Choosing the right inflatable kayak is essential for an enjoyable experience. It’s important to consider several factors before making your decision. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key considerations, including your intended use, size and material preferences, and additional features to help you find the perfect inflatable kayak for your needs.
How to Choose Inflatable Kayak
Choose the Right Inflatable Kayak according to the Purpose
The intended purpose of the kayak will greatly influence the features that are important to you.
Recreational Kayaking:
Ideal for calm waters like lakes, bays, or slow-moving rivers.
Typically, inflatable kayaks are wider. It is easier to handle for beginners.
Many models in this category come with comfortable seats and extra space for gear and pets.
These kayaks come with inflatable seats, backrests, and spacious cockpits for leisure paddling.
Whitewater Kayaking:
These inflatable kayaks are designed to handle fast-moving rivers and rapids.
They’re typically shorter (to maneuver quickly) and more durable (to handle bumps, rocks, and rough conditions).
You’ll want a model with solid construction, like drop-stitch technology. This technology makes the kayak feel rigid for better control in swift currents.
Self-bailing drainage holes in inflatable kayak are important for releasing water quickly.
Touring and Expedition Kayaking:
These kayaking are arranged for longer trips, typically over several days, on lakes, rivers, or coastal waters.
Choose an inflatable kayak that offers enough storage space to carry extra gear for camping, food, and clothing.
These kayaks usually require longer, narrower designs to improve speed and efficiency over long distances.
Integrated tracking fins or skegs help keep the inflatable kayak moving straight and efficiently in wind and current.
Fishing Kayaking:
If you’re interested in fishing from your kayak, stability becomes a top priority. This type of inflatable kayak has wider, and stable platform to allow for standing while fishing.
These kayaks come with rod holders, additional storage for tackle boxes, and other specialized features such as fish finders or mounts for cameras.
Choose an inflatable kayak that comes with self-draining scupper holes to prevent water from accumulating in the cockpit.
Size and Weight Capacity
Choosing the right size is important for both comfort and performance.
Solo vs. Tandem: A single-person kayak is typically lighter, easier to maneuver, and faster. Solo kayaks are perfect for solo paddlers who want the freedom to move at their own pace. Oz Inflatable Kayaks suggest that, “(Choose) Sit-in Kayaks with inflatable coaming that you can put a spray skirt on to keep the water out. – Sit-on-top, self-bailing kayaks (self-bailing means when the water comes over into the kayak, it drains out).”
A tandem kayak is designed for two paddlers and usually offers more space and stability. These are great if you have a paddling partner. They tend to be longer. Paddling Magazine suggests that, “The streamlined and well-constructed design elements of the Nyce Haul have made it my new favorite tandem inflatable kayak, and whether I’m taking a summer float down the Willamette or convincing someone to try whitewater for the first time, it’ll be loaded in the car.”
Weight Capacity: Choose kayaks according to its maximum weight capacity. This should include you and your gear’s weight. Some inflatable kayaks are designed for lower weight limits, while others can handle significantly more weight.
Overloading the kayak can affect its stability and performance, so it’s crucial to make sure the kayak can support both your weight requirement.
Choose the Right Material
The material used to make the inflatable kayak influences its durability, performance, and price.
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): Durable and affordable. PVC is commonly used for budget kayaks. It can handle moderate wear and tear and is often resistant to punctures. PVC kayaks are heavier than other kayaks.
Nylon or Polyester with PVC Coating: Lightweight and flexible. these kayaks are good for general use. These inflatable kayaks are used in recreational and light touring purpose. The PVC coating gives the material resistance to abrasions and water damage.
Drop-Stitch Technology: This is a higher-end construction method where thousands of tiny fibers are used to connect the top and bottom layers of the kayak. Inflatable kayaks with drop-stitch floors and chambers feel almost as rigid as hard-shell kayaks once inflated. It provides better tracking, speed, and stability in rough waters. Ideal for high-performance kayaks (like touring and whitewater models), drop-stitch construction significantly improves overall performance.
Inflation and Deflation in Inflatable Kayaks
Valves: Inflatable kayaks come with different types of inflation valves (such as Boston valves or Halkey-Roberts valves). The ease of inflation and deflation depends on the valve type. Look for kayaks with easy-to-use valves that allow for quick inflation and deflation.
Pump: A high-pressure hand pump or electric pump is often included or sold separately with your inflatable kayak. Some kayaks require higher PSI (pounds per square inch) for the floor to ensure a rigid feel. A high-volume pump is best for larger, low-pressure kayaks.
Dual-action pumps inflate the kayak quickly by pushing air into the kayak when the handle is pushed down and pulled up.
Choose Stability or Speed
Wide Inflatable Kayaks: Provide excellent stability. It is a great choice for beginners and recreational paddlers. They offer less speed but are easier to control.
Narrower Inflatable Kayaks: These are generally faster and track better in open waters. Narrow kayaks are best for experienced paddlers. They require better paddling technique to maintain balance.
Tracking and Maneuverability
Tracking Fins and Skegs: These features help improve a kayak’s straight-line performance and are particularly helpful in windy and current-driven waters.
Skegs are retractable and removable fins that improve tracking, particularly in touring kayaks. Choose inflatable kayaks with both fins and skegs. Gear Lab explains that, “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.”
Maneuverability: Choose shorter kayaks for better maneuverability and turns. If you want better tracking and speed, go for an inflatable kayak that is longer than 10 ft.
Get Some Comfort
Seats: Look for adjustable, well-padded seats that offer support for your back. Some inflatable kayaks come with high-back seats, which provide added comfort for long days on the water.
Opt for seats that dry quickly. ZelGear claims that, their inflatable seat “is made of a durable, waterproof and pleasant to the touch material thermopolyurethane (TPU). It gets dry very quickly. All seams are welded and completely hermetic.”
Footrests: Adjustable footrests and foot pegs provide better leg support and comfort.
Additional Features: If you love, go for additional conveniences. Make an arrangement in your kayak for cup holders, cargo netting, bungee cord storage, and dry bags to keep valuables safe.
Consider Portability and Setup
Weight: Inflatable kayaks are light. But some of the larger models can be heavier, especially tandem kayaks and models with drop-stitch technology.
Packability: Consider the kayak’s size when deflated. Many inflatable kayaks pack into compact bags, which makes them easy to store and transport. However, the storage bag should also be durable and designed to protect the kayak.
Choose a Budget-friendly Inflatable Kayak
Low-end models: Expect to pay less for budget-friendly inflatable kayaks. These are typically PVC-based, simple designs with fewer features.
Mid-range models: These kayaks offer a better combination of durability, performance, and comfort. You’ll likely get features such as better materials, adjustable seating, and improved construction.
High-end models: Premium kayaks with advanced features like drop-stitch floors, better rigidity, and performance-oriented designs. These are suitable for serious kayakers and those seeking the best performance for whitewater and touring.
Safety Features
Multiple Air Chambers: Safety should be a priority when choosing an inflatable kayak. Multiple air chambers ensure that if one part of the kayak gets punctured, the others will keep the boat afloat.
Newport Vessels explains that, “With multiple air chambers, you don’t have to worry that the boat might sink because of one puncture. Each air chamber is separated by a baffle that extends into the next tube, if the pressure drops in one tube, the adjacent tube will drop from 3.6psi in each tube and equalize at 1.8psi in each remaining tube. This means that if one tube fails, the second tube will simply step up and equalize pressure.”
Bright Colors: Opt for kayaks in bright, visible colors (yellow, orange, or red) to ensure high visibility in case of emergency.
Self-Bailing Drains: Some kayaks come with self-bailing holes in the hull, which allow water to drain out automatically. This feature is especially useful for whitewater kayaks, where water is likely to splash in.
Selecting the right inflatable kayak involves a careful balance of purpose, comfort, durability, and performance. By considering all the factors above, you can find a model that enhances your paddling experience. Take the time to assess your priorities and research your options.
