• Kayaking is a great way to spend time on the water, no matter if you prefer just paddling out on a calm lake, riding river rapids, or fishing your favorite spot.
  • Not all kayaks are designed the same, with some meant specifically for sea touring and tandem kayaking, while others are inflatable or use pedals for movement instead of paddles.
  • We’ve tested over a dozen kayaks from brands like Oru and Dagger to find the best currently available, no matter if you prefer white water, the open sea, or to kayak with a partner.
  • Our top sea kayak pick, the Dagger Stratos 14.5, is a highly stable and easily maneuverable boat that performs well in open ocean yet can still be used on lakes and in rivers.

As is the case with many other outdoor activities, kayaking can be as intense or as relaxing as you’d like. Whether you’re looking to enjoy a gentle paddle across a serene lake or an adrenaline-inducing ride through turbulent whitewater, the sport has something to offer just about everyone.

It also makes for an excellent form of exercise and is a great way to bond with friends and family in the outdoors. Kayaks can also be used in both wilderness and urban settings, providing unique perspectives on both environments.

How to shop for a kayak

Unsurprisingly, getting the most out of any kayaking experience starts with having the right boat. Over the years, kayak designs evolved dramatically to the point where you can now buy highly specialized models purpose-built for a specific type of paddling.

If you want to explore coastlines and paddle on the ocean for example, a longer, more stable sea kayak is required. If gently flowing rivers and flat lakes are more your style, a more traditional recreational or touring kayak is what you seek. And if your goal is to make epic whitewater runs, you’ll want a shorter, more maneuverable kayak designed for those conditions.

In addition to deciding what type of paddling you’ll be doing, there are a few other options to consider as well. For instance, do you want a more traditional sit-in model or a sit-on-top kayak? Sit-in version tend to offer better performance and feature a closed cockpit that provides a measure of protection from the elements. Conversely, a sit-on-top model leaves the paddler exposed but is often more comfortable, easier to get in and out of, and is better suited for warmer environments.

For those who want to bring a buddy along on their paddling adventures, kayaks also come in tandem versions. These models feature multiple seats, allowing two people to share the same boat. Due to their increased capacity, they're also longer and more stable than a single-person kayak and have the potential to be faster provided both paddlers work well together. Tandem boats are great for people who know they'll be kayaking together regularly, allowing them to buy just one boat they can share, rather than purchasing two single-seat models.

What else to consider

The vast majority of kayaks available today are made from a hard, plastic shell. This allows them to stay lightweight and provides exceptional levels of performance and buoyancy, although the rigid structure makes transporting and storing the boats a challenge.

Inflatable or folding kayaks overcome those problems however, with models available that can be stored in a closet or under a bed and transported to the water in the trunk of a car. These types of kayaks tend to sacrifice a bit of performance in terms of speed and tracking but are a viable alternative for those shopping for a space-saving option.

With this in mind, we've hit the water in a number of the latest kayaks to find the best models currently available. We've broken our selections down into a variety of categories based on the type of kayaking, so if you're in the market for a new boat of your own, these are the models that should be on your short list.

Here are the best kayaks:

Updated on 8/11/2020 by Kraig Becker: Tested a new selection of kayaks and made new picks for each category, updated the introduction with a section on how to shop for a kayak and what else to consider, and updated the prices and links throughout.

The best sea kayak

A stable and maneuverable boat that excels on the open ocean but can also be used on lakes and rivers, the Dagger Stratos 14.5 provides outstanding versatility for paddlers of all levels of experience.

Because they're designed for use on more turbulent waters, sea kayaks tend to be longer and narrower than other models. This helps improve not only their stability but their speed and tracking, too, making this type of boat easier to paddle even in rougher conditions. But their longer length can also make them less maneuverable, limiting their usefulness on other bodies of water.

That isn't the case with the Dagger Stratos 14.5 as this is a boat that's easy to control and paddle straight whether you're in heavy ocean surf, on a calm lake, or floating along with the current of a river.

The versatility of the Stratos is one of its biggest strengths, making this a boat that's equally well-suited for day trips on a local bay or extended multi-day outings along rugged coastlines. It features a large, comfortable cockpit, two watertight hatches, and bungee cord storage on the deck itself. This makes it easy to carry everything you need on the kayak, with ample cargo space for any adventure.

Surprisingly nimble and easy to paddle, the Stratos 14.5 doesn't feel like a boat that's more than14 feet in length. Beginner paddlers will find it offers a wide margin for error when it comes to perfecting their kayaking skills, while veteran kayakers will love how easy the boat is to maneuver, even in tight quarters. Despite its length, the Stratos can turn on a dime, and thanks to a built-in, adjustable skeg, it maintains its tracking with relative ease.

Ocean kayaks aren't especially well known for their speed and the Stratos is no different. Compared to other models in this category, it isn't exactly slow, but it also doesn't compete with the shorter, lighter-weight boats that are purpose-built for use on lakes and rivers. Still, it's easy to get this kayak moving and maintain a constant pace, even if you won't be setting any speed records.

If you primarily find yourself kayaking on the ocean, you'll find that the Dagger Stratos 14.5 is a fun, comfortable, and stable boat for use on those outings. But its ability to extend its use to other types of paddling helps separate it from the competition. This is a boat that truly performs well just about anywhere, which makes it easy to recommend to any kayakers. It even comes in small and large sizes to more easily accommodate taller and shorter paddlers.

Pros: Stable, easy to maneuver, plenty of fun to paddle

Cons: Not the fastest kayak on the water

The best whitewater kayak

Foto: Source: Backcountry

Whitewater boats don't come much more agile and quick than the Dagger Mamba Creeker 8.6, a boat that was designed to take on the most challenging rapids imaginable.

Unlike kayaks designed for touring, a whitewater boat is short, nimble, and incredibly maneuverable. Built to help paddlers negotiate fast-moving rapids, these models excel at winding their way through the wildest water imaginable and few can do it better than the Dagger Mamba Creeker.

A mainstay in the whitewater world for years, the Mamba Creeker is a kayak that has a reputation for providing outstanding performance in the most demanding of conditions. Designed to operate in turbulent, shallow waters, the boat is incredibly buoyant, something that's crucial to success for whitewater paddlers. This kayak also offers a high level of control, allowing its small body to deftly weave in and out of tight situations with surprising ease.

The interior of the Mamba Creeker's cockpit has been designed to not only keep the paddler well protected but to help them maintain control at all times. Padding has been placed at strategic points - such as along the hips - in an effort to prevent bruising and soreness brought on by a particularly fast and furious whitewater run.

Meanwhile, the seat's positioned in such a way that it can best take advantage of the boat's integrated leg lifters, which increases the amount of energy transferred from the paddler to the kayak itself, facilitating the quick turns that are an important part of whitewater paddling.

The hallmark of the Mamba Creeker is its stability, something that helps to make this boat a good option for beginners. It also provides a high degree of versatility, making it useful in a variety of different whitewater settings. It's even quite comfortable for this style of boat, which can sometimes feel cramped and confining.

Its main drawback is that the Mamba Creeker isn't a very fast boat and its aging design has allowed competitors to close the gap some. More experienced paddlers may find other models more to their liking, but it is difficult to beat this kayak's steady, tried and true, all-around performance.

Pros: Stable, great for beginning paddlers, and highly reliable performance

Cons: Slow and ponderous

The best recreational kayak

Foto: Source: Kayak City

An excellent all-around performer, the Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 is the recreational kayak made for casual paddlers, weekend warriors, and seasoned veterans alike.

Built mostly for use on flat water and gentle rivers, recreational kayaks are designed to be comfortable, easy to paddle, and offer solid all-around performance. That's exactly what you'll get from the Pungo 120 from Wilderness Systems, although this model does plenty to elevate itself above the competition in this very crowded segment of the kayak market.

Blending stability, speed, and maneuverability, the Pungo is a good choice for just about anyone who isn't venturing out onto the ocean or running whitewater. Its wide body is comfortable, easy to get in and out of, and extremely accommodating. It is also tracks extremely well, maintaining a straight line across the water with minimal effort. This boat glides along so effortlessly that it makes it much easier to enjoy your natural surroundings - a major draw for kayaking in the first place.

While most kayaks ship with a minimally padded seat, the Pungo comes standard with a model that provides an excellent amount of support and comfort. This makes for a much better experience out on the water, particularly when you spend hours at a time inside the cockpit. And when the seat is adjusted to work in tandem with the built-in foot pedals, it almost feels like the boat was custom made specifically for you.

Wilderness Systems supports the Pungo with a variety of accessories, allowing owners to customize the kayak to fit their needs. This gives you the ability to add things like deck pouches for additional storage, a dry box for protecting important gear, or a spray skirt to help keep you drier. These additional upgrades cost a little extra but it's nice to know the option is there should you discover a need.

Aimed mainly at casual paddlers, the Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 is a kayak made for the masses. As such, it performs very well in a lot of different areas, although it isn't especially outstanding in any of them. This may turn off more experienced kayakers looking for a more versatile experience, although beginners and intermediate paddlers will likely fall in love with it. Whether you're looking to spend a few hours on the water on a regular basis, or you you'd like to try overnight kayak camping, the Pungo can accommodate. Just avoid fast moving water and you'll be completely happy with how this kayak performs.

Pros: Quick, easy to paddle, very comfortable, and spacious

Cons: Jack of all trades, master of none

The best tandem kayak

Foto: Source: Old Town

Take to the water with your favorite paddling partner aboard the Old Town Dirigo Tandem Plus, a two-person kayak that's lightweight, speedy, and very roomy.

As the name suggests, a tandem kayak accommodates two paddlers, allowing them to paddle at the same time to propel the boat along. If those two kayakers work well together, a tandem model can be quick, agile, and efficient out on the water, making for a fun shared experience. The Old Town Dirigo Tandem Plus is the perfect example of just such a boat, combining a spacious design and a host of features that help elevate it above the competition.

One of the more notable features on the Dirigo Tandem is that both cockpits are large, open, and extremely accommodating. This not only makes it easier for both paddlers to get in and out of the boat, but also improves the level of comfort as well. The included seats are nicely padded and easily adjustable, allowing both individuals to tune them to meet their own needs. Thigh pads provide additional support and protection, while adjustable foot pedals make paddling more efficient.

Old Town outfitted the Dirigo with a number of additional features that paddlers will appreciate, as well. For example, the boat comes with a dry hatch along with integrated bungie cables for deck storage. There's also a sealed glove box-style hatch for securing cell phones, cameras, or other important items you want to keep close at hand. The kayak also comes with built-in paddle holders, retractable handles for carrying the boat, and cup holders.

Tandem kayaks aren't always known for their versatility, but the Dirigo breaks with tradition in this area, too. Old Town put plenty of thought into its design and the ways it can be used. To that end, it's managed to squeeze in a child-sized jump seat that can accommodate smaller members of the family, ensuring no one gets left behind.

Additionally, the rear seat can slide forward, effectively changing the center of gravity and allowing this tandem to be paddled solo should the need arise. These seemingly minor changes make it easier for a paddling family to buy a single boat that everyone can use together.

Tipping the scales at 72 pounds and measuring over 15 feet in length, the Dirigo can be a bit ponderous getting on and off the water - especially when paddling solo. The kayak also doesn't come with a rudder, which would be a major help when trying to paddle straight in challenging conditions. A rudder can be added, though it feels like it should've been included from the start.

Those quibbles aside however, this is a fantastic tandem kayak that performs above and beyond expectations in just about every way.

Pros: Fun, surprisingly agile, and stocked with lots of handy features

Cons: Its heavy, even for a tandem, and it should come with a rudder

The best inflatable/folding kayak

Foto: Source: Oru Kayak

Lightweight and easy to paddle, the Oru Bay ST is folding kayak that performs like a traditional model, but can be stored in a closet and transported to and from the water in a trunk.

Thanks to vastly improved designs and better all-around build quality, modern day inflatable and folding kayaks now rival traditional models in terms of performance. Add in the fact that these types of boats make storage and transport simple, and it's easy to understand why they've become so popular.

Leading the way in this category is Oru Kayaks, a company that's looked to the Japanese art of origami as a source of inspiration. The company's Bay ST model in particular is a marvel of creativity and design, proving just how impressive a folding kayak can truly be.

Built from a single sheet of custom-made polypropylene, the Bay ST- like all of Oru's kayaks -folds flat and stores in a plastic box that somewhat resembles a large suitcase. When taken out of the box, it assembles in a matter of minutes, transforming into a touring kayak that's both stable and durable with solid tracking. The entire process is simple, although you'll need to do it a time or two before it becomes natural.

Inside its closed cockpit, the Bay ST is roomier than you'd expect. It accommodates paddlers of up to 6 feet, 3 inches in height, with a bit of extra room left over for storage. Bungie cables on the deck store additional gear, such as a water bottle or dry bag, as needed. This makes the boat a great choice for shorter excursions or even day trips, but not necessarily overnighters. The boat also performs the best on flat water lakes, gentle rivers, and relatively calm ocean. For the most part, it's best to avoid fast moving rapids in this one.

The boat comes with a seat pad and includes an adjustable back- and footrest. This gives the paddler the ability to somewhat tune the fit to meet their needs. Smaller paddlers will likely feel comfortable and right at home at the helm, although larger kayakers may feel a bit cramped. Still, the kayak offers an enjoyable experience that closely mimics a traditional model in terms of on-water performance, albeit a bit slower and less efficient.

Of course, the best feature of the Bay ST is its ability to fold down and store in a relatively small space. This makes it ideal for apartment dwellers or those who simply don't want a larger kayak taking up space in their garage. Oru owners don't need a kayak carrier on their car either. If you fall into those categories, it's easy to recommend this kayak, which is perfect for beginners and veteran paddlers alike.

Pros: Very beginner friendly, easy to store and transport, ingenious design, and just plain fun

Cons: Not as fast or efficient as a traditional kayak and has a learning curve when it comes to assembly.

The best budget kayak

Foto: Source: Amazon

The Perception Sound 10.5 is proof that you can buy a versatile, full-featured kayak without blowing your budget.

As the popularity of kayaking has grown in recent years, the availability of high-quality boats that don't break the bank expanded, too. Case in point, the Perception Sound 10.5 is a model that offers solid performance and versatility, at a wallet-friendly price.

Designed primarily for kayak fishing, the Sound 10.5 is nevertheless a good all-around recreational model. It's incredibly stable and offers straight tracking, making it feel right at home on lakes, slow-moving rivers, or calm coastlines. Because it's a sit-inside model, it also provides good protection from the elements - the open cockpit is airy and comfortable in warm conditions, too.

The included seat is surprisingly supportive and adjustable, especially for a kayak at this price point. The boat comes with a large, open storage area that sits behind the paddler, although this compartment isn't watertight and uses only bungie cords to keep its contents in place. The Sound 10.5 features two molded fishing rod holders built right into hits hull, along with sturdy grab handles at either end to help get it in and out of the water.

To keep the cost of the Sound 10.5 low, Perception stripped away a few features, with the option to add them back in as needed. The boat has a dashboard that includes several mounting points, allowing the kayaker to customize it to fit their specific needs. This lends the Sound an extra level of versatility, allowing it to perform multiple roles.

Make no mistake, the Perception Sound 10.5 won't be the fastest or flashiest kayak on the water, but it does offer simple, reliable performance at a great price. For most recreational paddlers, this is a boat that fits their needs nicely, while still offering room to grow along the way. Don't let the inexpensie price tag fool you, this is a quality option for those who are looking for great value without the need for top end performance.

Pros: Budget-friendly, versatile, stable, and customizable

Cons: Lacks features, slow, and heavy