Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Ultralite Review
Rating
Performance: 8
Size/Weight: 9
Durability: 8
Setup: 7
Value: 6
OVERALL: 7.6
The ideal lightweight hybrid inflatable
Advanced Elements has been crafting quality inflatable kayaks for about two decades now, and they've consistently delivered. We've tested many of their models over the years and their AdvancedFrame Ultralight recently caught our attention. Staying true to their signature style of blending rigid components with inflatable ones, this kayak offers a satisfyingly firm paddling experience. What really makes it stand out from other Advanced Elements models and quality inflatables in general is its featherlight 17.5-pound weight.
Comparison
Rank: #3
Open Size: Narrow
Packed Size: Small
Weight: Very light
Capacity: Low
Best For: Calm to moderately rough waters, leisure paddling, kayak camping adventures and traveling.
Pros: Exceptionally lightweight, steady in the water, maintains direction well, folds into a handy backpack and delivers loads of fun.
Cons: Requires some setup (multiple valves and a floor panel to install), needs time to dry before storing and has size limitations (if you're taller than 6'2" or heavier than 225lbs, this isn't the kayak for you)
Verdict: An excellent choice for smaller paddlers looking to explore off-the-beaten-path waterways.
Skip ahead to First Impressions, Setup/Packdown, Paddling Experience, or the Final Verdict, check out how the Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Ultralight compares to others in our list of the Top Ten Inflatable Kayaks, or see how we choose the best inflatable kayaks.
Specs:
Open Size: 125x32in
Packed Size: 31x18x6in
Weight: 17.5lbs
Capacity: 226lbs
Approx Price: $769.99
First Impressions
Right away, you can tell the AdvancedFrame Ultralight is made with good materials and careful construction. The fabric covering adds protection against scratches and gives the kayak a sturdy feel that makes it seem more like a hard-shell than an inflatable.
We liked the included backpack with its two shoulder straps, making it easy to carry to and from the water without any hassle.
What surprised us was how many parts and attachments come with this kayak — way more than most other brands we've tried. While these extra pieces are useful, some are quite small and could easily get lost if you're not careful.
Setup/Packdown
If there's one downside to Advanced Elements kayaks, it's how long they take to set up and pack away. In trying to make a kayak that's almost as good as a hard-shell but lighter and more affordable, the trade-off is a more complicated setup process.
The good news is this model only has two main air chambers to inflate, which is much simpler than some other Advanced Elements kayaks that can have up to seven.
You'll need to insert a foam floor panel. After trying different methods, we found it works best to partially inflate the sides first before sliding the floor in. It takes a few minutes to get it positioned just right without any wrinkles.
There's also a support stick and brace for the front end, and these were easy to figure out even without reading the instructions (though Advanced Elements does include both written guides and a video tutorial, which is helpful).
Once everything's inflated, you add the rigid plastic pieces at both ends for extra stiffness, adjust the footrest and clip in the seat. Finally ready to go!
Packing up takes extra time because of the fabric covering. While great for protection, it means you'll need to let the kayak dry completely, sometimes taking a full sunny day or two, before storing it away.
Paddling Experience
Paddling the AdvancedFrame Ultralight is a pleasure. It moves straight and true like most Advanced Elements kayaks and turns smoothly. The rigid ends help it cut through the water nicely.
Our main complaint was with the floor. To keep the weight so low, they've used thin foam that doesn't provide as firm a surface as we'd like. The inflatable footrest and seat were also tricky to position just right.
The weight limit was noticeable, too. At 5'7" and 117lbs, I only felt minor issues, but my taller testing partner (6'4" and nearly 220lbs) found the floor didn't provide enough support for his size.
Final Verdict
There's much to love about the AdvancedFrame Ultralight, especially its light weight. We're impressed with how Advanced Elements combines rigid and inflatable parts to create kayaks that handle so well.
The main drawbacks are the time needed for setup and packing, and the floor's limited support for larger paddlers. Whether these matter depends on what's most important to you; if you value lightweight design and good performance over quick setup and if you're on the smaller side, this kayak could be perfect.
Overall, it's a smartly designed, well-made kayak at a fair price. If you don't mind the extra setup time and fit within the size recommendations, it offers a fantastic paddling experience.
Keen to see how the Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Ultralight compares to other kayaks? Head over to our list of the Ten Best One-Person Inflatable Kayaks of 2025 (spoiler, it’s number 4).
Water & Outdoors reviews are written by our staff writers, who combined have over fifty years of experience on the water and outdoors. We may earn commissions if you choose to buy through a link you’ve clicked on our website, however this does not influence our reviews. For more information, please see our Editorial Policies.