Folding kayaks are arguably more sea worthy than their conventional "hard-shell" counterparts. This is largely due to their ability to flex - both the skin and the frame have that extra bit of "give" that allows it to blend with the sea. As a result, they aren't tossed around as much as hard-shell kayaks.

To give you some idea, folding kayaks have been the number one choice for the most adventurous and hazardous kayaking expeditions ever undertaken. They have been used to cross the Atlantic Ocean, travel the length of the Nile and rounding Cape Horn to name just a few exploits.

In addition, folding kayaks are widely used within the military due to their robustness since they are often dropped, fully laden, from helicopters.

In terms of longevity, a folding kayak will easily outlive a hard-shell kayak. This is because the skins are made from long lasting hi-tech materials such as Hypalon, Duratek and Polytech. And the frames are also made from materials renowned for their longevity - timber or alloy. In short, a folding kayak will last you for at least 30 years, probably much longer. And they are so easy to maintain and repair?