10 Best Recreational Kayaks In 2021

The Ocean Kayak Malibu Two is stable, comfortable, and easy to paddle – in other words, everything you would want from the best recreational tandem kayak. It’s an excellent choice for families and even allows you to bring pets on a ride.

Hull Design and Stability

Wide and flat, the hull of the Malibu Two ensures that you don’t tip even if you lose balance while paddling. It’s made from strong single-layer polyethylene and comes with a lifetime warranty which serves as proof of the kayak’s durability.

Deck and Seating

One of the details we like most about this model is that you can paddle it both as a solo and as a tandem. The padded Comfort Plus seats can be placed in different positions, so you have several options when going out on the water. As a bonus, the kayak comes with overlapping footwells that will provide a secure leg position when paddling.

Storage and Extra Features

The beauty of this kayak lies in its simple and straightforward design. It’s not overloaded with extra features but leaves room for installing hatches and equipment if you want to. As for storage, it features webbing straps on both ends for securing bags and other gear.

Thanks to its large deck, excellent stability, and two padded seats, the Perception Rambler 13.5 is the best kayak for recreational use if you enjoy having a paddling buddy with you. The Rambler is a great choice for lakes and slow-moving rivers, and the price is good too considering the overall quality and performance.

Hull Design and Stability

The hull of this kayak is made from durable HDPE and comes with an exceptional 550-pound weight capacity to easily hold two adult paddlers and a lot of extra gear. It’s 34 inches wide at the beam so you don’t have to worry about losing balance or capsizing even if you move around a lot.

Deck and Seating

The large deck of the Rambler 13.5 makes entry and exit incredibly easy and provides plenty of legroom for both kayakers. As a bonus, there is even a molded child seat in the middle for bringing your little one along.

Storage and Extra Features

When talking about storage, this kayak offers a large tankwell in the back with bungee rigging over it. While it doesn’t have dry storage, it has two molded spots for installing dry hatches if you need them.

If you’re on a limited budget and want a kayak that will work great without costing too much, the Pelican Sentinel 100X is the best kayak for recreational use that you can get. It’s comfortable, stable, and made from premium materials that won’t get damaged even if you hit a few obstacles along the way.

Hull Design and Stability

The hull of this kayak focuses on stability, so it’s a great option if you’re just getting into recreational kayaking. Its twin-arched multi-chine hull not only provides balance but also makes tracking and maneuverability a lot better.

Deck and Seating

Open and spacious, the deck of this kayak is well-suited even for any paddler size. The ErgoLounge seating system guarantees excellent support and allows adjustments in pretty much any direction. While it doesn’t have foot braces, the molded footwells will give you all the leg comfort you need.

Storage and Extra Features

When it comes to extra features, the Sentinel 100X is easily the best kayak for recreational use in the cheap kayaks price range. It comes with carrying handles, paddle holders, bottle holders, and even an anti-slip carpet for bringing your dog on a ride.

In terms of portability, the Oru Kayak Inlet is really hard to beat. It uses a unique foldable construction that allows you to pack the kayak to the size of a suitcase and take it pretty much anywhere. On the other hand, it opens up to a length of 10 feet which is enough even for larger paddlers.

Hull Design and Stability

The entire kayak is made from double-extruded polypropylene that is strong enough to withstand 20,000 folds without cracking. The Inlet is very stable when open, and works best on flat and calm water.

Cockpit and Seating

The seat of this kayak is compact but provides good back and thigh support. The backrest is adjustable, allowing you to change its angle. A good thing about this type of kayak is that its cockpit is more spacious compared to traditional sit-ins, so you won’t feel cramped inside.

Storage and Extra Features

Due to its design, the kayak doesn’t come with an organized storage area or many extra features. However, because the cockpit is open inside, you’ll have plenty of room to pack the gear you need whether you’re going on a shorter or longer trip.

The Emotion Spitfire is hands-down the best recreational sit on top kayak if you’re looking for a model that is simple and reliable. Despite its fairly basic design, it handles really well and guarantees a good time on the water. Add a great price to the mix, and you get a very attractive option.

Hull Design and Stability

The Spitfire’s ST performance hull guarantees excellent tracking while keeping the ride balanced and stable. It’s only 8 feet long and has a very high volume, so you don’t have to worry about tipping. As for the construction, it’s made from high-quality HDPE and even comes with a 5-year warranty period.

Deck and Seating

While it may be less comfortable than other models we’ve featured, the Spitfire still feels very nice to ride. The molded-in seat is ergonomic and even comes with a padded adjustable backrest.

Storage and Extra Features

When talking about organized storage, the kayak comes with a spacious tankwell right behind the seat. It’s deep and wide enough to fit even a larger bag, and comes with bungee rigging over it to keep your gear securely in place.

Stable, lightweight, and easy to control, the Wilderness Systems Aspire 105 is among the best recreational beginner kayaks you can buy. It’s also very comfortable which makes it a good option for both short and long trips. 

Hull Design and Stability

Measuring only 10 feet and 6 inches, the Aspire 105 is one of the shorter sit-in kayaks. However, this is actually an advantage for beginners, as it makes handling and steering a lot easier. The kayak keeps its stability even with medium-sized and large paddlers and works best in flat and slow-moving water.

Cockpit and Seating

Equipped with a Phase 3 AirPro seat, this kayak feels comfortable even after several hours on the water. The seat is made from honeycomb mesh fabric and filled with ergonomic 3D foam for the perfect combination of comfort and breathability.

Storage and Extra Features

The Aspire 105 comes with a wide Orbix hatch at the stern that gives you access to a sealed and watertight storage compartment. In addition, there is also a small dashboard in front of you for smaller items. Considering that the kayak comes with a 400-pound capacity, you can safely bring a lot of gear with you.

If you enjoy ocean and sea kayaking, the Pelican Sprint XR is the best recreational sit in kayak that you can get. It handles choppy water incredibly well, and the hull design makes it very responsive and easy to maneuver. On top of this, the print of this kayak is bound to catch some looks too.

Hull Design and Stability

Made from RAM-X premium polyethylene, the hull of the Sprint XR is virtually indestructible. In addition to its strength, the shape is excellent too – the deep V chine makes the kayak cut through the water efficiently without losing stability in the process.

Cockpit and Seating

Owing to its Ergoflex G2 seating system, the Pelican Sprint XR is one of the most comfortable recreational kayaks that you’ll come across. It also features premium knee pads and adjustable footrests so your legs don’t get tired.

Storage and Extra Features

The Sprint XR comes with a stern bulkhead that creates a large dry area behind the seat. You access this area through the hatch in the back, and it has enough room to fit even larger bags.

The main thing that stands out on the Wilderness Systems Pungo 125 is its unique dashboard that allows you to easily organize your equipment. As for the kayak itself, it’s very long and has an excellent weight capacity that makes it a fantastic choice for large paddlers.

Hull Design and Stability

Compared to most other models we’ve featured, the hull of the Pungo 125 can also handle some waves. Because of this, you can use the kayak in still, slow-moving, and coastal waters. Furthermore, the shape is fairly streamlined so you can reach very good speed with the proper paddling technique.

Cockpit and Seating

Despite being a sit-in model, the cockpit of the Pungo 125 is incredibly spacious. We should also mention the Phase 3 AirPro seat that is covered in mesh to provide an impressive level of comfort while preventing sweating.

Storage and Extra Features

As we’ve pointed out at the beginning, this kayak comes with a very useful dashboard that contains a removable dry box, a couple of cup holders, and sidetracks for accessories. In addition, you’ll also get a spacious rear hatch with a bulkhead as well as two bungee-corded areas for extra storage.

The Old Town Dirigo 120 is the best recreational kayak if you’re after smooth and easy paddling. It’s very beginner-friendly, has great initial stability, and provides very good tracking considering its length. On top of this, it’s also very comfortable for long paddling sessions.

Hull Design and Stability

Due to its Stabil-form hull design, the Dirigo 120 offers a higher level of stability compared to similarly-sized sit-inside kayaks. The hull is made from strong triple-layer polyethylene, so durability is guaranteed too. Keep in mind, however, that this kayak will work best when used on flat water.

Cockpit and Seating

For all-day comfort, the adjustable seat of this boat is padded with soft foam. Pair this with easily-adjustable foot braces, and you get an impressive comfort level. In addition, the cockpit of this sit-inside also comes with thigh pads on the sides that give you extra control when steering the kayak.

Storage and Extra Features

A detail we particularly like about this model is the large Click Seal dry hatch in the back for all your bulkier gear. In addition to this, there is also a glove box hatch on the dashboard for smaller items.

For those of you looking for something a bit more versatile, the Old Town Look 126 is an excellent choice. While primarily a recreational kayak, it’s a bit larger than most others we’ve featured so it can even be used for touring.

Hull Design and Stability

The thing that stands out about the design of this kayak is its sharp keel that makes the tracking very good. Even though the hull is fairly narrow (relative to its length), it manages to maintain decent stability. Because of this, the kayak performs impressively well in flat water.

Cockpit and Seating

As you can see, this is a single person sit-in kayak that even taller paddlers can use it without problems. The AC2 seat is padded and easily adjustable for better paddling position, while the large cockpit is equipped with thigh and foot braces for extra comfort.

Storage and Extra Features

To ensure your gear stays dry, the Loon 126 comes with a large Click Seal hatch at the stern. In addition, it also features bungee cords on both ends. Other great features include a paddle clip on the side as well as a removable work deck with USB.