Aire Force


Best Uses: Whitewater, rivers up to class IV

Brand:  Aire

aire force I inflatable kayak
Available At:

Number of Paddlers:  1

Stats:  Length 9’ 6”, Width 36”, Weight 32 lbs, Load Capacity 275 lbs

Accessories Included:  Thigh straps, 1 set of drain holes, 2 carry handles, 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 when flat water paddling (very much designed for whitewater kayaking only), pricier than many other whitewater solo inflatable kayaks

More About the Aire Force

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 inflatable kayak for intermediate to advanced kayakers.  It is a little pricier than some of the rest, but 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 when paddling this kayak.  It is designed for those with previous whitewater experience.  Having had previous experience you will find the Aire Force 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 kayak for overnighters or camping.  Also if the Aire Force is loaded down with gear it can become harder to control and not as easy to manoeuver.

Excellent Features that Allow the Aire Force to Handle Any Situation

The Aire Force 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 hard-shell kayak for ease of spinning and surfing.  The inflatable seat back and footrest can be adjusted to trim the kayak and fit the paddler. 

The Aire Force will likely exceed your expectations as far as performance goes.  An intermediate to advanced whitewater kayaker will find the Aire Force will handle most situations beautifully.

Travel and Paddle!

One of the great things about the Aire Force is that it is easy to bring traveling .  It weighs only 32 lbs. and can easily be carried onto an airplane.  Traveling with an inflatable kayak can allow you to explore rapids and waterways that you may never have been able to experience otherwise.

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 sometimes use it in flatwater 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 flat water.

Update for 2010:

In 2010 Aire redesigned the Aire Force I and discontinued the Aire Force XL (which was a slightly larger version of the Force I).  They created more kick and added some diameter to the tubes.  This made a hybrid between the old-style Force and the old-style Force XL.  This new 2010 Force model fit a bigger range of paddlers and they therefore decided to discontinue the XL model.

Pictures and Video of the Aire Force

Click on the pictures to see larger view in Flickr. These pictures are from Aire.com.

Aire Force Aire Force

Aire Force Aire Force

Below is a short video clip of the Aire Force in action…

Final Thoughts On the Aire Force

All in all you cannot go wrong with the Aire Force inflatable kayak if you are looking for a convenient and high quality kayak that will perform very well in whitewater. Built to handle just about any whitewater situation with ease and style it is super fun and sporty.

If you are used to a hard-shell 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

  • Rugged and durable
  • Easy to lift
  • Comfortable
  • Excellent maneuverability
  • Very compact
  • Easy entry and exit
  • Very little water gets in the cockpit
  • One of the best inflatable kayaks for rolling
  • Great for surfing waves, edging in and out of eddies, and punching through holes
  • Phenominal 10 year warranty

Against Aire Force I

  • Backrest can become uncomfortable if flat water paddling for too long
  • Pricier than many other whitewater inflatable kayaks – but if you can afford it, it is truly worth the money
The Aire Force I Inflatable Kayak Is Available At:

 

 

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