Be sure to decide which type of paddling you'll most frequently do to narrow down the process from the get-go.ĭan Crandall, the owner of The River Store and Current Adventure Kayak School and Trips, both out of California, advises looking for boats with internal bulkheads. Will you be traversing flat water? White water? Ocean waves? Or will you use them in rivers, lakes, and the ocean? There are kayaks for each of these uses. Think about where and how you plan to use the kayak. What to Look for in a Recreational Kayak Type 'The more, the merrier in the Perception Tribe 13.5 with a three-seat configuration for up to two adults and a small child or pet.'

'Reviewers applauded the versatility of this tandem kayak, saying it transitions from camping to fishing to a day-outing kayak with ease.'īest for Families: Perception Tribe 13.5 at Amazon 'Built sturdy enough to take on rapids, the Old Town Heron 9XT tracks seamlessly through calm lakes.'īest Tandem: Ocean Kayak Malibu 2XL at Ocean Kayak 'With its aluminum rib-frame technology, this is a hard-charging inflatable that rivals hard-shell kayaks in stability.'īest for Lakes: Old Town Heron 9XT at Old Town 'This day touring kayak has universally useful features and a drop-down rudder to help the kayak maintain a straight line while paddling in river currents.'īest Inflatable: Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Sport Inflatable Kayak at L.L. 'It moves seamlessly through the water and is specially designed for sitting or standing, which anglers love.'īest for Rivers: Old Town Sorrento at Amazon 'Oru's foldable kayak is clutch for road trips or putting on a plane.'īest for Fishing: Vibe Yellow Fin 120 Kayak at Dick's Sporting Goods 'This compact yet comfortable kayak comes in at a just-right price for beginner paddlers or those who don't want to drop their whole vacation budgets on gear.'

'Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 has several crowd-pleasing features that equip it for everything from casual paddles to overnight adventures.'īest Budget: Old Town Vapor 10 at Backcountry

Best Overall: Wilderness Systems Pungo at Amazon

Swifty kayaks for sale