As a kayaker for most of my life. When inflatable kayaks first appeared, most of us thought, “If I wanted to toy for the backyard pool, then I’d buy one.” This is amplified with the “light weight inflatable kayak” label.
However, inflatables have had over 30 year of development to morph from “pool dinghy” to a nearly indestructible watercraft!
In this review we look at the best lightweight kayaks that are made by manufacturers that have years of experience, good reviews and tough durability. Of course we didn’t forget about the “lightweight” aspect. So we reviewed the lightest most well made inflatable kayaks on the market!
The best lightweight inflatable kayak out there today has got to be the Sea Eagle 300x Explorer. It’s light, portable, it sets up ridiculously easy, and it handles pretty well out on the water.
Lets get into it!
Best Lightweight Inflatable Kayak Reviews
While there are many great inflatable kayaks out there, some are better than others for your Needs.
Sometimes the best one for your buddy isn’t automatically the best for you. So let’s take a look at the best one out there and see what’s what.
1. Sea Eagle 300x Explorer (Top Pick)
The Sea Eagle 300x Explorer is versatile, it’s sturdy as all get-out, and it comes in four different models. It’s got 18 D-rings and a drop-stitch floor. Paddle this thing in Class IV rapids or on glass at dawn.
Features
- Weight: 30 lbs.
- Length: 9 feet, 10 inches
- Width: 3 feet, 3 inches
- Packed Dimensions: 24″ x 16″ x 6″
- Capacity: 1 person or 395 lbs.
Set-Up
Once you pull the kayak close to the water, all that’s involved is inflating it. An available dual-action pump can get the boat seaworthy in about five minutes. After that, it’s all on you to get on the water and get your paddle on.
Storage
Deflated, the Sea Eagle 300x Explorer takes up precious little space. Even if you’re driving a sedan and not a big SUV like a lot of adventurers, it will fit in your trunk and still leave room for other necessities. You don’t need a roof rack, and when you get the boat home, it packs neatly away in your garage or even under your bed if your spouse allows such things.
On-Water Performance
There are purists out there who swear a hardshell kayak is the only acceptable vessel. Don’t listen to them. This is not a toy. It’s got a slide-in skeg that makes for good tracking (for an inflatable kayak). It also has ample maneuverability which makes it a good river pick. Want a float for your pool? This craft isn’t that. This is a high-quality kayak that just happens not to have a hard shell.
What Customers Think
Customers praise the boat’s durability and stability. Some took issue with the 5-minute inflation time, and others voiced concern with getting every bit of sand out of it when cleaning the boat for storage.
Pros
- The Sea Eagle is an impressively durable boat
- It’s pretty stable on the water.
- Drop-stitch floor adds rigidity to the craft.
- Everything you need to operate this thing comes with the kayak.
Cons
- Although the weight limit is listed at 395 lbs., kayakers smaller than that can feel uncomfortable in this.
- The skeg is removable, but without it, the boat is practically unnavigable.
- The carrying bag doesn’t feel solid or long-lasting in the least.
2. AquaGlide Noyo 90 (Single Recreational Pick)
Features
- Weight: 21 lbs
- Length: 9 feet
- Width: 35 inches
- Packed Dimensions: 23 ¾” x 20 ¼” x 10 ½”
- Capacity: One person up to 250 lbs
Set-Up
Four Boston valves hold the air in this boat and allow for super quick inflation. Of course, you need a pump for this, and if you’ve got an electric one, it’s even faster and easier. The Noyo 90 unpacks efficiently and folds back up just as simply after your outing.
Storage
When packed away, this isn’t the smallest bundle of joy at almost two feet long, but it’s still smaller than a hard shell. In the trunk of your Toyota, there won’t be room for much else, but you won’t have to work hard to make the Noyo 90 fit in there.
At 21 pounds, it’s not the lightest thing to haul to the wate, but again, it’s still highly portable relative to many other inflatable makes.
On Water Performance
It’s got a skeg, so it’s not difficult to keep this boat headed where you want it to go. However, it is very much a kayak for beginning and intermediate-level kayakers.
With all lightweight inflatable kayaks, you’ll feel like you’re paddling something insignificant, but the Noyo 90 is a solid boat. Its lack of heft, though, makes it maneuverable on the water.
What Customers Think
The biggest objection customers seem to have to this closed-cockpit kayak is that the zippers are not waterproof. The prevailing opinion seems to be, “Closed cockpit or not, you’re going to get wet.”
Many customers of average height or taller also felt the boat was too small for them. But while it may be a small inflatable kayak, its durability remains unquestioned.
Pros
- A surprising amount of legroom for a small lightweight kayak.
- Inflates and deflates easily.
- Covered floor removes for easy cleaning.
- The seatback installs and removes easily.
- Plenty of bungees and D-rings for storage and securing things.
Cons
- No foot braces.
- The purchase price is for the boat only— paddle and pump are sold separately.
- Zippers are not waterproof.
3. Oru Inlet (Premium Pick)
Features
- Weight: 20 lbs.
- Length: 9 feet 8 inches
- Width: 31 inches
- Packed Dimensions: 42″ x 10″ x 18″
- Capacity: One person up to 275 lbs.
Set-Up
Full disclosure, this isn’t an inflatable kayak. The time you’d typically spend inflating chambers is instead spent unfolding and buckling things to change this from its mall-shopping-bag appearance when it’s in storage mode into an actual kayak you can paddle. It sounds complicated, but it takes three minutes.
Storage
Putting this kayak under the bed probably won’t work. However, it stores easily in the garage or a closet.
Admittedly, it’s got a large footprint compared to inflatable kayaks, but what you lose in compactness, you gain in ease of setup, not needing a pump, and not having to worry about losing air if your boat suffers a puncture wound.
On Water Performance
The turning radius on this thing is insane, so even in the narrowest places, you can still maneuver it.
It’s a pretty fast boat for its size, and its stability is a big plus— and not necessarily something you’d expect from something referred to as an origami kayak. So it feels pretty solid on the water, although the choppier it gets, the less comfortable you’ll be in this boat.
What Customers Think
Customers love the included telescoping paddle that has a dedicated spot in the boat’s storage system. Most users agree that this is not a boat for whitewater but rather for the smoother stuff.
Pros
- Three-minute setup time.
- Adjustable foot- and backrests.
- No inflated chambers means no air leaks from rips or tears.
- When folded away, it’s not the smallest kayak, but it still fits in your back seat, making it more portable than a hardshell
Cons
- Big price tag.
- When packed away, the Oru Inlet is substantially bigger than many inflatable kayaks.
- Having only one carrying handle can be a bit inconvenient.
4. Sea Eagle 330 (Quality Doubles Pick)
Features
- Weight: 26 lbs.
- Length: 11 feet, 2 inches
- Width: 2 feet, 10 inches
- Packed Dimensions: 24” x 16” x 7”
- Capacity: Two people up to 500 lbs.
Set-Up
A foot pump comes with the kayak, so at least you don’t have to hunt one down or, worse, put your lungs to the task.
Since this one goes from two feet folded to 11 feet inflated, there’s a lot of unfolding (and folding when it’s time to put it away), but given that this kayak is built for two, one would assume you’ve got an extra pair of hands giving you some assistance. Unfold, inflate, and go— kayaks don’t get much simpler.
Storage
The Sea Eagle 330 is on par with most other inflatables regarding its footprint when folded and ready to be put away. It doesn’t even crack a foot and a half in height, so putting it under something in your home shouldn’t prove much of an issue.
At two feet long, the folded kayak won’t take up too much room in your man cave or wherever you store it when it’s time to go to the office.
On Water Performance
This isn’t the best-handling kayak in the world. But for calmer waters and those new to the kayaking world, this boat will do its job. The two skegs help with maneuverability, but the boat sits so high in the water that, at times, it feels like the skegs are hardly even wet. This also means the boat doesn’t feel incredibly stable, especially when the wind picks up.
What Customers Think
Customers love the fully adjustable seats— literally install them wherever, and even leave one of them out if you’re going on the water by yourself.
This Sea Eagle also gets high marks for its comfort. However, it’s a heavier boat, and when you add the weight of the pump, you’re nearing 40 pounds, which is less than ideal for a long hike with this boat in tow.
Pros
- Affordable, which means it’s a pretty good value for what you get.
- Two paddles and a pump are included in the purchase price.
- The boat feels stable on the water if it’s not too windy.
- Unlike many inflatables, the back supports your back.
Cons
- Sitting high in the water, this boat can get pushed around by the wind.
- Without the pump and paddles, this boat nears 30 pounds, so it’s not ideal for long hauls to the water.
- High sidewalls can make long-term paddling over the top of them a challenge.
- Being inflatable, the boat isn’t as rigid as others.
5. Advanced Elements PackLite Kayak (Light Weight Kayak Pick)
Features
- Weight: 4 lbs.
- Length: 7 feet, 10 inches
- Width: 35 inches
- Packed Dimensions: 11” x 11” x 5”
- Capacity: 1 person up to 250 lbs.
Set-Up
There are three chambers and a seat to inflate, so it’s a quick setup once you get a pump. However, there’s not a pump included, and the listed weight of the kayak doesn’t include a pump. Some customers had trouble inflating the boat’s floor, but this goes pretty quickly with a pump.
Storage
The PackLite folds down so small you could almost put the thing in your pocket. It might be easier to list where you can’t store this little homunculus than where it will fit.
At just over five pounds in its bag, you can haul this boat by hand, sling it over your shoulder, or throw it in the back of your car.
On Water Performance
The PackLite’s main feature is in the name— it’s light. Part of the reason it’s light is that it doesn’t have a skeg. If you know what you’re doing, this kayak is extremely maneuverable.
If you’re new to the game, you could have some trouble getting this particular boat to go precisely where you want it to go.
It sits very low in the water, so you’re going to get wet in this thing when you encounter even the slightest ripples. It’s also a very wide boat for its size. This means stability, but it also means it doesn’t always feel all that kayak-y.
What Customers Think
The biggest concern customers seem to have with the boat directly relates to its feature of being an ultralight inflatable kayak— fewer materials make it lighter, but, as mentioned, for instance, no skeg can complicate things. In reality it can be classified more as a packraft.
6. Advanced Elements Firefly (Durable Pick)
Features
Weight: 16 lbs.
Length: 7 feet, 10 inches
Width: 35 inches
Packed Dimensions: 23″ x 18″ x 5″
Set-Up
Since it comes with a foot pump, airing this up is simple and relatively painless.
Twist-Lok valves make inflation easy since they eliminate the possibility of losing air when you pull the pump off the valve and get a cap on it. Not much else ends up being involved, just air it up and get it in the water.
Storage
This is another inflatable kayak whose size is comparable to others. Getting it from your house to the water is easy, as it will fit in your back seat, trunk, the bed of your truck, or even slung over your back if you’re walking.
Storing it is easy, too, as its size makes it smaller than those boxes of Christmas decorations you find a place to keep for 11 months of the year. It might be too tall to slide under the bed, but it will easily stay out of the way in a closet or other storage space in your home.
On Water Performance
The Firefly has a tracking fin, which helps guide it, but the fact remains that this boat is light enough that it’s not going to do the job for advanced kayakers who look for superior tracking.
If you’re new to the sport and not great at paddling, this is a good boat for you, but as you advance, you’ll likely outgrow it. It does feel good in the water due to the rigid panels it sports—it feels a bit sturdier than other inflatables.
What Customers Think
Users like the portability, but that comes at something of a price. There is precious little storage on this kayak, so customers looking for a vessel for a long journey have been disappointed. It’s a bigger one that’s for sure!
Pros
- Because this is one of the lighter models we’ve looked at, it gets high marks for its portability.
- The price is nice.
- The Firefly is quite durable, so if you’re new at kayaking and tend to run into things, that’s a big plus for you.
- You won’t find a steep learning curve with this one, so beginners should enjoy this one.
Cons
- This kayak doesn’t track all that terrifically.
- If you get out of calm waters, you’re not going to have the easiest time.
- Almost no storage available
- There’s also very little back support.
7. Intex Explorer K2 (Lightweight Tandem Pick)
Features
- Weight: 30.6 lbs.
- Length: 10 feet, 3 inches
- Width: 3 feet
- Packed Dimensions: 16.65” x 13.98” x 23.54”
- Capacity: 2 people up to 400 lbs.
Set-Up
There are only three chambers to inflate, so setup isn’t that complicated, and the Boston valves help make it a breeze. The seats are adjustable as they mount to long Velcro strips. However, the boat’s overall length means you get legroom or put stuff in the front of the boat, but you can’t do both.
Storage
There are lighter inflatables out there, but there are heavier ones, too. This isn’t a boat to haul through the wilderness on a miles-long trek for water, but it’s not bad if you’re just carrying it on short trips to the river.
All packed up, it measures less than two feet long, so finding a place around the house won’t be too difficult. Also, since it’s not even 18 inches tall when folded up, it ought to fit snugly under your bed or wherever you had hoped to store it.
On Water Performance
The removable skeg helps with maneuverability, but as this is a light, inflatable kayak, you’re only going to get so much performance out of it. The Intex Explorer K2 is pretty quick on the water, provided that the water is calm. Like most kayaks on this list, it’s not designed for rough conditions.
It’s comfortable to paddle, but this isn’t a boat you’re going to be in for hours on end— at least not if you’re going to be happy the whole time. It’s also a little wobbly, but stability won’t be much of an issue since it’s intended for calmer waters.
What Customers Think
Customers who knew this was more of a fun boat than a serious one were not disappointed with it. Some also enjoyed the kayak more when they were on solo outings, even though it’s built for two.
Pros
- Low price point.
- Adjustable seats offer legroom when it’s needed.
- The Explorer is a stable craft.
- Lots of room in the boat for its crew.
Cons
- Lower cost means the material isn’t the sturdiest, so collisions with rocks could cause issues.
- Low air pressure makes for a squishy boat.
- Sidewalls are a little high, meaning high winds could cause maneuverability and stability issues.
- Little storage space.
8. Intex Challenger K1 Challenger (Popular Pick)
Features
- Weight: 37 lbs.
- Length: 11 feet
- Width: 2 feet, 6 inches
- Packed Dimensions: 25” x 17” x 9.5”
- Capacity: 2 people up to 400 lbs.
Set-Up
A hand pump is included with this kayak, so unfolding and inflating the boat are pretty straightforward affairs. Deflating is similarly painless. The Boston valves help with setting up and putting away.
Storage
At a few inches longer than two feet, transporting this boat might start being a problem if you’re using the backseat of your compact car. Not enough of a problem that you simply can’t do it, but 28 inches can be pretty big if yours is a smaller car.
Even in an SUV, you might have to slide it diagonally. When you’re back home, most storage spaces in your home will likely accommodate the Challenger.
On Water Performance
The Intex Challenger K2 is quick on the water for a boat of its price range. Even with two people in it. Its I-beam floor makes for a sturdier boat, and the adjustable seats are a nice feature since you and your kayak partner might not be the same size.
One very nice feature is the combination of plenty of legroom without being too wide a craft. Many inflatable kayaks with enough room for the longer-legged population also end up being so wide that exactly where to put your legs for boat stability is a trial-and-error affair. This boat isn’t too wide, so you’ll have an easier time maintaining balance while you’re in it.
What Customers Think
Users love the portability of this kayak, which isn’t a surprise given that that’s kind of the thing with inflatables. Some found the cleaning, drying, and refolding process cumbersome. Nearly everyone agrees that with the removable skeg, the boat handles nicely, but without that skeg, it’s just a floatie.
Pros
- Ample storage available fore and aft.
- Paddles fold up quite small.
- Adjustable seats make a lot of people very happy.
- It’s a nicer price than any hardshell.
Cons
- When it’s time to put the kayak away, refolding can be a challenge.
- There are only two inflatable chambers, so if one gets damaged while you’re on the water, you could have a problem on your hands.
- It’s nimble, but this Intex boat is no speedster.
- The carrying bag is pretty flimsy.
9. Sevylor Quikpak K1 (Low Storage Pick)
Features
- Weight: 18 lbs.
- Length: 8 feet, 7 inches
- Width: 36 inches
- Packed Dimensions: 31” x 17” x 9”
- Capacity: 1 person up to 400 lbs.
Set-Up
The kayak folds out from the backpack you carry it in, and that backpack gets incorporated into the seat. Several air chambers lend some safety precautions to your outing, but it means more inflation time. However, that shouldn’t be a problem, as five minutes is reasonably accurate for how long setup takes.
Storage
This kayak ends up being a little long when packed away, but it’s still built into a backpack, so portability is a breeze. This will easily stand up in your closet and stay out of the way until it’s time to hit the water again.
On Water Performance
The Quikpak doesn’t track incredibly well, and it isn’t the fastest kayak ever built. It’s not even close to the fastest inflatable. However, if you’re after this kayak, it’s probably not for those features but its compact nature.
Despite its small stature, the craft feels surprisingly stable on the water. However, the water needs to be calm for it to be able to perfom okay. Like most budget inflatables, this is not for rough days on the water.
What Customers Think
A nearly universal complaint regards the included paddle. Hordes of customers urge others to bring a separate one. Customers love the room inside, and even taller or heftier users felt comfortable getting into and out of the boat.
Pros
- Low price.
- Light enough to haul on longer treks toward the water.
- The seat supports your back.
- Stable despite its tiny size.
Cons
- Storage is scarce.
- The paddle is not good.
- The boat is so small that it’s hard to track in.
- The skegs seem too tiny to matter.
How to Choose a Light Weight Inflatable Kayak
When you’ve decided to buy, you’ve got several things to consider. Think about the following questions before pulling the trigger:
- Where can you store it?
- How portable is it?
- How easy is it to set up?
- What’s your price range?
FAQ’s
There are always more questions to be answered, and I’m always here to answer them. In that spirit, then, here are some frequently asked questions when it comes to the inflatable kayaks:
Can one person use a two-person inflatable kayak?
Absolutely. You don’t need two people to operate the kayak; it’s just built to hold more than one person. Some people prefer going solo in a two-seater.
What is the weight range of inflatable kayaks?
While we listed one above weighing less than five pounds, an average weight will be in the upper 20s, with the heaviest on our list sitting at 37 pounds.
Can one person lift an inflatable kayak?
Indeed, and that’s one of the major points of an inflatable. These things are light— even the heavy ones are still pretty light when compared to a hardshell.
Final Thoughts
We’ve looked at some excellent equipment. From the lightest kayaks to an inflatable backpack kayak, some kayaks are sturdier than others, some are more comfortable, and some fold up smaller.
Our Top pick for the lightest inflatable kayak that combines both ample onwater perfomance and lightweight is the Sea Eagle Explorer 300x.
Be sure you know what you need regarding storage space, portability, and your own kayaking ability. When you consider those things, you’ll have a much better chance of picking the perfect lightweight inflatable kayak for you.
