Check Availability<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nAs a taller paddler, I\u2019ve spent years trying to find a seat that will accommodate me on longer journeys. At long last, I stumbled across the Manta Ray Deluxe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s got a tall, 19-inch seat back <\/strong>along with a spacious 21.5-inch base that should fit most paddlers regardless of their size. Comfort comes in the form of a cushy EVA foam interior<\/strong> that contours nicely to your body while keeping you cool on hot summer days.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIt can be used for both sit-in and sit-on-top kayaks<\/strong>, although the wider base will make it tougher to squeeze into narrower sit-in designs. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThe biggest drawback is the price. It\u2019s one of the more expensive seats<\/strong> out there, so tall paddlers should be prepared to pay a hefty price. <\/p>\n\n\n\nHow to Choose the Best Kayak Seat For You<\/h2>\n\n\n\nFabric<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
For the exterior of your seat, you\u2019ll want something that\u2019s both comfortable to lean against, but also tough enough to stand up to the elements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In most cases, this will lead you towards synthetic materials like nylon, polyester, or neoprene. <\/strong>These materials are excellent at wicking moisture<\/strong> which will keep the water off of you should a wave come over the top and pull sweat away, providing a breathable contact point that\u2019s comfortable in all sorts of weather. <\/p>\n\n\n\nAll three of these materials are pretty comparable and many seats use at least two of them in tandem to improve durability. If you have the option, lean towards seats made of nylon and\/or neoprene <\/strong>as these materials are a little more durable than polyester. <\/p>\n\n\n\nPadding Types<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are three main types of padding <\/strong>used in kayak seats, two are foam-based and the other is made of gel.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe first type of foam is called EVA <\/strong>and is the most popular. Favored for its low cost,<\/strong> EVA is light and durable <\/strong>so you can expect it to last a long time without breaking the bank. This material does compress down over time<\/strong> though. This will cause pressure points to emerge and the level of comfort will deteriorate the longer you sit in it as pressure points will begin to emerge. <\/p>\n\n\n\nAnother material is molded foam<\/strong>. More resistant to compressing than EVA, it\u2019s a better choice if you tend to paddle for hours at a time<\/strong>. It is more sensitive to temperature and doesn\u2019t tend to shed heat <\/strong>as well as EVA foam. If you live in a hotter region and paddle on those still summer days, you may prefer EVA for its more breathable qualities.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe final padding is also the most expensive and fragile<\/strong>. Gel-based seats<\/strong> compress very little over extended sessions and provide maximum comfort for your seat and back.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCost is a drawback as is durability. Punctures and other mishaps can quickly diminish the seat\u2019s quality<\/strong>, so it\u2019s important to treat these seats gently and provide regular maintenance to ensure that it maintains its integrity. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen it comes to padding, thickness doesn\u2019t always equal more comfort.<\/strong> Overstuffed seats can make overheating more likely and will take longer to dry out. The location is much more important to overall quality than volume.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDimensions & Back Height<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Seat dimensions are most important for sit-in kayaks <\/strong>where the amount of space you have is already limited. Before you hit, \u201cbuy now\u201d measure the dimensions of your seat space and make sure everything will fit. <\/p>\n\n\n\nYou can never have too much back support. This is especially important for taller paddlers in sit-in kayaks. Many seats with shorter backs don\u2019t protect against the hard rim on the cockpit\u2019s perimeter. This can lead to your spine digging into this tough rib which can become unbearable after a little while.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For taller paddlers (over 6\u2019), I\u2019d recommend going with a seat back that\u2019s at least 16\u201d tall <\/strong>and more if your kayak will allow. For sit-in boats with sprayskirts, don\u2019t forget that this needs to be able to fit over the top of your seat too. <\/p>\n\n\n\nStraps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
I tend to fidget and change my position a lot when I\u2019m paddling. Because of this, I value seats that have straps that are accessible and easy to adjust on the water<\/strong>. Paddlers should always make general adjustments before heading out, but if you\u2019re like me, make sure you can easily adjust your seat on the water too. <\/p>\n\n\n\nStraps should be flexible and able to provide a wide range of support<\/strong> back and forth as well as up and down. <\/p>\n\n\n\nDon\u2019t skimp on durability<\/strong> here. Sun and saltwater can quickly deteriorate low-quality materials, causing them to fray and break. Once broken, they can be difficult to fix and will probably need replacing. Make sure these weak points are corrosion and weather resistant. If they get soaked with saltwater, rinse the straps in fresh water after use. <\/p>\n\n\n\nBreathability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Especially important for warm weather paddlers<\/strong>, your kayak seat can quickly turn into an uncomfortable, sweaty mess if it\u2019s not properly ventilated. This is notable for sit-on-top kayakers whose seats will inevitably get wet since they offer no protection from the elements. <\/p>\n\n\n\nSynthetic materials<\/strong> like nylon or polyester provide a nice combination of water resistance while still allowing air to move through and keep you cool even if there isn\u2019t much of a breeze. <\/p>\n\n\n\nStorage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
While it\u2019ll never provide a lot of volume, many seats come with zippered pockets <\/strong>where you can fit small personal items you may want access to on the water. Snacks and even small water bottles may fit too. <\/p>\n\n\n\nIn most cases, these storage spaces aren\u2019t waterproof.<\/strong> So if you\u2019re looking for a place to store sensitive gear like your car keys, wallet, or phone, you\u2019re better off investing in a dry bag to ensure they stay dry. <\/p>\n\n\n\nBest Kayak Seat – Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
With so many high-quality kayak seats out there today, there\u2019s no reason to paddle in discomfort no matter what your budget is. What\u2019s more important is making sure you know what sort of dimensions you have to play with and tailoring your purchase to the space you have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019d love to hear what kayak seats you love. What else should have made our list? Share your favorite seats and kayaking hijinks with us in the comments below. <\/p>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It doesn\u2019t matter how fast, stable, or fancy your kayak is. If you have a crummy seat, chances are you won\u2019t want to spend much time on the water. While some kayaks come with cushy seats, many do not, meaning it\u2019s up to you to find the right seat for you. Fortunately, we\u2019re here to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4045,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"Want to paddle for hours without SUFFERING? Then you need a GREAT kayak seat. Read on to find out what the best kayak seat is.","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4035"}],"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=4035"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4035\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5162,"href":"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4035\/revisions\/5162"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4045"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4035"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4035"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4035"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}