Advanced Elements is a well-known manufacturer of inflatable kayaks. They have a line of 8 different kayaks as well as an inflatable canoe. Their products are known to be of very good quality, but not the best. Basically, when looking at different models, they are in the middle of the road. They are definitely not at the bottom of the list nor at the top. Consequently, they tend to be very affordable and very popular for recreational use.

Pro Advanced Elements Inflatable Kayaks

• Great Design – Cool looking boats, much like hard shell kayaks.
• Stable – All AE inflatable kayaks are very stable and easy to use by anyone of any age.
• Decent Tracking – Although improvements could be made here, overall tracking is good and perfectly fine for recreational use.
• Most are good for travel. Inflatable kayaks tend to be fairly lightweight and are easily transported by car or plane. All AE kayaks are great for touring, except perhaps the Advanced Frame Convertible, which can be a bit heavy, though I know plenty of people who take it everywhere with no problem.
• They offer kayaks for all different types of water. Advanced Elements has both flatwater and whitewater kayaks. There will be an option for all types of paddlers.
• Affordable. Like I said before, AE kayaks are middle of the road and therefore priced middle of the road. therefore, they are very affordable and very popular.
• Easy setup and very easy to use.
• Good amount of storage space – how much depends on the model

Against Inflatable Kayaks Advanced Elements

• Not very fast. Although they are great kayaks and will handle well in all different types of water, they definitely won’t be the fasted kayaks on the water.
• Only 1 year warranty. That’s not bad, but many other manufacturers offer longer warranties.
• If you’re an avid kayaker, your Advanced Elements kayak may fall short, which means you may tire of it and wish for a more advanced boat.
• I would love to see higher back seats for AE kayaks. Although the seats are pretty standard kayak seats and will be comfortable enough for recreational use, I realize that after a while my back will start to hurt. Of course, it’s always possible to upgrade to higher-back luxury seats in the future. For me, comfort is key, that’s why I always want the most comfortable option.
• To travel it is very possible to get lighter inflatable kayaks. Although the AE kayaks will work fine for touring, I find that some of them get a bit heavy. No problem just tossing it in the trunk of a car, but for longer excursions…possibly on a plane, a super lightweight kayak is nice to have.

Final Thoughts on Advanced Elements Inflatable Kayaks

I really like the Advanced Element kayaks. I would absolutely recommend them. However, I would only recommend them for recreational kayakers who are not looking for high performance. If speed, agility, and excellent tracking are key factors for you, you’ll want to look for a higher quality inflatable boat manufacturer. However, for the average kayaker looking for an easy to use, highly portable and affordable inflatable kayak, Advanced Elements will not disappoint. Your kayaks are also likely to last for years and years without a problem.