Having a rigid kayak is great, but not everyone has a way to store or transport them to the rivers and lakes that you want to ride on. Inflatable Kayaks make storage and transport much more straightforward; some of them can even be carried as a backpack! I live next to a lake and have always wanted to kayak, so I spent some time with some kayaks to bring you the best inflatable kayaks around.
As anyone with an above ground pool knows, Intex is very good at making waterproof things. The Explorer 2-person kayak is an excellent balance between cost and usability. While it is perfect for kayaking on lakes and lazy river, the Explorer isn't designed for heavy, white-water rafting. The bottom is not covered in a tarp so that it could be punctured in heavy water. If you and your partner are looking for a quiet paddle around the lake, though, this is the perfect buy.
Another great lake kayak is the one-seater Quickpak from Sevylor. The entire kayak can be folded away to fit into a neat carrying backpack, and the pack can be used as a comfortable seat when in use so that nothing is wasted while you are traveling. The Quickpack also has multiple air pockets so that if one does pop, the entire kayak isn't compromised.
While plenty of inflatable kayaks have fishing rod attachments, the Sevylor Coleman Colorado takes it to the next level. Not only does it have four standard rod mounts, but it also has two Berkley Quick Set Rod Holders that allow you to adjust the angle of the rods while still holding them firmly in place. The kayak also has helpful clips for your paddles to keep them secure while you concentrate on catching fish.
Ok, maybe this isn't strictly a kayak, but it was so much fun I had to include it. This four-person inflatable is a tremendous amount of fun out on the lake, and while it won't be any good in any but the smoothest of rivers, the boat itself is fantastic for hanging out with friends or family while you do a little bit of fishing. One thing to note; the weight limit for the boat is only 1000 pounds, so if you are big like me (270lbs), then you may need to limit the number of people on the boat.
If you are looking for the thrill of white water rafting, then we have the inflatable kayak for you. Rated up to class III and IV rapids, the Driftsun can give you a proper ride in the white water, and with eight self-bailing ports, you can be sure you won't go under. It even has an action camera mount on the front of the kayak to record your awesome adventures.
That's a paddlin'
Inflatable kayaks are a great way to get yourself out onto the water without needing a massive truck to drag a rigid kayak around. The Intex Explorer K2 Kayak fits neatly into the trunk of any car and can be easily inflated to fit two people comfortably. Being able to paddle around the lake has been liberating and is helping to keep us fit and active.
If you are looking to take your kayaking out on to the white water, you will need to look at the Driftsun Rover 120/220 as it is certified up to level IV rapids, so you can test your metal out on the waves. This one is a little expensive, but if you are serious about rapids, it's the inflatable to choose. Now get out on the water and enjoy yourself!
