Greatest River Kayaks of 2023

The very first thing to think about when searching for river kayaks is your supposed use, kayaking type, and kind of water will probably be floating. Brief, light-weight kayaks are excellent to cruise a fast shifting river, whereas an extended and stronger boat can have the storage and steadiness for a multi-day tenting journey. Spending the day fishing on the river? You’ll be happiest with a fishing kayak filled with all of the bells and whistles designed for a snug day reeling it in.

Earlier than leaping all the way down to our high picks, learn by the client’s information. You’ll uncover the issues it’s essential know to seek out the very best river kayaks on your wants.

Why It Made the Lower: Secure, straightforward to maneuver, and versatile for calm to shifting water, the Wilderness Programs Aspire 105 is the very best all-purpose river kayak.

Key Options

• Weight: 48 kilos
• Size: 10 toes 6 inches
• Seating: Sit-in
• Sort: Leisure

Professionals

• Versatile in flat and shifting water
• Extraordinarily Secure
• Maneuverable round obstacles

Cons 

This sit-in kayak is the very best general for river kayaking. Nice for everybody from newcomers to the skilled, its versatility makes it an ideal leisure kayak. From the broad opening, to the padded ergonomic seat, to the adjustable thigh braces, the Wilderness Programs Aspire 105 has consolation in thoughts. As well as, adjustable foot braces enable for stability and luxury on lengthy journeys. This boat has stable storage, with a rear waterproof hatch, in addition to bungee rigging to maintain necessities inside arm’s attain.

Probably the greatest elements of this kayak is the adjustable skeg—a drop-down fin on the keel—that gives stability and helps the craft observe straight in uneven water. It’s rated to a 400-pound capability so it could deal with its rider and in addition to a hefty quantity of substances. Despite the fact that the boat is on the heavy facet, snug carrying handles make it straightforward to move with two folks.

Why It Made the Lower: The Eddyline Skylark is an extended leisure kayak that sports activities watertight storage and a smooth experience making it the very best kayak for river tenting and river journeys.

Key Options

• Weight: 41 kilos
• Size: 12 toes
• Seating: Sit-in
• Sort: Leisure/touring hybrid

Professionals

• Watertight storage
• Quick
• Light-weight

Cons 

Whereas technically a leisure kayak by size, the Eddyline Skylark has some touring kayak options and design parts which makes it the only option for tenting and lengthy distance river journeys.

This can be a slim and light-weight sit-in kayak with an adjustable consolation seat. Because of this, it’s vitality environment friendly; straightforward to paddle and transfer by the water so riders can spend the day paddling with out being spent. Entrance and rear bulkhead watertight storage compartments imply there’s room to retailer tenting gear on your river journey. The medium-sized cockpit can accommodate a sprig skirt.

This kayak is greatest for gradual shifting rivers and lakes. It’s the prettiest kayak of the bunch however comes with a price ticket to match. Nonetheless, it’s the only option in case you’re going to spend a number of days on the river and hauling gear.

Why It Made the Lower: Bonafide’s SS127 is regular whether or not you’re sitting, standing, or reeling in a giant catch. This sit-on kayak was designed for the consolation and comfort of fishermen.

Key Options

• Weight: 94 kilos
• Size: 12 toes 7 inches
• Seating: Sit-on/stand
• Sort: Leisure, fishing

Professionals

• Comfy
• Secure
• Handy

Cons 

The Bonafide SS127 is a sit-on leisure utility kayak particularly designed for fishing and in my view, the very best kayak for river fishing. It’s a heavy, steady craft designed with the intention that the person can be sitting, standing, and shifting over the kayak.

Consolation is essential with a excessive seat designed for lengthy days within the saddle and emphasis on ergonomics with simply adjustable foot braces. Each a part of the deck has fishing in thoughts. A few of the many fishing options embrace grooves for fishing rods, rod staging space, outsized ahead hatch, dry pod storage, gear tracks, and a tank properly to suit a cooler. The kayak has the flexibility so as to add a trolling motor or rudder system which makes it versatile, and frees your palms for fishing. This boat has capability to carry 475 kilos so no worry including coolers, gear, and extra. With a completely rigged weight of 94 kilos, this kayak is a beast to haul.

Why It Made the Lower: A big cockpit to simply enter an exit and a steady experience make the Previous City Vapor 10 the very best river kayak for newcomers.

Key Options

• Weight: 47 kilos
• Size: 10 toes
• Seating: Sit-in
• Sort: Leisure

Professionals

• Comfy
• Secure
• Straightforward entry/exit

Cons 

Novices are sometimes intimidated by coming into and exiting the cockpit in a sit-in kayak for worry it’s going to tip. The Previous City Vapor 10, and bigger 10XT, have one of many largest cockpit openings of a leisure sit-in kayak. The big opening can be nice for fishing, pictures, or bringing a small baby in your lap. The boat has an adjustable, snug seat so newcomers can have a simple entry into the game of kayaking.

The Previous City Vapor tracks and maneuvers simply. Foam inserts add to buoyancy so paddlers will really feel protected and steady. For storage, this kayak has an open properly within the stern which is beneficial for a small cooler or dry bag. However since this boat doesn’t provide any watertight hatches, it’s not an ideal alternative for tenting or lengthy river journeys. General, this can be a good kayak for newcomers and brief excursions on the river.

Why It Made the Lower: This sturdy and steady inflatable kayak by Superior Parts handles properly and is the right alternative for an easy-to-store kayak.

Key Options

• Weight: 36 kilos
• Size: 10 toes
• Seating: Sit-in
• Sort: Leisure

Professionals

• Packable and Storable
• Comfy
• Sturdy

Cons 

• Time consuming inflation/deflation

Inflatable kayaks have a status for much less stability and monitoring within the water. The raft-like qualities of most inflatables usually make them poor decisions in windy climate or tough water. However the Superior Parts Advancedframe is surprisingly excessive performing. An inside aluminum body gives construction and permits this inflatable to outperform a few of its non-inflatable competitors in addition to deal with a wide range of river circumstances.

This sit-in, leisure kayak has a snug seat and a slim cockpit paying homage to a touring kayak. The Advancedframe doesn’t have storage so whereas it’s nice for a day journey, it’s not meant for tenting journeys or multi-day excursions.

The perfect a part of this boat is that you simply don’t want a roof rack to haul it or a storage to retailer it. The package can simply slot in a small trunk. With this comfort it’s vital to notice that it takes about 10 minutes or extra to inflate with every use.

Why It Made the Lower: If you happen to’re going to hit white water, that is your kayak. The Dagger Rewind is designed for Class I-V rivers and is prepared that will help you down river rapids.

Key Options

• Weight: 43 kilos
• Size: 8 toes 9 inches
• Seating: Sit-in
• Sort: Whitewater

Professionals

• Rocker hull for using rapids
• Comfy
• Sturdy

Cons 

As soon as skilled in whitewater kayaking, the rivers are your playground. If you’re able to hit the rapids, you’ll need a whitewater kayak to get you thru. The Dagger Rewind has a rocker hull—meant to rock like a rocking horse because it strikes over rapids as a substitute of tipping like its flat bottomed leisure counterparts. For these with the abilities, the strict reduce permits expert paddlers to slice by rapids and even get vertical with out capsizing.

This kayak has a padded adjustable seat that gives consolation in addition to adjustable foot braces for stability. When searching for a kayak to run river rapids, sizing is vital for security. This boat is particularly designed to rock by the waves so newcomers will discover it tippy with out the observe and coaching wanted for kayaking rapids.

Why It Made the Lower: This crossover kayak can deal with just about something the river gives you: calm water, rapids, or slim inlets. The Katana is the very best kayak for river operating.

Key Options

• Weight: 50 kilos
• Size: 9 toes 7 inches
• Seating: Sit-in
• Sort: Leisure/whitewater crossover

Professionals

• Drop skeg for stability
• Watertight Storage
• Versatile

Cons 

The Dagger Katana is a leisure/whitewater hybrid, excellent for all day river operating. This sit-in kayak has many options of a whitewater kayak, together with a rocker profile. This implies it’s designed to rock with rapids with out tipping over. It additionally has a hull designed for preliminary stability making it an ideal entry boat for these beginning on river runs with some small rapids. In contrast to a standard whitewater boat, the Katana has a wider cockpit and hatch storage. It additionally has a drop skeg—a drop down fin on the keel—that helps the boat observe in winds and tough water. With its versatility and talent to deal with each kind of river, the Dagger Katana can be one of many most secure kayaks for newcomers.

It’s troublesome to seek out fault with this kayak, however its sturdiness is available in a heavy bundle. Homeowners would possibly discover its 50-pound dry weight quite a bit to maneuver off the water. Nonetheless, the hybrid design makes it probably the greatest river kayaks.

Why It Made the Lower: Vast open cockpit, regular dealing with, and affordability make the Solar Dolphin Aruba 10 the very best price range river kayak.

Key Options

• Weight: 40 kilos
• Size: 10 toes
• Seating: Sit-in
• Sort: Leisure

Professionals

• Inexpensive
• Light-weight
• Secure

Cons 

With a price ticket underneath $300, the Solar Dolphin Aruba 10 is a discount. This sit-in leisure kayak is light-weight and has a big open cockpit that newcomers will discover straightforward to get out and in on shore or dock. The flat backside hull gives preliminary stability on calm water however gained’t deal with rapids properly. For a price range boat, the Solar Dolphin has some nice options. These embrace adjustable foot braces for consolation and stability, bow water bottle holder with bungee, stern storage compartment, and carrying handles. Consolation comes at a value nevertheless, and probably the most notable right here is the shortage of cushioning on the seat. With no padded seat, it’s nice for brief journeys on the river, however greatest to choose a extra snug boat just like the Wilderness Programs Aspire 105, for an all-day affair.

Issues to Take into account Earlier than Shopping for a River Kayak

The time period “river kayak” encompasses a wide range of kayak designs. Rivers fluctuate from calm, flat water to raging rapids. The actions out there in your vessel might embrace calm paddling, wildlife viewing, fishing, or river operating. Breakdown what you need to do along with your boat and observe this information for the very best river kayaks.

Kayak Sort

Kayaks are available three important varieties: leisure, touring, and whitewater. The plain distinction between the three varieties is the size of the boat, however there are different design variations too.

• Leisure: A leisure kayak is the most typical kind used on rivers. These kayaks are typically plastic and sturdy. Leisure kayaks are recognizable by being shorter (8-12 toes) and wider than their touring counterparts. This makes them sturdy and maneuverable. Because of this, they’re excellent for newcomers and informal day use. They make good river kayaks and are probably the most versatile in case you aren’t positive the place you’ll be paddling.
• Touring: Touring kayaks are meant for lengthy day journeys and even multi-day excursions. They obtain extra management, pace, and effectivity than their leisure counterparts with longer designs (over 10 toes), rudders or skegs (keel fin), and extra cargo storage. Sea kayaks are a sort of touring kayak meant for open ocean. Whereas regular and quick, their lengthy measurement is normally not optimum for rivers. Touring kayaks can are available plastic in addition to fiberglass or wooden.
• Whitewater: Whitewater kayaks are greatest for navigating rapids and fast-moving water. The brief design (4 to eight toes) permits maneuverability. A twig skirt prevents water from coming into the cockpit and a hearty, plastic hull can deal with pounding water in addition to rocks and sand. Whitewater kayaking is a high-risk sport that requires coaching by professionals.

Kayak Seating

Kayaks are available two important seating choices: sit-in or sit-on kayaks. There are execs and cons to each designs.

• Sit-in Kayak: In a sit-in kayak, your legs can be inside a cockpit. These are present in leisure, touring, and whitewater designs. Along with your middle of gravity decrease, these kayaks are usually quicker in addition to extra snug in colder temperatures and rougher water. A twig skirt could be added to forestall water from coming into the cockpit, in addition to defending the person from solar and spray. You will need to be taught (and even observe) how one can do a moist exit with a sprig skirt in this kind of kayak must you capsize.
• Sit-on-Prime Kayak: The sit-on kayaks for rivers are typically meant for calm water. With no cockpit, it’s seemingly you’ll get moist, so this design is greatest used for milder temperatures. These make nice river fishing kayaks the place equipment like rod holders or coolers enable for versatility.

Extra Options

Some extra options can be found for every paddler’s particular wants. A few of these choices embrace:

• Packable kayaks: out there in foldable and inflatable choices
• Pedal kayaks: maintain your palms free by pedaling as a substitute of paddling
• Tandem: a two-person kayak for double energy
• Motorized: function a motor for all day river touring with no exertion

For more information one every kind of kayak, you’ll be able to try our roundups. Assessment the highest choices in pedal kayaks, the very best sit-on-tops for fishing, high decisions in fishing kayaks, and the very best fishing kayaks underneath $1000. It’s also possible to learn our opinions of the Nucanoe Frontier 12, Hobie Mirage Outback, and Vibe Shearwater 125. And you should definitely overview our picks for the very best kayak paddles. And ensure you’re ready earlier than hitting the river. A great begin is studying these pointers from American Whitewater.

FAQs

Closing Ideas

Whether or not you’re spending an hour on a relaxed creek, or an adrenaline river run for days, there’s a kayak to satisfy your wants. Make plans to spend time on the water and take a look at my checklist of the very best river kayaks. Be protected on the water and have enjoyable!

Methodology

I come from a paddling household. My father writes for paddling magazines, my sister guided sea kayaking expeditions in Alaska, and my mother deliberate our household holidays round sea kayaking locations. Kayaking has been a part of my id for so long as I can bear in mind. My private experience comes from guiding multi-day paddling journeys in New Hampshire and Maine. From uneven lakes to dashing rivers to coastal seas, I’ve realized how your boat could make or break your day. When searching for the very best river kayaks for this text, I targeted on the next standards:

• Performance: Does the kayak do what it’s supposed? If the plan is a lazy day down a slow-moving river, the Dagger Rewind isn’t going to be your boat. However in case you are searching for one thing that may deal with some rapids, strap in! Kayaks have very supposed makes use of whether or not that’s a steady toy for youths or newcomers or a well-designed instrument to deal with rocks and rapids. I selected the very best in every class primarily based on their supposed use.
• Worth: A kayak is a large buy—each for storage and in addition value. I regarded for boats that would offer years of use and had been price the price. As soon as you recognize what you’re searching for, the very best choose will imply you gained’t have to purchase one other.
• Dealing with: There are some river kayaks which are extra work than others. The perfect picks deal with properly and permit you to get pleasure from your day on the water, not combat with unhealthy design.