My 10 Best Kayaks for Lakes (Comparison & Buying Guide)

MY BEST KAYAKS FOR LAKES COMPARISON:

MY BEST KAYAKS FOR LAKES REVIEWS:

SEVYLOR QUIKPAK K1 1-PERSON KAYAK– Best for easy paddling and lake trips

• Length: 8.7-ft
• Width: 36 inches
• Type: Inflatable Sit-On top
• Paddlers: 1-person
• Kayak weight: 16.5 lbs
• Features: 21 gauge PVC construction, Airtight system, Easy-to-carry backpack, Multiple air chambers, Tarpaulin bottom for durability
• Pros:  Reasonably priced, lightweight, incredibly portable, comes with tons of accessories
• Cons: Not durable as most alternatives

 

EMOTION KAYAKS SPITFIRE 9– Best for transport and those easy paddling in the lake

• Length: 9-ft
• Width: 31 inches
• Type:  Sit-On-Top
• Paddlers: 1
• Kayak weight: 45 lbs
• Features: Polyethylene construction, Front & rear handles for transport, Molded-in paddle keepers, Center hatch for storage
• Pros:  Easy to set up, compact, plenty of features, comfortable and easy
• Cons: You have to buy a paddle separately

 

WILDERNESS SYSTEMS TSUNAMI 125 KAYAK– Best for tight and twisting waterways 

• Length: 12.9 ft
• Width: 26 inches
• Type:  Sit-In Kayak
• Paddlers: 1
• Kayak weight: 51 lbs
• Features: Comfortable kayak seat, Designed for medium and larger paddlers, Adjustable seating system, 300 lbs weight capacity, Storage space
• Pros:  Plenty of space to store your essentials, Comfortable
• Cons: Quite expensive

 

PERCEPTION ACCESS 9.5– Best budget boat for great paddling experience 

• Length: 9 ft
• Width: 31 inches
• Type: Sit-on-Top
• Paddlers: 1
• Kayak weight: 50lbs
• Features: Equipped with a built-in setback, Solid design to enhance its durability, Stern and bow storage areas, Well designed molded-in cup holder to store you beverages
• Pros:  Budget-friendly, resistant to wear and tear, lots of storage space, easy to set up
• Cons: Not built for speed

 

SEA EAGLE RAZORLITE 393rl INFLATABLE KAYAK– Best as an inflatable kayak that tracks so well 

• Length: 12.8-ft
• Width: 22 inches
• Type: Inflatable sit-On-Top
• Paddlers: 1
• Kayak weight: 35lbs
• Features: 100 deniers reinforced PVC, 500 lbs weight capacity, Quick inflation and deflation, Adjustable leg and backrest, Front and rear spray skirts, Four-part paddle
• Pros:  Portable, lightweight, tracks so well
• Cons: Pricey than most inflatable kayaks

 

HOBIE MIRAGE PASSPORT– Best as a hands-free paddling kayak 

• Length: 10.6 ft
• Width: 34 inches
• Type: Sit On Top
• Paddlers: 1
• Kayak weight: 65 lbs
• Features: Pedal propulsions system, Large and spacious cockpit, Rear and front Cargo areas, Mesh seating
• Pros: Hand-free operation, comfortable, breathable, roomy cockpit for all sizes, a lot of storage space
• Cons: The idea of pedaling might not excite a lot of people

 

ORU KAYAK HAVEN FOLDING- Best for lake traveling 

• Length: 16 ft
• Width: 31 inches
• Type: Hybrid-folding
• Paddlers: 2
• Kayak weight: 40 pounds
• Features: Great Origami design for great packability, Convertible cockpit, It is foldable for easy transport and storage as well, Interior tracking system, 300 lbs weight capacity
• Pros: Great foldable design, packable, plenty of space to secure your accessories, can be transitioned from tandem to single-use
• Cons: Expensive

 

PERCEPTION TRIBE 13.5 TANDEM– Best Tandem for beginners paddlers 

• Length: 13.6 ft
• Width: 33.75 inches
• Type: Sit-On-Top
• Paddlers: 2
• Kayak weight: 67 lbs
• Features: Adjustable seats for extra comfort, Front and rear storage space, Multiple footrest options, Deployable jump seat for your kid or dog, Wide and incredibly stable design
• Pros: Stable, tons of storage space, a seat for your kid or dog
• Cons: Pricey

 

RIOT KAYAKS BRITTANY 16.5 FLATWATER TOURING KAYAK– Best for flat-water touring

• Length: 16.5 ft
• Width: 21.5 inches
• Type: Sit-In kayak
• Paddlers: 2
• Kayak weight: 51 lbs
• Features: High-density hatch covers, Custom-fit seating, Striking designs, Load of storage space
• Pros: Sleek and eye-catchy, lots of space to store your essentials. Tracks well, speed
• Cons: Not suitable for beginners

 

OCEAN KAYAK MALIBU 11.5– Best for stacking if you have less storage space 

• Length: 11.6 ft
• Width: 31 inches
• Type:  Sit-On-Top
• Paddlers: 1
• Kayak weight: 59 lbs
• Features: Center hatch for great dry storage, 3 cup holder, Argo molded-in seat, Adjustable backrest, Molded-in paddle attachments, Stern and bow handle for easy transportation
• Pros: Comfortable seating, comes with splash resistant features, fun and easy to use, stackable, tracks so well
• Cons: N/A

 

HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR LAKE KAYAK:

There are a number of things you need to be on the lookout for if you want to get the best lake kayak in the market. The market is packed and if you really don’t know what you need, there is no way you are going to find a perfect lake kayak for your next trip.

Here are some of the things you need to consider when buying a lake kayak:

STYLE

We have these main popular styles; sit on or sit on top kayaks. We have also seen hybrid kayak comes into the market. Although most of the time, it is a matter of preference, it is important you consider where you are going to kayak before you can settle on any of these two styles. Let’s take a quick look at each one of them to give you a clear idea of what each style is all about.

• SIT ON TOP:

One main advantage of sit on top kayaks are that you can enter or exit the kayak with so much ease. It is also one of the best for beginners as they offer perfect stability and can be paddle with so much ease. However, they come with one issue. They offer less protection when it comes to wind and water. Additionally with sit on kayak, you also get less storage space. So if you know you are going to carry a lot of gear, this style might disappoint you.

• SIT-IN :

If you are looking for a decent boat that can handle a wide range of conditions, then a sit in kayak is what you need. This type of boat is incredibly stable and can handle flat water to windy weather conditions; And it comes with excellent protection from the elements.

Additionally, if there is another reason why you need a sit in is that they come with spray skirts. With this, you get adequate protection from outside elements. However, they come with one major issue; getting in or out of the kayak is an uphill task. This can be really dangerous if your kayak capsize because of bad weather and you find you are not able to exit the kayak in time.

• HYBRID KAYAK:

This is somehow a middle ground between a sit-in and sit-on-top kayak. Normally, they have been designed to allow you to get in and out of the kayak with so much ease. These hybrid boat offer extra protection for water and with them, you will experience no or less water splashing. Additionally, depending largely on the design, you will find some of them are compatible with spray skirts.

 

SIZE

Normally, when we talk of the size of your boat, you should actually start with the number of people that boat can accommodate without any problem. For example, if you know you are going to paddle with another person, obviously, you will need to invest your money in a tandem kayak.

In other case, if you are going to kayak solo, you need to be aware that extra length directly translates to more stability and more speed to travel a longer distance. On the other hand, if you are looking at achieving great maneuverability, a shorter kayak will make a lot of sense. Overall, if you are looking for top speed and you are going to travel alone, a longer and skinner kayak will make a lot of sense.

FEATURES YOU NEED TO CONSIDER

Kayaks come with a wide range of features and you might want to consider the amount of features you are getting. After all, the more features you get, the more enjoyable and safe that ride is going to be. Here are some top features you might want to factor in at all times.

• BOW: This located at the front part of your kayak. It often comes attached to a handle and you can actually use it to pull your kayak down into the water.
• STERN: This are found at the rear part of your kayak. This feature is another kind of handle and allows you to pull the kayak over to the beach.
• COCKPIT: This is where you sit and you might want to ensure you get the highest level of comfort as possible. If you can get a larger cockpit, that will  be more practical. You need a place you can freely move your legs without any problem.
• SKEG: If you want your boat to track so well for longer distances, you need to ensure it comes equipped with a skeg. This is a plastic fin normally located right at the bottom of your boat and can help your boat track in a straight line when you are paddling. This feature comes truly in handy if you are going to kayak on a windy day.

 

STORAGE COMPARTMENTS:

You can’t even stray to imagine what you can net from these compartments. They offer a dry place when you can store your gear and other essentials you don’t want coming in contact with water. However, before you could actually start using it, first try testing it with water. You want to be sure about its water-tightness before you can store your valuables in there.