Advanced Elements Straitedge Kayak
Summary
Price At Time Of Writing | $1,397.00
Our Overall Rating | 79 out of 100
Pros - Stable, spacious and strong
Cons - Uncomfortable, doesn't track well, slow, lots of inflation points
Overall - Ok for fishing or white water, awkward to paddle long distances
Technical Specifications
Open Size - 295x89cm
Weight - 15.4kg
Load Capacity - 136kg
Packed Size - 99x46x24cm
Our Analysis & Ratings
Spacious and stable, the Advanced Elements Straitedge is a great kayak for beginners or someone who wants the option to go fishing without committing to a full-fledged fishing kayak. Suitable for class 3 rapids, it certainly won't fall apart on you either. In terms of performance, it is a bit slow in the water and doesn't track that well in a straight line. It also has a lot of inflation points, and the seat is a bit uncomfortable. We can see how it's functional in circumstances like fishing or white water, but we wouldn't want to paddle any sort of distance in it.
Performance (speed, tracking, manoeuvrability, stability, load handling): 5/10
Speed: Those with a bit more experience may find it slow in the water.
Tracking: Getting it to track in a straight line is also a bit of a challenge.
Stability: This is a wide base kayak that offers extra stability in the water, which is great for beginners.
Construction (materials, seams, valve quality, durability and fittings): 6/10
As with all Advanced Elements products, this is a quality construction. Durable enough for class 3 rapids and made with PVC tarpaulin, it's made to last you a while. The bulk and curves of the design just feel a bit awkward on this model for us.
Setup/Pack Down (inflation time, valves, folding and drying): 6/10
Setup is pretty good on this kayak. It does take a while to dry it out before putting it back in the bag, and there are a number of chambers to inflate, which is a bit tedious.
Portability (weight, packed size, ease of carrying): 7/10
At 15.4kg, this is pretty standard for an inflatable kayak. Not as portable as some of the others, but still pretty good.
Comfort (seat support, legroom, fatigue over distance): 5/10
One of our big complaints with the Straitedge kayak is the backrest. Although there is plenty of room in the kayak, we just found the backrest offers little support, which makes it hard to sit in for any significant period of time.
Value for money:
This is a solid option for beginners or occasional anglers who want the stability and durability without committing to a dedicated fishing kayak. Just don't expect it to be your go-to for long-distance paddling.
Best for:
Beginners wanting a stable, forgiving kayak
Casual fishing without a dedicated fishing kayak
White water up to class 3 rapids
Short outings rather than long-distance paddling
Overall:
Ok for fishing or white water, awkward to paddle long distances.
