I have used my AE for over 10 years now. Using almost every week and in rivers (even though they don’t recommend with rocks). Zero issues. I love it. I am a smaller adult though :)
@@fablapp as long as you keep it inflated until it dries you’ll have no issue. You can put it back in the bag once it’s dry. Never put it away wet or damp.
@@fablapp the areas ro concentrate on are where the aluminium frames sit under the deck. This is where water can accumulate, but the zips on the deck give you enough access to be able to dry it out.
I have had my 15" convertible DS for several years now and have loved it. Putting it up for sale soon to get the new Airvolution but it has definitely been a worthwhile purchase.
I own this boat, follow your channel, and have the ken whiting book and educational DVD. As soon as someone tries this kayak, it erases any bias against the inflatables!
Thank you for your videos! I'm a newbie and found your reviews and instruction videos extremely helpful. I just bought the Advanced Elements inflatable and feel confident to put it in the water today!
I started my kayaking journey on this boat. With bags strapped on the front and back and the rigid keel upgrade I had a great time going on, even multi-day, trips just by train. Now, two sea kayaks and a canoe later, it only sees occasional use on camping trips. Unable to sell the sucker for all the fond memories it created. The video kinda makes me want to do it all again 🥲
I never seriously considered an inflatable kayak. It's light-weight, compact, inexpensive, and a nice option to use when I am taking first-time paddlers or friends who have never thought of paddling out on protected waters. Your review here was very informative and helpful. Thank you for another great video.
I bought one late last summer and will finally take it out within the next few weeks. Thank You for the review. It's hard to find reviews similar to the Yours. 👍🏿
Thanks again Ken for another thorough review. I have the Frame Sport with drop stitch floor, and had a chance yesterday to compare it with my hard shell Old Town Heron 9XT. The Frame Sport compares well in every respect except comfort. I'm 5'11 and 160lbs (skinny legs) but still find the bow too narrow for both legs to fit. Length is not a problem, but width is. It's manageable, but after spending an hour in the Old Town, I definitely felt pinched.
Ordered last week, she arrives tomorrow. OMG, can't wait. I've only Kayaked 3 times. Live if Monterey, CA area. Will post once she's on the water. Thanks for the great info🙂
After owning a K1 and paddling a hard shelled kayaks I purchased this one and was really surprised at the quality. I feel safe in this one. First day that I used it, there were white caps on the lake, very windy. I paddled against the wind with ease. I was using the paddle from my Intex Challenger K1. This kayak tracks very well in water with the least amount of resistance. The drawback is the seat bottom, it is only an inch thick and moves around. I bought a two inch non-slip gel cushion to put under. I don't have the backbone yet but for now I use pool noodles with a length of pex pipe inserted in them. I put that under the floor to make a chine.
I have the tandem “convertible” model. I found that the drop stitch floor upgrade really enhances the rigidity and performance. I also inflate to 2-3PSI. The seat isn’t very comfortable, but otherwise a great kayak for travel. Have paddled in fairly windy conditions in salt water. Very stable.
Like always, well told, presented, excellent sound en profesionally edited story. Although the kayak is not really my thing, I still enjoyed to watch the video and learn about it.
Thanks Kayaskper! I'm with you... it's not really my type of kayak either, but it was really nice to test out. I'm enjoying trying all sorts of different kayaks out. It really helps clarify what features I miss (or don't miss) within boats.
I take this boat out on the lochs of Eastern & Central Scotland (and occasionally the calm sea) regularly and absolutely love it. Comfortable, versatile and simple to use. Drying can be an issue in the colder months but this is more than compensated for by the practicality it offers. Adding an extra bungee to the d-rings on the stern is a great option for more storage. It easily holds a 50 litre dry bag on the front bungees, a 20 litre bag on the stern and two 20 litre bags inside the rear deck. Thanks for the great review Ken.
Ken, we’re truly blessed to have someone of your stature doing these videos. They’re fantastic. I’d be really interested to get your thoughts on the AE kayaks that have only the drop stitch floor (ie not the sides as well). It’d be great if you had the opportunity to paddle either the Expedition Elite, or the Convertible Elite. Anyway, with this one you tested, did you have any challenges drying it?
That's very kind Ronan! Thank you. Unfortunately I haven't had a chance to try the Elite kayaks from AE. They sound similar to the Star Raven or Star Rival that I've tested, which have drop stitched floors, but not sides. The rigid hull/floor is definitely most important for upgrading a kayak's overall performance, and so it doesn't really bother me that the sides aren't drop stitched. As for drying it... I didn't have any 'challenges' per say. I'm pretty lazy when it comes to drying portable kayaks. I towel them down and then pack them up. If it's the end of the season, I'll make sure I let them air dry as well... If I remember, I'll check the Advanced Frame to see how it's doing, as I simply towel dried it last time I used it 2 months ago, and then packed it back in its bag. It would be interesting to see if there's any nastiness happening. If I do so, I'll let you know.
I take mine out on coastal ocean with no issues. Been in 4 foot swells with wind over tide and my small dog Hammer sleeps on the bow. just upgraded to the tandem convertible with the drop stitch floor so Hammer and I can go crabbing with plenty of room! Great kayaks!
Thanks again for this kayak review. I bought it for my wife and she loves it. My son and I took the Sea Eagle 370 out while she took the advanced frame. She always had trouble with the sea Eagle. I am not considering getting the bigger advanced frame kayak for my son and I!
I paddle hard shell kayaks most of the time. But I own or have owned both foldable and inflatable kayaks as well, for their portability and versatility. They perform well enough for me and keep getting better in quality and performance. I haven’t owned an Advanced Elements but know some people who have. And they are very happy with them. If portability and storage are major concerns, they are well worth it.
Ordered mine over the winter and just waiting until my area starts to open up again. Planned uses are day trips along portions of the Rideau Canal and when camping at Ontario Provincial Parks.
@@SOCORROGM Couldn't be happier. Being able to switch between two person and solo means I basically have two kayaks for the price of one. The compromise of course is that it's a beast to paddle solo but surprisingly not as tough as I thought
I've got the Sport version of this kayak which has the larger cockpit opening. I chose the Sport because my kayaking is mostly on the local canal and I thought that the larger cockpit opening would make it easier to get in and out. I have virtually no kayaking experience so I'm not qualified to say how my kayak compares to others but to me it feels very stable, is very manoeuvrable and goes in a straight line when I want it to (I believe that's called tracking?). I have the backbone for it and that improves the tracking but it's quite fiddly to fit and if you don't get it really central the kayak will want to go to one side all the time. I've just bought the drop-stitched floor for it but haven't had the chance to try it out yet.
Thank you for the information. Just retired from teaching and was looking for a good inflatable kayak to take out on a nearby lake. This is the one I was thinking about buying but I wanted to see somebody actually setting it up and paddling in it. Thank you for the demo 😊
Seems like a great second boat to have. My first is a 15' sea kayak, and there have been trips where it would have been really really nice to have smaller boat, especially one I don't need to devote roof-rack space to.
Yes, it's a good option. That being said, if you're used to a sea kayak, there are some great inflatable kayaks that provide similar performance. I'm reviewing a bunch more inflatable kayaks this spring, and so stay tuned!
We have several AE kayaks and enjoy them for stability and ease of use. However, would strongly recommend AE extend the rear grey protective rubber piece. Currently, anyone who grabs the bow and pulls the boat is going to get a hole just ahead of the rear grey protective rubber piece. Yes, I know, don't drag the boat, but that happens. A simple solution is to extend the rear rubber piece. Thank you for giving it some consideration.
I take my 15 foot convertible out (sailing with kuvia sail kit) in force 5 (17-21 knots wind) I never managed to capsize. These yaks can take much more than calm water !!!!
My pleasure! Yes, at 6'7" you won't have as many options, but there are still lots. I'm doing a bunch more boat reviews this spring, and so stay tuned...
Just bought one of these today and went out on a big lake. It handled the waves. I think I might keep to quiet water though like the one you are at in this video. Seems like a would be more enjoyable not battling big waves . Peaceful with less water jumping up .Also, for drying out I might put mine next to a dehumidifier. Have you ever tried this ?
Great review, thanks! We just bought two (on sale!), and they both arrived with the drop stitch floor included. Haven’t taken them out yet, but inflated one completely and yeah, they are pretty ruggedly built. It’s hard to imagine, outside of a gunshot, or a knife, what it would take to make a hole in one? To make your demonstration even better would be to point out how you can toss two of these on a plane, and paddle anywhere in the world.
Thank you, great review & lovely film work mate. Thinking of buying one shortly, would you recommend anything else from another Brand to consider that is similar to this one? It meets all of my requirements, I'd be buying the Drop Stich floor & inflatable foot brace to improve it for better paddling.
Thanks! At this price range, I don't think you can beat this kayak with the drop stitch floor upgrade. The Oru Kayak Inlet would be another option. It's a little more expensive, but it's faster to assemble, lighter, and fits larger/longer people better. I did a full review of that kayak as well that you can check out. Here's a link: ruclips.net/video/7x-W9VNhr00/видео.html Cheers!
Thanks Ken for another great review! Very important to have a professional opinion. I have AE AdvFrame Conv Elite with DripStitched floor. We once found ourselves in ~1m waves and 20+ knots wind, were not able to go far obviously but didn't capsized either, not even close. Still felt very safe. Boat is solid, well made, very stable, tracks well being 15ft long and can go around 7 knots, so could you please clarify what exactly do you mean by "entry level" and why you think it can not be used in coastal waters?
Appreciate your comment as I was wondering how this kayak would do in close to shore ocean waters, sounds like it's doing well for you, that's great. I imagine the dropstitch floor is a benefit in choppier water, I like that this has the option to upgrade. Cheers.
Mine carries 4 days of camping supplies - I sleep in it with a ground cloth thrown over - it's comfy and warm. I love this boat best in whitecaps with a stiff wind - My boat surfs with me using my paddle as a rudder - have used it for 10 years now. If you bump into anything - it's Ok - you just bounce off :-) It is easy to get in and out of, has a wave-protector - even a sail :-) Important detail - clean out any grit that can wear a hole thru. As a women it is light enough to carry.
I’ve used my Advanced Elements kayaks in open water in the Pacific Northwest and all over the Yukon. Don’t listen to the people like this that say they are “entry level”, etc. This is just snob stuff. I used mine in rough water and whitewater with no problems at all. Is it for rolling? Hell no, but that’s the only it thing it can’t do.
Good to hear from someone that has pushed the kayak. That being said, I wouldn't call it snobby to recommend this kayak for entry level conditions, as that's what it's designed for. It's simply not a high performance boat, and has limitations.
Well said, I have taken mine on 20k+ trips in class 1 & 2 whitewater without any problem. I love my AF and would recommend to anybody who doesn''t want to/can't store and move a hard shell.
I'm 5'10" and +/- 200 lbs. This review is dead on. The backbone is a nice addition but should not be used on shallow rivers. I'm currently shopping for the drop stitch floor. I also bought the Expedition Elite. As soon as I finish with some home renovations, I'll be paddling my new boat. Had it out a couple time for short trips. It's beyond stable but not a nimble as the Advanced Frame.
Great video! I ordered one of these from airkayaks. Mine is the AE 1044 dsxlc. It’s the same kayak but is 5 inches longer, comes with zip out deck, pump and the drop stitch floor. This video made me feel even more secure in buying great review! Quick questions... do you think this kayak could take river kayaking and sometimes going over rocks or class 1-2 rapids? Or should this kayak be used in lakes only? Second question is how was the speed of the kayak? Did it paddle similar to a recreational hard shell?
That sounds like a kayak that I would like! I would trust this kayak on fast moving rivers if the rocks weren't jagged. The outer shell does seem very durable, and I think it would handle 'smooth' rocks very well. If you're dealing with jagged rocks, I would probably stick with a plastic kayak. As for speed... it's not a fast kayak, but it wasn't a slug either. It paddles reasonably close to a hard shell. My best guess would be that it paddles at about 85% of the efficiency of a similar hardshell kayak. I think that by adding the floor upgrade, you'd probably get that to 90%. Hard to say without trying it though.
@@PaddleTV I'm a sendentary, older gent so this advanced frame is a good kayak for me. There is a video out that showed the Advanced Elements Expedition model where they experienced low fast flowing rivers with jagged rocks and they claimed it held up very well during the weeks they were on the water. What impressed me was they loaded this kayak up with all their camping gear and all that time they experienced no leaks!
I have paddled two models of this brand of kayak on Class 1 rapids and had fun. I have no experience paddling Class 2 or more rapids. The makers Advanced Elements suggest Class 1 or 2 rapids should be okay. I've paddled most models of this brand of kayak and several hardshell kayaks also. The speed of the AdvancedFrame is like any hardshell kayak the same length. This model is more stable than most hardshell kayaks of the same length.
Thanks for the fair and informative review. I'm 5'7" and suspect that I could fit a dry bag in the forward area to act as a foot support. I would have liked to see how you blew it up because my last inflatable had 5 chambers and took a bit of fiddling.
My wife and I bought two Advanced Elements - Advanced Frame kayaks last summer and are very impressed with them. We enjoy kayaking when on camping trips and couldn’t figure an easy and economical way to carry hard shelled kayaks with all our camping gear and RV in tow. These inflatables were the answer. I can have both kayaks inflated and in the water within 10 minutes, using the double action hand pump. Highly recommended!
Hi ant thank you for all your nice videos. Very professionals. I like this kayak but I have a doubt : I'm 190cm x 80kg . Is it long enough for my legs ???😉
I have the tandem model and I love it, but there is an often leveled criticism that hasn't been mentioned. Proper care of the advanced frames requires allowing the skin to dry after use. In my case this entails unfolding (but not re-inflating) at home to dry over night.
Good point. It's a drawback of any inflatable kayak. They'll last longer if you let them dry out completely. That being said, it's not an 'all or nothing' scenario. If you dry them out 'pretty well', that will make a big difference over packing them up soaking wet. If nothing else, wiping them dry with a towel before packing them up will help a lot. Truthfully... this is all I do, except the last time I use it in the season. I make sure to completely dry packable kayaks before storing them for winter.
I bought the sister model of the Advanced Frame model, the Sport. In many ways they are identical. It's true. all inflatables have drying issues but I don't find this is a problem. When I want to dry my kayak I find it so simple to disassemble the kayak, lay out the parts in my living room and once dry, reassemble and pack away. If you consider, hard shell kayaks have maintenance and upkeep issues also, this kind of maintenance for inflatables is not a big deal. If I am done with my kayak for a bit I take it apart to dry, every time. You definitely do not want to own a mouldy kayak!
One thing I heard often from these inflatable "with skin" kayak, is that the skin is a pain to dry afterward. But living in the city, having a hard shell kayak wasn't an option and renting become quite expensive overtime. For this reason, I went with a drop stitch inflatable kayak, the Decathlon X500 to me more precise. Did half of Rideau Canal last year with it, its not perfect, but it gives a much closer to a hard shell experience. Would enjoy to see a review from you guys of a drop stitch kayak, any brand!
I have three different models of this brand of kayak, Advanced Elements. The "skin" dries well in sunshine or indoors on a rainy day. I sprayed the outside of my kayaks with a water-resistant sun protectant spray and for the next year or more water just beaded off. It's been seven years, the skin gets a bit wet now but dries quickly.
I just got one and I’ll be test riding it tomorrow. I’ve use rigid kayaks before, but this would be my first time kayaking in an inflatable. What advice would you give to someone like me who doesn’t have anything to measure the air pressure when inflating the kayak.
Did you get a pump with the kayak? If so, it should have a pressure gauge on it. If not... don't expect the kayak to feel rigid. At 2 PSI, you will be able to press your fingers into it fairly easily.
Kupiłem AE Covertable kayak w sieci Decathlon ok 2008-2009 r. Pomysł i technologia jest bez zarzutu, natomiast jakość wykonania wymaga poprawek, w moim kajaku po 3 sezonach , a wiec juz po gwarancji, puściły spawy komór powietrznych burtowych i musiałem je kleić i zabezpieczać specjalną taśmą do tworzywa. I dopiero wtedy można było używać go bezpiecznie. Po kilku latach kupiłem od AE żagiel do kajaka, który mam dużo dzisiaj na innym kajaku . Żagiel jest bez zarzutu, natomiast nie można go używać na kajaku bez steru, bo wiatr NIGDY nie dmucha z tylu, a dla utrzymania kierunku samo wiosło nie wystarczy , szczególnie przy silnych i zmiennych wiatrach odbijających się od ściany lasu na jeziorach, Do tego kajaka AE doroibłem ster klejony do powłoki , i dopiero wówczs żagiel z kajakiem był w pełni sprawny . Powinno być to wyjaśniane kupującym żagiel, bo filmy reklamowe wprowadzają w błąd . Pozdrawiam Aleksander Halak
New to kayaking how much of a difference would this one be to a budget hard shell one like a pelican? I found one of theses inflatable ones on fb thats cheaper
My wife and I are looking for our first kayak, we have taken a few trips on a local river on tandems and have had a blast. An inflatable like this sounds wonderful, but water levels can be pretty low in our area and during last trip our kayak got stuck on rocks three times. Do you think an inflatable could survive low rivers like that?
How is the egress when the bottom air chambers are deflated? I'm thinking about safety if a newer paddler is out on the water and starts losing air in the bottom chambers, panics and tries paddling to shore instead if getting out in a timely manner. Could they be trapped? I ran up on an almost fully submerged rusted out and sharp metal transom a few months ago along the beach... It put a deep gouge in my rotomolded yak almost all the way through, and no doubt would have popped my PVC inflatable SUP (I keep thinking thank God I wasn't on my SUP). Accidental deflation is something I'm always thinking about now.
I don't think there would be any issue paddling to shore if any one chamber was compromised. It wouldn't paddle very well, but I'm confident you could paddle to shore.
As someone who has used several models of this brand of kayak for over a decade, I feel confident. If a hole were torn in the floor, the main chambers on the sides would remain inflated and I could keep paddling to shore even if the inside of the boat took on water. I HAVE put water inside one of these kayaks on purpose and paddled it slowly along the shore. I feel confident that even if one of the main chambers was popped, the other would stay inflated. After lots of safety practise, I believe that even if both main chambers got popped somehow, the kayak would still have its six minor tubes and would be a "floaty" - I could lie on it and use my paddle to get closer to shore. I ALWAYS assume I might have to swim, using any kayak.
Great video Ken. Very informative. I have purchased an Advanced Elements Kayak, model Advanced Frame/Convertible Elite which has the drop stitched floor and be a tandem as well as a solo kayak. I also have a Sea Eagle Razorlite 393 for my wife which is a full drop stitch design. My wife loves her Sea Eagle and will find any excuse to get out and use it. I found it a bit small for myself and was going to purchase the tandem version but it did not offer the solo configuration so I went with the Advanced Elements convertible for size and the ability to go tandem or solo. We are both very impressed with your gear reviews and paddling trip advise and shared experiences. Looking forward to getting back on the water. I did not know what NRS was and was curious because I noted it has been a long time sponsor and you seem to be very pleased with their products. I did a search and will definitely try to get some gear for the upcoming season. Really appreciate your videos. Take care and stay safe.
Thanks! Great to hear you're enjoying the videos! FYI: I recently tried a new kayak that you might be interested in - the Aquamarina Tomahawk 440. It's similar to the Sea Eagle 393, but larger, and usable as a tandem or solo. It's not as stable as the Advanced Frame, but not bad. That video should be ready in about a month. Stay tuned!
The name Advanced Elements sounds like a good product. Think again. I have a single person Advanced Elements kayak that I used twice. The inner bladder is really thin like a Walmart raft and the overall quality is not much better. I took it down class 2-3 and bounced off a few rocks and it showed serious abrasion marks. WTH
@@scotpurdy8132 The angler . It is a single person kayak. It has scupper holes with caps to close them off. It worked ok. Just too cheaply make for the price. Low PSI inflatables are out for me. Also Advanced Elements products.
I haven't tried it yet, but I think it looks like a solid inflatable kayak. It has the drop stitched floor, which is great. I don't think it will be a 'fast' kayak, but I think it will be a good, stable, recreational inflatable kayak. Hope to try one soon so that I can provide better feedback.
When you are standing beside a full size pick-up, "how are you going to transport your kayak" seems like a silly question. If storage is an issue the inflatable would make sense. If not, put a rack on the truck. Great channel.
Ha! You're right... it's not a problem that I have! It's still pretty cool to be able to through it in the cab of my truck, as we have a lot of dirt/gravel roads around here. Keeps all the dust off. But no... I nearly always paddle hardshell kayaks because transportation isn't an issue. Thanks!
advanced elements kayaks would be great IF their main tunes did not KEEP FAILING. The seams REGULARLY fail. it appears to be a serious manufacturing or quality control issue. I'm DONE with AE unless they admit the problem and clean up their act.
This is slow sausage. It won't go against wind or good water flow 4-5 miles/h I don't like inflatable kayaks. If i travel with inflate kayaks it is slow, it is boring... Hard shell!
I have used my AE for over 10 years now. Using almost every week and in rivers (even though they don’t recommend with rocks). Zero issues. I love it. I am a smaller adult though :)
how is easy did you find to store it nice and dry. Was wondering about the humidity trapped inside
@@fablapp as long as you keep it inflated until it dries you’ll have no issue. You can put it back in the bag once it’s dry. Never put it away wet or damp.
@@fablapp the areas ro concentrate on are where the aluminium frames sit under the deck. This is where water can accumulate, but the zips on the deck give you enough access to be able to dry it out.
Putting a good water absorbing cloth like a towel to soak up the water as you enter it will help keep it dry.
I have had my 15" convertible DS for several years now and have loved it. Putting it up for sale soon to get the new Airvolution but it has definitely been a worthwhile purchase.
I own this boat, follow your channel, and have the ken whiting book and educational DVD. As soon as someone tries this kayak, it erases any bias against the inflatables!
Ha! The book and DVD are collectibles now, aren't they? :). Thanks Philip!
Took my Advanced Frame out this past weekend for it's first paddle. Worked great and stores very well. Perfect for my current needs!
Good stuff!
Thank you for your videos! I'm a newbie and found your reviews and instruction videos extremely helpful. I just bought the Advanced Elements inflatable and feel confident to put it in the water today!
Awesome to hear! Hope your first paddle was a great one!
I started my kayaking journey on this boat. With bags strapped on the front and back and the rigid keel upgrade I had a great time going on, even multi-day, trips just by train. Now, two sea kayaks and a canoe later, it only sees occasional use on camping trips. Unable to sell the sucker for all the fond memories it created. The video kinda makes me want to do it all again 🥲
I never seriously considered an inflatable kayak. It's light-weight, compact, inexpensive, and a nice option to use when I am taking first-time paddlers or friends who have never thought of paddling out on protected waters. Your review here was very informative and helpful. Thank you for another great video.
My pleasure Wendell!
I bought one late last summer and will finally take it out within the next few weeks. Thank You for the review. It's hard to find reviews similar to the Yours. 👍🏿
Thanks! I'm glad it's being enjoyed, because I'm looking forward to reviewing LOTS of kayaks (as well as canoes and SUPS) this spring/summer.
Thanks again Ken for another thorough review. I have the Frame Sport with drop stitch floor, and had a chance yesterday to compare it with my hard shell Old Town Heron 9XT. The Frame Sport compares well in every respect except comfort. I'm 5'11 and 160lbs (skinny legs) but still find the bow too narrow for both legs to fit. Length is not a problem, but width is. It's manageable, but after spending an hour in the Old Town, I definitely felt pinched.
Ordered last week, she arrives tomorrow. OMG, can't wait. I've only Kayaked 3 times. Live if Monterey, CA area. Will post once she's on the water. Thanks for the great info🙂
Congrats! Hope you love it!
After owning a K1 and paddling a hard shelled kayaks I purchased this one and was really surprised at the quality. I feel safe in this one. First day that I used it, there were white caps on the lake, very windy. I paddled against the wind with ease. I was using the paddle from my Intex Challenger K1. This kayak tracks very well in water with the least amount of resistance. The drawback is the seat bottom, it is only an inch thick and moves around. I bought a two inch non-slip gel cushion to put under. I don't have the backbone yet but for now I use pool noodles with a length of pex pipe inserted in them. I put that under the floor to make a chine.
I have the tandem “convertible” model. I found that the drop stitch floor upgrade really enhances the rigidity and performance. I also inflate to 2-3PSI. The seat isn’t very comfortable, but otherwise a great kayak for travel. Have paddled in fairly windy conditions in salt water. Very stable.
Good to hear the floor upgrade does what it's supposed to do. I might have to get the upgrade as well... Makes sense. Thanks.
Like always, well told, presented, excellent sound en profesionally edited story. Although the kayak is not really my thing, I still enjoyed to watch the video and learn about it.
Thanks Kayaskper! I'm with you... it's not really my type of kayak either, but it was really nice to test out. I'm enjoying trying all sorts of different kayaks out. It really helps clarify what features I miss (or don't miss) within boats.
I take this boat out on the lochs of Eastern & Central Scotland (and occasionally the calm sea) regularly and absolutely love it. Comfortable, versatile and simple to use. Drying can be an issue in the colder months but this is more than compensated for by the practicality it offers. Adding an extra bungee to the d-rings on the stern is a great option for more storage. It easily holds a 50 litre dry bag on the front bungees, a 20 litre bag on the stern and two 20 litre bags inside the rear deck. Thanks for the great review Ken.
May I ask how tall you are?
@@smorris7435 Hi, I'm 5' 11" and fit in this boat perfectly with a little room to spare.
Ken, we’re truly blessed to have someone of your stature doing these videos. They’re fantastic.
I’d be really interested to get your thoughts on the AE kayaks that have only the drop stitch floor (ie not the sides as well). It’d be great if you had the opportunity to paddle either the Expedition Elite, or the Convertible Elite. Anyway, with this one you tested, did you have any challenges drying it?
That's very kind Ronan! Thank you. Unfortunately I haven't had a chance to try the Elite kayaks from AE. They sound similar to the Star Raven or Star Rival that I've tested, which have drop stitched floors, but not sides. The rigid hull/floor is definitely most important for upgrading a kayak's overall performance, and so it doesn't really bother me that the sides aren't drop stitched. As for drying it... I didn't have any 'challenges' per say. I'm pretty lazy when it comes to drying portable kayaks. I towel them down and then pack them up. If it's the end of the season, I'll make sure I let them air dry as well... If I remember, I'll check the Advanced Frame to see how it's doing, as I simply towel dried it last time I used it 2 months ago, and then packed it back in its bag. It would be interesting to see if there's any nastiness happening. If I do so, I'll let you know.
I take mine out on coastal ocean with no issues. Been in 4 foot swells with wind over tide and my small dog Hammer sleeps on the bow. just upgraded to the tandem convertible with the drop stitch floor so Hammer and I can go crabbing with plenty of room! Great kayaks!
I hope you'll get a chance to do a review of solo paddling with the 15 foot Convertible Elite, I'm curious about your opinion of that inflatable.
12 years with my AE . I love it . 0 problems
12 Years! That's a sign of a well made kayak!
Thanks for review enjoyed it have a couple hard kayaks now always thinking looks like it just needs more air
Thanks again for this kayak review. I bought it for my wife and she loves it. My son and I took the Sea Eagle 370 out while she took the advanced frame. She always had trouble with the sea Eagle. I am not considering getting the bigger advanced frame kayak for my son and I!
I paddle hard shell kayaks most of the time. But I own or have owned both foldable and inflatable kayaks as well, for their portability and versatility. They perform well enough for me and keep getting better in quality and performance. I haven’t owned an Advanced Elements but know some people who have. And they are very happy with them. If portability and storage are major concerns, they are well worth it.
Thanks for sharing!
Ordered mine over the winter and just waiting until my area starts to open up again. Planned uses are day trips along portions of the Rideau Canal and when camping at Ontario Provincial Parks.
Good choice, and great option for all those waterways. I did this gear test on the Ottawa River.
I just bought the 15' convertible version and it arrived a few days ago. Looking forward to getting it on the water in the next few days
how did it Go? thinking about buying one
@@SOCORROGM Couldn't be happier. Being able to switch between two person and solo means I basically have two kayaks for the price of one. The compromise of course is that it's a beast to paddle solo but surprisingly not as tough as I thought
Just starting my search for an inflatable, thanks for the review
I've got the Sport version of this kayak which has the larger cockpit opening. I chose the Sport because my kayaking is mostly on the local canal and I thought that the larger cockpit opening would make it easier to get in and out. I have virtually no kayaking experience so I'm not qualified to say how my kayak compares to others but to me it feels very stable, is very manoeuvrable and goes in a straight line when I want it to (I believe that's called tracking?). I have the backbone for it and that improves the tracking but it's quite fiddly to fit and if you don't get it really central the kayak will want to go to one side all the time. I've just bought the drop-stitched floor for it but haven't had the chance to try it out yet.
Thanks for sharing. Would love to hear how the drop-stitched floor changes how it feels for you.
Thank you for the information. Just retired from teaching and was looking for a good inflatable kayak to take out on a nearby lake. This is the one I was thinking about buying but I wanted to see somebody actually setting it up and paddling in it. Thank you for the demo 😊
Glad it was helpful!
Seems like a great second boat to have. My first is a 15' sea kayak, and there have been trips where it would have been really really nice to have smaller boat, especially one I don't need to devote roof-rack space to.
Yes, it's a good option. That being said, if you're used to a sea kayak, there are some great inflatable kayaks that provide similar performance. I'm reviewing a bunch more inflatable kayaks this spring, and so stay tuned!
We have several AE kayaks and enjoy them for stability and ease of use. However, would strongly recommend AE extend the rear grey protective rubber piece. Currently, anyone who grabs the bow and pulls the boat is going to get a hole just ahead of the rear grey protective rubber piece. Yes, I know, don't drag the boat, but that happens. A simple solution is to extend the rear rubber piece. Thank you for giving it some consideration.
Haha....you weren't kidding about the "soon". Thanks, Ken. 🙂👍🚣♂️
:) Your timing was good Brian!
Great video as always. Would be great to see a review for the new aquaglide blackfoot 130.
I'll have to check that one out. I've never actually seen it before. Thanks!
I take my 15 foot convertible out (sailing with kuvia sail kit) in force 5 (17-21 knots wind) I never managed to capsize. These yaks can take much more than calm water !!!!
Thanks for the review and your comment about the body length (I am 6'7").
My pleasure! Yes, at 6'7" you won't have as many options, but there are still lots. I'm doing a bunch more boat reviews this spring, and so stay tuned...
Just bought one of these today and went out on a big lake. It handled the waves. I think I might keep to quiet water though like the one you are at in this video. Seems like a would be more enjoyable not battling big waves . Peaceful with less water jumping up .Also, for drying out I might put mine next to a dehumidifier. Have you ever tried this ?
Great review, thanks!
We just bought two (on sale!), and they both arrived with the drop stitch floor included.
Haven’t taken them out yet, but inflated one completely and yeah, they are pretty ruggedly built.
It’s hard to imagine, outside of a gunshot, or a knife, what it would take to make a hole in one?
To make your demonstration even better would be to point out how you can toss two of these
on a plane, and paddle anywhere in the world.
where did you get them from and what was the sale price, please?
@@samd1405 I’m also interested.
I ahve 3 AE's and they really very well made. Thanks and looking forward Airfusin EVO review :)
Airfusion... Haven't tried that one yet. I just tested the AirVolution though. Stay tuned for that review!
@@PaddleTV Id love to hear your opinion. I think is as fast as hardshell. I own it and i love it. Foldables like Oru, Trak are curious too.
Thank you, great review & lovely film work mate. Thinking of buying one shortly, would you recommend anything else from another Brand to consider that is similar to this one? It meets all of my requirements, I'd be buying the Drop Stich floor & inflatable foot brace to improve it for better paddling.
Thanks! At this price range, I don't think you can beat this kayak with the drop stitch floor upgrade. The Oru Kayak Inlet would be another option. It's a little more expensive, but it's faster to assemble, lighter, and fits larger/longer people better. I did a full review of that kayak as well that you can check out. Here's a link: ruclips.net/video/7x-W9VNhr00/видео.html Cheers!
Hey Ken,
would this kayak be suitable for use on the great lakes such as lake Ontario? Keeping close to shore of course.
Thanks for the review video.
Awesome video, thanks!
Glad you liked it!
I've had the tandem version for a year now and found no issues except the need to upgrade to a lumbar seat. Great for relatively calm waters.
What lumbar seat did you upgrade to? Does Advanced Elements have this as an option that I'm not aware of?
@@PaddleTV, yes Advanced Elements offers a lumbar seat as an upgrade.
Thanks Ken for another great review! Very important to have a professional opinion. I have AE AdvFrame Conv Elite with DripStitched floor. We once found ourselves in ~1m waves and 20+ knots wind, were not able to go far obviously but didn't capsized either, not even close. Still felt very safe. Boat is solid, well made, very stable, tracks well being 15ft long and can go around 7 knots, so could you please clarify what exactly do you mean by "entry level" and why you think it can not be used in coastal waters?
Appreciate your comment as I was wondering how this kayak would do in close to shore ocean waters, sounds like it's doing well for you, that's great. I imagine the dropstitch floor is a benefit in choppier water, I like that this has the option to upgrade. Cheers.
Mine carries 4 days of camping supplies - I sleep in it with a ground cloth thrown over - it's comfy and warm. I love this boat best in whitecaps with a stiff wind - My boat surfs with me using my paddle as a rudder - have used it for 10 years now. If you bump into anything - it's Ok - you just bounce off :-) It is easy to get in and out of, has a wave-protector - even a sail :-) Important detail - clean out any grit that can wear a hole thru. As a women it is light enough to carry.
You sleep in it!? That's such a neat idea! I'd need a much bigger one to do that myself! :)
Kayak > sleeping bag = Brilliant !! Planning for spring (:
I’ve used my Advanced Elements kayaks in open water in the Pacific Northwest and all over the Yukon. Don’t listen to the people like this that say they are “entry level”, etc. This is just snob stuff. I used mine in rough water and whitewater with no problems at all. Is it for rolling? Hell no, but that’s the only it thing it can’t do.
Good to hear from someone that has pushed the kayak. That being said, I wouldn't call it snobby to recommend this kayak for entry level conditions, as that's what it's designed for. It's simply not a high performance boat, and has limitations.
Well said, I have taken mine on 20k+ trips in class 1 & 2 whitewater without any problem. I love my AF and would recommend to anybody who doesn''t want to/can't store and move a hard shell.
I'm 5'10" and +/- 200 lbs. This review is dead on. The backbone is a nice addition but should not be used on shallow rivers. I'm currently shopping for the drop stitch floor. I also bought the Expedition Elite. As soon as I finish with some home renovations, I'll be paddling my new boat. Had it out a couple time for short trips. It's beyond stable but not a nimble as the Advanced Frame.
Thanks for sharing your experience!
Did you end up finding the drop stick floor?
@@mikepotapa5773 Not yet. I'm waiting for the local rep to get back to me
Had one of these loved it. Got dropstich floor. Just upgraded to expedition 13 which is e en better
Nice! I just got an expedition 13 to review myself! Might not get to test it until the spring though... it's icing over here pretty quick.
Great video! I ordered one of these from airkayaks. Mine is the AE 1044 dsxlc. It’s the same kayak but is 5 inches longer, comes with zip out deck, pump and the drop stitch floor. This video made me feel even more secure in buying great review! Quick questions... do you think this kayak could take river kayaking and sometimes going over rocks or class 1-2 rapids? Or should this kayak be used in lakes only? Second question is how was the speed of the kayak? Did it paddle similar to a recreational hard shell?
That sounds like a kayak that I would like! I would trust this kayak on fast moving rivers if the rocks weren't jagged. The outer shell does seem very durable, and I think it would handle 'smooth' rocks very well. If you're dealing with jagged rocks, I would probably stick with a plastic kayak.
As for speed... it's not a fast kayak, but it wasn't a slug either. It paddles reasonably close to a hard shell. My best guess would be that it paddles at about 85% of the efficiency of a similar hardshell kayak. I think that by adding the floor upgrade, you'd probably get that to 90%. Hard to say without trying it though.
@@PaddleTV thank you!
@@PaddleTV I'm a sendentary, older gent so this advanced frame is a good kayak for me. There is a video out that showed the Advanced Elements Expedition model where they experienced low fast flowing rivers with jagged rocks and they claimed it held up very well during the weeks they were on the water. What impressed me was they loaded this kayak up with all their camping gear and all that time they experienced no leaks!
I have paddled two models of this brand of kayak on Class 1 rapids and had fun. I have no experience paddling Class 2 or more rapids. The makers Advanced Elements suggest Class 1 or 2 rapids should be okay. I've paddled most models of this brand of kayak and several hardshell kayaks also. The speed of the AdvancedFrame is like any hardshell kayak the same length. This model is more stable than most hardshell kayaks of the same length.
@@johansonp1 when in class 1 rapids have you ever experienced punctures rips or tears?
Thanks for the fair and informative review. I'm 5'7" and suspect that I could fit a dry bag in the forward area to act as a foot support. I would have liked to see how you blew it up because my last inflatable had 5 chambers and took a bit of fiddling.
Yup. I think you'd be very comfortable in this kayak, and a dry bag up front would Definitely help out.
They make an inflatable foot support on the website, works great
@@philipfabian3929 I built my foot support from scrap PVC and have used it once a week for about 10 months. It is ugly but works well.
My wife and I bought two Advanced Elements - Advanced Frame kayaks last summer and are very impressed with them. We enjoy kayaking when on camping trips and couldn’t figure an easy and economical way to carry hard shelled kayaks with all our camping gear and RV in tow. These inflatables were the answer. I can have both kayaks inflated and in the water within 10 minutes, using the double action hand pump. Highly recommended!
Very cool! They're game changers, aren't they.
Hi ant thank you for all your nice videos. Very professionals. I like this kayak but I have a doubt : I'm 190cm x 80kg . Is it long enough for my legs ???😉
I have the tandem model and I love it, but there is an often leveled criticism that hasn't been mentioned. Proper care of the advanced frames requires allowing the skin to dry after use. In my case this entails unfolding (but not re-inflating) at home to dry over night.
Good point. It's a drawback of any inflatable kayak. They'll last longer if you let them dry out completely. That being said, it's not an 'all or nothing' scenario. If you dry them out 'pretty well', that will make a big difference over packing them up soaking wet. If nothing else, wiping them dry with a towel before packing them up will help a lot. Truthfully... this is all I do, except the last time I use it in the season. I make sure to completely dry packable kayaks before storing them for winter.
I bought the sister model of the Advanced Frame model, the Sport. In many ways they are identical. It's true. all inflatables have drying issues but I don't find this is a problem. When I want to dry my kayak I find it so simple to disassemble the kayak, lay out the parts in my living room and once dry, reassemble and pack away. If you consider, hard shell kayaks have maintenance and upkeep issues also, this kind of maintenance for inflatables is not a big deal. If I am done with my kayak for a bit I take it apart to dry, every time. You definitely do not want to own a mouldy kayak!
One thing I heard often from these inflatable "with skin" kayak, is that the skin is a pain to dry afterward.
But living in the city, having a hard shell kayak wasn't an option and renting become quite expensive overtime. For this reason, I went with a drop stitch inflatable kayak, the Decathlon X500 to me more precise. Did half of Rideau Canal last year with it, its not perfect, but it gives a much closer to a hard shell experience.
Would enjoy to see a review from you guys of a drop stitch kayak, any brand!
Thanks for comment! Got a few of those reviews coming. I just tested two drop stitched inflatables.
I have three different models of this brand of kayak, Advanced Elements. The "skin" dries well in sunshine or indoors on a rainy day. I sprayed the outside of my kayaks with a water-resistant sun protectant spray and for the next year or more water just beaded off. It's been seven years, the skin gets a bit wet now but dries quickly.
@@johansonp1, did you use the 303 protectant?
I just got one and I’ll be test riding it tomorrow. I’ve use rigid kayaks before, but this would be my first time kayaking in an inflatable.
What advice would you give to someone like me who doesn’t have anything to measure the air pressure when inflating the kayak.
Did you get a pump with the kayak? If so, it should have a pressure gauge on it. If not... don't expect the kayak to feel rigid. At 2 PSI, you will be able to press your fingers into it fairly easily.
Kupiłem AE Covertable kayak w sieci Decathlon ok 2008-2009 r. Pomysł i technologia jest bez zarzutu, natomiast jakość wykonania wymaga poprawek, w moim kajaku po 3 sezonach , a wiec juz po gwarancji, puściły spawy komór powietrznych burtowych i musiałem je kleić i zabezpieczać specjalną taśmą do tworzywa. I dopiero wtedy można było używać go bezpiecznie. Po kilku latach kupiłem od AE żagiel do kajaka, który mam dużo dzisiaj na innym kajaku . Żagiel jest bez zarzutu, natomiast nie można go używać na kajaku bez steru, bo wiatr NIGDY nie dmucha z tylu, a dla utrzymania kierunku samo wiosło nie wystarczy , szczególnie przy silnych i zmiennych wiatrach odbijających się od ściany lasu na jeziorach, Do tego kajaka AE doroibłem ster klejony do powłoki , i dopiero wówczs żagiel z kajakiem był w pełni sprawny . Powinno być to wyjaśniane kupującym żagiel, bo filmy reklamowe wprowadzają w błąd .
Pozdrawiam
Aleksander Halak
Have you tried the Air Volution? There is a clip in this video where it looks like your paddling in one.
Sure have! Stay tuned for the full gear review on the AirVolution!
New to kayaking how much of a difference would this one be to a budget hard shell one like a pelican? I found one of theses inflatable ones on fb thats cheaper
My wife and I are looking for our first kayak, we have taken a few trips on a local river on tandems and have had a blast. An inflatable like this sounds wonderful, but water levels can be pretty low in our area and during last trip our kayak got stuck on rocks three times. Do you think an inflatable could survive low rivers like that?
As long as the rocks aren't super jagged, and you're not hitting them very hard, quality inflatable kayaks can withstand a surprising amount.
Great review! You talked me out of this kayak 😂
I am a 184 cm tall guy. So what to choose between Frame, Elite or maybe Convertible?
How is the egress when the bottom air chambers are deflated? I'm thinking about safety if a newer paddler is out on the water and starts losing air in the bottom chambers, panics and tries paddling to shore instead if getting out in a timely manner. Could they be trapped?
I ran up on an almost fully submerged rusted out and sharp metal transom a few months ago along the beach... It put a deep gouge in my rotomolded yak almost all the way through, and no doubt would have popped my PVC inflatable SUP (I keep thinking thank God I wasn't on my SUP).
Accidental deflation is something I'm always thinking about now.
I don't think there would be any issue paddling to shore if any one chamber was compromised. It wouldn't paddle very well, but I'm confident you could paddle to shore.
As someone who has used several models of this brand of kayak for over a decade, I feel confident. If a hole were torn in the floor, the main chambers on the sides would remain inflated and I could keep paddling to shore even if the inside of the boat took on water. I HAVE put water inside one of these kayaks on purpose and paddled it slowly along the shore. I feel confident that even if one of the main chambers was popped, the other would stay inflated. After lots of safety practise, I believe that even if both main chambers got popped somehow, the kayak would still have its six minor tubes and would be a "floaty" - I could lie on it and use my paddle to get closer to shore.
I ALWAYS assume I might have to swim, using any kayak.
Great video Ken. Very informative. I have purchased an Advanced Elements Kayak, model Advanced Frame/Convertible Elite which has the drop stitched floor and be a tandem as well as a solo kayak. I also have a Sea Eagle Razorlite 393 for my wife which is a full drop stitch design. My wife loves her Sea Eagle and will find any excuse to get out and use it. I found it a bit small for myself and was going to purchase the tandem version but it did not offer the solo configuration so I went with the Advanced Elements convertible for size and the ability to go tandem or solo. We are both very impressed with your gear reviews and paddling trip advise and shared experiences. Looking forward to getting back on the water. I did not know what NRS was and was curious because I noted it has been a long time sponsor and you seem to be very pleased with their products. I did a search and will definitely try to get some gear for the upcoming season. Really appreciate your videos. Take care and stay safe.
Thanks! Great to hear you're enjoying the videos! FYI: I recently tried a new kayak that you might be interested in - the Aquamarina Tomahawk 440. It's similar to the Sea Eagle 393, but larger, and usable as a tandem or solo. It's not as stable as the Advanced Frame, but not bad. That video should be ready in about a month. Stay tuned!
@@PaddleTV Look forward to seeing the video.
Do you think this kayak would do well on overnight river trips? Not whitewater but calmer water.
Hi Jason. It's not a great kayak for overnight trips, simply because it doesn't have space for gear.
Have you ever reviewed the Sea Eagle SE-330? If not, can you?
I haven't, but I'd like to! I really enjoyed the Sea Eagle 393. I did a review on that boat.
@@PaddleTV sounds good! Hopefully Sea Eagle can give you one to review.
The name Advanced Elements sounds like a good product. Think again. I have a single person Advanced Elements kayak that I used twice. The inner bladder is really thin like a Walmart raft and the overall quality is not much better. I took it down class 2-3 and bounced off a few rocks and it showed serious abrasion marks. WTH
Paddling in class 2-3 is definitely pushing this kayak. Thanks for sharing your experience.
which model, specifically, do you own?
@@scotpurdy8132 The angler . It is a single person kayak. It has scupper holes with caps to close them off. It worked ok. Just too cheaply make for the price. Low PSI inflatables are out for me. Also Advanced Elements products.
One year late, the price of this kayak increases by one hundred dollars, almost 20 percent. I possibly will look for another kayak brand instead.
What do you think about aquaglide navarro 145
I haven't tried it yet, but I think it looks like a solid inflatable kayak. It has the drop stitched floor, which is great. I don't think it will be a 'fast' kayak, but I think it will be a good, stable, recreational inflatable kayak. Hope to try one soon so that I can provide better feedback.
@@PaddleTV thanks
When you are standing beside a full size pick-up, "how are you going to transport your kayak" seems like a silly question. If storage is an issue the inflatable would make sense. If not, put a rack on the truck. Great channel.
Ha! You're right... it's not a problem that I have! It's still pretty cool to be able to through it in the cab of my truck, as we have a lot of dirt/gravel roads around here. Keeps all the dust off. But no... I nearly always paddle hardshell kayaks because transportation isn't an issue. Thanks!
Taller heavier men should buy the longer model for body ease.
advanced elements kayaks would be great IF their main tunes did not KEEP FAILING. The seams REGULARLY fail. it appears to be a serious manufacturing or quality control issue. I'm DONE with AE unless they admit the problem and clean up their act.
This is slow sausage. It won't go against wind or good water flow 4-5 miles/h
I don't like inflatable kayaks. If i travel with inflate kayaks it is slow, it is boring...
Hard shell!
Understandable... although I did recently try an inflatable that was pretty quick - the Sea Eagle 393. Not as fast as a hardshell, but not bad!