We field questions almost daily on inflatable kayak pumps, types of pumps, whether or not to use a pressure gauge and valve adaptors. Here is a short guide, answering some of the most asked questions, but feel free to ask any others!
Note: this article is an update from our article on the subject in 2011.
Types of Inflatable Kayak Pumps
There are a number of pumps available to inflate your kayak, both manual and electric. Here are some types:
Dual Action Hand Pump
A barrel-type cylindrical pump that has two options – by turning a knob, one can go from double action mode (quickly pump up an inflatable) to single action mode (more easily pump to higher pressures).
Airkayaks.com Recommends: Best dual action pump
Airkayaks has released the Airkayaks Universal Hand Pump. It is lightweight at 1.7 lbs, compact, and provides single or double-action pumping with a built-in gauge to 15 psi, an aluminum shaft, and folding feet that’s ideal for all Inflatable Kayaks. The feet fold, and the handles are removable to save space in your kayak bag or backpack, and there are not a ton of extra valves that you will wind up not using.
The reason why we chose to have this pump with a 15 PSI Gauge is so that you can also use it to pump up your inflatable SUP. It includes a 4 ft. (1.25 m) hose, and Halkey-Roberts, Boston, and stem fittings. If the HR valve is not fitting perfectly, we’ve put both sizes of common O-Rings on the pump as well.
Note: For Advanced Elements Kayaks with an AE Spring Valve, simply friction fit the spring valve adapter included with your AE kayak on top of the boston valve. (or use the AE2011 Hand Pump).
Double Action Hand Pump
This is a barrel-type cylindrical pump that pushes air in on the up and the down stroke. Tougher than a foot pump, but also larger. Typically has an inflate and deflate position on the pump handle. These are great for lower pressure inflatables, up to about 4PSI. Can be used on higher pressure inflatables, but you will earn every muscle getting it up there. Will pump up an inflatable faster than the single action pump or bellows foot pump.
For Advanced Elements Kayaks, we recommend the AE2011 as it includes the Advanced Elements Spring Valve Adapter. Dont have the AE2011 pump and have an AE kayak? Put the AE Fitting on top of a Boston Valve. It will “friction fit” – note this is a tight feeling and it will be “finger tight”.
Note: Airkayaks only sells hand pumps with gauges – Its important not to over-inflate your kayak, take a shortcut to the Pressure Gauges section to learn how they will work on your pump.
Single Action Hand Pump
Similar to the double action hand pump, the Single Action pump is a barrel-type cylindrical pump that pushes air on the down-stroke only. These pumps are excellent for high pressure inflatables, as they are much easier to pump up to 10+PSI – the standard pressure used for inflatable paddle boards.
Bellows Foot Pump
A smaller-profile pump, good for carrying around with the kayak. Air is pumped in by using your foot, but only on the down stroke. Also has an inflate and deflate position. Good for people with back problems, as you will not be bending over the pump.
12 Volt electric pump
For use with a car power point. 12V pumps are fabulous for inflating most of the kayak quickly and with no effort, but they do not have the power to fully inflate a kayak. You will still need to use a hand or foot pump to top it off.
Rechargeable 12V Pump
These are VERY handy micro pumps (fit in your hand) which will inflate and deflate quickly with no effort. Same as the 12V electric pump (above), these do not have the power to fully inflate – you will still need a hand or foot pump to top it off. Recharged via a USB port.
Best Electric Pump: Airkayaks Turbo Pump
For use with a car power point or car battery. While more expensive, these are a “set and forget” type of 12-volt pump – simply dial in the recommended pressure and let it rip. These are capable of reaching higher pressures of 15 to 20 PSI.
Common Gotchas with Inflatable Kayak Pumps
Bike and automotive tire pumps will NOT work, they do not have the correct connectors.
Regular electric/compressor pumps are NOT recommended with inflatables, as they can easily overfill the kayaks and potentially pop a chamber, unless it has a controllable, built-in pressure gauge. If you want to use one of these, buy a schrader valve adapter – note – not all kayaks will be compatible. We know these work with the Aquaglide Chelan Series, Blackfoot Series, Deschutes Series, AE AirVolution Series, along with most SUPs.
Valve Types and Associated Valve Adaptors for Inflatable Kayak Pumps
Inflation valves are the “connections” on the kayak that allow air to enter the kayak. The valve adaptor is the fitting that couples the pump hose to the inflation valve. Most of the kayaks we sell have the following types of inflation valves.
Boston Valve on the Aquaglide Backwoods Angler 75
Boston Valves
These are screw-on two-way valves. The bottom portion is screwed onto the kayak, the top valve is screwed open for inflation and then tightened shut after inflation. Air is easily released by unscrewing the base connector. A flap inside the valve opens when air is pumped into the kayak, and falls shut when not pumped so that air will not rush back out. The Boston Valve adaptor is a “friction fit” (see images of Valve Adaptor Types below – A).
Occasionally, the valve adaptors may be too loose, and will pop out. This can be rectified in a few ways. 1) Put some masking tape or duct tape around the adaptor, to make it a little thicker. 2) Use a rock or sandpaper to slightly rough up the outer surface of the adaptor, or 3) as the Boston valve is “tapering”, slightly cut down the length – this in effect will make the adaptor a bit wider, to friction fit better. For more details, read our Guide to Using and Troubleshooting a Boston Valve.
AE Spring Valve
Military Valves
A spring-loaded push-pin style valve. By turning to the “open” position (push pin is down), air can be pumped in, but it will also be released when the pump adaptor is removed. By turning to the “closed” position (push pin is up), air can be pushed in by pumping, but can not come back out. Use the open position with 12V pumps (which don’t have enough uummphh to open the closed valve position). Once inflation seems to end, quickly turn the valve to close it, and top off with another pump to full pressure. Use the closed position with hand and foot pumps.
There are various types of military valves
Most work on the same principal, but have different valve adaptors. Some of the military valves require specific adaptors to couple, such as the Halkey Roberts (F – this one is used on the Advanced Elements drop stitch floor). The Advanced Elements military valves are a bit more universal – they can be inflated with the Advanced Elements screw on adaptor (C), or they can use a Boston valve adaptor via friction-fit (A).
Twist-Lok Valves
These are small valves on tubes, typically used on small inflation bladders. By twisting the end cap one way, the air can be pumped in, and twisting back will lock it shut. Most use the Boston valve adaptor, which fits over the Twist-lok (A).
Valve Adaptors for Inflatable Kayak Pumps (in Image)
(A) Boston Valve; (B) Small Boston Valve; (C) Advanced Elements Screw on Adaptor; (D & E) Pinch valve (F) Halkey Roberts military adaptor (G) Another military adaptor
Pump Pressure Gauges
Pressure gauges will tell you how much pressure you’ve put into the inflatable. These are good as a rule of thumb, but you must remember that air and water temperature will affect the kayak pressure. If you will be in hot sun, under-inflate the kayak as the air will heat up and expand. If you will be kayaking in cold water, over-inflate slightly as the air will cool down and contract.
The easiest pressure gauges work in-line with the pump so that you can see the pressure in “real time.”
PRO TIP: Please also note that these work on back-pressure, meaning certain type valves – such as Boston valves with closing flaps – will not read all the time, only when pumping.
There is another Boston Valve Adaptor called the Boston Valve Pin Adaptor – see image on left. This has a long pin which holds the flap open, allowing one to get real time readings with a Boston Valve.
If you are using another type of valve – such as a military valve with an “open” or “closed” position, you will need to inflate in the “open” position to get a reading. When you reach the right pressure, quickly remove the adaptor and turn to the “closed” position. You will lose a little bit of air, so just give it a couple quick pumps to “top it off.”
AirKayaks note: Back Pressure & Troubleshooting your Gauge
As previously mentioned, gauges work on back pressure, thus you will NOT get any registration of the needle until the bladder is filled out. If you suspect your gauge is not working do this: cover the end of the pump hose with your hand, or something to create a total vacuum. Then make a few pumps. If the needle moves, then you have not put enough air into the chamber to get a reading. If it does not move, then the gauge is probably not working. As an FYI, with some high pressure kayaks or SUPS it could take over 100 pumps to start getting a reading.
AE Spring Valve Adapter
The Advanced Elements double action pump with gauge comes with a spring valve adaptor attachment. This screws onto the military valve and holds the chamber “open” so you can get real time pressure readings. The adaptor is designed to work with just the Advanced Elements military valves.
Read your kayak instruction manual to find out the optimum pressure for each chamber in your inflatable kayak.
What if your inflatable kayak pump doesn’t have a pressure gauge?
If you don’t have a pressure gauge, inflate the kayak until “firm to touch.” What does this mean? For the main chambers, inflate the sides until it feels firm, like a drumhead, but not rock hard. If you lift the kayak up at one end, and it sags in the middle, then it has not been inflated enough and will be sluggish. The chambers that are most sensitive are the smaller chambers, and the floors with “i-beams” – these are the lower pressure PVC floors with seams running lengthwise. Inflate these until firm, but you should be able to press in about half an inch.
Pro tip: NEVER leave your kayak fully inflated in the hot sun
If you have no choice, release some of the air from the chambers (somewhat limp), so when the air heats up there will not be enough pressure in the kayak to explode. And it WILL explode. We saw one poor kayak which had been left in the back of a pickup truck, fully inflated, in California 100 degree weather for 4 days. A sad sight.
Pressure Relief (Release) Valves
Some kayaks come with pressure relief valves, as shown with the red image on the left. These are set to release air once a certain pressure is achieved. PRVs are particularly handy if you don’t have a gauge, as you will hear a air hiss once the bladder reaches the maximum pressure. These are also great if you’ve left your kayak in the sun. As the air expands, the valve will release air before a problem occurs.
Troubleshooting your Valves:
If you believe you have a leak at the valve location, run a soapy sponge around the valve to pinpoint the leak – bubbles will be visible.
For Boston Valves:
First, remove the valve entirely and then carefully re-thread it onto the kayak. Sometimes, the valve can be cross-threaded, or occasionally kayak material can interfere with a tight seal. If that doesn’t work, try swapping the valves. If the opposite side then has a problem, you know it is the Boston valve. Many inflatables come with an extra Boston valve in the repair kit, so replace the culprit.
For Military Style Valves
First, make sure the valve is in the closed position and that the wing nut cap is tightened. Occasionally, the valves will loosen up initially. Many inflatables come with a wrench in the repair kit, which you can use to tighten the valve back on.
Bottom Line on Inflatable Kayak Pumps:
What do we use?
We keep four pumps handy – the Airkayaks Turbo Pump, Airkayaks Universal hand pump, Kokopelli Feather pump and the bellows foot pump.
When headed out with a few kayaks, the Feather pump is incredibly handy to get larger kayaks inflated about 80% of the way. Then we top-off the kayaks using the hand pump.
If were inflating the kayak near the car, then we use the Airkayaks Turbo Pump.
The bellows foot pump we keep on-board as a “safety issue.” The smaller profile makes it easier to stash behind the seat or bungee to the top of the kayak for those rare emergencies. Most kayaks have a number of chambers, thus the deflation of one chamber will not not sink the boat, but it will make paddling that much tougher.
For more details on pumps, visit http://www.airkayaks.com/categories/Accessories/Pumps/