The 5 Best Inflatable Kayaks For Whitewater: For 1/2 Persons

You’ve been thinking about getting out onto whitewater, but you don’t have the money to splash out on a hardshell kayak.

In which case, you may be looking for the best inflatable ‘yak for whitewater. Inflatable kayaks for whitewater are a lot cheaper than their hardshell counterpart. 

But…

You might be thinking inflatable kayaks aren’t strong enough to handle whitewater rapids, but I’m here today to tell you that isn’t true. 

The best inflatable kayaks have come a long way since people first introduced them to the world. And nowadays, inflatable whitewater kayaks are more robust than they ever have been.

In this article, I’m going to introduce you to five of the best inflatable kayaks for whitewater. If this sounds like what you’ve been looking for, don’t go anywhere.

So, let’s take a look at the best inflatable kayaks for whitewater:

IN A HURRY? HERE ARE OUR TOP PICKS…

Reviewing The 5 Best Inflatable Kayaks For Whitewater

Driftsun Rover 120/220 Inflatable Tandem Whitewater Kayak

The Driftsun Rover is a solid inflatable whitewater kayak that comes in two different sizes. You have a choice of a K1 or a K2 kayak if you want to take people with you. Of course, which one you choose will depend on the price.

Both kayaks were built with a robust layered PVC; thanks to the dual layers, it offers enough protection for the kayaks to bounce off rocks. On top of that, the tarpaulin bottom provides even more protection from abrasions.

It also comes with a removable rear tracking skeg which helps keep you in a straight line without overcompensating with the paddle. The great thing about it being removable is you don’t have to worry about obstructions when you’re in whitewater.

And last, of all, the Driftsun Rover comes with self-bailing drain plugs which help drain the water when you’re in whitewater. And if you’re on calm water, you can leave them closed, so you stay high and dry.

Sea Eagle 370 Deluxe

If you’re looking for a solid inflatable kayak that can hold an extreme amount and up to three people, then the Sea Eagle 370 is a great choice. The kayak can comfortably fit three people and can carry 650 lbs of weight.

And thanks to the robust construction of the inflatable tandem kayak, it’s able to handle class III rapids without the fear of it puncturing when it hits a rock.

To help you stay in a straight line and glide through the water at faster speeds, they include two rear skegs to the kayak. They are also fully removable, which means you don’t have to worry about them getting caught in shallow water.

It also comes with two inflatable seats, which provide back support for you while you’re paddling and increase your paddling abilities.

Aquaglide McKenzie 105 Inflatable Kayak

The company built the Aguaglide McKenzie 105 kayak specifically for handling whitewater rapids. It uses a Duratex construction with EvoBeam technology to help hold things together. Thanks to the material, it bounces off rocks without fear of punctures.

Not only does the EvoBeam floor help with protection and add strength, but the V-shape hull also helps to increase the tracking. And to add to the tracking abilities further, you’ll find Posi-track fin.

One of the great things about this kayak is how lightweight it is. It only uses 24 lbs, which makes it incredibly easy to take it out of the water to skip a section if you need to.

But all these great features do come at a price. The pack doesn’t come with a paddle or a pump, which means you’ll have to buy a few extra pieces before you get out on the water (check out some of the best kayak paddles for beginners).

Airhead Montana Kayak

This 9 ft inflatable whitewater kayak was designed to hold one person and transport them down a moderate grade rapid. It’s not made to take on extreme rapids, but it can handle low grades or lakes perfectly.

To help give you confidence in the kayak, they use three enclosed chambers to construct the kayak. Due to the separate chambers, you can feel confident you can make it back to dry land if one of the chambers pops.

Another great feature of the AIRHEAD Montana kayak is how real it tracks through water and how little drag it produces. This is down to the four fins at the kayak’s bottom, all of which are removable.

The major downside to this inflatable whitewater kayak is having to buy a foot pump and a paddle for the kayak. And this adds to the price quite significantly.

Intex Explorer K2

If you’ve been looking for a budget two-person inflatable whitewater kayak that can handle rapids, this could be the answer you’ve been looking for. 

The inflatable kayak is made with a rugged vinyl PVC which can withstand knocks and scrapes while running rapids. Not only is it strong, but it’s straightforward to inflate thanks to the Boston valves found on each side.

It was built with multiple air chambers that speed up inflation and offer protection if one of the chambers pops. And to help increase the speed of the kayak, it comes with a skeg that enhances your tracking ability.

And finally, the two-person inflatable kayak comes with everything you need to get straight in the water. With the purchase, you’ll find the paddles, air pump, and a repair kit.

Our Top Choice

Every one of the best inflatable whitewater kayaks I’ve listed above will perform excellently on whitewater. But let’s be honest, you’ve come here to find out which one I feel performs the best.

And in my opinion, the Driftsun Rover 120/220 has to be one of the best inflatable whitewater kayaks out there. The inflatable kayak has an excellent shape, so it cuts through the rapids with ease. And when water flowers over the top, it’s got five self-bailing ports to let the water out.

Not only does it perform excellently, but the construction materials a very strong and never feel like popping.

And finally, the inflatable whitewater kayak comes with everything you need to get yourself on the water, so you won’t have to purchase any extra equipment.

Things To Consider Before Buying The Best Inflatable Kayak For Whitewater

Whitewater kayaking is an excellent adventurous activity that anyone can take part in. But previously, you’d have to pay thousands for a hardshell kayak to take you down the river.

But know, things have changed:

Inflatable whitewater kayaks have become so much stronger than they previously were. 

Thanks to the upgrade in the materials, it’s enabled people to tackle whitewater rapids without fearing the inflatable kayak will burst. That being said, inflatable kayaks aren’t invincible, so you still need to be careful. 

In this section, I’m going to show you everything I look out for when buying a kayak for whitewater:

Whitewater Classification

Okay, inflatable whitewater kayaks a designed to travel on whitewater, but here’s the thing. Not all of them can handle the same class of rapids.

And that’s why you need to check out the classification before you make a purchase. If your inflatable kayak isn’t strong enough to handle the rapids you paddle down, you are going to get yourself into a pickle. 

Here’s what you can expect from the different whitewater classifications:

Make sure you check out what kind of runs your inflatable kayak can handle before you purchase the kayak.

Self-Bailing

When you’re kayaking down whitewater, the chances are you’re going to be covered in water. And the last thing you want is the kayak filling up with water as you’re running down the river.

And this is why self-bailing abilities are so important when you go kayaking down rapids. But how does it work?

Self-bailing kayaks have small holes in the boat that allows the water to drain when a significant amount of water enter’s the boat. 

Drop-Stitch Floor

One of the best features to look out for in your whitewater kayak is a drop-stitch floor. It gives a more rigid bottom than a traditional inflatable floor. Drop-stitch flooring offers more rigidity and distributes the weight evenly across the floor.

Multiple Chambers

When it comes to safety, an important aspect should have multiple air chambers. Your inflatable kayak can puncture at any point, and having a backup chamber can help you get to the shore safely.

Setup And Inflation Time

Due to inflating the kayak before you get on the water, it can take some time to set up, which can be pretty annoying for some people. How long a kayak takes to inflate depends on the type of valves it uses and what pump it comes with.

With the right combination, it can take around 9-10 minutes to inflate your kayak fully. With a lousy combination, it can take approximately 30 minutes to pump the kayak, but of course, this depends on the size of the kayak.

Frequently Asked Questions