There are several reasons to get one of the best inflatable kayaks for whitewater. These kayaks are extremely durable and made of light-weight materials that makes them portable and highly stable while offering chambers for safety to you while on the water. Their quality varies with different makes, and therefore, taking time to get the best kayak will be beneficial to your safety.
Your safety always comes first, especially while dealing with fast-moving water; this means you have to get the best white water inflatable kayak. In this guide, you will get a variety of the different kayaks that are available in the market to choose from that will perfect for fishing and whitewater rafting.
Best Inflatable Kayak for Whitewater 2022
1. Sea Eagle 330 Deluxe 2 Person Inflatable Sport Kayak Canoe Boat
This kayak from Sea Eagle provides an essential feature that ensures your safety while on the water and is suitable for up to Class III whitewater.
This inflatable two-person kayak weighs 26-lbs with a maximum capacity of 500-pound and is ideal for high speeds.
The kayak has lashed down inflatable spray skirts with great storage underneath it.
With five deluxe open and close drain valves, one-way inflation and deflation are attained. This kayak on a budget comes with an excellent package, which includes; 2AB 30 paddles, SE330 sport kayak, two inflatable movable, removable SEC seats, repair kit, foot pump, and a carry bag, which is convenient to carry with its shoulder strap.
For better removable flatwater tracking, the kayak has 2 skegs that are essential for better tracking and speed.
Product Highlights:
- Inflatable Kayak Accessories
- Portable, air retention, and abrasion rails
- Lightweight
- Two person
- Stylish design
- Durable and top-quality Leafield C7 valves
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2. Sea Eagle 330 Pro with Pump and Oars
This recreational kayak from Sea Eagle has an elegant design that is suitable for Class 3 whitewater. The kayak comes in different elegant designs to choose from.
This inflatable expedition kayak weighs 26 pounds with two persons per 500-pound capacity. The 330 Pro kayak inflatable boat package comes with two movable super comfortable deluxe kayak seats that are improved to provide back support.
The kayak has two paddles, a foot pump, oars, and a carry bag that has a convenient strap for easy carrying and thigh straps. The 2 AB30, 7 foot 10 inch 4 Part Paddles with asymmetrical blade and aluminum shaft, offers durability for the kayak while ensuring your safety than Hardshell kayak. You can go through narrow passages and remote locations with it.
2 skegs on the bottom of the kayak hardshell model allow for excellent tracking speed and speed. For easy assembly and covered storage, the kayak has open and close valves that allow for five deluxe one-way separate inflation chambers or deflation and suitable for day, road trips, and overnight trips.
Product Highlights:
- Portable
- Lightweight
- Two person
- Stylish design
- Durable and hard-sided kayak
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3. Sevylor Big Basin 3-Person Kayak
This kayak from Sevylor Big Basin seats three people and is a heavy-duty whitewater inflatable kayak. With its PVC construction, this Inflatable Whitewater Kayak for lake use and is one of the best camping inflatable kayaks.
This kayak has a design that has multiple air chambers that allows other chambers to stay inflated if one of the chambers is punctured. The kayak lasts longer due to its tarpaulin bottom that has aprotection from punctures. So it will make a reliable boat. You will get it an affordable price.
Double threaded Boston valves make easy inflation and deflation of the kayak model. The kayak has adjustable seats that fit you ensuring your comfort. It is easy to carry in and out water with its stern carry handles, and the make ensures you stay dry with its spray covers that block splashes. The best part about this kayak is that it is NMMA certified to hold up to 490 pounds.
Product Highlights:
- Airtight system.
- Double threaded valves.
- Multiple chambers.
- Stern handles
- Spray covers.
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4. Sea Eagle SE330 Inflatable Sports Kayak Pro Solo Package
This kayak from Sea Eagle provides essential high-performance features that ensure your safety while on the water and is suitable for up to Class III whitewater. The kayak comes in different stylish designs to choose from. This quality inflatable kayak weighs 26 pounds with two persons per 500-pound capacity.
The kayak’s design has high frequency welded seam and inflatable I-beam floor construction that makes it ideal for advanced elements attack in whitewater. The kayak has a plan that allows for easy assembly. This one is not speedy as rigid kayaks.
The kayak has a sturdy construction that allows it to last longer and ensure your safety while on water. This construction ensures that this is among the best inflatable kayak in the market.
Product Highlights:
- Easy assembly
- High speed
- Durable and abrasion resistance
- Sturdy construction
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5. Driftsun Rover 220 Inflatable Tandem White-Water Kayak with High-Pressure Floor and EVA Padded Seats
This Inflatable Tandem kayak from Driftsun Rover has a sturdy construction that weighs 28lbs, with a capacity of 60pounds, and can carry two adults and a child. It has a heavy-duty PVC Tarpaulin bottom that protects from punctures, thus ensuring the kayak lasts long.
Rigid high-pressure drop stitch floor, ample rocker profile, removable flat tracking fin, and control in rough and flat water ensures that the kayak is stable and can easily be maneuverable. The kayak is suitable for different types of rapids such as class 3 and 4 Class IV rapids and is great for any whitewater adventure that you want to participate in. There are no class V rapids that are known as dangerous rapid.
The Tandem inflatable kayak’s package includes two adjustable EVA padded removable seats with high back support, a deluxe double action hand pump, two adjustable aluminum kayak paddles rear tracking fin, and a travel bag that is easy to carry around. So you will get a better and comfortable paddling position. The kayak has a sturdy construction that allows it to last longer and ensure your safety while on water.
Product Highlights:
- Easy to inflate.
- Sturdy construction
- Durable
- High speed
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6.AIRE Tributary Tomcat Tandem Solo Inflatable Kayak-Red
This kayak weighs 30 ounce/500 pounds and is red. This kayak has a design that has airtight 20-gauge inner vinyl bladders with double Zippered compartment access that ensures your safety while on water.
The kayak has three air chambers with summit two valves that allow for easy trouble-free inflation and deflation. The kayak has an adjustable seat that offers comfort for your back and provides durable protection. With sturdy construction, the kayak has double top-stitched seams that ensure its durability. You can use this whitewater boat like a real boat.
The kayak’s design has high frequency welded material with seam and inflatable I-beam construction that makes it ideal for advanced elements attack in whitewater. The kayak has a plan that allows for easy assembly. This construction ensures that this is among the best inflatable kayak in the market. So for an experienced whitewater kayaker, it will be perfect as there is a durable floor.
Product Highlights:
- Durable
- Sturdy construction.
- Airtight construction.
- Easy to inflate.
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7. Advanced Elements Attack Inflatable Whitewater Kayak
This kayak has a sturdy construction that has a width of 35- inches. It has a heavy-duty PVC Tarpaulin bottom that protects from punctures, thus ensuring the kayak lasts long. With heavy-duty PVC material and art seam welding technology that offers a double layer of thickness.
The kayak comes in a yellow color and has a design that is sturdy and is of durable materials. With self-bailing drop stitch floor, 5 self bailing ports and a 12-inches bow, rigid 8-10 psi, PVC construction makes the kayak to be the most kayak suitable worry free for advanced element attack on whitewater.
The kayak has stern displacement chambers covered with pairs of cargo loops bay for storing your extra gear. Its large continuous curve tube diameter makes it better.
Product Highlight:
- Yellow color
- Sturdy construction
- Durable and full-sized kayak
- Easy to inflate
- Great for an advanced attack.
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8. Solstice by Swimline Flare 1 Person Kayak
This kayak from Solstice has the best self-bailing features that ensure your safety in the water. It has a robust 1000 Denier nylon, which is a super tight fabric that provides the sturdiness of the kayak. With its 4″ drop-stitch floor insert and high frequency welded seam, the kayak is one of the best in the market that has the capacity of one person. You can use it for longer periods of whitewater.
The kayak comes with a comfortable seat position & adjustable foot pedals, which you can adjust to fit your needs. The kayak has a design that allows for easy inflation. This construction ensures that this is among the best inflatable kayak in the market. Even for novice kayakers, this one would be great to use.
Product Highlights:
- Screw self-bailing drain valve
- Made with sturdy and stronger fabric.
- Durable and larger kayak
- Easy to inflate
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9. Swimline Flare 1 Person Kayak, Red by Solstice
This convertible inflatable kayak from Solstice measures 9′ 6″ x 37″ has a drop-stitch floor that ensures it lasts long, and it’s sturdy enough for your safety while on water. The kayaks have a sturdy 1000Denier nylon fabric that ensures sit is super tight.
The kayak comes with multi-position foot pedals, which you can adjust to fit your needs. The kayak has a design that allows for an easy inflation chamber. This construction ensures that this is among the best inflatable kayak in the market. It will give you overnight gear service.
The kayak is red and has a carrying capacity of one person, which is ideal for solitary adventure on white waters. Its inflatable technology makes it better. You can do all sorts of crazy tricks here.
Product Highlights:
- Screw type self-draining valve
- Made with sturdy and tough fabric.
- Sturdy design
- Durable and high quality product
- Multiple position adjustable foot pedals.
- Convertible design.
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10. Solstice by Swimline Rogue Kayak
This kayak from Solstice has the best features that ensure your safety on the water. This inflatable two-person kayak and is ideal for high speeds. The kayak has two adjustable seats that provide for your comfort.
The portable kayak in water comes with multi-position foot pedals, which you can adjust to fit your needs. The kayak has a design that allows for easy inflation. This construction ensures that this is among the best inflatable kayak in the market. The kayak has a plan that allows for easy inflation time and deflation.
The kayak has lashed down the inflatable front, and rear spray covers with great storage underneath it. The kayaks are either in blue or white colors, which gives you a chance to select your color. You can keep here lots of gear.
Product Highlights:
- It has two colors: blue and white.
- Sturdy construction.
- Adjustable seats.
- Stylish design
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Inflatable Whitewater Kayaks Buying Guide
When you get to the market to buy a kayak, there are several factors that you will need to put into consideration. Getting an inappropriate kayak can cause you problems. These factors will guide you as you but your ideal kayak that will meet your requirements.
The material that makes the kayak
Inflatable kayaks come from; Nitrylon, PVC, and Hypalon.
- Nitrylon: Kayak made from this high quality material is eco-friendly and is resistant to punctures and is ideal in cold places. They are relatively new in the market and therefore you will have to ask for them.
- PVC:If you are going for a kayak that is pocket-friendly, then you will need to get one made of PVC since it is relatively cheap as compared to other materials that make kayaks. However, kayak made from these materials does not last long since advanced formula PVC material is from Vinyl polymer plastic, which is not durable.
- Hypalon: If you are going for a high-end kayak, then you should get one that is from Hypalon, which is a type of synthetic rubber. This material offers durability and is ideal in areas that suffer from extreme weather. Kayak made from these materials are resistant to intense UV rays caused by the direct sun and if exposed to chemicals.
Type of kayak
The type of kayak that you want to buy; White water kayak, touring kayak, sea kayak, fishing kayak, and sit-on-top kayak. Now we are going to talk about these types of kayaks.
White water kayak: This inflatable kayak has an extensive and short design since the effort required on the water is small as the moving water propels the kayak. This kayak has a comprehensive design that ensures stability of the kayak. With its compact design, the kayak can navigate around obstacles found in the water. It has paddle holders.
Sea kayaks: This inflatable kayak has along design that is specifically for the sea, and they have scupper and drainage holes added to their designs for excess water.
Inflatable Fishing kayaks: This kayak has a round shape at both the front and rear ends, which adds stability to the kayak. They have additional features that make for convenient fishing like rod holders and bait buckets.
Sit-on-top kayaks: The difference between this kayak and the others is that it has an elevated inflatable seat, which is at the top of the kayak.
The seating of the kayak
The seating arrangement of the inflatable kayak is in the structure of the kayak. The kayak might have a single, double, or triple seating depending on the construction. For white water kayaks, they have a unique seating arrangement. And you also need some knowledge of paddling.
If you intend to go kayaking with friends, then it is advisable to buy a touring kayak that can accommodate them.
Portability
An inflatable kayak is easily portable, and this attained by deflating it and carrying it in a backpack. If you want a compact kayak, then go for one that has light material. Some also have mesh pockets and mesh drain holes for excess water.
Storage Space
Some kayaks are of heavy-duty material, and therefore, you will have to consider how, and no need to worry about where to store them once your kayaking is over.
Weight Capacity
The weight capacity of the kayak is significant, especially if you are a hiker and have to carry the kayak with you. Most kayaks that are resistant to punctures are made of heavy thick materials and are therefore not ideal for carrying around with you. Depending on your use, buy a kayak that will fit your needs. Some of them have massive weight capacity such as 400-pound weight capacity.
Kayak Accessories
A kayak requires accessories that are essential while kayaking, most kayaks come with these accessories. But ensure that you have air pumps, electric pumps, repair kits, and paddles.
Are Whitewater Inflatable Kayaks Safe?
Whitewater inflatable kayaks are specialized kayaks that you can use any where in any situation. They are easy and comfortable to use. But be careful while paddling.
How Do Inflatable Kayaks Compare To Traditional Kayaks?
Inflatable kayaks are easy to carry and lightweight. On the other side, traditional kayaks are heavy and hard to carry for people. You can keep packed the inflatable kayaks whenever you need to.
Conclusion
Once you have decided to buy a kayak, take ample time, and research the best kayak that will best suit your needs. Get a kayak that you will navigate easily in the rushing waters. There is a wide range of kayaks that go through rough water. Your safety and comfort should come first and ensure to get the best kayak that will guarantee a great adventure.
Get a kayak that has inflatable kayak safety features like an airtight system, scupper holes. The seats should be adjustable to fit your needs and give you comfort. There are various inflatable kayak brands for whitewater available. There are also many differences between models. Therefore, ensure that you get the best inflatable kayak for white water.