The best kayak for beginners in 2022

If you are a beginner, you will need a kayak that will make your journey easier. Maybe you want to kayak in a river or maybe in the ocean or somewhere else but if your kayak is not suitable for you then it will not be helpful for you.

Kayaking is a part of boating. It is a hobby to catch fish with it. Some people take it as riding. Most people use it for fishing on their vacations.

Also many use it for an advanced journey. Many say it is great fun to drive on the fast-flowing river. In order to give you a beginner’s guide, you need to keep in mind what you really want to do with this kayak or where you want to drive.

For example, if you want to ride in the river, I’ll give you a suggestion and if you want to run at sea, I’ll give you another suggestion.

Some things that you may know as a beginner

As we mentioned that every kayak has its functionalities and features. Everyone has their own needs. We try to give the best thing according to everyone’s needs. There are different types of kayaks. They have different functions and features.

Sit on top

As for the name, it’s easy to understand the structure of it. The kayak sits placed on top. Mostly it’s proven that this kayak is stable and safe. But sometimes some people don’t like that because they feel weird about the sit position.

These are popular newcomers to the market.  They also use them for practice. Easy to operate and good enough speed. Their seats are up, making their Center of Gravity slightly higher. This type of kayak is a little wide.

That’s why sometimes you need to drive safely as a beginner.  Basically, no boat is unstable. Each boat is built with great care. However, it is stable and the favorite of so many people. Make sure to read the full article to find out your best option.

Sit in

It’s very easy to understand it too. The name says that its seat is inside. Sit in kayak can be easily identified with its structure and body shape. The seat of this kayak is placed inside. Most people like this type of boat for their journey.

It is also a stable kayak and can be recommended for beginners. As the seat is placed inside, this kayak is the safest option for newcomers. The center of mass pointed lower than the on top of the kayak.

That’s why the center of gravity stays more stable. Although there is no possibility of reversing any kayak easily, there is no possibility of reversing it.

There are lots of options in the market to buy. But we put some of the best quality products on our list. The design and functionality of these products are top-class.

What they offer in this price range is pretty much awesome. So you can check the product to see the latest deals.

Recreational

This is a type of kayak which is usually used by casual drivers. It can start from chip price to high price. For new users, it is not recommended from the overview. But if you want to use it, then you can buy it.

There is nothing to worry about. If you can afford more than one then you can buy as you wish. If you try many types of kayaks then you will get more experience. It is a lighter boat.

This type of kayak is easy to carry and also easy to operate. Most kayakers drive it in flat water on rivers or lakes. Don’t worry, you can use it in rough rivers but it is not recommended for newcomers. Make sure you take off with all safety gear on.

Inflatable

The inflatable kayak is one of the most popular boats. It is popular for beginners to professionals. In recent years, it has become very popular for its functionality and usability.

The popularity of this kayak is increasing day by day. And the price is also reasonable. For a beginner, this can be a perfect choice. But as everything has its bad and good side.

It is also the same. It is so lightweight. We recommend that if beginners use this then they should first practice it on flat water then they can go for a rough ride. It needs less storage to fit into your car trunk or small space.

You can’t do this with a hard shell kayak. It is so portable that you can transport it with you anywhere. It is also another big reason why people love it. For further information, you need to read our full article.

Touring kayak

Basically which kayak is used for the ocean or sea is called a touring kayak. The build quality of these products is top class. Because it is usually used for long rides, that’s why it is made with a hard sell.

You can easily recognize this boat with its body shape and sitting position. It is long in shape and slender. This type of kayak seat is inside. They have a low center of gravity which makes them very stable.

For a long ride, you can choose a touring kayak. It will be more suitable for a long journey than other products. This kayak is also used for sports.

Because of its slender shape, it can gain more torque in less time. You can see this kayak mostly in sports and some people who love to ride in the sea. Basically, they use it. For more information, we recommend you to read the full article. 

Top 10 Kayak for beginners

1. Intex Explorer K2 Kayak
2. Intex Challenger Kayak Inflatable Set
3. Sevylor Quikpak K1 1-Person Kayak
4. Intex Excursion Pro professional Kayak
5. AQUAGLIDE Noyo 90 Inflatable Kayak
6. Sevylor Quikpak K5
7. Lifetime Youth Wave kayak
8. Pelican sit on top kayak
9. AQUAGLIDE Navarro 110 Convertible Inflatable Kayak
10. Pelican Recreational Performance Sit-in Kayak

In a hurry? Here is our winner from all overviews.

Why is this our winner? 

• Very stable and easy to operate for beginners. 
• Comfortable design and good enough storage 
• Cargo net to store extra stuff
• Durable design for all-weather

The best kayak for beginner comparison table

Top 10 Beginner kayak reviews

This is our winner.

There is no surprise that most people will agree with our choice. It is our winner for its features and functionality. This beginner kayak is budget-friendly and the best choice for newcomers. It is stable enough and easier for beginners.

It is very strong and very carefully made. The durable shell will support you in the long run. The eye-catchy design will attract you. There is a lot of focus on safety in this kayak.

In front of it, they use a net holder as storage. It will allow you to store more stuff like gear and other things.  Intex made this product with care. In it, you get both complete comfort and satisfaction together.

The cockpit designed for full comfort and bigger storage space. Anyone can fit into it very easily. And even sitting will feel very comfortable and relaxed.

It comes with 84 inches of aluminum oar and basic repairing stuff. You will also get a manual hand pump. This 9 feet Intex challenger Kayak is made with high-quality vinyl.

This vinyl is durable and puncture-resistant and has two separate air chambers for more safety and Boston valves. That’s why you can do inflation and deflation very quickly. 

Maybe you need someone who loves to join you in your journey. For some, traveling alone may seem boring. If you have a friend or a partner with you, the ride becomes more beautiful and fun.

This 2-person kayak can carry you and an extra person with you. The most popular and most demanding kayak is here. This is one of the most dependable products.

We are giving you an overview of this, from the customer’s reviews and Intex’s reviews. From that, you will get the full idea of it and it will help you with your dissection.

The cockpit is designed for comfort and larger space. These inflatable seats are adjustable and you can adjust them as you wish. The size of this kayak is 10 feet and it can take a maximum capacity of 400 pounds.

This Intex Explorer is so stable and it has SKEG for directional stability. That is how you will get the best of it. The eye-catching design and color will attract almost everyone.

The yellow color can be shown from a long distance. It will help you if any emergency occurs. But this kayak is made for a smaller body. It is recommended to use it in rivers and lakes. For beginners, we suggest using it in flat water.

Again a kayak from Intex. They are doing well in this industry. Intex offers some exclusive items to buy. The boat of this company has won 3 times in a row.

Customers are also satisfied with their services. Some bad reviews are there but if we count the percentage then good reviews will win easily. The Intex Excursion pro was made for 2 persons.

It can afford a maximum weight of 400 pounds or 180 KG. It has enough space that anyone can fit into it easily. For trying something like a box, you will get stern with stainless steel d rings. It is very useful for extra bags and gear.

This lightweight kayak can prevent rough damage and impact. It also prevents sunlight. PVC is laminated with a polyester core. High-pressure inflation gives it more stability. The spring valves are helpful for quick inflation and deflation.

It has 2 removable skews for deep water. Two inflatable seats are adjustable and it also has fishing rod holders. It is providing you with a lot of things inside one. For your relaxation, it has footrests.

This Intex excursion pro kayak offers more amazing things. It has an adjustable mounting bracket. By this, it will help you to mount some accessories like; GPS, Fishfinder, etc.

The outer layer is highly damage-resistant and unaffected by gasoline or saltwater. You can use this kayak on the ocean without any tension.

Sevylor Quikpak K1 is a sit-on-top one-person kayak. We placed this in number three for some reason. This can be a good deal for beginners. For more information, you need to read the full article.

This sit-on-top kayak is also stable. But as we mentioned, for a slightly upper gravity position, you need to be more careful to drive that. For a newcomer, it can be recommended.

They need to learn first and try it carefully. When you can ride this easily then you can gain more speed easily. This very lightweight kayak can be carried easily anywhere.

The 21 gauge PVC constitution will assist you in tough situations. For more safety, they provided multiple air chambers. The bottom tarpaulin gives more durability.

This kayak has a multi-position footrest for relaxation and storage options to store bags and gear. You need only five minutes to set up this Sevylor Quikpak K1 and enjoy your ride.

It has double-checked valves for quick inflation and deflation. That’s how you can pack and unpack it easily. We recommend using it in lakes or rivers. It is the safest option for it.

Here is another sit-on-top kayak but it is from pelican. This is compact and easy to carry a kayak. But, it is not inflatable. You can’t fold it and pack it like this. But it is only 42 lb.

That’s why we think you can afford it easily and can go anywhere. It can take a maximum weight of 275 lb. This 9 feet 6 inches impact kayak has a beautiful hard ExoShell and enough storage space.

The seat is made for comfort and the seat is adjustable. It comes with a 13L ExoShell storage compartment which is removable. Hopefully, this board is stable and there will be no problem in controlling the new ones.

Those who like the upper seat will like it. However, some people do not like to have an upper seat, so they can avoid it. The hydrodynamic design gives less resistance and more speed.

High-quality materials make it more durable. That’s why it can survive in tough situations and impact. It comes with different variants. Go and choose your best one. Every variant has its unique features.

If you are looking for a simple and clean design, then this Lifetime Youth Wave Kayak is best for you. Simplistic and significant look. This 6 feet lightweight kayak is recommended for young age or children.

The minimalist compact body is best for under 10 to 12 years. Only an 18 lb lightweight kayak can be handled by anyone. This simple design boat can be your partner in lakes or rivers.

It has finger handles on both sides for better gripping. It is compact and very much stable and it has a twin fin design for assisting the tracking. It helps keep the boat on the line.

If you are worried about stability, then we would like to tell you that this is an anti-flip kayak. The design is a hydrodynamic shape. That’s why it speeds up faster.

The recommended age is 5 years or more. When you buy it, you will get a paddle with it. Lifetime Youth made with high density polyethylene for better durability.

Lifetime made this with their care and gave it the best treatment that possible. This can be your portable and affordable choice. You can also see the best lifetime kayak.

Aquaglide, is a company that makes some deluxe and upper-level products. We can’t compare this to another because of the value and other things. This is a kayak that can be used for riding up to 3 people.

It is a company that works for making water sports and professional equipment. This article is for beginners but we provided a professional boat.

But don’t worry. This is also suitable for beginners. If we discuss it in detail, you will understand better. Let’s find out the key features of Aquaglide Navarro 145.

Can you remember that we talked about touring kayaks before? Yes, Aquaglide Navarro 145 is a touring kayak. We put it to number 7 for beginners. Hex shell and zip on deck make it so much more unique and reasonable.

This is durable and portable. For this durability, you can use it on rapid water and give it a hard time in tough situations. This boat made for a tuff tour. A beginner who wants a tuff boat can use it without any doubt. 

The features that it offers are amazing. It has dry zip storage for store gear or other equipment. The Quick release fin will give an extra opportunity to move faster. The adjustable seat and footrest are made for comfort.

It is a professional kayak but it can be recommended for beginners. This inflatable lightweight boat can be your choice. The elegant design and performance make it unstoppable.

According to a customer review, he liked it very much. This is very good for his kids. The seat in which his children sit can be placed towards him.

This will allow him to keep a close eye on her children. He no longer has to worry about her kids because it is so strong and sturdy. He and his children can easily go on a big trip.

You can also make a trip with your children. Aquaglide has designed it in such a way that it can survive well on big trips and tough situations.

Again Pelican. But now in a new way. Pelican Recreational Performance kayak. As we recommend you a beginner’s kayak, that’s why we put it in number 8.

This is not a bad product but for the competition, it comes down to this position. This 100 XR shape is like V chine. The storage is also pretty good and enough for anyone.

But to make a buying decision you need to know more about it. They give attention to comfort, design, and performance. This is a deep V chine design boat.

From the other boat that we included, its design is something unique. Some of them will like it or some people hate it. This deep V shape design is helpful for rapid water.

It is mainly designed for those who are looking for a kayak that can survive in tough situations. This can be used by a beginner easily. Because this is a very stable boat.

If some are new and want to go in deep water but are afraid of other products then you can choose that without any doubt. But you need to make sure that you read the full article for a better understanding.

This 100 XR by Pelican is for a beginner as well as for a professional. It has a built-in keel extension which will allow you to track it more perfectly. This is not inflatable. It is a hard shell build. But it is not a problem.

The weight of this boat is only 41 lb. It has a carrying handle for better gripping. The stern bulked head will assist you in situations like big waves.

Front shape design for less resistance. That’s why it can gain more speed in less time. It is a performance boat and made for speed. The outer body is a hard shell made with RAM-X PREMIUM material.

It can last for a long time. The high quality polyethylene made it more durable. The outer layer is coated with advanced resin. This also makes it lightweight. As this boat is deep, it can contain 400 lb.

The seat cushion gives you more comfort. It also has an adjustable footrest. You can buy this if you are looking for a performance kayak and which can be best for beginners. It has many options to buy, go and make your choice

The second product from Sevylor is listed on our list but in number nine. Again we are telling that no beginner kayaks are bad which we listed.

But one is better than another one. That’s why we put it by counting one to ten. This Quikpak K5 also provides features that can influence you to buy it.

We previously wrote a review of Quikpak K1. But that was a Sit on top kayak. The Quikpak K5 is different from it. The seat of this is placed on the inside of this boat.

Features of this product are top class, and most will like it. Many did not like the previous design, but this was supposed to be liked by many. Let’s find out in detail a review of this Sevylor Quikpak k5.

It is so lightweight and easy to carry. The weight of this boat is only 25 pounds. It includes a manual hand pump for inflation and deflation.

It is not so complicated. You need just five minutes to set this Quikpak and enjoy your ride. It is mainly built for the lake. It can survive for a long time.

But you need to use it carefully. Not only this product but also every product needs to be maintained perfectly for long life. Sevylor made this option for those who want a lightweight, easy to carry boat and want to sit inside.

We have no doubt about stability. It is stable enough for beginners. For safety, it used multiple air chambers. By any chance one got punctured then another will assist you.

But don’t worry, the materials it has been used are high quality. It used 24 gauge PVC construction. On the bottom side, it uses high-quality tarpaulin.

For extra stuff, it has a storage compartment. You can carry extra gear and other equipment. Also, it has double lock valves for quick inflation and deflation. They also provide a backpack to carry it.

Here is our second touring boat. Previously we told you that Aquaglide is a water sports brand. They have some products for professionals.

But you can ask me that, so why do we put some professional stuff here. The answer is clear. Many beginners want some unique and professional things.

It’s not like that if you buy something professional you use it in the beginning stage. This boat placed in number ten but it can perform better. I know not all people will buy the first product. Many of them will choose another.

It is an inflatable sports professional kayak. But don’t worry if you are a beginner then you can afford it to use. The features of this kayak are unique from other normal boats.

The body materials are polyethylene. Hex Shell makes it durable and can last long. It can survive in tough situations. You can use it in rivers or lakes.

The previous one was made for two or three people but this one was for only one person. It can take a maximum weight of 250 lbs. The weight of this boat is only 28 lbs.

It has an adjustable seat and footrest for comfort. Also, extra storage space allows you to carry more stuff like gear and other things. This Navarro 110 is lightweight and easy to carry.

If you want to ride with your partner then you can buy another version of this Navarro. It has a total of 3 different options for customers. One can carry250 lbs, another one can carry 300 lbs and the last one can carry 500 lbs and which is made for 3 persons.

This Navarro 110 has Boston valves for quick and safe inflation and deflation. This recreational touring kayak can be your best choice for its feature and uniqueness.

The quick-release fin will allow you to operate this vehicle more smoothly and accurately. This is a hydrodynamic boat. It can cut the water easily. That’s why it can gain top speed in less time.

Best kayak for beginners buying guide

Yeah, we have given you the top ten beginner kayak reviews. Probably you already made your decision. But if you are still confused.

You can take a look at our beginner’s kayak buying guide. We have made this buying guide more accurate than others. All the products we have chosen are top class and every boat has its own uniqueness.

Maybe we’ve sorted them out one by one, but none of them are bad. Each has its pros and cons. We have tried to bring out all the aspects to you.

There are a few things you may need to keep in mind when buying these. Such as its shape and how much weight it can carry.

It also needs to look at what has been used for safety. For example, some of the products we have reviewed have many air chambers which are good for safety.

Hydrodynamic boats can move very fast. So those who want a very fast boat can choose between these. It’s not just those kayaks selected for newcomers and others can’t. It will also help professionals or those who want to buy boats anew, but also for those who buy confused boats.

Hydrodynamic Shape

We all know that in this whole universe every object has its own friction. Water has friction, the soil has it and also air has friction. The speed of an object is reduced due to the frictional force.

The less friction an object has, the more dynamic the object can be. When a boat starts to float on the water, the speed of the boat decreases due to the obstruction of the water.

Hydrodynamic votes are very effective in getting rid of this thing. Many of the kayaks we have reviewed will see that the hydrodynamic feature is highlighted here.

As a result, they can move very fast on the water. It can pick up speed very fast and it is not difficult to pick up this speed.

Hydrodynamic kayaks are commonly used for sports or used by professionals. But if we talk about beginners, they can also use it. It will be easier for them to pull the vehicle faster.

Air chambers

More air chambers give you more safety. Basically, people who don’t trust an inflatable kayak can ensure safety with the count of air chambers. First of all, you should focus on the materials.

It is the most important thing that everyone should follow. Try to buy a product from a reputed company. They always ensure the best quality. We have reviewed lots of options for this. You can choose one from them.

Skeg

The skeg is a component that is attached to a big component for support. Maybe you heard about shark fins. It is like one kind of wing. No, basically it’s not wings. But a kayak fin supports a user so much.

Just as shark fins help sharks swim, a kayak’s fin supports it to float it. It makes it more stable and allows them to move easily. You can remove or replace the fin for each vehicle. It is also helpful for beginners.

They can use it for more stability and performance. It is mounted at the bottom of a boat. The results are good in calm rivers. Also if we talk about turbulent rivers, you will get very good results there too.

Frequently Asked Question

Last line from Boatni

Most probably you have read the full article and have gained lots of ideas. We hope now you are able to make your decision more easily.

Our expert Boatni team has to spend a lot of time and effort to write it for you. Now you do not need any kind of problems to identify your desired kayak. Look, not all vehicles are suitable for beginners.

They need some qualified and stable kayaks to start the learning period. But don’t worry if you are freshers. All the kayaks we have listed down are not only for beginners but also for professionals and those who do not get any good suggestions for them.

Like if you see the Aquaglide products then you can notice that it can be adoptable by newcomers but it is mainly focused on those who are looking for a sports kayak.

If you can afford more than one, you can choose each of the categories and find out the best one for you. Kayaking is not only a sport or not only a hobby.

It’s something else for those who really love this. You can choose a fishing kayak for beginners. By this, they can learn the proper way of fishing when you are in a kayak. It is an emotion.

If you have never tried this then what are you looking for? Go and grab your desired ones and enjoy your journey. Best wishes from team Boatni.