Have you ever looked at a body of water and wondered how great it would be to hop into a canoe and explore? We probably all have, at some point. Lakes, oceans, and river are beautiful to look at, and they’re even better from close quarters.
However, we can’t always have access to a canoe when we stumble upon a beautiful lake. Or can we?
Inflatable canoes are an excellent way to carry an adventure in your bag. You can easily store these in the trunk of your car, inflate them quickly with a pump, and use paddles to row whenever and wherever you want. Weekend adventures, here you come!
In this review, we break down the best inflatable canoe that have really got it going on. Let’s dive in!
Quick and Dirty Guide
Short on time? No problem. We have put together a handy guide that you can use to make an informed choice based on your needs. The list has been curated by careful evaluation of the best characteristics of each product we review.
Best for Two People:Eprosmin Inflatable Kayak
“This is such a great way to spend the weekend with my husband! Definitely one of my best summer purchases this year, would highly recommend!”
Best for Families:Eprosmin 4 Person Inflatable Canoe
“I like this product a lot. This one has variety, different sizes, more for my money.”
Best Value for Money:Eprosmin 4 Person Inflatable Boat Canoe
“We inflated the boat as soon as we got it. The seat backs make it very comfortable. I can’t wait to get it in the water.”
Best Budget:Soarrucy 3 Person Inflatable Canoe
“Excellent choice for a family outing on the weekend at the lake! It fits my wife and my kid comfortably, and inflating it and rowing it on a calm body of water ain’t that difficult either!”
Best Splurge: Sea Eagle Inflatable Canoe
“Awesome. Great deal. Kayak and seats are roomy and comfortable. Oars are nice, aluminum, collapsible, and can adjust/rotate to offset paddle angle. Seats have a small zippered pocket on the back with a snap-button closure. Includes a patch and seal kit for emergencies. Includes an inflation chart to ensure proper inflation.”
FAQs
Question: What should I look for when buying an inflatable canoe?
Answer: Inflatable canoes come in different types. The most important factors you need to keep in mind are how many people it can seat, the number of air chambers that it has for safety, and the accessories included with the package. You should also check for the type of the canoe, as some are meant for casual activities like boating or fishing, while some are sports canoes that can be used for white water rafting.
Question: Are inflatable canoes slower than conventional hard shelled ones?
Answer: Short answer: No. The speed and navigation abilities of an inflatable canoe depend on its size and shape, as well as whether you’ve filled it up to the right pressure. However, some inflatable canoes can be faster and easier to turn than conventional hard shelled canoes.
Question: Are inflatable canoes safe?
Answer: As long as you’re not using them in extremely rough waters or around very sharp objects that can puncture them, inflatable canoes are extremely safe. Their construction and design makes them almost impossible to capsize. Obviously, you should still take precautions while using them to ensure the safety of yourself and your family.
1. Eprosmin Inflatable Kayak
The construction of the kayak includes 5 independent air chambers, which is a thoughtful feature. Each of these air chambers come with a separate valve. This means that even if one or two of them are leaking or have low pressure, you can still use the kayak comfortably on the water.
The kayak comes with two separate seats so that you can conveniently use it by yourself or with a friend or partner. Both seats also come with a comfortable backrest to ensure that you can row in peace. There’s also a foot pad included for additional ergonomics.
The bag for the kayak is included with the package, which lets you easily deflate it and store it when not in use. There’s also a double blade paddle with an aluminum shaft included with the package, which is good news, since it means that you do not have to buy it separately. The paddle comes with a push button ferrule that offers 90 degrees of feathering angle adjustment.
An interesting thing about the paddle is that it can be separated and used as two single blade paddles in case you want both riders in the kayak to row separately. Besides the canoe, oar, and storage bag, the package comes with 3 waterproof patches and a rope that can be used as a leash.
While reviewers have used this canoe in both the ocean and the beach, some are not sure how it would hold up in a river. The 5 different inflatable air chambers might also not be a good fit for someone who wants to fill up the entire canoe in one go.
Specifications
- Brand: Eprosmin
- Color: Blue and Black
- Length: 10 feet 6 inches
- Items included: Canoe, Paddle, Rope, Repair stickers, bag
- Package dimensions: 33 x 10 x 8 inches
- Item weight: 20.15 pounds
Pros
- Comes with repair stickers that let you fix it if it ever gets a puncture
- High quality construction is resistant to oil, salt water, and ozone, making it a good fit for different bodies of water
- Paddle can be used as two separate oars for a more comfortable experience
Cons
- 5 inflatable air chamber design might not be the best fit for everyone
- Pump for inflating the canoe not included with the package
2. Eprosmin 4 Person Inflatable Canoe
The seating design of the canoe is symmetric in nature, which helps reduce water resistance and helps you navigate properly. The length of the canoe is 9 feet, which is good news for maneuverability and lets you change directions quickly. You can use the canoe on lakes, rivers, and even outdoor pools.
With impressive stability, this canoe is resistant to capsizing. This means that even if you’re a water sports newbie, you can take the canoe out on the lake with your friends or family and still have a good time.
This awesome product comes with a storage bag, so you can pack it in and go once its deflated. The bag also has the space to hold the oars and the pump that are included with the package.
When it comes to on-board features, you get traction buckles on the side and the front that you can grab onto if the water gets choppy. There is a rope hole in the front of the canoe that can be used to tie it, while oar buckles are included on the side to make sure that your paddling movement is smooth and even. There is also a handy cushion on the back of the canoe for a more comfortable experience.
I took this canoe fishing, and a convenient feature I appreciated is that it features built-in rod holders and a gear pouch that I could easily use to store my equipment. The capacity of the canoe is rated at 705 pounds, which is enough to hold you and your friends.
There are two air chambers in the design of the canoe, a main one and an extra chamber in the inner hull for safety precautions. Two oars, a repair kit, and a pump are included with the package.
Reviewers complained that the paddles are kind of tiny. Depending on your preferences, this might make rowing difficult. The canoe is also not super thick, which might make it susceptible to damage if you run into rocks or sharp edges.
Specifications
- Brand: Eprosmin
- Color: Green and Black
- Length: 9 feet
- Items included: Canoe, Paddle, Repair stickers, bag, pump
- Package dimensions: 107 x 60 inches
- Item weight: 32 pounds
Pros
- Oar buckles and traction buckles present on the canoe for grip and freedom of movement
- Comes with rod holders and gear pouch for holding your equipment while fishing
- Double air chamber design with an inner chamber in the hull for safety
Cons
- Material is not very thick, might be susceptible to damage under impact from sharp objects
- Paddles are not very large, which might make rowing difficult
3. Eprosmin 4 Person Inflatable Boat Canoe
The oars included with the boat are reinforced and are of better quality than the previous option, but are still not too large in size. This might mean that you would need some extra effort to row the canoe in the water.
The material of the boat is made out of reinforced PVC polymer, which gives it superior strength and guarantees that it’s resistant to impact damage. The construction of the hull also ensures that air pressure resistance of the boat’s air chamber is improved.
Conveniently, a number of handles have been added to the sides of the boat. On the front of the canoe, you get a bow handle that makes it easy for you to hold and move the boat once its inflated. The sides of the boat have oar holders that make movement of the paddles easier when you’re in the water. There are also cable holes on board that can be used to hold a safety rope.
The function of the safety rope is to ensure the security of anyone who accidentally falls into the water. The safety rope thus goes around the entire length of the canoe for the best insurance measures.
Don’t want to row the boat yourself? No problem, there’s a propeller — this boat comes with a propeller buckle at the back. You will have to purchase the propeller and its bracket separately, but it’s good to know that you have the option to make it an automatic device instead of a manual one.
One thing that reviewers and verified buyers seem to be disappointed with regarding this product is that it doesn’t come with a bag. Two oars with a foldable design, a pump, and a rope are included with the canoe.
Similar to the first option on the list, this canoe comes with independently inflatable air chambers. The outer ring, inner ring, and bottom double layer are all inflated separately, improving the safety factor of the product.
Specifications
- Brand: Eprosmin
- Color: Blue and Gray
- Length: 9 feet
- Items included: Canoe, Paddles, pump, rope
- Package dimensions: 107 x 60 inches
Pros
- Propeller buckle included at the back of the canoe for the option to attach your own propeller
- Safety rope buckles to ensure that anyone who falls overboard can mount back safely
- Reinforced PVC polymer construction means thicker materials and safer ride
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a bag, can be difficult to store once deflated
- Paddles are reinforced but are not too large in size
4. Soarrucy 3 Person Inflatable Canoe
You get two oars with the package that can be used together or independently. There is also a foot action pump to help you inflate the canoe more easily. On the raft, you can enjoy a cushion on the back for more comfort as well as a tool box to hold your equipment should you decide to go fishing. A repair kit is also included with the package in case of an emergency puncture.
The edges of the boat come with multiple buckles to make canoeing more streamlined, as well. There are paddle locks on the sides to give you a smooth, even rowing movement, handles to hold onto for more stability, a rod stand for holding your fishing rods, and a Boston valve to ensure that there’s no loss of air pressure.
Another cool thing about the canoe that guarantees that no air pressure will be lost is the strong PVC polymer used in its construction. The thickness and durability of the material ensures that you get decent impact protection, as well.
The canoe is divided into two different air chambers for safety. If one of them gets damaged, you will still be safe on the water and the canoe will stay afloat with the help of the second one.
Weighing just 11 pounds, the canoe comes in a smaller size than other options on the list, which is to be expected, considering its low price. However, the reduced weight means that it might not be able to carry a lot of people. If you’re considering buying something for more than 2 full sized adults, this might not be the best fit.
Specifications
- Brand: Soarrucy
- Color: Black and Green camouflage design
- Length: 9 feet
- Items included: Canoe, Paddles, pump, rope, repair kit
- Package dimensions: 75 x 45 inches
- Item weight: 11 pounds
Pros
- Most inexpensive item on the list, perfect for people looking for an exciting water experience on a budget
- Accessories like oars, repair kit, rope, pump included in the package
- Thick PVC polymer material with 2 independent air chambers to make sure that everyone on board is safe
Cons
- Not really suitable for more than 3 people (2 adults, 1 child only)
- Might sit quite low on the water because of its low weight
5. Sea Eagle Inflatable Canoe
Don’t worry, none of this means that you have to compromise comfort when it comes to this canoe. It comes with two deluxe seats that are extremely comfy and can be moved around as required. Additionally, 2 paddles, a foot action pump, and a carry bag for the canoe round out the awesome package.
While the rest of the options on this list come with a flat bottom, this boat is meant for sport. For this reason, it comes with one main and two side fins at the bottom, which help maneuverability on the water as well as improve the speed of the boat.
For safety and as a precautionary measure, the canoe comes with 5 independent air chambers and deluxe 1 way air valves to keep the air pressure constant when you’re on the water.
Specifications
- Brand: Sea Eagle
- Color: Blue and White
- Items included: Canoe, Paddles, pump, repair kit, bag, seats
Pros
- Inflation gauge included with tubes that let you know exactly how much pressure you need
- Fins on the bottom of the canoe to help improve speed and change of direction
- 5 independent air chambers for safety
Cons
- Not the best fit if you’re on a budget
- Can only carry 3 people
Final Word on the Best Inflatable Canoes
Getting out in nature on the weekend and enjoying your time on a beautiful lake with your friends and family is one of the simplest and most thrilling pleasures of summer. And with the help of inflatable canoes that you can carry around in the trunk of your car and use whenever you want, this boating activity has become even easier and more accessible.
In this article, we have outlined the 5 best inflatable canoe options that you can buy today. We hope that you can make an informed decision based on your personal choices and requirements after reading this piece. If you’re interested in similar topics, go ahead and check out our other articles.
