If you’re in the market for a new kayak, you may be struggling with the inflatable vs. hardshell. Inflatable kayaks and hard kayaks each have their pros and cons, but for most people, we’re firm believers that an inflatable kayak is the better choice.
In this article, we’ll go over our top 7 reasons why inflatable kayaks are better than the traditional rigid variety. If you’re on the fence about what to buy, we hope that this list will give you some additional things to consider before making your purchase.
7 Reasons Why Inflatable Kayaks are Better than Hard Kayaks
1. Price
When comparing hardshell and inflatable kayaks, most inflatable kayaks are more affordable. If you’re on a budget, an inflatable kayak is the best way to go.
2. Storage and Portability
Traditional hard kayaks require a lot of storage space. Live in an apartment or don’t have a large storage area like a garage or shed? An inflatable kayak is your best bet, as it can be deflated, folded up, and stored under your bed or in a closet. Also, hardshell kayaks require cumbersome and expensive roof racks, whereas an inflatable can fold right up and get tossed into your backseat or trunk. Loading a rigid kayak onto the roof of your vehicle and dragging it to the water can also be a major pain — a big advantage goes to inflatable kayaks in this department.
3. Traveling
Taking a vacation to an exotic location and want to do some paddling? Forget about bringing along your hard kayak — you’ll need to spend some dough on a rental when you arrive. An inflatable kayak, on the other hand, can be folded up, throw in a bag, and checked with the rest of your luggage. This will save you money on kayak rental costs, making the inflatable an even smarter economic choice.
4. Lighter
For many people, it’s super difficult to lug around a regular kayak. Inflatables are more lightweight, making them a better choice for women, children, and people with bad backs.
5. More Durable
The better-built inflatable kayaks like Sea Eagle’s popular 370 are constructed with extremely durable materials which are abrasion-resistant and bounce right off of rocks, twigs, and other obstacles.
6. Great for Hikes
Love exploring the outdoors and going on hikes? An inflatable kayak can be thrown in a bag and brought along for your hiking adventures, giving you access to some awesome paddling spots that would be inaccessible with a hard kayak.
7. Safety
Getting knocked in the head with a hardshell kayak can leave a mark. Inflatables are much more forgiving and less likely to cause injury on impact.
