Inflatable canoe kayak 2/3 person - Tribord 100+ Blue

Why we went looking for an inflatable kayak (with room for the dog)

We’d been dreaming about more “paddle days” with our dog for a while. You know the kind of day I mean—calm water, sun on your shoulders, dog nose in the wind, nowhere in particular to be.

The problem? Getting a solid kayak to the water is no small thing when you’re also juggling leads, treats, water bowls, and that one toy your dog insists on carrying.

So we started looking for something light enough to carry as a backpack, stable enough for 2 people and a dog, tough enough to handle real use (not just one summer), and easy to set up and pack down without a wrestling match.

That’s how we ended up with the Decathlon inflatable 2/3 person kayak.

And honestly? It changed the way we do water adventures.

First impressions: sturdy, dog-friendly, and not fussy

This kayak doesn’t feel flimsy or “pool-toy” at all. It’s a sturdy inflatable that comfortably carries 3 people, or 2 and a dog (our personal favourite setup).

What I absolutely love is how dog-friendly it feels in practice. The floor and sides have enough give that paws don’t slip and slide everywhere, but the whole structure still feels solid under you. No one’s clinging to the sides wondering if they’re about to tip.

Is it as rigid as a hard-shell boat? No. But honestly, for the kind of relaxed paddling we’re doing with a dog who occasionally decides to switch positions mid-lake it’s wonderfully forgiving.

Setup and pack-down: inflatable that actually fits real life

Here’s where this kayak surprised us in the best way.

Inflatables sound great in theory, but some of them are a full-on workout before you even see the water. This one? Genuinely easy.

What setup looks like in real life

You unroll it from the bag, inflate the main chambers (it’s straightforward, not a guessing game), clip in the seats, and load dog, snacks, and humans.

That’s it. No tools, no drama, no “wait, where does this piece go again?” moment.

And when you’re done, it deflates and folds back into a backpack-style bag that you can actually carry. Not drag. Not wrestle with. Carry.

A real-world test: Lough Owel with a dog and a backpack kayak

Our favourite test so far was on Lough Owel during a little adventure to County Westmeath.

There are a few steps leading down to the lake, nothing wild, but the kind of thing that makes you really appreciate what you’re carrying. A rigid kayak there would have meant multiple awkward trips or a lot of grunting and “mind your end!” moments.

Instead, we had the kayak in a backpack, the dog trotting alongside, and hands free for leads, coffee, and the occasional photo.

We walked down the steps like we were just heading to a picnic spot. No balancing acts. No worrying about scraping the hull or bumping into people on the way down.

These are the moments that make this kind of setup so worth it. You don’t spend your energy battling the gear—you save it for the water.

On the water: how it actually feels to paddle with your dog

Once we were out on Lough Owel, the kayak just… did its job.

It tracked well enough that we weren’t constantly correcting, and there was plenty of space for one person in the back, one in the front, and one very content dog shifting between laps and the middle section.

Movement from the dog didn’t feel like a crisis. The inflatable sides gave a bit, but the overall stability stayed reassuring. That matters when you’re thinking about your dog’s comfort as much as your own.

Was it built for racing? No. But for relaxed exploring, sniff-stop paddles along the shore, and taking in the view together, it felt absolutely spot-on.

Why this kind of kayak works so well for dog adventures

For dog parents who love the water, an inflatable like this solves a bunch of small but important problems.

Car space: It folds into a bag, so it plays nicely with crates, beds, and all the usual dog gear in your trunk.

Access: Lakes with steps, long paths, or small car parks suddenly feel easy instead of intimidating.

Dog comfort: Soft but stable surfaces are kinder on paws and joints, especially for older dogs.

Flexibility: 3 humans? 2 humans and a dog? Just you and your pup? It adapts.

But honestly? The biggest win is the feeling of freedom. You’re not limited to “easy access” launch spots anymore. If you and your dog can walk there, chances are your kayak can come too.

Little quirks to keep in mind

Because we’re all about honest sharing here:

You’ll want to practice packing it back into the bag once or twice at home, it’s not hard, but there’s a bit of a folding rhythm that makes it easier.

Drying it properly before long-term storage is important (especially with dog paws and lake water involved). We usually do a rough dry lakeside, then a proper air-out at home.

None of these are dealbreakers. Just the real bits that come with any inflatable plus one happily wet dog.

Final thoughts: is this kayak worth it for dog families?

If you’re looking for a way to bring your dog into more of your lake and river adventures without turning logistics into a full-body puzzle, this kind of inflatable kayak is a game-changer.

It’s easy to carry, simple to set up, comfortable for 2 people and a dog, and practical for real-world spots with steps, paths, and car parks.

For us, that Lough Owel day summed it up perfectly—walking down those steps with the kayak on our back, dog beside us, and zero stress about how we’d get everything to the water.

If you’ve been on the fence about trying an inflatable with your pup, this might be your sign to go for it.

Pack the treats, grab the towels, and let your dog lead the way to the shoreline.