Welcome to Kayak Kraze, THE premiere Kayaking review site. We specialize in thoroughly reviewing kayaks of all types, especially inflatables, to assist you in choosing a kayak that is sure to be perfect for your individual lifestyle and personal needs. If you are considering buying a kayak, you have come to the right place! Are you searching for a fishing kayak or maybe a whitewater inflatable kayak? Find out everything you need to know about all of the different kayaks right here on one site. We also provide interesting buying or “how to” guides such as how to choose a kayak paddle. One of our most valuable assets is directly below in the kayak review comparison chart.
Jump To Our >Top Three Inflatable Kayaks
Our Best Inflatable Kayak Comparison Chart
*For those viewing this site on a mobile device, you may need to rotate device horizontally to view table in its’ entirety.
| Model | Size | Rating | Price | Detailed Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Advanced Elements Convertible | 15' | 4.6 | $$$$ | Full Review |
Sea Eagle 330 | 11' | 4.8 | $$ | Full Review |
Advanced Elements Firefly | 7' | 4.3 | $$ | Full Review |
| 12' | 4.4 | $$ | Full Review |
Innova Safari | 10' | 5.0 | $$$$ | Full Review |
Innova Twist | 8.5' | 4.0 | $$$ | Full Review |
Quickpak K5 | 10' | 4.2 | $$ | Full Review |
Airhead Montana | 9' | 4.0 | $$ | Full Review |
Coleman Colorado | 11' | 4.5 | $$$ | Full Review |
Intex Challenger K1 | 9' | 4.3 | $ | Full Review |
Advanced Elements Lagoon 2 | 12' | 4.2 | $$$ | Full Review |
Sevylor Hotfish K5 | 10' | 3.8 | $$ | Full Review |
Innova Sunny | 13' | 4.2 | $$$$ | Full Review |
Sevylor Fiji 2 Man | 10' | 3.9 | $ | Full Review |
Coleman Big Basin 3 Man | 12' | 4.0 | $$ | Full Review |
Without a doubt, kayaking is quickly becoming a favorite pastime for many active people, young and old alike. We love to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors, and we know that many of you do as well. As we all move toward becoming more health conscious, finding exciting and interesting activities which help us stay mobile and increase longevity is of the upmost importance. Combining leisure and exercise is a vital way to make staying healthy and fit more fun and compelling.
Connecting with nature is proven to be one of the absolute best ways to reduce stress and promote mind and body wellness. We could not agree more! Even better yet, kayaking burns many calories. That is one of the reasons that we love kayaking. It’s no wonder this up and coming, eco-friendly sport is exploding among like-minded humans who expect just a little more from life. When choosing an eco-friendly recreation, it is important to remember the objective. Making choices that benefit our environment and conserve resources should be of the highest priority. For example, fishing from an inflatable kayak, instead of a fishing boat which consumes gas and oil, is a better choice for our environment. It saves resources AND minimizes pollution.
How To Pick A Kayak
There are many types of kayaks from which to choose. Hard river kayaks, ocean kayaks and sport or trick kayaks are just a few. There are also inflatable kayaks. And with today’s technology, the inflatable kayaks can be just as durable as the rigid kayaks. Let’s take a quick look at some of the types of kayaks you will be able to review on our site.
Hard body kayaks come in many sizes and styles. Depending on your intended use, the options are limitless. Hard body kayaks can be quite heavy and require space for storage and transporting. Read More about the difference between hard sided kayak and inflatable.
Sit-on-top kayaks are similar to a standard kayak, but you sit on top of the kayak on a molded seat instead of down inside the kayak. Some of these kayaks are fiberglass, but most of them are made from molded plastic. This is quite different from a canoe.
Ocean kayaks also come in many sizes and styles. Again, there are many uses for kayaks in the ocean such as fishing, snorkeling, or just rowing. Most people choose a versatile kayak for use in multiple kayaking activities. Some may even install a kayak fish finder or a trolling motor on their kayak, allowing for even more adventures on a kayak.
Sport or Trick kayaks are built for just that; tricks, spins, flips, and turns. Gaining in popularity since the 1980s, freestyle kayaking is not for the faint of heart. If you are into kayaking for this reason, you are aware that you will need a specific type of kayak.
Last, but not least, let’s take a quick look at the inflatable kayak which happens to be our favorite. Inflatable kayaks offer features that hard body kayaks are unable to offer. First of all, inflatable kayaks are much lighter in weight than that of their hard body counterparts. They are easily managed by one person from start to finish. Next, the inflatable kayaks do not require much space for storage or for transporting. The inflatable kayak can fit into the smallest car or trunk with ease.
Whether you are looking for the best fishing kayaks or even a stand up kayak, we agree that kayaking is a great way to blend an active lifestyle with a favorite hobby. It’s definitely one of our favorites! So, if you are interested in extreme kayaking in whitewater or you are leaning toward more tranquil and relaxed outings, here is where you will find advice on how to buy a kayak.
Inflatable Kayak Purchasing Factors
Before you take the plunge, there are several factors to consider. Doing your homework ahead of time will definitely pay off in the end, and will assure that you are happy with your kayak purchase for years to come. You will want to look at some of the best kayak brands and kayak manufacturers, as well as figuring out what is the best kayak for the money. With this detailed kayak buying guide it is easier than ever to make sure that you are knowledgeable and able to make an educated decision.
Types of Kayaks
Of course, there are many types of kayaks. Deciding which one fits best into your lifestyle will be your deciding factor. Listed below are the most popular types of kayaks:
Hard Body or Rigid Kayaks – These kayaks do not deflate/inflate. They come in all types and sizes.
Inflatable Kayaks – These kayaks also come in all types and sizes. They deflate for storage and transporting, and inflate for use on the water.
Foldable Kayaks – Some hard body kayaks can be foldable. All inflatable kayaks are foldable.
Ocean Kayaks – Ocean kayaks are specially made to perform well on the crashing waves of the ocean.
Sport or Trick Kayaks– These kayaks are made for doing tricks, turns, flips and spins.
Touring Kayaks – Narrow and long, Touring kayaks are designed for efficient paddling on long distances.
Different Sizes of Kayaks
The size of kayaks can vary greatly. Focusing on inflatable kayaks, these kayaks can range quite a bit in size. An inflatable kayak designed for one or two people or more might be up to 10 or 11 feet long. With a longer, larger inflatable kayak measuring up to 12 feet.
How Much Does A Kayak Cost?
The cost of kayaks also ranges a great deal. The type of kayak you choose will determine the price. Most of us are in the market for a fun recreational kayak, and there are many available at reasonable prices. The lowest prices are just under one hundred dollars. Believe it or not, higher priced, professional grade kayaks can cost thousands of dollars. Thankfully, the most affordable kayaks are still tough and durable. A small, one person inflatable kayak, ranges in price from seventy dollars to the mid two hundreds. These prices are very feasible in comparison to some of the more expensive hard body kayaks.
Weight of Kayaks
The weight of a kayak, no matter the style, is one of the most important factors to consider. If you are planning to transport your kayak, and if you will need to carry it as well as put it on top of your vehicle, the weight can be cumbersome. Those who will be transporting their kayak from place to place will be more concerned with the weight. This is one of the main reasons we prefer the inflatable kayaks, which are beneficial in many ways. A small one person kayak only weighs up to 25 pounds, and a larger inflatable kayak built for 4 weighs only around 35 pounds.
Transportability of Kayaks
A hard body kayak can be secured on top of a vehicle or can be towed behind a vehicle on a special trailer. Conveniently, an inflatable kayak can be deflated and simply transported in the trunk of a small car, or even in the passenger seat of a car.
As you can see, the inflatable kayaks are, unquestionably, a smart choice if you’re looking at getting into kayaking on a budge. And now that you are fully aware of all of the important factors you need to consider, you will be well equipped to find the best kayak brand for your personal needs and lifestyle.
Top Three Inflatable Kayaks
It can take time for a person to find the best and we feel that you should not waste time searching for the right one when you could be out on the water putting it to good use. To make things a little simpler, we have searched the internet to find what we feel is the top three inflatable kayaks available based on their price, popularity, and overall quality. Our three most favorite choices all have one thing in common. Users have given them an overall rating of 4 stars or more.
The Advanced Elements AE1012-R AdvancedFrame inflatable kayak has built-in aluminum ribs for improved tracking. It is very puncture resistant and features an adjustable, padded seat for your comfort. It looks and feels similar to the traditional, hard shell kayaks, but it is much more portable since it weighs only 36 pounds. When inflated it measures 10ft by 5in with a width of 32 inches. The people who have purchased it, mostly give it a 5-star rating. If you want to know more about it, be sure to read our full Advanced Elements Review here.
If you want a quality inflatable at an affordable price, you should look no further than the Intex Challenger K1 kayak. It is a single person kayak that comes with everything you need to get out into the water quickly. It is brightly colored on the outside and gives you ample room inside. This kayak measures out to be 30W by 15H by 108D inches. It is lightweight at only 27.2 pounds, rolls up small enough to fit into a backpack, and can hold anyone who is 220 pounds or less, along with your essentials. You can read our full Intex Challenger K1 Review here.
The Sea Eagle SE370K_P is an inflatable kayak that is perfect for tandem riding. It only takes 8 minutes to inflate and even though it is a tandem style kayak, it does not weigh any more than most single seat kayaks. It has a self-bailing drain to ensure you do not take on water no matter how much or how hard you and your partner are paddling. It has two skegs to ensure great tracking and speed, and there are grab lines on the bow and on the stern. If you prefer “Fido” to be your kayaking pal, no problem. This inflatable kayak is tough enough to handle even him. You can learn more about it by reading the full Sea Eagle Inflatable Kayak Review here.