Narrow beam for excellent speed – paddles like a hard-shell sea kayak
Hybrid skin-on-frame inflatable design – excellent rigidity
Lightweight and compact at 14.5kg – great for travel and storage
Simplified set-up
Back support – inflatable high-back seat included
Waterproof storage for your valuables
Suitable for open-ocean
If you are taller than 6’2″ (or you are in that range and have long legs), you will need the extra leg room in the AdvancedFrame Expedition Elite kayak
If you are a beginner or you just want a very stable kayak, check out the AdvancedFrame kayak instead
The AirFusion EVO kayak is not stable enough for taking dogs or kids, or fishing. But all of our other solo kayaks are, so you still have plenty to choose from!
If you are going to be doing a LOT of fishing and want rod holders, check out our fishing kayaks
If you are doing whitewater above class 2, the StraitEdge kayak can do up to class 3 rapids
Super-tough drop-stitch side chambers
Durable triple-layer PU tarpaulin hull
Multiple air chambers for safety
The lightweight PU construction means this kayak is only 14.5kg and packs up into a bag with backpack straps that is only 89 x 53 x 23cm
Skin-on-frame kayaks are notorious for their tricky, time-consuming set up. Advanced Elements have simplified the design so the set-up process is quicker and easier.
I can do it in 13 minutes (flat out), but realistically, you should allow 20 minutes, once you’ve got the hang of it.
Dimensions
Length: 13′ (3.96m)
Weight: 14.5 kg
Width: 61cm
Deflated and Packed Dimensions: 89cm x 53cm x 23cm
Cockpit size: 76cm x 43cm
Paddler Suitability
Maximum Capacity: 106 kg
Recommended Max. Paddler Weight: 106 kg
Recommended Max. Paddler Height: 6’2″ (1.88m)
Suitabilty
Lakes, Bays and Inland WaterwaysCoastal/Open Water: YesReservoirs (Complies with ISO 6185-1)Rivers up to Class II
Whitewater up to Class III Dogs Fishing Beginners Taking small kids Self-bailing
Accessory Compatibility
AirFusion Skeg Foot Brace (not required) Drop-stitch floor (not required) Rapidup Sail Foot pegs Lumbar Seat (seat included) Rudder KitSpray skirt Accessory FrameePropulsion Vaquita Propeller – via ratchet straps
Materials
Hull and deck: PU Tarpaulin
Side chambers: Drop-stitch construction
Pole Structure: Aluminium
Floor: Closed-cell EVA foam
More About This Kayak
Set-up Time: 13 minutes
Warranty: 3 Years
Brand: Advanced Elements
SKU: AE1042-O
Double Action Hand Pump with Gauge
Carrying Duffel Bag w/ Shoulder Straps
Folding Inflatable Seat
Repair Kit
Owner’s Manual
Paddle sold separately
Original price was: $2,197.00.$1,997.00Current price is: $1,997.00.
Stored in our Brisbane warehouse, ships in 1-2 business days.
Qualifies for 90-day “Try it on the Water” Returns
3-year warranty
Free Shipping
Can be shipped to New Zealand
Availability: In stock
Package Deal
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“So easy to carry the boat to the water and it has an excellent primary stability that’s why I felt very secure sitting in it. The main chambers really provide the boat with a solid feel so paddling the boat tracked straight. No skeg or rudder. The kayak just about turns on its own length with minimum edging.
I drive my paddle stroke from my feet, so it is important to have a solid footrest. Despite my initial concerns I found the forward thwart tube was comfortable and solid enough to support my legs to drive each paddle stroke. A bit difficult to brace the knees. The addition of thigh straps would be a bonus to assist in edging turns and pointing the kayak. ”
– Andy
Fast and Furious
The hybrid skin-on-frame / inflatable design has a narrow beam and a v-shaped hull for excellent speed and tracking.
For experience paddlers, it’s like having a 4m sea kayak that you can pack up into a bag.
Hybrid Skin-on-Frame Inflatable Design
Advanced Elements have used drop-stitch technology in the walls to give it buoyancy and rigidity without being bulky. It’s so narrow, it cuts through the water easily.
The low-pressure air thwarts replace bulky frame parts that are typically used in skin-on-frame kayaks
The internal pole structure gives it excellent rigidity and a v-shaped hull, helping it to track straight through the water.
Lightweight and Compact
At only 14.5kg, the AirFusion EVO kayak is amazingly light for a 4m sea kayak.
Packs up into a bag with backpack straps so you can take it anywhere!
Simplified Set-up
Skin-on-frame kayaks are notorious for their tricky, time-consuming set up. Advanced Elements have simplified the design so the set-up process is quicker and easier.
I can do it in 13 minutes (flat out), but realistically, you should allow 20 minutes, once you’ve got the hang of it.
Supportive
The seat (included) has a stiff, high back, which gives you excellent support, IF you get the angle right.
The seat includes an inflatable bum cushion, which gives you some nice lift off the floor of the kayak. I’ve found this lift takes the pressure off the hamstrings and lower back.
The front thwart acts as a foot brace, which adds to your comfort by supporting your lower back as you paddle.
Gear Storage
There are D-rings and bungee lacing on the large front deck for securing gear.
There is a roll-top hatch behind the seat for quick access to gear stored under the deck.
There are d-rings on the rear deck for even more gear!
Suitable for Open-Ocean
The AirFusion EVO kayak has inflatable coaming around the cockpit, so you can put on a spray skirt to stay warm and dry in cold conditions.
AirFusion EVO Kayak FAQs
Performance
Only a little.
All kayaks are wind affected to some degree.
You can generally predict how wind affected it’s going to be based on the ratio of kayak above the waterline to kayak below the waterline.
The AirFusion EVO is a sit-in kayak, and it sits quite low in the water, especially compare to other inflatables, so it performs quite well in wind.
Comfort
The seat (included) has a stiff, high back, which gives you excellent support, IF you get the angle right.
The seat includes an inflatable bum cushion, which gives you some nice lift off the floor of the kayak. I’ve found this lift takes the pressure off the hamstrings and lower back.
The front thwart acts as a foot brace, which adds to your comfort by supporting your lower back as you paddle.
The front thwart in the AirFusion EVO acts as a foot brace.
A lot of paddlers swear by foot braces for encouraging good paddling technique and for supporting the lower back.
The AirFusion EVO kayak has very good back support – the seat back is high and stiff with adjustable straps to get the angle right. It also includes an inflatable bum pad for comfort and lift.
What is the AirFusion EVO Kayak good for?
I would not recommend it.
The AirFusion EVO kayak is quite narrow, which means it is not really stable enough for an unpredictable element, like a dog.
I would not recommend it.
The AirFusion EVO kayak is quite narrow, which means it is not really stable enough for kayak fishing, where you may need to move suddenly.
I would not recommend it.
The AirFusion EVO kayak is quite narrow, which means it is not really stable enough for an unpredictable element, like a child.
I tried to take my daughter out in it once and we got about 20 metres out when she leaned over the side to look at something and I realised we needed to go straight back to shore!
We have customers that use it as a tender, but you need to understand that it’s not our most stable kayak and it has a cockpit that you need to get yourself in and out of… so in terms of entry and exit from a boat, it’s not the easiest choice we offer.
It’s fast and comfortable enough for anything from 1 hour to a multi-day trip.
For multi-day expeditions, you don’t have as much deck space for storage of gear, compared to the AdvancedFrame Expedition Elite, which has a higher capacity and more storage space.
But it’s still totally possible.
Yes.
The AirFusion EVO kayak has inflatable coaming around the cockpit, so you can put on a spray skirt to stay warm and dry in cold conditions.
No.
The AirFusion EVO kayak is fine for class 1 and 2 whitewater, however it is really designed to paddle in a straight line, and therefore not recommended for rivers above class 2.
Who is the AirFusion EVO Kayak good for?
It’s not my first choice for a beginner, because it’s not super stable and not as easy to paddle straight without the skeg.
If a beginner was interested in the AirFusion EVO kayak, I would recommend buying the skeg, and either Youtubing kayaking technique or getting some actual kayak lessons. It won’t take long to master it and it’s a wonderful kayak – well worth it!
In my experience, seniors are looking for a lightweight kayak, and at 14.5kg, the AirFusion EVO kayak is reasonably lightweight.
The other key features for seniors are stability and ease of getting in and out – the AirFusion EVO does NOT satisfy these criteria so well.
It’s a long, narrow kayak, which means it’s awesome to paddle, but less stable on the water, especially when getting in and out.
It has a fixed cockpit as well, so you need some flexibility to tuck your legs in.
The seniors I have sold it to in the past were experienced kayakers and could manage this, no problem.
So it’s really up to you! If you are not very tall, the cockpit probably won’t be an issue. If you give yourself some time and maybe lessons, the stability will come.
It’s possible, but I would suggest going for a more stable kayak for your child.
It’s not our easiest kayak for getting in and out of, but I don’t think I would say it was difficult.
It’s less stable than our others, so you have to be a bit more careful, and it has a fixed cockpit, so if you have very long legs, it might be a struggle to tuck them in there.
No.
It’s good up to about 6’2″, but beyond that, it becomes a struggle to tuck legs into the cockpit.
The maximum capacity is 106kg / 235lbs.
About the AirFusion EVO Kayak
Advanced Elements have been making inflatable kayaks for well over 20 years – you don’t have to worry about quality.
All kayaks are inflated at the factory and left for 24 hours to ensure there are no slow leaks.
The main hull material used is called PU tarpaulin and it is super thick and tough.
The sides are high quality drop-stitch, also extremely tough:
In the extremely rare case that you damage the hull, the kayak comes with a repair kit, so you can put on a patch.
The AirFusion EVO is a sit-in kayak.
The cockpit has inflatable coaming so you can put on a spray skirt.
The AirFusion EVO kayak is a solo kayak – this means it has seating for only 1 person.
You could NOT fit two adults in it.
Deflated and packed dimensions are:
89cm x 53cm x 23cm
The weight is 14.5kg and the kayak comes with a durable duffel bag with detachable backpack straps.
At 14.5kg, the AirFusion EVO Kayak is one of our lightest kayaks.
Most people can carry it down to the water by themselves.
The AirFusion EVO kayak is not super stable but it’s not super tippy either. It’s somewhere in the middle.
It is not stable enough for dogs, fishing or kids.
It does not have a fin included, but you can (and should) buy the AirFusion Skeg which will enhance the tracking.
The Rudder Kit we sell is NOT compatible with the AirFusion EVO kayak.
Yes, the ePropulsion Vaquita can be used with the ratchet straps (included with the propeller).
Yes, the Touring Spray Skirt can be fitted over the inflatable coaming to keep you warm and dry.
• Bungee deck lacing
• Hybrid Aluminum Frame and High Pressure Drop-Stitch Air Chamber Design
• Inflatable Coaming for spray skirt attachment
• D-ring gear tie downs
• Roll-top rear storage access hatch
• Rubber molded handles
• Optional fixed skeg
The hull is PU tarpaulin – an extremely tough multi-layer material.
The sides are high quality drop-stitch.
The floor inside is lightweight foam.
There is an aluminium rib frame structure than runs through the kayak.
There are rubber moulded handles at each end and some elastic bungee lacing.
The AirFusion EVO Kayak is manufacted by Advanced Elements (an American company), in their factory in Indonesia.
All kayaks are inflated and left overnight on the factory floor to ensure they are fully functional before shipping out.
Learn more about Advanced Elements.
The AirFusion EVO Kayak is a custom model, manufactured only for Oz Inflatable Kayaks in Australia.
How to use the AirFusion EVO Kayak
You can review the instruction manual here:
AirFusion EVO Kayak Instruction Manual
But my strong recommendation is that you take a look at the setup video:
I’ve done it in 13 minutes, but realistically, you should allow 20 minutes.
You just take off the valve covers and set the valves to deflate.
You can use the deflate function of the pump if you want to, but I have never found this to be necessary.
Once deflated, you might need to prop the ends up on something to slide the connecting pole off, so you can disassemble the pole structure (this will make more sense when you do it).
The outside of the kayak is PU tarpaulin, so you can just wipe it down with a towel.
On the inside, the seat and the thwarts have fabric, so you want to keep the inside dry if possible.
The best thing for this is to put an old towel inside the kayak when you go paddling. This prevents you bringing in a lot of water with your feet, and absorbs any drips.
The kayak comes with folding instructions and yes, it DOES go back in the bag!
What to buy
• Carrying Duffel Bag w/ Shoulder Straps
• Folding Inflatable Seat
• Repair Kit
• Owner’s Manual
• Double Action Hand Pump with Gauge
I very strongly recommend the AirFusion Skeg.
You need to purchase a paddle and a life jacket as the minimum.
You can also purchase a paddle leash so you don’t lose your paddle!
We also recommend a dry-bag for keeping your gear dry.
Any double bladed kayak paddle will work.
*Note Double Action Hand Pump with Gauge is included.
Pretty well any pump on the market capable of 6 PSI will work, but I would strongly suggest that you use our Double Action Hand Pump with Gauge because it has all the right adapters and comes with a 90-day warranty.
General information
Advanced Elements come with a 3-year warranty on all kayaks and 90-days on all accessories. You can find details of this warranty here.
But if you have any issues after that period, still get in touch as we carry some spare parts and may be able to help out.
Our 90-day “Try it on the Water” Guarantee means that if the kayak is not what you expected, you have 90 days after delivery to return the kayak for a FULL refund.
Shipping is free for orders over $169 and $9 flat rate for orders under $169.
If the product is in stock, it will ship from our Brisbane warehouse within 1-2 business days of ordering.
We use Direct Freight Express as a courier and they are usually pretty quick.
Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Sydney – overnight.
Melbourne – 2 nights.
Elsewhere… it varies. If you have a deadline, please get in touch and we’ll check if it’s going to make it in time.
For more shipping questions, check out https://ozinflatablekayaks.com.au/shipping/
For Advanced Elements kayaks, check out our list of retailers.
So Easy To Carry The Boat To The Water
Excellent support after sale! I had a couple of minor manufacturing issues with Advanced Elements (AE) Air Fusion EVO Kayak. Emily from Oz Inflatable Kayaks responded to my emails noting my problem and relayed details to AE in San Francisco immediately. AE despacthed required parts the next day and forwarded by air express from USA. AE even included a gift with one shipment! That exceeded this customer's expectations. AE provides a quality product and Emily and AE provide excellent after sales support. AE and Oz Inflatable Kayaks really do honour their warranty. So refreshing!
Review AirFusion EVO Inflatable Kayak. By Ande.
About me: I usually paddle a Nigel Dennis Explorer sea kayak length: 533.5 cm, width: 54 cm, depth: 34.5 cm weight about 19kgs. Compare the Evo length: 400cm width: 61cm weight about 15kgs. -on paper slower and more primary stability. Speed and stability on the water were as expected by the figures. As far as paddling expertise goes, I might scrape into the intermediate category of sea kayak paddlers. I'm old boy 175cm tall and weigh around 85kg. Purchase and delivery: Emily was very helpful answering my questions prior to purchase. Delivery was speedy and Emily provided ongoing support with a concern I had with assembly of kayak. 10/10 Assembly: Very straightforward. I have assembled the boat 5 times now and it is easier each time. Connecting tube 1 and 2 is fiddly. The machined portion on tube 1 seems under designed. Time will tell, but I am tempted to order spare tubes. A split tube may be a better option for joining the tubes rather than the supplied sleeve (says and old fitter and turner). Distance of seat to forward thwart critical for paddling and boat control. Set the distance and mark for future reference. Paddling: I spent a few days paddling Mooball Creek (Pottsville). The creek runs north south. Day 1 Light N wind and smooth water incoming tide. Initial reaction. So easy to carry the boat to the water. The boat has excellent primary stability. Very secure feeling sitting in it. The main chambers really provide the boat with a solid feel. Paddling the boat tracked straight. No skeg or rudder. Speed acceptable. The kayak just about turns on its own length with minimum edging. There is little need to explore secondary stability of the kayak at this stage. I drive my paddle stroke from my feet, so it is important to have a solid footrest. Despite my initial concerns I found the forward thwart tube was comfortable and solid enough to support my legs to drive each paddle stroke. A bit difficult to brace the knees. The addition of thigh straps would be a bonus to assist in edging turns and pointing the kayak. The seat does not impress! Most sea kayaks have minimal or no back rest. Look at these videos. No lay back paddling! Trying to use the backrest I got a backache and leg cramp! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGATHwnvIFs https://canoe.org.au/2005/01/24/forward-stroke/ Day 2 Wind 28km/h from S/SE. Creek choppy with wind waves. Wind against tide. The boat pointed well into the wind and was relatively easy to keep on track. Sliced through the chop nicely and cockpit remained dry. Turning 180 ? to go home meant being beam onto the wind. This was the only time I felt I was in an inflatable! However it was easy to quickly turn downwind. Relatively easy to control weather cocking downwind. A skeg would assist over longer paddle distances beam on and down wind. Day 3. Wind S at about 15 km/h. Only a short 6 km paddle. Minimal air in seat cushion (1 Pump). The lower my backside in the water the more stable I feel. This low pressure is quite comfortable even for my bony rear end! The only use of the back rest was to store my water bottle in the pocket. No backpain! I found difficult to reach the bottle from paddling position! More yoga needed? An aside. I met a fellow paddler on the water who was curious about the Evo. Turned out he was an ex 10-year veteran Sydney life guard who had paddled the complete length of the Murray River and circumnavigated Norfolk Island in a kayak. Probably knew a thing or two about kayaks? Apparently he had been watching the Evo for a few days. First time he had seen inflatable kayak but he seemed to think that the performance of the Evo was OK. Very assuring! Summary Dislikes: The seat is not for me. This is a personal issue. It is not uncommon for seasoned paddlers to ditch the seat of their new $5000.00 composite sea kayak for one that fits them better. Some will love the seat I would surmise (the lay back paddlers!) Not happy with the connection method of tube 1 to tube 2 however as this is apparently a proven design the odds are it will last the distance. Time will tell. I like the boat so far and with a few personal touches it should be great for exploring creeks and sheltered inlets. A dry boat with reasonable speed with great stability (photography, fishing) and excellent manoeuvrability. Easy to assemble/dissemble and light weight ensures a place in the back of my 4wd whenever I travel.
I am very impressed with the overall quality of the Speed Demon package
Hi Emily. I have found my speed demon package very good. The kayak tracks beautifully. I am very pleased with it. It is a comfortable seat to sit and paddle. I chose an inflatable package as I am travelling in a motorhome and it suited those needs. It is compact to store under the bed compartment. I have only taken it out 4 times in 6 months as I find it a bit of a chore lifting it out of the motorhome and setting it all up. I appreciate that the time it takes to put it all together is the reason it travels so nicely on the water though. It is very stable. I only use it when conditions are beautiful for kayaking and I'm going to be able to use it more than one day to justify putting it together. Cheers Emily, I am very impressed with the overall quality of the Speed Demon package. Di Colleran
