As we started down the wild and scenic Rogue River in Southern Oregon, I was keenly aware of how goofy I looked floating next to fully loaded oar rigs. I was paddling a cranberry pink, 7-foot-long inflatable kayak stuffed with 4 days’ worth of gear. My knees flexed against my thigh straps, and my tiara, which I had taped to my helmet, glittered in the mid-morning light.
It was time to see what the AIRE Spud could do.
The Spud is a rather plump boat originally made by AIRE to function as a children’s inflatable kayak. The Spud can be rolled, looped, and sent down some gnarly lines if the paddler is game enough. At only 21 pounds and nearly half the price of the adult Tomcat Solo, the Spud is a popular choice for adults who want a playful and portable craft.
In short: For folks looking for an inflatable boat that will stow away easily for van life or travel, or folks looking for a playful addition to their quiver, the Spud is a great addition to the fleet. Note that this boat isn’t for everyone. It is small — built for smaller hips and smaller paddlers. But if it fits, the Spud is an epic adventure boat built to last.
The playful Spud isn’t the only capable inflatable kayak out there. To see more IKs and how the Spud stacks up against them, check out GearJunkie’s Best Inflatable Kayaks Buyer’s Guide.
- Length: 7’2"
- Width: 35.5”
- Weight: 21.5 lbs.
- Construction: 1,000-denier vinyl
- Weight capacity: 220 lbs.
- Storage: N/A
Pros
- At under $600, this craft is very affordable for the quality
- Packable and lightweight for the price tag
- Easy to configure the seat to provide flip handles
- Pumps up in under 10 minutes with the KPump Mini
Cons
- Squirrelly in strong currents
- Not suited for those much taller than 5’10” and 5’6” when the boat is loaded with gear
AIRE Tributary Spud Inflatable Kayak Review
On-the-Water Testing
At Home in the Splashy Stuff
Flatwater, River, and Camping Chops
What I Packed in the Spud
- Sealine 30L (at full capacity) and 20L (at half capacity) dry bags
- Packtowl
- Lunch and snacks for 4 days
- 1 Nalgene (clipped to the front of the boat)
- NEMO Dragonfly Osmo tent
- 20-degree sleeping quilt
- Sea to Summit Ultralight Air Sleeping Pad
- Layers
- Rain jacket
- Toiletries
- Throw bag/rescue gear