There was a day when whitewater kayakers wouldn’t even consider using an inflatable kayak. However, things have changed. The whitewater inflatable kayaks that are manufactured today are highly rugged, extremely sturdy and will rival the performance of a hard-shelled kayak. They also have the added convenience of being very portable and easily stored in small spaces. Whitewater inflatable kayaks are perfect for someone that wants to take their kayak hiking, traveling or camping as well as be able to store it in a closet or throw in the trunk of a car. They offer supreme convenience, versatility and fun. The most popular brands of whitewater inflatable kayaks are Aire, Innova, NRS, Advanced Elements and Sea Eagle. Below are the most popular models on the market right now. Aire Force This kayak is very popular for whitewater with up to class IV rapids. It is geared for the intermediate to advanced paddler that expects great performance and versatility from their kayak. It comes with thigh straps, foot pedals and a phenomenal ten year warranty. It is also available in XL size for a person who wants or needs more room. Tributary Tomcat The Tomcat comes in a solo or tandem version. Tributary is Aire’s imported line of kayaks and will be much less money then the American made Aire products. They are a much more affordable option for a person who is a recreational whitewater paddler and doesn’t mind sacrificing a little bit of the quality of the boat for a great price and still a great performance. The Tomcat comes with a one year warranty and is great for paddlers of all levels. Innova Safari The Safari is extremely light as it weighs only twenty-four pounds. This kayak is perfect for anyone who loves to travel and wants to easily be able to bring their inflatable kayak on an airplane. It can handle up to class III rapids and is best suited for intermediate to advanced kayakers as it is fairly narrow and not completely stable. If you know how to handle a whitewater kayak, the Safari will not disappoint. NRS Bandit The Bandit is really cool because it is an environmentally friendly kayak (it is PVC-free). This kayak is very light weight as it weighs only twenty-one pounds and can literally be taken anywhere by any mode of transportation. It is not a high performer but will get the job done nicely on some nice river runs. It is very much suited for a smaller person. There is a tandem version that would be better for a taller person or for two people. Advanced Elements StraitEdge The StraitEdge is a very stable kayak and will suit beginner to novice whitewater kayakers. It can handle a lot of different water conditions and track decently on open water. It is light enough to be taken anywhere in the world and easy enough to handle for a person of any age. Sea Eagle Explorer Kayaks The Explorer kayaks are very popular. They are not your best performing whitewater kayak but what they offer is excellent versatility. They can handle heavy whitewater rapids easily as well as be paddled easily on flat water or on the ocean. They are unbelievably rugged and stable as well as super comfortable. The Explorer kayaks come in three different sizes, the 340X, 380X or the 420X and can each hold an unbelievable amount of gear. They will get you anywhere you need to go and come with a great three year warranty. All of these whitewater inflatable kayaks are self-bailing, solid and great quality boats. Finding the right one for you will depend on what level of kayaker you are as well as your price range. They can vary greatly in price so it should not be hard to find one that is affordable and also suits your needs. An inflatable kayak is a great investment in some eco-friendly outdoor recreational fun. To view pictures of these kayaks as well as to find more whitewater inflatable kayak reviews visit InflatableKayakWorld.com where you'll find this and much more, including reviews on recreational inflatable kayaks.
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