Aquaglide Blackfoot 160 - Review 2023

This kayak makes me want to go fishing

As a paddler looking more for performance in a kayak than function, I was overwhelmed with how well the Blackfoot 160 performs in a variety of conditions. This kayak can be paddled in whitewater and surf because of its self-bailing function, making it a stand-out choice for both fishing and adventuring.

With all the features of a well fitted out fishing boat, the Blackfoot 160 sets you up for success when chasing the ultimate catch. The stability of this kayak allows you to stand up to cast, while the adjustable seats allow you to choose how high you want to sit in the boat. You can even use the seat as a beach chair when you reach the shore.

There are more attachment features than you could ever use in this kayak. From universal mounts on the floor and bow, MOLLE plates, velcro adjusters inside the cockpit, webbing tie downs, and bungees, your OCD will run wild as you outfit this kayak to your hearts delight!

The Blackfoot 160 is not just an excellent inflatable ‘fishing’ kayak, but in my opinion the best recreational inflatable kayak I’ve paddled due to its high performance, comfort, quality, and versatility.

Quality

What most impressed me about the Blackfoot 160 inflatable tandem kayak is the careful attention that has gone into the design and the quality of materials used in its construction. The high walls made from Duratex™ reinforced PVC provide stability, while the drop-stitch floor is so rigid you can stand up to cast without capsizing the craft.

Compared to other inflatables designed for fishing like the Elkton Outdoors, Aquaglide has thought of every possible convenience, like a fish ruler printed on the inside of the cockpit. This level of detail is mirrored by clearly noted PSI levels next to the Halkey-Roberts Type Valves to ensure you don’t over or under inflate the kayak.

The design of the Blackfoot 160 is reminiscent of the Razor Kayak R2 Ultra Tandem, which is made from 1000 denier PVC and a Tech-Stitch inner floor. Both these brands are built to last with commercial-grade materials used in rafting boats and features like their heavy-duty nose cones to protect the boat from damage when bumped into rocks.

Where the Blackfoot 160 excels beyond the R2 is in features like its diamond-cut traction padding on the floor that provides stability when standing up to cast and offers a non-slip surface for young children and pets. Aquaglide’s aluminum frame and padded air mesh seats are also much higher quality than the basic padded seats of the R2 and a lot more comfortable.

Both the Blackfoot 160 and the R2 have covered storage areas at the bow and stern of the boat, but the Blackfoot 160 has an additional splash guard on the bow of the boat that shields the front paddler and prevents water from entering the cockpit.

Much consideration has gone into the 173-liter, zippered River Crossing backpack-style storage bag for the 160, which has mesh side panels for drainage and breathability. The padded shoulder straps and waist belt that can also be stowed away so you can check it in as luggage on an airplane. The R2 also has a backpack-style carry bag, but it doesn’t have a hipbelt like the 160, which makes carrying a 50 lbs load much more manageable.

The quality and ingenuity of the Blackfoot 160 sets it apart from any other inflatable kayak I’ve paddled. I found even the smaller details like the stainless steel D-rings and the padded and textured handles of the Blackfoot 160 to be impressive.

Versatility

The Blackfoot 160 knocks other inflatable tandems like the Driftsun 2-Person out of the water with its versatility and advanced features including MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) plates, raised seats, universal accessory mounts, and unrivaled storage space.

The MOLLE plates allow you to attach accessories like a cup or phone holder, gear bags, first aid kit, radio, or tool organizers to the cockpit. The Blackfoot 160 also comes with four MOLLE mesh pockets to keep your gear in reach and organized.

The Blackfoot 160 is the longest inflatable tandem kayak we’ve tested coming in at 16 feet. This additional length allows for greater speed, more storage space, room for an additional third seat, as well as the ability to mount the seats in a variety of ways using the 36 webbing loops along the floor. The adjustable seats can be positioned to face each other when tandem fishing or enjoying a floating picnic with the kids.

The versatile seating also enables you to paddle the kayak solo. As a tandem kayak, the 160 isn’t as maneuverable as a single inflatable kayak like the Razor Kayaks R1 Ultra or the Advance Elements AdvancedFrame. But the pointed bow and stiff construction make the 160 quite responsive for a 16-foot inflatable boat, with the added advantage of an abundance of storage space.

Although this is a true fishing kayak designed for the most avid angler, it is designed for adventure and can be paddled in mild white water and even light surf. The advantage of the Blackfoot 160 over other inflatable tandems like the Advanced Elements Island or the Driftsun Rover is that it has four scupper drain holes for self-bailing if waves splash into the cockpit. The 160 also has a drainage system at the stern to empty the boat of water while on land.

Six universal mounts on the floor and bow of the kayak allow for the attachment of an anchor system, POV camera, rod holders, and other gadgets. This means your gear is securely fastened and out of your way when you’re in paddle mode. It also means you won’t lose a piece of gear over the side when the wind and waves pick up.

Most inflatable tandems have basic carry handles at the bow and stern of the boat like the Sevylor Big Basin. But the Blackfoot 160 also has two carry handles in the center of the cockpit, allowing the boat to be carried by one person. Although this kayak weighs 50 pounds, it’s light enough for one person to carry if the chairs are not attached.

The universal fin box on the 160 allows you to attach the custom Posi-track Weedless Fin without the need of tools. This robust fin cuts through the water efficiently to keep you on track and is angled in such a way to avoid hooking onto weeds and debris in the water. You can also purchase a shorter fin if you’re planning to do a lot of shallow water paddling.

The two foot braces on the Blackfoot 160 are also completely adjustable. They attach to the hook and loop strips on the floor. I found this design more superior than the R2, which has a basic velcro adjustment strap that feeds through two D-rings for adjustment.

Overall the versatility of the Blackfoot 160 is in my opinion its best selling feature alongside its high quality construction.

Comfort

Comfort is a number one priority for Aquaglide, and the padded adjustable seats set this kayak apart from its competitors. The adjustability of the seats allow each paddler to decide whether they want to sit lower in the boat for more effective paddling and stability, or higher above the water for easy casting.

The higher seating position also makes it easier to get in and out of the kayak and provides storage space beneath the seat for your gear. The specially designed storage shelf beneath the seat is a perfect size for your tackle box and both chairs have an additional storage pocket on the back for your water bottles, snacks, and sunscreen. The seats attach to the webbing loops on the floor of the kayak and the D-rings inside the cockpit are easy to install and remove. They can be used as stand alone chairs when landing on sandy beaches or the pebbled shoreline.

Performance

As mentioned above, whether you’re paddling the Blackfoot 160 inflatable as a tandem or solo kayak, the performance is comparable to a hardshell kayak. The 16-foot length provides greater speed than most inflatable boats, while the pointed bow and stiff construction of the Duratex fabric allows the boat to move through the water without excessive drag.

I found that using the Posi-track Weedless Fin was a must in keeping the boat tracking on course when paddling in wind or for longer distances. But the 160 could easily be used for a more casual outing on a calm lake or shallow waters without the fin.

Ease of Use

Inflating and setting up the Blackfoot 160 took longer than the Razor Kayak R2 Ultra because the 160 is longer and wider and also has more features to install like the mesh pockets. I found the Halkey-Roberts Type Valves easy to use and loved using the Accelerator HP 12v Pump 20, even though it is sold separately. It takes about 10 minutes to inflate using the hand pump and less time using the electric pump.

Deflating the boat was fast and simple. It’s a good idea to dry the kayak off first before you deflate it as it will dry easier when it’s rigid. It took me a few tries to fold and roll the deflated kayak so it would fit in the backpack. But once I got the hang of it, packdown became relatively simple.

Price/Quality Ratio

The Blackfoot 160 might be a little more expensive than other tandem inflatables on the market, but that’s because it is a high-quality, featured-packed, high-performance kayak that will last you for years.

The construction of the kayak alone places it within its price point before you even consider all the features and accessories this tandem kayak boasts.

The quality of each feature from the stainless steel D-rings to the custom-made, aluminum frame seat with air mesh cushioning bump this kayak into its own luxury category.

This kayak will stand the test of time without burning a hole through your wallet.

Do we recommend it?

I would recommend this kayak to any fishing enthusiast who is looking for an adventure. There are so many features specific to fishing on this kayak, it would be a shame not to take advantage of them. But because this inflatable tandem kayak is superior to many others I’ve tested, I’d be compelled to recommend this kayak to anyone looking for a robust, versatile, high-performance, and stable inflatable recreational kayak, whether you like to fish or not.