See also
A to Z of IKs
Packrafting Quick Guide
IK and Packraft Sailing
You want a small inflatable boat, not a paddle board. That leaves an IK or a packraft. The similarities between the two are broadly self evident: both inflate in minutes and roll up quickly for easy transportation and storage. But what are the key differences?
 Inflatable Kayak |  Inflatable Kayak |
| Faster than a standard, short packraft | Weigh from 12–25 kg, plus gear |
| Easily bought in the UK from £200 | Cheap vinyl pool toys are rubbish |
| Variety in fabric, construction and design (packrafts are made the same way) | Narrow IKs less stable. 75cm is a good width |
| Very high pressure, full dropstitch and hybrid versions are stiff as a hardshell and have proved reliable | Need a bulky pump |
| Multiple tubes (feels safer) | Many IKs are a metre wide; stable but slow |
| Better suited to sea kayaking | Too heavy to carry far on land |
| Packraft | Packraft |
| Very stable, even with optional floor mat | Few buying outlets in the UK, let alone test paddles |
| Light enough (from 2kg) to carry indefinitely | Short models yaw (pivot) as you paddle and can be slow on flatwater. (Skegs help) |
| You can switch from land to water at will | More expensive than cheaper IKs |
| Longer (tandem) models as fast as a slow IK | Float higher so more wind prone |
| Downwind sailing works as well as IKs | Many fabric joins mean more potential leaks |
| Unique and ingenious in-tube storage | Usually only one chamber |
| Low pressure makes stick-on repairs easy | |
| TPU fabric as robust as PVC and rubber IKs | |
| Decked / self bailing models available |
I’ve had many memorable adventures in both IKs and packrafts, but in that time packrafts have proved to be dependable and versatile. A long-waterline (tandem) model with a stiff floor mat can approach the effort needed to propel an IK, especially as they’re typically a quarter of the weight.
While either boat can be easily paddled by a total newb, neither are suited to windy rough, open water. In that way they’re more like canoes. Meanwhile, on a river a decked or self bailing packraft can handle lively white water like a hardshell creekboat, as doubtless countless video will testify. Whatever you choose, a packraft or IK is certain to provide hours of enjoyment without the storage or transportation issues of hardshells.
Inflatable Kayaks & Packrafts 