I've Been Paddling for 25 Years, and These Are the 5 Inflatable Kayaks That Passed Our Rigorous Testing

"I come from a family of seasoned paddlers, which means most of our summer vacations were centered around the water. From sea kayaking in the San Juan Islands to spending 25 summers in a row doing the same rafting trip on the North Umpqua River in Oregon, kayaking is one of my favorite activities. We've also had the same inflatable kayak for nearly 30 years, so I feel like I've cracked the code on what to look for in a quality inflatable kayak."

"The Travel + Leisure team selected 11 inflatable kayaks to test out on lakes, rivers, and oceans, to find the best options for recreational paddling. We tested both single-person and tandem kayaks, and also enlisted some of our furry, four-legged friends to help find kayaks that work for dog passengers, too. Two of the best inflatable kayaks I've ever tested earned a spot on this list, along with three other options that got the T+L stamp of approval for durability, ease of use, design,"

Eleven inflatable kayaks were tested on lakes, rivers, and oceans to evaluate recreational paddling performance across single- and tandem designs. Testing assessed durability, ease of use, design, portability, tracking, and suitability for dog passengers. Two standout inflatable kayaks were selected as top picks, while three additional models were highlighted for durability, ease of use, design, and portability. The Kokopelli Packraft Platte single impressed for its superb durability and functional design, offering a strong one-person alternative to the tandem. The Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Sport earned praise for excellent tracking and portability, featuring an aluminum rib frame and multiple air chambers, though its assembly and inflation can be complicated.

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