Advanced Elements PackLite Review
Rating
Performance: 1
Size/Weight: 8
Durability: 2
Setup: 5
Value: 4
OVERALL: 4.0
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.
Comparison
Rank: #8
Open Size: Smallest
Packed Size: Tiny and light
Weight: Lightest
Capacity: High
Best 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.
Skip ahead to First Impressions, Setup/Packdown, Paddling Experience, or the Final Verdict, check out how the Advanced Elements PackLite compares to others in our list of the Best Inflatable Kayaks, or see how we choose the best inflatable kayaks.
Specs:
Open Size: 213cm x 89cm
Packed Size: 28cm x 28cm x 13cm
Weight: 1.8kg
Capacity: 113kg
Approx Price: $559.87
First Impressions
Holy moley, this is a super-small package.
You could be mistaken for thinking this was a pool toy rather than an inflatable kayak, and you wouldn’t be far off - the material is a lightweight polyurethane, and although its fabric reinforcement does make it much stronger than a pool toy, it has a similar feel. When you’re looking to make something this insanely lightweight, heavier (and more durable) PVC just wouldn’t cut it, so the sacrifice in durability is essential in the circumstances.
The tiny bag with a single carry handle it comes in also unfolds and clips onto the kayak to provide a small front deck with a mesh pocket to store your phone etc in, which is a nice touch.
It’s worth noting that the PackLite doesn’t come with a paddle or pump, and these obviously aren’t included in its weight. With a lightweight paddle and small, light pump, it still remains an enviably tiny bundle to get to the water. We shoved it all into a 40L pack with ample room remaining for food, drink bottle and a dry change of clothes (left at the riverbank).
Setup/Packdown
One key way the PackLite differs from a pool toy is that its main body is comprised of two chambers, not just one - so if you do happen to puncture, you should retain enough buoyancy to make it to shore.
As such, when you inflate there are two valves to pump up on the main body of the kayak, as well as the floor. The floor is inflated with a different type of valve from the main body, which is slightly annoying (and common to Advanced Elements kayaks), however at 1 psi is even achievable to inflate by mouth if you forget or lose your adapter. The ‘seat’ is more like an area of extra padding that’s part of the floor, so no additional steps there.
Pack down is also a breeze - given the polyurethane outer, the kayak wipes or air dries easily, essential for a quick pack down, which, given if you’ve bought this kayak you’re probably planning on being miles away from a car, is welcome.
Paddling Experience
There are some issues here, but you do have to keep in mind that you’re paddling a 4lb/1.8kg kayak. There’s only so much finesse you can add without adding weight, and Advanced Elements have done a remarkable job of designing something that is certainly more paddleable than a floatie.
Given the lack of firm surfaces, it’s spongy to sit in, which is to be expected. As mentioned, there’s not really a dedicated seat, and the seat back is essentially the back inner curve of the kayak wall, which is something, but never going to be as supportive as a regular seat. There’s also no footrest, although if you’re as tall as my testing buddy (who is two inches taller than the maximum recommended paddler height of 6’2”) your feet will be supported by the front inner wall of the kayak.
We were pleasantly surprised by the stability of the kayak, and found it easier to get in and out of than some heavier, more ‘solid’ models. The major issue is the lack of straight line tracking… it often felt like there was no connection between the direction we were trying to paddle in and where the kayak was actually going. This is the result of a short, stubby design with no fins. (We should mention that you can purchase an optional cover for the kayak that improves its durability and has a skirt for the top of the kayak and a fin included, however we haven’t tested this).
Final Verdict
In a lot of ways, it’s unfair to judge this kayak on its poor handling or spongy feel. At the end of the day, the bottom line is - would you rather have a kayak or not? If its ultra light weight is what allows you to explore truly spectacular waterways, then we think the Advanced Elements PackLite is worth every cent.
Looking for something else? Check out our list of the Best Inflatable Kayak.
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.