Buying an inflatable kayak will certainly bring in a series of benefits. Not only it’s more cost efficient, but it’s also easier to store and transport. However, such a model requires different attention. When it comes to inflating it, it usually depends on how you plan to take it to the water.

If you plan to transport it on the backseat of your car or in the boot, you’ll need to inflate it prior to getting into the water. To know which is the best inflatable kayak available in the market today, check out this article from Dreamguides.com. If you have a roof rack that can accommodate it, it pays off doing it at home. Having a roof rack also allows you to keep the kayak inflated at all times, rather than do it every single time.

Now, what are the optimal ways to inflate your kayak?

Using a Hand Pump

The manual hand pump is the classic accessory coming with inflatable kayak. Chances are your package includes a high pressure model, so you can ride the kayak out of the box. This kind of procedure is often associated with a workout. In order to use the hand pump, you’ll have to bend over for 5 to 15 minutes. It depends how strong you are. Not only that, but a few minutes into it will cause muscle soreness, especially if you are not the fitness type.

There are, of course, more professional hand pumps that can make your life easier, yet most kayaks come with the basic models. The good news? It works and it doesn’t require an extra investment. If you have plenty of storage and proper transportation for an inflatable kayak, you can just keep it inflated at all times.

Using a Foot Pump

The foot pump is similar to the classic hand pump, only it doesn’t cause so much discomfort. Simply put, you can stay straight, without having to bend over. If one of your legs feels tired, switch to the other one and so on until you’re done. Given its easy use, it tends to be faster than a hand pump. Besides, foot pumps are normally smaller and more compact than hand pumps.

Keep in mind that they should be kept clean. If sand or gravel goes inside, it might break down in the middle of the action. It’s not the perfect choice, but what really matters is it will get the job done.

Using an Electric Pump

When getting an inflatable kayak, most people stick to the pump it comes with. At some point, many of them realize that they would rather preserve their energy for paddling. That’s when the electric pump kicks in.

An electric pump is more expensive than other alternatives, but it’s more durable, comfortable and time efficient. Simply put, you can inflate a kayak within a couple of minutes while admiring the waves – no effort involved.

Some electric pumps work with batteries, while others have to be hooked up to the 12V power supply from your car.

Conclusion

In the end, there are certainly a few decent options to inflate your kayak. Each of them has pros and cons. While manual models are inexpensive and usually included in the package, the electric one involves no effort at all.