It may not be much of a surprise that here at InflatableBoarder.com we have a bit of a soft spot in our hearts for inflatable watercraft. But even more importantly we pride ourselves on bringing you accurate and helpful information.
When asked “Which is better – an inflatable or hard shell kayak,” we are going to be very honest with you. The true answer gets used a lot, and on its own isn’t that helpful – It Depends!
It depends on you as a kayaker and your own specific needs. Below we’ll highlight the pros and cons of both inflatable and hard shell kayaks, and help you identify when one may be a better choice for you than the other.
Inflatable Kayaks
Inflatable Kayaks are the undisputed champs when it comes to weight and portability.
You don’t need roof racks or trailers to get your inflatable kayak from home to the water, and you don’t need massive amounts of storage space when its not in use.
Inflatable kayaks come in all shapes and sizes from ultralightweight packrafts to fully-rigged fishing kayaks. You can get them made with traditional air-bladder constructions for lightweight and budget friendly models, or you can spring for a full drop-stitch construction for peak performance.
This 12’6” tandem inflatable kayak fits into a rolling backpack for easy transportation and storage.
I’m going to include folding kayaks in the inflatable kayak category. While the material used in these boats is a rigid polyethylene plastic, because they fold flat into essentially an over-size suitcase shape, they share more in common with their inflatable cousins than non-inflatable kayaks.
These folding boats give you the option to avoid inflating while still saving space and weight. Kayaks like the Oru Coast are even capable of open water expeditions and compatible with spray skirts for rough water.
Hard Shell Kayaks
While inflatable kayaks take the crown for transportation and storage, hard shell kayaks offer higher potential performance incentives for intermediate and advanced paddlers.
Hard shell sea kayaks give unique performance shapes that can’t be imitated by inflatables.
With the ability to shape the hull, chines (edges), and deck of a hard shell kayak, these vessels can be fine-tuned to maximize performance for their intended use. Sea kayaking, whitewater, and surfski are all areas where hard shell kayaks notably outperform inflatables for speed and control.
Not all hard shell kayaks are built for performance, though. There are many recreational-style hardshell kayaks that simply offer a non-inflatable alternative for flatwater paddling.
Recreational hard shell kayaks offer only very limited advantages over inflatables on flat water.
The primary difference between inflatable kayaks and hard shell kayaks for recreational paddlers comes in the seating position and how well they handle in the wind.
Inflatable kayaks tend to have the paddler sit a little higher off the water (though not as high as a true Sit On Top hard shell kayak), while recreational hard shell kayaks will have your seat at or below the waterline.
Traditional inflatable kayaks rely on large diameter side tubes which provide tons of stability and capacity, but also offer disadvantages in handling when paddling in the wind or in rougher water.
Which is Better – Inflatable or Hard Shell Kayaks?
That answer is really going to come down to how you intend to use your kayak.
Most recreational paddlers will not experience significant differences between a quality inflatable kayak and a hard shell recreational boat. If you are short on space or ability to transport a hard shell kayak, then an inflatable makes perfect sense. If you live close to the water and don’t mind the extra weight of a hardshell kayak, then that might be a better choice for you.
If you are interested in things like expedition paddling, sea kayaking, touring, whitewater, or surf play, then you should consider a hardshell kayak. These boats provide better control and performance in these intended conditions.
Which type of kayak do you prefer and why? Let us know in the comments!
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