Drop Stitch Inflatable Kayak: A Quick Guide to the Versatile Water Vessel

They say life is better with kayaking. 

Looking to unwind and have a relaxing time? Want to spend some quality time with your folks or socialize with friends? Or are you in the mood for a thrilling activity? “Let’s go kayaking” is the answer to all those questions. Kayaking truly is the perfect water sport.

A kayak for a rider is like a paintbrush for an artist - the right one makes all the difference. So, whether you are an amateur kayaker or a proficient one, choosing the right kayak is pivotal to having an enjoyable and safe paddling experience. 

Today, inflatable kayaks built with drop stitch technology are increasingly gaining popularity because of the enhanced benefits they offer. 

In this article, we’ll discuss in depth about: 

• What exactly is a drop stitch inflatable kayak
• How it is different from its traditional counterparts
• What makes a drop stitch inflatable kayak superior

What is a Drop Stitch Inflatable Kayak?

Drop stitch inflatable kayaks are simply inflatable kayaks constructed with drop stitch technique to improve the flatness and rigidity of the water vessel. A rigid air chamber makes it possible to stand on the kayak firmly as though you were on a hardshell kayak. 

The big difference between regular inflatable and drop stitch inflatable kayaks is that the latter can be inflated with higher air pressure, making them as dimensionally stable as hardshell kayaks. 

But, what exactly is drop stitch construction? Let’s find out: 

Breaking Down The Drop Stitch Technology

Drop stitch technology revolves around the usage of a low-stretch fiber fabric such as polyester or nylon to hold the top and bottom surfaces of the kayak at equal distance from each other. Thousands of small threads or fibers are woven together to create a tightly-knit, strong, and rigid grid between the upper and lower layers of the air chambers in the kayak. 

Once the core is constructed, the woven core fibers of drop stitch kayaks are toughened and secured with the use of heat fusion.

An airtight and waterproof coating is also used and applied to the fabric to enable its use in the water. The final result is a drop stitch kayak that is far more stiff, rigid, and efficient than simply an inflatable one. 

Inflatable vs Hard Shell Kayak: How They Are Different

Conventionally, kayaks were constructed with a hard shell material. But, more recently, inflatable kayaks have become more common as they are far more convenient to use, store, transport, and carry. 

Here’s how they compare: 

Benefits of Inflatable Kayaks

While advanced riders might argue that hardshell kayaks outperform inflatable ones, the latter clearly wins when it comes to: 

✔️Ease of storage and transportation

✔️Versatility of use and price 

✔️Durability

Full Drop Stitch vs. Floor-Only Drop Stitch Kayaks

In full drop stitch kayaks, the floor as well as the side chambers are made out of drop stitch material. Whereas, in floor-only drop stitch kayaks, just the floor is made from drop stitch construction while the sidewalls are made of traditional air chambers. Full drop stitch kayaks are high pressure kayaks that are known to be less stable than inflatable kayaks with I-beam or floor only drop stitch kayaks.  

Drop Stitch Floor vs Inflatable Beam Floor

Inflatable kayaks without drop stitch floors commonly have I-beam floors in which its air chambers are divided into multiple segments. This type of construction keeps the bottom of the kayak flat during inflation. Inflatable kayaks with drop stitch floors are considerably more stable and rigid on water than those with I-beam floors due to the stiffness provided by the drop stitch material. 

Advantages of Drop Stitch Kayaks

Drop stitch kayaks are known to be far superior than other kayaks because of their key advantages that can be game-changing for kayakers:

Can be inflated with higher air pressure

Since drop stitch kayaks can be inflated with higher air pressures, they are extremely rigid and stiff boats, making them very efficient on any type of terrain - from flat water to rough waves. As a paddler, you have to worry less about paddling aggressively to keep your ride in motion and can ride comfortably and smoothly.

Improved performance and stability 

With rock hard rigidity and stiffness comes improved performance of the kayak - almost comparable to the one you are promised with a hardshell one. From speed to manoeuvrability, drop stitch inflatable kayaks are high performance, stable water vessels that riders with any skill level enjoy. 

Ease of getting in and out of the kayak 

As opposed to the I-beam floor of traditional inflatable kayaks that make it terribly inconvenient to get in and out of the boat, a drop stitch floor is super comfortable to get into and out of. This is excellent for novice users who usually need a lot of practice getting into the kayak while maintaining its stability.  

Disadvantages of Drop Stitch Kayaks

The drop stitch material also has some downfalls that are worth noting: 

Susceptibility to wind 

Because of their air chambers, drop stitch inflatable kayaks are lighter and have higher buoyancy compared to hard shell ones. So, they float on water rather than in it. Therefore, they might be susceptible to wind and rough weather conditions. But, by planning your kayaking trip in advance in line with the weather alerts and conditions, you can easily avoid any hassle due to the wind and paddle easily. 

More expensive compared to its counterparts

Since drop stitch kayaks take a lot of time and effort to build, are made with superior quality materials, and have a higher manufacturing cost, they are comparatively more expensive than traditional inflatable kayaks. Drop stitch technology also requires highly skilled craftsmen and extensive equipment, and is a labor intensive task.

So, the added cost is justified considering what goes into the making of the kayak. But, given the unbeatable benefits it offers in terms of performance, the higher price is totally worth it, especially if you really enjoy kayaking. 

Good Wave: Your Trusted Partner for High Performance Drop Stitch Inflatable Kayaks

When it comes to drop stitch inflatable kayaks, Good Wave is proud to be the leader in the space with a wide range that easily meets every need, preference, and requirement. With every drop stitch kayak you purchase from us, you are promised a thrilling, safe, and memorable experience in a rigid, stable, and sturdy water vessel.

At Good Wave, we believe in customer satisfaction over everything else. Apart from ensuring that the adventurer in you is happy with your purchase, we also ensure that you get your money’s worth. Each purchase comes with a 30-day return policy and 1-year manufacturer’s warranty, so you are satisfied with your kayak and can explore the deep ends on it. 

For any questions regarding which drop stitch kayak would be right for you or about any of our other products, feel free to use the live chat feature on our website or reach out to us via our contact form.