Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Kayak
Summary
Price At Time Of Writing | $1,349.00
Our Overall Rating | 86 out of 100
Pros - Comfortable, performs well in the water
Cons - Tedious setup, long drying time, not drop stitch, heavy
Overall - Stable and handles well. Just time consuming to dry it out
Technical Specifications
Open Size - 318x81cm
Weight - 16.3kg
Load Capacity - 136kg
Packed Size - 76x43x25cm
Our Analysis & Ratings
The Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame is a well-established inflatable kayak that’s built for comfort, stability and relaxed paddling. It performs better on the water than many people expect from a non-drop-stitch design, and while it’s not the fastest or most cutting-edge kayak available, it remains a popular and dependable option for good reason.
Performance (speed, tracking, manoeuvrability, stability, load handling): 7/10
Speed: For a non-drop-stitch inflatable, the AdvancedFrame performs surprisingly well. The paddling surface feels firmer than expected and it moves along efficiently, though it doesn’t quite slice through the water like higher-end, more expensive models.
Tracking: Straight-line tracking is one of its biggest strengths. The built-in skeg, rounded hull and low profile help it hold its line well, even in a breeze. It feels predictable and easy to keep on course, which makes it especially appealing for beginners.
Manoeuvrability: Despite its tracking-focused shape, the AdvancedFrame is easier to manoeuvre than you might expect. While it won’t turn as quickly as shorter or stiffer kayaks, it handles well and feels intuitive on the water.
Stability: Although it doesn’t use a drop-stitch floor, the AdvancedFrame is still very stable. The hull moves smoothly with your body and inspires confidence, making it suitable for relaxed paddling, carrying light gear, or sharing the cockpit with a child or pet.
Load handling: Once loaded to around 50 per cent capacity, the kayak does slow down and feel less stable, but it remains manageable for lighter paddlers. Heavier paddlers may notice these limitations more quickly.
For a non-drop-stitch kayak, we were genuinely impressed with how well it performs. It’s easy to paddle, stable and forgiving, which helps explain why it’s remained so popular over the years.
Construction (materials, seams, valves, durability and fittings): 8/10
As with most Advanced Elements kayaks, the construction quality is excellent. The rip-stop fabric deck, combined with a PVC tarpaulin hull, makes it feel tough and built to last. Seams and valves held pressure reliably throughout testing and abrasion resistance was solid.
It’s a thoughtfully designed kayak with a proven track record for durability. Our only real wish here is that it came standard with a drop-stitch floor, which would significantly improve stiffness and overall performance.
We’ve owned this kayak for several years and it’s aged well, which says a lot about Advanced Elements’ build quality.
Setup and Pack Down (inflation time, valves, folding, drying): 6/10
This is where the AdvancedFrame starts to frustrate. It uses multiple inflation chambers with mismatched valves, which makes setup slower and more confusing than it needs to be, especially if you’re not using it regularly.
Some chambers require mouth inflation because pump attachments don’t reliably stay connected, despite claims otherwise. Drying also takes a long time due to the fabric deck and folding it neatly is fiddly thanks to the aluminium ribs in the hull.
Portability (weight, packed size, ease of carrying): 8/10
At 16.3kg, this is a fairly heavy inflatable kayak. The packed size is reasonable, but the carry bag doesn’t have backpack-style shoulder straps, which makes longer carries awkward and uncomfortable. It’s manageable for short distances, but not something you’d want to lug far. The bag itself is good quality, but a backpack design would have made a big difference.
Comfort (seat support, legroom, fatigue over distance): 7/10
Comfort is acceptable but not outstanding. The seat base isn’t padded, the floor is soft and there’s no footrest on this model. Over longer paddles, the lack of proper foot support led to more fatigue through the hips and core.
Among Advanced Elements kayaks, this was the least comfortable we tested.
Value for Money:
With pricing typically between $1079 and $1349, the AdvancedFrame sits in the premium category. You’re paying for excellent construction and good straight-line performance, but compromises in comfort, setup time and manoeuvrability mean its value for money is best described as fair rather than outstanding.
Best For:
Lighter paddlers
Calm, flat water
Short recreational paddles
People with limited storage space but plenty of setup time
Beginners and experienced paddlers
Those happy to trade setup convenience for durability
Overall:
The Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame is a well-built, high-quality inflatable kayak that performs best when used exactly as intended: smooth water, steady paddling and lighter loads. While it’s not the most comfortable or user-friendly option available today, it tracks nicely, feels forgiving on the water, and is suitable for a wide range of paddlers.
If you’re chasing simplicity or all-round performance, there are better modern options, but if build quality and calm-water cruising are your priorities, the AdvancedFrame still holds its place.
