Side by Side Comparison of: Outdoor Tuff vs ADVANCED ELEMENTS

Arrived on time, and exceeded our expectations!

I love this thing! I took it out today. Shipped in a giant box. It was easy to inflate and deflating is a bit tedious but it gets easier every time you do it. It tracked well on the Lake with low wake. I might change the paddle later to a bigger n sturdier one. I noticed theres not a lot of room in the Kayak. It's kinda tedious to reach back to my back. The kayak got unstable when i did. Maybe more practice it won't do that. I'll update when i go fishing next week to see how I feel about it.

We received our order quickly and we are excited to use it in the Springtime.

It is awesome! We bought TWO!

This has been a great kayak.

Good product, a lot of fun, even for handicap person like me. I keep it in my truck always ready! Faster to blow air in from hose, then finish with pump.

Sturdy and packs back in the bag it came in. Moves great on a lake (only place I have taken it) and the built in paddle holder can double as a fishing pole holder. Not a lot of storage so get a PFD with some pockets if you are planning on fishing. Great boat for a day on the water. Folds back into bag for storage, and easy transport.

I am a petite woman and was searching for a canoe I could easily transport on my own. This one is wonderful, I inflate it once for the whole summer, and it fits nicely in my truck bed (haven't tried yet the roof top of my Subaru), very light and fun to use

I have owned Advanced Elements kayaks before (the Advanced Frame expedition). The quality of materials for the price is excellent, especially on this model. It performs well and is very light and easy to set up. HOWEVER, my Kayak arrived VERY badly stained, its no fault of the manufacturer.. Amazon shipped me a returned item.. the good thing of all this is that when i emailed Advanced Elements directly they where VERY helpful, offering to send me free of charge replacement parts and gave me excellent customer support. Advanced Elements is awesome.

Working in Entebbe, Uganda and right on the shore of Lake Victoria, I needed a good kayak in a bad way but couldn't find one for sale in the area and tried through several sources to find something that would work, but to no avail. Then I scanned Amazon for some different models, brands, and types of kayaks that would be suitable and possibly delivered.. but insane expensive to deliver or ship sent me to the inflatable options. This FireFly sounded good based on all the reviews and I was not disappointed at all. Now the down and dirty on this awesome package! I timed everything so I could pick it up on my 2 week vacation and bring it back with me on the plane to Uganda. First, it was delivered in record time and neatly packaged tight. The kayak fabric/rubberized material was very strong and durable. Instructions on proper care and maintenance were super simple to understand. The FireFly, airpump, and 2 sectional oar, all fit nicely in 1 checked bag that was will within the baggage fee. Once Back in Entebbe, I couldn't wait to get in the water. It has seperate air bladders for floor and inner/outer shells and inflated easily. As per the instructions, each bladder also has it's own air preassure but my pump as a guage so it was simple, however, depending on your body size and displacement, I found it to be very flexable. I am 6' and 170lbs..Fully inflated, this fit me like a driving glove.. very snug and secure. Out on Lake Victoria, the Kayak handled crisp and fast on flat water.. som reviews mention that it needs a keel but it actually has a small keel and some people just need to pracice their technique. Lake Victoria, being the largest fresh water lake on the continent, can also get pretty nasty duriing the rainy/storm season resulting in 3'-7' waves making for a fun and exciting trip. I could stay out and play for hours as this kayak was stable through it all and not once rolling over. I took it later up the Congo river to see how it would act in some rougher conditions and even with some side slipping, it swam perfectly. At times when it was flat water and my legs would get stiff inside, it was even more comfortable to use the kayak as a recliner and just throw my feet on top, lean back and take a nap. Now that I am back in the states for a while, I sold my kayak to a mate in Entebbe and baught a second one for my time here in the states. I will be getting my wife one soon for her birthday as well, since she has been wanting us to kayak together. In closing, if you are looking for a snug inflatable, then you can stop looking. It is snug on me, so I should say that if you are over 6'2" and 200lbs, this will be too small for you but I'm sure I'll see you in a larger kayak in the Intercoastal Water way some day, ay? Happy Paddlin- Cheers Mates!

These kayaks are so much fun to play in. They are easy to grab and go and I was worried they'd be a pain to set up but they aren't. They are so fast and easy, the only time we don't use them is if the weather is too bad to go. Highly recommend them for a fun way to get outside & play on the water.

This is a very nice Kayak and easy to set up. There is a quality feel to it. Regretfully I had to return it as my 72 year old body did was not up to the task of getting in and out of it. This was no fault of the Kayak but rather due to recent back surgery. I would recommend this Kayak.

This is the perfect kayak for those who don't want to deal with lugging a heavy kayak around. It inflates wonderfully easy and floats nicely on the water. It folds and fits nicely into the backpack that comes with it. The paddles are fine, not great but good enough. The price is great.The drawbacks:1. the foot rest is way too short for me (I'm 5'10"). I just keep it out and let my legs extend into the covered front section.2. If it's a windy day, prepare to row hard to keep yourself from circling in the wind.3. The inflatable back rest doesn't provide full support, but it does allow you to recline comfortably.

I just baptized this today in NY off Jones Beach State Park. Foot pump works just fine, but give yourself at least 20 minutes to unpack and inflate. It's really easy, I didn't have any problems, and I'm a smoker, slightly overweight, and over age 45! I had to blow up the seat manually, couldn't get the smaller pump fitting to stay inside, and be careful, the markings on the kayak don't match the order of inflation. Floor is first, but not all the way, then the sides in the order marked. I had lots of boaters passing in my vicinity and it handled the wakes quite nicely. Not sure how you're suppose to check the proper pressure, I just used the ruler to measure the sides and my judgment for the floor. This kayak was definitely better than I expected.

So far, so good. For the price it is a very good product. But, as you can tell from all of the unanswered questions (including one of mine) customer service is lacking (or on vacation). Our son lost the inflation adaptor in deep sand when he took it off to fill the floor chamber. The floor should have the same valve as the side chambers for convenience and so that air does not escape when putting the cap back on. And ......so that 12 year olds do not have to remove adaptors and remember where they put them! Aside from that, all of my kids (75 lbs to 190 lbs) had a ball with it on Lake Tahoe. The kayak handled well in windy weather and was stable enough to pull yourself up-and-in after going for a swim. We plan to order another for an end of summer trip.

The User's Manual could use some intense help. The order of operations for inflation do not match the numbered valves on the kayak.Way too much verbiage - for instance talking about different types of valves without referencing a location or picture. A ruler is included with no direction on how or when to use it. There is a tool included with no idea what it might be for.For all of that, it was great fun. Inflation process took about 25 minutes the first time. We assume it will take less time as we gain experience. The kayak felt a little unstable at first, but we after a few paddles around the lake, was fine.

Bought for my daughter. She LOVES it.

It would best if the top of the floor tubes material was the same as the rest of the kayak. Otherwise, its a great packable kayak which actually exceeded my expectations. I would recommend this kayak to a friend.

In theory this is the perfect kayak for a lake or slow moving river..i live by a river but yet would have to transport kayak to water and back. At 16 plus pounds this kayak is easy to transport and a breeze to inflate. Tacking leaves a bit to be desired, it just doesn't go in a straight line. Not bad but your always compensating. Right now the water is very cold and I found after a hour it deflated slightly, no big deal next time I'll bring it to shore and reinflate but didn't think of that the first time..for the price and transport, no roof rack, no big storage issue..if you just want to get out there and have fun. This is a great deal.

This is a perfect kayak for a short person or youth. This is my 2nd AE kayak and I like this one the best. I will outline the pro and cons below:Pros:1. Easy to carry.2. Very comfortable for me, I am 5'3" tall female.3. Easy to care for, wipe down and done.4. Handles waves with ease. I use it on ponds and large lakes.5. Can't beat the price.6. I feel very safe in it. Perfect for fall and spring outings.Cons:1. Poor quality inner tube. Pay attention to the instructions and do not over inflate.2. Since it is so short, the front sways with every stroke. It drove me nuts for the 1st few times I used it.3. Hard to get in and out.Overall this is a nice, little kayak and I am considering purchasing a 2nd one.

We had to get a replacement. The first one had a hole in it, and we never made it to the water. The replacement works just fine. My 7 year old son uses it, and he likes it. It does sit a little high in the water and thus does not track well. But this is the trade off with being able to haul it to and from the water and it is easy to store!

Bought this for my husband & also to have an extra kayak for guests. It sets up in 10 minutes, light in weight but sturdy, & tracks well. It does not, however, have enough room in bow for one to wear water shoes w/o having large feet feel squished. This can affect maneuverability & comfort. All in all though good purchase.

I chose this kayak, as I don't have a cross-bar on my Subaru, and even if I did, I don't have the upper body strength to lift a Kayak up on to my high car roof (new Forester) by myself.It was easy to inflate. I used a bellow air pump (foot), and it took less that 5 minutes to inflate all 3 separate chambers.The first day I used it, the chambers were not equally inflated and it was rather crooked, but stayed afloat very well.So heads up, the second chamber which inflates the tube that surrounds the inside of the Kayak, needs to be manipulated as you're inflating it so that it inflates evenly, especially when it is brand new. Caution: do not over-inflate the chambers, as that can cause damage to your the Kayak. So far, I'm very happy with this inflatable Kayak.

If you are looking for an affordable introduction to this activity that leads you to an understanding of what you want next (should you chose to pursue it further), this is very good option. If you find out this activity isn't for you, you haven't broken the bank. This is not a serious kayak for those well acquainted. It shouldn't be compared to higher end kayaks.This was my first one and here are the best points about it from that vantage point. 1.) It is very stable. Some have called this a glorified inner tube (a bit harsh), but that is a good thing when it comes to concerns about flipping over. (Just stay centered, which is hard not to do.) 2.) It is very portable. Just starting out, you don't want to have to go buy a roof rack and find a storage space for this. Once deflated, it can be carried in the trunk of your car and stored in a closet at home. 3.) You will still want to keep this should you get another later on. Sometimes it will still be the best option for quick portability.What you won't have with this? 1.) A whitewater adventure craft. This is for easy/relaxing waters. I have taken it on a class one that maybe had a couple class two spots on it. That was as harsh as this would take. (It did do well for as many rocks as I rubbed on.) 2.) Speed. You can use the inner tube example to imagine the speed. You do have some tracking (directional) ability here, but you aren't going to blaze a trail. 3.) Storage. This was really what pushed me into my next kayak. There just isn't much room at all. A day trip down the river forced me to ask others to borrow some space on theirs for my stuff. You can carry a couple bottles of water, some sunscreen and a light snack, but not much else. 4.) Legroom. I am 5'10" and 160lbs. I can't fully stretch my legs out (slight bend at the knees). If I am just floating I sometimes throw my legs on top and do fine.This really works best for floating on a gentle current. That is where I will still use mine. Not bad to bob around on a lake and take in some sun as well. Inflates/deflates easily (I recommend the AE pump with the gauge for proper inflation), stores away nicely, has good durability and convenience. For the beginner with a light budget, storage space and transportation options this is a great way to go.Lastly, I ended up buying some cheap accessories that I hadn't considered to start. A dry box (~$10) for a cell phone, keys and maybe a small camera. Paddling gloves (~$15-25) to keep blisters at bay, particularly when there is no current to carry you. A good sun hat, unless you like being a redneck.

Good for lakes wth few obstacles as vinyl is not real thickNot designed for rivers or whitewater as viyl is thin and there are no bailing holes

It seems like it's built ok but it is small. Small may be good for some people in some applications tho. The seat is lousy at best and the fins on the bottom may get knocked off if you are in shallow water on rocks. Oh yeah, and the seat isn't very good at all.

As most the reviews say, this kayak handles great.The paddle is great. I just wish someone had written about how uncomfortable the seat is. The seat has almost no structure and feels more like an afterthought. The strap that wraps around the back of the seat and connects to the kayak cuts right through the seat and it digs into the middle of your back.It is hard to enjoy how well it handles without being able to sit comfortably. Sadly, I would not recommend this kayak simply because of that. I'm sure there are more out there with more comfortable seats.

I really wanted to like this kayak but I was disappointed due to the fact that on the very first usage it had a leak in one of the three inflatable chambers (see attached photo and you can see the chamber that is under inflated due to air loss. Additionally, you need to carefully read the instructions regarding the inflation valves as that info is contained in two sections of the manual. The manual is not well thought out. The kayak comes with some goofy inflation ruler that is never properly explained as to how to use it. Also, they include a plastic wrench for the inflation valves and the wrench is not mentioned in the instruction as to what it is used for. I am returning this kayak for a refund. If it weren't for the leaking valve I would have kept it as it is a nice unit for the money.

Bought it when on my way to Baja, I paddle on the Sea of Cortez. Found it OK in the waves and calm seas, no way into the wind! I launch in fairly rocky areas and the FireFly developed a slow leak that I have yet to find. I am 70 but fit, have some difficulty getting in and out. Agree with others about the lack of back support, ease of set up and take down. Good stable first recreational kayak especially for kids but I recommend spending more for a more satisfying experience in terms of speed and tracking.

I really wanted to love this kayak, because it inflated easily and is relatively lightweight. The problem is that it is not stable on the water and is a very tight fit for an adult. I am a relatively slender female at 5 feet 6", tall and 122 lbs, and I barely fit in the kayak. It was very uncomfortable with no room to move my legs. I am not sure who the reviewers were that indicated that they were 6ft tall and easily fit. There is just no way that is even possible. There is no tracking whatsoever, even on very calm canal waters. The last concern I had and the reason I finally donated the kayak to charity, is that the bag that comes with the kayak is not water proof, as indicated by the manufacturer, which caused the kayak to mildew. I am over all very disappointed with this purchase.

The inside seat is very narrow so made for small people. THe design is great though. And it is very stable on water. It is also very light to carry.

Inflates easily with care to balance both sides evenly. My 85kg husband felt a little cramped but said the challenge made him work harder, so that's good. Length wise the kayak is short so you yawn left and right but generally go in the right direction. The width of the tubes in the centre provide very good general stability and can handle body weight without bowing into the water. There are handy Velcro straps to hold the paddle to the topside whilst not in use and sturdy attachment/drag handle at the front.Fun and perfectly reasonable for the price. Great for kids and ladies. If you want something more serious you have to spend more bucks.

I returned this kayak because 1) one of the chamber valves would not close after inflation and 2) the material used for the kayak did not seem as sturdy as I thought it should be 3) the pump included with the kayak is nearly worthless.

If you want a $250 inner tube that's easier to paddle in than a standard round inner tube. Get this. If you want a kayak, you're going to have to look elsewhere.For all your questions about it's performance. Assume it's an inner tube and you have a paddle. That's what you can do in this. Float in the lake? Yes, Float down river? Yes. Slowly float across flat water? Yes.No upstream, no distance traveling along a coast(unless you have time and friendly currents), no island hopping. (yes, if you take the time and you're an awesome paddler, you can do these things... but you could do that in an inner tube as well)

This is a high-priced inner tube. There is no seat or back rest so it is uncomfortable. It is also difficult to get out of. It is difficult to paddle a straight line as the bow moves back and forth with each stroke of the paddle. This kayak would be fine for kids to paddle around in with adult supervision. It is easy to inflate and deflate, and it comes with a good storage and carrying bag. It is very portable and can be carried easily in most vehicles.

I thought this would be great for a 2nd Kayak. I unpacked and spent an hour or more trying to blow up the main section. My son tried and said..there must be a hold. The sides blow up very quickly. If there was a hole even before we put in the water how safe would this be. Returned and went out and bought a plastic one. this was a waste of time.

Right out of the package there are numerous scratches/nick marks that look like they will soon allow the kayak to burst. I posted pics that are a sample but not all the scratches.

Ordered new, Arrived in a trashed box held together with a random assortment of various tapes, without the pump or backpack. Valves don't seem to mate with kite pump which I had on hand. Didn't even get it inflated.

Not a good product. Very tippy