Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame AE1012 Review
Bottom Line:
A solid entry-level, recreational kayak that can stand up to regular use as beginners become more advanced. It’s also great value for money!
Good for beginners and also able to stand up to hard paddling – the AdvancedFrame AE1012 inflatable kayak is great for leisurely days out as well as longer expeditions. It’s better suited to people under six feet tall.
Price Comparison:
Specs:
| Brand | Advanced Elements |
| Size (length x width) | 10'5 x 32" |
| Weight | 36 lbs |
| Capacity | 300 lbs / 126KG |
Comparison to Similar Kayaks:
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| Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame AE1012 | Advanced Elements Expedition Elite | Advanced Elements Island Voyage 2 | Sea Eagle RazorLite 393rl | Sea Eagle 380x Explorer | |
| Expert Rating | 7.3 | 8.3 | 8.1 | 7.9 | 7.9 |
| Size | 10'5 x 32" | 13' x 32" | 11'2" x 37" | 12'10" x 28" | 12'6" x 39" |
| Weight | 36 lbs | 42 lbs | 31.5 lbs | 35 lbs | 40 lbs |
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Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame AE1012 Review
- Great value for money
- Extremely comfortable, with a high back seat and low center of gravity
- Very durable, with multi-layer construction and multiple air chambers - making it very difficult to puncture
- Taller kayakers (above 6 feet) may struggle
- A bit heavier than other similar solo boats
- No air pump, nor PSI gauge included
Performance of the Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame AE1012
The Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame AE1012 is one of the best inflatable kayaks for 1 person. Experts all agree that this is a great inflatable kayak for the money! The Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame AE1012 is versatile enough to make it a great first-time, entry-level kayak for beginners, but also can be used by more experienced kayakers on more challenging outings and expeditions. It’s a kayak that offers its paddlers room to grow.
It’s a durable, stable kayak that’s easy to handle – holding a line very well and turning quickly if needed. Its built-in aluminum ribs add definition to the bow and stern, enhancing the kayak’s tracking. Beginners would surely be suited to this kayak – it’s stable enough to make a first-time paddler feel comfortable and confident, and the slightly wider dimensions (at 2’9″) make it stable, even in choppy conditions.
The AdvancedFrame AE1012 inflatable kayak also excels where comfort is concerned. The low riding position and high-backed seat make for a comfortable ride (and is adjustable too – so you can switch things up if you need to). While shorter people or people of ‘average’ height should find this inflatable kayak both comfortable and easy to handle – paddlers who are taller than six feet might struggle (it can feel a little cramped).
Onboard storage space is adequate, with AdvancedElements claiming it can hold 300 lbs of weight, but this was not a stand-out feature among the expert reviews analyzed here (in fact, one reviewer said that the kayak rode pretty low in the water with just the paddler and no additional gear). Plus, the craft itself is somewhat on the heavy side for an inflatable kayak when compared to similar boats. However, the comfort and handling of this well-designed craft make up for any shortcomings in this area – so it doesn’t seem to be an issue.
Though the Advanced Elements kayak isn’t the cheapest inflatable boat out there, it’s still reasonably priced and gives great value for money. By combining great performance, durability, and comfort so more advanced kayakers can still enjoy it, the AdvancedFrame AE1012 is a kayak that offers its paddlers room to grow.
