If you are motivated to read this, then I expect you are relatively new to kayaking. Perhaps you’ve spent a little bit of time on a kayak, had a great experience, and are considering buying your own. But what kind of kayak should you buy? Hardshell or inflatable? My goal is to give you enough information about hardshell and inflatable kayaks to make an informed decision that you won’t regret.
To choose between a hardshell and inflatable kayak, it is important to consider: 1. How you will use it, 2. How you will transport it, 3. Where you will store it, and 4. How much money you can spend on it.
Rather than bury my conclusion at the bottom this article, I’m going to lead with it instead.
1. The best overall kayak for a recreational paddler is a higher-quality inflatable.
2. The best kayak for a recreational paddler on a budget is a low-to-mid-quality hardshell.
3. The best kayak for an experienced paddler with particular performance-based needs is a high-end hardshell.
Should you read all the way to the end of this article, you might disagree with my conclusions. That’s ok. If I’ve helped you learn something about hardshell and inflatable kayaks, then my efforts have been successful. I’m not trying to win an argument (I’m quite used to losing them at home). Rather, I simply want to help you find the best kayak for your needs and your pocketbook.
Let’s begin.
Table of Contents
What is a hardshell kayak?
Hardshell kayaks are constructed out of rigid material such as plastic, carbon fiber (Kevlar), fiberglass or wood. The surface of hardshells is designed to not bend when coming into contact with waves, floating debris, or other obstacles.
What is an inflatable kayak?
Inflatable kayaks are constructed out of plastic, PVC and sometimes fabric. Engineers design them with a series of chambers that are filled with air to provide buoyancy and increased rigidity (although much less rigidity than hardshell boats).
How are hardshell kayaks constructed?
Hardshell kayaks are typically constructed from plastic, carbon fiber (Kevlar) or fiberglass. There are some that are constructed from wood.
The least expensive hardshell kayaks are typically made from roto-molded polyethelene, or HDPE. This is a process in which manufacturers place plastic powder in a kayak-shaped mold which is then heated. The mold spins to distribute the heated powder evenly inside the mold. Once the mold has spun and cooled, the contents are removed. The final finishing steps are completed to create a kayak that is ready to paddle.
Roto-molded polyethylene kayaks are heavy and robust. You can paddle through all kinds of obstacles all day long without much worry. However, if your kayak does meet its match and the hull cracks, you’ve got a problem. Most times, the repair needs to be professional. Almost nothing reliably sticks to polyethylene so the only fix is to melt more polyethylene to fill and seal the crack.
An alternative, if slightly more expensive molding process is thermoforming. Plastic is formed into sheets and then applied to a kayak-shaped mold. This allows for varying degrees of thickness and strength across the structure of the kayak. Thermoformed kayaks are typically lighter than roto-molded ones but are generally just as durable. Furthermore, they are much more easily repaired.
Carbon Fiber or fiberglass kayaks are the most expensive of the rigid variety. They are constructed by applying sheets of fiberglass or carbon fiber to a rigid frame. Once the sheets are dry, fiberglass and carbon fiber hulls can be further shaped, painted and polished to a dazzling shine. They handle wax and protectant well and can be repaired with a can of resin and some left-over fiberglass cloth. They really are things of beauty.
Wooden kayaks can also be things of beauty. They are typically even more expensive than fiberglass kayaks because nearly every wooden kayak is a bespoke undertaking and the skillset to build one is so rare. Wooden kayaks are light, rigid and can be repaired by a woodworking artisan. Wooden kayaks can also be fussy. Wood expands and contracts, doesn’t react to UV rays well and requires special storage accommodations. It is a rare novice kayaker that elects to start with a wooden kayak.
How are inflatable kayaks constructed?
The least expensive of the inflatable kayak hierarchy is constructed from a single layer of thin vinyl. This vinyl is stitched together to create a series of air chambers that are then attached to a soft non-rigid floor. If budget is a constraint, it is fair to say that this low-level kayak is still high on value. However, it simply won’t last as long as boats of higher quality.
Moving up the ladder of inflatable kayaks, one finds vinyl kayaks that are encased in a protective fabric. These are more expensive than the previous category of boat. The fabric encasement protects against punctures as well as damage caused by ultraviolet rays. While the vinyl itself remains of lower quality, the fabric does increase the performance and lifespan of the kayak.
A common material used to construct higher-quality kayaks is PVC. This material is lightweight, durable and used in many marine applications. PVC is typically heat welded and applied as a laminate, combining multiple layers for increased strength and resistance to abrasion. As with other kayak construction materials, PVC is sensitive to UV rays and degrades if continuously left out in the sun.
Another material of choice in the construction of inflatable kayaks is Hypalon. Rather than heat welding, this material is manufactured with glue, thus increasing the overall cost of the boat. Hypalon is often used in police and military applications because of its high resistance to UV degradation and overall ability to withstand abrasion.
Drop stich construction. Higher-quality inflatable kayaks and other vessels are constructed with drop stitch technology. Complex sewing machines are used to join two pieces of polyester woven support fabric with thousands of fine polyester thread lengths. This locks the two pieces of fabric together in a super-strong unit. An air-tight coating is then applied to the outer surface of the material, on both sides. The process is complex and labour intensive. The result is an inflatable vessel with flat surfaces that can be inflated to rock-hard rigidity.
Does a hardshell kayak weigh more than an inflatable one?
The answer is most often yes. Most hardshell kayaks weigh more than most inflatable kayaks. For example, a recreational 10’, polyethylene, sit-in boat with a 29 inch width, weighs about 45lbs. In contrast, a recreational 10’, inflatable PVC, sit-in kayak with a 32 inch width, weighs 26lbs. No contest.
This isn’t to say that all hardshell kayaks weigh more than all inflatable kayaks. A rigid 5’10” freestyle, whitewater kayaks weighs 29lbs whereas an inflatable 15’ touring kayak with drop stitch floor weighs 52lbs.
With that said, when comparing kayaks of similar size, hardshell boats almost always weigh more than inflatable ones.
Is it easier to transport a hardshell kayak or an inflatable one?
Inflatable kayaks have two important characteristics that are clearly superior to hardshell boats. They almost universally weigh less (as discussed above). Also, inflatable kayaks transport easily – much easier than hardshell boats.
A hardshell boat always keeps its shape. As such, if you are embarking on a trip, it is necessary to mount the kayak safely and securely on a roof rack (which you had to install), trailer or truck bed. Doing this risks damage as well as theft. Also, it can take a while for even the most experienced of kayakers to properly secure a boat to its rack.
In contrast, inflatable kayaks fold into a bag that rarely weighs more than 50 pounds. It is simple to stack several kayaks bags in the back of your mini van in a matter of minutes. Furthermore, because the deflated boats remain inside your vehicle, there is no risk of damage or theft.
Oh, and if you really want a kayaking adventure, try taking your hardshell kayak on an airplane.
If you choose to get cute, you can make the argument that loading a hardshell kayak onto its rack takes much more time than loading a deflated, bagged kayak into the trunk of your vehicle. However, once you are at your destination, it actually takes less time to offload your hardshell kayak and move it to the water than it does to blow up your inflatable kayak and move it to the same spot.
After a long day on the water, it takes much more time to deflate and dry out an inflatable kayak than it does to simply lift your hardshell onto its rack and secure it with straps. If your inflatable is constructed with a protective fabric encasement, the time from water to vehicle only increases. By a lot.
Furthermore, once you get home, you’ll probably need to open your inflatable kayak back up to let it fully air out. Keeping a wet inflatable boat in its bag creates a perfect environment for mold and mildew to create prosperous families.
When it comes to transportation, you need to determine whether you value the low weight and safe travel of a deflated kayak in its bag, or the less time-consuming end-of day commitment that comes with a hardshell kayak.
Hardshell vs Inflatable. Which kayak is easier to store?
Hardshell kayaks require a lot of room to store. They need to be positioned on perfectly-separated mounts or slings that ideally hang from the ceiling of a basement or garage, or sit somewhere in your backyard covered by a tarp.
Of course, they need to be dry, but at the same time, they do benefit from airflow.
Inflatable kayaks can be folded in their bag and stored in an out-of-the-way corner of your basement, garage, or even bedroom closet.
Inflatable kayaks do need to be bone dry before storage and that takes a little more time. Depending on where and how you live, sometimes space trades at a premium to time.
To learn more about storing (and maintaining) your kayak, I wrote an article here. Also, I wrote an article on how to properly dry your inflatable kayak here.
Is it easier to paddle a hardshell or inflatable kayak?
Hardshell kayaks are easier to paddle. At least that’s the conventional party line. The rigid hull of a hardshell doesn’t flex or bend as it flows through waves. Hardshells simply track better.
Hardshell hulls can also be constructed into various shapes such as Shallow V with Hard Chine or Soft Chine and varying degrees of rocker. All of these choices allow you to customize your paddling experience – something you just can’t yet do in the inflatable world.
Fiberglass boats are faster than plastic boats. (I wrote all about increasing your kayak speed here.) There is simply less frictional drag from fiberglass when compared to plastic. Similarly, a smooth fiberglass hull maintains less frictional drag than a PVC or Hypalon hull. If you have a need for speed, you really can’t beat a fiberglass kayak.
In general, the superior rigidity and decreased friction of hardshell kayaks results in better performance.
However, inflatable kayak performance is getting better. The introduction of drop stitching and other technological advancements has improved the paddling performance of inflatable kayaks. In fact, high-quality inflatable kayaks now boast paddling performance that is very similar to mid-quality hardshell boats. As you might expect, these high-quality inflatable kayaks can get pricey.
To summarize, the highest quality hardshell kayak provides a superior paddling experience to that of the the highest quality inflatable kayak. But again, the paddling performance of high-quality inflatable kayaks is improving.
Which type of kayak is more durable?
Hardshell kayaks are very durable. Polyethylene boats can bang into obstacles and debris all day and might not even show a mark. Carbon fiber and fiberglass boats are a little more fussy when it comes to unwanted contact. Nevertheless, they too are durable. However, they are built for speed, performance and aesthetics. Interestingly, it is the lower-priced hardshell kayaks that are best equipped to bounce off obstacles.
The opposite is true of inflatable kayaks. Here, durability is directly correlated to price tag. The least expensive vinyl boats, while representing reasonable value, are often one submerged root away from Davey Jones locker.
At the other end of the quality spectrum, boats constructed out of Hypalon (used in military and coast guard applications) could fly right over Davey Jones entire pirate ship without a hint of abrasion.
Both hardshell and inflatable kaysks need to be protected from damaging UV rays. Rub some 303 Aerospace Protectant onto your boat to keep those pesky UV rays at bay. (Use some SPF 50 on your own body, as well!)
All hardshell kayaks are durable, though the higher-end, performance-oriented models can be a little precious. Mid and high-end inflatable kayaks are also quite durable. With care, all these boats can last up to 20 years. However, down-market inflatable kayaks constructed with vinyl are not durable. They exist to help budget-focused consumers get on the water. They might provide value, but they don’t provide durability.
Is it easier to repair a hardshell or inflatable kayak?
First of all, it is possible to repair almost all kayaks. Unless your boat lost a battle with a stick of dynamite, there is likely scope for repair.
Roto-molded polyethylene kayaks are difficult to repair. These kayaks are of low-to-mid quality. The problem is that adhesives don’t adhere to polyethylene. Cracks of any significance require filling with melted plastic. If you don’t want your repair to look like a tatoo on a hairless cat, the procedure needs to be done professionally.
Fiberglass and carbon fiber kayak repairs are easier than you think. Hoist your boat upside down on a couple of workhorses and you can have the repair done in a couple of hours. While the idea of repairing nicks and cracks in a fiberglass kayak might seem intimidating, the reality is it’s not that hard. You are literally one article (here) and one YouTube video (here) away from approaching it with confidence.
Inflatable kayak repair is interesting…. So interesting that I wrote a whole article about it here. First you need to find the leak. Sometimes this is easy, other times it is heartachingly difficult.
The location of the leak determines the extent of your heartache. Many leaks are easy to find and access. All that is required to fix those ones is some special goop and a patch. (Well, a little more than that, but not much.) Still, 15 minutes and you’re done.
If the leak is located on a seam or worse, inside an air chamber, your repair is considerably more difficult. While the equipment to repair the leak is the same, the investment of time and requirement of dexterity are both much higher.
Hardshell kayak repair typically requires more time, tools and material. However, it usually isn’t as difficult as you might think.
Inflatable kayak repair requires less in the way of tools and material. A repair can be super-easy or disturbingly difficult.
In the end, the easiest repairs are made to inflatable kayaks. With the exception of roto-molded plastic or any kayak with a massive crater-of-a-hole, I would argue that the hardest repairs are also made to inflatable kayaks.
Can I pack more weight in a hardshell or inflatable kayak?
This depends on the kayak. A low-end hardshell with single layer polyethylene construction can handle 325lbs of weight. A larger touring kayak, also constructed from polyethylene can handle paddlers and gear that weigh 625lbs.
An inexpensive vinyl, one person kayak has a weigh limit of about 220lbs. At the other end of the quality spectrum, a pricey touring kayak constructed from PVC encased in rip-stop fabric with drop stitch floor can carry people and equipment weighing 550lbs.
In our experience, a down-market hardshell kayak can hold more weight than a down-market inflatable one. Similarly, an up-market hardshell kayak appears to be able to hold more weight than an up-market inflatable (although some might disagree). However, a high quality inflatable kayak may very well be able to hold more weight than a low-to-mid quality hardshell.
Is a hardshell or inflatable kayak more expensive?
The least expensive, new kayak you can purchase is inflatable and constructed from vinyl (and probably sold under the name Intex). This is a boat that allows budget-constrained consumers to get out on the water. At $100 +/- the boat has value and a rightful place in the hierarchy of kayaks. But low durability is the trade-off for lower cost..
The most expensive kayaks, on the other hand, are usually hardshell fiberglass or Kevlar boats. They are big, shiny and beautiful. The biggest, shiniest and most beautiful ones start at $5,000 and go from there. You know when the website says **Contact Dealer for Price** that the price in question is a rarified one.
The most expensive inflatable kayaks rarely get above $2,000 and most list for less than $1,600.
There is a lot of room in the middle of the kayak price spectrum to identify what is important to you in terms of performance, convenience and durability. From there, you can decide on a price point that allows you to maximize the value you receive, given the money you put out.
Are there any other characteristics unique to hardshell or inflatable kayaks?
Maneuverability and Control. If you require a high-performance kayak that either tracks perfectly true or conversely, is highly maneuverable, then a hardshell is likely what you need.
When traveling significant distances in open water, a rigid hull helps your kayak track straighter by not flexing with the waves. Also, a longer, smoother kayak with a narrow profile is faster than a shorter, wider, friction-inducing one.
A rigid kayak is also best when high maneuverability is necessary. For instance, whitewater kayakers are required to wedge their knees and feet against braces to help them properly control their boats. The hull needs to be sufficiently stiff to provide the paddler optimal control.
Standing up. If you use your kayak to fish, then standing up may be important to you. There are lots of wide, hardshell, sit-on-top kayaks that let you stand up. You can find them at many different price points, as well. However, there are very few inflatable kayaks that allow you to stand. The ones that do exist have drop stitch floors and high price tags.
Comfort. Hardshell kayaks are comfortable in the way that Birkenstock sandals are comfortable. That is to say, not that comfortable initially, but then quite comfortable when your body conforms to the shape of the interior and benefits from the support that rigidity provides.
Inflatable kayaks are comfortable the way that pillow top mattresses are comfortable. They are pillowy and soft which is initially great. After awhile, your back starts to hurt because you’re not getting the support that you need.
You need to balance your desire for comfort with your need for performance. The more performance you require (either speed or maneuverability), the more benefit you’ll enjoy from the features of a hardshell kayak. In my view.
Some have noted that, if you fall out of your kayak and need to re-enter (see my article here), an inflatable kayak is softer on the body parts as you climb back on board. Others have noted that the lack of rigidity of many inflatable boats actually makes it more difficult to re-enter, once you have fallen off.
Parting Thoughts
Which is the better kayak, hardshell or inflatable?
Allow me to expand on my opening thoughts.
1. The best overall kayak for a beginning or recreational paddler is a higher-quality inflatable. Inflatable kayaks are fun, comfortable, responsive, durable and easy to store. They allow the typical kayaker to spend time on the water safely and enjoyably. Mid-to-high quality boats come with an average price tag between $1,000-1,500. At this price point, it is possible to find a combination of performance, convenience and durability that is highly attractive.
2. The best kayak for a recreational paddler on a budget is a low-to-mid-quality hardshell. You can purchase an inexpensive inflatable kayak for $100. It’s better than nothing. Barely. There are other inflatable kayak options in the $250-range. Entry-level, hardshell kayak prices start at about $350. The extra couple hundred dollars is absolutely worth it to rise above the low-quality, inexpensive inflatables into a durable boat that performs really well, given its price.
3. The best kayak for an experienced paddler with particular performance-based needs is a high-end hardshell. If you have a need for speed, or like to bang around in rapids or waves, a rigid hardshell kayak is the choice that I would make. At this level, you are willing to sacrifice convenience and comfort for performance. Rigid kayaks simply perform best. Maybe not forever, but definitely for now. (You will also need to sacrifice dollars, but it’s just money, right?)
If you want to get out on the water, there are lots of ways to do it. Most kayak resellers want you to test-drive their boats to determine which you prefer. Take them up on the offer. If you purchase something you don’t like, there is an active market on Kijiji for used kayaks. Sell the old one and try something else. What’s important is that you enjoy everything that is great about paddling a kayak on the open water.