Best Sit-on-Top Kayak 2022

The Swell Watercraft Scupper 14 is the Best Sit-on-Top Kayak for 2022

Price: $1,250 USD

Length: 14′ 1″

Width: 25.5″

Weight: 64 LBS (29 KG)

Capacity: 390 LBS (177KG)

Sit-on-top kayaks are designed to offer freedom of movement and enhanced stability, but typically at the cost of paddling performance. The Swell Watercraft Scupper 14 is unique in that it provides comparable speed to a sit-inside model of equivalent class (yes, at the expense of some stability), but without sacrificing the comfort of an open cockpit. The way they accomplished this was by making the seat low in the kayak – below the waterline, actually. So it feels like you're sitting in the kayak (rather than on) but it's still easy to get in and out of, and it doesn't feel cramped. Another cool thing is that in order to manage incoming water, Swell Watercraft came up with an innovative 1-way scupper plug system that works beautifully. 

Click here for my full review.

The Best Touring Kayak 2022

The P&H Sea Kayaks Leo HV is the Best Touring kayak of 2022

Price: $2,599 USD

Length: 16′

Width: 23″

Weight: 60 LBS (27 KG)

Volume: 87 GAL (333L)

Capacity: 275 LBS (124 KG)

At $2,599 (USD), the P&H Leo HV (High Volume) is not a cheap boat. But that’s what you should expect to pay for a high-performance, well-made kayak that could very well be a lifetime purchase. The Leo's versatility means you can take it in all sorts of conditions. For example, this is labeled as a sea kayak, and yet, I had a blast on my 2-day river trip (which included Class 1 & 2 rapids). Advanced paddlers will love how fast, responsive, and maneuverable this kayak is. But with that said, even though the Leo is fairly narrow, it's still stable enough for adventurous beginners. 

Click here for my full review. 

The Best Gateway Kayak 2022

The Sea Eagle 330 Inflatable Kayak is the Best Gateway Kayak for 2022

Price: $250 – $450 USD (Depending on the package)

Length: 11′ 1″

Width: 34″

Weight: 26 LBS (12 KG)

Capacity: 500 LBS (227 KG)

Best Use: All Conditions

What is a Gateway Kayak?

A gateway kayak is an entry level kayak, low-cost, high-value, fun to paddle, easy to transport/store. I recently gave a PaddleTV award to the TuckTec Folding Kayak for being the best “gateway” kayak. But another great first choice is the Sea Eagle 330 Inflatable kayak. Both of these rigs give you everything you need to get started (minus a life jacket). And even though they are remarkably inexpensive, they both deliver quality first paddling experiences that will leave beginners excited to keep going, and keep progressing.

That's why I call these “gateway” kayaks, and that's why I am putting extra emphasis on this category this year. The problem with cheap kayaks is that although they initially get people out on the water, they may ultimately turn new paddlers off of the sport if the experience is lousy. The TuckTec and SE-330 both give kayaking a good connotation, but still without breaking the bank. 

Click here for a full review of the Sea Eagle 330.

The Best Whitewater Kayak 2022

The Jackson Kayak Rockstar V is the Best Whitewater Kayak for 2022

Price: $1,599 USD

Length: 5′ 11″

Width: 27.5″

Weight: 34 LBS (15 KG)

Volume: 69 GAL (260L)

Capacity: 240 LBS (108 KG)

The Jackson Kayak Rockstar V not only excelled on the rapids, but testing it out was the most fun I've had in ages. It surfs like a dream, spins like a top, it's incredibly easy to initiate ends on both flatwater and whitewater, and it even runs rivers reasonably well (though not its primary function). All of this makes it a super playful craft, and a vessel for pure joy! Somewhat surprisingly, I could tell that the Rockstar V would work well for relative newbies all the way up to top-tier experts. Anyone who wants a whitewater, play-boating machine should definitely check this one out!

Click here for my full review. 

The Best Recreational Kayak 2022

The LiquidLogic Saluda 12 is the Best Recreational Kayak for 2022

Price: $1,099 USD

Length: 12′

Width: 29″

Weight: 51 LBS (23 KG)

Capacity: 300 LBS (136 KG)

The reason the LiquidLogic Saluda 12 (also available in an 11-foot and 14.5-foot tandem version) gets my vote for the best all-around, recreational kayak, is because it combines both stability and paddling performance in a rare package. Anyone can jump in this boat and feel confident, and yet, the Saluda doesn't give up a ton of speed to achieve that solid foundation.

The Saluda 12 kayak beautifully cuts through the water, and it can hold an edge nicely (i.e. secondary stability) when navigating places with some current, and for general maneuverability. The Saluda is also very comfortable, owing to a framed-seat, padded leg supports, and solid foot-braces. With all that said, “all-around” can only go so far. For all its attributes, it's important to note that this kayak is meant for flat, protected waters, and in my opinion, is best-suited for paddlers of about 230 pounds or less.

Click here for my full review. 

What do you think of this year's winners? Do you have any favorites that I may have snubbed? Leave a comment here, or in the comment section for the YouTube video to let me know. Also, be sure to check out the winners from last year, plus all the full gear reviews, general paddling tips, and memorable kayaking adventures on PaddleTV. 

The post PaddleTV Best Kayak Awards for 2022 appeared first on Hazeadventure.

Now that summer has come to a close, it's time to reflect back on a season of bomber paddling trips. This time of year I like to give props to the best of the best kayaks that I personally got to test. And though there are many other models that get accolades online, or catch my eye in stores, I think it's only fair to speak to what I have personally tried out.

Best All-Around Portable Kayak 2022

Sea Eagle 385ft is Best All-Around Portable Kayak for 2022

Price: $999 – 1,499 USD (Depending on the package)

Length: 12′ 6″ 

Width: 36″

Weight: 35 LBS (16 KG)

Capacity: 635 LBS (288 KG)

Primary Use: Rivers, Lakes, and Oceans

Why is the Sea Eagle 385ft Fast Track the best portable kayak for 2022? 

The Sea Eagle 385ft Fast Track gets my vote for the best all-around inflatable kayak. Its versatile design makes it well-equipped for flatwater paddling, but it can also confidently handle rougher waters, such as Class 1 and 2 whitewater, and open water settings with decent-sized waves and wind chop.

Tandem or solo

It can be paddled just as effectively solo or tandem, and with its weight capacity, all sizes of paddlers can have fun in this thing – particularly if they slightly favor stability over speed. But even with that caveat, one of the stand-out attributes of the 385ft is how efficiently it cuts through the water, especially for inflatable kayaks.

Drop stitch design

It achieves this performance benefit through a combination of a drop-stitch, inflatable keel that forms a V-bow, a hard shell nose piece, and a removable skeg that further helps it track.

The final thing that adds to its overall applicability is the value. There are different packages to choose from, depending on your budget, and the base offering comes with everything you need to get paddling: a paddle, seat, carry bag, repair kit, and a pump (just no lifejacket). 

Best “Gateway” Kayak 2022

TuckTec Folding Kayak is Best Gateway Kayak for 2022

Price: $499 USD (Though it regularly sells for $375)

Length: 10′

Width: 30″

Weight: 28 LBS (13 KG)

Capacity: 300 LBS (136 KG)

Primary Use: Protected Water

What is a gateway kayak?

I consider the TuckTec a “gateway” kayak because it can be easily stored and transported, is easy to assemble, paddles reasonably well, has great durability, and comes with a 3-year warranty — all of this will likely inspire new paddlers to keep progressing.

Affordable and fun

In my experience, the TuckTec Folding Kayak offers the best overall value for beginners. The reason I say this is because it not only sells for an incredibly affordable price (often found online for $375 USD), but it also delivers a great paddling experience.

The danger of some inexpensive kayaks is that they aren't fun to paddle. And if someone's early experiences on the water aren't enjoyable, that might stop them from sticking with the sport.

Thankfully, the TuckTec ensures a quality first foray, without breaking the bank. A couple caveats worth mentioning: 1) Though the capacity is listed as 300 pounds, I think it's best used by paddlers weighing 220 pounds or less, and 2) I'd keep sessions short and sweet with the TuckTec (around 1 – 3 hours). 

Check out the folding kayak review

Best Performing Portable Kayak 2022

Pakayak Bluefin 142 is Best Performing Portable Kayak for 2022

Price: $1,995 USD

Length: 14′ 2″

Width: 24″

Weight: 59 LBS (27 KG)

Capacity: 300 LBS (136 KG)

Primary Use: Touring

Why is the Pakayak the Best Performing Portable Kayak?

Because inflatable kayaks prioritize portability, and because they are typically a softer, less-streamlined design, performance usually lags in comparison to hard-shell kayaks. The Pakayak Bluefin 142 is a welcomed exception to this rule because it is a hard-shell kayak that comes in packable parts.

Performance and Portability

It will therefore appeal to the inflatable kayak market, while also having touring-level paddling capabilities (and the necessary storage to do so, which inflatables also tend to lack). Though this is an impressive balance between both worlds, the Bluefin 142 is on the pricier side ($1,995), and it sacrifices some comfort and speed (relative to a classic hard-shell), in order to achieve portability.

Nonetheless, this is a performance-driven and packable paddling machine, especially for people who are cool with giving up a smidge of stability in favor of improved efficiency. 

Check out the best portable kayak review

Most Versatile Paddle Craft 2022

Isle Switch Inflatable SUP/Kayak is Most Versatile Paddle Craft for 2022

Price: $995 USD

Length: 11′ 6″

Width: 35″

Weight: 19 LBS (8.5 KG)

Capacity: 425 LBS (193 KG)

Primary Use: Rivers, Lakes, and Oceans

SUP/Kayak Hybrids are Versatile

In terms of paddling performance, I was pleasantly surprised by the Isle Switch. Because it has that wide, stable platform, and a flat hull, I wasn't expecting much in terms of speed. Now, the Switch still isn't for winning races, but it had a bit of zip to it, and with the help of that large, removable fin, it tracked quite well. But the thing that really put a smile on my face (and my family's) was how ridiculously versatile this thing was.

Versatility as a SUP, kayak, solo and tandem

It can be used as a stand-up paddleboard, a solo kayak, a tandem kayak, heck, we even had my wife, my daughter, and myself all on there at once! You can change the configurations of the seats on the fly so that you can be facing forward one moment, enjoying the view, and then turned towards each other, having a conversation, the next.

You can switch things up however you like, and that is the magic of the Isle Switch. Oh and did I mention how light this thing is? At only 19 pounds, this rig is a dream to move around. 

Check out the SUP and kayak hybrid review

Those are the top dogs for me this year. But before I go, I have to give two honorable mentions to a couple crafts that are still well-worth looking into. 

Honorable Mention #1: AquaGlide Chelan 120 Kayak

The Chelan 120 is light, easy to get around, and fun to paddle. If you're looking for a solo kayak that is exceptionally portable, this may be your boat. 

Honorable Mention #2: Decathlon Itiwit Kayak

The Itiwit is another great beginner's kayak. It regularly sells for under $300 (USD) and it's good for one, two, or even three people. This makes the Itiwit an affordable boat for the family, or for having a fun afternoon with some friends. 

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I can hear the “wrap it up” music playing in my mind, so that brings us to the end of the portable kayak awards. If you want to learn more about any or all of these boats, be sure to check out my comprehensive reviews for each. And for more gear reviews of all kinds, tips to help make you a better paddler, and everything else that has to do with having a good time on the water, subscribe to our newsletter. 

The post Top 5 Inflatable and Folding Kayaks of 2022 | PaddleTV Award Winners appeared first on Hazeadventure.