As we began down the wild and scenic Rogue River in Southern Oregon, I used to be keenly conscious of how goofy I seemed floating subsequent to completely loaded oar rigs. I used to be paddling a cranberry pink, 7-foot-long inflatable kayak full of 4 days’ value of drugs. My knees flexed in opposition to my thigh straps, and my tiara, which I had taped to my helmet, glittered within the mid-morning gentle.
It was time to see what the AIRE Spud may do.
The Spud is a reasonably plump boat initially made by AIRE to operate as a youngsters’s inflatable kayak. The Spud will be rolled, looped, and despatched down some gnarly traces if the paddler is recreation sufficient. At solely 21 kilos and practically half the value of the grownup Tomcat Solo, the Spud is a well-liked selection for adults who desire a playful and moveable craft.
Briefly: For people in search of an inflatable boat that may stow away simply for van life or journey, or of us in search of a playful addition to their quiver, the Spud is a good addition to the fleet. Observe that this boat isn’t for everybody. It’s small — constructed for smaller hips and smaller paddlers. But when it matches, 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, take a look at GearJunkie’s Greatest Inflatable Kayaks Purchaser’s Information.
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Size
7’2″ -
Width
35.5” -
Weight
21.5 lbs. -
Development
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 -
Straightforward to configure the seat to supply flip handles -
Pumps up in below 10 minutes with the KPump Mini
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Squirrelly in robust 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 Assessment
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 behind 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 may deal with whitewater, however I used to be not sure of how effectively it will maneuver weighed down with 3 nights’ value of drugs 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 virtually fully earlier than breaking by means of the crest — like a rubber duck. Even in what seemed like boat-swallowing waves (for a Spud, not less than), I’d 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 decent right-side entrance recognized 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 stunned that I didn’t spin in Espresso Pot, given its robust, 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 course of the run referred to as “Volkswagen Rock.” This kayak, once more, is remarkably steady and may muscle by means of most issues with robust 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, nevertheless it’s not horrible.
In robust eddies or currents, the Spud likes to spin however is straightforward to appropriate and get again on the right track (or paddle backward in a pinch). The boat may maintain a pleasant angle if it’s essential 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 behind the boat make it handy to lash gear down, however observe that taller paddlers won’t be able to suit gear if they’ve to maneuver the seat to the very again of the boat. For bigger paddlers, take a look at 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 further weight took some getting used to. For a 2-day self-supported IK journey, the Spud may accommodate a minimalist setup. For a raft-supported journey (like this one), 4 days felt simply positive.
Comparability: AIRE ‘Spud’ or Full-Grown ‘Tater’
The Spud was so widespread 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 nearly the identical aside 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 desire a boat that feels playful — keep on with 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 if you’re a small paddler and may really feel cumbersome. I noticed patrons trip and paddle the Spud who have been taller than me (about 5’10”), they usually may 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 could possibly be an amazing selection in the event you nonetheless want the rounded form of the Spud. Upgrading to a paddle bigger than 200cm will make paddling the Tater a bit extra comfy in the event you select this route.
Alternatively, in the event you don’t thoughts an extended, heavier boat — like in case you are sizing as much as carry extra gear — improve to the Tomcat Solo, which can give grownup riders and kit some respiratory room. The Tater is the higher possibility in order for you 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 knowledgeable 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 loads 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 Parts AdvancedFrame Kayak for that). However it’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 shall be ample area behind the boat for storage of camp gear.
A youngsters’s inflatable kayak? Hardly. The AIRE Spud has some severe chops within the tough stuff and has earned a repute for cause.
