Air Glide Advance 426
Rating
Performance: 9
Size/Weight: 7
Durability: 10
Setup: 10
Value: 10
OVERALL: 9.2
A kayak that can’t decide what it wants to be (and that’s a good thing).
The Bay Sports Air Glide Advance 426 is one of those rare inflatables that genuinely blurs the line between a kayak and a stand-up paddleboard. It is built for people who want flexibility, something they can sit in and paddle one day, then stand up on the next, all without needing roof racks, a trailer, or a garage full of gear. It promises hard-shell style performance in a package that rolls up into a bag, and for the most part, it delivers on that promise surprisingly well.
Comparison
Rank: #2
Open Size: Large and long
Packed Size: Mid-size, heavy
Weight: Moderate heavy
Capacity: Very high
Best For: Casual paddlers, families, travellers,and anyone who wants one craft that can kayak and SUP.
Pros: Very stable, quick setup, rigid drop-stitch build, versatile, easy to transport.
Cons: Not great in rough water, no spray skirt, seat support is average, wind still affects it.
Verdict: A brilliant all-round inflatable that trades extreme performance for comfort, simplicity and fun, and gets that balance right for most people.
Skip ahead to First Impressions, Setup/Packdown, Paddling Experience, or the Final Verdict, check out how the Air Glide Advance 426 Kayak compares to others in our list of the Top Ten 2 Person Inflatable Kayaks, or see how we choose the best inflatable kayak.
Specs:
Open Size: 426 x 90cm
Packed Size: 86 x 48 x 28cm
Weight: 18.9kg
Capacity: 249kg
Approx Price: $1,598.00
First Impressions
Out of the bag, the first thing that hits you is how solid it feels for an inflatable.
There is no floppy fabric, no saggy sides, just thick, stiff PVC that feels more like a floating dock than a pool toy. Once inflated, it honestly looks more like a sleek plastic kayak than something full of air. The open cockpit is massive, which makes it feel very inviting and not at all claustrophobic.
You can easily picture kids, dogs, fishing gear or even just yourself stretched out enjoying the sun. It also feels lighter than you expect for its size, which is a nice surprise when you realise it’s over four metres long but still manageable to carry on your own.
Setup/Packdown
There are only two chambers to inflate and even with a hand pump, it is pretty painless. With an electric pump, you are genuinely on the water in about seven minutes, which is faster than most inflatables this size. You just inflate, slide in the fin, clip on the seat and you are done. No complicated valves, no ten different bits to assemble.
Packing it away is just as easy. Since it’s a full-drop-stitch, there is no fabric outer layer to absorb water. You just wipe it down with a towel, let the seat dry separately, roll it up and throw it in the bag. The bag itself is huge and forgiving, so you do not have to be a folding expert to make everything fit. The only real annoyance is the bag design, where the backpack straps sit on the same side as the wheels, which means they tend to drag or get tangled when you are rolling it along. Not a dealbreaker, but definitely a ‘who designed this?’ moment.
Paddling Experience
The Air Glide Advance 426 is genuinely impressive for an inflatable. It feels stiff, stable and confidence-inspiring straight away. There is no flex under your feet and no feeling like you are riding on a balloon. The V-shaped bow and deep fin help it track straight and glide nicely, so you are not constantly correcting your direction as you would be in cheaper inflatables.
Stability is excellent. You can stand up on it, shuffle around, or clamber in from the side without feeling like you are about to swim. That makes it perfect for beginners, families, dogs, or anyone who just wants a relaxed, stress-free paddle. It is also why it works so well as a SUP.
Where it shows its limits is in rougher conditions. As it has an open cockpit and a lot of air volume, waves can splash in easily and strong wind will still push it around more than a sit-in touring kayak. It is not built for big swells, long ocean crossings, or serious whitewater. It is happiest on lakes, calm rivers, estuaries and sheltered coastal water. The seat is comfortable enough, but the strap setup makes it hard to get really solid back support for long paddles, and the lack of a proper foot brace means taller paddlers might struggle to lock in and paddle hard.
Final Verdict
The Air Glide Advance 426 is one of the best ‘easy lifestyle’ inflatable kayaks you can buy. It is not trying to be a hardcore expedition machine and that is exactly why it works so well. It is fast for an inflatable, ridiculously stable, quick to set up and incredibly versatile. You can kayak, SUP, bring kids, bring pets, or just float around with a drink and enjoy the day. The downsides are real but reasonable: it is not made for rough water, the seat could be better and wind will always be a factor with something this buoyant, but for relaxed paddling and travel, it is a seriously fun and practical bit of kit.
Want to see how the Air Glide Advance 426 Kayak compares to other kayaks we tested? Head over to our list of the Best Two-Person Inflatable Kayaks.
Water & Outdoors reviews are written by our staff writers, who combined have over fifty years of experience on the water and outdoors. We may earn commissions if you choose to buy through a link you’ve clicked on our website, however this does not influence our reviews. For more information, please see our Editorial Policies.