Paddleboarding has really become quite the popular outdoor sport over the course of the last decade or so. And while it looks really cool when you see someone who has mastered it, remaining stable once you stand up requires patience and practice.
In addition, weather conditions sometimes dictate lowering your profile so that your body doesn’t act as a giant sail when you’re just trying to get back to the boat launch. That’s when it’s useful to be able to sit down comfortably on your paddleboard.
There are actually many ways you can sit, kneel, stand, or even lie down on a paddleboard. That being said, not everyone is going to be comfortable kneeling or sitting cross-legged on a paddleboard for an extended period of time.
That’s why we recommend getting one of the best paddleboard and kayak combos hybrid if you’re a beginner to the sport. This gives you the flexibility to paddle in many different positions without feeling a lack of comfort in any of them.
But because of the popularity of the sport, there can be an overwhelming number of brands to choose from if you’re just beginning your search.
So that’s why you’ve come to the right place today to narrow down your choices and learn about the most important criteria to consider when selecting a paddleboard and kayak combo.
Jargon Buster
Because these paddleboard and kayak hybrids are a bit of a niche product, they come with some interesting descriptors that everyone might not be used to. So let’s start by defining some important terms that you’ll need to be familiar with as you read on.
D-Rings
These are small metal rings that are glued directly onto these hybrid boards and they get their name from their D-shaped appearance.
These rings are going to be what you’ll use to attach the kayak seat to the board, but they can also be used as additional lashing points for attaching other accessories as well.
PSI
PSI stands for ”˜pounds per square inch’ and it’s a common measurement that defines how much air pressure many of these paddleboard and kayak combos require in order to be rigid.
PSI ratings between 12 and 15 usually signal that one of these inflatable hybrids will perform much like its hard-sided counterparts.
SUP
Just in case you’re already confused by our earlier use of this abbreviation, SUP stands for ”˜stand up paddleboard’. We’ll use this abbreviation and the full name interchangeably, but we’re always referring to the same thing!
Also Read: Best Kayak Paddles
Buying Guide
Many SUP kayak brands these days love to advertise features or add-ons that might not always have a direct impact on your paddle experience. So let’s address the best way to select a paddleboard kayak combo before we review the best of these boards!
Your Experience Level
If you’re brand new to either kayaking or paddleboarding, you should be looking for different features than more experienced paddlers. For starters, a board with a little extra width is always helpful for beginner paddlers.
Wider boards tend to be more stable overall than their skinnier counterparts. As you’re learning how to stand up on a SUP, that extra stability is going to come in handy unless it’s a really hot day and you’re intent on going for a swim.
In addition, beginners should always prioritize a SUP kayak combo that comes as an all-inclusive package.
This is because beginners most likely don’t have any other paddling accessories already at home that they’ll be able to use if they purchase a board that doesn’t come with anything else.
Beginners should also look for a combo that comes with a paddle that easily converts to a kayak paddle or a SUP paddle. This will allow you to get comfortable with your board in a seated position and still paddle efficiently.
On the other hand, more experienced paddlers might be more interested in a board that can perform better on the water.
If you have experience paddleboarding and you’re looking for something that can help you cover some ground, you’ll want to look for a board with a minimum length of 11 feet.
Longer can also be better, but it can make it more difficult to balance for beginners. If that’s not a problem for you, a longer board will also give an experienced paddler more room for storing enough gear for a multi-day paddling trip.
Your Intended Use
There are many different reasons to purchase a paddleboard and kayak hybrid. Some folks just want to get on the water to breathe deeply, enjoy the natural sights, and get a little bit of a full-body workout.
Others might be interested in kayak fishing, SUP yoga, or any other water-based activity that you can dream up. So you should keep your intended use in mind before you make a final decision on any paddle board kayak combo.
If you’re most interested in kayak fishing, for example, you’ll probably want a longer and wider board (like the BOTE Lono Aero below!).
This will give you more room for storing your fishing gear and also give you a more stable board so that you don’t capsize when you hook into that record-breaking catch.
Those of you that intend to practice SUP yoga on our new board are also going to want to prioritize a board with extra width.
But you should additionally focus on finding a board with non-slip grip paddling on the deck so that your feet are more stable in your downward dog position.
If you’re just interested in recreational paddling, a 10’6” board with a minimum width of 30 inches is a great place to start.
But, obviously, those that want to cover more distance should look for a board that’s a bit longer and skinnier so that you can reduce drag and maximize the efficiency of your paddle strokes.
Versatility
These paddleboard and kayak hybrids are already some of the most versatile paddle crafts on the market these days. But there are certain features that make some even more versatile than others.
Because they are all reliant on D-rings for attaching the kayak seat, this is one area that some manufacturers choose to innovate more than others. In our opinion, a board with more D-rings is always going to be more versatile than a board with fewer D-rings.
If you intend to paddle with a small child, furry companion, or romantic partner, you’ll want the versatility to set up the kayak seat in multiple different positions.
This is only possible with a board that has multiple sets of D-rings running down both edges.
Even if you’re not attaching the kayak seat to these D-rings, they can provide additional lashing points for other kayaking accessories. So, for maximum versatility, think about finding a board with the maximum number of D-rings possible.
Construction
Most of these paddleboard kayak combos are of the inflatable variety because they make transporting the board much, much easier. But some folks worry about the durability of inflatable paddleboard and kayak hybrids.
The good news is that major advancements in inflatable technology in the last decade have made these boards extremely durable and highly reliable.
Many of them are capable of holding pressures in excess of 12 PSI, which is ten times higher than some of the cheaper inflatable kayaks on the market these days.
That ability to hold extra pressure translates to improved stability, durability, and performance. These hybrids are designed to be inflated and deflated hundreds of times over without their design or performance being compromised.
Price
What you should be prepared to spend on one of these paddleboard and kayak hybrids depends on your intended use. If you’re simply looking for a recreational SUP kayak package, you’ll do fine aiming for something in the $200 to $400 range.
Those of you with kayaking or paddleboarding experience that are searching for a more high-performance hybrid should be prepared to spend anywhere from $500 to $1,000, depending on the extra features and accessories that are important to you.
And finally, the paddleboard and kayak combos that are designed for kayak fishing or paddling in adverse weather conditions are going to be the most expensive out there.
If this is what you’re looking for, be prepared to spend in excess of $1,000 to get your new hybrid delivered right to your door!
Paddleboard And Kayak Combo Reviews
1. Hydro-Force Oceana Paddleboard Kayak Combo
The Hydro-Force Oceana Paddleboard Kayak Combo measures 10 feet long and 33 inches wide. It’s a full six inches thick and comes with the paddle attachments you’ll need to convert seamlessly between a kayak or a paddleboard paddle.
The cool part about this combo is that it has a small bar across the front section of the board. This gives you a sturdy place to push your feet against while sitting in the kayak seat, which allows you to engage your core and maintain a more ergonomic paddle position.
The seat itself completely detaches if you want to use it for stand up paddling, but you can easily re-attach when it’s time to kayak again.
There’s also a bungee strap in a zig-zag pattern toward the front of the kayak for attaching a dry bag, shoes, your life vest, or anything else you want to bring.
The only downside to this paddleboard and kayak combo is that it doesn’t come with its own pump for quick and easy inflation.
But it does offer a maximum weight capacity of 243 pounds and it’s well suited for paddlers of all skill levels.
2. Bluefin SUP Kayak Package
The Bluefin SUP Kayak Package is another great combo and this one measures 10’8” long and 30.3 inches wide. It also comes with a kayak seat, multi-piece paddle, pump, leash, eight-inch fin, and a storage bag to keep everything organized when you’re not using it.
The really cool thing about this paddleboard kayak combo is that it has multiple D-rings all along the length of the board. This gives you the freedom to attach the seat in a variety of positions depending on your preference.
You’ll be able to align the seat centrally if you’re going to use it for yourself to kayak.
But you can also attach the seat more towards the front or back of the board if you want to create a comfortable lounge space for a small child or furry paddle companion.
Bluefin’s boards also come with a paddle that weighs about 45% less than the competition. That’s because it’s made with a lightweight fiberglass shaft and polyurethane composite blades for superior paddle efficiency.
3. Soopotay SUP Kayak Package
The Soopotay SUP Kayak Package comes with an 11’6” board that also measures 32 inches across. The extra length of this board allows you to cover more ground quickly, so this is a great choice for more experienced kayakers and paddleboarders.
Multiple D-rings along the edges of the board allow you to attach the included kayak seat in a variety of positions. So you can set it up for yourself, a friend, your child, or even your well-trained paddling pup.
This package also comes with everything else that you’ll need to get out on the water. That includes a 10-liter dry bag, pump, leash, phone dry case, fin, patch kit, and storage bag with backpack straps for easy transportation.
Soopotay’s board design also features two small built-in fins and a third large removable fin. This helps the board track straighter so that you can enjoy more paddle strokes on each side before having to switch.
The only downside of this board is that it only comes with a paddle that’s designed for stand up paddling. So if you know that you’re going to be using this board to kayak frequently, check out our choices for the best kayak paddles under $150.
4. BOTE Deus Aero Inflatable Kayak and Stand Up Paddleboard
If you’re into fishing or long-distance kayaking or paddleboarding, then check out the BOTE Deus Aero Inflatable Kayak and Stand Up Paddleboard. This board measures 11 feet long and 33 inches wide.
In a stark departure from the height of most kayak paddleboard combos, this design offers a total depth of 10.5 inches. Most other SUP kayak packages measure only six inches deep or less, which means that you’ll sit higher up out of the water with the Deus Aero.
The advantage of sitting higher up out of the water is that, on the whole, you’ll be able to stay drier while you’re paddling. This makes this kayak and stand up paddleboard an ideal choice for colder climates or paddling in windy conditions.
The Deus Aero also includes a stern swim platform that makes it much easier to re-enter if you do go for a swim. This is how BOTE has designed this combo to be easy to exit and re-enter in spite of its higher design.
We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that this SUP kayak combo comes with a fast-action pump and a storage bag that includes rolling wheels. So it’s also an ideal combo for paddlers who like to travel by plane and prefer to roll their board rather than carrying it!
5. FunWater Ultralight SUP Kayak Package
As its name suggests, the FunWater Ultralight SUP Kayak Package is the lightest design on our list. When fully inflated, this board weighs just 17.6 pounds, which makes it much easier for smaller or older paddlers to carry without a struggle.
This board also comes with everything you’ll need to get out paddleboarding (or kayaking) from the moment it arrives.
It includes an adjustable SUP paddle, phone dry case, leash, pump with PSI gauge, kayak seat, fins, and storage bag with backpack straps.
While it does only come with a paddle designed for stand up paddling, this board does come with a total of three removable fins.
This gives you the freedom to set it up with a single fin if you’re in a hurry or with all three fins if you like extra control and tracking ability.
The FunWater board measures 10 feet long, 31 inches wide, and 6 inches deep. It also boasts a set of D-rings for easily attaching the kayak seat and a balanced central carry handle that make it easier to carry the board down to the water’s edge.
6. BOTE Lono Aero Inflatable Kayak and Stand Up Paddleboard
The BOTE Lono Aero Inflatable Kayak and Stand Up Paddleboard is another great choice for kayak fishing or paddling in less-than-favorable conditions. This model is slightly longer than the Deus Aero, with a total length of 12’6”.
That extra length gives you more space to store all of your essential kayak fishing accessories without having anything in your way while you’re paddling. It also makes this kayak SUP combo compatible with an appropriately-constructed kayak trolling motor.
In addition to its 12’6” length, this combo measures 35.5 inches wide and a whopping 20 inches deep. Those dimensions make this combo super stable for fishing from either a standing or sitting position.
But that extra depth also keeps you drier and provides an elevated vantage point for spotting fish beneath you. When you’re done fishing, however, this board packs up to dimensions measuring just 39” by 18.5” by 13.5” so that you can easily fit it in the trunk of your vehicle.
We have to also mention that this board comes with several useful accessories to help you get on the water with ease.
It includes a hand pump, removable center fin, patch kit, rolling storage bag, and a variety of additional accessories you’ll find highly useful.
7. CAOS Inflatable SUP With Kayak Seat
The CAOS Inflatable SUP is another great option for an efficient, all-inclusive paddleboard that comes with its own kayak seat. And that seat can be attached in multiple positions using the numerous D-rings at various locations along the edge of the board.
This board measures 10’6” long, 33” wide, and six inches deep. This board gives you the ability to capture all of your early “learning experiences” because it includes a built-in GoPro camera mount at the nose of the board.
Like the best inflatable SUPs on the market today, it comes with pretty much everything you’ll need to get started. That includes a removable central fin, leash, adjustable two-piece paddle, kayak seat, pump, patch kit, and durable storage bag with backpack straps.
But this board doesn’t come with just any old pump. It includes a double-action pump that inflates your board more quickly and also requires less effort so that you aren’t tired out before you even get out on the water.
Our Pick – Soopotay SUP Kayak Package
We also chose this paddleboard kayak combo because it’s an all-inclusive package if you’re just getting into this sport. You won’t need to worry about purchasing anything else once your Soopotay SUP Kayak Package arrives.
In our experience with Soopotay boards, the storage bag is also super useful for transporting everything that this board comes with and Soopotay also made it large enough to fit extra gear items like our PFD, dry bag, and kayaking shoes.
Last but not least, the backpack straps on the storage bag allow you to more comfortably carry this board (and all its accessories) over short distances. This will allow you to paddle at more remote locations that other kayakers and paddleboarders simply won’t be able to access!
