Happen to be looking for a camping kayak? If so, then our today’s review of best camping kayaks will probably interest you.
We’ve picked 10 models for our today’s material to showcase. Among them, there should be one that can satisfy your requirements.
In addition, we’ll be providing you with a couple of tips on choosing the best kayak for camping.
Shall we begin?
Best camping kayaks compared
| Kayak | Size (L x W) | Weight | Weight capacity | Seats | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Yellowfin 100
|
10’ x 32” | 57 lbs. | 375 lbs. | 1 | CHECK |
Voyager
|
10’ x 35” | 27 lbs. | 450 lbs. | 2 | CHECK |
SE370
|
12’ x 34” | 32 lbs. | 650 lbs. | 2-3 | CHECK |
Youth Wave
|
6’ x 24” | 18 lbs. | 130 lbs. | 1 | CHECK |
Beach LT
|
12’ x 28” | 26 lbs. | 300 lbs. | 1 | CHECK |
Challenger K2
|
11.6’ x 30” | 37.75 lbs. | 400 lbs. | 2 | CHECK |
Big Basin
|
12’ x 36” | 35 lbs. | 490 lbs. | 3 | CHECK |
Conduit
|
13’ x 26.5” | 51 lbs. | 295 lbs. | 1 | CHECK |
Lagoon 1
|
8’4” x 34” | 23 lbs. | 250 lbs. | 1 | CHECK |
420x
|
14’ x 39” | 42 lbs. | 855 lbs. | 2-3 | CHECK |
Best camping kayaks reviewed
Vibe Kayaks Yellowfin 100 Angler Kayak
Vibe Kayaks has many high-quality fishing kayaks. But we chose this one for our roundup of best camping kayaks because of its small size, which is great for camping.
But in spite of its size, Yellowfin 100 has a couple of things to boast.
The first is its two 2.9-inch watertight storage compartments located in the middle and front. Add to that the large rear bungeed well, and you get a compact kayak with good storage capacity.
The second thing is the four flush-mount fishing rod holders. That’s plenty, and it even seems like overkill to us. But if you usually take several rods with you, four could be the right number for you.
Even if that’s not enough, this thing has mounting points for additional Scotty, RAM, and Vibe accessories, so you should be able to install as many additional mounts as you need.
Vibe Kayaks also includes a 130cm paddle with their kayak, which could serve as a good paddle for you if you don’t have one yet. Otherwise, it may work as a good spare paddle.
Bear in mind that this kayak is the heaviest on our list. It weighs 57 pounds! If weight is a big thing for you, then you may dislike Yellowfin 100.
In the end, if you were looking for a great kayak to fish from while camping, Yellowfin 100 may be the right pick for you.
Driftsun Voyager Inflatable Kayak
Thanks to their compact size when deflated, inflatable kayaks are great for camping. And Drifstun Voyager is one nice inflatable kayak.
While this kayak cannot boast watertight storage compartments, what it can offer is stability. Voyager kayak is 35 inches wide, so it is going to be very good in terms of stability.
Another good thing in this kayak is its lightness even when inflated. When ready to go, it weighs mere 27 pounds.
And if you have been looking for a large tandem inflatable kayak, then Voyager may be a good pick for you. It comes not only with seats but also a couple of paddles. In addition, Driftsun includes a pump and a rear tracking fin with their kayak.
Sea Eagle SE370 Inflatable Sport Kayak Pro Package
Sea Eagle SE370 has been a frequent guest on our reviews. In particular, we chose this kayak as one of the best kayaks money could buy. And its fishing version was featured in our review of best fishing kayaks.
And that’s because this kayak is so good!
Possibly the most notable feature of this kayak is its insane durability. It supports up to 650 pounds of weight and is suitable for up to Class III whitewater.
So if you want to get a kayak that can withstand a lot, then SE370 may be the best camping kayak for you out there.
Being 34 inches wide, this kayak is stable as well. And for better tracking, it is equipped with two skegs on the bottom. SE370 is also very lightweight for its size, weighing 32 pounds.
Lastly, if you’ve been wondering what the “Pro Package” in the name of this kayak is about, let us clarify. Aside from the kayak itself, Sea Eagle includes two AB30 paddles, two inflatable seats, a carry bag, and a foot pump.
Lifetime Youth Wave Kayak
If there will be kids with you, then you most likely want to get a kids’ kayak as well.
We think Lifetime Youth Wave is one of the best, if not the best kids’ kayak out there. That’s because it has many safety features aimed at preventing accidents and assisting re-entry.
To increase stability and decrease the risk of capsizing, the bottom of this kayak has been made in a reverse chine shape. But even if the kayak flips over, your kid should be able to easily re-enter it thanks to its sloped swim-up deck.
Youth Wave also has self-bailing holes in the hull that help with draining the cockpit area of the kayak. This is a common feature of sit-on-top kayaks, and it’s great that it has been implemented here.
To assist tracking, Youth Wave kayak is equipped with double fins on the bottom of the hull.
Finally, Lifetime ships this kayak with a paddle, which could be good for some initial practice for your kid.
Oru Kayak Beach LT Folding Kayak
Oru Kayak Beach LT folding kayak is a very unique model. Mainly because it is a foldable kayak, as you could have guessed from its name.
Being a folding kayak, Beach LT has one crucial advantage over inflatable kayaks: it doesn’t require any inflation or pumps. Unfolding should also be quicker than inflating.
This kayak is a sit-in kayak, but it has a wider cockpit to make entry and exit easier. Beach LT definitely doesn’t feel as confined as regular sit-in kayaks.
Measuring 12 feet long and 28 inches wide, this kayak is more about speed rather than stability. It isn’t the quickest kayak on the list, but it is a rather good choice for covering reasonably large distances.
But you won’t be able to take too much stuff with you: this kayak supports up to 300 pounds of weight. Beach LT is more for recreation, after all.
Beach LT kayak also shines in terms of durability. As Oru Kayak claims, the hull is coated with a 10-year UV treatment and has been engineered to withstand 20.000 folds.
You could thereby expect pretty long service life from this kayak.
With all that being said, keep in mind that this kayak is a very pricey one. It is well worth the money, but you need to have a big budget to afford it.
Intex Challenger K2 Inflatable Kayak
Yet another inflatable tandem kayak on our reviews of best camping kayaks! Intex Challenger K2 is fairly similar to Driftsun Voyager and Sea Eagle SE370, but it has its own goods.
The main benefit of this kayak is that it is a rather inexpensive kayak, even if you choose the package that comes with 2 paddles and a pump. So if you are on a budget, then you’ probably want to look into the K2 kayak.
This kayak is only 30 inches wide. This makes K2 more compact, albeit it also decreases its stability compared to the Voyager and SE370.
Challenger K2 may not be as durable as SE370, but it is durable enough to allow you to paddle safely. Namely, it has a puncture- and UV-resistant vinyl hull.
For an inflatable kayak, K2 also has a rather good weight capacity of 400 pounds. This is nowhere near the 650 pounds of SE370, but it’s still more than most of the people will require.
In the end, K2 is a great inflatable tandem kayak for paddlers on a tight budget.
Sevylor Big Basin Inflatable Kayak
Sevylor Big Basin kayak is a good choice of a 3-person inflatable kayak. For family fun, this kayak is just perfect.
But what are the good things in this kayak?
First of all, this kayak is 36 inches wide, so it definitely is a very stable kayak. It won’t be very maneuverable, but that won’t be a problem if you need stability more than maneuverability.
The second good thing in this kayak is its multiple air chambers. Even if one of the chambers gets punctured, the others will stay inflated and will keep the kayak afloat.
Not that the heavy-duty PVC body of this kayak gets easily punctured, but it is good to have such safety measures.
This kayak is also especially rugged for lake use, so you may want to go for it if you want a lake kayak. And by the way, we’ve also reviewed several other lake kayaks, so you could check them out as well.
And lastly, Sevylor kayak has a rather nice weight capacity of 490 pounds.
Perception Kayak Conduit
If you are looking for a kayak with high tracking speed, then Perception Kayak Conduit will most likely be the right pick for you.
Being 13 feet long, this kayak is the second longest on the list. And the length is the main thing that makes this kayak rather quick.
The Conduit is also rather narrow, which additionally contributes to its speed. On the other hand, this kayak isn’t very stable.
A sit-in kayak, the Conduit is a good choice to paddle in cold weather, and even more so if you add a spray skirt to it.
The Conduit is very good in terms of storage capacity as well. It has 2 watertight storage compartments – 1 in the front and 1 in the rear. Besides, it has 2 bungee storage pockets.
The weight capacity of this kayak isn’t that high though – just 295 pounds. So you won’t be able to take too much stuff on it.
With all that being said, keep in mind that this kayak is rather heavy (51 pounds). Before getting it, make sure that your car will be able to hold it along with all your other stuff.
ADVANCED ELEMENTS Lagoon 1 Kayak
For its small size, Lagoon 1 kayak is a beast and a worthy candidate on our list of best camping kayaks.
How about 34 inches of width in a kayak that is just 8 feet and 4 inches long? Or 250 pounds of weight capacity? Or the fact that it just weighs 23 pounds?
This is what Lagoon 1 is about. It is stable, light, and rather durable. And it also is very compact!
And in spite of its small size, Advanced Elements even put a small bungee storage pocket on it!
But with all that being said, the safety features of this kayak are probably the most remarkable.
Lagoon 1 is designed with a hull that is traditional for Advanced Elements kayaks. Made from rip-stop fabric, its hull is highly resistant to tearing and ripping.
And even if the hull gets damaged, the 6 air chambers will be there to ensure that the kayak stays afloat.
In the end, Lagoon 1 is a very compact inflatable kayak that has some spectacular durability and stability to offer!
Sea Eagle 420x Inflatable Kayak
And the last kayak on our reviews of best camping kayaks is Sea Eagle 420x. It is the most durable and stable kayak on the list.
This thing supports up to 855 pounds of weight! The 650 pounds of the SE370 were great already, but 420x delivers even more than that.
What about stability? Well, this thing is 39 inches wide, so it should be very resistant to flipping.
420x is also 14 feet long, which makes it the longest kayak on the list. And at the same time the quickest.
The durability of this thing is noteworthy as well. This kayak is rugged for up to Class IV whitewater!
While this kayak seems to be made for whitewater kayaking specifically, it has use in recreational kayaking as well. Namely, 420x kayak would be great for camping trips where you will be needing to transport plenty of gear with you.
420x again comes in a Pro Package. This time, Sea Eagle includes two 8 feet AB40 paddles, two seats, a foot pump, a back skeg, a carry bag, and a repair kit. You could also add an additional seat to it to make it a 3-person kayak.
In the end, this is an excellent kayak, but beware: all this beauty is rather expensive!
What to look for in the best kayak for camping?
When you kayak while camping, you do the same things as you would do anywhere else. You fish, take photos, admire the surroundings, and do whatever you want. And any kayak could be used for that: there aren’t kayaks made for camping specifically.
However, there are kayaks that are better for camping than the others.
To actually kayak in some campground, you need to bring the kayak with you in your vehicle. And here’s where the challenge is.
It’s one thing when you go kayaking in a pond near your home. You just need to take some minimal food supplies and equipment with you.
But when you go camping, you take not only kayaking equipment: you take a tent, lots of drinks and foods, chairs & tables, your favorite smoker, and possibly many, many other things.
So it’s obvious that the room your kayak takes up plays a huge role when camping. Because of that, there are two things that you need to consider when looking for a camping kayak: its size and weight.
Size
Size is the first thing that you would want to save up on. You should go for the most compact kayak that satisfies your needs.
To pick the right size, you need to find out how much area you can spare for a kayak. In fact, you will have to think not only about how much free area you have in your car.
You have to store the kayak somewhere when on the campsite, right? So before choosing a kayak, you will also need to find out how much free area you will have for it at the campgrounds.
Weight
The right weight will depend on the maximum loading capacity of your vehicle. All your stuff and the kayak together shouldn’t exceed the maximum capacity of your car.
Again, you’ll need to do some planning before picking the right kayak. You will need to know exactly what you will be taking with you. Then, you just calculate the total weight of your items and see whether you car can support it.
And once you know the numbers, you should be able to pick the right kayak easily.
What’s next?
First of all, you could check out our general guidelines on choosing a kayak. We’ve been very specific in the current material, so you may need more info.
Once you have all the info that you need, you will have to also know what your requirements are. You want to pick a kayak that will satisfy your needs, right?
And once you know what your needs are, just apply your knowledge to pick the best camping kayak!
If you happen to be looking for a kayak paddle as well, check out our review of 6 cheap kayak paddles. Furthermore, you may also want to check out our review of 6 best kayak carriers.
Author: Jimmy Hurff
hello this post so interesting