Best Kayaks 2024: Top Models For Touring, Whitewater, Tandem And More

Sit style: Sit-in | Weight: 48 pounds | Length: 10 feet, 6 inches | Weight capacity: 400 pounds | Best for: Flatwater kayaking

There’s no one-size-fits-all kayaking experience, so choosing the best overall kayak is a bit like choosing the best SUV when so many options exist that cater to different needs. That being said, the Wilderness Systems Aspire 105 is incredibly versatile, so we feel confident in crowning it as the best overall pick. It’s perfectly shaped so as to blend maneuverability and gliding, which makes it both adaptable and incredibly stable no matter where you’re paddling, and that shape also helps with speed; it can handle open water just as gamely as a calm lake.

The cockpit has ample room for all body types and adjustable padded thigh braces for a personalized fit. Meanwhile, a watertight hatch, two bungee cord storage areas on the deck and carrying handles on both the bow and stern make it easy to outfit the Aspire 105 with whatever gear you’ll need for the day.

Steve Morrow, kayaking expert, outdoor enthusiast and founder of Paddle About says what really sells the Aspire 105 for him is the Phase 3 Air Pro seat. “When you spend hours on the water, a good seat is imperative,” Morrow explains. “At first, you might not realize how comfortable the seat’s leg lift system is. But once you try it, there is no going back to a standard kayak seat.”

Sit style: Sit-on-top | Weight: 36.5 pounds | Length: 8 feet | Weight capacity: 250 pounds | Best for: Flatwater kayaking

Maybe you don’t need a kayak with all the bells and whistles. Maybe all you really need is a kayak that floats and maneuvers well enough to get you across the local pond and back again. If that’s the case, Lifetime’s Daylite model should do the trick for only $200. It sports a sit-on-top design that’s easy to get in and out of, and it features a UV-protected hull that won’t break down after prolonged sun exposure.

Additional features are minimal, which is to be expected at this price point, but they include bungee straps at the rear for cargo, grab handles for easy transport, and the package includes a paddle to get you started on the right stroke. Pick up the whole shebang for less than a roundtrip flight across the country.

Sit style: Sit-on-top | Weight: 44 pounds | Length: 9 feet, 6 inches | Weight capacity: 275 pounds | Best for: Flatwater kayaking

What’s great about sit-on-top kayaks is how egalitarian they are. Because they’re designed with a large open cockpit, they’re easy to get in and out of. They’re also stable, making them beginner-paddler friendly. And they’re often fairly affordable. What sets the Pelican Blitz 100X EXO apart from some of the other sit-on-top designs on offer is that it’s self-bailing, which means the kayak’s floor features holes that allow water inside the boat to drain out. What’s more, it’s exceedingly durable and comes with a comfortable ErgoForm padded seat and both a tank well and bungee cords to secure your stuff. All in all, it’s a really nice ‘yak that won’t sink your budget.

Sit style: Sit-in | Weight: 20 pounds | Length: 9 feet, 8 inches | Weight capacity: 275 pounds | Best for: Flatwater kayaking

Apartment dwellers, frequent travelers and origami enthusiasts alike will love the Oru Inlet folding kayak. It folds down into a package that you can carry with one hand and tuck away onto a shelf or in the trunk of a compact car, or that you can check in with your suitcase as you fly off for a vacation. But don’t think that this folding kayak is a dainty little boat.

The Inlet unfolds into a kayak that’s nearly 10 feet long and tough enough to slide over river rocks or bounce off the pier a time or ten or a thousand. And it’s rated to be unfolded and folded back up “tens of thousands if times,” per Oru. The cockpit area is generously sized at 23 inches wide by 44 inches long, and there’s space to stow some gear behind the seat. Setup will take you all of three minutes with a little practice.

At a maximum weight capacity of 275 pounds, the Inlet can’t accommodate all paddlers and indeed that’s a lower max weight than most boats we considered. But the fact that this yak weighs a mere 20 pounds and packs down the way it does more than compensates for the paddler who fits the specs.

Sit style: Sit-in | Weight: 35 pounds | Length: 11 feet, 9 inches | Weight capacity: 270 pounds | Best for: Ocean kayaking

If you’re heading out on an Arctic paddling expedition, the Eddyline Rio is up to the challenge. It will also serve for decidedly less frigid paddling, such as a multi-day trip down the Florida coast. At nearly 12 feet long, the hull slices through chop with ease and keeps you heading on a steady line.

Made with carbonlite composite ABS, it performs like a composite kayak but is highly durable thanks to the plastic shell. There’s plenty of dry storage, with 10-inch hatches for gear and floatation, a fore day hatch and two dry storage areas, as well as deck bungees for additional gear storage. It also has a comfortable padded seat with your choice of five height positions as well as lean and recline settings.

Sit style: Sit-on-top | Weight: 61 pounds | Length: 13 feet, 4 inches | Weight capacity: 450–500 pounds | Flatwater kayaking

A reliable two-person kayak like this one is ideal whether you’re “out to have a fun time with a friend” or “taking someone out for their first time on the water.” However, considering the seats are moveable, you could alternatively sit in the middle and use that extra space to accommodate your four-legged friend or a child or even additional gear.

Ideal for calm, open water, this stable kayak comes with supportive seating, cargo bays with tie-downs and side paddle keepers. While it would make for great exercise, it’s also a good choice for those looking to land some fish if you’re not looking to drop a lot of money on a dedicated fishing raft like the one we’ve featured below.

Sit style: Sit-0n-top | Weight: 75 pounds | Length: 10 feet | Weight capacity: 350 pounds | Best for: Flatwater kayaking

With the exception of professional arm wrestlers, the human leg is much stronger than the human arm, so put your legs to work out there on the water in this pedal drive kayak from Perception. Its bicycle-style pedals drive a propeller that will have you cruising over the water so fast you just might leave a wake. Add in a paddle and you’ll up your speed even more.

But this boat is at its best when you stay hands-free in terms of propulsion, because that leaves your left hand free to work the rudder control lever. The Crank 10.0 is nimble and responsive, making sharp turns when you’re moving at any respectable speed and tracking straight and true when you are cruising ahead. And if you pedal backward, the kayak reverses quickly, too, which can help you avoid collisions or make docking easier.

The Crank 10.0 has a 350-pound weight capacity, and it weighs a hefty 75 pounds itself. At 10 feet long by just under three feet wide it’s a stable platform that’s all but impossible to tip over in calm to mildly choppy waters. We’d love to see some watertight storage space, but at least there are cargo spots with bungee tie downs at the fore and aft.

Sit style: Sit-in | Weight: 3.6 | Length: 7 feet, 2 inches | Weight capacity: 250 pounds | Best for: Whitewater, flatwater kayaking

Weighing in at just 3.6 pounds, the Scout from Alpacka Raft redefines the standard for mountain lake and canyoneering packrafts—an ultra-light style of raft that collapses down to a compact size, perfect for stashing in your backpack or strapping onto your bike for off-grid adventures. Alpacka Raft, led by the famous Sheri Tingey, who pioneered the modern packraft in 2000, brings decades of expertise to crafting simple, lightweight designs.

With a redesigned hull for improved tracking and paddling performance, the Scout offers enhanced comfort and ample legroom for paddlers up to 74 inches. Constructed with durable 210d nylon tube fabric and a 420d floor, the Scout can also be customized through Alpacka Raft’s Custom Lab, offering options like a reinforced 840d floor for rugged river journeys. This customization adds a bit of weight but ensures resilience against rocky rivers and debris-filled waters, making it a worthy investment for adventurous kayakers.

Style: Sit-on | Weight: 85 pounds | Length: 12 feet | Weight capacity: 500 pounds | Best for: Flatwater kayaking

The Old Town Sportsman 120 stands as a time-tested choice for both seasoned anglers and those just dipping their toes into the world of fishing kayaks. Although it’s heavier at 85 pounds and comes with a price tag of $1,450, its comprehensive features and enduring design ensure a lifetime of angling adventures. Sporting an adjustable, plush seat for extended fishing sessions and a stable double-U pontoon-style hull, it promises a smooth and quiet journey on the water.

Loaded with thoughtful accessories, including convenient paddle clips, cushioned floor pads, rod holders and a custom tackle box, Old Town has left no stone unturned in ensuring angler convenience. Boasting ample storage space, multiple mounting points and a universal transducer mounting system, it outshines its competitors in stability and utility. With a remarkable weight capacity of 500 pounds, it surpasses most fishing kayaks, making it an ideal companion for any angler seeking reliability and versatility on the water.