If you’re interested in exploring more of Britain’s countryside, why not switch up the mountain hikes and cycling routes by taking to the waterways on a kayak instead? Kayaking is a great way of getting out and seeing more of the country while staying fit as you do. But, you're going to need an inflatable kayak pump.
We’re huge fans of the sport, but we also understand that rigid kayaks are heavy, cumbersome things that require significant time and energy to move around. If you would like to get cracking on some summertime paddling but don’t have the means to lug a big kayak around, opt for an inflatable kayak instead.
The best inflatable kayak pumps, at a glance
• Best digital inflatable kayak pump: Black & Decker High-Pressure Inflator - View now on Amazon
• Best inflatable kayak pump for quick inflation: Ryobi R18I-0 ONE+ Inflator - View now on Amazon
• Best hand inflatable kayak pump: Decathlon Double Action Kayak Hand Pump - View now on Argos
Collapsed inflatable kayaks weigh just a fraction of their rigid counterparts while taking up less space in the car with a tiny footprint. They make complete sense and they’re not especially expensive, though once you reach your chosen waterway, you’ll need to pump it up. There are plenty of options available too, with kayaks offering the family some water-based transportation, through to one-person inflatable kayaks which are great for solo touring.
When it comes to inflatable kayak pumps, you have a few choices. From electric models to foot pumps, there are hundreds of different options to choose from, so we’ve broken down a few of our favourites from each category for you to check out.
The best inflatable kayak pumps
Please note: All prices are correct at the time of writing. Prices, stock and deals are subject to change without notice.
Best digital inflatable kayak pump
This 11 Bar electric air compressor is powered by a 12V DC plug than can be inserted into any 12V cigarette lighter socket. The face of the unit features a digital gauge to view the current pressure of the inflatable as it rises or set a target pressure should you wish. Taken your eye off the number? Don’t worry, this air compressor has an automatic feature to ensure accurate results without the risk of over or under-inflating.
This device works on AC current, 12V car socket adaptors or 18V Li-ion batteries and comes with three-point attachments including a plastic nozzle – suitable for use on an inflatable kayak – and a brass ring.
Pros
- Powerful air compressor
- Easy to set pressure targets
- Automatic Shut Off feature to stop over or under inflating
Cons
- Quite a bulky unit
| Pressure: | 160 PSI or 11 Bar max |
| Weight: | 1.8Kg |
- Customer review: "Item is easy to use and handy to carry around but motor is not powerful enough to inflate some inflatables and tyre inflating is nowhere as fast when tyre is deflated."
Best inflatable kayak pump for quick inflation
This inflator forms part of Ryobi’s ONE Plus – a family of electrical appliances that all share the same battery. This model, with its changeable attachment points and power, would make a great choice for inflating kayaks. With a 10.34 Bar pressure rating, it’s no slouch when it comes to performance, but its output can also be configured to suit a range of inflatables.
It also features a quick deflation mode and a digital readout, allowing users to determine when they've reached their desired inflation pressure. Onboard, users can store a number of different attachments.
Pros
- Powerful unit
- Great for large inflatables
- Can easily connect hose to a separate port for deflation mode
Cons
- Battery required
- Quite bulky
| Pressure: | 10.34 Bar max |
| Weight: | 1.8kg |
- Customer review: "Small and compact (ish), quick and effective at pumping up tyres or air beds. Not the quietest thing in the world though."
Best hand inflatable kayak pump
www.argos.co.uk
If you’d rather relieve yourself of any electrical constraints and inflate your kayak by hand instead, check out this pump from Decathlon. Supplied with connectors to fit all ITIWIT-branded inflatable kayaks, this pump offers a fast-acting double action to displace 2.6 L of air with each pump. Included in the unit is a pressure gauge as well as a quick-release valve for deflating when your kayak is not in use. For just £20, this hand pump would make a great choice for anyone looking to build up a set of kayaking equipment on a budget.
Pros
- Great value
- Well-built
- Comes with universal adapters that can be used to inflate many things
Cons
- Not efficient when blowing up large kayaks
| Airflow: | 2.6L per pump stroke |
| Weight: | Not given |
- Customer review: "I’m new to kayaking and needed a simple transportable pump that is easy to use. This Double Action device has lived up to my expectations."
Best budget inflatable kayak pump
If you’re after an even cheaper alternative, this Air Hammer inflation pump from Bestway also facilitates an easy switch between inflation and deflation while offering action on both the up and the down stroke. It’s made from a heavy–duty construction with three valve adapters to fit every inflation valve, including the Boston valve found on many inflatable kayaks.
Pros
- Fantastic value
- Adapters to fit most valves
- Large air chamber for rapid inflation
Cons
- Small chamber size
| Airflow: | Not given |
| Weight: | 10g |
- Customer review: "Bought this to go with two lilos of the same make for use on the beach or on a patio. While it is quite compact, it pumps easily and there is a steadying rest for your foot to stop it moving while you pump. Not much in the way of fixtures and fittings and should last providing it is stored out of the sun - I imagine exposure to constant UV light would make the plastic go brittle. It is reasonably sturdy and made from a thick plastic."
Best foot inflatable kayak pump
Alternatively, you may want to opt for a small camping foot pump to inflate your kayaks with. While their compact build benefits portability – great for journeys on foot – the limited tank size of foot pumps may hinder your ability to blow up large kayaks in good time. You may also find yourself suffering from leg fatigue before the boat has reached its internal air capacity, so we’d recommend opting for a foot pump only if you intend on blowing up a small boat.
Pros
- Very compact
- Can be used for inflating and deflating thanks to its two separate chambers
- Includes two interchangeable nozzles
Cons
- Small capacity
| Airflow: | 5L per pump |
| Weight: | 662g |
- Customer review: "When we camp at the lake we use four inflatable floats. Usually we use a portable tire compressor to inflate them, but that is a very slow process. In fact I blew up a float manually faster than the compressor.
"But the biggest problem with the floats is trying to get the air out of them when it's time to pack up. Squeezing them never gets all the air out, making it difficult, if not impossible, to get them back into their containers.
"We finally decided to buy the Milestone Camping Foot Pump. It arrived fast and the Pump inflated the floats very quickly, far faster than I could have manually. But the deflating really impressed me. The Pump quickly sucked the air out of the floats, making them flat and easy to pack. They are now the flattest they've been since we bought them.
"For a good price, ease of use, great performance, and for saving time (and breath), I give the Milestone Camping Foot Pump five stars."
FAQs
Which inflatable kayak pump should I get?
The right inflatable kayak pump for you depends largely on a few factors, chief among which is the level of energy you’re willing to deploy just to get the boat pumped up.
By selecting an electric or battery-powered pump, you’ll save yourself some serious legwork and with it a great amount of energy too – don’t forget, kayaking can be quite a physically taxing activity. For the less physically capable, we’d recommend opting for an electric pump to save your energy for the water.
On the other hand, if you feel you’d be up to the task of manually blowing your kayak up before each trip, a foot or hand pump will liberate you of any electrical dependence. By opting for one of these options, you’ll free yourself up to take your kayak anywhere, any time, without the need to recharge or plugin.
Are kayak pumps universal?
Inflatable kayaks have inflation valves that serve as the bridging point between the kayak and a pump. They allow air to pass through via an adapter, but it’s important to ascertain your pump or valve adapter set has the right shape for the job, as not all are the same.
Many inflatable kayaks feature Boston valves – a three—threaded valve that screws into the surface of the kayak, allowing a valve adapter to be inserted into the boat so that air can pass through from the hose or the pump. These are the most common type, but some inflatable kayaks feature military-style valves or even twist-lok valves that require different adapters.
We highly recommend checking which type of valve your kayak has before purchasing your pump so you can make an informed decision on which pump attachment to get. We also advise picking up a pump with a built-in pressure gauge if possible as this will help negate the risk of over or under-inflation.
How much pressure should I inflate my kayak to?
Owners should check the manual of their inflatable kayak to ascertain the exact pressure to which they should inflate their kayak, but most should be inflated to around the 2.5-3.5 PSI mark. For a foot or hand pump, this could take anywhere between five and 10 minutes while an electric pump will complete the job in under two minutes.
Seth Walton is an Automotive Product Writer for Parkers and CAR. He is also a contributor to What's The Best.
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