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When you are river kayaking, you will experience a mix of different environments, whether its heart pounding whitewater or placid slow moving water. Thus, you want a vessel that is better suited to navigate the twists and turns of the river environment – the best river kayaks allow you to do so.Â
Thanks to their short hull designs, kayaks for rivers offer easy and quick maneuverability to navigate any river landscape. Additionally, they are designed with flat and wide hulls which give them superior stability on river waters. Below is a comprehensive list of the 10 best river kayaks in 2021– you can find the perfect vessel for any kayaking adventure, be it recreational or river fishing.
Pelican Maxim 100X Sit-In River Kayak
- What Makes This River Kayak Stand Out
- Best for recreation use
- Designed as a river kayak for beginners thanks to its increased stability over speed
- Adjustable Ergoform backrest and seat cushion for added comfort
- Molded footrest to prevent fatigue and muscle pain
- Cockpit table with bottle holder
- Storage platform with mesh deck to store gear
- Storage hatch with bungee cord for more dry gear
Material type: Hardshell
Length: 10-foot
Type: Sit-In
Weight: 39 lbs.
Weight capacity: 275 lbs.
Person capacity: 1
- What Makes This River Kayak Stand Out
- Best for touring, recreation, fishing, and leisure kayaking
- Built for lakes, ponds, slow moving rivers, and calm coastal waters
- Molded-in rod holders to conveniently stash your rods during fishing trips
- Dual tracking channels to maintain balance and stability
- The shorter length allows for quick and easy maneuverability
- Easy-to-access dashboard with a cup holder and extra storage space for small gear
- Adjustable foot braces to accommodate paddlers of different sizes
Material type: Hardshell
Length: 9.5-foot
Type: Sit-In
Weight: 41 lbs.
Weight capacity: 325 lbs.
Person capacity: 1
Intex Challenger K1 River Kayak
- What Makes This River Kayak Stand Out
- Best for fishing
- Comes with a durable carry bag, high output hand pump, and an 86-inch aluminum oar
- Removable skeg for enhanced tracking and maneuverability
- 2 separate air chambers for optimal and balanced inflation
- Inflatable I-beam floor for rigidity
- Boston valve design for quicker inflation and deflation
- Rugged vinyl construction for a puncture-proof finish
Material type: Inflatable
Length: 9-foot
Type: Sit on top
Weight: 27.2 lbs.
Weight capacity: 220 lbs.
Person capacity: 1
Sea Eagle 370 Pro River Kayak
- What Makes This River Kayak Stand Out
- Best for fishing, paddling, yacht tending, and skin diving
- 38mm thick PolyKrylar construction is tough enough to withstand dog paws
- Self-draining valve for whitewater river and ocean kayaking
- Lashed down inflatable spray skirt to keep you dry
- Dual bottom skegs for increased speed and tracking
- Comes with a pressure gauge and repair kit
- Deluxe one way valves for easy inflation and deflation
Material type: Inflatable
Length: 12-foot
Type: Sit on top
Weight: 32 lbs.
Weight capacity: 650 lbs.
Person capacity: 3
- What Makes This River Kayak Stand Out
- Best for fishing
- 3 separate air chambers for added durability
- Removable skeg for increased directional stability
- Comes with two 86 inch aluminum oars, carry case, and a hand pump
- Built for smaller water bodies such as lakes and mild rivers
- Bright yellow color for increased visibility during emergencies
- Adjustable dual inflatable seats with backrests for extra comfort
Material type: Inflatable
Length: 10-foot
Type: Sit on top
Weight: 30.6 lbs.
Weight capacity: 400 lbs.
Person capacity: 2
- What Makes This River Kayak Stand Out
- Best for fishing and recreational use
- Breathable mesh seat for all-day comfort and ventilation
- 2 level seat adjustment for optimal casting and relaxed paddling
- Durable one-piece construction with built-in buoyancy for extra safety
- Large front and rear open storage space
- Integrated accessory rails for fish finders and rod holders
- Built for lakes, ponds, slow moving rivers, streams, and calm ocean waters
Material type: Hardshell
Length: 12-foot
Type: Sit on top
Weight: 64 lbs.
Weight capacity: 375 lbs.
Person capacity: 1
- What Makes This River Kayak Stand Out
- Best for fishing and recreational use
- Front and rear T-handles for easy transport
- Multiple chines and twin skegs enhance stability and tracking
- Center carry handle for easy transfer to the waterfront
- Adjustable quick release seat back for added comfort
- Multiple footrest positions for different size paddlers
- Comes with a kayak paddle
Material type: Hardshell
Length: 8-foot
Type: Sit on top
Weight: 38 lbs.
Weight capacity: 250 lbs.
Person capacity: 1
Tioga Sit-On-Top River Kayak
- What Makes This River Kayak Stand Out
- Best for fishing, river running, and recreational use
- Fitted with stability chain rails
- Comes as a two-piece kayak value pack with a paddle each
- Front and rear shock cord straps to hold gear
- Two paddle cradles with shock cords
- Adjustable quick release seat back for added comfort
- Front and rear T-handles for easy transport
Material type: Hardshell
Length: 10-foot
Type: Sit on top
Weight: 56.5 lbs.
Weight capacity: 275 lbs.
Person capacity: 1
- What Makes This River Kayak Stand Out
- Best for fishing and recreational use
- Inflatable coaming for a spray skirt attachment
- Rubber molded handle for easy transportation
- Built-in rigid panels on the bow and stem for optimal tracking
- Quick inflating twist lock and high flow spring valves for easy set up
- Paddle loops to comfortably hold your paddles
- Inner tube cover for added rigidity and durability
Material type: Hardshell
Length: 8-foot
Type: Sit-In
Weight: 23 lbs.
Weight capacity: 250 lbs.
Person capacity: 1
Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100 River Kayak
- What Makes This River Kayak Stand Out
- Best for fishing and recreational use
- Two storage hatches to stash away your dry bags
- Top mount and two flush mount fishing rod holders
- Adjustable padded seat and padded backrest
- Single paddle keeper who shock cords
- Front and rear T–handles for easy transportation
- Flat bottom hull for added stability
Material type: Hardshell
Length: 10-foot
Type: Sit on top
Weight: 52lbs.
Weight capacity: 275 lbs.
Person capacity: 1
How To Choose A River Kayak – Buying Guide
Size & CapacityÂ
The size of your river kayak will directly affect your activities. For a single day fishing trip, a smaller and shorter kayak is perfect as it can adequately store your fishing gear. For overnight trips, you want a large kayak. You can easily find out how much weight your kayak can support by checking the weight capacity on the kayak’s features. Depending on your needs, you will also find single, double, or triple person kayak capacities.
LengthÂ
When choosing the best kayak for rivers, you must consider the length. A longer river kayak, which is at least 9.5 feet and above, cruises more efficiently, offers more speed, and extra storage space for overnight gear. A shorter kayak offers easier maneuverability and turns easily.
WeightÂ
Hardshell kayaks tend to be heavier than inflatable ones. Either way, you can still find a kayak you can easily transport. Lightweight kayaks can be easily transported and carried to the waterfront by a single person.
StabilityÂ
A stable river kayak is less likely to flip over. Several elements of the kayak help to enhance its stability. These include a flat bottom, wider hulls, and multi chimes.
Inflatable vs Hardshell
The type of kayak for rivers you want affects their functionality to a certain point. You will come across inflatable and hard shell kayak types when choosing the best kayak for rivers. However, the type of kayak you opt for doesn’t necessarily affect the durability. Â
Just because hardshell river kayaks have a tougher shell than inflatable kayaks, it doesn’t mean that all hardshell kayaks are of better quality than inflatable ones. Whilst inflatable kayaks are equally strong and made of durable materials, they are normally favored for their space-saving functions.
Depending on its construction and design, you can use your inflatable river kayak on whitewater without risking damage. Yet, the fact that they can be deflated and fitted into their carry case means that you can easily transport them without needing heavy duty car roof racks and store them without needing a lot of garage space.
Sit On Top vs Sit Inside
The best river kayaks come in two types, i.e. sit inside and sit on top kayaks. Sit inside kayaks, also known as sit-in kayaks, yield great advantage when used on the river. Due to this design, they offer easy maneuverability because they have a lower center of gravity. Â
Their thigh braces and enclosed cockpit designs offer better control during paddling as well. Furthermore, the best kayak for rivers designed in a sit-in style normally has a spray skirt. This design is effective at keeping the paddler dry.Â
Sit on top kayaks are a favored choice for beginners and anglers. This kayak style doesn’t only facilitate easier casting and fishing but it offers less moving speed in slow moving rivers to give you more stability and room to enjoy fishing. Thanks to their self-bailing holes, sit on top kayaks drain water easily if you find yourself on rough waters. Additionally, after a spill, sit on top kayaks are easier to recover and re-enter compared to sit-in kayaks.
FAQs
Q: Are Sit-On-Top Kayaks Good for Rivers?
Yes, sit-on-top kayaks are good for rivers. The best sit-on-top kayak on rivers is designed for recreational kayaking and kayak fishing because they are more stable than sit-in river kayaks. Additionally, their sit-on-top position allows you more accessibility for casting.
Q: What Kind of Kayak Should I Buy for River Kayaking?
The best kayak for rivers are designed to be short and stable to prevent them from easily flipping over as well as to provide better maneuverability and turning. When choosing kayaks river options, you can opt for either a sit-on-top or sit-in style.
Q: How Do You Anchor a Kayak in a River?
Tie your kayak with a folding anchor that weighs at least two pounds with a nylon rope. As it lies on its side, it grabs the bottom to hold your kayak in place. You can also use a drift chute in place of a folding anchor if you don’t want to stop completely.
Globo Surf Overview
To enhance your performance on the river, the best kayak for rivers is an excellent investment. As you cruise on a typically, narrower and confined space, a river kayak’s typical shorter length and flatter hull make it easier to maneuver and track. So whether you are planning your next river fishing trip or even a quiet paddling evening, check out the best river kayak reviews of the top 10 best options above to find your ideal vessel for freshwater kayaking.