Gear & Accessories

If your kayaking adventure takes you out on cold water, then a good drysuit is exactly what you need to keep you warm and safe. Sudden immersion in cold water can have serious side effects and no one likes being cold and wet, particularly if the temperature is edging down below zero. Your drysuit solves … Read more

If you don’t quite have enough room for one of the best kayak coolers or cooler bags on your kayak, you could always opt for a floating cooler as an alternative. This style of cooler is great for a fun day on the lake with friends. One of the coolest benefits of the best kayak … Read more

If your hard-sided cooler seems a little bulky and inconvenient for kayaking, you’re not alone. Many kayakers prefer to use one of the best kayak cooler bags  to keep their snacks and beverages cold during a full day of paddling. These soft-sided coolers are much easier to fit in a wide variety of kayaks without … Read more

If you don’t want to worry about towing one of the best floating coolers in 2021 or making enough space on your kayak for the best kayak cooler bags, one of the best kayak cooler seats might be your best option. There are several different designs for these cooler seats on the market, but they … Read more

Do you often go kayaking during the summer? If yes, then you know how uncomfortable it can be paddling under the intense heat of the sun. Many times, you just want to quit paddling and head home due to the heat. With a little research and the right canopy, you can extend your kayaking adventure … Read more

Paper maps are not kayak friendly. The last thing you want to be doing as the weather turns and the wind starts to pick up is be struggling to find and read a map. Given this, GPS watches are the height of convenience. Depending on which model you choose, you can set way points, track … Read more

When you’re out kayaking on a large body of water, like a lake or sea, navigation can be tricky. It’s easy to lose sight of landmarks and get turned around. This is especially true if adverse conditions such as poor light, choppy seas, or fog make you lose sight of the horizon. It’s in precisely … Read more

You’re getting ready for a day on the water. You’ve got your life jacket, your paddle, your sunscreen, and your lunch packed up. But you’ll be on the water for hours—how will you keep your food and drinks cool and refreshing? If you think packing your lunch on a kayak means you have to eat … Read more

Relying on your senses alone will only take you so far as a kayak angler. In our day and age, there’s no reason not to use technology to your benefit to help you find, and increase your odds of catching, fish. There are a lot of must-have kayak fishing accessories that can help you be … Read more

Leaving your kayak cockpit exposed isn’t wise—you would be amazed at what could enter an uncovered cockpit in your absence. You don’t want to end up sitting on insects or a pile of rubbish deposited in the compartment. This calls for a cockpit cover. A cockpit cover has other benefits which we will discuss later … Read more

While kayaks come in a huge range of shapes and sizes, they all have one factor in common; you have to sit in or on them. This makes the kayak seat arguably one of the most critical parts of the kayak. Its design and fit are responsible for the vast majority of your comfort and … Read more

Kayaking may be fun, but carrying that kayak through the woods until you get down to the lake certainly isn’t! Instead of struggling under the weight of your kayak, you might be considering a kayak cart to help you out. There are tons of these two-wheeled devices though, with even more features that may or … Read more

If you’re relatively new to kayaking, you should know that there are many styles and designs of kayak roof racks out there and choosing the right one for your unique setup will require careful consideration. Fortunately for you, we’ve canvassed the market to bring you a collection of admirable candidates for the best kayak roof … Read more

The high support stroke is more difficult, but will also prevent capsizing. The high support stroke is similar to the low stroke in that it will help you to maintain your stability and prevent capsizing while you are on the water. However, it requires a different technique and is likely a bit harder than the … Read more

Taking your touring kayak out on a long paddle can lead to breathtaking moments. Whether that’s whale watching, viewing a spectacular sunrise, or just experiencing the serene calm that can descend over you when you’re alone with your kayak and the sea, it’s not hard to hear your boat calling to you as the weekend … Read more

There are lots of good reasons to add outriggers to your ‘yak, but they’re all driven by a central concern: stability. If you’re planning on adding a sail, or want to turn your rec boat into a fishing platform, outriggers are a great solution. They’re also a good investment if you find that as a … Read more

Signaling equipment will keep you safe if you are kayak touring. If you are planning on going kayak touring, you should definitely make sure that you have signaling equipment with you – and that you know how to use it. This can be very important if you end up getting into trouble a long way … Read more

An accessory cord is an essential part of any emergency kit. If you’re going to go kayaking, there is one thing you should keep in mind. No matter how sturdy your kayak is, there’s always a chance that you might have to make repairs somewhere other than the comfort of your own home. As a … Read more

You have your amazing kayak and you’re all ready to go out to the lake. There’s only one problem: you have no way to transport it. Kayaks can certainly be heavy, and due to their size, aren’t necessarily the easiest things to fit in your car. Most people might think their only option is to … Read more

Every fisherman knows the importance of a good tackle box. A fishing pole is only as good as the bait and tackle you have to work with. You can pack your expensive, high-end fishing pole on a kayaking trip, but without something to put on the end of your hook, it’s unlikely you’ll actually catch … Read more

Have you ever been out on a long paddle and wished that someone else could do the hard work for a while? Or maybe just gave your kayak a little push while you relaxed and enjoyed the scenery? Well, then a good kayak sail is exactly what you are looking for! Much like a sail … Read more

Buying your first kayak is one of the best feelings a ‘yakker can experience. Now you have the freedom to get out on the water whenever you want, and in a kayak that fits you like a glove. Realizing that you have no way of getting your brand new 14-foot touring kayak home–especially because it … Read more

The key to staying safe when you’re out kayaking is excellent communication. Being able to pass information freely within a kayaking group allows you to make sure no one is becoming overtired or struggling with the pace. It also lets you point out potential obstacles or hazards, like low head dams or areas of unusually … Read more

Most of the time, kayaking is a sport focused on moving forward. Touring, sea, and whitewater kayakers are often on the move, paddling to reach the next stretch of beautiful coastline or pulse-racing drop. Sometimes, however, you’ll need your ‘yak to stay in place for a while – maybe you’re fishing, enjoying the view, catching … Read more

Owning your own kayak is an amazing experience. It allows you to find a kayak that is just right for you in every way and have it on hand when you want to head out on the water. You also don’t have to worry about renting or borrowing one. One of the few issues with … Read more

Having gear is an ever-present feature of kayaking as a hobby. You don’t have to carry a huge amount of stuff around on your kayak, but having your sunscreen, water, and first aid kit stored in your deck bag within easy reach helps to make the already amazing experience of kayaking that much better. Deck … Read more

“There are many good fishermen and some great ones,” Hemingway wrote in The Old Man and the Sea. And as any angler can tell you, having the right equipment is a big step in the right direction of being a great fisherman, by improving your odds and decreasing your frustration. Kayak fishing, like kayaking in … Read more

GPS navigation has become so common that you may wonder why you should even bother with a compass. The uncomfortable truth is that while global positioning systems are a godsend for sea kayakers, they can and will fail. Dead batteries, malfunctions, interference from solar flares, and weak signals can leave you without this high-tech navigation … Read more

Kayaking is an amazing way to get out on the water and enjoy nature from an angle that people don’t often get to see. One thing you quickly learn, however, is that while you are unlikely to be the only boat on the water, you are normally the smallest and lowest craft out there. Staying … Read more

A good kayaking knife should be part of every kayaker’s go-to kit. Now, in response to that bold statement, many of you might be asking why a person in a kayak might need something sharp. Surely, more can go wrong with a sharp knife in a kayak than can go right…right? Well, the major benefit … Read more

The kayak paddle float is a small and innocuous piece of gear that can make a real difference to your day in a range of different situations. In its most basic form, the kayak paddle float is an inflatable, foam flotation device that attaches to the end of a paddle. It can also allow you … Read more

One of the best parts of the wonderful hobby of kayaking is the fact that you get to experience nature. The waves, wind, and on occasion, the splash of rain are all part of what makes kayaking such an amazing experience. Sometimes, however, the climate, or the amount of time you’re spending on the water, … Read more

As any kayak angler knows, getting a live fish into a kayak is no easy feat. It’s hard enough, as it is, to keep your balance, maintain control of your rod, and manage the fish on your line. After so much work, it can be quite frustrating to lose your catch at the end of … Read more

Fishing can be as simple as a rod, a reel, and a lure. But to get the most out of your time on the water, a bit of additional gear is welcome. From pliers to help you remove hooks, to electronics to keep you on the fish, fun doesn’t need to be complicated. A few … Read more

Not all of us have the benefit of living in a place where we can kayak year-round. If that’s you, it means you’ll need to take adequate precautions to protect your investment during the months that you’re not using it.  Kayak storage isn’t overly complex. But it is important to be aware of certain storage … Read more

One of the best parts of owning a kayak is exploring new waterways. There’s always something new to be found in your area’s assortment of lakes, rivers, or coastal waterways.  But you need a reliable way to transport your kayak (or kayaks!) to these new waterways safely. While we’ve seen a number of jerry-rigged solutions … Read more

Offshore kayak fishing offers a level of thrill and excitement that’s hard to replicate with any other type of fishing. The extended fights with large ocean fish sometimes remind us of Hemingway’s classic tale of The Old Man and the Sea. Any seasoned angler will tell you that experience and expertise can only take you … Read more

Kayak fishing is a great way to spend some alone time in the outdoors. But it’s also a fun activity for a group of friends that want to see who can catch the day’s biggest fish. Whether your closest body of water is freshwater or saltwater, kayak fishing allows you to explore in ways that … Read more

Establishing a love of the outdoors from an early age is undeniably important. Many of the most enthusiastic athletes, nature lovers, and conservationists fell in love with their sport of choice as young kids. Kayaking is no exception to this phenomenon. It also has the advantage of being one of the easiest water sports to … Read more

Ideally, you’ve targeted the right fishing kayak for your needs and now you’re beginning to look at what you need to go with it. Even the best kayak can’t paddle itself! Kayak fishing arguably requires more accessories than other forms of recreational, touring, or whitewater kayaking. But if you want to be a successful angler, … Read more

Kayak anglers have to carry a lot more gear on their boats than the typical recreational kayaker. Once your kayak is loaded down with poles, tackle, fishfinder, and other accessories, space can get limited. Having an unorganized kayak fishing setup is a recipe for disaster. You should be able to focus your efforts on removing … Read more

Transporting a kayak can be difficult if you don’t have rails on the roof of your vehicle. You’ll have to be even more careful about how you strap your kayaks up there so that it doesn’t cause any roof damage. But you should still be able to get your kayak to your next launching location … Read more

The feeling of being in a kayak on the ocean is unrivaled. It’s special just knowing that there’s a vast, sprawling sea rolling beneath your watercraft while you’re rigging up the right bait for your next cast. Saltwater kayak fishing comes with some additional considerations when compared with fishing from shore. For starters, you’ll need … Read more

Sea kayaking presents different challenges than any other type of kayaking. The unpredictable nature of the ocean means that you need to be more prepared for anything before you even push your kayak off the shore. But if you are prepared, sea kayaking gives you opportunities to experience marine wildlife up close and personal. It … Read more

Even the best kayak roof racks are useless if they can’t carry a kayak for you and your favorite paddle partner. While we’ve already reviewed some of the best kayak racks for trucks, we haven’t yet given you our selections for the best 2 kayak roof rack. No matter the type of vehicle you use … Read more

Have you recently found yourself envious of other kayakers always having their dogs on the water with them? Well, the good news is that kayaking with your dog is possible for everyone with a little training and perseverance. While it’s always better to start training your dog for kayaking from a young age, it’s possible … Read more

Protecting your feet when you’re kayaking is way too underrated, and that’s true even if you’re enjoying some of the best weather conditions for kayaking. As a kayak guide, I know far too many folks that ask to kayak barefoot and then don’t realize how much less comfortable it is to get out of their … Read more

One of my favorite things about guiding kayaking trips all summer is watching my sandal tan line develop as I spend more and more time in the sun. It can actually be a point of pride in the guide industry when you’ve developed your sandal tan lines faster than your co-workers. But even if you … Read more

You don’t have to be super invested in birdwatching to recognize the advantage of a solid set of binoculars. But the best binoculars for kayaking need to possess certain characteristics that other binoculars don’t necessarily have. For one, a quality set of kayaking binoculars must be waterproof, at least to some degree. While they don’t … Read more

Loading more than two kayaks onto the roof of any vehicle gets tricky. While using a truck bed for kayak transportation is probably the easiest way to go, the Thule Stacker 830 is a great solution for sedans and SUVs, as well as trucks. But is Thule Stacker 830 the best three-kayak roof rack? That … Read more

Sometimes, kayaks will require repairs and alterations. Whether you need to make changes for personal reasons or larger repairs to make your kayak seaworthy again, you will need to know about the best glue for kayak outfitting. From sealing torn seams on one of the best inflatable kayaks to attaching new fishing rod holders on … Read more

Many people don’t think much about cleaning their kayak between adventures. This is especially the case with plastic kayaks because many of them aren’t among the most expensive kayaks out there. Often, that translates to less care because they can be relatively easily replaced. For those of you that are interested in maintaining your kayak … Read more