Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Kayak
Summary
Price At Time Of Writing | £605.00
Our Overall Rating | 86 out of 100
Pros - Comfortable, performs well in the water
Cons - Tedious setup, long drying time, not drop stitch, heavy
Overall - Stable and handles well. Just time consuming to dry it out
Technical Specifications
Open Size - 318x81cm
Weight - 16.3kg
Load Capacity - 136kg
Packed Size - 76x43x25cm
Our Analysis & Ratings
This is a high performing kayak that requires less effort to manoeuvre and has great tracking. The downside is more on the setup/ pack down end, with its multiple inflation points and one to two days drying time, which isn’t very practical. It’s also nice and stable despite its non-drop stitch construction.
We think it's a great option whether you are a beginner or experienced paddler but it's just not quite as piercing through the water as some of the other high end models.
Performance - We were surprised at how well this kayak performed given its lack of drop stitch technology, still managing to achieve a hard paddling surface. What we find most notable is how easy this is to handle - it has great tracking and continuously stays on course. Performance-wise, we understand why this is a popular pick!
Construction - Advanced Elements products are consistently well constructed, and the AdvancedFrame is no exception with durable rip-stop fabrics and PVC tarpaulin. All things considered, a drop stitch floor would’ve perfected the design.
Setup/Pack down - Multiple inflation points (7) make the setup tedious, with some points you have to blow by mouth. The floor takes a huge chunk of time when inflating. We also find it time-consuming to dry the entire product before it is ready to pack it back in the bag due to the same admittedly high-quality, well-finished rip-stop fabric (looks and feels great, soaks up a lot of water).
Portability - Weighing in at 16.3kg, and the bag having no shoulder straps, it is a challenge to lug around.
Comfort - This kayak has comfortable seats and cockpit with enough space to paddle long distances without feeling too cramped. We’ve personally taken this one out for weekly exercise or longer trips, carrying a toddler or baby (probably fine for fur babies too) and still enjoy the ride!
Overall - Easy to use, stable, and comfortable. Drying mechanism could be improved. Overall a good kayak.
