Performance On Par with a Hard-Shell
Inflatable kayaks have been exploding in popularity because they remove the two biggest barriers for getting into kayaking: transporting your kayak and storing your kayak. However, these perks can sometimes come at the cost of performance. So I put the Advanced Elements AirVolution to the test to figure out if it paddles as well as it packs.
ABOUT THE AIRVOLUTION KAYAK
Retail Price: $1350 USD
Length: 13′
Width: 33″
Weight: 39 LBS (18 KG)
Max Capacity: 300 LBS (136 KG)
Best Use: Protected Water & Slow Rivers
The AirVolution is a drop-stitch design kayak that's made from a heavy duty, PVC outer skin. It has a high back seat, deck bungees for stowing gear on the bow and stern, robust but soft grab handles, a removable tracking fin, and the hull is designed with a V-entry that transitions to flat. It also comes with a rolling duffel bag for transportation and a hand pump for inflation.
Is the AirVolution kayak portable and easy to set up?
When it comes to portability, the AirVolution that I tried came with a fair-sized shoulder bag, which was slightly awkward to lug around. For 2022, they’ve upgraded the pack to a rolling duffel, which makes it much easier to handle.
As for assembly, the AirVolution is made with drop-stitch construction which gets inflated to a rigid 10 psi. While this provides a distinct performance advantage over inflatables not made with this technology, it takes a significant amount of effort to pump the kayak by hand. For that reason, I would definitely recommend getting an electric pump if you plan on using the kayak regularly. Something else to note is that the removable skeg that came with my kayak was very brittle. I forgot that I had it installed, and when I put the inflated kayak on the ground, snap!, that was it for the skeg. The good news is that they sent me a replacement without hesitation. The folks at Advanced Elements insisted it must have been a defective piece. Unfortunately, I haven’t had a chance to put this claim to the test. That being said, Advanced Elements is a reputable manufacturer, and so I do expect the new skeg to be much stronger. Either way, I would recommend waiting until you're ready to launch before attaching it.
Is the AirVolution Kayak stable?
The AirVolution is a stable enough kayak for anyone to enjoy. I'd be comfortable sending my mom for a paddle in this boat! While it is a kayak that would be difficult to flip, the hull does have a slight V-shape. This helps the kayak travel through the water more smoothly than a completely flat hull, but it does result in the kayak having a little ‘wobble’ to it. This wobble does not mean it will flip, because anytime it wobbles to one side, it quickly stabilizes on a slight edge.
What is the performance of the AirVolution kayak?
Advanced Elements claims that the AirVolution paddles like a hard-shell kayak. While the rigid, drop-stitch design goes a very long way to disguise the fact that it’s an inflatable kayak, to say that it paddles as well as a hard-shell kayak is a bit of a stretch. Don’t get me wrong though, for an inflatable kayak, the AirVolution is surprisingly smooth and fast through the water. Not surprisingly, without the benefit of the skeg, the kayak didn’t track very well, but it did turn on a dime. I look forward to testing it again with the new skeg, because I know it will make a big difference.
Is the Advanced Elements AirVolution comfortable?
Where the hard-shell comparison drops off is in the comfort category. Next to other kayaks in that $1300 (USD) class, the AirVolution just doesn't have the same kinds of comfort features. The high back seat is supportive, but it doesn't offer the high and low positions that hard-shell models often do. Also, at 6'2″, I'm simply too tall for this kayak. My feet were right at the end of the cockpit, pressed into the combing. This is another noteworthy comparison to a hard-shell of the same class, in which you would typically have adjustable foot pegs. I did also find my legs pressed up against the anchor clips for the seat. Not the end of the world, but this presented a couple of pressure points that might become more noticeable over time. So in terms of comfort, the AirVolution gets the classic, “It is what it is,” stamp. These are the types of trade offs that come into play when prioritizing portability and stowability.
Who is the Advanced Elements AirVolution for?
The AirVolution is a stable, packable, and paddle-able kayak. It will perform best in calm waters (protected from harsh wind or rough waves), or slow-moving rivers.
Is the AirVolution inflatable kayak worth it?
After a solid, hour-long paddle test of the Advanced Elements AirVolution, I can tell you that I like this kayak. It performs as a 13-foot, recreational touring kayak should – even as you'd expect a hard-shell to. For an inflatable kayak to compete with a hard-shell in terms of performance, that's a victory. Some people picture a sloppy feel when they think of inflatables, but not the AirVolution. This model is rigid and surprised me with its paddling efficiency. I wasn't blown away by the comfort of this boat, but I didn't expect that part to compete with a hard-shell of the same class. So if you've been craving the portability of an inflatable kayak but have apprehensions about performance, then the Advanced Elements AirVolution might be the Goldilocks model for you.
I hope you enjoyed this article. For more information, check out my gear reviews, tips, and adventures on PaddlingTV.
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