Kayaks aren’t the easiest items to store indoors. They can take up too much space in your garage.
They wind up getting in the way when you need to get to other seasonal gear. And they don’t always need to be protected from the elements.
For these reasons, many kayak owners opt to store their boats outdoors. It’s easy to put a kayak on the ground and lean it up against the house or shed.
But that approach can come with all sorts of problems.
Storing a kayak on the ground invites critters to nest inside or underneath them.
Turning your kayak over in the spring becomes an adventure in what has built a nest or web on your boat during the off-season.
If you’re storing your kayak outdoors, a rack is the way to go. It’ll get your kayak off the ground and make it easier to regularly clean your boat of critters.
In this article, we’re going to review the 10 best outdoor kayak storage racks and provide a kayak storage rack buyer’s guide to help you choose the best rack for your needs.
Best Outdoor Kayak Storage Racks
- Surf to Summit Webbing Boat Hanger Strap
- Suspenz Universal Portable Boat Stands
- Suspenz EZ Kayak Rack
- Best Marine Kayak Storage Rack
- RAD Sportz Double Kayak Storage Rack
- Sparehand Catalina Plus Freestanding Triple Storage Rack
- Insight Kayak Rack
- RAD Sportz Deluxe Freestanding Heavy Duty Kayak Rack
- Ajillis 71 Kayak Storage Rack
- Log Kayak Rack Low
Kayak Storage Rack Buyer’s Guide
You’ll need to consider a number of factors to select the right outdoor storage rack for you.
It can also come down to personal preference and certain factors will carry more weight for you than for others.
In this buyer’s guide, we’ll focus on the most important factors to consider when selecting a kayak storage rack.
That includes rack type, storage capacity, rack size and weight, brand reputation, and budget.
Rack Type
There are several different types of outdoor kayak storage racks. Some can stand alone on the side of your house and others need to be secured to a fence, deck, or the side of your house.
1. Freestanding Racks
Freestanding racks are the most popular choice for outdoor kayak storage. They create their own structure and you don’t have to rely on finding a sturdy structure to attach them to.
They also allow you to move them around your yard or storage space depending on what else you’re using it for. In many ways, freestanding racks are the most adaptable to a changing kayak storage space.
The only disadvantage of freestanding racks is that they take up more space than other kayak storage solutions. So if you’re attempting to save space, this might not be the best choice for you.
2. Wall-Mounted Racks
This type of storage rack mounts to the exterior walls of your home. They can also be secured to a sturdy fence or deck if that’s the most accessible place you have to store your kayak.
Placing your kayak on a wall-mounted rack helps you utilize outdoor space that otherwise might be wasted.
This type of rack also makes it less likely for small critters to create a nest inside your kayak because it’ll be much harder for them to climb up into it.
But on the flip side, wall-mounted racks can be more difficult to install than a rack that you can simply set on a relatively level spot in your yard.
You’ll need to be sure that you screw the rack into sturdy support beams so that it can handle the weight of your kayak.
Additionally, you’ll need to lift your kayak up to place it on a wall-mounted rack.
This makes this solution a challenge if your kayak is especially heavy or you don’t feel comfortable lifting it to place it up on the rack.
3. Ceiling-Mounted Racks
This type of rack is less common for outdoor kayak storage.
However, ceiling-mounted kayak racks are sometimes utilized by folks that want to hang their kayaks under a deck.
Ceiling mounted racks typically use a pulley system to hoist the kayak up and out of the way.
This system helps to ensure that you won’t bang your head on your kayak every time you walk under your deck.
These racks come with straps that go around your kayak and then secure to a carabiner or clip.
These clips (or carabiners) are then attached to a rope that runs up and through the pulley system and down to an anchor point on a wall or deck beam.
This system can be useful if you have a higher deck and want to keep your kayak up and out of the way so that you can store other items underneath it.
You’ll just need to make sure the rack system is rated to support the weight of your specific kayak.
Storage Capacity
The amount of kayak storage capacity you need really depends on two factors. The first factor is the size of your kayak and the second is how many kayaks you need to store.
Larger touring kayaks will need more sturdy racks to support their weight. Smaller sit-on-top styles might just need a set of portable kayak stands to keep them up off the ground.
The length of your kayak can also play a role in the type of storage rack you need. For example, a longer kayak can become unstable on a rack if the arms of the rack are too close together.
In addition, you should consider how many kayaks you need to store. Many freestanding racks are meant to store multiple kayaks and this can be a great option if you want to save storage space.
A freestanding rack that can store multiple kayaks may also be the correct choice if you plan on expanding your kayak quiver in the future.
Consider how your selection of kayaks may expand or adapt over the years before you settle on an outdoor kayak storage rack.
Rack Size and Weight
The size and weight of the kayak storage rack you choose really comes into play when you need to move it or you yourself decide to move.
It’s also an important consideration when you’re looking at the ideal space in which you’re going to store your kayaks.
Freestanding racks can be tough to move. This makes them a better choice if you’re relatively secure in where you’ll be storing your kayaks and you have plenty of space in your yard.
Wall-mounted racks are lightweight and a little more mobile. But they do require more installation and set-up time if you decide you’d rather store your kayaks on a different wall.
Portable kayak stands are, by nature, more easily transferred to a new storage location.
They also collapse so they take up minimal space in your vehicle if you’re moving to a new location.
Some freestanding racks do come with wheels.
This makes them much easier to move around if needed, but wheels only work if you have a relatively flat surface without obstacles that the rack is going to get stuck or caught on.
Budget
There is a large price range for outdoor kayak storage racks.
On the low end of the scale, smaller racks made for a single kayak can be purchased for under $100 and are a great option if you’re not exactly sure where or how you’ll be storing your kayak.
At the other end of the scale, larger racks made to store multiple kayaks can run upwards of $500.
These racks will allow you to store more kayaks and they’ll generally last longer, but you better be sure of where and how you want to store your kayak(s) before making a larger investment like this.
Outdoor Kayak Storage Rack Reviews
1. Surf to Summit Webbing Boat Hanger Strap
It’s made of heavy-duty two-inch webbing and secures with easy release, side-squeeze buckles.
This kayak storage rack solution can also store your paddles.
The paddle hangers use adjustable Velcro loops so that you don’t have to worry about storing your kayaks and paddles separately.
The kit for this storage solution comes with four mounting screws for securing wood wall studs.
Make sure to choose the right studs for this rack, and if you decide to attach this rack to a concrete wall (like the picture above), you’ll need to purchase the appropriate molly screws to make sure the rack supports the weight of your kayaks.
2. Suspenz Universal Portable Boat Stands
They also boast a total kayak carrying capacity of 100 pounds and the rubber padding on the arms prevent scratching or damage to your kayak.
These kayak stands fold up for compact storage and they come with a mesh carry bag for easy transport.
These rack stands offer a height of 17 inches and the large rubber feet on the bottom of the stands makes them more stable on uneven ground.
The webbing between the arms of the kayak stands keep them from collapsing under the weight of your kayak.
This webbing is UV-resistant to withstand the effects of sun exposure when your kayak isn’t sitting on the rack.
3. Suspenz EZ Kayak Rack
These racks are made of powder coated steel to withstand outdoor elements.
The rack can hold kayaks up to 100 pounds and it extends only 21 inches from the mounting surface.
This allows you to maximize space in your yard while also storing your kayak up and off the ground.
The racks themselves are fitted with nylon-covered foam padding to protect the hull of your kayak from damage.
The safety straps are reinforced for extra durability and use plastic buckles to secure your kayak in place.
4. Best Marine Kayak Storage Rack
They come as a pair and can be used on a variety of surfaces, so long as they’re placed about five or six feet apart (depending on the size of your kayak).
The stands are made of lightweight aluminum that’s finished with a rust-resistant coating so that they’ll endure outdoor conditions.
These stands are rated to hold up to 100 pounds, so make sure your kayak doesn’t exceed the weight limit!
Stainless steel hardware is used to hold these stands together.
Soft rubber padding on the aluminum arms give you a safe place to set your kayak and a flexible nylon strap runs between the arms of the stand to keep it from collapsing under the weight of your kayak.
The portable kayak rack stands are 16 inches tall.
It’s an easy height to lift your kayak up and onto and these racks can also be used to clean or perform maintenance on your kayak when it’s not simply in storage!
5. RAD Sportz Double Kayak Storage Rack – Our Pick!
The two racks are independent of one another, which allows you to customize the distance between them depending on the size of your kayak.
These racks are made of durable steel tubing and each set of hooks has a weight capacity of 100 pounds.
That means you’re able to store up to 200 pounds of kayak weight with this outdoor kayak storage rack.
The racks themselves are lightweight to allow you to easily move them around to your preferred storage location.
They are also compatible with wheels (sold separately) that will allow you to move them around more easily.
This rack doesn’t need to be mounted or secured to a stationary point, which makes setting them up quick and easy.
Each rack is just under six feet tall with footprint dimensions of 24 inches by 24 inches.
The rack arms are covered with foam pads to prevent damage to your kayak.
This rack system uses adjustable security straps to ensure your kayak doesn’t go anywhere until the next time you’re ready to use it.
6. Sparehand Catalina Plus Freestanding Triple Storage Rack
The Sparehand Catalina Plus is a freestanding rack that can hold up to three kayaks.
It has a total weight capacity of 250 pounds and can store any style of kayak up to 20 feet in length, 36 inches in width, and 18 inches in depth.
The rack is made of durable steel and the storage arms are adequately padded for scratch and damage-free storage.
The flat-top, cradle design of this rack makes it capable of storing larger kayaks.
The rack is finished in black with a weatherproofing coating to withstand the elements.
The rack is also compatible with G-C4 caster wheels (sold separately), which make it easier to move to a new storage location when needed.
7. Insight Kayak Rack
The tripod-style legs make this stand more stable on uneven ground and this rack won’t rust when used outdoors.
The width of this rack can be adjusted from 48 to 72 inches to accommodate a variety of kayak lengths.
Like the previous rack, castor wheels can also replace the legs on the bottom of the rack to make it easier to move around.
This kayak storage rack can hold up to 180 pounds (that’s an average of 90 pounds per kayak).
It is made of heavy-duty steel and the arms are fully wrapped with foam cushion and nylon covering to protect kayaks from scratches and dings.
8. RAD Sportz Deluxe Freestanding Heavy Duty Kayak Rack
It is constructed with heavy-duty powder coated steel and the tripod bases make it very stable, even in windy conditions.
The rack can hold two kayaks with a total weight capacity of 175 pounds.
If you have a permanent storage location, this rack comes with the ability to secure it down to a deck or dock using the included hold down anchors.
The steel arms of this rack are wrapped in padded sleeves for damage-free storage.
These sleeves are covered in UV-resistant nylon that will preserve their integrity for years to come. The rack’s dimensions are 52 inches tall, 94 inches wide, and 26 inches deep.
9. Ajillis 71 Kayak Storage Rack
The rack offers dimensions of 72 inches tall, 72 inches long, and 47 inches wide.
It stores three boats on either side and you must be sure to balance the weight of the boats to avoid overloading one side.
The rack comes with wheels on the bottom to make it easier to move and the foam padding on the arms allow you to store your kayaks without worrying about scratching, dings, or other damage.
The rack is rated for a total carrying capacity of 500 pounds.
The rack is made of heavy-duty materials designed to withstand the elements and the slight downward angle of the rack arms makes it easier to load and unload kayaks on and off this rack.
10. Log Kayak Rack Low
It’s also (arguably!) the most stylish outdoor storage rack on our list.
The Log Kayak Rack Low can store up to four kayaks and also has the capacity to fit an additional two stand-up paddleboards.
It is made of northern white cedar and uses glued mortise and tenon joinery to provide the structure.
These kayak racks are handmade and finished in northern Wisconsin and some assembly is required upon arrival.
The rack has dimensions of 64 inches tall, 84 inches long, and 77 inches wide, so it requires the most space of any rack on our list.
Partly due to its wooden construction, this outdoor kayak storage rack has a total weight capacity of 600 pounds.
When full, each boat on this rack should weigh less than an average of 100 pounds.
The white cedar used in this rack is resistant to decay, termites, and powder-post beetles.
It is made to be finished to the owner’s preference, depending on the surrounding finish of the deck, dock, or fence it is placed near.
If not finished, the rack will slowly turn to a silver-grey finish.
Designed as a functional and aesthetically-pleasing storage solution for lake homeowners, this rack is made with pride by a team with more than 23 years of experience handcrafting log kayak racks.
Our Pick – RAD Sportz Double Kayak Storage Rack
This was a tough choice because each rack has its own unique purpose. But our top pick for a durable, versatile, and function outdoor kayak storage rack is the RAD Sportz Double Kayak Storage Rack.
We like this rack because it is easy to move around.
Other racks with a two-kayak capacity feature a single-piece design that will require two people to move successfully.
By creating two separate stands that work together to hold your kayaks, RAD Sports made a rack solution that’s much easier to relocate when needed.
Making this rack compatible with castor wheels further improves its ability to be relocated with minimal effort.
We also like the ability to store your kayaks vertically instead of side-by-side.
If your yard space is at a premium, this rack will create more room for activities while getting your kayaks safely up and off the ground.
In terms of construction, iron and steel are two of the strongest and most durable materials used in kayak racks.
This rack will hold up for years to come and withstand the seasonal elements in a variety of environments!
