Kayaks reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 145 Reddit reviews across 10 subreddits and 42 posts to rank the best Kayaks brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/Kayaking, r/kayakfishing, r/Inflatablekayak, r/Kayaks, r/Fishing_Gear. Top-rated brands include Perception (4.4/5), Lifetime (4.0/5), Old Town (4.6/5).
Stats
Reviews145
Subreddits10
Posts42
Brands55
Products75
145 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Perception
4.4
(16)
"I own the Outlaw, great kayak - especially for the price, and for a big guy like myself. I'd 100% recommend it."
"I have a outlaw and love it. Super stable and love how customizable it is."
"My girlfriend loves the Outlaw we got hers used for $450 loaded with accessories."
"I really love my Perception Hangtime!"
"I've been seeing perception outlaws in your price range."
"Not gonna beat this deal, perception is a great brand."
"Plenty of room in the Perception Outlaw."
"I see a lot of people recommending the perception Outlaw, and in truth I just picked one up at the start of winter and have been slowly working on it to get it to be the best boat for me."
"I love my outlaw, but it is slow. I’d recommend it."
"Mid - Ascend, Field & Stream, Emotion, Perception"
#2
Lifetime
4.0
(13)
"We bought two Lifetime Tetons... and have been happily fishing from them for two seasons now."
"It's been an awesome kayak"
"Entry Level - Lifetime, Pelican, Sun Dolphin"
"Lifetime brand kayaks, either the Teton or Tamarack series."
"I got the lifetime Teton for between 5 and 600."
"Lifetime products are pretty cheap. I’ve been fishing my Teton Pro for 4 years no significant issues."
"Lifetime kayaks are fine entry level stuff for flat water."
"I think the biggest one would be a good budget fishing kayak."
"I have a Lifetime Stealth, and after getting used to it I don't feel unstable at all."
"I have a Lifetime Teton and it's great and in your price range."
#3
Old Town
4.6
(11)
"Premium - Old town, NuCanoe, Native, Jackson, Ocean Kayak, Bonafide, Eddyline, Wilderness Systems, Crescent, FeelFree, Vibe"
"I have an Old Town Sportsman 120. Super stable."
"Might be better looking at Old Town."
"I have 4 yaks. They range from a 2nd hand open top pelican... to a brand new $900 old town."
"Save your money and get a old town most stable kayak on earth."
"I am new to the game but love my Old Town Sportsman 120."
"Super handy for when the kids’ arms turn to noodles."
"The old town vapor kayaks have a very large cockpit and they are also entry level for that line price wise- last i checked they were on sale on sierra as well."
"I like my Old Town 106. I'm 6'2", ~200lb and stand in it no problem."
"On slow rivers, im really happy with the comfort and handling of the Old Town Loon 126."
#4
Pelican
3.8
(11)
"I bought a Pelican on sale at dicks 9 years ago. Use it all the time and have beaten the crap out of it over the years."
"I like my pelican catchmode 110"
"Pelican catch classic 120. This pic is when I have it fully kitted up with the most gear I usually take for a day session. I love mine I got it used for $400 but they’re usually $800 new."
"I picked up a new catch 110 with a paddle for $1100 Canadian (including tax). I upgraded it with a trolling motor and battery for $180."
"Wife and I really are happy with our pelican SOTs."
"Entry Level - Lifetime, Pelican, Sun Dolphin"
"Pelican are cheap and reliable. Costco usually have good ones on sale."
"Pelican is probably the best for light general use. They are light, fairly stable and fairly comfortable at good prices."
"Pelican makes an 8-foot boat, it's called the Pursuit. I'd think it would be perfect for the 11 year-old."
"Wife and I have done some overnighters & one 3 day trip just in our Rec level 10' pelicans."
#5
Hobie
5.0
(7)
"If you want to peddle- Hobie."
"Hobie Pro Angler 12 or 14."
"I went the peddle kayak route from Hobie. They're wider and generally more stable."
"They are without question, phenomenal kayaks."
"The Hobie Passport is the way to go."
"Hobies are the best."
"Best $$ I ever spent!"
#6
Dagger
4.0
(6)
"We have a Dagger Bayou ( not made anymore, but same concept as the Old Town mentioned ) and a 30 lb dog that likes going for a paddle."
"I bought a 14.5 foot Dagger Stratos a year ago... the Stratos is a very good boat."
"The Katana is larger whitewater boat with a blunt bow and a lot more rocker."
"I've got a Dagger Axis 12' and a Dagger Katana 10."
"Dagger has the best outfitting."
"Something like a Dagger Stratos could be good for beginners."
#7
Crescent
4.2
(5)
"Premium - Old town, NuCanoe, Native, Jackson, Ocean Kayak, Bonafide, Eddyline, Wilderness Systems, Crescent, FeelFree, Vibe"
"I rock a crescent shoalie mine was $1000 brand new never seen the water before until I stepped on board"
"I personally paddle a crescent Ultralite."
"I’ve used a Jackson Cuda 12, wilderness ride 135, crescent lt, 12 foot pescador."
"Crescent Shoalie is great if they don’t carry too much with them."
#8
NuCanoe
5.0
(3)
"I bring my 80lb retriever on my NuCanoe Flint all the time, even run class 2 and some light class 3 rapids with him on it."
"Nucanoe flint is your best option, good stability and accessory options, easy to paddle, lightweight to easily carry and store"
"I have a NuCanoe flint and stand up in it most of the time while fishing."
#9
Aquaglide
4.7
(3)
"Chelan 155 is a party barge, love mine."
"I have the Aquaglide Chelan 155 and love it. I'm taller than you and we can easily fit me plus wife and dog, and we've even gotten our toddler in there too."
"My wife and I and 2 medium sized dogs go out in the aquaglide DESCHUTES 145. Steady. Easy to set up."
#10
NDK
4.7
(3)
"Or one of the higher-volume NDKs or P&Hs."
"NDK explorer."
"Honestly you can’t go wrong with NDK explorer, or P&H Cetus in composite layups."
#11
Wilderness Systems
4.7
(3)
"I have an older wilderness systems tarpon 140 and love it on lakes and calm rivers."
"Try to find a used Wilderness Systems Piccolo, great boat for kids."
"If you can find a used Wilderness Systems Piccolo they are great for kids."
#12
Razor
4.7
(3)
"I got this - Razor X2 high-pressure a few months back. Have been going out fishing with my son. It’s SUPER durable and versatile. Not flimsy at all, and the dropstitch frame really holds it solid."
"If you're looking for something beginner-friendly and portable, Razor Kayaks. They're compact enough to fit in your car trunk and made from super tough materials like those used in rescue boats and white water rafts."
"A friend who moved to Arizona gave me his X2. I’d only owned a sea eagle 473 before but this one’s been better for solo adventuring (im a big dude). I’ve also taken many friends out in it."
#13
Jackson
4.3
(3)
"I have a Jackson Big Tuna which is very stable and paddles well with two people."
"I use a paddled kayak for medium sized rivers. I’ve used a Jackson Cuda 12, wilderness ride 135, crescent lt, 12 foot pescador."
"I just picked up a Jackson Big Tuna for 400 bucks."
#14
Sun Dolphin
4.0
(3)
"Entry Level - Lifetime, Pelican, Sun Dolphin"
"Any kayak can be a fishing kayak."
"I take my cheap sun dolphin sit in yak out all the time."
#15
Oru
4.0
(3)
"Have you seen Oru Kayaks? They fold up."
"Have you seen Oru Kayaks? They fold up."
"I think Oru and tucktech are the two big names in folding kayaks."
#16
FeelFree
4.0
(3)
"Feelfree Lure 11.5"
"Feel free Moken 12.5."
"I have the Feel Free Moken Paddle 12.5. It's great, and pretty fast in the salt water."
#17
Sitka
5.0
(2)
"I’m 6’3” 300lbs and paddle a Sitka XT. I use it to guide tours..."
"Jumped on a Sitka XT, and believe I have found my nirvana."
#18
Epic
5.0
(2)
"Epic 18x kayak."
"Got an Epic 18x, which I find perfect. Stable, fast, huge storage capacities."
#19
Bonafide
5.0
(2)
"Bonafied been my favorite by far (get the ss series not the rs and the 106 is plenty big for everyone and the rs feels a lot tighter despite being a larger yak)"
"I would say my like new Bonafide SS127 that I found on FB Marketplace for $700."
#20
Native
5.0
(2)
"Pedal. Native Slayer propel 13."
"I can stand and fish on my Native Slayer Propel 10…it’s incredibly sturdy!"
#21
P&H
5.0
(2)
"I own a P&H Virgo HV, actually 2, and I'm not small. It would easily fit you."
"P&h or prijon in the EU."
#22
Intex
4.0
(2)
"Check out intex excursion pro K2. It’s been pretty great on calm lakes for the price. If you’re sticking mostly to flatwater, it could be a great 2 person kayak."
"I have the intex 2. Gives you way more options on the places you can fish."
#23
Sea Eagle
4.0
(2)
"I paddle tandem with my kid on a Sea Eagle 385ft. I've had it for a couple years and jammed into rocks and stuff, and it has held up really well."
"My other inflatable tandem is a Sea Eagle 380x, which is our primary whitewater."
#24
Star Paragon
4.0
(2)
"Here is my suggestion for a great IK. It has enough space for doggo and gear and the great thing is the flat and relatively soft surface, that the drop stitch floor creates, for your dog."
"If you are looking for something with bailing holes for running whitewater I would look for a Used Star Paragon 2. Pre 2018 models had bailing holes."
#25
Advanced Elements
4.0
(2)
"My Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Convertible works solo or tandem and is a great boat for flatwater, and can pack a good bit of gear, especially if you use it solo."
"I have an Advanced Elements airfusion evo. It is about 30 minutes to set up but once on the water it feels good."
#26
Costco
3.5
(2)
"Costco has a decent one especially for the price right?"
"Check out Costco! They often have inflatable kayaks."
#27
BW
5.0
(1)
"I have a BW132 pdl (non-electric). That hull is a legit performer in the ocean, big swells & nasty conditions."
#28
Stealth
5.0
(1)
"The Stealth lineup was designed for big water... I have a Fisha 500 and absolutely love it. Fast as hell and a ton of internal storage for rods, gear, & fish."
#29
Ocean Kayak
5.0
(1)
"Ocean kayak malibu PDL fishing kayak. Hands free and plenty stable to bring a dog."
#30
Clear Water
5.0
(1)
"Clear water has a better beam to length ratio which will result in better stability."
#31
Guillemot Kayaks
5.0
(1)
"The second, the larger version Guillemot “L”, fits me absolutely perfect and I am very comfortable in it, even in rough water."
#32
NRS
5.0
(1)
"The NRS Pike is an inflatable sit on top kayak designed specifically for fishing."
#33
Eddyline
5.0
(1)
"Eddyline Caribbean FS14. Weighs about 50 lbs."
#34
Headwaters Kayak
5.0
(1)
"Check out Headwaters Kayak on YouTube. He has several videos comparing different levels of fishing kayaks."
#35
Gummotex
5.0
(1)
"I’m on my second Gummotex/Innova Twist 2 and it seems amazingly durable."
#36
Headwaters
5.0
(1)
"I recommend watching their videos and making a decision based on what you take away from them."
#37
NC 17
5.0
(1)
"I had an NC 17. Lovely boat, just lovely."
#38
Feathercraft K2
5.0
(1)
"I have a 2 tandem folders, a Feathercraft K2 and a Nautiraid Grand Raid II 520."
#39
Prijon
5.0
(1)
"The most reliable, most robust, most 'bomb-proof', and most durable kayaks you can find are Prijon's."
#40
NOC
5.0
(1)
"NOC offers rentals and you can put the rental price towards the purchase of a new boat."
#41
Gumotex
4.0
(1)
"It's a one/two person inflatable kayak from the chech republic. It also supports spraydeck & rudder for both 1 person and two persons. You could also go onto wild water up to lvl 2 & the material is really tough."
#42
Point65
4.0
(1)
"Got a modular sit on Point65 Tequila (for rivers and sea). The second seat would be fine for your dogo."
#43
Kaku
4.0
(1)
"KAKU Wahoo has a nice large cockpit. I removed the foot pegs so my dog could lie down and not get poked."
#44
Emotion
4.0
(1)
"It’s probably one of the smallest SOT’s out there."
#45
Wilderness
4.0
(1)
"I’ve used a Jackson Cuda 12, wilderness ride 135, crescent lt, 12 foot pescador."
#46
Hobie Outback
4.0
(1)
"I have a Hobie outback which was great for camping due to the load capacity and stability."
#47
Rambler
4.0
(1)
"Rambler looks ideal for your use to me."
#48
Klepper
4.0
(1)
"Ultimately I went with a klepper because they’ve been around for a century or so."
#49
Perception Carolina 16
4.0
(1)
"My roommate recently bought a used Perception Carolina 16."
#50
SeaEagle
4.0
(1)
"Comparing a 330 to a RazorLite or Explorer series from SeaEagle is just not being fair to yourself."
#51
Star Raven I Pro
4.0
(1)
"Look at a Star Raven I Pro. That will up the durability game considerably."
#52
Pelican Strike 120X
4.0
(1)
"I'm going to say the Pelican Strike 120X. It's under $1,000 new."
#53
Inflatable Kayaks
3.0
(1)
"At that price point wait to get a deal used."
#54
Subdophon
3.0
(1)
"A 10ft sit on top is kinda tippy especially for a first kayak."
#55
Moken
3.0
(1)
"The Mokens are decent boats, and that wheel comes in pretty handy."
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