Best Kayaks of 2021

	Kayak	Kayak Type	Weight Capacity	Average Price
Best Recreational Kayak	Oru Beach LT	Folding kayak	300 lbs	$1,199.00	Shop Now
Best Fishing Kayak	Old Town Topwater 120	Sit-on-top Fishing	475 lbs	$1,649.00	Shop Now
Best Beginner Kayak	Oru Inlet	Folding kayak	275 lbs	$899.00	Shop Now
Best Youth Kayak	Lifetime Wave Youth	Sit-on-top	130 lbs	$150.00	Shop Now

So, you’re looking to buy a kayak. Of course, you are! Kayaks are a great way to enjoy nature, get a little exercise, and even spend some quality time with family and friends on the weekends.

But how do you know which kayak to buy? It can be a little tricky to know which kayak type or brand is worth your investment. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! I’ve done a tone of research (both online and in the water) to help you figure out which kayaks you should consider. Let’s take a look at the best kayaks this coming year has to offer.

Table of Contents

1 Best Kayaks of 2021
2 Best Recreational Kayaks for 2021
3 Best Fishing Kayaks for 2021
4 Best Kayaks for Beginners in 2021
5 Best Youth Kayaks for 2021

Best Recreational Kayaks of 2021

Oru Beach LT Kayak
Sun Dolphin Aruba 10
Ocean Kayak Malibu 11.5
Old Town Vapor 10
Perception Swifty Deluxe 9.5

Best Fishing Kayaks of 2021

Old Town Topwater 120
Bonafide Kayaks SS127
Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 12
Vibe Shearwater 125
NuCanoe Frontier 12

Best Kayaks for Beginners of 2021

Best Youth Kayak of 2021

Lifetime Youth Wave (4-8 years)
Sun Dolphin Aruba SS (8-12 years)
Old Town Heron Junior (8-12 years)
Pelican Summit 100x (12+ years)
Malibu Mini X (12+ years)

Best Recreational Kayaks for 2021

1. Oru Beach LT Kayak

Oru Kayak was started to make the outdoors more accessible—and the Beach LT accomplishes that goal. Its fully-foldable nature makes it so easy to transport and, once you get the hang of it, set up time only takes about 5 minutes! Check out the deets:

Oru Beach LT info:

Weight: 26 pounds
Length: 12 feet Width: 28″
Cockpit: 25″ by 48″
Storage: 140 liters
Max paddler height: 6’6″
Weight capacity: 300 pounds
Kayak box: 33″ by 12″ by 29″
Set-up time: 5 to 10 minutes

This kayak is perfect for beginners and recreation, but doesn’t compromise speed and agility, and is best for day trips on smooth bodies of water.

What do Oru Kayak customers have to say?

Oru Kayak Reviews

Fun fact: I own this kayak and absolutely love it. It fits perfectly in the trunk of my Toyota RAV4 and offers more than enough room for me and my dog (and sometimes my nephews.) My one disclaimer is that if you go with Oru, be prepared for set-up to take a lot longer than 5-10 minutes your first few tries. It took me about 4 or 5 uses to really get the hang of unfolding and re-folding my Oru, but once I did, it was a piece of cake.

2. Sun Dolphin Aruba 10

The Sun Dolphin Aruba 10 is a lightweight, easily transportable kayak perfect for beginner kayakers. The Aruba 10 is best for rivers and lakes, and is super budget-friendly.

The Aruba 10 comes in several colors, which offers some personalization you don’t get with many other brands. Its high-density polyethylene construction is fortified with UV protection, which means whichever color you end up choosing won’t fade in the sun.

Check out the deets:

Sun Dolphin Aruba 10 info

Small, lightweight recreational kayak for easy transport and storage
Large cockpit and stable construction
Adjustable seat and thigh guards for comfort
Affordable option for new paddlers
Product Dimensions: 120 x 30 x 13 inches
Product Weight: 40 lbs

What do Sun Dolphin Aruba 10 customers have to say?

Sun Dolphin Kayak Reviews

3. Ocean Kayak Malibu 11.5

Sit-on-top kayaks are becoming more and more popular among recreational kayakers because of their ease of use paddle-friendliness. Enter Ocean Kayak Malibu 11.5, the king of sit-on-top kayaks.

The Malibu’s wide-open deck can accommodate even the tallest of paddlers and has storage for days. Store your gear in the oversized stern with shock-cord webbing or in the QuickStash dry hatch.

Are you more into performance? If so, you’ll love the super stable hull that cuts through waves like butter. You’ll also be pretty comfortable on the Malibu since it has multiple foot molds, a high-back seat, and convenient cupholder. Check out the deets:

Ocean Kayak Malibu 11.5 info

Ample storage space in both bow and stern
Bow and stern handles, as well as side-mounted handles for easy carrying
High-back seat and multiple foot channels for top notch comfort
Product Length: 11′ 5″
Product Weight: 59 lbs
Weight Capacity: 360 lbs

What do Ocean Kayak Malibu 11.5 customers have to say?

Ocean Kayak Reviews

4. Old Town Vapor 10

Old Town kayaks have an amazing reputation, and the Vapor 10 is no exception. The Old Town Vapor 10 is absolutely one of the best sit-inside kayaks in its price range (under $500!) for accessibility and comfort.

A rare quality among budget kayaks, the Vapor 10’s roomy interior is big enough for taller paddlers to get in and out of pretty easily. Plus, if you’re a dog lover (who isn’t?), it’s also one of the best kayaks to bring along your lap-sitting pups.

The Vapor 10 is best operated in lakes and rivers, as the larger cockpit opening can take on water more easily than most sit-inside kayaks if you get into rougher waters. Check out the deets:

Old Town Vapor 10 info

Maneuverable and stable, with good tracking
Small and light enough to fit in the back of a large SUV or truck
Large, open cockpit for easy accessibility
Open rear gear well for quick access to cargo
Product Dimensions: 120 x 28.5 x 15 inches
Product Weight: 47 lbs

What do Old Town Vapor customers have to say?

Old Town Kayak Reviews

5. Perception Swifty Deluxe 9.5

The Perception Swifty Deluxe 9.5 kayak is a great option for both beginners and more experienced kayakers. According to reviews, a ton of people love how easy this kayak is to maneuver and the traction it gets on the water thanks to its stable hull design.

It’s also super comfortable for paddlers with an ergonomic seat (fancy!), a cup holder, and a storage hatch to keep your things dry. And if you’re a fisherman, this versatile ‘yak even works for you since it has dedicated fishing rod holders. Check out the deets:

Perception Swifty Deluxe 9.5 info

Ideal for paddling in lakes and ponds
Perfect for any skill level
Stable hull design
Nimble maneuverability
Ergonomic seat back
Molded-in dashboard, handles, and rod holders
10″ round hatch
Length: 9’6″
Width: 28.5″
Weight: 44 lbs.
Max Capacity: 325 lbs.

What do Perception Kayak customers have to say?

Perception Kayak Reviews

Best Fishing Kayaks for 2021

1. Old Town Topwater 120

The all-new Topwater 120 offers large fishing kayak performance, in a compact, nimble package. A marriage of stability and performance, the Topwater, with the all-new ultra-stable DoubleU™ Hull, quietly glides through any water condition while providing a stable, comfortable stand-up fishing platform. Equipped with thoughtful on-board tackle and rod management and a revolutionary universal transducer mount, even the saltiest of anglers will be impressed by the overall fishability of the new Topwater series.

2. Bonafide Kayaks SS127

Designed for maximum stability without sacrificing paddling performance and angler-friendly features where you need them, you really have to paddle this craft to fully appreciate it.

The experience starts with the incredibly comfortable HiRise™ kayak seating system. The ultra high-back seat allows you to sit with your knees bent, taking pressure off of your lower back. If you want to really dig in and cover some distance, the SeatRack™, and foldable seat frame allow quick and quiet conversion to a lower position.

You’ll notice right away that the SS127 sit-on-top fishing kayak is one of the most stable kayaks you’ve ever been in, which is surprising considering its 33.5” width. Featuring YakAttack GearTrac it gives you the ability to have your gear out of the way but always within reach.

3. Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 12

Experience the MirageDrive 180 like never before with all new Kick-Up Turbo Fins. Logs, kelp? No problem.

Hobie’s patented Kick-Up Fins “kick back” when contact is made with under water obstacles. Keep a half-dozen rods rigged and ready in the four standard horizontal and two molded-in rod holders for the ultimate kayak fishing adventure.

Confidently stand and fire cast after cast. The elevated Vantage ST seat makes it easy to move around the boat. Now includes a retractable skeg for improved course-keeping, as well as the innovative Hobie H-Rail for superior flexibility in accessory rigging.

4. Vibe Shearwater 125

The most complete fishing kayak ever, the Shearwater 125’s unrivaled speed and stability is only exceeded by its limitless options for angling customization and its incomparable choices of pedal, power, or paddle acceleration at an unmatched price to build the fishing kayak of your dreams to fit any and all budgets.

The Shearwater 125 has been engineered from the water up to be the world’s most versatile and customizable fishing kayak.

5. NuCanoe Frontier 12

The Frontier is the ultimate hybrid kayak, designed from the hull up for serious anglers and hunters. Whether you are fly fishing in salt water, bass fishing in a river, or hunting in the marshes, the Frontier 12 will maximize your experience.

The Frontier 12 is ridiculously stable, so you can stand and fish with confidence on the 20″ wide Cast & Blast Deck. Face the action and easily access your gear with 360 degree mobility.

Best Kayaks for Beginners in 2021

1. Oru Kayak Inlet

To quote Will Ferrell in Elf, “I’m in love, I’m in love and I don’t care who knows it!” It’s no secret I’m an Oru fan, but their latest kayak, the Inlet, really takes the cake for me.

At 20 lbs, you can store the Inlet just about anywhere. It’s compact enough to stash in your trunk, closet, boat or garage, and lightweight enough to bring with you everywhere. You can check it on a plane or hike into remote waters if you have the Inlet Pack carrier.

On the water, the Inlet is stable, but nimble. It’s intended for use in calm water like smooth lakes, rivers, and streams. Want to bring along your dog or kid? It’s open cockpit allows room for your cutest stowaways. It’s definitely best for first-time paddlers and beginners, but it honestly could be enjoyed by all skill levels. Check out the deets:

Oru Kayak Inlet info

Weight: 20 lbs.
Length: 9’6″ feet
Width: 30″
Cockpit: 23″ by 68″
Max paddler height: 6’2″
Weight capacity: 275 pounds (allowing room for 1 adult + gear)
Kayak box: 42″ by 18″ by 10″
Shipping box: 44″ by 21″ by 11″
Set-up time: 3 to 5 minutes

What do Oru Kayak Inlet customers have to say?