Glide Aquavate Solo Kayak
Rating
Performance: 2
Size/Weight: 7
Durability: 1
Setup: 7
Value: 2
OVERALL: 3.8
A cheap, simple and decent kayak to have fun in.
The Glide Aquavate Solo is a lightweight inflatable kayak aimed at people who want a simple, stress-free way to get out on the water. It is designed for relaxed paddling on rivers, lakes and calm coastal areas, with a strong focus on portability, stability and ease of use. While it will not replace a hard shell kayak for speed or long distance touring, it offers a friendly, confidence boosting experience that makes it especially appealing to beginners, families and anyone looking for a convenient grab and go kayak.
Comparison
Rank: #10
Open Size: Short & small
Packed Size: Very small
Weight: Very light
Capacity: Low–moderate
Best For: Beginners and casual paddlers who want an easy, portable kayak for relaxed trips.
Pros: Quick setup, very stable, complete kit, easy to transport.
Cons: Average tracking, pressure setup can be fiddly, not built for speed or long distances.
Verdict: A fun, easygoing inflatable kayak that is well worth it if your goal is stress-free paddling rather than performance.
Skip ahead to First Impressions, Setup/Packdown, Paddling Experience, or the Final Verdict, check out how the Glide Aquavate Solo compares to others in our list of the Best Inflatable Kayaks, or see how we choose the best inflatable kayak.
Specs:
Open Size: 268cm x 78cm
Packed Size: 72cm x 35cm x 17cm
Weight: 5.9kg
Capacity: 100kg
Approx Price: $299.00
First Impressions
The Glide Aquavate Solo makes a pretty good first impression, especially if you are coming from a hard shell kayak and are a bit sceptical about inflatables.
The material feels thicker and more solid than you might expect, not like a flimsy pool toy and the whole package feels well thought out. It comes as a complete kit with paddle, pump and carry bag, which is a big plus for first-time buyers. Once inflated, it looks wide, stable and inviting, more about relaxed fun than speed or hardcore paddling.
Setup/Packdown
Setup is one of the Aquavate Solo’s biggest strengths. Most people can have it inflated in five to seven minutes without breaking a sweat and even kids can help with the pumping.
Deflating it is just as quick, although getting every last bit of air and water out can be a bit fiddly and slightly annoying. Drying it properly before packing away helps a lot. Everything fits back into the bag easily, which makes it great for throwing in the car boot or storing at home.
The only real downside here is judging the right inflation pressure, which takes a bit of guesswork at first.
Paddling Experience
We actually found the Aquavate Solo to be quite stable and very forgiving. It feels buoyant and secure, even for lighter paddlers or complete novices, and it can comfortably handle a wide range of body weights. It is great for cruising around rivers, calm lakes and even gentle beach conditions.
That said, it does not track like a hard shell kayak like other inflatables we’ve reviewed. You will notice it sits more on top of the water, so you need a bit more correction with your paddle to keep it going straight. It is not fast and not designed for long-distance touring, but for relaxed paddling, floating about and enjoying the scenery, it does the job well. The seat is comfortable once adjusted, with plenty of legroom and space for some gear, though dry bags are a smart idea to bring with you.
Final Verdict
The Glide Aquavate Solo is a solid entry-level inflatable kayak that focuses on ease of use, portability and fun rather than performance. It is not trying to compete with hard-shell kayaks or high-end touring inflatables, and that is fine. If you want something simple, stable and easy to take anywhere, it does the job. The trade-off is average tracking and speed, but for casual paddlers, families and beginners, it offers good value and plenty of enjoyment.
Want to see how the Glide Aquavate Solo compares to others? Check out our list of the Best Inflatable Kayaks.
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