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Best Inflatable Kayaks of 2024: Expert Picked | U.S. News
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An inflatable kayak can provide hours of enjoyment on the water and then deflate, pack down, and tuck away into the trunk of a small car or a shelf at home. Safe, stable, and as much fun for many people as a solid-hulled kayak, inflatable kayaks can be used for recreation, exercise, fishing, multiday camping trips, or even as a unique part of your daily commute.
We've created this review of inflatable kayaks based on extensive first-hand paddling experience, in-depth discussions with kayak experts, extensive research, and a close reading of many reviews left by verified kayak buyers. Below, you will find the best inflatable kayak for your budget and your use case
The Aquaglide Deschutes 110 Inflatable Kayak is a long, lightweight, reliable kayak that handles much like a solid-hulled vessel. It’s stable enough for use by novice paddlers yet offers the handling more experienced kayak enthusiasts demand. At less than 20 pounds but with a 250-pound weight limit, this kayak is suitable for most adults and is easy to carry around off the water. It has multiple handles and it packs down into an included backpack. On the water, it tracks well, especially with the included fin in place, and it turns deftly, the kayak’s light weight aiding its nimble responsiveness.
While hardly cheap, the Deschutes 110 will last for many years with proper care. It’s best used on calmer water, as larger waves and chop tend to splash over the gunwales and into the cockpit. However, a removable drain plug in the floor can let water flow back out, and the kayak is at no added risk of tipping or sinking even when there is some water inside it. Bungee straps at the fore and aft help secure dry bags, and there are D-rings attached to the hull for securing additional gear, so you can bring along a decent amount of supplies as you ply the waters.
The Intex Challenger Inflatable Kayak costs less than $100 and packs down small. If you're looking for a very affordable yet reliable entry-level kayak, this is the boat to buy. On the shorter side, the Challenger is a responsive boat that’s a good choice for calm rivers, lakes, and ponds, or for use closer to shore in sea or ocean settings. It has three separate air chambers and an inflatable seat that can be made firmer or softer based on personal preference. The kayak comes with a pump and paddle included.
The Challenger has a modest maximum weight capacity of 220 pounds, and the cockpit is too short for users taller than 6 feet. But for most adults, it's a fine choice. It's a great inflatable kayak for kids and teens, too. A mesh cargo net over the prow allows you to bring along a bit of gear, and if you do have any spare legroom, you can stash more supplies down in the bow.
An Aquaglide Deschutes 145 Tandem Inflatable Kayak is a great choice for a pair of paddling enthusiasts with limited storage space at home. It packs down small enough to fit on a shelf or in a closet. Yet when fully inflated, this is a commanding kayak that measures 14.5 feet long and has an impressive 600-pound weight capacity. It can easily accommodate two adults and some gear, thanks to dual sets of bungee tie-down straps and ample space behind the rear paddler.
Out of the water, four handles make transporting this 27-pound kayak easy. On the water, the padded and adjustable seats are comfortable and supportive. The Deschutes 145 is easy to inflate but can be quite a chore packing down small enough to get it back into its included carrying backpack. That aside, this is a tough kayak made from proprietary reinforced PVC material called Duratex, so don’t worry about brushes with rocks, river bottoms, or sandy beaches; you’ll be enjoying this tandem inflatable kayak for years.
An Intex Excursion Pro Inflatable Kayak will set you back less than $275 but can accommodate two adult paddlers. It comes with all sorts of accessories, including removable fishing rod holders, a phone mount, an accessory mounting bracket, and even paddles. The Excursion Pro also includes a handy pump that can be used to inflate the kayak in just a few minutes. Long, broad, and stable, this is a good choice for those newer to paddling.
The Excursion Pro is on the heavier side for an inflatable kayak, and its 400-pound maximum weight capacity is rather low for a tandem kayak, but most couples or a parent/kid combo can safely enjoy it. When used as a solo kayak, it allows for bringing along a lot of gear, such as you might want for a long day of fishing.
No doubt the Hobie Mirage iTrek 9 Ultralight Inflatable Pedal Kayak is very expensive. But it’s also one of the fastest and most enjoyable inflatable kayaks you will ever use. Its smooth pedal drive system will have you zipping over the water at top speed, especially if you also paddle. And while heavy at nearly 40 pounds, the stability of this inflatable makes up for the weight. You can stand up on the Mirage iTrek for fishing or photography, and you can even remove the seat and pedals and use it as a stand-up paddleboard.
The Hobie Mirage iTrek 9 Ultralight Inflatable Pedal Kayak comes with two pumps (one hand-operated and one electric); a wheeled carrying bag with a retractable handle; and a hand-operated removable rudder and steering system that will have you turning on a dime. The seat is comfortable and adjustable, features a breathable fabric, and has an attached cup holder. So while this kayak is yours for a premium price, it’s also decked out with premium features.
The Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Sport Inflatable Kayak is a long, relatively narrow sit-inside inflatable kayak that’s great for longer trips down a river, across a bay, or around a lake. It cuts through water in a straight line thanks to its hull shape and a removable skeg tracking fin. The hull is made with rugged PVC material and is reinforced with aluminum ribs so the AdvancedFrame Sport Inflatable maintains its shape and integrity even with frequent heavy use. The kayak inflates quickly with the included hand pump, and it has handles at the bow and stern that make carrying this 26-pound boat easy.
A cargo area behind the seat can accommodate a small cooler or a dry bag, and there’s a bungee tie-down spot over the prow that can also be used to store a smaller dry bag. The seatback can be adjusted to a comfortable angle for paddling on those long outings, and the wide cockpit is easy to enter and exit at the start and end of the trip. However, the 250-pound maximum weight limit is limiting for larger adults.
The Sevylor QuickPak K5 Inflatable Kayak has an impressive amount of storage space for an inflatable kayak, so you can bring along the gear and food you need for a multiday kayak camping adventure. There are two large series of bungee tie-down straps and there is a storage compartment built into the stern of the hull. The backpack that’s used to carry the packed-down QuickPak K5 turns into the seat, so you don’t have to choose between leaving it behind or stowing it away.
That backpack/seat combination makes it easy to portage this kayak over large areas of land as needed. Just watch out in shallower water, as the skeg on the bottom of the kayak is permanently attached and can be an issue if it hits bottom. Also, plan to replace the paddle that comes included with this kayak, as it is reportedly terrible. But since this boat costs well under $200, you will have some cash left on hand to do so.
The Aquaglide Deschutes 110 Inflatable Kayak is our pick for the best inflatable kayak overall because it weighs less than 20 pounds yet offers stability and handling similar to a solid-bodied kayak of the same dimensions, with reliable tracking and nimble turns. Each of the other inflatable kayaks we feature has many properties that might make it the best inflatable kayak for your needs, though, so consider each option carefully.
Kayak Weight and Portability: “Inflatable kayaks offer unparalleled convenience, allowing nearly everyone to easily carry a kayak to and from the water,” says Roy Widgeon of USA Kayak Fishing Magazine. “Their portability and user-friendliness make them an ideal choice for those looking to engage in water activities.” Most inflatable kayaks are light enough to be carried by a single adult in good health, and most pack down small enough to tuck into a backpack.
Maximum Weight Capacity: Consider the weight limit and the weight of the kayak itself, especially if you plan on transporting it frequently. When noting a kayak’s stated weight capacity, look for one that can support between 50 and 100 pounds more than your body weight, when possible. That ensures good stability and easier handling.
Kayak Size and Seating Capacity: The longer the kayak, the better it will track (meaning stay moving in a straight line). The shorter the hull, the more nimbly it will be able to turn, so there is always a tradeoff. As for seating capacity, also keep weight limits in mind – tandem kayaks have higher weight capacities than solo kayaks, but it’s still important to stay well under the maximum load rating.
Ease of Inflation and Setup: Many inflatable kayaks can go from packed down in the bag to inflated and ready for use in less than five minutes. Make sure you practice setting up and packing down your kayak at least two or three times in a safe, predictable environment before you bring the boat out to the river, lake, or bay.
Storage Space and Gear Accessibility: “While convenient and fun to use, inflatable kayaks are constrained by limited storage options,” says Widgeon. If you are planning a multi-day kayak camping trip or you are a fisherman who likes to bring along a lot of gear, choose your inflatable kayak with great care, noting cargo capacity and the ease of storage space accessibility while you are on the water.
U.S. News & World Report contributor Steven John has been an enthusiastic paddler for many years. In addition to relying on his own padding experience, John reached out to several paddling professionals for their input and recommendations. They included Roy Widgeon of USA Kayak Fishing Magazine and Garrett Kanter, divisional merchandising manager with West Marine. Both Widgeon and Kanter had specific brands of inflatable kayaks they recommended, as well as general insights to keep in mind when shopping for one.
To come up with his final list of the best inflatable kayaks, John also considered key features like weight and maximum weight limit, dimensions and packed size, ease of setup, storage capacity, ergonomics, and more. From an initial list that included more than a dozen inflatable kayaks, those featured here are the selections he deemed the best in various categories.
WHY YOU SHOULD TRUST US
Contributor Steven John is an experienced paddler who owns multiple kayaks and other paddle-powered watercraft. John’s own experience on the water informed much of this article, as did his 13-plus years working as a commerce journalist. In that capacity, he has tested, researched, and reviewed scores of outdoor products across a wide swath of product categories. In addition to his work for U.S. News & World Report, John also writes with Forbes, NY Magazine, Dad Gear Review, Architectural Digest, Insider, The Daily Beast, and other outlets.
While generally slower than kayaks with solid hulls, inflatables offer comparable stability when they have a wide hull shape, says Kanter. (And the slower speed and stable feel can actually make an inflatable kayak a good choice for an amateur paddler.) “It really depends on the specific inflatable kayak. Some that are wider and more fishing-oriented are very stable, while others that are thinner, more ocean-going, are faster but less stable, like with [hardshell] kayaks.”
While inflatable kayaks are not generally recommended for use in rapids above a Class III, they are suitable for most uses in which you would use a standard hardshell kayak. They can be safely used on rivers, lakes, ponds, or even in open sea conditions. However, always mind water conditions worsened by inclement weather, and always wear a personal flotation device.
When it comes to maintenance, proper storage is key. “You don’t want to keep your inflatable out in the elements,” says Kanter. “The sun’s rays can break down the kayak way faster than most people probably think.” Always rinse salt water off a kayak with fresh water, and rinse off mud and sand as well. Let your kayak dry completely before you pack it away (leaving it inflated during the drying process helps ensure no water gets trapped away) and be mindful never to let water get into the air chambers inside the vessel. Store your inflatable kayak in cool, dry conditions out of direct sunlight.
Steven John is a journalist with more than 13 years of experience testing and reviewing consumer products. John has a deep love for the outdoors and is an avid biker, hiker, paddler, and skier. He specializes in reviewing outdoor gear and consumer technology. He spends most of his free time with his family, often somewhere in nature. His work has been featured in New York Magazine, The Daily Beast, Architectural Digest, Insider, Forbes, Gear Junkie, and many other publications. He lives outside New York City with his wife and two kids.
Jeff Kinney has been a writer and editor for more than 20 years. He currently is a senior editor at U.S. News 360 Reviews, where he focuses on consumer electronics and technical services. Prior to joining U.S. News & World Report, Kinney worked as a reporter and editor for Bloomberg, LexisNexis, and other news organizations.
U.S. News 360 Reviews takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.
