While many of us have dreams of owning our own kayaks, and pootling down rivers on a relaxed Sunday afternoon, the practicalities — weight, storage and portability — can often get in the way. An inflatable kayak makes for a great alternative — pop your kayak in the car with ease, or take it on the train even, and pump it up, or fold it out, once you're on the riverside or beach.
Inflatable kayaks can vary greatly in cost, performance and weight. To help you find a suitable match for your water sport adventures, experienced kayaker and navigation specialist Fi Darby takes five models out onto the South Devon coast. Read on for the results, and get paddling!
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What's the best inflatable kayak for 2024? Tried and tested
Oru Inlet Folding Kayak
Best for innovation and design
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- Packed measurements: 107 x 25 x 46 cm
- Boat measurements: 295 x 79 cm
- Weight: 9 kg
- RRP: £862
Not so much an inflatable kayak, but a foldable model. Folding kayaks are an appealing choice for anyone who struggles with carrying heavy sports equipment, and we were intrigued and impressed by Oru Kayak's clever piece of boat Origami as soon as we unpacked. The brand's Inlet model, a nifty 9kg design featuring a clip-on, adjustable seat, was easy to carry both folded and unfolded. Plus, we appreciated the effortless packing away session, helped by the instructions written on the hull itself.
We tested the kayak on the beach with gentle onshore winds, and it proved steady and straight to paddle but turned easily when required.
The Oru Inlet is an expensive choice, but it earns itself serious points for innovation. We didn't experience any de-folding on the water, perhaps due to the tough double layered polypropylene.
Pros: Light and compact, tracks well through the water, plenty of space for kit or dogs, no dependence on inflation
Cons: Only suitable for flat water, tricky to re-enter after a capsize, paddles are extra
Our verdict: For calm conditions, the Oru Inlet folding kayak is an impressive piece of kit that gives a satisfying paddle and exceeded our expectations.
Read our full review of the Oru Inlet Folding Kayak for more detail.
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ITIWIT Packraft 100 Inflatable River Kayak
Lightest and most portable
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- Packed measurements: 25 x 40 x 25 cm
- Boat measurements: 205 x 95 cm
- Weight: 1.8 kg
- RRP: £400
Small enough to fit into a backpack, and light enough to carry in one hand, this neat inflatable kayak from Decathlon immediately stood out. The whole design packs neatly into its own pump sack, which means you don't need to carry a separate pump.
As for performance, it's not the speediest design, but we were impressed by the kayak’s forward trajectory, and we thoroughly enjoyed the paddling experience. Due to its weight, we wouldn't recommend taking this Packraft out on a windy day.
Pros: Perfect for portable adventures, extremely light and compact, tracks well through the water, easy to store and transport
Cons: Only suitable for flat water, wouldn’t recommend it in the wind
Our verdict: This kayak has lightweight fun written all over it. We're already planning backpacking and campervanning excursions with it.
Read our full review of the ITIWIT Packraft 100 Inflatable River Kayak.
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Hydro-Force Ventura 1 Person Inflatable Kayak
Best all-rounder
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- Packed measurements: 65 x 50 x 30 cm
- Boat measurements: 280 x 86 cm
- Weight: 12.75 kg
- RRP: £320
While the Ventura doesn't come with its own bag, we found it was light enough for one person to carry in a rucksack or shoulder-type bag which is a huge plus. There are also a few advantageous extras not included with other kayaks we tested, such as the addition of a Velcro paddle band on the boat, and a storage pocket on the back seat.
Set up and inflation proved quite tricky, as we found it was difficult to inflate the floor last as suggested, but the fins slid easily into place.
We wouldn’t recommend this kayak in strong winds, but on review we tested the kayak in a gentle onshore wind and had a great paddling experience, feeling safe and secure in the vessel. Due to a more than acceptable performance, good-value price and comfortable feel, we'd say the Ventura makes for a solid all-rounder for both beginners and more experienced kayakers to enjoy.
Pros: Light enough for one person to carry, tracks well through the water, some great additional touches
Cons: Uncomfortable paddle grips, a bit fiddly to dry
Our verdict: This kayak does all the jobs we expected it to do, in a format that is light enough for one person to carry. We predict it will be seeing some family fun this summer.
You can read our full review of the Hydro-Force Ventura 1 Person Inflatable Kayak to find out more.
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Bluefin Scout Inflatable Kayak
Best for value
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- Packed measurements: 89 x 40 x 36 cm
- Kayak measurements: 333 x 90 x 34 cm
- Weight: 18 kg (packed)
- RRP: £299
While the Bluefin Scout Inflatable Kayak felt heavy to manoeuvre and pack, we were impressed with its performance in the water. Even when the wind was side on, we were able to hold direction.
There are a couple of nifty features, including a waterproof phone case and a zip pocket on the hull, and the kayak, pump, seat and paddle all pack neatly into a generous backpack.
It's tight for two adults, and if you're used to hard-shell kayaks, you may struggle with the lack of footrest at first, but we'd say for beginners, the Scout is a good-value option.
Pros: Good performance on the water, comfortable adjustable seat, paddle and fin included
Cons: No footrests, limited space for two paddlers
Our verdict: A great place to start your paddling career but don’t expect this kayak to carry two people with any kind of comfort.
Read our full review of the Bluefin Scout Inflatable Kayak.
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Aqua Marina STEAM 412 Inflatable Kayak
Best for space
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- Packed measurements: 88 x 59 x 30 cm
- Boat measurements: 412 x 90 cm
- Weight: 15.5 kg
- RRP: £559
Featuring an included, and impressive, backpack, and a standout colourful design, the Aqua Marina STEAM 412 showed great promise, but we were disappointed with the kayak's performance. We found it tricky to steer, even with the additional fins.
That said, the design sat well on the water, and we felt secure. For a fun excursion in calm waters, this model could do the trick, but because of its weight, it's best left for trips with two people where you can park near to the water.
Pros: Space for two people and their kit, well-designed rucksack style bag, two fins to help tracking
Cons: Heavy and bulky to move around, tricky to steer in windy weather, lack of footrest adjustability
Our verdict: This kayak was heavier than I would have liked and didn’t steer well but it had plenty of space for two people and their gear.
Want to know more? Read our full review of the Aqua Marina STEAM 412 Inflatable Kayak.
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How we tested
Our tester Fi Darby, an experienced kayaker and navigation specialist, who has been trained by British Canoeing, reviewed the inflatable kayaks in Torbay, Devon. Each model was assessed for transportation and set up, durability, comfort, value for money and performance in the water.
Fi took such factors into close consideration when rating the kayaks, as well as safety features including whether the vessel could handle winds and kayak security. The weight and transportability of each model was a significant factor on review, with our tester focusing on how best to travel with the inflatable kayak.
Kayaking safety
Kayaking is one of the most popular water sports in the UK but even if you’re planning to paddle close to shore, all types of paddle sports have the potential for problems or danger. You can help keep yourself and your loved ones safe by:
- Making sure everyone wears a lifejacket or buoyancy aid
- Having a means of calling for help within easy reach
- Checking weather and tides using the Met Office inshore waters forecast
- Avoiding going out if the wind is blowing out to sea (offshore)
- Talking to local paddlers about water conditions and locations
- Attending a training session at your local canoe club
- Not paddling alone
If you do need help whilst kayaking or see someone else in trouble on the water, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
The RNLI has excellent paddling safety information and tips as well as great beach safety information.
Paddle UK (British Canoeing) offer a Paddle Safer course to help beginner paddlers develop sensible safety skills.
Looking to wrap up on the beach? Read our guide to the best changing robes, tried and tested by our team.
