07 Best Inflatable Kayaks in 2023 | All Good Fishing

Last updated on December 21st, 2022 at 12:20 pm

People love exploring nature and water bodies through kayaking as it is an exciting hobby a person could have. The running water calling you and little yet yummy creations under that endorse you stay there for a long time and you also want to be there. But, you can’t spend all day as you have to pack up and put your kayak back in the 4×4 before the sunset. Nobody wants that, right? Don’t worry as we have got you captured with the solution which is to get the best inflatable kayaks!

Kayakers are fearless as they are adventurous. But, they still have a sort of anxiety that is stopping them from enjoying their day at its best. And this is the safe transportation of their kayaks. We know how challenging it could be to transport your kayak safely but you don’t want to deal with the struggle of loading and unloading. So, you need a kayak that is portable, lightweight, space-saving, easy to pop up, foldable, or packable. In other words, we call it an inflatable kayak.

Why Should You Get an Inflatable Kayak? | Best Inflatable Kayaks Buying Guide

Kayaks are not cheap and you should be very clear on what vessel you are purchasing and why you should get it? So, Inflatable kayaks are a great alternative to recreational and traditional hard shell kayaks that you often find out there on the waters. There are a plethora of pros and cons of it. So, let’s take a look.

Portability & Transportable Design

First thing first, the portability and inflation of these kayaks make them superior to the rest of the kayaks. The design of an Inflatable kayak is in a way that gas or air gets filled into the body and forms a ready-to-sit kayak in a couple of minutes. After using it, you can simply deflate your kayak and take out its air. Your massive vessel will now turn just into the size of a bag that you can carry pretty easily.

This is the greatest benefit of inflatable kayaks but there are many others as well. Compared to those bulky hard shell kayaks, these vessels are amazingly lightweight and they hardly weigh 50 pounds for an inflatable kayak of large size. The space-saving design along with such a lightweight body makes it spectacular.

Lightweight Design with Additional Weight Support

The best inflatable kayaks are supposed to handle up to 750 pounds despite having a body of just 50 pounds. Now, there is a difference between higher weight support and more than a person can carry. If a vessel handles a lot of weight, it is not necessarily meant that it will carry more than a person. Instead, it depends on the design of the vessel, whether or not it is designed for two or more people.

Advanced Safety Checks & Performance

Now, some of you may argue about its safety and its likelihood of puncture. Of course, there was a time when inflatable kayaks weren’t safe to use for longer sessions as they were likely to get punctured. However, with the incorporation of PVC, fabric, and rubber material in the construction of their bodies, this is not a big deal anymore. The brands are now adding high-quality valves for quick and safe inflation of deflation that you are likely to get in the Intex inflatable kayaks.

To make these inflatable kayaks safe to provide an impressive ride, you can now get inflatable vessels with hull back designs for improved stability over the water. The hull is a bit on a broader side that makes a perfect match with the width and length of your overall vessel that enables you to stand on these kayaks.

Spacious Cabin & Extra Necessities

Compared to a solid hardshell kayak, inflatable kayaks may not seem to be spacious to some extent. However, these kayaks are equivalent to or more than spacious as they seem to be. Just like any other kayak, inflatable kayaks come with dedicated storage points at multiple locations to put your gear there. To keep your items dried, you will get guards in some specific inflatable kayaks.

Carry bags are also given even in these kayaks as usual so you won’t run out of space. Otherwise, you can always carry a backpack for your important stuff. The carry handles are installed at the preferred points to let you move the vessel here and there on the water out there without crashing it somewhere. Along with the storage compartments, you may also get rod holders in inflatable fishing kayaks.

The Best Inflatable Kayaks At A Glance

IMAGE	PRODUCT	SHOP
Overall Best Inflatable kayak	Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Inflatable Kayak Benefits: An easy to inflate kayak, With an Impressive stability, Features a comfortable seating, A decent puncture resistant build	Shop Here
Best inflatable in terms of stability	Driftsun Voyager Inflatable Kayak for 2 Person Benefits: Lightweight & compact kayak, Comes with comfortable seating, Features a decent performance, Handles 2 persons & 400 Pounds, With an easy to maneuver paddling	Shop Here
Under Budget inflatable kayak	Explorer K2 2-Person Inflatable Kayak Benefits: Rigid and Vinyl structure, Easy to use and inflate, With a comfortable seating, Maneuverable inflatable kayak	Shop Here
For outstanding durability	Sea Eagle 3P Inflatable Sport Kayak Benefits: Features a comfortable seating, Can handle up to 650 pounds, Spacious and comfortable cabin, Meant for a stable & a smooth ride	Shop Here
Best Inflatable Kayak for beginners	Driftsun Rover Inflatable White Water Kayak Benefits: Layered & puncture-resistant design, Sophisticated and supportive seats, Inflates and deflates in under 15 minutes, Adjustable footrest and a spacious cabin	Shop Here
Best one for two people	Intex K2 Excursion Pro Inflatable Kayak Benefits: With multiple storage points, Easy to inflate and deflate, Lightweight and a responsive kayak, Handles up to 400 pounds	Shop Here
Best Intex Excursion Boat Series	Intex Excursion Boat Series Inflatable Kayak Benefits: An easy to inflate kayak boat, Features a very spacious cabin, Can handle up to 750 pounds, For a very reasonable price	Shop Here

Best Inflatable Kayaks in 2023 | Our Best Picks & Review

1. Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Inflatable Kayak

So, Advanced Elements is right on top of this list with one of the greatest inflatable kayaks that were launched back in 2007 and weighs a bit more than 50 pounds which is fine for vessels of this size that are meant for two people. Advanced Elements launched this vessel in Red and green colors that both look great to be very honest. It looks exceptional in the red color, by the way!

Let’s discuss safety first as it would be the main thing you guys would like to see. Advanced Elements uses layered material to incorporate into its construction that provides decent durability. The three multilayer protection provides a puncture resistance effect to this vessel so you can stay safe while having your snacks on the water. Moreover, this one also features a hull design for improved tracking.

This is a versatile and convertible inflatable kayak. It means you can convert it both in a single and a double-deck along with an open deck as well. With these adjustments, you will either have another person in the cabin, or you will be left with an amazingly spacious cabin to put all your stuff safely. The best part is it’s easy to use design due to an easy assembly that doesn’t take a lot of your time.

Along with that, you have got a comfortable seating system here that is loaded with supportive backs and overall satisfactory seating. You can calmly sit on it for hours and hours without tiring. The pressure relief and spring valves are nicely positioned and get the job done smoothly.

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2. Driftsun Voyager Inflatable Kayak for 2 Person

Driftsun being the runner-up of this list comes with its greatest inflatable kayak which is meant for two people and it was launched back in 2018. As we said in the intro, the best inflatable is always lightweight and Driftsun took it seriously. This specific kayak weighs no more than 30 pounds making it extra handy to carry.

It is a 10 feet long vessel and it was supposed to take some time in order to properly inflate. However, this vessel takes no more than 10 minutes to inflate to its full and actual size. There is a decisive role of design and we can’t forget its double-action yet manual pump to get the job done.

Driftsun composed this bad boy in PVC construction which is not the layered one here in this case. It has got a tarpaulin bottom to ensure a leak and puncture-proof base out of the box. Not just its base is puncture-resistant, but its top is also tear-resistant and it can easily survive an accidental scratch.

As you are looking for an inflatable kayak, your main concern would be the space and you want a compact kayak that doesn’t take as much space. Thankfully, Driftsun completes this homework as well because this kayak takes no more than 3 feet to store. You would need a bag to carry it, and it is also given here in this.

This impressive vessel is designed so nicely and its performance reflects in its design and overall outlook profile. You can take this vessel out there on the calm and steady waters for a good experience. Along with this, you will get almost everything needed for your fishing. The overall vessel is durable and responsive and Driftsun provides comfortable cushioning on its supportive seats.

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3. Explorer K2 2-Person Inflatable Kayak

When it comes to getting the convenient vessels, Intex Inflatable kayaks are always appealing. Introducing you to the first inflatable kayak from the house of Intex known as Explorer K2 that was launched back a couple of years ago and conquered the market with its amazing performance. This GOAT kayak looks pretty great in this mighty yellow color as it is the only version in this specific fleet.

Now, if you are not willing to invest several hundred bucks into a kayak or you want something cheaper, this should be on your list. Although it is not a high-end vessel nor it was supposed to be, this guy still features impressive durability, to be honest. Assembling and inflating this kayak would not be a big deal for you.

This is a lightweight kayak that weighs less than 30 pounds and it is capable of handling up to 400 pounds without any problem. Moreover, Intex made it pretty stable and it doesn’t wobble on a windy day. So, you can say it is a nicely balanced kayak that performs pretty outstandingly. It is a very reasonably priced kayak.

The kayak itself along with its seating both are inflatable. These seats are comfortable and they are decently positioned so you can have a better view in front of you. It is a 10 feet long kayak and its cabin is also quite spacious allowing you to carry your important stuff in its dedicated storage compartments.

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4. Sea Eagle 3P Inflatable Sport Kayak

Sea Eagle came into this ocean of kayaks with its 3-person inflatable kayak that was launched back in 2008 and it hardly weighs 45 pounds. This was launched in three stunning colors that all look good and all these versions support 03 people onboard if you have an experienced kayaker in the cockpit.

This lightweight inflatable kayak is packed with impressive portability to help you save time and space. Sea Eagle’s this 45 Pounds structure is designed to handle up to 650 pounds but its stability would not be good if it’s fully loaded on a bit fast-moving waters. It is ideally meant for class 3 water.

Sea Eagle incorporates a quick inflation system in this vessel that enables you to set up this entire vessel in less than 12 minutes. Of course, it would take some practice to start. This vessel is 12 feet long and it may require relatively better skills to achieve decent maneuverability as it can carry 3 people.

All these seats are well-positioned at a specific height providing you with a better viewpoint. On top of this, all these seats are comfortable enough so you won’t feel tired while having a seat for a couple of hours. The back is also supported here.

Overall, Sea Eagle has done a great effort to make this kayak meaningful and performing out there on the water. Its wide yet flat bottom makes it stable. This long vessel is not recommended for beginners as it would take enough time to get their hands set on it. The skegs are also given and the pedal provides good usability.

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5. Driftsun Rover Inflatable White Water Kayak

Driftsun is once again on this list of the best inflatable kayaks with its Driftsun rover kayak which was launched in 2018 and weighs 30 pounds. It is launched in two different and attractive colors that you would surely love. Moreover, it is a 12 feet long vessel that provides a spacious cabin along with a bundle of features.

To provide kayakers with a durable and long-lasting kayak, Driftsun uses high-quality and layered PVC material to compose its construction. It has got a Tarpaulin bottom to protect this vessel from punctures which are pretty normal in Driftsun kayaks. So, the durability of these kayaks is on a completely next level.

Driftsun designed these kayaks for calm and slow-moving waters whether it be streams, ponds, lakes, or anything else. So, it would be a great thing to limit this vessel just to such waters if you want to get the most out of its maneuverability and longevity. Both the control and stability are already great here in this kayak. 

It is listed as an easy to inflate vessel but there is not as much difference. It gets inflated within 15 minutes and its pump is also well designed so that it doesn’t cause any issues. Overall, it comes loaded with skegs along with durable aluminum shafts. The footrests are adjustable and you will also get a mount for the action camera. Plus, its seating is well designed, comfortable, and pretty sophisticated.

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6. Intex K2 Excursion Pro Inflatable Kayak

Intex is once again on the list and we have now got you with its Excursion Pro that was launched back in 2019 and it is a little bit bulky compared to Rover of Driftsun. Anyways, it still works fine and performs nicely so one should not care as such. Intex launched it just in Red color but it looks very amazing.

To make this vessel, Intex is using layered and reinforced PVC plastic material that provides extended durability that too at a very competitive price. Its body is durable enough to survive minor crashes and puncture is also not a big deal here. However, if you want to get the most out of it, you should be a caring kayaker as using it on a very shiny day can fade its color and quality.

This 45 pounds structure is capable of handling up to 400 pounds and it supports up to 2 people on board in the cabin without compromising its stability. Likewise, Intex integrates high-quality and responsive valves for quick release of air. So, inflation and deflation are also not challenging things here in this inflatable kayak.

In terms of usability, this kayak is pretty good at maneuverability and tracking although it could be even better in terms of precision. It still performs better than many other vessels under this price range. Along with this, you have got a spacious cabin to put all your stuff safely and its important gear like cameras, watches, and phones. It has also got a very durable carry bag.

In addition to this, K2 Pro features comfortable seating along with a removable seat booster. The seats are supportive enough to keep you relaxed. Moreover, you will get a decent pair of paddles with aluminum shafts and its heavy-duty pump comes along with a pressure monitoring gauge for easy inflation and deflation. It has got a standard direction skeg for shallow water that makes great sense here.

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See Also: How to Transport 2 Kayaks in A Truck?

7. Intex Excursion Boat Series Inflatable Kayak

So let’s do something a bit unique with the Intex Boat Kayak that belongs to the excursion series. Intex launched this vessel back in 2011 and it weighs a bit more than 50 pounds. The best part is its design that gives a full boat sort of experience in a kayak and it can hold up to 4 persons in this vessel quite comfortably. Also, it comes with another version that allows seating of up to 05 people.

Intex is using Vinyl in its construction as it is an entry-level kayak meant for inexperienced kayakers. This kayak has got a conventional I-beam floor that adds some durability to it that further allows it to handle up to 750 pounds for its 4P version. However, this Vinyl is very decent as it comes with puncture resistance.

As a simple and cheap inflatable kayak, Intex tries its best to make things pretty safe and secure right out of the box. For that, they have installed multiple air chambers along with proper valves for quicker inflation to be done in under 15 minutes. This is a 10 feet long vessel and it has got a width of around 5 feet.

So, you have got a very spacious cabin to adjust your feet in case of a longer session. Design-wise, it is not meant to carry a lot of stuff but it still supports necessary storage points for your important stuff, and that too at easy-to-reach spots. If you are planning to catch some fish, this vessel comes loaded with fishing rod holders. Also, the pump is very responsive and the seats are also pretty good here.

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Best Inflatable Kayaks | Frequently Asked Questions

For how long do the best inflatable kayaks last?

Well, this depends on a lot of factors and most importantly how caring you are! As far as these kayaks are concerned, it depends on the build quality and material as well. PVC and Hypalon kayaks are sturdy and durable to last for a long time. These kayaks can deal with some harshness as well.

But you should protect them from excessive sunshine. Also, you should wait for your kayak to dry after deflation and then pack it. Otherwise, it is likely to get damaged. If you can follow these steps properly, your inflatable kayak is supposed to last at least a decade and more.

Are Inflatable Kayaks slow and unstable?

Well, speed is not directly related to your kayak being inflatable. Instead, the speed of your kayak depends on the profile and most important length and width of your kayak. Inflatable kayaks with a wide cabin and bottom are slower than hard-shell kayaks. But, you can also get inflatable kayaks with a thin cabin. However, you need to master it first if you want to go straight away. Stability is already exceptional as these kayaks feature a wide and flat bottom.

Do Inflatable Kayaks get punctured?

Anything with the inlet or outlet of air is supposed to get punctured at any point. The same goes for inflatable kayaks as well but you can still counter this thing by picking the best inflatable kayak instead of a cheaper one. Nowadays, inflatable kayaks are durable as they feature PVC and fabric-based materials that provide an extra layer of strength to the vessels for added protection against punctures.

Wrapping Up the Best Inflatable Kayaks

Inflatable kayaks are the greatest way to get rid of the struggles of transportation and storing your hard shell kayaks. These are portable kayaks that don’t need a spacious cabin for transportation in a 4×4 vehicle. Inflatable kayaks are economical as you no longer need to get kayak anchors, trolleys, carts, and truck extensions just to carry a monster from your doorstep to the water body.

In this guide, we helped you get the best inflatable kayaks from a filtered list, so you would not have to waste your time scratching your head on research for long hours. If you consider the above factors in your mind, you are likely to get an impressive inflatable kayak starting even from 500 bucks and so on. Just be caring towards your kayak and it is going to last longer to provide memorable rides.