The Finest Kayaks for Rookies in 2024

How We Tested the Best Beginner Kayaks

Our Expert Testers and Testing Grounds

Our lead paddle tester, Nick Belcaster, has no shortage of water at hand living between the mountains and the sea in Washington State. Between packrafting glacial rivers running out of the North Cascades and stringing together islands in the San Juans on overnight trips, he gets a good amount of paddle time in and can talk ad-nauseam on the benefits of a hard vs. soft chine.

Contributor Austin Beck-Doss laid the ground floor for this guide in 2021 with an initial slate of eight kayaks, having proved their mettle on the lakes around Lander, Wyoming. He came to the market slice a total amateur, making his impressions highly relatable for those who are also trying out this whole kayaking thing for the first time.

We sought the opinions and testing feedback from both our salt-sprayed and tanned aqua-pros, as well as the total paddling newbies among us. Not all beginners will need the same kind of kayak, so we carefully considered dozens of boats and highlighted the best options in several categories. In every category, our recommended kayak had to beat out several other models to earn its place.

Our Testing Process

To identify our top picks, we considered overall value, usability, build quality, durability, and much more. We examined materials, studied brands, and compared pricetags down to the last detail. And then, we paddled our arms off. Every boat has multiple months of casual use under its belt, which we find gives enough time for any gremlins to show themselves.

Because these kayaks need to be tailored to the needs of those new to kayaking, we also leaned heavily on testing input from our friends and family who aren’t as familiar with the sport. As new kayaks hit the market, we’ll be sure to test them in consideration for this list. Our testing spans the entire spectrum of paddling vessels, from full-fledged kayaks to inflatable kayaks, and at any given time, our roundup will include the best of the best.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Beginner Kayak

Before you purchase a beginner-level kayak, you first need to determine what type of kayaking you want to do. There are lots of well-made and high-quality kayak brands, and most brands offer options for a wide range of paddling pursuits. Once you know what kind of attributes you are looking for in a kayak, it will become much easier to choose.

If you want a kayak for mellow cruising on a backyard pond or small lake, you do not want to purchase a sea kayak that is made for slicing through big waves. Similarly, if you need a kayak that will be easy to transport, you don’t want to purchase something bulky and heavy.

There are a few key things to consider when deciding what your kayaking needs really are. There are many unique categories of kayaks, and each category has its own strengths and drawbacks.

In this buyer’s guide, we will provide information about many of these categories, including sit-on kayaks, sit-in kayaks, tandem kayaks, recreational kayaks, day touring kayaks, inflatable kayaks, folding kayaks, pedal-powered kayaks, and whitewater kayaks.

Once you have identified which category best fits your needs and plans, other important considerations to keep in mind include material, weight, capacity, durability, and price. Purchasing the right kayak can feel confusing, but with the use of this in-depth guide, we hope you’ll be able to identify the right kayak to buy.

Types of Kayaks: Design

Sit-on-Top and Sit-Inside Kayaks

Sit-on-top kayaks do not have an internal, hollowed-out cockpit that you have to climb into. Instead, this style of kayak allows you to sit right on top of the boat, where your legs will be exposed to the open air.

Sit-on-top kayaks tend to be easier to get on and off of than sit-in kayaks. Also, sit-on-top kayaks tend to feel more stable than sit-ins, especially for new paddlers who are getting used to the water.

Sit-on-top kayaks are good for warm weather because the user is likely to get wet. This style of kayak is also better for users who plan to paddle with a dog on board.

Sit-inside kayaks have an internal cockpit that you have to climb into to paddle. When paddling a sit-in kayak, you will have a low center of gravity and the rotation of your hips will be more involved in steering the boat.

Some sit-in kayaks that are built for whitewater paddling utilize spray skirts that cover the cockpit to prevent water from getting inside. Sit-in kayak users will experience less wind resistance than sit-on-top kayakers.

Recreational, Touring, and More

Recreational Kayaks

When a kayak is labeled “recreational,” that means it’s built to prioritize fun over high-end performance. Recreational kayaks will not be the fastest or lightest boats on the market, but they will include practical features that maximize comfort and allow you to enjoy your paddling experience.

Day Touring Kayaks

Day touring kayaks are meant for single-day excursions. These boats lack adequate storage space for overnight trips or expeditions. Often, day-touring kayaks are simple and user-friendly vessels built for a quick session on the water.

Tandem Kayaks

Tandem kayaks are paddled by two people at once. To allow this, these boats are usually longer than single-user boats and include two seats instead of one.

Tandem boats can be inflatable or made of solid material. The process of learning how to paddle in sync with your partner can be a fun and tricky challenge.

Inflatable Kayaks

Inflatable kayaks are filled with air like a balloon and can be deflated when not in use. For users who do not have enough storage space to keep a rigid plastic kayak at home, an inflatable kayak can be a fantastic solution.

Inflatable kayaks typically have multiple compartments that must all be pumped full of air before use. This list includes both single-user and tandem inflatable kayaks that we recommend.

Folding Kayaks

In recent years, many folding lightweight kayaks have entered the market. These boats aim to maximize portability for kayakers who don’t have a lot of available storage space in their lives.

Folding kayaks require some practice to assemble and set up properly. Although folding kayaks tend not to be as durable on the water as solid plastic kayaks, they tend to be more lightweight than any other category of kayaks.

Pedal Kayaks

Pedal-powered kayaks do not require a paddle to move about the water. Instead, these kayaks are operated using your legs, either by pushing or rotating the pedals to generate thrust. This style of kayak is excellent for fishing because the foot pedals leave your hands free to cast out and tend to your fishing rod.

Material vs. Weight

Most kayaks on the market these days are made of solid plastic, inflatable abrasion-resistant PVC, thin foldable plastic, or fiberglass. Different materials work well for different functions.

Solid plastic boats tend to be the most durable. Inflatable PVC and foldable plastic are lighter and easier to pack down and store in a small space.

If you plan on paddling with a dog on board, it may be wise to steer clear of inflatable kayaks that can be punctured. Solid plastic kayaks tend to be heavier than inflatable and foldable kayaks. (And obviously, tandem kayaks are heavier than single kayaks.)

If you plan to kayak alone and need to load and unload your kayak from your car on your own, it is wise to purchase a lighter kayak that you can easily carry. Or, get a kayak dolly. Kayaks on this list vary widely by weight, so be sure to check the kayak’s weight before purchasing.

Capacity

The majority of brands measure kayak capacity by weight. Before you purchase a kayak, make sure that the boat will be able to accommodate the total weight of the anticipated user (plus the weight of any gear). It’s good to stay on the conservative side of a boat’s capacity limit to ensure that it will perform safely and as intended.

Durability

Kayaks are built to be durable, but not all boats are created equal. Inflatable watercraft tend to be less durable than solid plastic ones because they are vulnerable to punctures.

To maximize the longevity of your kayak’s life, be careful not to drag it along jagged rocks during loading and unloading. When storing your kayak, be sure to keep it out of the full sun and away from potentially harmful objects and substances. And of course, always follow PSI recommendations to prevent overinflation of inflatables.

Price & Value

Kayaks are an investment, but thankfully, the best beginner kayaks are offered up at lower prices than models made for more intense use. Approachability is a huge metric we consider when making our selections, but even still, there’s a range of prices you’ll encounter when deciding which kayak is best for you.

Budget

Budget kayaks for beginners will typically run you around $150 to $400 and fit a similar formula. Rotomolded plastic, single seats, and limited features are hallmarks here, but you can still get a great kayak for the price. Our review of the Pelican Argo 100X EXO ($400) is forthcoming, but it is an excellent example of a budget plastic kayak that feels stable on lakes and mellow rivers.

You also can get into a cheaper inflatable kayak for less money, and the $135 Intex Challenger K1 gets the job done without feeling like a pool toy. On-water won’t be particularly flashy, but it’s more about just getting out on the water at this price point.

Mid-Tier

Spending a bit more opens up your kayak horizons a bit more, and for between $500 to $900, you can get into a 9-10′ kayak with a few extra niceties on board. Our top pick, the Old Town Malibu 9.5 ($700), sports storage wells at both the bow and stern, and even a water-resistant hatch in front of the seat for your phone and keys.

For these prices, you can also get into a more specialized kayak, like the fully inflatable Kokopelli Platte ($899) or the folding Oru Kayak Inlet ($899). Either ask a bit more for their enhanced portability, but are well worth it in our opinion.

Premium

A ‘premium-beginner’ anything sounds like a misnomer, but there’s good sense in spending a bit more to get a kayak that is specialized — certainly so when you look at the price of comparable models. For example, the $1,799 Hobie Mirage Passport 10.5 R seems like a chunk of cash, but compared to the $2,000-$4,000 you’ll spend on top-of-the-line pedal fishing kayaks, it’s a downright steal.

Similarly, the Wilderness Systems Tarpon 105 ($1,119) is a good bit more than our top pick, but we like to think of this kayak as a stepping stone to higher kayaking aspirations. A wide variety of accessories adorn this kayak, and the longer length can accommodate more gear onboard for longer voyages.

Frequently Asked Questions