Are you looking for kayak reviews? You’ve come to the right place! This article contains all the kayak reviews the Paddling Magazine editorial team has compiled. You’ll find kayak reviews by type, including detailed critiques of the best (and worst) sit-inside and sit-on-top kayaks; kayak reviews by size; kayak reviews by store; and kayak reviews by brand.
Welcome to the web’s greatest resource for kayak reviews. Your paddling journey starts here.
Kayak reviews by type
Kayaks are divided into two main categories: sit-inside and sit-on-top, both of which come in many shapes and sizes. Depending on where you’ll paddle (ocean, large lakes, small lakes, rivers, surf) and your reason for paddling (recreation, fishing, fitness, touring, camping or a combination of these), as well as your experience level, the best way to identify a short list of kayak options is to search by type.
We’ve organized our reviews by kayak type so you can narrow down the best boat for you. Here you’ll find additional types of kayaks you may not have considered, such as inflatable and foldable kayaks, pedal kayaks and more.
Inflatable kayak reviews
- Inflatable Recreational Kayak Review: Intex Challenger K1
- Inflatable Kayak Review: Sevylor Colorado
- Inflatable Hybrid Review: TAHE Beach SUP-YAK
- Inflatable Recreational Kayak Review: Intex Challenger K2
- Inflatable Recreational Kayak Review: Intex Explorer K2
- Inflatable Pedal Kayak Review: BOTE LONO Aero Apex
- Inflatable Kayak Review: Sea Eagle 370
- Hobie Mirage i11S Inflatable Kayak-Paddleboard Hybrid Review
- Inflatable Kayak Review: Sea Eagle Razorlite 393rl
- Inflatable Recreational Kayak Review: Innova Thaya
Fishing kayak reviews
Fishing kayaks are wildly popular and we’ve created a dedicated article on our sister website, Kayak Angler, exclusively to this type of kayak. Here you’ll find reviews for every fishing kayak on the market, including all the top brands and spanning the entire price spectrum. This is your first and only stop for authentic fishing kayak reviews.
- Recreational Kayak Review: Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100
- Fishing Kayak Review: SeaStream Angler 120 PD
- Recreational Kayak Review: Ocean Kayak Frenzy
- Inflatable Recreational Kayak Review: Intex Challenger K1
- Fishing Kayak Review: Ascend FS10
- Fishing Kayak Review: Sun Dolphin Journey 10
- Fishing Kayak Review: Ascend 12t
- Recreational Kayak Review: Pelican Trailblazer 100 NXT
- Fishing Kayak Review: Sun Dolphin Boss 12 SS
- Fishing Kayak Review: Old Town Vapor 10
Foldable kayak reviews
Sit-on-top kayak reviews
- Recreational Kayak Review: Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100
- Fishing Kayak Review: SeaStream Angler 120 PD
- Recreational Kayak Review: Ocean Kayak Frenzy
- Fishing Kayak Review: Sun Dolphin Journey 10
- Fishing Kayak Review: Ascend 12t
- Fishing Kayak Review: Sun Dolphin Boss 12 SS
- Fishing Kayak Review: Ascend 10t
- Fishing Kayak Review: Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100
- Fishing Kayak Review: Ascend 128t
- Fishing Kayak Review: Wilderness Systems Recon 120 HD
Sit-inside kayak reviews
- Whitewater Kayak Review: Pyranha Scorch
- Whitewater Kayak Review: Zet Chili
- Recreational Kayak Review: Wilderness Systems Pungo 120
- Recreational Kayak Review: Perception Swifty Deluxe 9.5
- Fishing Kayak Review: Ascend FS10
- Whitewater Kayak Review: Jackson Antix 2.0
- Folding Kayak Review: Oru Bay ST
- Recreational Kayak Review: Pelican Trailblazer 100 NXT
- Fishing Kayak Review: Old Town Vapor 10
- Recreational Kayak Review: Sun Dolphin Aruba 10
Tandem kayak reviews
- Inflatable Kayak Review: Sevylor Colorado
- Tandem Recreational Kayak Review: Ocean Kayak Malibu Two
- Inflatable Recreational Kayak Review: Intex Challenger K2
- Inflatable Recreational Kayak Review: Intex Explorer K2
- Inflatable Kayak Review: Sea Eagle 370
- Boat Review: Seaward Passat G3 Kayak
- Delta Traverse 17.5 T Tandem Kayak Review
- Inflatable Recreational Kayak Review: Innova Thaya
- Inflatable Kayak Review: Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Convertible Elite
- Inflatable Kayak Review: Aquaglide Chelan 155 HB XL
Pedal kayak reviews
- Fishing Kayak Review: SeaStream Angler 120 PD
- Fishing Kayak Review: NuCanoe Unlimited
- Hybrid SUP Kayak Review: Hobie Mirage Lynx
- Fishing Kayak Review: Wilderness Systems Recon 120 HD
- Hybrid Fishing SUP Review: Vibe Cubera 120
- Fishing Kayak Review: Vibe Shearwater 125
- Inflatable Pedal Kayak Review: BOTE LONO Aero Apex
- Boat Review: Hobie Mirage Revolution 13 Kayak
- Boat Review: Riot Edge 14.5 Thermo
- Boat Review: Ocean Kayak Malibu Pedal
Lightweight kayak reviews
- Fishing Kayak Review: Pelican Mustang 100x
- Hybrid SUP Kayak Review: Hobie Mirage Lynx
- Folding Kayak Review: Oru Inlet
- Folding Kayak Review: TRAK 2.0 Touring Kayak
- Lightweight Touring Kayak Review: Hurricane Kayaks Sojourn 135
- Lightweight Touring Kayak Review: Stellar Kayaks S14-LV
- Lightweight Touring Kayak Review: Delta Kayaks 12S
- Lightweight Touring Kayak Review: Swift Saranac 14
- Folding Kayak Review: Feathercraft Kurrent
- Folding Kayak Review: Pakboats Quest 135
Beginner kayak reviews
- Recreational Kayak Review: Wilderness Systems Pungo 120
- Fishing Kayak Review: SeaStream Angler 120 PD
- Recreational Kayak Review: Perception Swifty Deluxe 9.5
- Inflatable Recreational Kayak Review: Intex Challenger K1
- Fishing Kayak Review: Sun Dolphin Journey 10
- Recreational Kayak Review: Pelican Trailblazer 100 NXT
- Fishing Kayak Review: Sun Dolphin Boss 12 SS
- Inflatable Kayak Review: Sevylor Colorado
- Recreational Kayak Review: Sun Dolphin Aruba 10
- Fishing Kayak Review: Pelican Mustang 100x
Touring kayak reviews
- Folding Kayak Review: Oru Bay ST
- Touring Kayak Review: Stellar S14 G2
- Touring Kayak Review: Delta Kayaks 14
- Boat Review: Chesapeake Shearwater 14 Sectional Kayak
- Boat Review: Point 65 Whisky 16 Kayak
- Boat Review: P&H Scorpio MKII LV Kayak
- Boat Review: Hobie Mirage Revolution 13 Kayak
- Boat Review: Nigel Dennis Pilgrim Expedition Kayak
- Boat Review: Prijon Catalina Kayak
- Boat Review: Pakayak Bluefin 14 Packable Kayak
Recreational kayak reviews
- Recreational Kayak Review: Wilderness Systems Pungo 120
- Recreational Kayak Review: Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100
- Recreational Kayak Review: Ocean Kayak Frenzy
- Recreational Kayak Review: Perception Swifty Deluxe 9.5
- Inflatable Recreational Kayak Review: Intex Challenger K1
- Fishing Kayak Review: Ascend FS10
- Fishing Kayak Review: Sun Dolphin Journey 10
- Recreational Kayak Review: Pelican Trailblazer 100 NXT
- Fishing Kayak Review: Old Town Vapor 10
- Touring Kayak Review: Stellar S14 G2
Whitewater kayak reviews
- Whitewater Kayak Review: Pyranha Scorch
- Whitewater Kayak Review: Zet Chili
- Whitewater Kayak Review: Jackson Antix 2.0
- Inflatable Kayak Review: Sevylor Colorado
- Whitewater Kayak Review: Dagger Rewind
- Inflatable Kayak Review: Sea Eagle 370
- Boat Review: WaveSport ACE Kayak
- Boat Review: Dagger Crazy 88 Kayak
- Boat Review: Dagger Super Ego Kayak
- Boat Review: Pyranha Varun Kayak