The Advanced Elements Lagoon 1 Inflatable Kayak is another great inflatable model from Advanced Elements. This single-seater kayak is absolutely perfect for solo adventures on a lake, rivers, or even bays. Lagoon 1 doesn’t look so impressive at first glance because it’s such a small inflatable kayak. However, there are a lot of factors that make Lagoon 1 a very strong and worthy kayak, that is worth your attention.
The absolute best thing about Lagoon 1 is that it weighs only 23 kilograms. If you are traveling, it can go with you everywhere! Put it in your suitcase and transport it on the plane, throw it in the trunk of the car. Thus, you can easily bring it with you everywhere, because it is so convenient and easy to inflate and use.
Inflatable vs Hardshell
There are clearly some differences between a hardshell kayak and an inflatable kayak, but the most important are durability, price, and ease of use. These three things can make or break a kayak and, contrary to what you might think, inflatables do very well in these categories.
These differences should not disappoint you when thinking of purchasing an inflatable kayak, because some of them were as good, if not even better, than their hardshell counterparts. Our review will show you how awesome some inflatables really are.
Advanced Elements Lagoon 1 Inflatable kayak features
- Designed for lakes, rivers, and bays
- Built-in panels improve tracking
- Quick swelling Twistlok
- Upholstered chair with high support
- Molded rubber handles
- Weight limit of 250 kilograms
In-depth review of the Advanced Elements Lagoon inflatable kayak 1
We wanted to test this specific kayak in order to see if it works well for the use of a whole family, as well as beginners and professionals in kayaking. Although, we didn’t want to take the kayak out to sea, because most inflatables don’t perform well there.
Ease of transport and inflation
Inflatables are known to be very easy to store and transport due to the fact that they fold very easily and are quite light. The Advanced Elements Lagoon 1 Inflatable Kayak is no different. We found it so easy to pack it in the truck and unpack it again once we got there.
In terms of inflation, the Twistlok valve allows you to inflate and deflate the kayak very quickly and smoothly. You can have the kayak swollen and ready to go in a few minutes and no technical setup is needed before entering the water.
Our rating – 5/5
Comfort
Like any other inflatable we’ve tested, great comfort is guaranteed every time to have significant importance. The soft bottom of the kayak is very comfortable to sit on for long periods of time and, as long as it is properly inflated, you will definitely not experience any discomfort.
Lagoon 1 comes with a padded chair with high support, which is also removable. Many people will begin to struggle with neck, shoulder, and back pain when sitting in a kayak for a long time, thus, we guarantee this chair prevents the installation of any type of wounds or pains.
Paddle
One of the particular things we usually struggle with when it comes to most inflatable kayaks is being able to paddle and steer them efficiently enough. Inflatable kayaks are known to be a little difficult to steer due to the lack of rigidity.
Lagoon 1 avoids this problem by having built-in rigid panels that greatly improve tracking and direction. These panels allow the kayak to handle even the roughest waters and still maintain maximum steering and tracking performance.
Durability
The kayak itself is made of a ripstop fabric that can withstand the damage caused by most sources. It has electronically welded seams that can withstand wear and tear, as well as years of use. Thus, you can stay ensure that you will most definitely stay afloat long enough to reach shore in case of a puncture.
The Advanced Elements Lagoon 1 Inflatable Kayak also comes with a very durable fabric coating, a coating for the inner tube that also adds rigidity and abrasion protection. The outer cover not only adds protection but is also very light, keeping the total weight down.
Furthermore:
The kayak is full of extra features, and it has enough of them to stand out. We have already mentioned the very comfortable padded chair, it also has molded rubber handles and bungee cords on the deck for storage. More so, for ease of use, there is a pallet holder, a carrying case, and a very handy repair kit that can solve most damages and problems that might come up.
Price
The only downside to the otherwise perfect Advanced Elements kayaks is the price. They are almost always worth the price, but if you are looking for a fun piece to use from time to time on vacation, you may not want to spend that much money.
There are several kayaks that are cheaper, for example, Intex Challenger K1, but Advanced Elements make their kayaks with quality and craftsmanship that are unmatched right now on the market. It may be a high price, but it is one that you will have to pay only once.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Very well done
- High-quality materials
- Fast and agile
- Easy to set up and use
- Storage is a breeze
Cons:
- Not for harsher waters
- For solo use only
Conclusion
The Advanced Elements Lagoon 1 Inflatable Kayak is a serious competitor for the best inflatable and even solo kayaks on the market. The quality is incredible and it is so easy to use and inflate. It is an excellent kayak for both beginners and professionals, and for solo paddlers or family fun.
If you are looking for a worthy investment and a kayak that will last you and your family for many years to come, the Advanced Elements Lagoon 1 Inflatable Kayak is worth the money and is a kayak that you should definitely not miss. Thus, if you are convinced you’d like to purchase one of these beauties, we recommend you go on amazon.com for the best prices out there.
