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Understanding the quality of materials and construction of paddlesports products and their differences play a critical role in choosing the right kayak or SUP for your paddling style. The following research into Aquaglide kayak and SUP materials will help narrow down your choices.
Aquaglide kayak hulls are made from welded PVC air bladders covered in a shell of 600 Denier hexagonal ripstop polyester fabric, welded bladders of 1000 Denier polyester fabric reinforced with PVC, or 210 Denier nylon fabric laminated on one or both sides with TPU.
Aquaglide SUP hulls are made of a 12 cm thick single-layer of PVC over a drop-stitch core or a 15 cm drop-stitch construction where polyester fabric is sandwiched between layers of vinyl to create a heavy-duty 3-layer PVC tarpaulin that is fused directly to the drop-stitch core of the SUP.
These construction materials combined with different designs and construction technologies like EvoBeam, single-layer and double-layer PVC high-pressure drop-stitch floor construction, and Fused Structural Laminate (FSL) drop-stitch give us paddlesports products for different uses.
Whether you are into flat-water or whitewater paddling, recreational, touring, performance, angling, expeditions, or all-around use, Aquaglide has a paddlesports product that will fit your needs.
In the remainder of the article, I’ll cover Aquaglide’s hull materials and construction in greater detail and give you a breakdown of each model of kayak and SUP.
Aquaglide Inflatable Kayak Hull Materials
Aquaglide kayak hulls are made of a HexShell covered bladder, Duratex, or Fabric-Reinforced TPU.
HexShell Bladder Cover Material
Aquaglide uses an HexShell bladder cover material made of 600 Denier hexagonal ripstop polyester fabric treated to resist UV rays and repel water. This fabric increases kayak durability by providing puncture, rip, and tear resistance from the elements.
A kayak constructed of air chambers covered in a shell material can provide a great benefit allowing the ease of repair and replacement of various kayak parts when necessary.
What is a Denier? Denier is a unit of measurement used to determine the linear mass density of individual fibers that make up the threads of a fabric where a single strand of silk is 1 Denier.
What is ripstop fabric? Ripstop is a reinforcement technique that gives fabric greater resistance to rips and tears by weaving stronger reinforcement materials into a crosshatch pattern at regular intervals. This pattern might be square, diamond, or in the case of Aquaglide boats, hexagonal.
Aquaglide Duratex (Fabric-Reinforced PVC)
Duratex is Aquaglide’s name for its proprietary formulation of a fabric reinforced PVC material commonly referred to as PVC tarpaulin. It is Aquaglide’s lightest, stiffest, most durable material made with 1000 Denier polyester fabric that is coated with PVC under great heat and pressure to force the PVC into the fabric to create a rugged, airtight material.
The bladder and shell of Aquaglide kayaks made of Duratex are combined into one single layer instead of the two separate layers found in HexShell and bladder construction.
Fabric-Reinforced TPU
Aquaglide Backwoods inflatable kayaks are made with 210 Denier nylon fabric laminated with Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) films on one or both sides to create an ultralight, durable, airtight material.
TPU has greater sustainability and abrasion resistance than PVC. Only 1/10th the material weight is needed to achieve similar performance to Aquaglide’s Duratex material.
Aquaglide Inflatable Kayak Floor Construction
Aquaglide has three different kayak floor designs:
- A solid EVA floor that requires no inflation
- EvoBeam inflatable floors
- High-pressure drop-stitch floor
The rigidity, performance capabilities, and cost increase from the EVA floor to the drop-stitch floor.
Let’s look at the latter two kayak floor designs in greater detail. Your style of kayaking will help determine which floor is right for you.
EvoBeam Kayak Floor Construction
Aquaglide Duratex EvoBeam kayak floors are a redesign of the classically flat I-beam floor with a raised center beam on the underside to provide a subtle V-shaped hull for improved tracking.
EvoBeam construction is less expensive but more flexible than high-pressure drop-stitch construction.
High-Pressure Drop-Stitch Floor Construction
Aquaglide’s drop-stitch kayak floors are constructed with thousands of equally-spaced polyester fibers sewn between the top and bottom layers of the polyester fabric floor. The top and bottom layers are then coated with PVC under great heat and pressure. This forces the PVC into the fabric to create a rugged, high-pressure floor.
High-pressure drop-stitch construction is the top-of-the-line inflatable floor for inflatable kayaks, SUPs, and other inflatable boats. Drop-stitch air chambers can hold a much higher air pressure to provide improved rigidity, stability, and performance.
If you happen to be comparing the hull materials of inflatable kayaks, SUPs, packrafts, and other boats, you might be interested in checking out my article on Sea Eagle Boat hull materials, What Hull Materials Are Used In Sea Eagle Boats? or Advanced Elements Hull Materials: Kayaks, iSUPs, & Packrafts.
Aquaglide Kayak Hull Material and Design by Model
The kayak materials, design, and construction technologies referenced in this table have been covered in the headings above.
| KAYAK MODEL | KAYAK DESIGN | KAYAK MATERIAL | AIR CHAMBERS |
 Chinook 90 | The Chinook 90 solo kayak with open cockpit design is made of two welded internal bladders covered in a skin of HexShell material and a removable i-beam floor chamber in a durable cover for added comfort and protection. The bottom of the hull has extra tough skin made of Duratex for extra protection to protect the tubes and inflated floor. | HexShell bladder and deck cover material made of 600 Denier hexagonal ripstop polyester fabric for durability, puncture resistance, UV resistance, and protection from the elements. The floor is made of a single layer of Duratex material (PVC tarpaulin) made from 1000 Denier polyester fabric coated with PVC. | 3 Chambers: 2 side tubes, and removable floor with Boston valves. |
 Chinook 100 | The Chinook 100 solo or tandem kayak with open cockpit design is made of two welded internal bladders covered in a skin of HexShell material and a removable i-beam floor chamber in a durable cover for added comfort and protection. The bottom of the hull has extra tough skin made of Duratex and two drag plates for extra protection to protect the tubes and inflated floor. | HexShell bladder and deck cover material made of 600 Denier hexagonal ripstop polyester fabric for durability, puncture resistance, UV resistance, and protection from the elements. The floor is made of a single layer of Duratex material (PVC tarpaulin) made from 1000 Denier polyester fabric coated with PVC. | 3 Chambers: 2 side tubes, and removable floor with Boston valves. |
 Chinook 120 | At 37” wide, the Chinook 120 solo or tandem kayak with open cockpit design is made of two welded internal bladders covered in a skin of HexShell material and a removable i-beam floor chamber in a durable cover for added comfort and protection. The bottom of the hull has extra tough skin made of Duratex and two drag plates for extra protection to protect the tubes and inflated floor. | HexShell bladder and deck cover material made of 600 Denier hexagonal ripstop polyester fabric for durability, puncture resistance, UV resistance, and protection from the elements. The floor is made of a single layer of Duratex material (PVC tarpaulin) made from 1000 Denier polyester fabric coated with PVC. | 3 Chambers: 2 side tubes, and removable floor with Boston valves. |
 Chelan 120 | The Chelan 120 solo touring kayak with open cockpit design is made of single-layer Duratex material with welded bladder seams for an airtight seal and its high-pressure drop-stitch floor provides added rigidity and durability while optimizing performance. It has sleek narrow tubes designed to increase glide and speed, a bow rocker for riding over waves, and a lower rocker in the stern for improved tracking. The kayak has added protection features: a heavy-duty nose cone protects the bow and stern from impacts and a bow drag plate further protects the hull when landing. For added comfort, bow and stern cockpit splash guards help keep you dry. | Single-layer Duratex material (PVC tarpaulin) made from 1000 Denier polyester fabric coated with PVC and a high-pressure drop-stitch floor constructed with thousands of equally-spaced polyester fibers sewn between the top and bottom layers of the polyester fabric floor that is coated in an 8 cm single-layer of PVC. | 4 Chambers: 2 side tubes and drop-stitch floor with Halkey-Roberts type valves and one ProFormance inflatable seat cushion with Twist-Lock valves. |
 Chelan 140 | The Chelan 140 solo or tandem touring kayak with open cockpit design is made of single-layer Duratex material with welded bladder seams for an airtight seal and its high-pressure drop-stitch floor provides added rigidity and durability while optimizing performance. It has sleek narrow tubes designed to increase glide and speed, a bow rocker for riding over waves, and a lower rocker in the stern for improved tracking. The kayak has added protection features: a heavy-duty nose cone protects the bow and stern from impacts and a bow drag plate further protects the hull when landing. For added comfort, bow and stern cockpit splash guards help keep you dry. | Single-layer Duratex material (PVC tarpaulin) made from 1000 Denier polyester fabric coated with PVC and a high-pressure drop-stitch floor constructed with thousands of equally-spaced polyester fibers sewn between the top and bottom layers of the polyester fabric floor that is coated in an 8 cm single-layer of PVC. | 5 Chambers: 2 side tubes and drop-stitch floor with Halkey-Roberts type valves and 2 ProFormance inflatable seat cushions with Twist-Lock valves. |
 Chelan 155 | The Chelan 155 solo or tandem touring kayak with open cockpit design is made of single-layer Duratex material with welded bladder seams for an airtight seal and its high-pressure drop-stitch floor provides added rigidity and durability while optimizing performance. It has sleek narrow tubes designed to increase glide and speed, a bow rocker for riding over waves, and a lower rocker in the stern for improved tracking. The kayak has added protection features: a heavy-duty nose cone protects the bow and stern from impacts and a bow drag plate further protects the hull when landing. For added comfort, bow and stern cockpit splash guards help keep you dry. | Single-layer Duratex material (PVC tarpaulin) made from 1000 Denier polyester fabric coated with PVC and a high-pressure drop-stitch floor constructed with thousands of equally-spaced polyester fibers sewn between the top and bottom layers of the polyester fabric floor that is coated in an 8 cm single-layer of PVC. | 5 Chambers: 2 side tubes and drop-stitch floor with Halkey-Roberts type valves and 2 ProFormance inflatable seat cushions with Twist-Lock valves. |
 Noyo 90 | The Noyo 90 is a sit-inside solo kayak made of two welded internal bladders and non-removable bow and stern decks covered in HexShell material while an EvoBeam floor with a raised center beam on the underside creates a V-shaped hull for improved tracking. | HexShell bladder and deck cover material made of 600 Denier hexagonal ripstop polyester fabric for durability, puncture resistance, UV resistance, and protection from the elements. | 4 Chambers: 2 side tubes, an EvoBeam floor with Boston valves, and an inflatable cockpit rim with Twist-Lock valve. |
 Navarro 110 | The Navarro 110 is a sit-inside solo kayak made of two welded internal bladders and non-removable bow and stern decks covered in HexShell material while a high-pressure drop-stitch floor provides durability and rigidity and enhances performance. Its low rocker design aids in tracking and a bow landing plate protects the hull when landing. | HexShell bladder and deck cover material made of 600 Denier hexagonal ripstop polyester fabric for durability, puncture resistance, UV resistance, and protection from the elements, and a high-pressure drop-stitch floor constructed with thousands of equally-spaced polyester fibers sewn between the top and bottom layers of the polyester fabric floor that is coated in an 8 cm single-layer of PVC. | 4 Chambers: 2 side tubes with Boston valves, drop-stitch floor with Halkey-Roberts type valve, and inflatable cockpit rim with Twist-Lock valve. |
 Navarro 130 | The Navarro 130 is a convertible open deck or sit-inside solo kayak made of two welded internal bladders and non-removable bow and stern decks covered in HexShell material while a high-pressure drop-stitch floor provides durability and rigidity and enhances performance. Its low rocker design aids in tracking and a bow landing plate protects the hull when landing. For added comfort, an inflatable deck lift keeps water out and improves space below the deck. | HexShell bladder and deck cover material made of 600 Denier hexagonal ripstop polyester fabric for durability, puncture resistance, UV resistance, and protection from the elements, and a high-pressure drop-stitch floor constructed with thousands of equally-spaced polyester fibers sewn between the top and bottom layers of the polyester fabric floor that is coated in an 8 cm single-layer of PVC. | 4 Chambers: 2 side tubes with Boston valves, drop-stitch floor with Halkey-Roberts type valve, and inflatable deck riser with Twist-Lock valve. |
 Navarro 145 | The Navarro 145 is a convertible open deck or sit-inside solo or tandem kayak made of two welded internal bladders and non-removable bow and stern decks covered in HexShell material while a high-pressure drop-stitch floor provides durability and rigidity and enhances performance. Its low rocker design aids in tracking and a bow landing plate protects the hull when landing. For added comfort, an inflatable deck lift keeps water out and improves space below the deck. | HexShell bladder and deck cover material made of 600 Denier hexagonal ripstop polyester fabric for durability, puncture resistance, UV resistance, and protection from the elements, and a high-pressure drop-stitch floor constructed with thousands of equally-spaced polyester fibers sewn between the top and bottom layers of the polyester fabric floor that is coated in an 8 cm single-layer of PVC. | 4 Chambers: 2 side tubes with Boston valves, drop-stitch floor with Halkey-Roberts type valve, and inflatable deck riser with Twist-Lock valve. |
 Deschutes 110 | The Deschutes 110 solo touring kayak with open cockpit design is made of single-layer Duratex material with welded bladder seams for an airtight seal and a rigid EVA floor that requires no inflation and provides a low center of gravity for improved stability. Its low rocker profile and sleek narrow tubes are designed to improve glide, speed, and tracking. Additional features include a thwart (Feather Frame Inflatable Crossbeam) for improving structural rigidity, a bow drag plate to protect the hull when landing, and a bow cockpit splash guard to help keep you dry. | Single-layer Duratex material (PVC tarpaulin) made from 1000 Denier polyester fabric coated with PVC and a solid EVA floor. | 3 Chambers: 2 side tubes and 1 thwart with Halkey-Roberts type valves. |
 Deschutes 130 | The Deschutes 130 solo touring kayak with open cockpit design is made of single-layer Duratex material with welded bladder seams for an airtight seal and a rigid EVA floor that requires no inflation and provides a low center of gravity for improved stability. Its low rocker profile and sleek narrow tubes are designed to improve glide, speed, and tracking. Additional features include a thwart (Feather Frame Inflatable Crossbeam) for improving structural rigidity, a bow drag plate to protect the hull when landing, and a bow cockpit splash guard to help keep you dry. | Single-layer Duratex material (PVC tarpaulin) made from 1000 Denier polyester fabric coated with PVC and a solid EVA floor. | 3 Chambers: 2 side tubes and 1 thwart with Halkey-Roberts type valves. |
 Deschutes 145 | The Deschutes 145 solo or tandem touring kayak with open cockpit design is made of single-layer Duratex material with welded bladder seams for an airtight seal and a rigid EVA floor that requires no inflation and provides a low center of gravity for improved stability. Its low rocker profile and sleek narrow tubes are designed to improve glide, speed, and tracking. Additional features include a thwart (Feather Frame Inflatable Crossbeam) for improving structural rigidity, a bow drag plate to protect the hull when landing, and a bow cockpit splash guard to help keep you dry. | Duratex material (PVC tarpaulin) made from 1000 Denier polyester fabric coated with PVC and a solid EVA floor. | 4 Chambers: 2 side tubes and 2 thwarts with Halkey-Roberts type valves. |
 Blackfoot Angler 130 | The Blackfoot Angler 130 solo touring kayak with open cockpit design is made of single-layer Duratex material with welded bladder seams for an airtight seal and its high-pressure drop-stitch floor provides added rigidity and durability while optimizing performance. The kayak has added protection features: a heavy-duty nose cone protects the bow and stern from impacts and a bow drag plate further protects the hull when landing. For added comfort, a bow cockpit splash guard helps keep you dry and an EVA traction pad provides an anti-slip surface for standing. | Duratex material (PVC tarpaulin) made from 1000 Denier polyester fabric coated with PVC and a high-pressure drop-stitch floor constructed with thousands of equally-spaced polyester fibers sewn between the top and bottom layers of the polyester fabric floor that is coated in an 8 cm single-layer of PVC and topped with an EVA traction pad. | 3 Chambers: 2 side tubes and drop-stitch floor with Halkey-Roberts type valves. |
 Blackfoot Angler 160 | The Blackfoot Angler 160 solo or tandem touring kayak with open cockpit design is made of single-layer Duratex material with welded bladder seams for an airtight seal and its high-pressure drop-stitch floor provides added rigidity and durability while optimizing performance. The kayak has added protection features: a heavy-duty nose cone protects the bow and stern from impacts and a bow drag plate further protects the hull when landing. For added comfort, a bow cockpit splash guard helps keep you dry and an EVA traction pad provides an anti-slip surface for standing. | Duratex material (PVC tarpaulin) made from 1000 Denier polyester fabric coated with PVC and a high-pressure drop-stitch floor constructed with thousands of equally-spaced polyester fibers sewn between the top and bottom layers of the polyester fabric floor that is coated in an 8 cm single-layer of PVC and topped with an EVA traction pad. | 3 Chambers: 2 side tubes and drop-stitch floor with Halkey-Roberts type valves. |
 McKenzie 105 | The McKenzie 105 solo whitewater and recreational kayak with open cockpit design is made of single-layer Duratex material with welded bladder seams for an airtight seal while the Duratex EvoBeam floor with a raised center beam on the underside creates a V-shaped hull for improved tracking. It has 10.5″ tubes and a flat rocker profile in the center for added stability on whitewater and improved tracking on flat water, a high bow rocker for riding over waves, and a high stern rocker for improved maneuverability and to keep the bow from pearling. Additional features include a heavy-duty nose cone on the bow and stern and four large permanently open mesh self-bailing cockpit drains for quickly removing water. | Single-layer Duratex material (PVC tarpaulin) made from 1000 Denier polyester fabric coated with PVC. | 3 Chambers: 2 side tubes and EvoBeam floor with Halkey-Roberts type valves and Leafield A6 pressure release valve (PRV) to protect the floor from over-inflation damage. |
 McKenzie 125 | The McKenzie 125 solo whitewater and recreational kayak with open cockpit design is made of single-layer Duratex material with welded bladder seams for an airtight seal while the Duratex EvoBeam floor with a raised center beam on the underside creates a V-shaped hull for improved tracking. It has 13″ oversized tubes and a flat rocker profile in the center for added stability on whitewater and improved tracking on flat water, a high bow rocker for riding over waves, and a high stern rocker for improved maneuverability and to keep the bow from pearling. Additional features include a heavy-duty nose cone on the bow and stern and four large permanently open mesh self-bailing cockpit drains for quickly removing water. | Single-layer Duratex material (PVC tarpaulin) made from 1000 Denier polyester fabric coated with PVC. | 3 Chambers: 2 side tubes and EvoBeam floor with Halkey-Roberts type valves and Leafield A6 pressure release valve (PRV) to protect the floor from over-inflation damage. |
 Backwoods Purist 65 | The Backwoods Purist 65 has a separate main chamber and floor made of heavy-duty nylon fabric reinforced with a single layer of TPU and welded seams. | 210 Denier nylon fabric laminated on one side with Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) film. | 3 Chamber: one main tube with Boston Valve and an inflatable seat with two Twist-Lock valves. |
 Backwoods Angler 75 | The Backwoods Purist 75 has a separate main chamber and floor made of heavy-duty nylon fabric reinforced with a double layer of TPU and welded seams. | 210 Denier nylon fabric laminated on both sides with Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) film. | 3 Chamber: one main tube with Boston Valve and an inflatable seat with two Twist-Lock valves. |
 Backwoods Expedition 85 | The Backwoods Purist 75 has a separate main chamber and floor made of heavy-duty nylon fabric reinforced with a double layer of TPU and welded and taped seams. Its floor is made of I-beam construction for added rigidity and improved performance. | 210 Denier nylon fabric laminated on both sides with Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) film. | 4 Chambers: one main tube and floor chamber with Boston Valves and an inflatable seat with two Twist-Lock valves. |
Want to learn more about inflatable boat materials? Check out my companion article on Understanding Heavy-Duty Inflatable Boat Air Chamber Materials And Specs.
Aquaglide Inflatable SUP Hull Materials and Construction
Most Aquaglide inflatable SUPs are made from Fused Structural Laminate (FSL) drop-stitch construction. Like Aquaglide’s drop-stitch kayak floors, this process begins with thousands of equally-spaced polyester fibers sewn between the top and bottom layers of the polyester fabric core of the SUP.
Next, top and bottom layers of Aquaglide’s Duratex (PVC tarpaulin) are fused with extreme heat and pressure to the drop-stitch core. An inner seam tape and an outer side layer of textured Duratex called TriTex are also used to secure the seal between the top and bottom layers of Duratex.
Duratex is Aquaglide’s lightest, stiffest, most durable material made with 1000 Denier polyester fabric that is coated with PVC under great heat and pressure to force the PVC into the fabric to create a rugged, airtight material.
The SUP is then enhanced with a 7-color high-resolution digital print and diamond-cut EVA top deck pad to keep feet from slipping on the board.
This manufacturing process creates a high-pressure, extremely rigid, lightweight board with superior performance.
The Cascade 10’0” is Aquaglide’s only SUP that isn’t made with (FSL) drop-stitch construction. Instead, it is made using a traditional high-pressure drop-stitched material coated in a 12 cm single layer of PVC.
Aquaglide SUP Materials and Design by Model
| SUP MODEL | SUP DESIGN | SUP MATERIALS | AIR CHAMBERS |
 Cascade 10’0” SUP | The Cascade 10’0” SUP is made with a high-pressure drop-stitch core coated in a 12 cm single layer of PVC and a microtexture EVA Foam Traction Pad on the deck for secure footing. Additional features include a 9-inch center fin for improved tracking, universal accessory mount, tie-down loops, carry handle, and front cargo bungee. | High-pressure drop-stitch core constructed with thousands of equally-spaced polyester fibers sewn between the top and bottom layers of the polyester fabric floor coated in a 12 cm single layer of PVC. | 1 Chamber: one main chamber with a Halkey-Roberts type valve. |
 Cascade 11’0” SUP | The Cascade 11’0” SUP is made with high-pressure FSL drop-stitched material coated in a 15 cm double layer of PVC and a microtexture EVA Foam Traction Pad on the deck for secure footing. Additional features include a 9-inch center fin for improved tracking, universal accessory mount, tie-down loops, carry handle, and front cargo bungee. | 15 cm Fused Structural Laminate (FSL) drop-stitch construction – fuses Aquaglide’s Duratex (PVC tarpaulin / PVC coated 1000 Denier polyester fabric) directly to the drop-stitch core. | 1 Chamber: one main chamber with a Halkey-Roberts type valve. |
 Kush 11’0″ SUP | The Kush 11’0″ SUP is made with high-pressure FSL drop-stitched material coated in a 15 cm double layer of PVC and a microtexture EVA Foam Traction Pad on the deck for secure footing. Additional features include a 9-inch center fin for improved tracking, universal accessory mount, tie-down loops, carry handle, and front cargo bungee. | 15 cm Fused Structural Laminate (FSL) drop-stitch construction – fuses Aquaglide’s Duratex (PVC tarpaulin / PVC coated 1000 Denier polyester fabric) directly to the drop-stitch core. | 1 Chamber: one main chamber with a Halkey-Roberts type valve. |
 Roam 12’6” SUP | The Roam 12’6” SUP is made with high-pressure FSL drop-stitched material coated in a 15 cm double layer of PVC and a microtexture EVA Foam Traction Pad on the deck for secure footing. Additional features include a 9-inch center fin for improved tracking, universal accessory mount, tie-down loops, carry handle, and front and rear cargo bungees. | 15 cm Fused Structural Laminate (FSL) drop-stitch construction – fuses Aquaglide’s Duratex (PVC tarpaulin / PVC coated 1000 Denier polyester fabric) directly to the drop-stitch core. | 1 Chamber: one main chamber with a Halkey-Roberts type valve. |
 Blackfoot Angler 11′ SUP | The Blackfoot Angler 11′ SUP is made with high-pressure FSL drop-stitched material coated in a 15 cm double layer of PVC, Aero Rail Stringers provide added rail stiffness, and a microtexture EVA Foam Traction Pad on the deck for secure footing. Additional features include a 9-inch center fin and two side fins for improved tracking, seven universal accessory mounts, tie-down loops, carry handles on the front, rear, and center, front and rear cargo bungees, and an integrated 30″ fish ruler. | 15 cm Fused Structural Laminate (FSL) drop-stitch construction – fuses Aquaglide’s Duratex (PVC tarpaulin / PVC coated 1000 Denier polyester fabric) directly to the drop-stitch core. | 1 Chamber: one main chamber with a Halkey-Roberts type valve. |
References
The data gathered for this article was compiled by looking at each kayak and SUP model description, its accompanying YouTube video, its user manual, and the forums at Aquaglide.com. The sales descriptions and product photos at Outdoorplay.com played a pivotal role when further clarification was needed.
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Hey Steve Hood, great breakdown on the materials. Quick question on the Aquaglide Duratex material. How does it compare in durability to traditional kayak materials? Would love to know if it’s worth the switch for someone who’s rough on their gear. Thanks!
really liked the part about high-pressure drop-stitch floor construction. sounds like that’s what makes these inflatable kayaks so rigid and stable. awesome article.
I’m not entirely convinced that fabric-reinforced TPU is superior to PVC in terms of environmental impact. Yes, TPU might be slightly better, but both materials have long-term disposal and recycling challenges. Would love to hear more thoughts on this.
The article makes a good point about the versatility of inflatable kayaks. It’s great to see how different materials like HexShell can impact the performance. Good read.
absolutely love my aquaglide inflatable SUP! the material feels super sturdy, which is great. this article explained why it feels so good. thanks for the cool info!
Regarding the EvoBeam floor construction, is it true that it offers better weight distribution across the surface? Would be interesting to compare it directly with traditional inflatable floors in terms of performance and durability.
never knew so much went into the floors of kayaks lol. ive just been using mine to float and chill on the lake. good to know its made sturdy though
Oh great, just when I thought my gear was eco-friendly, turns out we’re still playing with PVC and TPU. At least they’re making efforts with the fabric reinforcement, right? Progress is progress, I guess.
Eco-friendly is a spectrum, my friend. You won’t find perfection in commercially viable products. But sure, let’s celebrate the baby steps.
was reading this and wondering, how do you actually maintain these inflatable kayaks? like, any special tips for the materials mentioned? wanna make sure i take care of mine right.
The detailed info on the SUP materials is GOLD! always wondered why my board felt different from others. turns out, it’s all in the materials and construction. Stoked to hit the waves with this new insight. Rock on, Steve Hood.