Trying to figure out why some inflatable kayaks are a lot more expensive than others? At the bottom end its quite obvious, but once you get to mid range kayaks, around £300 and above its not so obvious.
If you buy a sub £200 kayak from a supermarket or online discounter, you are effectively buying a kayak shaped inflatable sunbed. They have the same construction and roughly the same features but in a kayak shape! Seriously though, here we will run through what you get for what you pay.
Generally speaking, the more you pay for your inflatable kayak the better the materials, the design, the construction, the durability and the longevity. Again, with so many of the watersports products we sell, you get what you pay for.
The cheapest of kayaks will normally be made from thin PVC, heat welded in to some form of inefficient kayak shape which is not easy to paddle through the water, or paddle in a straight line, or paddle at all. They are single skin PVC so they are easily damaged. The seats are normally inflatable as well so they are uncomfortable to use. Life expectancy of something like this is probably less than the duration of your week long holiday!
Once you move up a bit in budget the mid range inflatable kayaks are usually double skinned. The PVC is a higher quality, you normally have multiple chambers, floor and side tubes and the PVC is protected by a Nylon outer. The seats are often a rigid material and held in place with straps and buckles. The shape of the kayak is better designed so that it moves more efficiently through the water and will normally have a fin (skeg) on the rear to aid tracking (paddling the kayak and it going in a straight line).
It’s at this mid point in kayaks that the differences get a bit harder to tell apart, but generally speaking they are in the quality of the materials used. The PVC tubes may be be thicker and less susceptible to punctures, the thickness of the bottom of the kayak PVC the same. The Nylon on the tubes can vary in thickness, design and durability.
The construction of the seats will vary from a basic hard seat to ones which are much thicker, with foam bases and padded backs, making your paddling experience much more comfortable. The seats may come with built in rod holders for when you decide to go fishing. There may be stash nets on the bow and stern for carrying clothing or lunch, multiple carry handles, foot rests (these are an important consideration to keep your knees up and in a comfortable position), lash tabs sewn in for you to attached ropes and other devices too. If you buy a kayak that seats more than one, then look for additional attachment points for the seat so that the seat can be located in the middle if you decide to paddle on your own.
The kayak may come bundled with a pump. And look at the bag you get with the kayak – these kayaks will generally be quite heavy with all their kit, probably 12-15kg, so you want to be able to transport it easily. At the lower end it will just be a thin nylon hold-all style bag, whereas more expensive ones might have purpose build backpacks with attachments and pockets for paddles and a pump.
The shape of the kayak will normally get more kayak like with price. Lower end mid range kayaks are generally short and stumpy with quite blunt bows and sterns, helping to keep the cost down by using less materials. More expensive designs will have a more streamlined shape, giving you more leg room and the shape allows you to paddle through the water much more efficiently.
Once you move in to the £500+ price range you may well be looking at a completely different kayak construction again. On these top of the range inflatable kayaks the shapes will still follow roughly the same rule, i.e the kayaks at the lower price end will be less efficient shapes, saving costs on the amount of materials used and visa versa for the more expensive, but the method of construction changes completely.
The tubes are now usually single skin again, but they are of much more durable materials, similar to what you would get on a RIB (rigid inflatable boat). Being single skin and having no nylon on them means you don’t have to drain them out and dry them for such a long period before stowing them.
The kayak will often have a drop-stitched floor, the same as an inflatable paddleboard, meaning that the kayak is a lot more rigid and handles much more like a rigid kayak but still with the benefits of it being inflatable.
The seats will be much better quality, you will have many more features, lash tabs, D-rings, mounting plates for accessories such as rod holders, camera mounts etc. The carry bag will normally be an excellent quality back pack.
To conclude
Materials and Construction
Cheap Inflatable Kayaks:
Typically made from lower-grade PVC or vinyl.
Single-layer construction which can be more prone to punctures and abrasions.
Expensive Inflatable Kayaks:
Made from high-quality materials like multi-layered PVC.
Reinforced construction with drop-stitch technology for enhanced rigidity.
Welded seams and additional reinforcements for increased durability and puncture resistance.
Design and Performance
Cheap Inflatable Kayaks:
Simpler designs with fewer features for stability and tracking.
Lower performance in terms of speed, manoeuvrability, and tracking.
Less efficient shape, often more rounded which can affect hydrodynamics.
Expensive Inflatable Kayaks:
Advanced designs with features like multiple air chambers for safety and better stability.
Better performance with improved hull shapes for speed and tracking.
Enhanced design elements like skegs or rudders for better directional control.
Durability and Longevity
Cheap Inflatable Kayaks:
Shorter lifespan due to lower-quality materials and construction.
More susceptible to UV damage, punctures, and wear and tear.
Expensive Inflatable Kayaks:
Longer lifespan with resistance to UV rays, punctures, and abrasions.
Designed to withstand rougher conditions and more frequent use.
Comfort and Features
Cheap Inflatable Kayaks:
Basic seating and minimal padding.
Fewer comfort features like adjustable seats or footrests.
Limited storage options and accessory mounts.
Expensive Inflatable Kayaks:
Enhanced comfort with adjustable, padded seats and footrests.
More features like spray skirts, built-in storage compartments, and mounting points for accessories.
Additional convenience features like multiple inflation valves, carry handles, and bungee cords for gear storage.
Ease of Use and Portability
Cheap Inflatable Kayaks:
Lighter and easier to carry but often at the expense of performance and durability.
Simple inflation/deflation mechanisms but may lack durability over time.
Expensive Inflatable Kayaks:
May be slightly heavier due to reinforced materials but designed for easy portability with quality carry bags.
Advanced valves for quicker and easier inflation/deflation, often with more reliable seals.
Checkout our range of inflatable kayaks here
PLEASE NOTE:
When coming ashore make sure you let some air out of all the tubes!
As with any inflatable product, do not leaving it fully inflated in direct sunlight for any period of time! Whilst on the water the water temperature controls the air temperature in the tubes, but when on land just a few minutes will be enough to burst the tubes. A 1 degree rise in temperature can raise the pressure in the tubes by 1 PSI.