Best Inflatable Kayaks of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

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If you don’t have a roof rack or a casual 10 feet of storage space, a kayak is out of the question. But with the best inflatable kayaks you can easily store and transport a personal boat, and maybe even a fleet for the family. Taking up closer to 3 feet of space and taking around 10 minutes to fill (depending on your method), it’s easier to get out on the water for paddling or fishing. I tested a variety of the top inflatable kayaks on alpine lakes and reservoirs to find which ones are the most reliable and comfortable.

How I Tested the Best Inflatable Kayaks

Inflatable kayaks are stable and comfortable for leisurely paddles, but also have enough space for overnight endeavors or gear-heavy excursions. I evaluated them all on their inflation, maneuverability, weight, comfort, and deflation. I tested the majority of these boats on flat alpine lakes and reservoirs, but noted stability and tracking for use in current or slight chop.

Best Inflatable Kayaks: Reviews & Recommendations

Best Overall: NRS Pike

Out of stock

Pros

• Stable
• Durable
• Most comfortable seat
• Fishing accessories available

Cons

• Discontinued
• Stiff footpegs are difficult to slip into tight PVC loops

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Key Features

• 
  Weight:

  
  48 pounds

• 
  Length:

  
  12 feet, 8 inches

• 
  Width:

  
  38 inches

• 
  Packed Size:

  
  30 x 18 x 12 inches (measured)

• 
  Weight Capacity:

  
  375 pounds

• 
  Integrated fish measuring board

• 
  Rigid bow keel insert

• 
  YakAttack accessory mounts

The Pike is now discontinued, but if you find one in the wild or pre-loved, I still recommend it. Check back for our updated inflatable kayak reviews on newly released models.

The NRS Pike is convenient, comfortable, and ready to catch fish. But you don’t have to be an angler to enjoy the folding back seat, rigid keel, and respectable 8 PSI. The folding seat is the most comfortable seat on this list. And it keeps you elevated from the deck in case it somehow gets covered in beer, fish slime, or water. It also allows you to stand up more easily and you have increased visibility. The keel allows for great tracking and stability, even when standing. The bow and stern are also rigid for impressive maneuverability and speed.

While paddleboards and the Bote kayak can recommend up to 15 PSI for the base, the Pike feels plenty stable at 8, which is a more achievable air pressure if you’re hand pumping. At 48 pounds, the Pike is lightweight enough to carry to the water and stable. There’s also plenty of room for gear with bungees on each end to hold it down. 

The grippy foot section is nice for moving around or handling squirmy fish and there’s even a fish ruler. To pack this up properly, you’ll want to watch the deflation video. I fit it into the included backpack without it, but it’ll be easier and more compact if you follow the directions. There’s a 3-year warranty and it comes with a repair kit. Though, I’m confident in the durability. The EVA foam deck is designed to protect against hooks.

Best for Exploring: Oru Beach LT Sport

buy at rei

buy at west marine

Pros

• Fast
• Maneuverable
• Comfortable

Cons

• Need to memorize or download instructional video to assemble and store
• Tippy

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Key Features

• 
  Weight:

  
  28 pounds

• 
  Length:

  
  12 feet, 1 inch

• 
  Width:

  
  29 inches

• 
  Packed Size:

  
  33 x 13 x 29 inches

• 
  Weight Capacity:

  
  300 pounds

• 
  Reflective decklines

• 
  Rail system

While not an inflatable kayak, the Oru Beach LT Sport is an origami kayak that folds into a boat. The packaging includes a QR code for an instructional video that is no good to you at a lake without cell service. But it was intuitive enough that I was able to successfully fold and secure the thermoplastic into a boat shape. The material feels durable enough to resist punctures and abrasion, but it is frightening to manhandle into origami.

The boat tracks beautifully with speed. It’s maneuverable and has a very comfortable gel cushion seat. An open cockpit allows space for gear and stretching, but don’t rock the boat too much because without a fin or keel this boat is pretty tippy. The narrow design likely also contributes to the tippiness, but also why it paddles so well. However, the seamless deck construction means you’ll stay dry as long as you don’t dip the deck under. The all-black is a particularly sexy look and a rail system allows you to integrate accessories. 

If set-up was relatively simple, folding it back into a 30-inch cube without instructions was nearly impossible. Actually, for me, it was impossible. I car-topped the half-constructed boat all the way home and had to watch the video (a couple times) and enlist a buddy to get it back into its storage shape. I wish Oru would include printed photo instructions, but if you practice at home first, you should be fine. You can fold it up yourself with some creativity. You have to kick in a section which is hard to do if the other side isn’t stable, but you could just push it up against a car or wall to hold it in place.

This boat is great for exploring. It’s a bullet on the water and doesn’t need to be babied in brush or shallow rocks. At 28 pounds it’s fairly light, and the 13-inch wide box is easy to store and transport. Plus there’s no deflating due to water temperature. Oru kayaks come with a 3-year warranty, which is pretty good considering they’re allegedly good for “tens of thousands” of folds. 

Most Spacious: Bote Zeppelin Aero 10′ Classic

buy on amazon

buy at bote

Pros

• Stable
• Spacious
• Velcro paddle straps

Cons

• You’ll want to purchase an electric pump

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Key Features

• 
  Weight:

  
  37.5 pounds

• 
  Length:

  
  10 feet

• 
  Width:

  
  38 inches

• 
  Packed Size:

  
  38.7 × 18 × 11 inches

• 
  Weight Capacity:

  
  300 pounds

• 
  Rack accessory receivers

The Zeppelin is a spacious and stable inflatable kayak with a lot of features. The deck is magnetic, using MAGNEPOD technology to secure the brand’s magnetic drinkware and speakers. Rac receivers allow you to add tackle or bucket accessories, though the options are limited. Velcro paddle straps and bungees on the deck help with organization and there’s plenty of room for gear.

The seat also has to be inflated, though it doesn’t take long. It sits pretty high off the deck and feels a little awkward though not uncomfortable. The paddle features a comfortable and tactile grip and separates small enough to fit in the included backpack. I have broken some of the zipper tabs on the backpack, but the rest of the construction seems sturdy. At 15 PSI, you’ll want an electric pump to get it to the right air pressure. Hand pumping it is a real drag. 

Best for Fishing: Bote Rackham Aero Package

Buy from Amazon

Buy from Bote

Pros

• Thick rails and a recessed deck for extra stability
• Hybrid SUP/kayak design

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Key Features

• 
  Price:

  
  $1,850

• 
  Warranty:

  
  2 years

• 
  Available Lengths:

  
  12.4 feet

• 
  Weight Limit:

  
  400 pounds

At 45 pounds, the Bote Rackham Aero is a hefty beast. I couldn’t haul this one very far from the parking lot, at least not by myself. The packed size is also substantial. It stands 41 inches from roller wheels to handle and has an advertised packed weight of 79 pounds. With some effort it rolls over dirt and gravel, but maneuvering through sand gets tricky and requires some extra muscle. But, considering all the extras and amenities, I found the extra weight worth the tradeoff.

Setup is relatively straightforward, and took me less than 20 minutes from unpacking to on the water, which includes attaching a ton of accessories. I swapped out the included hand pump for the AeroPump Mini Rechargeable Pump, which definitely saved me time, sweat, and arm fatigue. 

With a weight limit of 400 pounds, I was able to pack all my favorite fishing gear on board with no worries. I highly recommend upgrading the setup with BOTE’s Apex pedal drive and rudder system. The system allowed me to keep moving, even when my hands were occupied with important tasks like casting and catching fish. 

The board is 12 feet, 4 inches long and 38 inches wide, providing a sturdy, stable platform — a must if you’re casting rods and lipping largemouths from the deck. I paddled around North Carolina’s Pamlico River at Goose Creek State Park to get a feel for how this rig handles wind and slightly rougher water conditions. Even as an inexperienced SUPer, the board was relatively easy to maneuver, although the sit-on-top kayak feature was nice when the waves picked up. — Alice Jones Webb

Things to Consider Before Buying the Best Inflatable Kayak

Inflation

Hand pumps are great; they’re cheap, simple to use, and sometimes the PSI gauge works. But if you need to get above 9 PSI, you’ll be hurting for an electric pump. Check out our guide to pumps here.

Weight

You might have to walk a ways to your drop-in or carry your craft back to your car, so weight is import to factor into your purchase of the best inflatable kayak. If you want to carry your yak solo, make sure it isn’t too heavy.

Cost

You’ll find plenty of cheap inflatables out there, but durability is a major concern. The kayaks on this list range in price, but I trust all of them to get me from point A to point B without developing a slow leak that ruins the weekend.

FAQs

Q: Are the inflatable kayaks any good?

Inflatable kayaks can be just as good as regular kayaks, meaning they track and maneuver just as well, and are stable. Depending on the kayaks, they can even be similar in weight. While, yes inflatable models can be punctured or torn, you can repair it. If you don’t have the space for a hard kayak, one of the best inflatable kayaks can be just as good.

Q: What type of kayak is most stable?

The inflatable kayaks on this list that include a fin will be the most stable. This mitigates the side to side motion while paddling that can cause tipping.

Q: What are the benefits of inflatable kayaks?

Inflatable kayaks are easier to store and transport, making it easy to get on the water. If you choose a packraft, you’ll be able to explore more remote bodies of water.

Final Thoughts

Inflatable kayaks and packrafts pack down small and allow you to get your vessel to the water without towing or cartoping a full size hardshell boat. Each has their own pros and cons, but both enable you to get out on the water. Find the best inflatable kayak for you: