My Best Sit-In Kayaks (Comparison & Buying Guide)

MY BEST SIT-IN KAYAKS COMPARISON:

Product:	Features:	Pros/Cons:	Price:
Best for outstanding tracking and maneuverability DAGGER AXIS 12	CAPACITY:  1 person LENGTH: 12-ft TYPE:  Recreational boat WEIGHT: 55lbs WEIGHT CAPACITY: 350lbs WIDTH: 27.5-inches FEATURES: Larger rocker for stellar maneuverability, Manageable size, Roomy cockpit, Height adjustable drop keg to main it in a straight line	Versatile great tracking and maneuverability spacious cockpit Heavier than most alternatives	See on Amazon.com
Best if you are looking for a lightweight but still durable recreational kayak SUN DOLPHIN ARUAB 10-FOOT SIT IN KAYAK	CAPACITY: 1 person LENGTH: 10 ft long TYPE: Recreational boat WEIGHT: 40lbs WEIGHT CAPACITY: 250lbs WIDTH: 30 inches FEATURES: Lightweight polyethylene design, Carrying handles, Adjustable foot braces, Large and open cockpit, Equipped with spray deflector to keep you dry	Lightweight and durable bottle holder in the cockpit the seat is not fully adjustable	See on Amazon.com
Best as a lake kayak OLD TOWN HERON 9XT	CAPACITY: 1 person LENGTH: 9.6 ft TYPE: Recreational WEIGHT: 39lbs WEIGHT CAPACITY: 300 lbs WIDTH: 28.5 inches FEATURES: Comfortable flex padded seat, Cupholder, Sealed rear bulkhead to give you great stability, Enough storage for your gear and food, Comfortable carrying handles	Comfortable seat easy to control enough storage space Quite pricey doesn’t track well	See on Amazon.com
Best foldable kayak for universal waters ADVANCED ELEMENTS ADVANCEDFRAME SPORT	CAPACITY: 1 person LENGTH: 10.5-ft TYPE: Recreational/ fishing WEIGHT: 26lbs WEIGHT CAPACITY: 250lbs WIDTH: 32 inch FEATURES: Roomy and comfortable design, Fast inflation and deflation, Larger cockpit area for easy entering and exiting, 4 air chambers for efficiency	Incredibly stable roomy and comfortable quick set up Too small for larger individuals quite hard to clean	See on Amazon.com
Best affordable recreational kayak OLD TOWN VAPOR 10	CAPACITY: 1-person LENGTH: 10-ft TYPE: Recreational/ fishing boat WEIGHT: 47lbs WEIGHT CAPACITY: 325 lbs WIDTH: 28.5 inches FEATURES: Adjustable comfort flex seat, Polyethylene hull for durability, Large cockpit for a comfortable ride, Packed with features like cup holder paddle rest and skid plate	Great tracking maneuverable easy access to cargo small and compact can be a little bit small for big bodies paddlers pricey	See on Amazon.com
Most lightweight sit-in kayak for the ocean and rivers cruises ORU KAYAK BayST	CAPACITY: 1-person LENGTH: 12 ft TYPE: recreational/ fishing WEIGHT: 28lbs WEIGHT CAPACITY: 300lbs WIDTH:  25 inches FEATURES: Double layered for durability, 20,000-lifetime folds	sleek and reliable great design easy to set up handles very well folding or unfolding can be a challenge does comes with a paddle	See on Amazon.com
Best as an expedition foldable kayak ADVANCED ELEMENTS ADVANCED FRAME EXPEDITION ELITE KAYAK	CAPACITY: 1-person LENGTH: 13-ft TYPE:  Touring WEIGHT: 42 lbs WEIGHT CAPACITY: 45olbs WIDTH:  32-inches FEATURES: Complete with a drop-stitch floor, Well padded lumber seat, a repair kit, Duffle bag for easy transportation	Comes with a repair kit great and supportive back seat Quite pricey a little bit too heavy it can be difficult to exit	See on Amazon.com
Best portable sit-in kayaks ELEMENTS CRUISE PLUS FOLDABLE AND PORTABLE KAYAK	CAPACITY: 1-person LENGTH: 12.8 ft TYPE: recreational boat WEIGHT: 30 lbs WEIGHT CAPACITY: 200 lbs WIDTH: 23.6 inches FEATURES: Made from doubly-ply FRPP for great toughness, Foldable, making it easy to transport, Tool-free assembly box, Comes with a free paddle	Incredibly durable plenty of accessories including a cup holder life vest and a storage bag A little bit small for taller paddlers Uncomfortable for longer trips	See on Amazon.com
Best for great versatility ADVANCED ELEMENTS LAGOON 1-PERSON KAYAK	CAPACITY: 1-Person LENGTH: 8.4-ft TYPE:  Recreational boat WEIGHT: 23 lbs WEIGHT CAPACITY: 250 lbs WIDTH:  34 inches FEATURES: 1-person inflatable kayak, Equipped with internal rigid panels to improve tracking, Quick inflating Twistlok, Well padded high support back seat, Bungee deck lacing	Incredibly versatile Durable quick inflation and deflation Great seat supper Entering and exiting this kayak can be a challenge	See on Amazon.com
Best stability for great fishing activities WILDERNESS SYSTEMS PUNGO 125 RECREATIONAL KAYAK	CAPACITY:  1-person LENGTH: 12-ft TYPE: Recreational boat/ fishing WEIGHT: 49lbs WEIGHT CAPACITY: 475lbs WIDTH: 33 inches FEATURES: Rotomolded polyethylene construction, Watertight stern hatch  to store extra clothes and food, Bungee deck rig to help secure dry bags, Removable kayak console to give you more space when you need it	Versatility maneuverable tons on storage durable and tough carbon paddle stable Quite pricey than its alternatives	See on Amazon.com

MY BEST SIT-IN KAYAKS REVIEWS:

DAGGER AXIS 12

• CAPACITY:  1 person
• LENGTH: 12-ft
• TYPE:  Recreational boat
• WEIGHT: 55lbs
• WEIGHT CAPACITY: 350lbs
• WIDTH: 27.5-inches
• FEATURES: Larger rocker for stellar maneuverability, Manageable size, Roomy cockpit, Height adjustable drop keg to main it in a straight line
• Pros: Versatile, great tracking and maneuverability, spacious cockpit
• Cons: Heavier than most alternatives

SUN DOLPHIN ARUBA 10-FOOT SIT IN KAYAK

• CAPACITY: 1 person
• LENGTH: 10 ft long
• TYPE: Recreational boat
• WEIGHT: 40lbs
• WEIGHT CAPACITY: 250lbs
• WIDTH: 30 inches
• FEATURES: Lightweight polyethylene design, Carrying handles, Adjustable foot braces, Large and open cockpit, Equipped with spray deflector to keep you dry
• Pros: Lightweight and durable, bottle holder in the cockpit
• Cons: the seat is not fully adjustable

OLD TOWN HERON 9XT

• CAPACITY: 1 person
• LENGTH: 9.6 ft
• TYPE: Recreational
• WEIGHT: 39lbs
• WEIGHT CAPACITY: 300 lbs
• WIDTH: 28.5 inches
• FEATURES: Comfortable flex padded seat, Cupholder, Sealed rear bulkhead to give you great stability, Enough storage for your gear and food, Comfortable carrying handles
• Pros:  Comfortable seat, easy to control, enough storage space
• Cons: Quite pricey, doesn’t track well

ADVANCED ELEMENTS ADVANCEDFRAME SPORT KAYAK

• CAPACITY: 1 person
• LENGTH: 10.5-ft
• TYPE: Recreational/ fishing
• WEIGHT: 26lbs
• WEIGHT CAPACITY: 250lbs
• WIDTH: 32 inch
• FEATURES: Roomy and comfortable design, Fast inflation and deflation, Larger cockpit area for easy entering and exiting, 4 air chambers for efficiency
•  Pros: Incredibly stable, roomy and comfortable, quick set up
• Cons: Too small for larger individuals, quite hard to clean

OLD TOWN VAPOR 10

• CAPACITY: 1-person
• LENGTH: 10-ft
• TYPE: Recreational/ fishing boat
• WEIGHT: 47lbs
• WEIGHT CAPACITY: 325 lbs
• WIDTH: 28.5 inches
• FEATURES: Adjustable comfort flex seat, Polyethylene hull for durability, Large cockpit for a comfortable ride, Packed with features like cup holder paddle rest and skid plate
• Pros: Great tracking, maneuverable, easy access to cargo, small and compact
• Cons: can be a little bit small for big bodies paddlers, pricey

ORU KAYAK BayST

• CAPACITY: 1-person
• LENGTH: 12 ft
• TYPE: recreational/ fishing
• WEIGHT: 28lbs
• WEIGHT CAPACITY: 300lbs
• WIDTH:  25 inches
• FEATURES: Double layered for durability, 20,000-lifetime folds
• Pros: sleek and reliable, great design, easy to set up, handles very well
• Cons: folding or unfolding can be a challenge, does comes with a paddle

ADVANCED ELEMENST ADVANCED FRAME EXPEDITION ELITE KAYAK

• CAPACITY: 1-person
• LENGTH: 13-ft
• TYPE:  Touring
• WEIGHT: 42 lbs
• WEIGHT CAPACITY: 45olbs
• WIDTH:  32-inches
• FEATURES: Complete with a drop-stitch floor, Well padded lumber seat, a repair kit, Duffle bag for easy transportation
• Pros: Comes with a repair kit, great and supportive back seat
• Cons: Quite pricey, a little bit too heavy, it can be difficult to exit

ELEMENTS CRUISE PLUS FOLDABLE AND PORTABLE KAYAK 

• CAPACITY: 1-person
• LENGTH: 12.8 ft
• TYPE: recreational boat
• WEIGHT: 30 lbs
• WEIGHT CAPACITY: 200 lbs
• WIDTH: 23.6 inches
• FEATURES: Made from doubly-ply FRPP for great toughness, Foldable, making it easy to transport, Tool-free assembly box, Comes with a free paddle
• Pros: Incredibly durable, plenty of accessories including a cup holder, life vest and a storage bag
• Cons: A little bit small for taller paddlers. Uncomfortable for longer trips

ADVANCED ELEMENTS LAGOON 1-PERSON KAYAK

• CAPACITY: 1-Person
• LENGTH: 8.4-ft
• TYPE:  Recreational boat
• WEIGHT: 23 lbs
• WEIGHT CAPACITY: 250 lbs
• WIDTH:  34 inches
• FEATURES: 1-person inflatable kayak, Equipped with internal rigid panels to improve tracking, Quick inflating Twistlok, Well padded high support back seat, Bungee deck lacing
• Pros: Incredibly versatile. Durable, quick inflation and deflation, Great seat supper
• Cons: Entering and exiting this kayak can be a challenge

WILDERNESS SYSTEMS PUNGO 125 RECREATIONAL KAYAK

• CAPACITY:  1-person
• LENGTH: 12-ft
• TYPE: Recreational boat/ fishing
• WEIGHT: 49lbs
• WEIGHT CAPACITY: 475lbs
• WIDTH: 33 inches
• FEATURES: Rotomolded polyethylene construction, Watertight stern hatch  to store extra clothes and food, Bungee deck rig to help secure dry bags, Removable kayak console to give you more space when you need it
• Pros:  Versatility, maneuverable, tons on storage, durable and tough carbon paddle, stable
• Cons: Quite pricey than its alternatives

HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR SIT-IN KAYAK:

PURPOSE

We have quite a number of kayaks in the market today. Other than just their designs, they all vary when it comes to their purpose. We have kayaks that can be used for recreational purposes only while others are specifically meant for touring. In other cases, the place you are going to kayak can also be used to further classify these types of boats. For example, we have white waters, sea and lakes kayaks. So if you are planning on investing in a great kayak, you first need to figure out the kind of kayaking you usually do or want to do. From there, you can then purchase a kayak. For example, if you are looking for a boat to take on those long touring escapades, ensure you get a touring kayak. It is as simple as that.

CAPACITY

Secondly, once you have the right kayak for your next trip, the next thing you want to know is the seating capacity of that particular kayak. Are you planning on going kayaking with a friend or even a family member? We have kayaks come with seats ranging from 1 all the way to 4 or even more. So if you are going with one friend, you need a boat that can accommodate the two of you without any problem. In other cases, if you know you are going to sports, a boat that can take in one person is the best choice.

CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS

Much like when you are buying any other type of boat, the kind of materials that have been used to construct your kayak is paramount and must be considered at all times. We have in the past seen those high-end inflatable boats and others that come made from fiberglass; singling out what to go can be a challenge to most people. Although we have seen quite a number of materials used, we have polyethylene as the basic material. It is a sort of hard shell plastic that comes with a high level of durability. It is also quite cheap to produce.

Although this material could make a lot of sense to you because of its durability, it tends to fade when exposed to sunlight over time. For this reason; if you did decide to go for this material, you are advised to go for one that comes with UV protection. This one is considered to come with greater quality far more than those without.

In other cases, if you just want to keep the weight as low as possible and you don’t want to go for an inflatable kayak, you could actually choose to go for fiberglass, carbon or even Kevlar. Boats made from these materials are incredibly lightweight. They, however, come with one major drawback. They are super expensive.

Last but not least; when it comes to inflatable kayaks, we have seen them come fully made from PVC. This is a durable material and it won’t puncture with so much ease. PVC is also quite resistant to leaks.

COMFORT

If you are an avid kayak paddler, clearly, you don’t need to be told how comfortable you are when you are paddling is vital.  The amount of comfort you can net from your boat will determine the length of time you are going to paddle and also how you are going to enjoy it. When buying a kayak, invest in comfort. There is nothing more frustrating than paddling for hours and hours in an uncomfortable seat.

Currently, we have kayaks coming with different comfort options including footpegs, adjustable seats, handles for great portability and also thigh braces among others. Additionally, we have other kayaks that come equipped with other extra luxury features like water bottle holders, dry storage for your wallets and electronic. So in the end, really, the more of these features you get, the more comfortable your ride would be. You will have to pay for these extra features though. Kayaks with all these features are more expensive than those without.

COCKPIT SIZE

The kind of cockpit your kayak comes with is also paramount and must be taken into great consideration, as well. We have kayaks come with different cockpit sizes and what to buy will be dictated by the kind of activity you are going to do with the kayak. For example, if you are looking for something for a tour or even for just recreational purposes, a boat with a larger cockpit size will make a lot of sense. That large cockpit will not only provide a spacious and comfortable stay area, but you can also store your belonging, as well. Moreover, with a large cockpit, you can also exit the boat with so much ease.

In other cases, if you are a sports guy, a kayak with a relatively smaller cockpit is the way to go. That alone will give you the much-needed protection during those rough and nasty conditions.

DEPTH

Kayaks also come with different depths. Some come complete with deeper hulls while others have slightly shallow kayaks. Normally, if you are a little bit taller, a deeper hull will make a lot of sense to you. However, that will come with a few sacrifices; such a boat is quite hard to steer. Shallow hulls, on the other hand, are easy to steer as they are not affected by wind.

ACCESSORIES

As a kayaker, you obviously know you will need other accessories to make your trip safe and fun. In this case, we are talking about a life jacket, pump, paddle, removable skeg and rod holders among others. So if you want to save some money, go for a kayak that comes with all these accessories. You don’t want to buy them separately as that could cost you more money.

Updated on December 6, 2021 by Ben