If you think an inflatable kayak is right for you, below you will find our reviews of the 8 best models of inflatable single-seater and two-seater kayaks.
During the last decades, the practice of kayaking has become very popular among lovers of outdoor sports. Most start practicing in lakes, thanks to an inflatable kayak, where the movement of the water is very slight, but others prefer to venture into rapids or the open sea. In this case, it is important to have some experience to maneuver between currents and waves.
There are many types of kayaks depending on the use you want to give them. There are single, double, inflatable, fishing, sea, touring, slalom, self-emptying (sit on top kayaks), and other models. Some are perfect for beginners while others are designed for multi-day competitions or expeditions.
There are hundreds of models and it is not easy to make a decision, but don’t worry. In this article, we are going to see the characteristics that you have to take into account to find the inflatable kayak that best suits your needs.
The top 8 best inflatable kayaks on the market for every budget
We have reviewed models suitable for all budgets, level of experience and needs. If there is any kayak model you would like to see reviewed and you cannot find it on our blog, do not hesitate to contact us, and we will review it for you. Ready to find out what they are?
Intex Explorer K2 Inflatable Kayak
The Intex Explorer K2 Inflatable Kayak is the model that offers the best quality / price ratio. Finding a kayak of the same size and quality at the cost of this model is very difficult in our opinion, which is why we present the Intex Explorer K2 before the other best-selling kayaks on Amazon.
Here we have a two-seater kayak, 3.12 meters long, 91 cm wide, and 51 cm high. It is a perfect boat for use by two adults, thanks to its maximum capacity of 160 kilos. If you are looking for a kayak to spend hours of fun at sea, the Intex K2 is suitable for the whole family.
If, on the other hand, you are looking for a comfortable and practical solution for doing sports, here you will find two inflatable seats with backrest, made in accordance with ISP 6185. Then you can paddle freely, without paying the price of various back pains, since the Intex K2 has an ergonomic design.
The carrying handles allow easy kayaking, or even getting back on the kayak after a good dip. The removable directional fin helps a lot in paddling, and the inflatable bottom has been designed for maximum comfort. Want to know more and read user reviews? Just follow the link below.
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Sea Eagle 370 Deluxe
This is the best inflatable tandem kayak that is incredibly durable. With a 650-pound weight capacity, it can fit a maximum of three people and a large amount of cargo. Ideal for calm waters, or to surf in the ocean. The spray skirt will allow you to glide over the surf without getting drenched.
This is ideal for those who go on long trips, making sure their cargo stays dry. No more discolored or cracked material that can be common with inflatable materials.
This kayak is resistant to the sun, which means that it can withstand long periods of exposure to the elements and still look the same as when you bought it. This maintains the integrity of your board and prolongs the life of your kayak. It is also resistant to saltwater, which is great.
Now, you no longer have to limit where you go with your kayak. With everything you need to get out on the water, this inflatable sea kayak comes with a handy carry bag that makes it even easier to carry. Want to know more and read user reviews? Just follow the link below.
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Intex Challenger K1 Kayak
The best single-seated inflatable kayak is the Intex Challenger K1 Kayak, made with resistant materials that guarantee safety and durability. It has a maximum capacity of 120 Kilos. In addition, it comes with an 84-inch aluminum paddle, a repair patch, and a high-performance pump that lets you ride on it in minutes.
If you are looking to enjoy water sports alone, this individual model is designed to make your sea voyages as optimal as possible.
It is designed in bold colors, with updated graphics for increased visibility. Both its floor and its seat are inflatable, it also has holding ropes that will be very useful when transporting what is necessary for your rowing trip. It will also come in handy to hold the paddle that comes included with the boat.
Since it is one of the least expensive options in this comparison and due to the good quality of its materials, it is the best option for individual kayaking if you have a tight budget. Want to know more and read user reviews? Just follow the link below.
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Sevylor Adventure Plus Canadian Canoe
We continue with the best inflatable kayak available on Amazon. This is the Sevylor Adventure model. If you think that a professional kayak should be rigid, we tell you that many believe it, but it is not true. Today, the development of new materials allows us to produce inflatable kayaks with performances similar to those of rigid kayaks.
Of course, if you have to compete for a national or world title you will choose a rigid model. But for competition at any other level, the Sevylor Adventure is absolutely unbeatable.
The kayak has three air chambers and is made of a very resistant material. It has a maximum capacity of 165 kilos and is a two-seater 3.18 meters long and 88 cm wide. If you want to go solo, just remove one of the two seats to turn it into a single-seater.
The seat is very comfortable and allows even the tallest kayakers to stretch their legs. The directional fin is made of very resistant plastic material and is easy to insert and remove. The inflation takes only a few minutes, and onboard you find enough space for small objects, for fishing equipment, or – for the more adventurous – for tent and backpack. Want to know more and read user reviews? Just follow the link below.
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Advanced Elements Firefly
The Firefly model of Advanced Elements is an inflatable single seater kayak. It is a mid-range kayak, especially recommended for those who want to approach this sport using a good quality boat, although perhaps not suitable for competitions.
Very easy to inflate and deflate and also to transport, compared to rigid kayaks it has some peculiarities that are worth describing. Those who choose the Advanced Elements Firefly, or any other inflatable kayak, must consider that in principle the inflatable models are wider and less tapered than rigid kayaks. Then, they slide into the water a little slower. If you are looking for speed, our advice is to look at rigid kayaks.
If you are looking for a good kayak to go hiking, the Advanced Elements Firefly is perfect for you. The three air chambers give it a good rigidity. The seat is comfortable enough to accommodate even the tallest kayakers, and the bow is wide and equipped with an elastic net. Its maximum capacity of 113 kilos makes it suitable for most normal-weight adults, but particularly recommended for those with a fairly light build. Want to know more and read user reviews? Just follow the link below.
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Intex Excursion Pro Inflatable Kayak
When you are looking for a portable and convenient inflatable kayak for fishing, the Intex Excursion Pro Inflatable Kayak is definitely a solid choice. It is very stable with an I-beam construction floor for increased rigidity.
The Excursion Pro has been well thought out and designed with sport fishing in mind. Both the bow and stern have space to store all your fishing gear. D-rings throughout the entire interior provides many attachment points to secure the gear.
There is a mobile mounting bracket for GPS, fish finders, or additional fishing rod holders. Detachable skegs provide good tracking and adjustable footrests allow leverage that makes paddling easier and faster. Bucket seats provide all-day comfort for those long fishing trips and can be moved to the desired location. Want to know more and read user reviews? Just follow the link below.
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Sevylor Big Basin 3-Person Kayak
If you are looking for the best inflatable whitewater kayak that is bigger, the Big Basin is the one for you. It is a true 3-seater kayak. Most companies boast of having a 3 person kayak option despite the boat not having 3 seats. Not so Sevylor. The Big Basin actually has 3 seats that have plenty of legroom. All seats also move so you can be as comfortable as possible.
This is largely due to the high quality of construction. It is made of a high-strength PVC material that has a canvas bottom. Both create a skin that is durable while maintaining a light posture.
A Boston Valve has been used that makes inflating and deflating as easy as possible. You can also use the included carry bag to easily carry it from your home to the car and then to the beach. Want to know more and read user reviews? Just follow the link below.
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Driftsun Voyager 2 Person Tandem
This Driftsun pack is amazing. Voyager is a 10 foot tandem style kayak. Inflates in less than 5 minutes when using the high flow double action hand pump included in the kit. In total, this kayak weighs only 27 pounds and fits in a small package (backpack included).
Driftsun has made this boat extra tough using a PVC tarpaulin base and 840D coated oxford nylon top layer. This makes the boat puncture-resistant, while double-threaded Boston valves ensure no leakage.
Voyager has also been carefully thought out when it comes to nose and tracking. Cut water precisely, while the removable deep fin will help you in rough water keep your tip straight. It has a V-shaped hull that also gives it more stability for any water situation you put it on.
Something this boat has that is not found in an inflatable boat is a drain plug. Voyager also comes with everything you need to jump into the water. This includes 2 padded seats, 2 aluminum paddles, a hand pump, a rear flap, a repair kit, and a travel bag.
You will also be happy with the 2 bungee systems at the front and rear of the boat. Both passengers may carry all their equipment. Want to know more and read user reviews? Just follow the link below.
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Factors to consider when buying an inflatable kayak
Now that you’ve come to this point and read our entire review, we will mention a few factors that you should take into consideration when buying an inflatable kayak. Depending on the use you want to give it, you will have to take into account some parameters that are very important in choosing the best one.
Since it is an object that will come into contact with waters that can sometimes be deep, each feature must guarantee the necessary safety of inflatable kayaks. This is important, especially when there are children among the canoe crew members. Here are some parameters to study before purchasing.
Capacity
This point is usually very important and, dare we say, decisive when buying a kayak. When we mention the capacity of the canoe, we are referring to the number of people and the weight it supports. To make a good choice, you need to understand if you will use the boat only for walks in the water or, on the contrary, if you need it to practice a certain type of sport.
As you have seen, in this comparison we have shown one, two, and three-seater kayak models. The former is used for sports or other single water activities, the latter is the option most chosen by users and is useful for company travel, the latter are finally the best for family outings.
Manufacturing and design material
One of the main characteristics that must be carefully observed is the material with which the canoe is built. The best inflatable kayaks are those that have scratch resistance, because you know that many things in the sea can damage the boat. Those made of PVC and Nylon are the most recommended in terms of durability and stability, both at sea and in lakes or rivers.
You must also consider the design that your kayak will have, even if the choice of this aspect will depend on the use you will give it. For example, if you want to have a family canoe, it is not so important that it is tapered at the ends. On the contrary, if you want it to be faster, perhaps for professional sports, a less wide and more triangular shape will be better.
Total weight
Weight represents another of the fundamental elements, since the stability and direction of your kayak depend on it. Our recommendation is very simple: the lighter the boat, the better the navigation, no matter if it is in the sea or in a river. In addition, a limited weight will also make it easier to transport from one place to another.
However, this also depends on the main function of the inflatable kayak. For example, if it is a family vessel, it is very difficult to weigh only 7 kilograms. For this reason, it is important that you know the use that you will give to the kayak, and that therefore you choose the one with the lowest weight based on its characteristics.
Storage
In addition to the weight, it is also important to know how much space the canoe takes when deflating and inflating. We can advise you on the purchase of folding ones, which can also be inserted inside a backpack.
Now that you have read all this guide, choosing the best inflatable kayak will certainly be easier. And if you still have any doubts, do not hesitate: write to us. We will do our best to help you make your choice!