<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nThe first decision you need to make is where you want to paddle. Most kayaks are built for specific conditions and some boats may not be safe on some waterways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you want to do more touring or multi-day trips<\/strong>? These tend to be more expensive<\/strong> but are fast, stable, and have a lot of storage space<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBy comparison, whitewater kayaks <\/strong>are short and stubby with little storage but have excellent maneuverability<\/strong> and are easy to roll in rough water.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCheaper boats tend to fall in the recreational or fishing category<\/strong> with a focus on stability<\/strong> so new paddlers can feel comfortable. They tend to be slower<\/strong> and their performance can diminish in rough water or if you run into a nasty headwind.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSit-In Vs. Sit-On-Top Kayak<\/h3>\n\n\n\n The second question you need to answer is which of the two primary kayak designs is best for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sit-in<\/strong> kayaks have a defined cockpit <\/strong>that can be enclosed with a spray skirt. This protects your legs and lower torso<\/strong> from any splashing waves or rain.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSince the seat is lower in the kayak, sit-in kayaks are slimmer and more efficient<\/strong> without compromising their stability. This along with lots of dry storage space makes them popular in cold weather climates<\/strong> and for touring.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSit-on-top<\/strong> boats often fill the recreational, beginner, and fishing<\/strong> kayak niches. There is no defined cockpit which makes them easier to get into and out of and provides more leg room for tall paddlers but you\u2019re not protected from the elements.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTo compensate for this, the seats for sit-on-top kayaks are placed higher<\/strong> above the water to keep you drier. This can compromise their stability however due to your higher center of gravity. <\/p>\n\n\n\nTo compensate, sit-on-tops have wider hulls<\/strong> and even some multi-hull or pontoon-style designs to keep them upright. While they\u2019re just as stable<\/strong> as most sit-in boats, this does make them slower and less responsive<\/strong> than many of their sit-in counterparts.<\/p>\n\n\n\nInflatable vs Hard-Sided Kayaks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n In recent years, inflatable kayak designs have improved dramatically<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhile they\u2019re not as tippy or fragile as their reputation may suggest, most inflatables can\u2019t keep up with hard-sided kayaks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the most part, inflatable kayaks should be reserved for calm water like lakes or low-intensity rivers<\/strong>. They are usually cheaper than hard-sided boats and when used in the correct environment, have great stability and maneuverability. <\/p>\n\n\n\nYou do have to treat inflatables gentler<\/strong> than hard-sided boats and be on the lookout for punctures or leaks. But most designs incorporate multiple air tubes, so even if one springs a leak, you can get back to shore safely.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHard-sided kayaks can fill any number of roles<\/strong> depending on their design.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMost designs are more durable<\/strong> and the rigidity of their hulls means they track better with a faster top speed.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHowever, they require dedicated storage space and the logistics of transporting a 15-foot hard-sided boat is much more challenging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tandem vs Single Kayaks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n If you and your paddle partner are torn between a tandem and two singles, there are a few performance differences to help you decide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most tandems are longer<\/strong> than singles and the elongated keel means they tend to be faster though they\u2019re less maneuverable. <\/p>\n\n\n\nSingles<\/strong> do provide the luxury of going out on your own, though trying to load two kayaks on top of your car can be harder than loading a single tandem.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFor long trips, two singles can usually carry more than one tandem.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nUnless the manufacturer indicates otherwise, tandems should always be paddled by two people. Trying to paddle tandems on your own is difficult and can be dangerous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Best Kayak – Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s no shortage of incredible, high-performing kayaks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether you\u2019re on a budget or looking for the best of the best, there are great deals at all price ranges. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But my absolute favorite is the Northwest Kayaks Cadence<\/strong>. Whether you\u2019re into touring or just looking for an unforgettable day paddle, the Cadence has great stability along with a comfortable ride and impressive top speed.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Vibe Sea Ghost 130<\/strong> is another great choice. It doesn\u2019t have the touring potential of the Cadence but the performance, stability, and speed make it capable of much more than just fishing.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWe\u2019d love to hear your feedback, stories, and favorite kayaks. Share with us in the comments below. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Here\u2019s the truth: if you buy a kayak that\u2019s not right for you, you\u2019ll just give up on kayaking. And considering how fun kayaking is, that\u2019d be a real shame. So, in this article, I\u2019ll give you the best kayaks I\u2019ve ever paddled with. I\u2019ve tried over 50 kayaks over the years, and this article […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2119,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"Best Kayaks in %%currentyear%% - My 7 Favorites After Trying 50+ Boats","_seopress_titles_desc":"Get the best bang for your buck with one of these best kayaks. The best kayak will keep you paddling happily for ages, so choose wisely.","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[22,5],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2255"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2255"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2255\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5780,"href":"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2255\/revisions\/5780"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2119"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2255"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2255"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2255"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}