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.

1. A Dromedary or Water Bags

This simple means of hauling water is well worth the modest investment. Most recently, I've been using the Sea to Summit Watercell X. For starters, I like how rugged it is. I can toss it around and never have to worry about it puncturing. Plus, there is a fine-tuned cap at the top, which makes it easy to pour small amounts into a cup or cookpot. Sometimes things like a Camelbak or Nalgene can splash out unwanted doses, thereby wasting your supply.

I also love that there is an extra nozzle that can attach to make a basic, slow-release showerhead. That's a rarity in the backcountry for hiking gear. In terms of space savings, the nice thing about a water bag is that when it's not full, it can collapse down. No matter how empty a water bottle or hard carry case might be, it will always take up the same volume in your pack. 

2. Compression Sacks

Anytime you can buy yourself some extra space in your pack, you're going to be a happier camper. Things like sleeping bags and clothes have a decent amount of poof to them. It's amazing how much more condensed you can make these things with a compression sack. I know certain purchases come with stuff sacks, but a compression sack has extra straps on the side that take packing hiking gear to the next level.

An additional advantage is that fancier compression sacks often have a good amount of water repellency, and are even sometimes waterproof. 

3. Trekking Poles

If you've been following my channel then you've seen my flip-flop on trekking poles recently. Now, a lot of people think these are lame. I should know, since I used to be one of them. However, I've come to appreciate their utility and I understand why many thru-hikers swear by them. Trekking poles can significantly reduce the impact on your body, especially if you're doing a trail with a lot of elevation gain/loss.

They not only bring your arms into the mix while grunting uphill, but they add excellent stability/security while trying to navigate those steep downhills on legs that are still recovering from the climb. They also come in handy for river crossings, or any other unstable sections, since they again add those extra points of contact into the mix.  

How do I choose a trekking pole? 

I look for poles that have a latch-lock, rather than the ones that twist into place. I've found that over time the latter style tends to fail more easily. If you're using your poles to their full extent, then you will likely be adjusting them on the fly reasonably often. It's therefore better to go with something that can handle the repeated stress. I also like the poles that can detach into three parts.

Poles are great when the terrain calls for it, but it's also nice to be able to stash them away for periods of time. The ones that can condense down are much easier to manage on the outside of your pack. Finally, if your budget allows for it, there are some fancy carbon fiber poles that really shed those extra ounces. But that's just a bonus; anything with the first two features will have you well on your way to easier and healthier hiking. 

4. Pack Organizers

Since I'm often documenting my adventures, I've found the waterproof Hillsound PackStack Pro to be an excellent replacement for my usual, clunky camera case. It packs down much better, I don't have to worry about my camera getting soaked, and if I toss a jacket in there, that adds sufficient padding to keep everything protected when rolling about in my backpack with other hiking gear.

Non-videographers will get just as much utility out of one of these. The strategically designed shape of my PackStack Pro contours perfectly to the inside of my trekking bag, which helps reduce wasted space that comes from haphazard packing. I'm as guilty as anyone of stuffing things in without rhyme or reason. As the name suggests, these inexpensive accessories help keep everything organized. I have seen the light and I'll never again go back to my sloppy packing ways. 

5. Camping Pillows

A camping pillow makes a huge difference in my sleep quality and it barely adds any weight or volume to my pack, especially the inflatable kind, which is what I've gravitated to lately. Gone are the days of balling up some dirty shirts to get me through the night. An actual pillow is so much more comfortable.

I've found that any piece of hiking gear that improves your sleep in the backcountry is the way to go. Waking up rested produces a much better hike the following day, not just for your body, but your overall mood as well. 

6. High Quality Headlamps

I can't tell you how many people I see around campsites with headlamps that barely illuminate their shoes, let alone anything worth seeing in front of them. You might be on a streak of turning in early and not needing to leave the tent at night, but if you ever get in a situation where you do need to navigate in the dark, that dinky light isn't going to cut it. Personally, I like having a high-quality torch that can focus the light into a tight beam for seeing across larger distances.

Likewise, being able to set a wide spectrum is super helpful for just illuminating the campsite. I often reserve the headlamp's (lately I've been all about Ledlenser) full luminosity only for necessary occasions. If I'm just casually going about my business, then I find the battery-saving medium settings work plenty well. And if I'm just chilling in my tent, say reading a book before bed, then I particularly like the red-light setting, which maintains your night vision in case you feel like doing some stargazing before bed, or if you just don't want to blast your corneas before dozing off. 

7. Wind Screens

These lightweight, flexible, simple sheets of aluminum wrap around any stove and greatly increase its efficiency by blocking out the wind. This will conserve fuel and reduce cooking time (which will also combat the dreaded campsite hanger). Building a little makeshift chimney is particularly important for stoves that don't have their own built-in protection (e.g. a PocketRocket vs a JetBoil.

I promise you, invest in this cheap little gizmo and you will thank me for recommending this piece of hiking gear (perhaps down in the comment section would be nice, wink wink). 

8. Hiking Socks

You better believe it. A good pair of hiking socks, or multiple pairs, ideally, will become your best friends in the backcountry. I can't tell you how many people I see hitting the trails in whatever socks they normally wear. The problem with basic cotton socks, or cute little gym socks, is that they likely lack any or all of the necessary characteristics, such as: moisture wicking, padding, ample ankle coverage (to clear your boots), warmth, etc.

This can increase the likelihood of blisters and decrease your likelihood of fun. There are some slick synthetic blends out there, but personally, I like a good old-fashioned pair of wool socks. They're much less itchy these days and many styles are geared towards performance for hiking and even trail running. I also like to have one pair designated for day-use, and one clean(ish) pair reserved for the night. It really makes a difference for comfort while hiking and coziness while sleeping. 

So that's my list of simple but overlooked backpacking goodies. If you haven't already, try giving some of these a shot. I think they'll take your game to the next level. I'd also love to hear from you. Is there anything I missed that is relatively cheap and not immediately obvious? Let us in on your secret down below. 

Otherwise, I hope you enjoyed this article. For more tips, gear reviews, and general awesome adventuring, subscribe to our newsletter.

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The post Backpacking Equipment: Inexpensive Hiking Gear That Makes a Difference appeared first on Hazeadventure.