The 10 Best Inflatable Kayaks UK 2024
Inflatable kayaks have taken off lately, and with good reason.
Few of us have the luxury of acres of storage space or the overhead garage clearance demanded by traditional hard shell kayaks, and inflatables pack down to a fraction of their size. As they’re smaller and generally lighter weight, they also make our adventuring much more accessible, whether throwing them in the back of the car for a spontaneous paddle or hiking over rough terrain to access pristine backcountry waterways. Some models will even pack down small enough to take on a plane so you can explore uncharted bays next time you’re in Tahiti (ah, we can dream).
Inflatable Kayak Comparison
Compare the specs, watch our video review or jump straight down to the inflatable kayak reviews UK.
Score
9.4
Size
285 x 84cm
Weight
8.2kg
Capacity
179kg
Price
££
Score
6.6
Size
290 x 91cm
Weight
9.9kg
Capacity
136kg
Price
££
And if you’re wondering about whether buying the best inflatable kayak is really a good idea - don’t.
Materials engineering these days means top-of-the-line inflatables can create hard surfaces on par with traditional hard-shell kayaks, and in the best models the reinforced materials mean punctures are very unlikely. The ease and portability offered by these bad boys definitely give us more than enough reason to recommend that you buy one, immediately - check out what we think is important to look for in our article on How To Choose The Best Inflatable Kayak.
So now that you’re convinced you need one, where should you start looking?
Relax, we’ve done the homework for you and picked ten of the best inflatable kayaks for one person under £700.
Have questions about inflatable kayaks? Skip to our FAQ section.
Or if you’d prefer to paddle with a buddy, read our 2-Person Inflatable Kayak Review.
Watch our video for tips on how to choose the best inflatable kayak
Inflatable Kayak Reviews
Know what you’re looking for? Get straight to it:
Top Rated Overall: Razor Kayaks R1 Ultra
High Performance: Itiwit X500
Family Fun: Intex Challenger K1
Whitewater: Driftsun Rover
Most Portable: Advanced Elements PackLite
A spongy little pocket rocket that handles surprisingly well.
We like the Challenger K1 for its small size, light weight and surprisingly agile handling. Yes, we’d prefer a much firmer floor, and combined with the inflatable seat it does feel a little like sitting a pointy marshmallow - but regardless, it paddles well and at a ridiculously cheap price point is a perfect for family or occasional users.
Summary
Perfect For: Calm, slow-moving water, recreation.
Pros: Removable skeg means it’s surprisingly manoeuvrable, easy to set up and pack down, and very cheap!
Cons: Vinyl materials used feel a little flimsy and we do worry about the kayak’s longevity, feel is a bit softer than we’d like.
Verdict: A great entry-level inflatable kayak for those who want to dabble.
Rating
Performance: 3
Size/Weight: 5
Durability: 4
Setup: 7
Value: 9
OVERALL: 5.6
A great lower-cost option for family fun on the water.
If your budget is limited and you’re looking for something that’s going to last years of kids jumping off it, dogs’ scrabbling claws and being beached by your cousin Cindy then this is the one for you. It’s wide for stability, tracks reasonably well with an attachable skeg underneath, and at 11kg isn’t onerous to get to and from the water. We did find the wide side tubes a little difficult to reach around with the paddle so it’s not one for paddling long distances, but for basic recreation it’s a great choice.
Summary
Perfect For: Flat water, recreation.
Pros: Made from more durable materials than similarly priced inflatable kayaks we reviewed, nice and stable for kids or inexperienced paddlers.
Cons: It’s larger, heavier, and at 100kg capacity doesn’t support as much weight as many of the other options out there. It’s also covered in polyester, which means it takes longer to dry out.
Verdict: Get it for the kids to muck around in.
Rating
Performance: 3
Size/Weight: 7
Durability: 6
Setup: 7
Value: 6
OVERALL: 5.8
Where to get it
When the nearest water is two days’ hike away.
For ultra transportability, you can’t beat the insanely light PackLite. Weighing a mere 4lbs/1.8kg, it feels like you’re carrying nothing at all. Take it hiking, take it camping, take it to work to use on your lunch break, take it to Guatemala… this little beauty will let you get to places you’ve only ever dreamed about. Of course, to reach such a light weight you have to make sacrifices, and there are compromises in durability and handling… but you’d take them.
Summary
Perfect For: The remotest of remote water, travel. Best for flat water.
Pros: It’s really light. It also comes with an excellent repair kit and is stable for such a small craft.
Cons: Tracks poorly in a straight line, doesn’t seem particularly durable and isn’t suited to larger users (though its load capacity relative to its tiny weight is great compared to heavier models).
Verdict: If you prioritise light weight above all else, look no further.
Rating
Performance: 3
Size/Weight: 9
Durability: 4
Setup: 9
Value: 7
OVERALL: 6.4
The obvious choice for whitewater addicts.
Most of the best inflatable kayaks we’ve looked at so far have been better suited to tamer waterways - not so with the Rover 120. It shines on rapids up to class IV, with a drop-stitch floor providing the requisite firmness and nice touches like a GoPro mounting strap rounding out the package. For a smaller inflatable kayak, it also has a fairly generous weight rating of up to 300lbs/136kg, so you should be able to get a picnic lunch down those rapids with some skill.
Summary
Perfect For: Rapids baby!
Pros: Firm drop-stitch floor, removable tracking fin, self-bailing drainage ports.
Cons: Dual-layered PVC isn’t the most durable material on the market (though the construction is obviously high quality), not great speed and tracking in flat water, and Driftsun doesn’t make or include a repair kit.
Verdict: Can’t go past it if rapids are your thing.
Rating
Performance: 4
Size/Weight: 7
Durability: 7
Setup: 8
Value: 7
OVERALL: 6.6
Where to get it
Your ultimate companion for a day out on the water.
The price is right for this inflatable kayak option that’s a step up in quality from Intex’s Challenger model. It’s no-nonsense, with tons of space, an adjustable seat, foot brace, and holders for your rods (fishing rods, that is - we keep it clean here at W&O) and phone or GoPro. Its smooth PVC surface is surprisingly fast in the water and quick-drying for easy storage.
Summary
Perfect For: Flat and calm water, fishing, casual recreational paddling.
Pros: Stable, fast, easy to handle, very reasonably priced, comes as complete kit with paddles and pump.
Cons: PVC laminate construction doesn’t seem super durable, included paddles and pump not the best.
Verdict: One of the only fishing-enabled inflatable kayaks to make the cut, we’d recommend this as a great multipurpose leisure option.
Rating
Performance: 6
Size/Weight: 6
Durability: 6
Setup: 7
Value: 8
OVERALL: 6.6
The Mr Dependable of inflatable kayaks.
Stable, durable, protective, good-looking… the Navarro is everything we’re looking for in our life partner, and this inflatable kayak should go the distance. Quick and easy to set up and pack away, there’s storage space and insane stability on the water, while comfort here is key, with a covered deck and even a real cushion for the seat.
Summary
Perfect For: Flat and choppy water, an excellent choice for new paddlers.
Pros: Very comfortable, very stable, and made of high-quality materials that will last.
Cons: Outpriced by many comparable inflatable kayaks in this category (grab it if it’s on sale!), not the greatest handling when paddling in a straight line, and requires switching valve adapters to fully inflate.
Verdict: The perfect inflatable kayak for a leisurely float downriver or low-key exploration.
Rating
Performance: 7
Size/Weight: 7
Durability: 7
Setup: 8
Value: 6
OVERALL: 7.0
Where to get it
Everything we love in a hybrid inflatable, but light.
We’re not kidding - this offers the best of Advanced Elements’ hybrid approach, with those strong aluminium ribs added to an inflatable that somehow only weighs in at 17.5lbs/7.9kg. It packs the full features of any Advanced Elements kayak - keep it in the boot of your car to whip out any time you’re close enough to smell water, or put it on your back to reach untouched paradise.
Summary
Perfect For: Smooth to choppy water, recreation, kayak hiking trips and travel.
Pros: Light, stable, tracks well, packs down into a convenient backpack, super fun.
Cons: Some assembly required (a few valves and a floor to insert), takes a while to dry before packing away, and it’s for small people - if you’re over 6’2” or weigh more than 225lbs/102kg, forget it.
Verdict: Perfect for smaller kayakers searching for that isolated water thrill.
Rating
Performance: 8
Size/Weight: 9
Durability: 8
Setup: 7
Value: 6
OVERALL: 7.6
A proper performance contender for the price.
With its long, V-shaped hull and drop-stitch floor and sides, the X500 does a really good job of impersonating a hard-shell kayak. It’s nice and fast in the water, gliding along smoothly. Yes, it can be unstable, and the lack of any actual fins means it tends to drift around a little when stopped, but if you’re an experienced paddler looking for speed then look no further.
Summary
Perfect For: Building up some speed on flat, calm water.
Pros: The best of drop-stitch firmness, nice smooth V-shaped hull.
Cons: It’s really unstable - you want to keep it going along fast as much as possible, and avoid any quick turns.
Verdict: There are definitely better performance inflatable kayaks out there - but not for this price.
Rating
Performance: 9
Size/Weight: 7
Durability: 7
Setup: 8
Value: 9
OVERALL: 8.0
Where to get it
Lightweight versatility at its finest.
It’s really difficult to find a downside to Aquaglide’s McKenzie 105 - and it’s not like we didn’t try. It’s a versatile kayak that handles calm, rough and whitewater equally well, is durably constructed and has a bunch of little features that make paddling it that much more pleasant. Is it ever going to be as good at going down rapids as a specialised whitewater inflatable kayak, or as speedy on calm water as an elongated touring kayak? No. But for genuine versatility, not many can come close.
Summary
Perfect For: All types of water.
Pros: Versatile, handles well, light, quick and easy to setup and store, and a bunch of considered features.
Cons: Could be improved with a drop-stitch floor, no footrest.
Verdict: An excellent choice if you want an absolutely top-notch, durable kayak you can use anywhere.
Rating
Performance: 7
Size/Weight: 9
Durability: 9
Setup: 10
Value: 8
OVERALL: 8.6
Where to get it
Undoubtedly the all around best inflatable kayak for this price range.
Razor Kayaks’ R1 Ultra is the kayak of our dreams. It has a beautifully firm Tech-Stitch (Razor Kayaks’ engineered drop-stitch) floor, smooth, tough 1000-denier PVC hull, and stability for days. It’s easy to inflate, easy to dry, easy to carry and easy to paddle - everything about this baby makes for a simple, super-fun inflatable kayak experience where you spend as much time enjoying the water and as little time setting up or packing down as possible. Our favourite part? It’s insanely well priced for a kayak this good.
Summary
Perfect For: All types of water.
Pros: Firm Tech-Stitch floor, durable, stable, manoeuvrable, lightweight, easy to carry, easy to setup and pack down.
Cons: It’s at the higher end of the price range in our review.
Verdict: There’s absolutely nothing better out there in this price range.
Rating
Performance: 9
Size/Weight: 9
Durability: 10
Setup: 10
Value: 10
OVERALL: 9.6
Where to get it:
And there you have it! Ten of the best inflatable kayaks out there. Still not sure how to pick? Read our guide on How to Pick the Best Inflatable Kayak. If you do end up getting one, head over to our How-Tos to get the lowdown on everything paddling, or check out our Destinations section to discover where you could take yours!
Inflatable Kayak FAQs
Should I get an inflatable kayak?
The depends on your situation, but in general the best inflatable kayaks will suit a lot of people because they take up minimal storage space and are much easier to transport than a hard shell kayak. They’re a fantastic way to explore new waterways or enjoy the outdoors without needing a huge amount of space or specialised gear to transport them.
How much are inflatable kayaks?
One-person inflatable kayaks can range from super cheap (USD$90/GBP£80/AUD$150/CAD$130) right up to a top of the range kayak costing around USD$1300/GBP£1100/AUD$1900/CAD$1700 or more. While the cheaper kayaks might seem like a bargain, in terms of durability and ease of paddling it’s worth spending a little more to get something that will last longer and glide through the water. In our inflatable kayak review, we’ve kept to kayaks under USD$900/GBP£700/AUD$1200/CAD$1100, but there are also some beauties above this price point if you have extra money to spend.
Are inflatable kayaks easy to paddle?
The best inflatable kayaks feel really similar to hard shell kayaks, gliding easily through the water and tracking well in a straight line. Look out for materials like drop-stitch that make the kayak’s hull rigid, and if you’re newer to paddling, choosing a wider kayak with lower sides will make for a more stable option.
What’s the difference between a hard and an inflatable kayak?
An inflatable kayak inflates and deflates so can be packed away into a smaller package for storage and transport, whereas a hard shell can’t be made any smaller. Hard shells have traditionally delivered superior performance on the water and still do outperform cheaper, less rigid inflatables, however inflatable kayaks using drop-stitch can seriously rival the performance of a hard shell.
Is a folding kayak or inflatable kayak better?
There are advantages and disadvantages to both folding and inflatable kayaks. Inflatable kayaks need to be pumped to set up, and some are covered in fabric which means they take longer to dry. They’re also susceptible to puncture, although most have multiple chambers to allow you to return to shore if that happens. However, if you capsize a folding kayak and it fills with water, it’s going to sink, which won’t happen with an inflatable. It all depends what’s most important to you.
Are inflatable kayaks easy to set up?
That depends on the design of the kayak, but most are easy to set up, particularly those with fewer inflation points and matching valves. Most usually take 5-10 minutes of pumping depending on what type of pump you use, as well as clipping in any seats, fins and footrests.
Do inflatable kayaks puncture easily?
Some cheaper inflatables that use lower-grade materials may puncture easily, however the best inflatable kayaks that use reinforced PVC are as tough as some lifesaving RHIBs and white water rafts and won’t puncture easily. Most manufacturers also include a repair kit in the event of a puncture, and the designs generally have multiple air chambers so if your inflatable kayak does puncture while paddling, you’ll be able to make it back to shore with the support of the remaining chambers.
How long do inflatable kayaks last?
Lower cost inflatable kayaks will have a much shorter life span than higher quality kayaks simply because they’re more prone to puncture. Taking care of your inflatable kayak by ensuring it’s fully dry before being stored, storing it in a cool dry place and out of direct sunlight will prolong its life.
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.