Breaking Down Barriers for Prospective Paddler
Inflatable kayaks have been booming in popularity lately – and for good reason! They knock down some of the biggest barriers for getting into kayaking. First off, how do you transport a kayak to and from the water? Secondly, where do you store a kayak if you don't have a lot of space? And finally, how does a budget-conscious paddler get into the market? Well, if an entry-level, inflatable kayak can condense into a glorified duffle bag then those issues start to dissolve. That being said, it's important to gauge how such a compact, inflatable kayak actually performs. So I'm going to break down the ins and outs of the Advanced Elements Advanced Frame Kayak and let you know if it's a worthwhile investment.
ABOUT THE ADVANCED ELEMENTS ADVANCED FRAME KAYAK
Retail Price: $599 USD
Length: 10'5′
Width: 32″
Weight: 36 LBS (16 KG)
Max Capacity: 300 LBS (136 KG)
Primary Use: Flat Water
The Advanced Frame is a hybrid of a folding-frame kayak and an inflatable kayak because it has built-in aluminum ribs in the bow and stern. It features 3 layers of puncture-resistant materials, a high-back seat, soft carry handles, bungees for stowage, inflatable combing, which gives the option to use a spray skirt, a tracking fin, and it comes with a carry bag and a repair kit. The pump is sold separately for about $20 to $40 (depending on the model).
Is the Advanced Frame Kayak portable and easy to assemble?
The Advanced Frame kayak is incredibly easy to inflate. I had no familiarity with this model but still, in just 5-minutes, I was ready to rock. There are 7 valves to inflate, each labeled clearly in successive order. All I had to do was pump up each one to the specified pressure. After that, just clip in the seat and boom, the kayak is set for the water. One thing that stood out to me upon inflation was how soft the kayak was compared to other, higher-end, inflatable models that I've tried. For reference, the Advanced Frame's recommended pressure for each chamber was between 1-2 PSI. In more advanced (but therefore, more expensive) models, you pump them up to 10+ PSI. That being said, one of the available upgrades offered by Advanced Elements is a drop-stitched floor, or a backbone, which provides the floor with a lot more rigidity. I tested out the base model, which lacked that added stiffness.
In terms of portability, it doesn't get any easier than this. The Advanced Frame condenses so well that it only requires a duffle bag carry case, rather than a bulky backpack that you often see with other inflatable models.
Is the Advanced Frame kayak stable?
A key factor for a recreational kayak is that it should make even a first-time paddler feel stable and confident. The Advanced Frame accomplishes this goal. It has wonderful primary stability (i.e. the feeling when just sitting flat in the kayak). I could drop my paddle or close my eyes with no detriment to my secure feeling. Nothing was going to knock me off balance when sitting in this thing. The Advanced Frame also has reasonable secondary stability (i.e. when you tilt the kayak on edge). I was able to hold the edge position very easily. Not that you'd need to do that very much for rec-kayaking, but if you ever want it, this model does have good secondary stability.
What is the performance of an Advanced Frame kayak?
Upon assembly, I was initially worried about the Advanced Frame's low inflation pressure and if that would lead to a flimsy feeling out on the water. While it obviously paled in comparison to a hard-shelled kayak, it certainly felt more solid than I was expecting. I think a lot of recreational paddlers wouldn't necessarily even notice that it's unusually soft. Instead, they might appreciate that the softness just adds to the overall comfort of the kayak.
As for how it paddles, for a 10-foot kayak, the Advanced Frame holds a line remarkably well, and as you would expect from a short kayak, it's highly maneuverable, but not the fastest boat on the water. So not a bad combo at all; it tracks well, turns easily, and no surprises in terms of its speed.
Is the Advanced Frame kayak comfortable to paddle?
As I mentioned before, because the Advanced Frame is a soft kayak, it's also quite a comfortable kayak. Something I didn't think about until I got on the water was that the tubes along the side actually provide support for your legs. They also support your butt and prevent it from shifting around, which is a huge asset (pardon the pun…). The high-back seat is fairly comfortable. It did, unfortunately, interfere with the life jacket I had on. I found that the low back flotation in my vest sat slightly awkwardly against the seat. There are, however, paddling specific life jackets that remove the lower-back flotation, and therefore remove this impediment. This is something to consider if you invest in the Advanced Frame, or any other kayak that has a high-back seat.
Another important point to consider, pre-purchase, are your own dimensions. Simply put, I'm too tall for this kayak. I didn't have any problems in terms of my weight (200 LBS). In that regard, I felt very secure and I think an additional 20 LBS wouldn't be a problem either. But at 6′ 2″ and long in the legs, I was a little bit uncomfortable. The kayak narrows at the front and I had to squeeze my feet into that small space. For someone under 6-feet, this would likely be a very comfortable boat.
How durable is the Advanced Frame kayak?
Though it's difficult to get a sense of durability from a single paddle test, I did get the distinct impression that the build quality for the Advanced Frame is very solid. I don't see this thing falling apart unless you put it through abnormal abuse. If you take good care of it, I can see it lasting a long time. I liked how the outer layer acted as the durable, protective shell, and then the inflatable chambers were inside, giving some of that comfort and support.
Who is the Advanced Frame kayak for?
This would be a great boat for anyone under 6-feet in height, who's looking for a recreational kayak designed for calm water. This isn't a model for taking out into rough conditions. Even though it presents the option for a skirt, I personally wouldn't take the Advanced Frame into a setting where that would be required. In my opinion, this kayak is purely for protected waters (i.e. sheltered from significant wind or waves).
Is the Advanced Frame inflatable kayak worth it?
The Advanced Elements Advanced Frame is a great, entry-level, inflatable kayak. In terms of value, it's amazing what you get for $599 (USD). Yes, you can spend more and get more performance, comfort, and features, but for the price, this is a wonderful option. If you picture yourself logging a lot of miles then I think upgrading to that more rigid floor would be a worthwhile investment. Otherwise, I really enjoyed paddling this kayak and I think you will too.
I hope you enjoyed this article. For more information, check out my gear reviews, tips, and adventures on PaddlingTV.
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