (length x width x height) 22" x 14" 45" Included Accessories Towel Adjustable footpegs allow you to properly brace yourself in ways that no inflatable boat can offer. Sealed dry storage areas in both the bow and stern of the boat provide plenty of storage space for gear that won't get wet as you slice through the waves. The cockpit can also accommodate a spray skirt for intense paddling missions, and the tall front easily rolls waves off to the sides, keeping the cockpit fairly dry.The Bluefin 142 still has its faults. Our expert paddlers love this watercraft's performance to cut through serious waves on the lake or ocean, but intermediate paddlers less experienced with the pitch and roll of big waves frequently fell out of this narrow boat. It's designed to be able to roll, but its low sides can work against you should you find yourself parallel with the waves. It's also extremely heavy, affecting both your ability to control its pitch with your hips and how quickly you fatigue — at 68 lbs, this is the heaviest boat we tested, by far.
And though its case has both wheels and backpack straps, we despised hauling it for long distances or over rough terrain. The wheels are tiny and perform poorly over bumps or through sand, and the backpack straps are practically useless, as there's only a thin layer of padding between your spine and this hard-shelled boat. We hope this bag gets improved in later iterations. But for on-water paddling performance that's on par with a regular sea kayak, the Pakayak Bluefin 142 is fantastic. If you're shopping for a model suitable for beginner and advanced paddlers alike, we recommend the Oru Beach LT.
Read more: Pakayak Bluefin 142 reviewThe absurd portability of this little 5.25-pound inflatable kayak makes the Advanced Elements PackLite an easy choice if you want to float miles away from other fooks, deep in the woods, or in another country. We love that it can be added to a backpack or suitcase and provide access to lakes and streams we would otherwise never have dreamed of being able to paddle. With a quick setup process and simple cleaning, the PackLite is the ideal travel companion. We also appreciate the excellent quality repair kit and directions, as you never know what may happen when you're really “out there.”
SPECIFICATIONS Measured Weight (boat and storage bag only) 5.25 lb Capacity Single; 250 lb Kayak Size (length x width) 7' 6" x 2' 11" Packed Size (length x width x height) 14" x 12" x 7" Included Accessories Repair kit While the PackLite is highly portable, it lacks some performance and comfort. Not the most luxurious kayak to paddle, tracking is lessened by the short, wide shape of this boat, designed more to get you out there and less to help you win races. The material is quite thin to keep it lightweight, and during our testing, it tore readily on a rough dock — but the patch was easy to place and held up impressively well. And don't forget that while this boat is very small and light, you'll still need a paddle and pump to use it — and those aren't included in the weight.But if what you want is to paddle in more remote destinations, the PackLite can help you achieve this. Those who prefer to invest in something more durable may like the Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame. It has much to offer, including great construction quality and excellent handling.
Read more: Advanced Elements PackLite review
We've been testing packable and inflatable kayaks since , paddling many iconic rivers and pristine alpine lakes in and around the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Each year, we put together a ragtag team of water lovers, all eager to get out and paddle. Some are fellow expert paddlers with years of experience, many are novices just excited about it all, and quite a few are brand new to paddling. Collectively, this crew spent hundreds of hours splashing, paddling, swapping kayaks, and getting to know which are best for what. From toting gear to carting kids and several delighted dogs, we pushed these crafts to their limits, literally getting to know each one inside and out. For the full scoop on our testing process, see our How We Test article.
Our expert panel of testers is led by Senior Review Editor, Maggie Nichols, a longtime backcountry adventure guide and avid paddler. Maggie has been paddling for almost as long as she can remember, completing an intensive skills course in a canoe before branching out to kayaks and rafts. She has spent over 15 years guiding backcountry adventures and on-water trips. From quiet paddling through secret channels in the Everglades and Caribbean to ripping down rapids in South Africa and the American West, she's paddled thousands of miles on rivers, lakes, and oceans, putting dozens of different kayaks (and canoes and rafts) through their paces. Maggie has been testing and reviewing on-water and land-based gear for GearLab since .
We crafted our tests to span six mutually exclusive metrics formulating a comprehensive picture of each kayak's performance. We combined tests collecting hard data like measurements, weights, and assembly processes with subjective tests assessing things like the comfort of boats for different types and sizes of paddlers. We gained important insights into each boat's benefits, challenges, and best uses by incorporating a wide range of skill levels and body types in our testing and using each model across water and weather conditions. Read on to explore a detailed analysis of how each packable or inflatable kayak compares to the others we tested.
As packable and inflatable kayaks continue to grow in popularity, the number of available options grows. These boats can range widely in price. In general, there's a trend of more expensive boats performing better, but it's not a perfect correlation. It's also worth noting that some boats are sold as a complete package, including the pump and paddle(s) you'll need to set up and get out on the water (minus the PFD).
Our favorite inflatable kayak, the Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Sport is one of the more reasonably priced options we tested, giving it one of the highest values of any boat in this review. With a slightly improved performance and only moderately higher price tag, the standard AdvancedFrame solo kayak is also a great value option.
For those in love with the idea of a hardshell, folding kayak, the Oru Lake performs very well on flat waters, with a basic package costing less than you might think. The Tucktec Folding is even more affordable — and comes with a paddle — and is a solid choice for smaller paddlers and very calm water in sheltered conditions. While the Oru Beach LT is one of the more expensive models we tested, year after year, it remains the favorite among all our testers, from experts to beginners, for its impressive on-water performance, ease of use, and relatively low weight. This boat is worth the extra investment if you want to get out on the water frequently and without hassle.
If you want an all-inclusive package and the ability to paddle alone or with another person, the Sea Eagle 370 Pro is an excellent option. This low-cost kayak performed better than we expected, and your purchase includes a pump and paddle.
This metric has a lot to do with your overall experience paddling. We tested how well each boat glides through the water, looking at their external material and feeling how much drag each one has.
We tested how quickly they start moving with a regular paddle stroke and how far they continue to move when we stopped paddling. We also took note of their tracking ability — that is, if they move forward in a straight line or if they waggle back and forth with each stroke of the paddle. In general, boats that are longer and narrower track better and those that have hardened or plasticized exteriors glide more easily.
Several of the boats we tested have hard exteriors that minimize drag and facilitate easier gliding, including all the foldable models — the Oru Lake and Beach LT, and the Tucktec — and the nesting doll-style Pakayak Bluefin. With their smooth plastic hulls, all four of these kayaks glide well. The only hindrance to the Bluefin is that it weighs about 65 pounds (68.0 in its bag), making it slower to gain momentum in the water.
Impressively, the Pakboats Quest 150 is a soft-sided kayak that paddles like a rigid kayak. It manages to achieve this by tightly stretching polyurethane-coated fabric over a series of aluminum ribs, keel, and gunwales, creating a near-rigid structure with very little drag. That configuration, along with the Quest's near-15-foot length (14 feet, 11 inches) help this boat to track and glide like an absolute dream.
Several inflatable models address this issue by covering the bottom of the boat with PVC-like material, also creating a smooth plasticky surface for easier gliding while remaining bendable for storage. The Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame, AdvancedFrame Sport and AdvancedFrame Tandem both take this approach, as does the Aquaglide Deschutes 110 and Navarro 110, and the Bote Deus Aero 11'. However, both AdvancedFrame kayaks take this a step further — they each have a prow stiffened with an aluminum rib, giving them both a pointed bow that more effectively slices through the water.
The Sea Eagle 393rl and Aqua Marina Tomahawk Air-K also employ this kind of thick, PVC-reinforced material. However, both of these boats have lackluster tracking performance because they are completely flat-bottomed. Each appears to have a pointed bow, but that portion of these boats barely hits the water, leaving the protruding bottom to cut through the water — which they do poorly.
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Longer boats, those with strongly pointed prows, and those with skegs or rudders offer better tracking than others. Many of the longest kayaks we tested — like the Pakboats Quest, Oru Beach, Pakayak Bluefin, and Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Tandem — also have acutely angled prows that help them to slice through the water and stay heading in a straight line.
Shorter boats and those that lead through the water with horizontally flat bottoms (which include most of the inflatable kayaks we tested) waggle back and forth with every paddle stroke. The rather short Tucktec combats this with moderate effectiveness by having both a pointed prow and an adjustable skeg hanging off the stern. Many other models include skegs on their undersides that add a little to their tracking ability.
We considered and tested each kayak's stability both out on the water and back on land, getting in and out. To test their on-water stability, we asked inexperienced paddlers of many ages to paddle around on calm and windy days and see how they felt in each boat. They evaluated tippiness and rockability and how confident they felt about not falling out.
We sent testers out with medium and large dogs and even played a few rounds of “bumper boats” to really see which kayaks feel stable and which send their paddlers tumbling into the water. We also tested how easy it is to get in and out of each boat from the shore, from docks, and from the water.
The wide Aquaglide Deschutes proved to be a crowd favorite in terms of stability. This inflatable kayak is unique among models we tested in that it has two thickly inflated sides, but the floor does not inflate. This kept even our inexperienced paddlers feeling comfortable riding through the waves, with their seats below the surface of the water and the sides keeping them level. With a wide-open cockpit, the Deschutes is also one of the easiest boats to get in and out of. The Bote Deus is another one of the easiest to get in and out of from the shore or the water, as its sit-on-top style makes walking a breeze, and its flat back end facilitates climbing out of the water after a refreshing dunk.
The AE AdvancedFrame Tandem is impressively stable even on wavy waters, putting all our paddlers at ease, and is simple to get in and out of. The single versions we tested — the AdvancedFrame and AdvancedFrame Sport — are also impressively stable. The Sport has a wide cockpit for easy entry, but the standard AdvancedFrame features a more performance-oriented, narrower cockpit that requires a bit more finesse to get in and out of. The Aquaglide Navarro is wide and fairly stable but also has a more narrow cockpit to maneuver in and out of. The Oru Beach is reasonably stable for most paddlers, though its hard hull rides the motion of the waves more than many others that have more sunken seats.
Readers with a keen eye may notice the low relative score of the Pakayak Bluefin in this metric, and we'd like to clarify our rating with some extra information. The Bluefin has a design closer to that of a sea kayak than any other model in our lineup. This means it's long and tall and rolls side to side more easily than kayaks designed for flat water. For our paddlers with less experience on the water or in a boat of this shape, this resulted in many of them falling out when hit with even a small wave across the side of the boat. However, for our experienced paddlers, the Bluefin provides a different type of stability. Knee brace points on the underside of the cockpit and adjustable foot pegs allow you to wedge yourself into place and control the rocking of the boat with your hips. These extra points of contact keep the paddler stably attached, allowing the boat and your bottom half to roll over the waves while your torso stays upright to continue paddling through rough conditions.
This category is a lot about “the feels” and relies heavily on input from various paddlers. We involved people young and old, large and small, accomplished and novice, and everything in between, collecting feedback about each individual's personal experience. A troop of Girl Scouts, a family with small children, friends with several dogs, acquaintances who had never paddled anything before, and folks at the upper limit of rated capacity tested our inflatable kayaks and shared their feedback.
Our testers considered how comfortable the seats were to sit in after minutes or hours in the cockpit. The thickly padded seats of all the Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame and Aquaglide boats are features we noted and appreciated.
The Sea Eagle 370 seats are able to inflate thickly to add height to your paddle and can be deflated slightly to achieve maximal comfort. The Bote Deus and Tucktec have thick seats, though they're both rather rigid and start to lose their luster after many hours spent sitting in them.
Seat and footrest adjustability also play into this rating. Every kayak that we tested has an adjustable seat back that can be changed to lean back when you want to glide and relax or lean forward when you need to dig in and paddle hard. The Aquaglide Deschutes is one of the more relaxing kayaks we paddled, with a wide open cockpit, a thickly padded and easily adjustable seat, and a foam-covered floor for added grip. Though it's not a large boat, it has plenty of space for a small cooler, a dry bag full of your favorite goodies, and even a 60-pound dog.
The PackLite and Intex Challenger K2 have mesh storage spaces on the boat's bow to help hold gear out of the way. The flat, spacious SUP top of the Bote Deus leaves plenty of room for gear — assuming you can tie it down to keep it from falling off the back. Using either the AE Convertible Tandem or Intex Excursion Pro K2 as a single paddler leaves tons of room for all kinds of gear (while also maintaining maneuverability on the water), and even as tandems, both these boats have plenty of room for dogs and other extra items.
The Pakayak Bluefin is the only model we tested to have actual dry storage options enclosed in the bulkheads of both the bow and stern — though they are exceedingly difficult to access while paddling. The Oru Beach, and even the smaller Oru Lake, both have ample room for your dog and/or gear in the cockpit, as long as what you bring can get wet. The Aquaglide Navarro 110 has a zippered access hatch to allow easy storage in the rear of the boat, though it's not a waterproof compartment.
Here we considered the physical size and weight of each portable boat. We also carted them around in our cars, by our sides, and on our backs across parking lots and beaches and up and down long flights of stairs and meandering trails to the water.
We considered the extra materials needed to set them up. We then assembled and disassembled them repeatedly on all kinds of surfaces to evaluate how easy or agonizing they are. And we considered how easy they are to store back at home.
The Advanced Elements PackLite steals the spotlight here with a ridiculously low weight of just over 5 pounds. It's the only inflatable kayak we tested that can be tucked in a backpack and hiked several miles out to a remote testing location. It's simple to set up and provides access to bodies of water we never dreamed we'd be able to paddle on.
The Intex Explorer K2 and Intex Challenger K2 are both impressively lightweight and portable — doubly so for two tandem models. Weighing 26.2 pounds and 27.5 pounds, respectively, these tandems pack up smaller than most and make it easier than ever to get out on the water with a friend. The Aquaglide Deschutes is also fairly lightweight (26 pounds) and comes with a backpack-style carry bag that can also accommodate your paddle, pump, and PFD, making even longer treks to the water more bearable. The Deschutes is one of our favorites to set up, as it has just three chambers that all take the same adapter, are located very near each other, and are very easy to inflate quickly.
Not far behind is the Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Sport, which has two main chambers and two small ancillary chambers to inflate. The included pump has a pressure gauge that makes quick and easy work of pumping up the large chamber that makes up the sides and the mid-sized floor chamber. Two small inflatables under the front of the deck are easily inflated with a breath or two. It's equally as easy to deflate and fold back into its duffel-style bag. And at 25.8 pounds, it's one of the lighter models in our lineup.
The Oru Lake weighs a scant 17 pounds and isn't bad to carry. It folds up like an elongated suitcase, though, and a shoulder strap costs extra. The Oru Beach also becomes a suitcase shape, weighing 26.1 pounds, but this model comes standard with a comfortable shoulder strap. It's reasonably easy to carry, if a bit large for stuffing into a small trunk or back seat. Both of these origami boats take a time or two to get the hang of their setup but quickly become very easy to set up and take down in very little time. Their rigid exteriors also let you put them away still a little wet, knowing that they will easily dry on the shelf in the garage.
The Tucktec is another origami-style boat that's lightweight but isn't our favorite design. Its shoulder strap is scratchy on our bare skin, making it unpleasant to carry. It folds up easier than previous versions of this same boat, and clamps far more securely than earlier iterations. However, it still requires quite a bit of force to get the clamps into place correctly. We do appreciate that every bit of this package becomes the boat, though, and it rolls up into an impressively small package.
The Bote Deus and Pakayak Bluefin also come with backpack straps for their carry. The Deus isn't terrible, but weighs over 55 pounds, which isn't something everyone is willing to cart around. The Bluefin weighs a staggering 68.0 pounds and has very little padding between the rigid hull of the kayak and your back. Pakayak has included wheels on the storage sack for easier transport, but they're so tiny that the moment they're off the pavement and rolling over sand or dirt, it feels like you're simply dragging this enormous boat.
We also wanted to see how well each inflatable kayak turns when you actually want it to. We tested their responsiveness to sweeping turning strokes and gauged how quickly or sluggishly they changed course. We did this not just on calm, flat waters but on choppy waves and windy days to see how well they handled inclement weather. Not only did we maneuver around objects, but we also paddled right over the top of them at times to see if these boats got caught or hung up on submerged branches and rocky beaches. For those that come with a paddle, we also tested its effectiveness.
Many of the lightest kayaks proved the easiest to turn in ideal conditions. The Aquaglide Deschutes and Navarro, the Advanced Elements PackLite, the Oru Beach and Lake, and the Tucktec all turn easily and readily with less effort. However, once factoring in the wind and waves, many of these same lightweight boats become difficult to maintain course and challenging to paddle back to safety.
In rough conditions and with an experienced paddler, the Pakayak Bluefin is one of the best portable kayaks we've tested. Built with the rounded shape of a sea kayak, this long kayak is designed to be steered and stabilized with your hips. With practice, this long, heavy boat, with its exaggerated side-to-side rocking, is ideal for riding over big waves and slicing through them to reach your destination. This type of flexible control isn't great for paddlers not experienced in its quirks and challenges, however. If you're after a more relaxed boat that can still handle wind and waves, the Oru Beach LT does a solid job staying the course.
As you might expect, kayaks with rigid and thicker flexible exteriors handle sliding across submerged objects better. The hard and smooth Oru Lake and Beach, and Pakayak Bluefin sail over drowned sticks and sharp rocks with relative ease. The Bluefin boasts the same thick resin construction shared by many regular (i.e., not foldable or otherwise able to come apart) kayaks, helping it to glide over hidden obstacles without us even feeling it. The similarly hardened Tucktec is nearly as good as these others. It has an adjustable skeg on the stern that may occasionally bump on underwater items, though it typically is pushed up and out of the way rather than hampering forward progress.
The Bote Deus Aero takes a novel approach to being maneuverable. This kayak-SUP hybrid rides high out of the water and turns much more like a SUP than a kayak. In this same vein, it's well-equipped to ride over submerged sticks with ease. The AE AdvancedFrame, Sport, and Tandem also have slick PVC-coated hulls that more easily glide over sunken objects.
To assess durability across months of use, we put these kayaks through the rigors they would see in all kinds of typical-use scenarios. We considered their construction and what we observed during outings. We've been paddling a few of these boats for years now, noting any issues that arise and areas where they continue to impress.
We used these kayaks as much as possible in as many conditions as we could muster. We dragged them across rocky beaches and boulders, threw them in our cars and on the ground, and paddled them across submerged logs and rocks and on windy days. We invited rowdy kids to assemble and pack them up and filled them with gear and dogs of all sizes. We found that inflatable kayaks with a fabric exterior held up better to the abuse of sharp objects, both when submerged and when on land. Those include both Aquaglide models and both AE AdvancedFrame boats.
The Bote Deus lacks a fabric exterior but instead has the intensely thick hull and foam top of your standard inflatable SUP. As it's designed to hold 2-15x as much pressure as an inflatable kayak, its construction reflects that added requirement. The rigid, origami Oru Beach and Oru Lake and nesting doll-style Pakayak Bluefin 142 are clear champions in durability as well.
Additionally, we considered the materials used in the construction of each packable and inflatable kayak and inspected them for integrity. We compared manufacturer claims of durability with what we observed during testing. We also looked at the repair kits, repair patches, or extra pieces that came with each kayak and evaluated them for helpfulness and effectiveness.
We even broke some kayaks during testing and subsequently tested the included repair patch kit (lookin' at you, AE PackLite). While it might be easy to assume that thicker materials automatically make for a more durable boat, the story isn't so simple. Several models broke in other ways, like the snapped strap of the Tucktec.
While most of these boats did not pop, tear, or develop leaks during our testing, we noticed an important divide in the inflatable models. Most inflatables we tested are comprised of a left air chamber, a right air chamber, and a floor air chamber. If you were to pop the left or right side, the half-inflated boat would be extremely difficult to get back to shore. In contrast, both Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame kayaks we tested — the single and the convertible tandem — inflate an inner chamber that goes around the entire perimeter, then an outer chamber surrounding that. This design ensures that if you somehow manage to pop the outer chamber of air, the inner chamber still gives enough structure to the boat for you to paddle it to a safe landing. It's hard to put a price on that kind of peace of mind.
There are many options on the packable and inflatable kayak market today, and it's no simple feat to narrow it down to the right choice before you drop hundreds of dollars (or more) on a rig. Consider the intended use of your future kayak — where you plan to go, how long you hope to be out, what things you'd like to bring with you — to help inform your decision. Be sure to research the water and weather conditions where you plan to travel, and always remember to bring a life jacket for every living creature on your boat.
Here are several of your favorite inflatables squeezed them into a fantastic aquatic-themed environment - a vividly colorful wonderland that your littlest patrons are sure to enjoy. Balls for Octopus Ball Area not included.
This unit comes with top and bottom tie-down tether straps, anchors, a heavy duty bag, and repair kit.
* All of our inflatables are constructed from materials that are lead-safe, meaning levels below 90ppm. This is well below even the strict CPSIA and California Proposition #65 compliance limits of 300ppm, meaning our inflatables are safe for children. We also use vinyl materials that are flame-retardant and meet the new California NFPA 701, large and small-scale tests
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