As we began down the wild and scenic Rogue River in Southern Oregon, I used to be keenly conscious of how goofy I regarded floating subsequent to totally loaded oar rigs. I used to be paddling a cranberry pink, 7-foot-long inflatable kayak full of 4 days’ value of substances. My knees flexed in opposition to my thigh straps, and my tiara, which I had taped to my helmet, glittered within the mid-morning mild.
It was time to see what the AIRE Spud might do.
The Spud is a somewhat plump boat initially made by AIRE to perform as a youngsters’s inflatable kayak. The Spud will be rolled, looped, and despatched down some gnarly strains if the paddler is sport sufficient. At solely 21 kilos and almost half the value of the grownup Tomcat Solo, the Spud is a well-liked selection for adults who need a playful and moveable craft.
In brief: For folk on the lookout for an inflatable boat that may stow away simply for van life or journey, or of us on the lookout for a playful addition to their quiver, the Spud is a superb addition to the fleet. Be aware that this boat isn’t for everybody. It’s small — constructed for smaller hips and smaller paddlers. But when it suits, the Spud is an epic journey boat constructed to final.
The playful Spud isn’t the one succesful inflatable kayak on the market. To see extra IKs and the way the Spud stacks up in opposition to them, try GearJunkie’s Greatest Inflatable Kayaks Purchaser’s Information.
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Size
7’2″ -
Width
35.5” -
Weight
21.5 lbs. -
Building
1,000-denier vinyl -
Weight capability
220 lbs. -
Storage
N/A
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At below $600, this craft may be very inexpensive for the standard -
Packable and light-weight for the value tag -
Simple to configure the seat to supply flip handles -
Pumps up in below 10 minutes with the KPump Mini
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Squirrelly in sturdy currents -
Not fitted to these a lot taller than 5’10” and 5’6” when the boat is loaded with gear
AIRE Tributary Spud Inflatable Kayak Evaluation
On-the-Water Testing
At 5’6” I match contained in the Spud comfortably in a paddling place (legs bent), with the seat within the center and dry baggage tethered down at the back of the boat. Earlier than the Rogue, I paddled class I-III whitewater on the McKenzie and Willamette rivers with and with out thigh straps and with the seat towards the middle and again of the boat. My 200cm Werner and Aqua Certain paddles maneuvered the Spud simply.
Paddling from the Alameda put-in to Foster Bar on the Wild and Scenic Rogue River (over 40 miles over 4 days) was the crux of my testing of this inflatable kayak. I knew the boat might deal with whitewater, however I used to be uncertain of how effectively it will maneuver weighed down with 3 nights’ value of substances and snacks.
At House within the Splashy Stuff
The Spud is remarkably steady for its diminutive dimension. The boat is so small that it rides out and in of the troughs of waves nearly fully earlier than breaking by means of the crest — like a rubber duck. Even in what regarded like boat-swallowing waves (for a Spud, not less than), I might emerge unscathed (however very soggy).
I ran the Spud by means of two class IV rapids in Mule Creek Canyon named Espresso Pot and Blossom Bar. Espresso Pot is an evil-looking boil with a good right-side entrance identified for sucking tubes. Blossom Bar is thought for its consequential proper flip to keep away from a toothy wall of rocks with sieves and strainers referred to as the Picket Fence. In each situations, the Spud was a rockstar.
I used to be shocked that I didn’t spin in Espresso Pot, given its sturdy, swirling present (I had spun solely moments earlier), however I used to be nonetheless capable of punch by means of. In Blossom Bar, the Spud was simply paddled alongside the specified line and stayed upright when, later within the speedy, I bounced off a big boulder in the midst of the run referred to as “Volkswagen Rock.” This kayak, once more, is remarkably steady and might muscle by means of most issues with sturdy paddle strokes.
Flatwater, River, and Tenting Chops
Due to its giant, cumbersome tubes and potato-like form, the Spud tracks simply okay in flat water. You gained’t win any races in opposition to extra dynamic boats, however it’s not horrible.
In sturdy eddies or currents, the Spud likes to spin however is straightforward to right and get again on track (or paddle backward in a pinch). The boat may maintain a pleasant angle if you could ferry throughout a river.
What I loved most about this inflatable kayak was the problem of packing a lot into such a small boat. On the final 2 nights of the journey, I additionally slept inside my boat — the coziest I’ve slept exterior in a very long time.
The ties and deal with at the back of the boat make it handy to lash gear down, however observe that taller paddlers will be unable to suit gear if they’ve to maneuver the seat to the very again of the boat. For bigger paddlers, try the AIRE Tater (the grownup model of the Spud).
What I Packed within the Spud
I used to be capable of flip the boat again over simply to self-rescue, however the additional weight took some getting used to. For a 2-day self-supported IK journey, the Spud might accommodate a minimalist setup. For a raft-supported journey (like this one), 4 days felt simply high-quality.
Comparability: AIRE ‘Spud’ or Full-Grown ‘Tater’
The Spud was so well-liked with grownup paddlers that AIRE launched its grownup counterpart — the Tater. At 8’4″, the Tater is an extended and wider craft. So far as options go, the boat is just about the identical apart from its 275-pound load capability. I used to be capable of take a look at the Tater alongside the Spud.
For smaller paddlers who need a boat that feels playful — stick to the Spud. The Spud and Tater are each enjoyable boats formed to maximise play whereas staying steady, however the Tater is just not as playful once you’re a small paddler and might really feel cumbersome. I noticed patrons experience and paddle the Spud who have been taller than me (about 5’10”), and so they might sit with their legs bent and the seat pushed again.
Since this can be uncomfortable for some bigger paddlers or paddlers with a small canine, the Tater may very well be an important selection if you happen to nonetheless need the rounded form of the Spud. Upgrading to a paddle bigger than 200cm will make paddling the Tater a bit extra comfy if you happen to select this route.
Alternatively, if you happen to don’t thoughts an extended, heavier boat — like if you’re sizing as much as carry extra gear — improve to the Tomcat Solo, which is able to give grownup riders and equipment some respiratory room. The Tater is the higher choice if you need an IK that paddles extra historically with an extended profile.
AIRE Tributary Spud Inflatable Kayak: Conclusion
The AIRE Spud is a enjoyable boat at a very nice price ticket. At 22 kilos and with some professional folding abilities, the boat packs down sufficiently small to stay in a bigger backpack and lug upstream, or packed in a duffel for worldwide journeys. Including thigh straps actually elevated this little boat’s maneuverability and functionality, and I plan to take it on a lot extra class III+ and IV whitewater.
No, it gained’t be one of the best flatwater raft or inflatable touring vessel (look to one thing just like the Superior Components AdvancedFrame Kayak for that). But it surely’s additionally not designed for it. With a rotund and forgiving profile, ample rocker, and sufficient cushion to brace in opposition to, there’s little holding you again from actually mashing on the Spud. Even nonetheless, for many paddlers, there will likely be ample area at the back of the boat for storage of camp tools.
A youngsters’s inflatable kayak? Hardly. The AIRE Spud has some critical chops within the tough stuff and has earned a status for a great purpose.