Aire Force I
Best Uses: Whitewater, rivers up to class IV
Brand: Aire
Available At:
Number of Paddlers: 1
Stats: Length 9’ 8”, Width 32”, Weight 30 lbs, Load Capacity 275 lbs
Accessories Included: Thigh straps, repair kit, 10 year warranty
Kayak Material: 1100 Denier polyurethane
Pros: Rugged, easy to lift, comfortable, great maneuverability, compact, easy entry and exit, loads of fun, hardly any water can get into the cockpit, excellent for rolling
Cons: Backrest can become uncomfortable in flatwater paddling (but it wasn’t designed for that)
More About the Aire Force I
Many hardcore kayakers wouldn’t even bother using an inflatable kayak unless it was an Aire kayak. The Aire inflatable kayaks are known for top notch excellence and the Aire Force I is no exception. This is a whitewater self-bailing kayak for intermediate to advanced paddlers. It is a little pricier than some of the rest, though when you compare quality, performance and the fact that it comes with a 10 year warranty (wow!) you can understand why.
You will find that the Aire Force is fairly tippy and it is important you understand the use of hips and a good brace. This is a boat for those with previous whitewater experience. Having had previous experience you will find this kayak handles very well and will plow through anything. The thigh straps and foot pedals are easy to manage and it is extremely responsive and fast. There is not a lot of room for gear so this is definitely not a boat for overnighters or camping. Also if the Aire Force is loaded down with gear it can become harder to control. The Aire Force XL might be a better choice if you do wish to bring more gear with you.
Excellent Features that Allow the Aire Force to Handle Any Situation
This is one of the best inflatable kayaks on the market that can be rolled if you possess the skill. A great feature is that the interior cockpit has built-in flotation in the bow and stern which reduces the amount of water that can get inside the cockpit. This will enhance the ease of rolling. It has the same continuous rocker of a hardshell for ease of spinning and surfing. The inflatable seat back and footrest can be adjusted to trim the boat and fit the paddler. This boat will exceed your expectations as far as performance goes. An intermediate to advanced whitewater paddler will find the Aire Force to handle just about any situation beautifully.
This kayak is more than perfect for traveling. It is extremely light weight and can easily be carried onto an airplane. Keep in mind that the Aire Force is really at its best in the whitewater rapids. If you are looking for an inflatable kayak that will be good in whitewater but also would like to use it in flatwater sometimes as well I would recommend the Innova Safari. The Safari has a tracking fin that can be attached that will make for much better tracking on flatwater. The Aire Force also comes in and XL version that is about nine inches longer and a bit more stable. The Aire Force XL is the preferred version of many especially if you have a stockier build.
Final Thoughts On the Aire Force I
All in all you cannot go wrong with the Aire Force if you are looking for a great performing whitewater kayak. Buit to handle just about any whitewater situation with ease and style, this kayak is super fun and sporty. If you are used to a hard shelled kayak and want the same kind of performance, the Air Force will deliver. Plus it has the added bonus of being able to be thrown in the trunk of your car, stored in a closet and taken on an airplane.
Pro Aire Force I
- Rugged
- Easy to lift – very light weight
- Comfortable
- Excellent maneuverability
- Very compact
- Easy entry and exit
- Hardly any water can get in the cockpit
- One of the best inflatable kayaks for rolling
- Loads of fun!
- Phenominal 10 year warranty
Against Aire Force I
- Backrest can become uncomfortable if flatwater paddling for too long
The Aire Force I Inflatable Kayak Is Available At:
- NRSweb.com – Aire Force Inflatable Kayak
- Backcountry.com – Aire Force Inflatable Kayak
- Amazon – Aire Force Inflatable Kayak
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