Folding kayaks are available as a portable option for those who want to get one but don’t have the space to take a full kayak on their travels or to store it at home. While they aren’t as sturdy or speedy as a traditional kayak, the best foldable kayak can be a great investment for the right person.
How can you tell what makes one better than other foldable kayaks? Is there a kayak that can be considered as the best among the rest? For that, we have got you covered!
Best Foldable Kayaks: Our Top Choices
Today, we are going to analyze and compare three of the best foldable kayaks on the market. Surely, among these three options, you will find one that will enable you to enjoy some time on the water!
1. Oru Kayak Beach LT Folding Kayak
This LT Folding Kayak is known as one of the most user-friendly on the market because of how quick and easy it is to put together. With practice, you can put this folding kayak together in less than three minutes! The components and instructions to do so are simple and easy to follow too. What else does this offer?
Key Features
This kayak has a width that measures 28 inches, which makes it a very stable option. What does this mean? Simply put, a wide kayak implies that no matter what your shape or size is, you will be comfortable and stable with your ride.
Another nice feature of this particular folding kayak is that it has a lot of storage space. Now, you might think that because this is a lightweight and foldable kayak, you cannot store much in it, but that is not the case at all. Even though it’s not a permanently-shaped hull, you can still carry and store many items inside this boat.
Finally, this kayak comes with a one-year warranty, which can be a great reassurance if this is your first time trying out a folding kayak. If you see that there are any underlying issues or manufacturing problems that came with this kayak, you can talk to Oru Kayak about getting a replacement fix for the issue at hand.
What We Love About This Kayak:
- Easy to put together
- No leaks or worries
- Easy to control
- Good storage space
- Included warranty
What We Don’t Love About This Kayak:
- Expensive
- No drain hole
- Not meant for rough waters
2. Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Kayak
The second type of foldable kayak that many people prefer more as compared to one that has to be assembled is an inflatable kayak. This one from Advanced Elements is an excellent choice for anyone who likes their kayaks to be inflatable rather than foldable.
Key Features
This foldable kayak has great bones. Inside of it, there are built-in aluminum ribs, which ensure that the stern keeps its shape no matter what. These ribs also allow for the best steering and control that you can find in a portable kayak like this one. Plus, the aluminum is very lightweight too, so you aren’t adding a lot of extra weight by having this.
To set up this foldable kayak, all you have to do is unfold it and inflate it. It’s that easy! While some foldable kayaks take a lot of practice to learn to put together, this one is very simple in its construction, making it a great choice for beginners and experts alike.
Moreover, this foldable kayak is very convenient in that it performs as well as a rigid-shell kayak. Even though it is inflatable, you’ll find that it balances, controls, and turns just as good as a kayak that is more permanently-shaped.
If you are worried that this inflatable kayak will get punctured, don’t. If it does, you can simply have it patched. While this isn’t something you would have to do with a rigid-shell body, you can do it yourself with ease. You might have to repair the tubing more often if you run it over rocks.
What We Love About This Kayak:
- Lightweight
- Rigid, shaped stern
- Great to control and steer
- Deflates very easily
- Creates less drag than traditional kayaks
What We Don’t Love About This Kayak:
- Must fill seven separate chambers with
- The bottom might need to be patched over time
- Inner chamber might need to be waterproofed
3. Sevylor Quikpak K5 Kayak
The last foldable kayak that we will talk about today is the Sevylor Quikpak K5 Kayak. Similar to the previous kayak we have reviewed, this one is also an unfold-and-inflate kayak that is quick and easy to set up. What makes it stand out from the rest?
Key Features
The most significant benefit of using this particular foldable kayak is that it folds up into a backpack that is super easy to carry around and even easier to pack up. While the kayak is not self-pailing, it is reasonably easy to get it empty of water and dry at the end of the run before packing it up. You need to dry it off before packing it up for longevity reasons.
The bottom of this kayak boasts a 24-gauge PVC construction. This is a relatively durable material that can work well on lakes and in rivers. However, it really isn’t meant for rough waters or sea kayaking.
The inflatable parts of this kayak have a multiple chamber construction. While this means that you will need to inflate each one of them, this also means that you will still be able to carry on for some time if one of them is punctured because the other chambers can keep you going.
Finally, this portable kayak option has a double lock on each of the valves. This makes it very easy to inflate and deflate, so you can ensure that each of the chambers stays filled with air for as long as possible.
What We Love About This Kayak:
- Easy to inflate
- Quick to pack and carry
- Super comfortable chair back inside the kayak
- Double-lock valves keep air in
What We Don’t Love About This Kayak:
- Expensive for what it is
- Hard to steer
- Not a huge sitting space
- Need to be waterproofed
The Winner
After careful deliberation of all of these options for the best folding kayak, we have concluded that the Oru Kayak Beach LT Folding Kayak stood out as the best of the best. This truly lightweight option can be put together very quickly, and it steers just as well as a traditional kayak. While it carries a high price point, that price will prove its worth time and time again when using this kayak.
Regardless of which of these kayaks you decide is the right one for your needs, you’ll be happy with their incredible portability and ease of use.