Inflatable Kayak Blog

Inflatable and Folding Kayaks are both excellent choices if you’re looking for a kayak that’s easy to store and transport. Neither needs an expensive rack for your car or truck and both can be stored in compact areas in your home or garage.

There are some differences. Folding kayaks are a throwback to the original kayaks built by the Indians and Eskimos with skins over sticks or bones. Their frames are light metal and skins are modern flexible polymers. A folding kayak tracks in the water much more like a hard shell kayak. The slightly more flexible skin and frame structure, though, absorbs more wave energy and often makes the boat feel steadier in the water. Inflatable kayaks track a little higher in the water and can be affected more by the wind and waves. Some paddlers feel more comfortable in an inflatable, rather than a ‘sit-in’ kayak, because of it’s buoyancy and ‘self rescue’ potential. Finally, folding kayaks can take up to 20 minutes to assemble (faster with practice). An inflatable kayak takes about half that time to pump up with only a foot pump.

Inflatable and folding kayaks are designed for all types of paddlers from novice to expert and all types of water from calm lakes and streams to raging whitewater. Quality inflatable kayaks range from under $300 and up. Quality folding kayaks range from under $700 and up. These portable watercraft are part of the fastest growing market in outdoor recreation.