How to Choose the Best Inflatable Kayak (Without Seeing It First)
Inflatable kayaks come in all shapes and sizes, with some even feeling almost as sturdy as hard plastic ones! (No more using a kayak as a living room couch like my friend did back in the day when she had no place to store it!)
If you're buying online and can't test it out, here are 5 simple things to check before clicking ‘buy’:
Pick one that matches how you'll use it (solo trips, fishing, or casual paddling?)
Easy setup and pack-down (nobody wants a 30-minute assembly hassle)
A stiff floor (look for ‘drop-stitch’ or at least some firm parts)
Good tracking (a fin or smart hull shape helps you paddle straight)
Lightweight (the lighter, the better, unless you love heavy lifting)
Stick to these basics, and you’ll get a great kayak. Need specific recommendations? Check out our inflatable kayak reviews. Want one for two? Here’s our top picks for tandem inflatables.
Pick the Right Kayak for You.
Start by thinking about how you’ll actually use your kayak.
Are you after a relaxing paddle, a serious workout, or maybe some fishing? Will you be on calm lakes, rough water, or even whitewater rapids? Going solo or with a friend, pet, or kids?
Your answers will help you figure out what features matter most.
Here’s a quick guide based on what you need:
For exercise or speed: Go for a kayak that’s long and narrow. It’ll glide through the water better. Look for a firm shape (especially at the front and back) and maybe a fin underneath to help it track straight.
For relaxing or fishing: Choose a wider kayak as it’ll feel more stable. If fishing, look for extras like rod holders, storage areas and pockets.
For rough or whitewater: Stability is key again, so wider is better. You’ll also want built-in drains (called self-bailing or two-way valves) to let out any water that splashes in.
For longer trips (touring): You’ll want space for your gear and a comfy seat. Longer, narrower kayaks make paddling more efficient over distance.
For family fun (with kids or dogs): A kayak with low sides is ideal—it’s much easier to climb back in from the water after someone jumps out!
One person or two? There are kayaks that can switch between solo and tandem, but if you’re mostly paddling alone, go for a single-seater. It’ll be easier to handle on your own.
Easy setup and pack down.
For all the advantages of inflatable kayaks, they do have that extra step of set up and pack down.
To minimise the time spent doing that, you’ll want to look for two things:
Fewer inflation points. In our opinion, one inflation point each for the floor and each side wall or tube is perfect. Some really great kayaks do have more points for the purposes of segmenting off chambers in case there’s a tear somewhere, or to increase performance by facilitating a sharper hull shape - but you pay for it in time. We’d also strongly recommend you look for a kayak with matching valves, so you don’t need to change the pump attachment between each one.
Fast-drying materials. A high-grade PVC will dry much faster than a fabric-covered kayak, and it’s essential you pack your kayak away bone-dry - the last thing you want is to open it up for your next trip and find it covered in mould.
Why a Firm Kayak Floor Matters.
When you paddle a kayak, you're using your whole body to push against the water, but if the kayak you're sitting in is soft and squishy, like a big marshmallow, it soaks up a lot of your effort. That means you’ll have to work harder to move and it won’t feel as smooth or stable.
That’s why a firm floor makes such a big difference.
We’re big fans of something called a drop-stitch floor. It’s a special construction method where the inside of the floor is stitched together in a way that, when you inflate it, it becomes super stiff, almost like a solid board. This gives you a much better paddling experience because you don’t lose energy to a floppy floor.
There are plenty of kayaks with drop-stitch floors (some even have drop-stitch sides too) and if it fits your budget, it’s worth going for one. If not, look for kayaks with at least a hard front and back to help keep their shape, but try to avoid anything with no internal structure at all, as they just don’t paddle well.
Hull shape and fins.
Hull Shape and Fins: What They Mean for You
Think of kayak shapes like boats: A barge is flat and stable but slow. A speedboat has a V-shaped hull and slices through the water quickly.
There’s no right or wrong, just make sure you know what you’re getting. If you want to cruise around and relax, a flat, stable kayak is great. If you want speed or to cover more distance, go for a kayak with a more pointed, V-shaped bottom.
No matter what shape you choose, you’ll want your kayak to go straight. Otherwise, you’ll spend your trip paddling in circles.
V-shaped hulls usually track (go straight) well on their own, especially if the kayak is long.
Flatter kayaks need help, so look for a fin on the bottom. This might be a small, built-in one or a longer fin you clip on.
Fins help you go straight, but here’s the trade-off: Longer fins mean better tracking but less turning ability. That’s fine for calm water, but not great in shallow or rocky areas like whitewater, where long fins can get in the way.
So, choose your hull shape and fin setup based on where you’ll be paddling and what kind of experience you’re after.
Go as Light as You Can Afford.
If you're buying an inflatable kayak, chances are you care about portability. It needs to be easy to carry and pack away.
Like most outdoor gear, the lighter it is, the more you’ll either pay for better materials or sacrifice some quality to cut weight. If you can, it’s worth spending a bit more for a well-made, lightweight kayak.
Here’s a rough guide:
Under 22lbs (10kg): very light and easy to handle
Around 26lbs (12kg): a solid, manageable weight
Over 37lbs (17kg): on the heavier side for carrying
Just remember that weight isn’t everything! Also, think about how easy it is to carry:
What size does it pack down to?
Does it come in a backpack or a bag with shoulder straps?
Is there room in the bag for the paddle, pump and other extras?
Also, watch out for kayaks that claim to fit in tiny bags. They might fit neatly when packed at the factory, but after you inflate and fold them yourself, it can be a struggle to squeeze them back in. A slightly bigger bag is often more practical and it gives you space for accessories.
before you buy.
Online shopping makes kayak buying easy, but it’s good to be cautious.
Some brands now offer free trials where they’ll send you the kayak and if it’s not right, you can send it back. If there’s no trial, make sure they at least accept change-of-mind returns. Make sure to also check if the kayak comes with a warranty.
Lastly, don’t ruin your new kayak on day one. Avoid dragging it over sharp rocks!