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Kayak camping can be a wonderful experience – you get to explore the open waters during the day and set up camp on a beautiful bank in the evening. If you want to make the most out of every trip, a standard recreational kayak won’t suffice – you need the best kayak for camping.
Compared to recreational models, camping kayaks offer an abundance of organized storage, a higher comfort level, and better overall performance in various conditions. In this article, our kayak for camping reviews take a look at all the best camping kayaks and discuss everything they can give you on your adventures on the ocean, lake, or river.
OUR TOP PICK
Wilderness Systems Aspire 105
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Phase 3 Air Pro provides top-level comfort on long sessions
- SlideLock foot brace system for an ideal leg position
- Wide Orbix hatch gives access to the rear bulkhead compartment
- Slightly arched hull makes turning easier and handles surf well
- Retractable skeg helps improve the tracking
Length: 10 feet 6 inches
Width: 29 inches
Weight: 48 pounds
Capacity: 400 pounds
Storage: Orbix Stern Hatch, Bungee Deck Rigging
Tracking: Skeg (Retractable)
EDITORS CHOICE
Sun Dolphin Aruba 10
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Wide cockpit opening makes entry and exit easy
- Padded seat provides excellent back support
- Adjustable foot braces and thigh pads for leg comfort
- Fortiflex HDPE construction with UV stabilization
- Spray deflector collar keeps the interior dry
Length: 10 feet
Width: 29 inches
Weight: 40 pounds
Capacity: 250 pounds
Storage: Dry Hatch, Water Bottle Holder
Tracking: None
BEST VALUE
Intex Challenger K1
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- I-Beam floor design increases the kayak’s rigidity
- Two separate air chambers for added safety
- Equipped with Boston valves to make inflation faster
- Large cargo net on the bow for storing camping gear
- Package includes an aluminum oar and a hand pump
Length: 9 feet
Width: 30 inches
Weight: 27.2 pounds
Capacity: 220 pounds
Storage: Cargo Net
Tracking: Skeg (Removable)
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Aluminum frame reinforcements in the bow and stern
- Triple-layer polyester and double PVC shell resists punctures
- Spring and Twistlok valves make setup and packing easy
- Plenty of storage space inside the wide cockpit area
- Large bungee storage for keeping smaller items nearby
Length: 10 feet 5 inches
Width: 34 inches
Weight: 36 pounds
Capacity: 300 pounds
Storage: Bungee Deck Rigging
Tracking: Fin
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Pilot Drive pedal system for easily covering large distances
- Breathable and adjustable Captain’s Chair seat
- Two extra-large bungee-corded tankwells (front and back)
- Hand-controlled rudder system for easy steering
- Equipped with multiple fishing rod holders and gear tracks
Length: 12 feet 5 inches
Width: 33.75 inches
Weight: 85 pounds
Capacity: 525 pounds
Storage: Two Tankwells, Two Small Compartments
Tracking: Rudder
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Unique foldable structure for unparalleled portability
- Packs in a 20-pound suitcase you can take anywhere
- Double-layer polypropylene certified for 20,000 folds
- Wide-open cockpit with plenty of room for camping gear
- Stable and reliable for kayakers of all skill levels
Length: 10 feet
Width: 30 inches
Weight: 20 pounds
Capacity: 275 pounds
Storage: No Organized Storage
Tracking: None
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Longest and fastest kayak in our reviews
- Three dry hatches make it perfect for multi-day trips
- Course Control rudder for steering in strong currents
- Adjustable Keepers XL footrests for a comfy leg position
- Sealed bulkheads guarantee the stored gear stays dry
Length: 16 feet 6 inches
Width: 23.75 inches
Weight: 66 pounds
Capacity: 350 pounds
Storage: Three Dry Hatches, Bungee Deck Rigging
Tracking: Rudder
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Open deck design is ideal for larger kayakers
- Mesh seat provides top-level comfort
- Sliding foot braces for an optimal leg position
- Two seating positions (lowered and raised)
- Large storage tankwells in the front and back
Length: 12 feet
Width: 32.5 inches
Weight: 57 pounds
Capacity: 375 pounds
Storage: Two Bungee-Corded Tankwells
Tracking: None
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Gull Wing hull design provides stability and tracking
- UV-resistant Carbonlite construction looks great on the water
- Scupper holes in the cockpit and tankwell prevent flooding
- Comfortable foam-padded seat with high back support
- Grab handles and long gear tracks on both kayak sides
Length: 12 feet
Width: 30 inches
Weight: 45 pounds
Capacity: 300 pounds
Storage: Dry Hatch, Bungee-Corded Tankwell
Tracking: None
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Fantastic for touring trips on seas and oceans
- Beginner-friendly despite its long hull
- Made of thermoformed ABS to resist impacts
- Three separate storage hatches for keeping camping gear dry
- Bungee rigging on the entire deck for securing items
Length: 15 feet 6 inches
Width: 24.25 inches
Weight: 50 pounds
Capacity: 400 pounds
Storage: Three Dry Hatches
Tracking: Rudder
How To Choose A Kayak For Camping – Buying Guide
Stability
Whether you’re on a river or the open ocean, the stability is very important. This is largely determined by two things – hull design and whether the boat has chines and/or a tracking system underneath.
Generally speaking, a shorter but wider kayak is better for moving water, while longer and narrower models are better for kayak camping on the open water.
Speed
Depending on the shape of the hull, a camping kayak is going to be faster or slower in the water. Unfortunately, you can rarely get both stability and speed in a single kayak. A wider boat is more stable but creates a lot of drag that makes it slower. A narrower kayak glides smoother and faster, but might be too tippy for inexperienced kayakers.
Storage Options
To properly prepare for a kayak camping trip, you’ll need a kayak that has enough storage space on-board. Possible options include models with sealed hatches, bungee-corded areas, and storage tankwells. Additionally, many sit-in kayaks for camping can fit some of the gear inside the cockpit.
If you plan to go on multi-day camping trips, we advise that you look for a touring kayak with several hatches to accommodate all the gear you need.
Durability
Since you’re going to be away for long time periods, kayak becomes even more significant. In light of this, hardshells made of rotomolded HDPE are probably the best option for kayak camping because they are very difficult to damage. Of course, you can use inflatables too, but make sure to always bring a repair kit with you in case there is an accident.
Length Of Trip
Before choosing a kayak, you’ll need to consider if you’re mostly going to use it for overnight trips or multi-day tours. After doing this, you need to think about two aspects – the amount of usable storage and overall comfort.
A boat for multi-day camping needs to have more storage space for a larger amount of gear, and it also needs to be comfortable to use for longer time periods. Unfortunately, this can also raise the boat price significantly.
Place For Camping
Having a general plan for your camping trip and getting to know the campsite area is important. To give you an example, if you’re only ever going to make ground over bushes and sharp rocks, an inflatable kayak probably isn’t the best choice for that location.
While it’s not always possible to know what awaits us at the campsite, learning about the general properties of an area might help you make a better decision.
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Maximum Load
The maximum weight capacity can make a big difference when kayak camping. While you’re unlikely to surpass it on recreational trips, the gear you bring when camping can really burden the vessel.
For this reason, we advise that you get a model with a higher weight capacity, and always pay attention not to exceed it as this will make the boat unreliable.
Comfort
This type of adventure often encompasses long paddling sessions, which can become very uncomfortable in the wrong kayak. A good camping kayak should be adapted for longer trips – it should be large enough, have a padded adjustable seat, adjustable footrests, and perhaps even thigh pads on the sides.
Performance
Talking about universal performance is very difficult because you can’t expect the same things from touring and whitewater kayaks. A stable and maneuverable river kayak will be very slow on open water, while a touring ocean kayak will be very unstable on moving water.
However, if you’re wondering about a particular model, it’s always a good idea to check the user reviews and read about first-hand experiences in various situations.
FAQs
Q: Is Kayak Camping Safe?
Yes it is, as long as you follow the standard safety guidelines for kayaking. It’s important to know the limitations of your kayak as well as your own, and try not to get yourself into risky situations. Also, a life jacket and often a helmet are required when going kayak camping.
Q: What Are The Best Tips For Kayak Camping?
Preparing for a kayak camping trip is very similar to preparing for multi-day backpacking – you should make sure to keep things light and well-organized. Here are some tips that will make the process easier:
- Try to make your camping gear as light as possible, as kayaks have weight capacity limits and the performance will be compromised if overloaded
- Distribute the load evenly throughout the boat (bow, center, and stern) and try to put heavier items lower so the kayak doesn’t lose its stability
- Using several smaller bags will make weight distribution easier and you’ll be able to find items quicker
- Even if your kayak has dry storage space, it’s a good idea to use dry bags for electronics and sensitive gear as extra protection.
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Kayak camping can be very exciting, and it gets even better if you’re properly prepared. With camping kayaks from our list, you’ll be able to pack everything you need and set off on multi-day kayak camping trips with confidence. We hope that our reviews and buying guide answered all of your questions, so that you can get the right kayak for any adventure.
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