Tributary Kayaks
September 10, 2009 by IK World
Tributary kayaks are actually one of Aire’s line of kayaks. They are manufactured overseas and this allows for a lower price tag then Aire’s inflatable kayaks that are manufactured in the U.S. They feature the same great air retention that the Aire line has and they are backed by an awesome five year warranty (1 year warranty on the Tomcat inflatable kayaks).
The AIRE company has been around for more than two decades. They began with a vision to create the most cutting-edge whitewater kayaks on the market and that drive and ambition is still strong today. With a huge lineup of Aire kayaks and their 5 models of Tributary kayaks, they have been an unbeatable force in the inflatable kayak industry.
The Tributary inflatable kayaks have long been popular for those who want the same great AIRE cell technology that the Aire kayaks have but for a more affordable price. Their quality and construction are not as sound as the Aire kayaks but they are still extremely rugged and well made.
Picture provided by Aire.com
Below are the 5 Models of Tributary Kayaks…
- Tributary Sawtooth – great for flatwater, unique design allows for high speeds
- Tributary Strike I – very versatile, hybrid design, is able to track well on flatwater and handle whitewater rapids
- Tributary Strike II – two person version of the Strike, great for flatwater and whitewater
- Tributary Tomcat Solo -sturdy, good for beginner whitewater paddlers
- Tributary Tomcat Tandem – two person version of the Tomcat Solo, lots of space, good load capacity, good for recreational whitewater use
What is the difference between Aire and Tributary?
There are four main differences between Aire and Tributary kayaks.
- Warranty – Tributary kayaks have a 5 year warranty on manufacturer defects and a 1 year warranty on Tomcats. Aire kayaks have a 10 year no fault warranty.
- Materials – Tributary kayaks use lighter materials than the Aire kayaks. Though the materials used for Tributary kayaks are still extremely rugged and solid, they are not as rugged and solid as the Aire kayaks.
- Where the kayaks are made – Tributary kayaks are manufactured overseas. Aire kayaks are manufactured in Idaho, USA.
- Price – Because of all of the differences, the Tributary line of kayaks are offered at a much lower price point than the Aire kayaks.
Tributary Kayak Material
The Tributary Sawtooth, Strike I and Strike II are made with 1200 denier PVC-coated polyester. The Tomcat Solo and Tandem are made with 1200 denier with a heavy duty PVC shell. Denier refers to the thickness of the threads. The higher the denier, the thicker the threads and therefore the tougher the material. 1200 denier is excellent.
Are there any negatives to the Tributary Kayak?
Of course nothing is perfect. Though AIRE has provided us with an excellent choice of inflatable kayaks for those on a budget, the fact that the Tributary kayaks are cheaper in price does come with some compromise in quality. There have been some reports that the Tributary kayaks will have some stitching problems after heavy use.
However with the five year warranty, I wouldn’t be overly concerned as they are still a great choice for many people. If you are an experienced and avid kayaker, likely the American made Aire kayaks are going to appeal to you more. If however you are a beginner to novice kayaker then the Tributary line is perfect and will be more than perfect for recreational use.
Final Thoughts on Tributary Kayaks…
I wouldn’t hesitate in purchasing one of the Tributary inflatable kayaks. AIRE is a company that has built a phenomenal reputation for quality and excellence and even though their Tributary line is manufactured overseas, they are still solid, rugged and best of all… more affordable. If you plan on bashing your kayak daily in heavy whitewater then no Tributary may not be the right choice. However for the majority of kayakers any one of their models will offer a lot of fun and adventure for many years.
Read our comprehensive Tributary kayak reviews for more detailed information and pictures.
OR view other inflatable kayak reviews.
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