Kayaks

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How to Choose the Right Kayak for You

Heading to the water? Your adventure begins with a kayak from DICK'S Sporting Goods.

Kayaking is a great outdoor activity for all ages and skill levels. Paddle sports can help improve cardiovascular health as well as muscle strength throughout the body. Plus, many kayakers enjoy scenic views and peaceful waters it's a perfect way to relax and take in nature.

Recreational kayaks are easy to use and maneuver in the water. More specialized vessels, including whitewater and fishing kayaks, are designed with utility in mind. When choosing your kayak, think about your skill level and water environment as well as storage and transportation needs.

• Sit-In Kayaks: These "traditional kayaks" are designed with an interior seat. They offer easy paddling on the water and can feature storage space for your belongings.
• Inflatable Kayaks: Make storage a breeze. Just deflate your vessel and skip the boat rack. These kayaks are stable and effective on the water, made with high-quality, abrasion-resistant materials as well as multiple air chambers.
• Sit-on-Top Kayaks: Great for beginners or those who may have difficulty getting in and out of traditional kayaks.
• Fishing Kayaks: Often come with rod holders, built-in tackle boxes and other storage features for anglers. They also offer extra stability-so anglers can stand up to cast or get a better view of activity below the surface.
• Whitewater Kayaks: Compact and agile for taking on rapids and more technical water conditions. Skilled kayakers can best handle these boats.
• 2-Person Kayaks: Share you next on-water adventure with a tandem kayak with plenty of space for two. Choose an adjustable option to accommodate kids, pets or solo paddling.

Shop some of the top brands in paddle sports for a vessel you can count on, including Pelican® kayaks, Lifetime® kayaks, Old Town® kayaks, Perception® kayaks and Advanced Elements® kayaks.

Looking for additional options? Explore even more kayaks, life vests, and paddle sports gear at Public Lands, a specialty outdoor shop with a purpose-driven mission to help all people enjoy the free outdoors.

Paddling a kayak is an especially unique means of adventuring in the great outdoors.

Today's kayaks are equipped with performance features that help you make the most of your time on the water. You can get ample seating room, storage space and excellent durability in the latest vessels.

Keep these factors in mind when choosing your new kayak:

• The longer and narrower your kayak is, the faster and easier it will be to maneuver. Compact kayaks, meanwhile, offer more stability on the water.
• The weight capacity of kayaks can vary greatly, so consult product information for your vessel's specifics. Remember that this capacity includes both the boater's body weight and any additional items aboard the kayak.
• Kayaks come with several different hull types. Streamlined hulls are called "shallow V," and they provide exceptional maneuverability. Wide, balanced hulls are called "pontoon," and "multi-chine" hulls offer a balance of agility and stability.

Shop kayaks and stand-up paddle boards for hours of excitement on the water.

Kayak Buying Guide

To find the right kayak for you, you'll need to think about how you'll be using it, where you'll be paddling, and a few other key considerations:

Kayak Hull Designs

A kayak's hull design is the shape of the bottom of the boat. The hull can affect your kayak's stability and performance. There are two types of stability to keep in mind when choosing a new kayak: primary stability, which is how stable the kayak is when you first get in, and secondary stability, which is how stable the boat is once you start paddling. There are a vareity of hull designs to choose from that provide differing amounts of primary and secondary stability along with different levels of performance:

• A flat hull offers a good amount of primary stability and can be a great option for recreational kayaking in flat water conditions.
• A rounded hull features rounded edges that increase speed and secondary stability. This type of hull makes the kayak very maneuverable.
• A v-shaped hull is good for recreational paddling, touring and long-distance trips. This type of hull cuts through the water to help the kayak travel in a straight line, and offers the least primary stability but decent secondary stability.

Sit On vs. Sit In Kayaks

Sit-on-top kayaks are a user-friendly option that is great for beginners. They provide a good amount of stability but may be better for warmer environments because you may get splashed. This type of kayak is a great option for recreational paddling or fishing.

Sit-in kayaks give some shelter from wind and water, and tend to offer more storage space. Sit-in kayaks are often considered the more "traditional" option, and they usually feature details like foot braces.

Think about which style of kayak will work best for you. Once you've decided on a sit-in or sit-on kayak, you should then narrow down your search to different kayak types like fishing kayaks, modular kayaks, or touring kayaks.

Kayak Weight Capacities

Take a look at the weight capacity for each kayak before deciding which option is right for you. A kayak's weight capacity refers to the paddler's body weight along with any other items like coolers and fishing gear.

Kayak Length & Width

As a general guide, the longer and more narrow a kayak is, the faster and straighter it will go. On the other hand, the wider and shorter a kayak is, the more stable and easy to turn. Recreational kayaks usually range between 8ft to 13ft, and are made for small lakes, creeks and rivers. Touring kayaks are usually longer, around 14ft to 18ft, and are designed to take on larger waves in bigger rivers or lakes.