CONTENTS
- Introduction
- Sandbanks Style Optimal
- Sandbanks Style Explorer
- Pricing
- Construction Differences
- Dimensions
- Accessories
- Speed
- Tracking
- Maneuverability
- Stability
- Performance in wind
- Portability
- Comfort
- On board storage
- What paddling is the Optimal best suited to?
- What paddling is the Explorer best suited to?
- Summary
INTRODUCTION
Sandbanks Style has developed a reputation for producing inflatable kayaks that offer excellent value for money, but two of their most popular models – the Optimal and the Explorer – are aimed at slightly different paddlers.
At first glance, both kayaks appear similar. They both use drop-stitch technology and both are designed to be portable alternatives to rigid kayaks. However, once you look more closely, there are important differences in construction, performance and intended use.
In this review, we’ll compare the Sandbanks Style Optimal and Sandbanks Style Explorer across a range of categories to help you decide which is the better choice for your paddling adventures.
Sandbanks Style Optimal
The Optimal is Sandbanks Style’s performance-oriented inflatable kayak.
It is a two panel, clamshell shaped full drop stitch inflatable with a relatively low profile.
Its design places greater emphasis on stability and ease of getting into and out of.
Featuring a hull with a V shaped ridge along the keel, the Optimal cuts smoothly through the water, delivering improved tracking, speed, and stability.
It is available in solo and double versions.
I have done a full blog post review of the Optimal solo kayak and also a video review on my Youtube channel.
I also have done a blog post review and a video review of the double version of the Optimal.
Sandbanks Style EXPLORER
The Explorer is designed as a versatile all-round recreational kayak. It is a three panel, canoe shaped full drop stitch inflatable.
Its primary strengths are stability, on board storage space, comfort and ease of use, making it particularly attractive to beginners, families and casual paddlers.
The Explorer has a flat based hull which tapers along either side.
It is available in solo, double and triple seater versions.
I have done a full blog post review and also a video review of the solo version of the Explorer kayak.
PRICING
Both models offer great value by shipping as complete, ready-to-paddle packages (pump, paddles, seats, fins, bag, and repair kit included).
The below sets out the usual pricing for the different models of the Optimal and Explorer kayaks as of August 2026, although prices may of course vary from time to time.
| OPTIMAL | EXPLORER | |
| SOLO | £499 | £449 |
| DOUBLE SEATER | £599 | £565 |
| TRIPLE SEATER | N/A | £599 |
Construction Differences
The biggest distinction between these two kayaks lies in their construction philosophy.
The Optimal is a 2 panel drop stitch kayak with the two panels overlaying each other to form a clamshell like shape. This results in a shorter cockpit length but longer front and rear decks.
It has a low profile on the water with low sides to the cockpit.
By comparison, the Explorer is a 3 panel canoe shaped full drop stitch kayak. The hull has a flat keel but it slopes up either side.
It has a much longer cockpit with shorter front and rear decks.
The Explorer has a higher profile on the water with higher sides to the cockpit.
DIMENSIONS
The below table sets out the different dimensions of the solo, double and triple seater versions of the Optimal and Explorer kayaks.
| Width | Length | Weight of kayak | Maximum load | |
| Optimal Solo | 82cm | 386cm | 15kg | 200kg |
| Optimal Double | 90cm | 440cm | 19kg | 280kg |
| Explorer Solo | 82cm | 396cm | 15kg | 200kg |
| Explorer Double | 86cm | 411cm | 18kg | 280kg |
| Explorer Triple | 86cm | 470cm | 19kg | 300kg |
ACCESSORIES
Both kayaks are typically supplied with a comprehensive package that includes:
- Adjustable seats
- Wheeled carry bag
- Double action pump
- Repair kit
- Removable tracking fins
- 4 piece paddles
The accessories provided are broadly similar so neither kayak has a significant advantage in this category.
Winner: Draw
SPEED
The Optimal feels to be the slightly faster kayak.
Its streamlined shape creates less resistance through the water, allowing it to accelerate more readily and maintain cruising speed with less effort.
Paddlers covering longer distances will appreciate the efficiency gains, especially over a full day on the water.
The Explorer is no slouch and perfectly capable of recreational touring but requires slightly more effort to maintain similar speeds.
Its wider profile inevitably creates a bit more drag.
Winner: Optimal
TRACKING
Tracking refers to how well a kayak maintains a straight line.
The Optimal tracks extremely well for an inflatable kayak, helped largely by the V-shaped ridge which runs along much of the hull. It requires fewer corrective strokes and feels more directional, making it effective for distance paddling and open-water crossings.
The Explorer still tracks well but will require slightly more steering input, particularly in windy conditions.
Winner: Optimal
Maneuverability
The Optimal prefers travelling in straight lines and therefore sacrifices some agility.
The Explorer turns more readily and feels easier to manoeuvre in confined spaces such as winding rivers and narrow waterways.
For recreational paddling and exploring on winding waterways, this can be a genuine advantage.
Winner: Explorer
STABILITY
The Optimal is a very stable kayak. It is one of the most stable kayaks that I’ve used. This stability is reassuring in rougher conditions.
This amazing stability also makes the Optimal very easy to get into and out of.
The Explorer is also a stable kayak but for this to have slightly less primary stability than the Optimal.
The Explorer does have good secondary stability and is certainly stable enough to use on the coast when it is relatively calm. However, compared to the rock solid stability of the optimal Optimal, the Explorer feel slightly less stable.
Winner: Optimal
PERFORMANCE IN WIND
Inflatable kayaks are often affected by wind more than rigid kayaks, making this an important consideration.
The Optimal generally performs better in windy conditions due to its improved tracking and lower profile. It holds course more effectively and requires fewer corrective strokes.
The Explorer’s higher sides profile gives the wind more to push against. While perfectly manageable in moderate conditions, paddlers may notice greater weathercocking and more need for steering corrections.
Winner: Optimal
PORTABILITY
Both kayaks score highly for portability.
They can be:
- Transported in a car boot
- Carried in the supplied bag
- Stored at home without requiring a garage or roof rack
There is very little to separate them in practical terms. The solo and tandem versions of the Optimal and Explorer kayaks weight roughly the same, with the Explorer perhaps being 1kg or so heavier. Both come with an excellent storage bag which allows them to be wheeled along on reasonably firm surfaces.
Winner: Draw
COMFORT
With the Optimal kayak, comfort levels are very good, particularly for active paddlers undertaking longer trips.
While the cockpit of the Optimal is much shorter than the Explorer, it is almost the same width and the ability to use the front of the cockpit as a footrest enables you to push against it with the full length of your foot. Getting a cheap EVA yoga pad and wedging it against the front of the cockpit serves as an even better great footrest.
The Explorer’s wider interior creates a slightly roomier feel and may prove more comfortable for relaxed recreational outings.
The Explorer’s included thick foam foot rest is attached to holders on the floor of the cockpit of the kayak when inflated. It is effective but not quite as much as being able to push your feet against the front of the cockpit as described above with the Optimal.
Many beginners will appreciate the additional sense of space in the Explorer’s cockpit.
Both the Optimal and Explorer come with the deluxe seat as standard which has a zipper pocket in the base with a foam pad inside.
Winner: Explorer (slightly)
ON BOARD STORAGE
The Optimal offers sufficient storage for day trips and touring equipment. However, in cockpit storage space is quite limited due to the cockpit being quite short. You will usually have to store some items on the decks of the kayak using the built in bungee cords.
With the Explorer, you can fit a lot of stuff inside of the very roomy cockpit, including storage space underneath the front and rear decks. You can also even stash items down on top front and rear decks using the built in bungees.
For long day trips and overnight adventures there is much more usable storage with the Explorer compared to the Optimal.
Winner: Explorer
WHAT PADDLING IS THE OPTIMAL BEST SUITED TO?
The Optimal’s greatest asset is it’s stability. Its low profile clamshell shape gives it stability which makes it suitable for all types of waterway, including more open bodies of water such as long stretches of coastline or large estuaries when the conditions can potentially become rougher.
Featuring a hull with a V-shaped ridge along the keel, this premium inflatable kayak cuts smoothly through the water, delivering improved tracking, speed, and stability, especially in choppier conditions such as coastal waters, open lakes, and moving rivers.
The refined shape of the Optimal enhances both stability and handling, giving you better control when conditions become less predictable.
While the Optimal is suitable for use on both the coast, estuaries, rivers, lakes and canals, due to its incredible stability, feels the more suitable option if you are going to be paddling in conditions which can be subject to swell or choppier waters.
WHAT PADDLING IS THE EXPLORER BEST SUITED TO?
The Explorer drop stitch inflatable kayak is designed for paddlers who want maximum stability, space and comfort when on the water.
The Explorer prioritises stability, storage space, comfort and practicality. Its a versatile kayak and ideal for those who want to carry more on board, such as for kayaking fishing, kayak camping, if you want to take a dog out with you on the water, or for those who just want extra space to take gear out with them.
While the Explorer is also suitable for use on both the coast, estuaries, rivers, lakes and canals, it is more suited to scenarios where the conditions will be calmer and more sheltered.
SUMMARY
Both the Sandbanks Style Optimal and Sandbanks Style Explorer are capable and well-designed inflatable kayaks, but they target slightly different paddlers.
The Optimal is the choice for those who value speed, stability and efficient touring performance. It is the kayak that experienced paddlers are more likely to appreciate, particularly when covering longer distances or paddling in breezier or rougher conditions.
The Explorer, meanwhile, is a very versatile kayak which prioritises on-board storage space, comfort and ease of use. It is a great versatile recreational kayak that is ideal for less challenging paddling conditions, such as flat water rivers, more protected stretches of coast and estuary, canals or lakes.
Choose the Optimal if:
✅ You want slightly better speed and tracking
✅ You want an extremely stable kayak capable of dealing with rougher conditions
✅ You prioritise stability and performance over storage space
✅ You prefer a more performance-orientated kayak
Choose the Explorer if:
✅ You prioritise storage space and versatility over speed and performance
✅ You are looking to go kayak fishing, kayak camping, take your dog out with you, or need to take a lot of stuff with you for long touring days out
✅ You paddle mainly on lakes, canals, gentle rivers and more sheltered estuaries and sections of coast
✅ You want a relaxed and comfortable paddling experience
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