Fact checked by Rich Scherr Want the freedom to explore waterways on your own time but lack the storage space? Inflatable kayaks, many of which pack down smaller than a suitcase, could be a solution.

For the most part, hard-shell kayaks track and maneuver better than inflatables. Even the slightest give in the hull of a boat can dramatically impact its performance: While high-end inflatables can ...

When I was 16, I started my first season as a safety kayaker for whitewater rafting trips. Each trip I crammed myself into my snug-fitting whitewater kayak, spending hours a day in the uncomfortable, ...