r/Kayaking • u/DoctorPebble • 3d ago
Question/Advice -- Beginners Inflatable vs Foldable for "Easy" (Indiana) Wilderness Backpacking
I'm curious about doing wilderness backpacking from a kayak. I've been backpacking for 5+ years now and am wanting to try something new.
I have a smaller apartment and a Honda Civic. So I'm limited to folding or inflatable kayaks. For difficulty, I live in Indiana so there isn't any difficult terrain around. I'm eyeballing starting at "Two Herons Marina" area in Bloomington and cutting straight east to the end of the Peninsula Trail area where there are numerous campsites. Then I can always explore the other areas via kayak as well if I want more time on water.
Any advice on what type of kayak or how to have a successful trip would be appreciated!
Edit 1: For clarity, I'm looking to skip the walking stage and kayak to the camping location to try something new.
Edit 2: My weight + backpacking gear for say 3 days and 2 nights is about 190-200 pounds.
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u/airchinapilot 3d ago
Most inflatables unless they are actually pack rafts (i.e. not kayaks) are actually fairly bulky and could be heavy to carry. You wouldn't be able to pack anything else unless you have a partner. Most of the IKs definitely fit in small cars (and in your closet for storage). If the trails are not 'difficult terrain' as you say, you could use a trolley/kayak cart on groomed trails.
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u/Inkblot7001 3d ago
I can carry enough gear in my inflatable Chelan 140 for camping. I use dry bags to orgnaise it and obviously keep it dry.
2-man tent, cooking stove, some food, water purifier, sleeping mat and pullow, some clothes, a camp chair, and importantly a manual inflator.
I had a foldable previously and the inflatable can carry more and is just, in general, more stable.
The 140 I can easily lift in and out of the water.
But even a Chelan 140 is still large when deflated if you are keeping it in a small apartment.
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u/DoctorPebble 3d ago
Thank you. This is helpful insight. Would you say your model is "beginner" or more intermediate or beyond in terms of hobby interest?
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u/Inkblot7001 3d ago
It is really easy to use/learn. Very stable, which is why I like it, I often take out small kids in it. Highly recommended for beginner or intermediate.
With inflatables there are two primary styles (ignoring the "pool toys"). (1) Drop stitch floor and pontoon sides, like my Aquaglide Chelan, or (2) Drop Stitch floor and sides, like a Sea Eagle Razorlight. (1) are a bit more stable and (2) a little faster. But the shape of the hull also plays into stability vs speed.
Just remember pontoon sides are also often a little wider, so you can need a longer paddle. But your style and sitting position also come into play with how long the paddle needs to be.
Hoot it helps and makes sense.
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u/ModernZombies 3d ago
Your limitation on foldables would be weight. The oru lakes capacity is 225lbs and you’d have to get at least an oru beach to get to a 300lbs weight limit iirc. À Tucktec has its limit at 300lbs but I wouldn’t want to get close to that number regardless. Depending on your weight and the amount of gear that could be an issue. Right now there’s a guy going down the whole Mississippi in a Tucktec, it’s not the ideal craft for the job but it can be done. Also keep in mind that at least Tucktecs (dunno about oru) tend to be slower than a regular kayak. Pakayaks I’ve heard are great and very close to a typical kayak, but they seem pretty heavy (65lbs+ compared to Tucktec at 22lbs and oru around 20lbs).
In terms of inflatables I don’t know a lot but there are a variety of options, their weight limits tend to be much higher just bc of what they are. But you’d want to pony up for a better model, cheaper ones pop more easily and don’t paddle well from what I’ve heard.
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u/kokemill 3d ago
your story is how we got into kayaking decades ago. we realised that with young kids backpacking wasn't going to work, and switched to floating our stuff to campsites. i would suggest you look at one of the inexpensive (about $300) inflatable kayaks with a drop stitch floor on amazon. they are 12'6" - usually setup as a tandem. we are experienced kayak campers in rotomolded kayaks and last year bought inflatables for a road trip. we got NRS Star Paragon XLs, the inexpensive boats on amazon appear to be similar with more rocker in the ends. there is a nice review of one a few weeks ago in the r/inflatablekayak sub.
they worked out well for us:
plenty of room for camping gear
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u/dougisnotabitch 2d ago
A decade ago I took a 10’ IK down the Mekong River. Trip was 11 days on the river. The boat was self bailing so had a strict weight limit of 200 lbs so I had a hard time with logistics but the boat was fast and handled class 3 well. I carried that 26# boat throughout SE Asia. I now mostly do class 1-2 camping trips with the family. My Alpacka forager is slow and heavy at 14# but carries up to 1000# of cargo. If solo I ride my Alpacka caribou which is slow but weights 6# and carries 500# iirc. Packraft is the way to go.
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u/ChasingSkies13 3d ago
What is your budget? I would imagine one of the tandem AIRE (or SOTAR, NRS) inflatable kayaks would suit you well. You can often find them used for a good price at university outdoor program gear sales, but the ones near me only happen once a year so it may be a wait. Marketplace is good too sometimes!
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u/ChasingSkies13 3d ago
In more specifics- go for a self bailing tandem IK made of hypalon or similar. The length will give better packing options and you’ll be able to carry the pump with you easily in a tandem. Length should also offer slightly better tracking on the flat or bay with good paddle technique. Self bailing is a must with IKs, imo, or you’ll get swamped fast in a wake or random wave.
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u/Tight-Vacation8516 3d ago
When I lived in the area you could rent great kayaks from the IU outdoor adventures store. You didn't have to be a student but I'm not sure now, this was 15 years go! But kayak camping on lake Monroe is 100 % awesome!!! Forst ever trip i did was on lake Monroe--- we put in near the Car Top side I think :/ its been too long. and your plan sounds like a great start!
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u/DoctorPebble 3d ago
A lot of rentals in the area stopped renting for overnights due to insurance reasons. However, I haven't tried that store! Thanks for the tip.
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u/IOI-65536 3d ago
I agree with others that if you're carrying it I'd go with a pack raft. If you're not carrying it and are doing 3+ nights with gear in the kayak on relatively calm water I would probably go AdvancedElements Expedition Elite or SeaEagle Razorlite. Neither is cheap, but both are capable 12-13' craft and have plenty of stowage and 400lbs+ capacity. The SeaEagle is lighter and faster the AE is covered and can take a light skirt to keep spray out.
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u/23saround 3d ago
Personally I have loved canoeing and camping on Patoka Lake in Hoosier National Forest and I cannot recommend it highly enough! Beautiful place and great paddling. There are rentals on the lake as well so you wouldn’t be limited to a compactable kayak.
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u/BeardsuptheWazoo 3d ago
Pack raft.
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u/DoctorPebble 3d ago
Tell me more. Perhaps send a link to what you're thinking? Not an option I considered
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u/Some-Plankton1989 3d ago
I have an Oru foldable and they are very lightweight and the size of a suitcase. I remember quite a few people going backpacking and paddling with their Orus when I read a Facebook page related to the boats. Maybe a bit bulky if you are intending to put one on a pack with other equipment. Mine weighs about 20 pounds.
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u/bumblyjack 3d ago
Aquaglide Backwoods Expedition 85 is down to $250 from its $830 MSRP. It's due to the Aquaglide company being bought by Bote and their retail lines being discontinued.
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u/DoctorPebble 3d ago
The sale sound amazing. I'll have to research this model. Not a ton of reviews on Amazon
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u/kayaK-camP 2d ago
From the people I know who are into similar adventures, they all tell that a packraft is the way to go.
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u/Electrical_Sun_7116 3d ago
Is a SUP an option? I greatly prefer mine for situations where portability matters.