The BOTE Zeppelin Aero not only performs well – it looks good, too. Photo: Steve Andrews//The Inertia
Not everyone can live right next to the water. For those that do, owning a boat or some kind of watercraft opens up a world of exploration outside your back door. But just because we can’t all live close to the water doesn’t mean we can’t have a personal watercraft to explore the coast with efficiency and ease. In recent years, inflatable watercraft (such as inflatable kayaks) have brought water-bound exploration to the masses, making boat-ownership more accessible by lowering the price-point, and eliminating the struggles of storing and transporting a full-sized kayak, paddleboard, or other vessel if you don’t live on or by the water.
In our review of The Best Inflatable Kayaks, I was able to test out the BOTE Zeppelin Aero 10′ ($1,149 list, on-sale for $699 at time of publishing) and was impressed by its stability on the water, ease of setup, and maneuverability. It’s also highly durable and relatively easy to move around when packed up. It’s not the lightest or smallest inflatable kayak out there, but it’s made to last and comes chock-full of features. So if you want to cruise to places where a car, bike, or even your feet won’t cut it, check out the review in detail, below.
BOTE Zeppelin Aero: First Impressions
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy setup | Hard to pack up easily |
| Stable on the water | Paddle doesn’t pack in the bag |
| Tons of accessories | Not much extra space |
Versions: 10′, 12’6″ (Tandem)
Length Tested: 10′
Weight: 46 lbs
Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
Packed Dimensions: 39 × 18 × 11 inches
Storage Space: Front webbing, back deck with optional attachments
At 46 pounds packed up, the 10′ Zeppelin Aero is not the easiest thing to carry around for a while. But with durable backpack straps included, it’s fairly easy to take from your car to the water, even if it’s a bit of a walk. True, you might need to make a couple trips from the car if you’re bringing extras such as a cooler with snacks and drinks, but compared to a full-sized rigid kayak, it’s a breeze to move with one person, even if you have to trek down a set of stairs or on a trail for a few minutes.
Inflation only takes a few minutes and the kayak is ready to go. Photo: Lindsay Gough//The Inertia
Notable Features of the BOTE Zeppelin Aero
BOTE cut its teeth as a stand-up paddleboard brand, and as such, it should be no surprise that the deck of this kayak is extremely durable, just like their SUPs. It’s the backbone of the kayak that makes it nice and stable, able to withstand some harsher conditions where other inflatable kayaks might toss and turn a bit more. I took it out on the water in windy conditions with some whitecaps and was surprised how well it cut through the chop.
The other great feature of this kayak is the seat. It’s one of the most comfortable seats out there, made from the same high-strength PVC as the rest of the unit. You would need quite a bit of force to make a puncture in here. The tension straps allow for you to adjust how much it reclines, and can adjust the firmness by how much or little you inflate it. The result is a more custom fit based on personal preferences.
Although it first seemed like a gimmick, I now see how valuable BOTE’s proprietary Magnepod is for keeping accessories at bay. I used their Magneboom Swell portable speaker, and it worked like a charm to stay put when needed. It’s nice to have a speaker on the deck and not have to worry about it going overboard. Of course, it’s not totally foolproof, but aside from physically removing it from the magnet on the deck, it’ll stay put. They also have an array of drinkware that can fit on the Magnepod for hassle-free beverage placement right at your feet.
Getting away from the crowds is a breeze with the BOTE Zeppelin Aero. Photo: Lindsay Gough//The Inertia
Drawbacks
Although on the shorter end of inflatable kayaks at 10′, the durability of this unit makes it large when packed up. It comes with a bag with backpack straps, but is still a bit cumbersome to carry around. So if you have other beach toys to bring along (not to mention the pump and paddle), you may need to make a couple trips to the car to get everything. Since the kayak weighs nearly 50 lbs, that might be a bit of a mission if you have a decent amount of distance to cover to get to the water line.
Also, being a smaller watercraft, you won’t be able to fit too much gear in it with you. The 10′ version we tested (don’t forget about the 12’6″ tandem version) will fit one person and a bag of personal items, but not much more than that. It is best suited for day trips or an afternoon on the water, less-so for journeys where you are headed somewhere overnight and need to pack a lot of gear. If you do want to head somewhere with distance on this craft, you’ll want calm water and some waterproof protection for your gear.
Inflatable kayaks can take you to some really nice places. Photo: Lindsay Gough//The Inertia
Final Thoughts
BOTE makes quality gear that is built to last. Their Zeppelin Aero is easy to inflate, meaning less time fiddling around with parts and more time enjoying the water. Thanks to its rigid sidewalls and self-bailing design, it can take a bit of rough water and still stay upright, but you wouldn’t want to shoot any rapids with this.
Add in their massive catalogue of custom accessories, and you can custom-tailor your rig for maximum fun in the sun. The 10′ version is more nimble and versatile for a single rider, but can only fit one person, so if you are more interested in tandem paddling, check out the 12’6″ Zeppelin Aero for multi-rider ability.
Editor’s Note: To see how this ‘yak stacks up to the competition, check out our guide to The Best Inflatable Kayaks. Don’t forget a life jacket! For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.
