The 10 Best Inflatable Kayaks Australia 2024
Inflatable kayaks have taken off lately - and with the freedom to adventure they offer, it’s not hard to see why!
Few of us can store a 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 adventures much more accessible - throw them in the back of the car for a spontaneous paddle or take one hiking to access pristine waterways. Really, you could even take one on a plane to explore uncharted bays on your next Tahitian holiday (ah, we can dream).
Inflatable Kayak Comparison
Compare the specs or jump straight down to the inflatable kayak reviews.
Score
9.2
Size
285 x 84cm
Weight
8.2kg
Capacity
179kg
Price
$$
Score
4.0
Size
254 x 86cm
Weight
10kg
Capacity
113kg
Price
$$
And if you’re wondering about whether buying the best inflatable kayak is really a good idea - don’t.
The ease and portability offered by these bad boys definitely gives us more than enough reason to recommend that you buy one, immediately. Current materials engineering means top-of-the-line inflatables can create hard surfaces on par with traditional hard-shell kayaks, and in the best models punctures are very unlikely. 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 Australia for one person under $1200.
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.
Inflatable Kayak Reviews
Know what you’re looking for? Get straight to it:
Top Rated Overall: Razor Kayaks R1 Ultra
High Performance: Itiwit Strenfit X500
Family Fun: Intex Challenger K1
An affordable choice for the whole family to enjoy.
If your budget is limited and you’re looking for something that’s going to last, then this one is for you. It is durable and can handle years of kids jumping off it, dogs’ scrabbling claws, and getting beached by your cousin Cindy. It is wide for stability, tracks reasonably well with an attachable skeg underneath, and at 11 kg, it 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: Recreational purposes, flat water.
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: 1
Size/Weight: 4
Durability: 3
Setup: 4
Value: 3
OVERALL: 3.0
Where to get it
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. The 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: 3
Durability: 2
Setup: 5
Value: 5
OVERALL: 3.6
Where to get it:
The V-shaped hull is the redeeming feature for the low-cost kayak.
It’d be pretty easy to rate the Laxo 285 neck and neck with the Itiwit Cruising Kayak. On paper, they’re very similar - both fabric-covered wide little things with similar dimensions, carrying capacity and prices. But the Laxo has one thing that makes all the difference to its performance in the water - a V-shaped hull composed of inflatable tubes.
Summary
Perfect For: Recreational paddling, calm water.
Pros: Stable, good fin system, easy setup.
Cons: Fabric cover, lack of firmness, expensive for what it is.
Verdict: A good middle of the range pick for getting on the water.
Rating
Performance: 4
Size/Weight: 4
Durability: 3
Setup: 4
Value: 4
OVERALL: 3.8
Where to get it
A compact and lightweight hybrid .
If you’re set on an Advanced Elements-style kayak but don’t have that much cash to throw around, consider the Lagoon 1. It’s a lot shorter than the flagship AdvancedFrame range and as such, doesn’t handle as well in terms of straight line tracking - but it’s really packable, decently lightweight and well constructed.
Summary
Perfect For: Recreational paddling, calm or choppy water.
Pros: Lightweight, considered design, packable.
Cons: Poor straight-line tracking, inflatable seat, multiple valve adapters, fabric cover takes longer to dry.
Verdict: A reasonably-priced option if you’re set on the Advanced Elements name.
Rating
Performance: 4
Size/Weight: 6
Durability: 4
Setup: 3
Value: 3
OVERALL: 4.0
Your ultimate companion for a day out on the water.
The price is right for this product 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, and casual recreational paddling.
Pros: Stable, fast, easy to handle, very reasonably priced, comes as a complete kit with paddles and pump.
Cons: PVC laminate construction doesn’t seem super durable, included paddles and pump are 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: 4
Size/Weight: 4
Durability: 2
Setup: 5
Value: 6
OVERALL: 4.2
The Mr Dependable of inflatable kayaks.
Stable, durable, protective, and good-looking! The Navarro is everything we’re looking for in our life partner, and this one 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 excellent, 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 inflate fully.
Verdict: The perfect inflatable kayak for a leisurely float downriver or low-key exploration.
Rating
Performance: 4
Size/Weight: 6
Durability: 5
Setup: 4
Value: 6
OVERALL: 5.0
Where to get it
Everything we love in a hybrid inflatable, but light.
The Ultralite offers the best of Advanced Elements’ hybrid approach, with those strong aluminium ribs added to an inflatable that somehow only weighs in at 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, hiking trips and travel.
Pros: Light, stable, tracks well, packs into a convenient backpack, super fun.
Cons: Some assembly required (a few different 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 102kg, forget it.
Verdict: Perfect for smaller kayakers searching for that isolated water thrill.
Rating
Performance: 7
Size/Weight: 8
Durability: 7
Setup: 1
Value: 4
OVERALL: 5.4
Where to get it
Overnight Adventures
Air Kayaks Direct
Pro Kayaks
Capacity Sports
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 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 momentum on flat, calm water.
Pros: Quality drop-stitch firmness, excellent smooth V-shaped hull.
Cons: It’s unstable - you want to keep it going as fast as possible, and avoid any quick turns.
Verdict: There are definitely better-performance inflatable kayaks out there - but not for this price.
Rating
Performance: 8
Size/Weight: 6
Durability: 5
Setup: 6
Value: 8
OVERALL: 6.6
Where to get it
Lightweight versatility at its finest.
It’s tough 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 set up and store, and includes a bunch of considered features.
Cons: Could be improved with a drop-stitch floor, no footrest.
Verdict: An excellent choice if you want a top-notch, durable kayak you can use anywhere.
Rating
Performance: 7
Size/Weight: 7
Durability: 8
Setup: 10
Value: 7
OVERALL: 7.8
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 of this quality.
Summary
Perfect For: All types of water.
Pros: Firm Tech-Stitch™ floor, durable, stable, manoeuvrable, lightweight, easy to carry and store, and very reasonably priced.
Cons: If we’re picky, it’s slightly slower than differently-shaped high-performance kayaks we’ve paddled.
Verdict: There’s absolutely nothing better out there in this price range.
Rating
Performance: 8
Size/Weight: 8
Durability: 10
Setup: 10
Value: 10
OVERALL: 9.2
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
Is it a good idea to get an inflatable kayak?
There are various factors that determine whether you should get an inflatable kayak or not. Most people prefer them over hard-shell options because of their portability, making them easy to store and travel with. You’ll never have to worry about it taking up the room, and it’s much easier to take anywhere than a hard-shell version.
What do inflatable kayaks cost on average?
One-person inflatable kayaks can range from super cheap ($150) to top-of-the-range products costing around $1900 or more. While the more affordable ones 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 in Australia, we’ve kept to products under $1200, but there are also some beauties above this price point if you have extra money to spend.
Is it easy to paddle inflatable kayaks?
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 are the key differences between a hard-shell and inflatable kayak?
An inflatable kayak inflates and deflates so it 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 and less rigid inflatables. However, inflatable kayaks using drop-stitch can seriously rival the performance of a hard shell.
Which is better - a folding or inflatable kayak?
There are advantages and disadvantages to both folding and inflatable kayaks. Inflatables 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 will sink, which won’t happen with an inflatable. It all depends on what’s most important to you.
Is it easy to set up an inflatable kayak?
That depends on its design, 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.
Can inflatable kayaks puncture?
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. 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?
Inflatable kayaks at the lower end of the price range typically wear out much more quickly than more expensive, high-quality products. This is because they are more likely to be made of less durable materials. If you want to maintain its quality, it is crucial to leave it in a cool, dry place, away from the sun, and keep it completely dry after use.
Want More?
Get on some deep cuts. Previously reviewed inflatable kayaks no longer on our list:
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.