Innova Helios I


Best Uses: Sea kayaking, day trips, traveling, lakes, calm rivers, camping

Innova Helios I inflatable kayakBrand:  Innova

Available At:

Number of Paddlers:  1

Stats:  Length 10’ 2”, Width 28”, Weight 24 lbs, Load Capacity 220 lbs

Accessories Included:  70 litre Drybag backpack (fits everything including kayak, pfd, 4-piece paddle, spare paddle, bailer, throwbag and footpump!), thin nylon bag that fits over kayak

Kayak Material:  Low stretch polyester and heavy duty rubber coated 1,200 denier Nitrylon exterior, Lite-pack interior to reduce weight and packed size.

Pros:  Stable, light weight, easy to lift, comfortable, lots of storage space, great maneuverability, good tracking, compact, easy entry and exit, inflates very quickly

Cons:  Although very comfortable, you have to sit on the  floor of the kayak with a backrest to lean against and you will definitely get a wet bum.  The backrest offers good support but some have suggested adding a cushion to keep your bum off the wetness of the floor.

More About the Innova Helios I

If I wanted an inflatable kayak mostly for traveling and solo use, this would be one of the top options.  It is incredibly light at only 24 pounds and you wouldn’t believe how small it packs up.  The Innova Helios I has a long reputation for being an excellent inflatable kayak.  It is ideal for flat water such as lakes, slow rivers (only up to class I) as well as for sea kayaking. 

What I like most about the Helios is that:

  • the quality is excellent
  • its light weight makes it easy for one person to carry and handle
  • it packs away into the backpack that comes with it and is fairly easy to carry
  • and it has a surprisingly large amount of storage space within the kayak as well as bungee cords for extra gear on top of the kayak.

Simple Yet Effective 

The best thing about this inflatable kayak however is its simplicity.  It inflates very quickly and there is nothing to mess around or attach except for the footrests (I love that it comes with footrests!).  I wouldn’t say the Helios is super fast but it can pick up decent speeds, especially once you get into your rhythm and the tracking is quite good. 

Optional Rudder for Sea Kayaking

There is an optional rudder that can be purchased as well however it is recommended for the tandem version of the Helios only.  The solo model does not necessarily need it as the tracking is already quite good.  However if you plan to do a lot of sea kayaking you may want to consider purchasing the rudder as it will help with manoeuvering through ocean swells.

Note:  The rudder is really designed to fit the tandem Helios and therefore if you decide to purchase it for the solo Helios you will need to specifically request longer rudder cords that can fit over the hull of the Helios I.  

Seating

The seats in this inflatable kayak are simply inflatable flaps that attach to the back cover and folds against the floor.  From looking at the pictures you may not think the seating looks very comfortable however just about all the reviews on back support have been excellent. 

The one issue is the fact that you sit on the floor of this kayak and you will inevitably get a wet bum.  This doesn’t personally bother me much as I tend to get a wet bum no matter which kayak I paddle (I am not sure why that is alwasy the case with me) so I tend to just expect it.  However if you find that it is an issue for you, you can rectify this by adding any type of rubber or inflatable seat cushion which will keep your bottom off the floor.

Innova Helios I Material Options

The Helios is made from Nitrylon material which is completely PVC-free and therefore quite environmentally friendly which I think is pretty cool.  Nitrylon also dries super quick and is easy to keep clean.

At this point Innova is offering two different options for material. 

  1. One option uses a Lite-pack Nitrylon material on the inside of the kayak as well as on the decks that makes it about 10% lighter and far more comfortable on the skin (it is also slightly cheaper than the other option).  This is my personal preference as I like the lighter weight however the Lite-pack material is more susceptible to damage from the sun as well as from saltwater.  Therefore if you purchase the Lite-pack version it is recommended that you use some scotchguard over the grey inner material in order to help protect it, preserve its strength and help it to last longer.

  2. The other option is the Helios I EX which has fully rubber coated Nitrylon fabric construction throughout so you do not have to worry about scotchguarding it as it is already completely protected.  This version costs roughly $100 extra and weighs an extra 5 lbs.
Final Thoughts On the Innova Helios I

The Innova Helios inflatable kayak has been very popular in Europe and on the West Coast for years as it is affordable, stable and great for many types of water. It is a more enclosed kayak that offers some good protection from the elements while kayaking. It is very lightweight and perfect for traveling. I would highly recommend this model for any person looking for a convenient and portable solo inflatable kayak.

It is a very solid, good quality inflatable and has an excellent reputation. Keep in mind that the load capacity is 220 lbs. and it may not be the best choice for a larger person.  There is also a two person model that can hold much more weight – the Innova Helios II.

Pro Innova Helios

  • Stable
  • Very light weight
  • Easy to lift and handle for one person
  • Good tracking
  • Comfortable – though could use a different seat
  • Lots of storage space
  • Great maneuverability
  • Compact
  • Easy entry and exit
  • Inflates very quickly

Against Innova Helios

  • You have to sit on the floor of the kayak (you will definitely have a wet butt) – try adding in a different seat or padding to help with this
  • Weight restriction of 220 lbs. for best performance – may not be suitable for a larger person or if carrying a lot of heavy gear
The Innova Helios I Inflatable Kayak Is Available At:

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