{"id":238,"date":"2024-04-09T05:21:10","date_gmt":"2024-04-09T05:21:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extensivelyreviewed.com\/index.php\/2021\/04\/11\/best-inflatable-kayak-you-can-buy-for-fun-summer-activities\/"},"modified":"2024-04-09T05:21:10","modified_gmt":"2024-04-09T05:21:10","slug":"best-inflatable-kayak-you-can-buy-for-fun-summer-activities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/extensivelyreviewed.com\/best-inflatable-kayak-you-can-buy-for-fun-summer-activities\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Inflatable Kayak You Can Buy for Fun Summer Activities"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a reason so many people are looking for the best inflatable kayak. After all, they\u2019re incredibly fun!<\/p>\n

But guess what?<\/p>\n

They\u2019re also amazingly practical. That\u2019s because they\u2019re ultra-portable, and super-easy to use. And you know what else? They\u2019ve revolutionized the world of fun!<\/p>\n

When you consider that the kayak has been with us for nearly 4,000 years, that\u2019s quite the feat. Of course, the original kayaks weren\u2019t made for fun. The indigenous people of the Arctic, particular the Inuit, pioneered the use of kayaks for fishing, hunting, and general transportation.<\/p>\n

But there\u2019s more to it than that.<\/p>\n

The original kayaks were custom-built to their owner\u2019s size. It\u2019s true! Each kayak fit only one man. In fact, the word \u201ckayak\u201d is Inuit for \u201cman\u2019s boat.\u201d<\/p>\n

Move forward a few thousand years, and you get today\u2019s kayaks, which are mass-produced rather than customized. But thankfully we have something the Inuit never had: inflatable kayaks. The best inflatable kayak allows you to transport it in the trunk of your small urban car, enjoy a day on the water, and pack it up again.<\/p>\n

Now that\u2019s convenient!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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How We Reviewed<\/h2>\n

You\u2019re probably wondering how it is that we know so much about inflatable kayaks. Truth be told, we went and looked it up.<\/p>\n

You see, there\u2019s a lot of information out there. Some good, some not-so-good. We did the hard work of sifting through it all for you, so you can read all the good stuff in one place.<\/p>\n

Then, we went to Amazon and read through customer reviews on a bunch of inflatable kayaks. We love customer reviews because they tell us how a product performs in the real world. Eventually, we were able to narrow down a list of options to what may be the best inflatable kayak for you.<\/p>\n

Also, we love kayaks. So there\u2019s that.<\/p>\n

The Best Inflatable Kayak for Fun<\/h2>\n

We all do it. We see two products that sort of look the same, but one is significantly cheaper than the other, so that\u2019s the one we rip off the shelf and take to the cashier.<\/p>\n

Only, often it doesn\u2019t work out too well. In the case of inflatable boats, that\u2019s not something you want to worry about. Which is why we always recommend reviewing products before buying them.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve assembled some options for you in your hunt for the best inflatable kayak. These aren\u2019t the kind of kayaks that tear and sink, although we can\u2019t make any guarantees. All we\u2019re doing is presenting the information to you so you can make an informed shopping decision.<\/p>\n

Also, these aren\u2019t listed in any particular order.<\/p>\n

Intex Explorer K2 Kayak<\/h3>\n

First up is the two-seat\u00a0Intex Explorer K2\u00a0inflatable kayak. You\u2019ll love this inflatable kayak because it has two tandem seats with high backs for supreme comfort. In fact, the entire cockpit was designed for comfort and space.<\/p>\n

This bright-yellow kayak includes a removable skeg, which you can use for better stability. It\u2019s 36 inches across at its widest part and 123 inches long. That\u2019s 10 feet! One thing to take note of is that this is a small-water kayak. Stick to rivers and lakes with calm water, and you\u2019ll have a blast.<\/p>\n

The only complaints seemed to be involving typical manufacturing defects. Also, some customers had complaints about the seams, which they said were not that sturdy and tore easily in rough water. Of course, the manufacturer specifically instructs people to NOT use this kayak in rough water, so there\u2019s that.<\/p>\n

Ztotop 2-Person Inflatable Kayak Set<\/h3>\n

Next up is the\u00a0Ztotop\u00a0two-person inflatable kayak. One great thing about this kayak is that it comes with a pump. That alone puts it in the running for best inflatable kayak.<\/p>\n

This kayak also comes with two tandem seats, which include comfortable backrests. Also, it\u2019s 138 inches long, or nearly 12 feet. And it can hold up to 400 pounds. We like this kayak because it\u2019s constructed out of heavy puncture-proof vinyl, so scraping the bottom isn\u2019t going to sink you.<\/p>\n

Another nifty safety feature is that every air chamber is separate from the others, so even if you do manage to rip one of them, you\u2019ll stay afloat. But don\u2019t worry, because it includes a patch repair kit to get you back in the water. To be safe, the manufacturer recommends staying in smaller bodies of water such as lakes and calm rivers.<\/p>\n

Also, many people loved how easy it is to inflate, and one person said it packs down into the size of a briefcase. There wasn\u2019t a single customer complaint.<\/p>\n

Bestway Lite Rapid X2 Kayak<\/h3>\n

Next up is a strange little two-person kayak. The\u00a0Bestway Lite Rapid X2\u00a0is unlike other inflatable kayaks because it\u2019s so small. There\u2019s seriously little leg room here, so you\u2019ll need to keep your legs bent.<\/p>\n

Thankfully the inflatable seats are adjustable, and to be fair, the design helps keep water from getting in. The gunwales (is that what they\u2019re still called with inflatable boats?) are nice and high, and also thick. You get a comfy, dry journey.<\/p>\n

Because it\u2019s 126 inches long, you\u2019ll have 10 feet to play with, but it\u2019s only 30 inches across. There won\u2019t be much room for other gear in here, so don\u2019t plan any camping excursions. Also, we love the grab robe that runs along the side.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, quite a few people complained that the seats are too small, and the interior too snug. One woman, who said she was petite, warned that she could barely fit comfortably.<\/p>\n

Intex Challenger K1 Kayak<\/h3>\n

So far we\u2019ve looked at two-person boats as we search for the best inflatable kayak. But what about single people? Don\u2019t worry, because the\u00a0Intex Challenger K1\u00a0might be the best inflatable kayak if you\u2019re boating solo.<\/p>\n

Get this. It\u2019s a nimble single-seat kayak that comes with a grab rope along the side, a cargo net on the front, and thick, durable seams along the edges. The paddle is aluminum, so you know it will stand up to some abuse. Best of all, it comes with a pump!<\/p>\n

Finally, the entire boat measures 108 inches in length (9 feet) and is 30 inches wide. There\u2019s plenty of room for you to relax here. It can hold up to 220 pounds.<\/p>\n

There were a few complaints about manufacturing defects, but the strongest complaints involved dealing with Intex customer service. Many people said they were rude and refused to help with warranty-covered issues, so there\u2019s that to think about.<\/p>\n

Sea Eagle Razorlite 473rl Inflatable Kayak<\/h3>\n

Finally, we have the\u00a0Sea Eagle Razorlite 473rl\u00a0inflatable kayak. If you want a simple, thin, two-person kayak, then this is the best inflatable kayak for you.<\/p>\n

Funny enough, when inflated it looks like a hardshell. That\u2019s thanks to the reinforced PVC material it\u2019s built with. Also, this is the longest inflatable kayak we looked at, measuring over 15 feet in length. With 14-feet of leg room, you\u2019ll fit comfortably in here. Furthermore, it can carry up to 750 pounds, so feel free to bring your camping gear.<\/p>\n

One thing we wouldn\u2019t recommend is taking it out on the ocean. The walls are low, and waves could easily swamp it. Instead, use it as a lake and river kayak, perfect for camping and exploring.<\/p>\n

All About Inflatable Kayaks<\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

Image via \u200bPixabay\u00a0<\/p>\n

What does the best inflatable kayak have that a normal hardshell kayak doesn\u2019t? After all, the hardshell kayak is the gold-standard of kayaks. But it can\u2019t do everything.<\/p>\n

The first thing you need to know is that there are a dizzying amount of kayaks out there. From sea kayaks to whitewater kayaks, and even folding kayaks. The inflatable kayak is just one more. But the best inflatable kayak is possibly the best kayak you can get, period.<\/p>\n

But why?<\/p>\n

Inflatable vs hardshell kayaks<\/h3>\n

Want to know more about inflatable kayaks? Of course, you do! To find the best inflatable kayak, let\u2019s first take a look at standard hardshell kayaks.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

image via Pixabay<\/p>\n

Hardshell kayaks come in many shapes and sizes. Most of them follow the same basic kayak principle, that you sit in a seat low below the waterline with your legs comfortably stretched out in front of you.<\/p>\n

And they really are great for long voyages. If you\u2019re going to paddle up a coastline, camping at night, a hardshell kayak is your best bet. They can carry a lot of gear, and you don\u2019t have to worry about sharp rocks.<\/p>\n

But they\u2019re bulky, and you need specialized equipment to transport them. Also, you\u2019ll need somewhere to store them. Furthermore, they are expensive.<\/p>\n

Now, look at inflatable kayaks. Firstly, they come in a small package. Have you ever seen a deflated air mattress? Well, these kayaks are smaller than that. Some of them you can even carry in your backpack! Also, they don\u2019t require any extra storage space at home. Jam the box in a closet and forget about it.<\/p>\n

Finally, they\u2019re a whole lot cheaper than a hardshell kayak.<\/p>\n

And get this.<\/p>\n

Except for ocean journeys, the best inflatable kayak can do anything a hardshell kayak can do. In fact, in some situations, the inflatable kayak is better. Take\u00a0whitewater paddling, for example. A sturdy inflatable kayak will navigate the rough water and glide over rocks much easier than a heavy hardshell.<\/p>\n

So there you have it.<\/p>\n

Safety<\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

Image via Pixabay<\/p>\n

By now you\u2019re probably wondering whether or not inflatable kayaks are safe. Because let\u2019s face it, nobody wants to go out on the water in a boat that could sink.<\/p>\n

Good news!<\/p>\n

Inflatable kayaks are\u00a0incredibly safe. In fact, they have a fantastic safety record thanks to the tough, sturdy materials they\u2019re built with. Most of them use a strong silicone or vinyl-infused plastic, which gets layered for strength. Some even have aluminum supports.<\/p>\n

You can take these things out almost anywhere. We wouldn\u2019t recommend using them in freezing water, however. For that, you\u2019ll want a hardshell, because the cold water could cause warmer air inside the kayak to burst out.<\/p>\n

And don\u2019t worry about punctures. Thanks to modern materials, it rarely happens. After all, if river guides can take their inflatable kayaks out in rapids time and again, you\u2019re going to be okay.<\/p>\n

Where you need to be careful is actually when they\u2019re out of the water and in storage. You\u2019ll want to keep them away from all sharp objects and don\u2019t let them sit in the freezing cold. Also, keep them dry, so mold doesn\u2019t form. A cool, dry place like your basement is perfect. And above all, keep your cats away from your inflatable kayak!<\/p>\n

Which Is the Best Inflatable Kayak for Summer Fun?<\/h3>\n

By now you\u2019re asking \u201cSo which is the best inflatable kayak? Which one should I buy?\u201d We get it. But here\u2019s the thing: there\u2019s no single best inflatable kayak. They all have their strengths and weaknesses.<\/p>\n

For instance, if it\u2019s only you, then the Intex Challenger K1 single-seat kayak is the best inflatable kayak. You certainly don\u2019t need a beast like the Sea Eagle Razorlite.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, if you have kids, then something like the Bestway Lite Rapid will provide hours of fun. It\u2019s sturdy and big enough so kids won\u2019t fly out of it when they get rowdy.<\/p>\n

As you can see, finding the single best inflatable kayak is impossible. But we do have a couple of favorites, starting with the Ztotop two-person inflatable kayak.<\/p>\n

It comes with fantastic customer reviews and includes everything we could want, including a pump and a grab rope. Also, the Intex Explorer K2 is a solid purchase that will provide a summer of memories.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s your favorite inflatable kayak? Let us know in the comments!<\/p>\n

Featured Image via\u00a0<\/em>pixabay<\/em><\/p>\n

Last update on 2021-04-11 at 08:45 \/ Affiliate links \/ Images from Amazon Product Advertising API<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s a reason so many people are looking for the best inflatable kayak. After all, they\u2019re incredibly fun! But guess what? They\u2019re also amazingly practical. That\u2019s because they\u2019re ultra-portable, and<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/extensivelyreviewed.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/238"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/extensivelyreviewed.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/extensivelyreviewed.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extensivelyreviewed.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extensivelyreviewed.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=238"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/extensivelyreviewed.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/238\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":591,"href":"https:\/\/extensivelyreviewed.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/238\/revisions\/591"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/extensivelyreviewed.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=238"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extensivelyreviewed.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=238"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extensivelyreviewed.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=238"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}