Canoe Kayak Range

The Aquadesign canoe-kayak range brings together the whole inflatable world: 1-to-3-seat kayaks, river canoes, packrafts and all the gear you need to paddle. A French brand passionate about whitewater since 1988, we design rugged boats — high-pressure dropstitch, Hypalon, TPU — for touring, fishing, expedition and rivers, for leisure paddlers and clubs alike.

Choosing within the inflatable canoe-kayak range

Picking an inflatable boat starts with the water you plan to paddle, not with the price tag. A craft built for lake cruising has neither the hull nor the construction of a whitewater kayak or an expedition packraft. Our range spans that whole spectrum, from the ultra-stable family model to the reinforced hull built for rapids. Here are the markers that truly matter.

Kayak, canoe or packraft?

The inflatable kayak is paddled seated, legs forward, with a double-bladed paddle. Sleek, it favours glide, tracking and responsiveness: the choice for water touring and rivers.
The inflatable canoe opens up generous volume and a higher seating position. It carries children, a cooler and camping gear, ideal for easy-going descents with a group.
The packraft is an ultra-light craft (just a few kilos) that slips into a backpack. Born from self-supported expeditions, it strings together hiking, biking and paddling, and comes in decked or self-bailing river versions.

Number of seats and payload

Capacity drives length, stability and the weight you can carry.

1 seat — light and nimble, perfect for rivers, solo fishing and portaging: Twiki I, K-Air 300 or Koloa X'Perience 305.
2 seats — the best payload-to-comfort balance, as a pair or a family: Epyx 380, Koloa 360, Twiki II, K-Air 380, Rio 385, ORO 375.
3 seats — maximum volume and stability for social outings, with the Koloa 400 and ORO 430.

For a two-seater, a length of 3.5 to 4.5 m and a width of around 85 to 95 cm offer the safest balance between glide and stability.

Materials and construction

This is where the real difference lies between a beach toy and a lasting boat.

High-pressure dropstitch: thousands of threads link the two walls, allowing hard inflation with no deformation. The result is a firm hull that behaves close to a hardshell — better glide, better tracking. It is used mainly on floors.
High-tenacity PVC: measured in denier, it offers an excellent toughness-to-weight ratio. For intensive use or whitewater, thicker, reinforced fabrics are preferred.
Hypalon-CSM: the benchmark for longevity, highly resistant to UV, abrasion and temperature swings. It is the material of our K-Air kayaks and the Explorer II canoe, built for demanding use.
TPU: light and tough, it equips our Yupik and River TPU packrafts for minimal weight without sacrificing strength.

Assembly quality matters as much as the fabric: thermo-welded seams deliver far better watertightness and strength than the simple glued joints of entry-level boats.

Finally, steer clear of so-called double-skin kayaks: a very thin inner bladder — much like a pool float — slipped inside a good-looking fabric cover. Appealing at first glance, they puncture easily and are far harder to repair than a genuine welded coated-fabric hull.

Rivers and whitewater: what to look for

On moving water, two features make both the safety and the fun. First, the self-bailing floor: perforated, it drains shipped water naturally and keeps the boat light and manoeuvrable through waves, where a closed kayak would fill and become unmanageable. Second, multiple air chambers: a separated-chamber layout preserves buoyancy even after a puncture. Our Twiki and K-Air river kayaks, along with our Vista, Rio and ORO canoes, are built for rivers and target Class I to III depending on the model. Beyond Class II, a helmet becomes essential, just like the buoyancy aid.

Our full range, organised by activity

Find every boat in the inflatable canoe-kayak collection, split by use:

Touring and family — Epyx 380, Koloa 360 and 400 kayaks, Vista, Rio 385 and ORO canoes: touring canoe-kayak.
Fishing and expedition — the Koloa X'Perience 305 and 360, with dropstitch floor and attachment points: inflatable fishing kayak.
Packraft and lightweight travel — Yupik, DUO TPU 315 and the decked River TPU 230: our packrafts.

Beyond the boat: the complete kit

A canoe-kayak range is more than a hull. To paddle fully equipped, add our canoe and kayak paddles (Attak, Viva, Drimm, in 1, 2 or 4 sections, aluminium or fibre), our kayak seats for back support, and a suitable pump from our pumps and inflators. For safety, look at the gear in our canoe-kayak safety collection and at our buoyancy aids, essential on every outing.

Clubs, rental centres and local authorities

A rental season is hard on equipment. Our reinforced hulls, dropstitch floors and Hypalon are sized for supervised and intensive rental use. We offer professional pricing, a spare-parts supply and after-sales support handled in France (Oraison, 04) to make your fleet last. Discover our dedicated pro inflatable kayaks and pro inflatable canoes.

Why choose Aquadesign

A French brand, Aquadesign has designed and distributed watersports equipment since 1988. Our boats are developed in France and produced in our own factories, using premium materials (dropstitch, high-tenacity PVC, Hypalon, TPU), thermo-welded assembly and CE compliance. We do not build disposable gear: our boats are repairable, and our Oraison workshop (04) handles maintenance, repairs and spare parts. The result is reliable craft that last, season after season.

Frequently asked questions

Is an inflatable kayak really reliable?

Yes, as long as you buy quality. A multi-chamber model in high-tenacity PVC or Hypalon with a dropstitch floor easily handles regular use. It is the single-chamber entry-level boats — and the "double-skin" models (a thin inner bladder, like a pool float, inside a fabric cover: fragile and hard to repair) — that gave inflatables a bad name. Well chosen and maintained, a boat lasts a comfortable 8 to 10 years, more with Hypalon.

Kayak, canoe or packraft: how do I choose?

The kayak, narrow and fast, favours glide solo or as a pair. The canoe, open and roomy, carries more load for families and touring. The packraft, ultra-light, rides on your back and opens up hike-and-paddle adventures. The choice depends on how many paddlers, the terrain and how much room you have for transport.

What pressure and how long to inflate?

It depends on the chambers. Side tubes often sit around 2 to 3 PSI, while a dropstitch floor goes higher to stiffen up. Allow 5 to 15 minutes with a double-action pump depending on size and number of chambers; an electric pump cuts that sharply. Always follow the marked pressure and use a pump with a gauge.

PVC, Hypalon, dropstitch or TPU: which material?

High-tenacity PVC gives the best toughness-to-weight-to-price ratio for regular use. Hypalon resists UV and abrasion better, for greater longevity. Dropstitch applies to the high-pressure floors that stiffen the boat. TPU, light, equips packrafts. Our models combine these technologies according to the intended use.

Can an inflatable handle whitewater?

Yes, with the right boat: a reinforced hull, multiple chambers and a self-bailing floor that drains water from the waves. Several of our boats are built for rivers: the Twiki and K-Air kayaks, as well as the Vista, Rio and ORO canoes, handle moving water (Class I to III depending on the model). Beyond Class II, an approved helmet and buoyancy aid are essential. A beach canoe, however, is not built for whitewater.

How do I maintain and repair my boat?

Rinse with fresh water after every outing, especially at sea, then dry fully before storing away from sunlight: these habits multiply the lifespan. A micro-leak is fixed with the supplied kit; PVC patches easily, Hypalon needs a specific glue. Our Oraison workshop takes over for heavier repairs and spare parts. Don't hesitate to contact our team for advice on repairing your inflatable boat.

Rental company, base, club, or community?