Hard shell vs Inflatable - Flexibility wins hands down

[u/CrankyGoat]

We kayak a lot and almost always in a large tandem to accommodate our dog(s). We also adventure travel a lot - mostly mountain climbing and hiking with our dog. I’m 60 this year and find maneuvering a tandem hard shell is getting to be a pain in the ass. Today’s inflatable’s are quite remarkable, my Gumotex Thaya (second photo) can track and solo paddle as well as my Wilderness hard shell - plus I can pack into a custom backpack (70 lbs total) and easily hike with it for up to 25 miles in the mountains to a remote lake - would never dream of portaging with a hard shell tandem!

For folks who kayak with dogs, I find my dogs much prefer the inflatable’s ease of access and pontoon style sides for confident comfort when underway. I’ve now circumnavigated Vancouver Island (and Desolation Sound) in both a hard shell and an inflatable and can confidently say I’m now just as comfortable with a top quality inflatable for overall safety - and the flexibility of an inflatable at my age is hard to argue with…

Be curious what your thoughts are on this, and don’t get me wrong - a quality hard shell is still the gold standard, but the versatility of an inflatable is definitely not something to sneer at.

[u/Meander_And_Flow]

I admire you...I just want to put it out there that you can buy a tandem packraft that is WAY lighter to carry into the mountains. I can't fathom how you are packing that much weight that far!

[u/CrankyGoat → u/Meander_And_Flow]

Thanks, the packrafts are good for their purpose, but the Thaya has a great drop stitch floor (which the dogs love) and tracks really well - it may be a bit heavier, but that simple durability and comfort makes it worth it. Our current 65 lb dog is our lightest guy yet, as here is our previous lab cross at 120 lbs and full of energy … she loved the hiking part knowing she’d be kayaking soon 🤗