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You will agree with us when we say that finding and selecting the right Kayak for your specific needs can be a headache. The next thing is the price factor that is even a bigger problem.
To save you the trouble, we have compiled a number of products to help you decide which option you should really go for.
In this post, you can find your answers regarding why you should go for a certain Kayak among other important questions.
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| This multi person kayak is suitable for lakes and small rivers. Adjustable seats and a lot of space for comfort and ease. | A single person kayak that has an inflatable seat with backrest and a cargo net to maximize the gear storage. | The durability of this kayak will seriously amaze you as it is highly resistant to damage scratches, cuts, rock impact and direct sunlight. |
Through careful and detailed analysis I have selected these afore-mentioned kayaks for you to choose from.
Following is a detailed review on the best cheap inflatable kayaks.
Cheap Inflatable Kayak – Top 9 Reviews
#1. Best Inflatable Kayak – Intex Explorer K2 Kayak Review
Intex Explorer is a modern styled sporty kayak. With its streamlined design, this kayak is very easy to paddle in still and flowing water alike.
The yellow ecstatic color drastically improves the visibility of this kayak.
One other major thing this kayak provides is the adjustable seat. You can fold it for extra gear capacity or have a friend hop on an adventure with you.
It has a lot of added features like rugged floor for extra durability and comfort, adjustable seats, removable skeg and a lot of other stuff.
Features of Intex Explorer K2:
- Bright color for high visibility
- Easy paddling with streamlined design
- Inflatable seats with backrests
- Includes repair patches
- Grab handles on both ends
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Best Inflatable Kayak
The Best Inflatable Kayak is Intex Explorer K2 Kayak as it is a longer lasting and durable kayak. The price to value ratio this product provides is amazing. The option of increasing storage capacity to fulfill your needs is really handy.
#2. Best Single Person Inflatable Kayak – Intex Challenger Kayak Review
From the makers of the same kayak mentioned above, Intex Challenger is another great choice for one person kayaking experience.
Made with modern streamlined technology and an inflatable seat, this kayak is very easy to paddle and maneuver in small bodies of water such as rivers and lakes.
Apart from being a single person kayak, the one major distinction it has is the cargo net on the front end for increased storage capacity.
Despite being almost the same price as a dual person kayak, the features it provides are unmatched.
Features of Intex Challenger:
- Flashy and sporty design for ease in visibility
- Durable and rugged material
- Closed Deck
- Bag for carrying useful things
- Adjustable/Removable seat
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Best Single Person Inflatable Kayak
The Best Single Person Inflatable Kayak is Intex Challenger Kayak if you are looking for solo adventures with a kayak that is durable. It can survive a little bit of abrasion and impact with rocks and is the best option for you. It provides everything necessary for a single kayaking venture.
#3. Best Fishing Inflatable Kayak – Excursion Pro Kayak Review
Excursion Pro is another great product from Intex. A highly durable yet comfortable kayak to help you in your kayaking adventures.
This kayak is built for maximum comfortability of the user. Equipped with adjustable and removable seats along with footrests for both seats, this kayak really focuses on the ease of use.
The features of being inflatable makes it really easy to carry around. The handles on each end provide effortlessness in carrying it.
The price factor is bigger compared to the rest because of its added features but the cost to value ratio is unmatched.
Features of Excursion Pro:
- High Impact and abrasion resistance
- Polyester material
- Good for shallow and deep waters
- Mounted footrests
- Water resistant bags
- 1-2 capacity
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Best Fishing Inflatable Kayak
The Best Fishing Inflatable Kayak is Excursion Pro Kayak if you are looking for fishing adventures with a friend of yours. It provides all the required accessories and facilities required for fishing. Given the time required for fishing this kayak is equipped with features to keep you comfortable.
#4. Best Inflatable Sit-on-Top Kayak – Sevylor K1 Quikpak Kayak Review
Sevylor K1 is a sit on top inflatable kayak. Made with highly tensile material, this kayak is extremely resistant to impact and abrasion.
The makers have built it with a dual purpose backpack which gives people the availability of a kayak carrying backpack and a seat.
Its multiple air chambers are a helpful tool for people that are not good with repairs or are always worried about their kayaks getting damaged and drowning.
The compact design is very convenient for people to carry it around for one person.
Features of Sevylor K1 Quikpak:
- PVC material build
- Reinforced bottom for puncture resistance
- Multi-functional backpack
- Multiple air chambers
- Cargo net for accessories
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Best Inflatable Sit on Top Kayak
The Best Inflatable Sit on Top Kayak is Sevylor K1 Quikpak Kayak as it is specifically made for a single person casual kayaking experience. If you are looking to learn kayaking but are not trying to spend too much money on gear and accessories then this kayak is highly suitable for you.
#5. Best Inflatable Sit-in Kayak – Sevylor Quikpak K5 Kayak Review
Another great product from Sevylor is the Quikpak K5 Inflatable kayak. This product is designed for a one person sit-in kayaking experience.
The bow and stern is made durable especially for rough and rocky waters that gives it resistance against tears.
The Sevylor multiple air chambers technology is equipped in this kayak to lessen your worries about punctures damaging your kayak beyond repair.
The sit in design provides a lot of utility when it comes to keeping your gear and clothes from getting wet.
Features of Sevylor Quikpak K5:
- Air tight system
- Double valve locking system for easy inflation/deflation
- Multi purpose backpack
- Multiple air chambers
- Covers for anti splashing and to keep the user dry
- Secured storage areas
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Best Inflatable Sit in Kayak
The Best Inflatable Sit in Kayak is Sevylor K5 Quikpak Kayak if you are looking to go on an adventure and have a good experience of kayaking. Equipped with multiple storage facilities and a backpack that turns into a seat, this kayak provides everything you need for a good time.
#6. Best Inflatable Three Person Kayak – Sevylor Big Basin Kayak Review
Sevylor Big Basin is a 3 person inflatable kayak. To ensure the durability of the kayak, its tarpaulin bottom is used to prevent it from getting easily damaged.
It is equipped with high quality valves for the user’s ease in inflating and deflating the kayak.
This kayak is equipped with side handles for your ease to carry it on and off land without much trouble. The multiple air chambers technology makes it less worrisome regarding punctures and tears.
It has exceptional storage capacity for your gear and extra stuff if you wish to bring along some things.
Features of Sevylor Big Basin:
- Heavy Duty PVC build
- Tarpaulin bottom for puncture resistance
- Multiple air chambers technology
- Adjustable seats
- Highly water resistant
- Sit-in design for anti splashing
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Best Inflatable 3 Person Kayak
The Best Inflatable 3 Person Kayak is The Sevylor Big Basin because it is equipped with all the essentials a group needs for a long and comfortable journey. The adjustable seats and the spacious design make it very easy for 3 people to go on an adventure and enjoy it without worrying about space for their gear and accessories.
#7. Best Inflatable Sporting Kayak – Bestway Hydro-Force Cove Champion Kayak Review
Bestway Hydro-Force is a sit-in inflatable kayak. Designed to be extremely compact and streamlined, this kayak is an optimal choice if you are into taking on rough rivers and seas.
The elevated edges on front and back make it very difficult to tip over in uneven flows.
It comes with a heavy duty repair kit that allows you to repair in case of major damage. A hand pump so you can inflate your kayak on the go without any delay.
To decrease the weight of the Kayak, a rope is embedded in the chassis for easy transport.
Features of Hydro-Force Cove Champion:
- Extremely durable double sided paddle
- Built in Oar Clasps
- Sturdy PVC material
- Removable fin
- 2 cargo nets
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Best Inflatable Sporting Kayak
The Best Inflatable Sporting Kayak is Hydro-Force Cove Champion Kayak as it is specifically designed for a single person sporting kayaking experience. It is built to take on rough water bodies with ease. With all the weight reduction, this kayak is a viable option if you want to truly experience kayaking.
#8. Best Inflatable Lightweight Kayak – Bestway Hydro Force Koracle Kayak Review
This is another kayak from the Bestway kayak line. Made for the sole purpose of being extremely portable and lightweight.
Equipped with 4 different locations for foot rests to accommodate people of different dimensions. The sit on top design makes it easier to stretch out on long adventures or if you are in water just fishing for long periods.
The bright neon color makes it very easy for locating it far away.
Features of Hydro-Force Koracle:
- Extremely lightweight
- No extra accessories
- Removable fins
- Built in fishing rod holders
- Tie around rope
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Best Inflatable Lightweight Kayak
The Best Inflatable Lightweight Kayak is Hydro-Force Koracle Kayak because this is only made for casual kayaking experience. If you are looking for just fishing and chilling in a lake or a calm river, this kayak is for you. With built in oar clasps, you can just kick back and relax. Plus the extremely compact and lightweight design makes it easy to carry around with your fishing gear.
#9. Best Inflatable Hybrid Kayak – Elements Advanced Frame AE1012-R Kayak Review
This kayak from Elements is a hybrid between a solid kayak and an inflatable one. Built with an aluminium laced body in the bow and stern area, this kayak goes toe to toe with a rigid body kayak in terms of water maneuverability.
It uses a triple layer material to keep the aluminium structure from hard impacts and abrasion in tough waters. Due to its stern acting as a skeg also, the tracking performance is exceptional.
The other aspect of this kayak is the compact design. Being inflatable, it can be carried around easily and goes without hoarding much space like a solid body kayak.
Features of Advanced Frame:
- Hybrid technology
- Reinforced core and body
- Multi Layer construction
- Cargo net
- Foam mesh in backrest
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Best Inflatable Hybrid Kayak
The Best Inflatable Hybrid Kayak is Elements Advanced Frame Kayak because this kayak is designed for people who are looking for the comfort on a normal kayak but are looking for something beyond casual for their adventures. Being the good of both worlds, this kayak out performs both inflatable and solid body kayaks in comparison.
Buyers’ Guide
1. What should I Look for When Buying a Cheap Inflatable Kayak?
To choose the kayak that suits you best can be a little tiresome and hectic given that there are so many options on market. For a casual person that is looking for a normal experience, the selection process is a bit too much. To help you with your decision making, following are some of the things you can use as a criteria for your kayak choice:
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Durability:
Inflatable kayaks are usually made with strong and tough plastic hybrid material which give the kayak its strength against cuts and tears.
The best quality kayaks are made with PVC material that is top notch when it comes to resistance against abrasion because of rocks and rough water. Although they are not entirely puncture or tear proof, they still hold up pretty well in most situations.
Speaking in general sense, you are going to get a better product as the price goes up. But these water vessels can prove to be long-lasting if handled with proper care. The specifications usually mention what sort of care is required.
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Price:
Inflatable kayaks are generally made to be cheaper compared to solid body kayaks. The main cost of a kayak is because of the material and build of the kayak.
The inflatable kayaks are for individuals that are more into a casual experience. Since hard shell kayaks are mostly used for sporting and extreme kayaking, inflatables on the other hand provide a lot of recreational utility.
The price of an inflatable kayak can range somewhere from $150 to $1000 entirely based upon the material and the features it has. Some kayaks come with a lot of them and will cost more for each of them.
The suitable choice would be the one that comes with a repair kit, a carry bad, paddles and a pump for around $250 to $350.
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Portability:
The biggest selling point in an inflatable kayak is its portability. Compared to its hard shell counterparts, an inflatable kayak’s utility is unmatched.
Most of the inflatable kayaks come with their own backpacks that can be carried around like a shoulder bag and can often fit into tight and small spaces without trouble.
They can be carried around with you virtually anywhere you can travel, a different city, another state or even when flying to a different continent.
On the other hand, a hard shell kayak can only be carried as it is. It cannot bend or change its shape which makes it very hard to carry around like an inflatable kayak.
2. Why are Kayaks better than a boat?
Kayaks given their small design are extra easy to control and maneuver by a single or multiple persons. Most kayaks are made to be streamlined and exceptionally tailored to pass through rough and smooth water alike.
Most of the time you don’t need a lot of gear to go fishing or just going on a rowing adventure. To take a boat for just a normal rowing lap sounds wasteful. The ease to use a kayak by a single or multiple persons is just beyond the energy required to row a boat.
The compactness of a kayak allows it to easily slide through choke holds and narrow streams which usually won’t allow the passage of a boat.
Allows kayaking allows you to exercise your body while allows enjoying rowing, fishing or whatever you feel like doing.
3. How do Kayaks work?
Kayaking is a versatile thing to explore. A kayak is a low profile, canoe like boat in which a person sits with his legs facing forward.
It uses a double bladed paddle for rowing. It works by pulling front to back and then on the other side which goes in alternate rotation.
Most kayaks are closed decked to stop splashing but recently a lot of inflatable sit on top kayaks have been getting traction.
4. What’s the difference between a Canoe and a Kayak?
When it comes to differences between Canoes and Kayaks, there is very little to separate them two by. Both have been used by humans for centuries and use the same paddling system.
The main difference between these two is the choice of vessel. Canoes have open decks with high sides up to the knees of a person. It usually has small benches in it or a person can sit on his knees for rowing. On the other hand, a kayak is very low profile.
It has a closed deck with a hole in it for a person to sit with his legs stretched forward. Canoes and kayaks both use single and double bladed paddles.
5. What kind of paddle should be used for Kayaking?
The choice of a paddle depends on a lot of factors. Mainly it depends on the dimensions of the person compared to that of the kayak.
Secondly, it depends on the purpose of kayaking and the material. There are different types of kayaking blades that are used for recreational, fishing and touring purposes. All of them having their own designs and features to suit the person best.
The paddle materials vary from plastic to carbon fiber to fiberglass and even wood. The kind of material you want to use depends entirely on you.
6. What kind of gear is required for Kayaking?
When it comes to packing your gear for a kayaking trip, it can get very messy and hectic. You should always try and shortlist the essentials you’ll need for your trip. The amount of gear to be packed depends on your type of trip.
A casual trip has way less gear than a fishing one. For a casual trip you only require an extra paddle with your kayak, a headlamp with extra batteries and a signaling whistle in case you get lost; the rest is completely on you what to bring and what not to.
For a fishing trip, you might need a knife, a container for your fish and a box with your fishing essentials. As far as clothing goes; you should always try and bring water resistant clothing in order to keep you safe from getting wet in little to no time.
A hat or a head cover to keep you from sunlight. Clothing should be in order with the weather.
7. What is capsizing?
Capsizing is when a water vessel turns over on its side and in some cases gets totally inverted upside down.
In kayaking, capsizing is a normal thing but it can be countered very easily. Most vessels come with a handy guide on how to tackle this situation.
Unless the water you are kayaking in isn’t too shallow or fast, you shouldn’t worry about capsizing as it only happens with uneven water flows and maneuvers. But you should always know how it happens and how to counteract it.
FAQs
1. What kind of Kayaking outfit is required?
The outfit varies is totally subjective to the weather. Winters and summers have their own clothing. But some essentials are water resistant clothing to keep from splashing and getting wet and a head cover to keep you from excessive sunlight.
2. What kind of gear should I bring with myself?
The amount of gear you carry with yourself should be limited and only essentials. As a kayak doesn’t have a lot of storage space, you should try things like compass, a knife, a repair kit and a signaling whistle are a must to keep from harm or getting lost.
3. What kind of experience do I need?
There is no criteria for experience in kayaking per se but you should know the essentials on rowing a kayak and familiarity with kayaking gear and maneuvers in case you find yourself in an odd situation. You should try kayaking with a friend or a guide to get good grip on the basics before heading out on a solo venture.
4. Do I need to be physically in shape for Kayaking?
Minimum fitness levels are required if you want to have a good kayaking experience. It takes a lot of upper and core body strength to move a vessel through water on your own. To maintain pace you need a certain level of stamina otherwise you’d be completely exhausted in a couple of minutes and it can prove hard for you to steer or paddle your kayak.
5. Is Kayaking safe for children?
Kayaking is definitely safe and enjoyable for children if proper steps and precautions are taken. You should be skilled in kayaking techniques like paddling and steering. The children should always be equipped with a life jacket. Slow moving and even water bodies such as a lake are preferable for such trips.
6. Is wearing a life jacket necessary?
For children, wearing a life jacket is absolutely necessary. However, for adults they may choose to wear a life jacket or not but one must always keep a life jacket with them. Majority of the states where kayaking is a thing and is done on a regular basis, the law requires you to wear a jacket at all times while kayaking.
7. Do kayaks capsize easily?
Kayaks are safe to use and barely tip over in most situations. For a person to tip over a kayak in normal circumstances is very difficult as they are made with such design to keep them in their original position. However, this may change if you are kayaking in an uneven or a fast flowing water body.
8. Can a person get stuck under a kayak?
While it is highly unlikely that your kayak will turn upside down during your kayaking venture, you can get out of a kayak pretty easily. A kayak may seem closed but you will most likely drop out of it into the water before your kayak completely turns over.
9. Is alcohol allowed on kayaking trips?
A person can bring alcohol with but are not allowed to consume it while on the tour especially if they are alone. The laws in most states prohibit the use of alcohol on land and on water if you are kayaking or going for a kayak trip.
10. Is kayaking allowed in rain?
The idea of kayaking comes from water sport. Yes, you are allowed to kayak while it’s raining but keep in mind that it will get you wet. However, in certain circumstances when the conditions are too extreme, it is not recommended to go on a kayaking tour especially by yourself.
Final Verdict
Choosing good inflatable kayaks can help you in a good kayaking experience and increase your enthusiasm regarding the aspects of kayaking.
After using and reviewing different kayaks over a long time span, we have determined that Intex Challenger Kayak is the most suitable option for kayaking. It provides everything that is required for a good solo/multiple person kayaking experience.
This brings us to the end of our posts regarding the best inflatable kayaks.
Let us know what you think the best inflatable kayaks are.
