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 or 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 for anyone of any age to use.
• Decent Tracking – While improvements could be made here, overall tracking is good and perfectly fine for recreational use.
• Most are good for traveling. Inflatable kayaks tend to be quite 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, although I know many 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 mid-way. 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 themselves well in all different types of water, they definitely won’t be the water-fasted kayaks.
• 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 of you, which means you may grow tired of it and wish for a more advanced boat.
• I would love to see higher back seats for the 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 ache. Of course, it’s always possible to upgrade to higher-back luxury seats in the future. For me, comfort is key, which is why I always want the most comfortable option.
• To travel it is very possible to get lighter inflatable kayaks. Although AE kayaks will work fine for travel, I find some of them get a bit heavy. No problem just tossing in the trunk of a car, but for longer excursions…possibly on a plane, a super light 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.