Inflatable kayaks are safe, durable, reliable, and just as good as many traditional kayaks, especially as inflatable technology keeps to improve.
Inflatable kayaks have air inside them, just like an inflatable mattress for the pool has air inside. They are made of rubberized fabric, which is why they can be inflated with ease and paddled properly on water just like any other solid kayak could do. These kayaks are great because they can be stored in small places when deflated, but their biggest advantage is their durability – since there’s no hollow space inside them, they don’t rupture or get damaged easily even though you use them roughly.
All inflatable kayaks come with a manual pump, a repair kit, and a paddle which is usually stored inside the kayak itself. The weight distribution on these kayaks is much better than on folding ones as well. If you’re looking into buying an inflatable as opposed to a hard shell kayak, it’s probably for two reasons, they are much easier to transport and store and they can also can be really cheap. So overall, they might be the most accessible way to get on the water and that’s why some kayaking snobs might not take them seriously. They’re generally very stable as compared to hardshell kayaks. Some of them would be hard to capsize on calm water even intentionally. Stability in kayaks correlates with width and inflatable kayaks are usually quite wide.
Inflatable kayaks are more suitable for those who want to take it out on a regular basis because they can’t be damaged easily and if something goes wrong with the material, you can always send it back and get it repaired. A great advantage of inflatable kayaks is that they don’t need any assembly and if you deflate them and fold them properly, they don’t take much space in your home, so after you’re done paddling you can store it in some corner of your house. The only disadvantage we see with inflatable kayaks is their weight – some models might weigh more than 50lbs, which makes portability difficult sometimes, especially if you want to move it over longer distances.
Pros of inflatable kayaks
They are more durable than folding kayaks because there’s no hollow space inside them which means that they don’t rupture or get damaged easily. This type does not require assembly, so after you’re done paddling, you can deflate them and store them in some corner of your house without taking too much space. If there is a problem with the material, you can always send the kayak back and get it repaired.
Cons of inflatable kayaks
They are heavier than foldable kayaks – some models weigh up to 50lbs which makes portability difficult sometimes if you have to carry it over long distances. Since they’re made out of rubberized fabric, they puncture more easily than folding kayaks.
Inflatable kayaks are good
Because of their above mentioned benefits, inflatable kayaks are a great choice for a kayak paddler, whether you are a beginner or an experienced kayak rider.
