Things to Consider Before Buying an Inflatable Kayak and SUP Pump

Inflatable Boats, SUPs, and Kayaks are gaining more popularity these days. People are opting for lightweight kayaks that are storage friendly too. These are just the perfect description of inflatable kayaks and SUPs. And one indispensable accessory for your inflatable kayaks and SUPs is a pump. You would need a pump to get your inflatable kayak or SUP up and running. To help you make the right choice of pump, we compiled a set of factors to consider before buying one. Read to the end.

Kayak and SUP pump buying guide

Manual vs Electric Pumps

Kayak and SUP pumps come in two types- the manual pumps that are operated with either hands or feet and the electric pumps that are voltage powered. Under manual pumps, there are

These are manual pumps that are cylindrical hands on the handle, you push air into the kayak or SUP by an up and down stroke. They are big and can pump kayaks to high pressures of about 10PSI or more. Due to the size, they pump kayaks and SUPs fast and more easily.

Similar to single-action hand Pumps, double-action hand pumps pump your kayaks and SUPs fast and to pressures of about 4PSI. They are bigger than single-action hand pumps but require more strength for pumping to high pressures.

Dual action in the sense that you can either choose the double action mode which inflates the Kayaks fast or the single action mode which inflates the Kayaks slowly and steadily. You can switch between the two modes by simply turning a knob.

These are portable pumps that you can easily carry along with your gear. By pressing on a pedal with your leg, the air is pushed into the SUP or kayak. They are also used for deflating your inflatable kayak after use.

Electric pump types include

12v electric pumps are fast and reliable. They inflate your kayaks and SUPs fast and with ease. It has many advantages like a pressure gauge and a pressure selector for increasing the PSI. 12v electric pumps work by connecting them to your car battery.

These types of electric pumps are more like an upgrade to the 12v ones. They are faster and more expensive as well. 

These are smaller versions of 12v electric pumps. They are very portable and can Inflate or deflate your kayaks with ease. They are however not as powerful as the 12v Electric pumps. They are charged through SUBs rather than car batteries.

Valve Compatibility

Next to consider in buying a pump for your kayak or SUP is valve compatibility. As the pumps are different, so also are the valves. You have to ensure that you buy a pump that is compatible with your kayak or SUP adaptor. Some of the valves you would be seeing on the market include

These types of valves are designed in two ways. First, the valve is open and you can easily pump in the turns out when you withdraw the adaptor. Secondly, you can pump in the air and it won't come out. I.e is to say that it is in a closed position. Manual pumps are best used for the closed position as it requires more pumping than the open position.

As the name suggests, you twist these types of valves to open, then twist them again to close. They are mostly used for small bladders.

Boston valves are based on screw mechanisms. You lose the screw when you want to inflate the kayak or SUP then you tighten it when you are done. The valve is designed such that air does not rush out through the mechanism of a flap that opens when you inflate the kayak and shuts when you remove the pump.

These are simple design valves. Just like Boston valves, pinch valves have a flap that opens when you insert the pump adaptor and shuts when you remove it. This ensures that air is not lost in the process.

Other valve types include Coleman, lok and Halkey.

On a general note, bigger Kayaks and SUPs require bigger and faster pumps than the small ones. This is to minimize the time you spend eating your kayak. Also, ensure that your kayak or SUP has a pressure gauge to notify you when they are fully inflated. This reduces the chances of your kayaks bursting due to too much pumping.

For your durable Inflatable kayak and SUP pumps of all models and valve adaptors, Shop from us at Recreation Outfitters. We give you exactly what you need, for a little amount of money.

Recreation Outfitters are top brands for Inflatable Kayaks and SUPs.

Sea Eagle Inflatable kayak and SUP pumps

• Sea Eagle - BP12 - Pump, Electric Analog W/ Auto Stop ( Pump Only,No Battery With This Item. Not Designed To Work With SE330, SE370, SE9, PF7 And Inflatable Seats )
• Electric Turbo Pump ( Pump Only,No Battery With This Item. Not Designed To Work With SE330, SE370, SE9, PF7 And Inflatable Seats )
• A41 Bellows Foot Pump

Rave Inflatable Sup and Kayak pumps

• Double Action Hand Pump

Wow Watersports

• WOW Watersports 12V DC Air Pump [13-4020]

Full Throttle

• Full Throttle Manual Inflation Foot Pump - Black [310000-700-999-12]
• Full Throttle Dual Action Hand Pump - Black [310100-700-999-12]