The Advanced Elements FireFly inflatable kayak is designed for recreational family use catering for all shapes and sizes who want to spend some fun hours on the water. It arrives in a backpack, inflates easily with the help of a pump, is lightweight to handle and is ready to hit the water in no time.
Of durable materials, the FireFly inflatable kayak is well designed and produced by the renowned company Advanced Elements, made of durable materials. Whether you want to paddle around lakes or drift down calm rivers this little kayak will give you hours of pleasure performing well in its class. Essentially it is an easily transportable compact lightweight recreational kayak and it has a number of features that make it perfect for the job.
Is the Advanced Elements Firefly Portable?
As the name suggests, the Advanced Elements FireFly Inflatable Kayak is extremely portable. You won’t have to think about fitting a roof rack to your car as it stows easily in any car boot and there are no storage complications as the FireFly will store away in a garage or even a closet at home. As a traveler myself, I love anything that comes in a bag, in this case a nifty breathable fabric duffle bag to ensure your Firefly kayak dries out properly after use. Also included are a repair kit and owner’s manual. It goes without saying – read it.
Does The Advanced Elements FireFly Inflate Easily?
It is easy to inflate although but you do need to use a pump if to make the job practical. Fitted with twistlok valves as well as high flow spring valves, the Advanced Elements FireFly inflatable kayak is super swift to blow up.
Getting the inflation pressure correct is important as, if the Firefly is overinflated, the cockpit space will be significantly reduced and the kayak performance will be greatly affected. This is also the case if underinflated. It is possible to set the correct psi levels without a gauge because of visual markers however use of a gauge is recommended. Deflation is also easy, which can be important at the end of a long enjoyable day when you don’t want to be struggling to deflate your kayak.
At 16 lbs weight it is light so almost anyone can handle it at any stage, especially for those petite independent women or small teenagers. Also attached are molded rubber grip handles that facilitate moving the FireFly inflatable kayak around with ease.
As for durability despite it being an inflatable, the Advanced Elements FireFly, offers a high level of durability with its PVC tarpaulin hull, welded perimeter seam, 600 D polyester cover, as well as heavy-duty PVC main chamber. It has good water clearance too so those who do find themselves over rocks can navigate with some confidence and it is durable enough to survive a few bounces against all but the roughest rocks.
Is The Advanced Elements FireFly Inflatable Kayak Stable and Able?
Once on the water the Advanced Elements FireFly inflatable kayak has a few features that are important as an entry level or recreational kayak. It is relatively wide so that gives it extra stability for inexperienced or nervous paddlers who only have to concentrate on staying centered.
Despite the fact inflatables usually do not track well in the water, Advanced Elements have dealt with this problem by utilizing fixed rigid forms that help the FireFly kayak to cut through waves and stay on course. In-built into the cover are rigid bow and stern forms, plus a landing plate and tracking fin also to aid the kayak’s performance. Speed is limited compared to rigid models however the Advanced Elements FireFly inflatable kayak is designed for relaxing recreation.
The following video shows how easy it is to set up the Advanced Elements Firefly:
Paddling and maneuvering the FireFly is easy because of the features added by Advanced Elements that ensure FireFly is responsive and sensitive as any inflatable in the water. The lightweight cover material means it is very maneuverable compared to heavier inflatables.
Note though: because of the extra width it is probably best to purchase a longer paddle than one would normally use to make sure you have enough to reach over the sides, possibly 4-5” longer than normally recommended for your height. The FireFly is specified for paddlers up to 250 lbs so it can take a fair pounding for its size.
Planning on the side of safety, Advanced Elements have made the FireFly from bright yellow material to ensure you are seen on the water by passing craft. On the same note, because the FireFly is so stable in the water, if you do fall out for any reason, it is easy enough to clamber back in regardless of how inelegant your efforts.
Advanced Elements take their products very seriously and offer great customer service on top of warranties for all their products. If, for some reason you did have a problem with an Advanced Elements Inflatable FireFly, you can be assured they are interested in it.
How Hard Is It To Fold Up the Advanced Elements Firefly?
After a fun but long day kayaking, the last thing you want to do is take forever to put everything away, especially your kayak… especially an inflatable kayak. Thankfully, this video shows you just that. Putting these babies away in the proper manner can be a bit of a hassle but that comes with the territory. However, watch this video and determine if the Firefly kayak is the one for you:
Missing Features of the Advanced Elements FireFly Inflatable Kayak
Worthy of note, there are a few features that the FireFly Inflatable Kayak does have. The FireFly does not have a designated seat fitted with back support so may make paddling for longer periods more tiresome. Having said that, being an inflatable kayak, it is relatively soft and comfortable.
Check Out The Advanced Elements Firefly On Amazon By Clicking Here!
It also does not have much storage space anywhere so other than a packed lunch, you will not fit much in. You might consider also purchasing a sealing dry bag or box to keep valuables safe and dry.
Pros
- Super compact and easy to transport or store
- Durable lightweight materials
- Simple and easy to inflate and deflate
- Stable in the water for inexperienced paddlers
- Has sufficient maneuverability for its purpose
- Good value for money
Cons
- No specified seat
- Limited storage space
- Suitable only for calm conditions, mostly Class 1, some Class 2
Advanced Elements FireFly Inflatable Kayak Review Summary!
The Advanced Elements FireFly is a great small inflatable kayak for either entry level paddlers as well as those more experienced relaxed paddlers who value convenience. It is extremely portable, whether inflated or deflated so can be handled by people of all ages and sizes. It promotes a carefree relaxed feeling so is perfect for its job. I believe it perfectly fits the job it was designed for.
