Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Kayak

Summary

Price At Time Of Writing | $1,147.00

Our Overall Rating | 86 out of 100

Pros - Comfortable, performs well in the water

Cons - Tedious setup, long drying time, not drop stitch, heavy

Overall - Stable and handles well. Just time consuming to dry it out

Technical Specifications

Open Size - 318x81cm

Weight - 16.3kg

Load Capacity - 136kg

Packed Size - 76x43x25cm

Our Analysis & Ratings

This is a comfortable kayak that performs pretty well in the water. Tracking really well in a straight line it is also easy to manoeuvre. With all the inflation points it does take time to set up and you need to wait a day or two for it to dry before putting it back in the bag which isn't very practical. While it's not drop stitch it is still very stable.

We think it's a great option whether you are a beginner or experienced paddler but it's just not quite as piercing through the water as some of the other high end more expensive models.

Performance - For a non drop stitch kayak we were surprised at how well this performed. The paddling surface is deceptively hard and it tracks quite well in a straight line. Easy to handle and stable, we can see why this is a popular kayak.

Construction - As with all Advanced Elements products this is a quality construction. The rip-stop fabrics and PVC tarpaulin mean it's very durable and built to last. Good design, we just wish it came standard with a drop stitch floor.

Setup/Pack down - Setup on this kayak is a bit tedious with multiple inflation points and some that you have to blow up by mouth. We found the floor in particular takes a bit of time to inflate and you do have to wait a long time for it to dry before packing it back in the bag.

Portability - This is a fairly heavy kayak at 16.3kg. The bag also doesn't come with shoulder straps which makes it a bit hard to lug around.

Comfort - This is a very comfortable kayak. The finish of the kayak is quality with a good seat and a comfortable cockpit. We'd be happy to take it out for a long-distance paddle or regular weekly exercise, and can vouch that it remains comfortable with a toddler, baby or dog sharing the seat.

Overall - Stable and handles well. Just time consuming to dry it out.