Bluewave Glider Single Kayak

Summary

Price At Time Of Writing | £669.00

Our Overall Rating | 86 out of 100

Pros - Rigid drop-stitch design, fast, seat comfort

Cons - Narrow and initially wobbly, limited turning agility

Overall - A kayak for serious and experienced paddlers

Technical Specifications

Open Size - 391x71cm

Weight - 14.3kg

Load Capacity - 225kg

Packed Size - 56x56x30cm

Our Analysis & Ratings

At 10 PSI, the Bluewave Glider Single almost feels like a hard-shell kayak, yet it still packs away neatly into a bag that fits in the boot of a small car. It’s a touring kayak through and through, designed for those who want to cover distance quickly and smoothly. While it isn’t the most stable kayak we’ve tested, once we adjusted, the speed, tracking and overall paddling experience made it clear why so many people enjoy this kayak.

Performance - The Bluewave Glider kayak is narrow and fast, which helps it cut through rivers and canals, and it holds speed incredibly well. What really impressed us is how well it tracks, as it naturally stays in a straight line, making long paddles far less tiring. It doesn’t turn quickly, though, which is something to keep in mind, but for touring and distance paddling, it’s excellent. Once we got used to the initial ‘wobbliness,’ it’s pretty smooth sailing, especially on calm water.

Construction – The Bluewave Glider is made entirely from drop-stitch material, giving it a rigid structure without the sagging you sometimes get with PVC models. The reinforced triple-layer build feels tough and durable, and after several seasons of use, we’ve seen no tears, punctures, or leaks. The valves are strong and hold air well, too, and the kayak feels solid enough to handle bumps against rocks or canal edges. Overall, it’s one of the most robust inflatables we’ve tested, performing much closer to a hard-shell kayak than most people would expect, which is great to see.

Setup/Pack Down - Setting up the Bluewave kayak is simple, too. With just three chambers to inflate, it takes around 7 minutes to get it water-ready. The included pump works well and the valves are easy to use. Attaching the seat and footrest is straightforward, and the seat connectors feel secure. Once you’re done for the day, the material wipes clean easily and dries quickly, which means no mould or bad smells after storage. While folding it up is easy, the bag it comes with isn’t great. It’s more of an envelope-style wrap than a proper backpack, which makes carrying and storing a little awkward. The newer version now comes with a better oversized zip bag, but it’s worth knowing if you buy an older model.

Portability - At 14.3kg, this isn’t the heaviest we’ve reviewed, so transporting it isn’t a giant pain, especially since it’s not a hardshell, so you don’t need roof racks. That said, carrying it inflated can be difficult as there are no side handles, which makes portaging or launching from a raised bank tricky. A wheel-assisted bag would make transport much easier, and thankfully, this has been addressed in more recent versions.

Comfort - The seat is one of the most comfortable we’ve experienced in any inflatable kayak. It has a high supportive back and is secured by four straps, so it doesn’t slip or collapse mid-paddle. For long trips, this makes a huge difference. The optional cushion adds some extra padding, but it also raises your centre of gravity, which makes the kayak feel less stable, so we preferred using it without. The padded footrest is also a nice touch, giving extra support and something firm to brace against when paddling.

Overall – The Bluewave Glider is faster, lighter and more rigid than many competitors, including some that cost significantly more. The comfort of the seat and ease of cleaning are big wins and its straight-line tracking makes it lovely for long river or canal trips. On the downside, it does feel unstable at first and takes some practice to master, so while it isn’t well-suited for children or for people who just want to play around on the water, it’s a great upgrade for serious and experienced paddlers.