Best Kayaks
1 Intex Explorer K2 Kayak, 2-Person Inflatable Kayak Set with Aluminum Oars and High Output Air Pump
COMFORTABLE FOR ANYONE: Kayak includes an adjustable inflatable seat with backrest.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"When you remove both seats 2 people can comfortably sit on inflated floor facing each other and enjoy lazy afternoon on the water."
"This is an inflatable kayak, and those who review it in comparison to a solid hull craft are doing it a disservice. You are not going to go white water kayaking with this and you're not going to be going on week long jaunts with tons of gear either, it is meant to be recreational in purpose, nothing more. Suggestions: Drill a hole in the Skeg and tie a line to it and then to the stern of the kayak to prevent losing it. 1st time you use it make sure you reach inside and press the drain plug in the stern in FIRMLY."
"When I stretch out my legs, I have to tuck my feet to the sides of the front seat. You'd have to scrape against some jagged metal or be hit head on by a hard pointy branch for this to puncture. The fin/skeg works fine and is easy to install but requires decent hand strength to remove (a good thing). I drilled a hole and put a fishing line through it in case the skeg falls off as suggested by others, but this is unnecessary. I'm going to remove the fishing line before the next trip because it is unnecessary and gets seaweed,etc caught in it creating more drag."
"The seats are comfortable if adjusted right, the kayak tracks in a straight line especially with some weight in it and the skeg attached, the material is extremely durable and even with 2 people in it you have enough room to store some gear. Also with no gear in the kayak and going solo the kayak will walk side to side just a hair the wind will catch the sides like a sail."
"A genuinely usable intro to the world of kayaking."
2 Intex Challenger K1 Kayak, 1-Person Inflatable Kayak Set with Aluminum Oars and High Output Air Pump
Cargo net to store extra gear, and grab line on both ends of kayak; inflatable seat with backrest.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This is a Good Kayak, let me start by saying that I have traveled long distances in conventional kayaks ranging from $2500 fiberglass ocean kayaks to the cheaper kind that most rental places have, these kayaks are not for long distance travel but great for shorter day trips. The kayaks handled just fine, the skeg that it came with kept the kayak straight and stayed on strong, and because the kayaks are inflatable they sit on top of the water and allows a stronger current to just flow under you instead of pushing you with it, so it is easy to paddle even during the tide change. The inflatable seat though is too high, I prefer to sit in a kayak not on top so I deflated the seat but kept the backrest inflatable, is was pretty comfortable, I did notice that the kayak seemed to tilt to the right a little, as if the inflation was not symmetrical, but perhaps I just naturally sit more to the right making the kayak tilt. The net on top is a good feature, but again whatever you put there will get wet, not so for my Coleman kayaks which bow sits very high off the water so that things can stay dry."
"Reasons why I love this kayak: 1) I'm a woman- I'm strong but I can't carry a hard plastic kayak. 2) Its super fast to inflate and deflate. 3) It fits in the back of my Lexus NX 200t. 4) My dog can kayak with me, he naps and watches the birds go by."
"Comes with a decent carrying bag and you can easily fit two or three of these kayaks in the trunk of a compact car. Durable - we've taken the out on the American River a number of times without any hiccups. Cons. 1. Expect to work harder than folks in rental and to have a lot of left-right movement when trying to go straight. I found that if I put on aerosol sunscreen it will take the paint right off the kayak. Stick with regular sunscreen unless you want to disembark wearing a new coat of gray paint. There's a bright yellow 12V pump on Amazon for about 11 bucks that works great."
Enter your model number to make sure this fits.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"We used these all summer and the are light enough for my 6 year old to launch and take out of the lake."
"Just got back from an everglades trip where we did a two mile loop through the mangroves."
"My kids (6 and 9) love this kayak."
"Bought for my 8 year old to kayak with us!"
"This was a birthday gift for one of my gransdons and shipped directly to him."
"My kids love this!"
"A birthday gift for my 9 year old grand daughter."
Best Fishing Kayaks
With scupper holes that drian the cockpit, multiple footrest positions for different size riders and reverse chine for enhanced stability, the Wave is perfect for kids recreational kayaking. Enter your model number to make sure this fits.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"We used these all summer and the are light enough for my 6 year old to launch and take out of the lake."
"This was a birthday gift for one of my gransdons and shipped directly to him."
"My kids love this!"
"A birthday gift for my 9 year old grand daughter."
"Great for our 7 year old!"
"My grandson LOVED IT!!!!"
"My five year old loves it."
"Perfect for my 7 year old."
Best Touring Kayaks
The Sun Dolphin Aruba 10' Sit In Kayak, is a great kayak for any water enthusiast. Large open cockpit with adjustable padded seat with high back support.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Seriously, if you are interested in buying this kayak, it is available at KMART for around $180 and is the same product advertised here."
"I reviewed and researched and hunted high and low for an "inexpensive" kayak since I do not intend to become an expert and just wanted to get something to go out on a smooth lake or a well behaved river... And true kayakers will scoff at your purchase but they will grudgingly acknowledge the value of this kayak in the context of what it is made for and that is children, middle aged weekend kayakers, and people who want to destress kayaking not test their mettle against nature."
"I bought mine from a business with a headquarters in Arkansas. My girlfriend and I had signed up (off Amazon Local) for a guided kayak tour. I was looking for an activity I could do, where I could get outside, and where so long as it wasn't too extreme, the weather would not be a factor (I live in Florida, so pretty much year round we can get out). There's plenty of room in the cockpit and I don't have the foot rests all the way forward. Because the weight capacity of this kayak is 250 lbs, and I'm getting pretty close to that limit, it probably sits a bit low in the water, but I don't seem to find that to be a problem. And there is another big company out there (once famous for it's mail order catalog), and we got hers for $199.99. If you're looking into a kayak, and don't want to spend a lot of money, I would recommend the Aruba 10."
"Could you get a better kayak?"
"it is light and very easy to maneuver."
"great fun kayaks for us - we're in a cove off of a bay - great to get around in -."
"Boat is good, but should have gotten 8 footer."
"Lovely little kayak."
Best Whitewater Kayaks
Backrest lets you lean back and enjoy the ride. Multi-position foot rest lets you find your most comfortable position. Secure storage area lets you safely store items with bungees.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I bought this bc it's weight capacity says 400lbs, & I figured it would be a perfect way to figure out if I wanted to, would enjoy or could use a hard shell kayak, without spending $500+ So I'll start with set up- relatively simple. I put mine in at a boat launch on a very slow moving river, which ended up being very helpful bc of the incline of the ramp. Since its inflatable, and somewhat flexible I was able to get my leg over it and adjust my position while straddling it and standing in the water. Since the middle sunk slightly, both the front and back end, were lifted out of the water a bit. I'm top heavy, my chest gets in the way slightly, and so does my belly, however I am able to sit up right on the floor with my legs together, in front of me, but it's not terribly comfy. I ended up sitting with my legs straight out but open with my feet slightly hanging off. When I returned to the ramp I found it slightly difficult at first to exit the kayak. I'd say it's more like 300lb person max, with 25lbs of gear split between the front & back ends to balance the weight out a bit."
"My kayak arrived 2 days after order and I had a planned to head to the lake with a friend to try it out immediately. I ordered new paddles before my kayak arrived because of so many other reviewers reporting how crappy the ones are that come with the kayak and I must agree on that point. It was easy and quick to inflate but I have yet to figure out the back pack which also is the back support, The kayak fully inflated is very light and easy to transfer from the car to the lake area. It takes a while to balance and paddle at the same time as it does not track as well as a hard shell kayak but I got into a great rhythm and figured out how far to place the paddles in the water to maintain my stride and balance."
"(I use my old paddle instead, which works far better). I found a neat way to carry the boat is to push the paddle under the triangle bungee tree on the bow and hook the back of the paddle under the seat straps. You just lift the whole thing up with one hand and carry it away!"
"The boat itself is just great- it's durable, lightweight, very stable, and comfortable (way more comfortable that any hard kayak I've been in). I have had the larger Sevylor 2-person kayak for about 3 years and am still enjoying it, got this one to add to the fleet and for solo missions."
Best Kayaking Equipment
The Intex Explorer K2 Kayak is sporty and fun with a streamlined design for easy paddling. COMFORTABLE FOR ANYONE: Kayak includes an adjustable inflatable seat with backrest.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"When you remove both seats 2 people can comfortably sit on inflated floor facing each other and enjoy lazy afternoon on the water."
"This is an inflatable kayak, and those who review it in comparison to a solid hull craft are doing it a disservice. You are not going to go white water kayaking with this and you're not going to be going on week long jaunts with tons of gear either, it is meant to be recreational in purpose, nothing more. Suggestions: Drill a hole in the Skeg and tie a line to it and then to the stern of the kayak to prevent losing it. 1st time you use it make sure you reach inside and press the drain plug in the stern in FIRMLY."
"When I stretch out my legs, I have to tuck my feet to the sides of the front seat. You'd have to scrape against some jagged metal or be hit head on by a hard pointy branch for this to puncture. The fin/skeg works fine and is easy to install but requires decent hand strength to remove (a good thing). I drilled a hole and put a fishing line through it in case the skeg falls off as suggested by others, but this is unnecessary. I'm going to remove the fishing line before the next trip because it is unnecessary and gets seaweed,etc caught in it creating more drag."
"The seats are comfortable if adjusted right, the kayak tracks in a straight line especially with some weight in it and the skeg attached, the material is extremely durable and even with 2 people in it you have enough room to store some gear. Also with no gear in the kayak and going solo the kayak will walk side to side just a hair the wind will catch the sides like a sail."
"A genuinely usable intro to the world of kayaking."
Best Kayak Accessories
Intex Challenger K2 Kayak, 2-Person Inflatable Kayak Set with Aluminum Oars and High Output Air Pump
It's made of the company's rugged, Super-Tough vinyl that's puncture- and UV damage-resistant for long term durability, and the cockpit is designed to optimize comfort and space. Two-person inflatable water craft for lakes and mild rivers Comfortable and spacious cockpit includes two inflatable seats and backrests Inflatable floor for both comfort and rigidity High visibility graphics give a sporty flair and maximize safety on the water Cargo net to keep essentials handy Grab line on both ends of kayak for easy carrying Measures 30 by 15 by 138 inches (W x H x D) inflated 400-pound maximum weight limit Includes two 86-inch aluminum oars, high-capacity pump, and repair patch kit. Measures 30 by 15 by 138 inches (W x H x D) inflated, with 400-pound maximum weight limit; includes two 86-inch aluminum oars, high-capacity pump, and repair patch kit.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"-No skid problems (like some reviews mention). -no control problems. -durability is quite amazing."
"This kayak was a savior in college being able to throw it into the trunk of my car and collapsing it into a bag that could fit into a closet. You can throw it in the trunk, drive to the lake, and in 20 min be into the water enjoying yourself. But this kayak is made of tougher material than you would think and could take a hook grazing along it or bumping into sticks or going over some occasional rocks. I have gone into the trees along the edge of the lake when getting snagged and accidentally gone over shallow water and bottomed out without any issues. It is manageable but I much prefer using one seat at a time and using the extra storage space for my backpack, fishing pole, anchor, tackle box, etc. It stays relatively dry and holds my flip flops, life jacket, and other items pretty well. I can usually throw my flip flops, fish net, tarp, and life jacket under the front."
"I recently bought 2 of these K2 Kayaks and got to use them on the Russian River last weekend in an easy area where people mostly were floating around in inner tubes and canoes. I ended up laying them out on my lawn for a few hours after we got home, wiped them down and finally vacuumed them out before folding them up and storing them in the provided bag which is nice to have and fits them easily."
"This is a great product and has worked well beyond expectations."
Best Kayak Carts
The C-TUG cart is specifically designed to rest your kayak or canoe on the rubberized pads when transporting. Enter your model number to make sure this fits.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Having designed a well put together cart, with good fit and finish, they need to do a little more home work with the fastening straps."
"The c-tug handles the weight of the three hulls,mast,and all the sails with no problem. The c-tug has been a life saver getting my boat from the parking lot and across the deep sand of the beach to the ocean."
"My buddy's kayak wasn't as heavy as mine so we stowed all his gear in my kayak then flipped his kayak up on top of mine in which we strapped down with our own kayak straps."
"This cart handles it easily without sliding loose."
"Follow it exactly as they show and it works great despite what the other reviewers have stated. The tires on this roll great on pavement and especially in sand and dirt."
"The dolly ended up leaving an impression in the bottom of the boat after a few days of warm weather in Seattle."
"We don't take them apart and store them inside the kayak while travelling, but rather just tuck them under the gear net in back in their assembled position."
"My guess is the bolt that allows the kickstand to pivot or give out when it hits an obstacle came from the factory too tight and simply didn't budge when I tried dropping down a small ledge into my lawn."
Best Kayak Paddles
Shoreline Marine 96" Kayak Paddle features corrosion resistant aluminum shaft, comfort grip handles, and contour molded blades for durability and efficiency. Three position system allows you to customize the paddle to fit your style. The contour molded blade propels you through the water with ease.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Usage update: I have put this paddle through the paces of both a gentle lake for several hours, as well as kayaking around 4-5 miles of the Colorado River while it was running around 13,300cfs and it held up fine on both occasions."
"I don't think you can get a better quality paddle for the price."
"I bought this paddle because of a new purchase of a kayak."
"I'm not totally sure if there was some user error involved in my paddling motion, or if they just didn't function that well. The fact that they can move though is probably a plus so that however you prefer to grip, you can have some padding under your hands."
"Exactly what we needed and lighter than our old paddles."
"They paddle the water very very well."
"My first kayak paddle."
"cracked in half on first use, exactly like the pics other people posted."
Best Kayak Hardware
About Our Company. We also include a buoy ball and a stainless steel hook for situations requiring a quick disconnect. It takes up minimal space and can easily be stored in kayaks, canoes, dinghys, stand up paddle boards or any type of small personal watercraft. Its compact size won’t get in the way of your fishing gear and its 4 fluke design is ideal for sandy, weedy and rocky bottoms.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I have it tied up so that I can fish without the current sending me to short or 10 miles downstream."
"it works awesome, but you want to try out that "zip tie" the rope to the bottom and tie off at the tip method."
"The carrying bag is a nice touch, as it does not get a lot of use in my canoe, and the bag keeps it well stowed and compact until needed."
"The rope is tough and I can't wait to use it up here in the muddy waters of the Charles River."
"The owner wrote a personalized email and recommended some tips and advice on how to use the anchor."
"Fits perfectly in my single cylinder compartment between my legs on my kayak."
"Good quality."
"Just what I was looking for light weight and compact designed well and should work great with my 16 foot fishing kayak."
Best Kayaking Gloves
The 1/2 finger design protects the hot spots from paddling while keeping your finger tips free for fine movement, electronics, fishing and control. neoprene.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Sizes (palm circumference measurement): XS fits 7-7.75". S fits 7.75-8". M fits 8-8.5". L fits 8.5-8.75". XL fits 8.75-9.25". XXL fits 9.25-9.75"."
"After several hours of use, my hands were still perfectly comfortable, and I had no signs of blisters or "hot spots" around my thumbs, as typically happens when paddling for a while."
"I kinda thought that 'Paddling Gloves' would be waterproof but silly me!"
"I haven't had a blister on my hands while kayaking since buying these gloves."
"Extremely satisfied with the gloves' protection on extended paddling outings."
"They work well to prevent getting calluses and keeping hands a bit warmer."
"I've been very happy with these paddling gloves."
"While I haven't tried these out yet on a paddling trip, they arrived on time and appear to be well made."
Best Kayak Spray Skirts
Women's Flirt Skirt. Supratex 4-way stretch neoprene deck.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Fits awesome."
"I replaced a skirt that I could no longer get on my boat (too tight and arthritis in my thumbs) with this one, which has been great."
"I ordered a (large deck, small tunnelI) I replaced it with a skirt that was way to right and I could not get it on without help."
"It takes 2 people to get this on an Eddyline Samba."
"Easy to remove for my 11 year old son."
"Just received the first that was supposed to fit my kayak and two men pulling on it couldn't even make it come close to fitting."
Best Kayak Paddle Accessories
A versatile and complete Paddle leash and Rod leash system with 3 leashes and a (1) carabiner. 3 Gear leashes included, 1 for the paddle, 2 additional leashes for rods or other light gear. The 20" bungee section takes just the right amount of force to make this a great wading leash.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I used them to keep paddles attached to my little kids kayaks and also to tow my children around when they were tired on their kayaks."
"Then tethered my paddle to my vest."
"Leashes are a little bit short, but there are three to a package."
"Perfect size and fit for me to use with my kayak - one for my paddle and the other two for my fishing poles."
"The clip is pretty handy too since it makes it easier to attach it to my kayak."
"It is never good to get separated from paddle or from other items you use to maintain contact."
"Installed to 2 Kids Kayaks and 1 Adult Kayak and works well."
"I rolled my fishing kayak in deep murky water if I didn't have these leashes I would have lost my best rigs."
Best Indoor Kayak Storage
ROBUST ENGINEERING - New improved STRAPS eliminate the fragile hooks that plague cheaper hoists, and allow you to lift heavy products, up to 125lb.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"After install, I was lifting the boat but it got a little uneven on front/back balance, so as I tried to adjust one of the buckles broke followed quickly by the second, dropping my kayak 3 feet to the ground!"
"After investigating I found that the little plastic crossbar on the adjustable portion of the web cradle buckle had broken completely off and allowed the strap to pull free. The plastic does have a brittle feel and I decided not to trust them again so cut them off and just tied the straps together at the length I needed. I will eventually have different straps made so all I have is a piece of webbing with a sewn loop on each end and no knot."
"You can adjust length of strap by selecting the appropriate loops for your hooks. If it fails, it will likely be the pins that connect the parts of the hooks or the pins that hold the wheels of the pulley system."
"I also broke a few bolts by tightening too much into the ceiling, but a quick trip to the Depot for some replacements at $0.32 each put me back in business."
"I bought this for my Thule car carrier as it is kind of big and tough to store in my garage."
"I purchased a replacement rope cleat that looks much better and is more sturdy."