Best Kayaks for River Paddling
Best Kayaks for River Paddling
Kayaking in rivers often presents different challenges to paddling on lakes, ponds, bays, or other bodies of water. Because of that, some kayaks are better for river paddling than others. In this video, we talk about what kayaks are best for the different types of rivers you might want to paddle.
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Other paddling gear I use and recommend:
NOTE: These are affiliate links where I’ll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you, but it’s a great way to show your support. Thanks!
PADDLES
Aqua Bound Manta Ray Carbon Paddle: https://bit.ly/3xHYpn7
Aqua Bound Tango Fibreglass Paddle: https://bit.ly/3iaGleJ
Aqua Bound Whiskey Carbon Bent Shaft Paddle: https://bit.ly/3z1kiOH
FOOTWEAR
NRS Kicker Remix Shoe: https://bit.ly/36F1B6Y
NRS Boundary Boot: https://bit.ly/2TaCMgl
PADDLING SHIRTS / TOPS
NRS Guide Long Sleeve Shirt: https://bit.ly/3yVID8j
NRS Guide Short Sleeve Shirt: https://bit.ly/3dkDYaD
NRS H2Core Silkweight Shirt: https://bit.ly/3xF43pX
NRS H2Core Silkweight Long Sleeve Shirt: https://bit.ly/3yZGbO2
NRS Hydroskin Short Sleeve Shirt: https://bit.ly/3wCvoI3
NRS Riptide Splash Jacket: https://bit.ly/3BbAZZJ
NRS Flux Dry Top: https://bit.ly/2U3Pvlw
PFD’S
NRS Odyssey PFD: https://bit.ly/3ibIk2n
NRS Zen PFD: https://bit.ly/2VCfrF3
NRS Chinook PFD: https://bit.ly/2TaEAG9
OTHER PADDLING GEAR
Zoleo Communicator: https://bit.ly/3zw7gw1
NRS Drylander Sprayskirt: https://bit.ly/36z5BG6
WRSI Current Helmet: https://bit.ly/2Te6KA6
PADDLING SHORTS/BOTTOMS
NRS Benny Board Short: https://bit.ly/2VIbK0L
NRS Hydroskin Shorts: https://bit.ly/3hCXPl2
SUNGLASSES
WileyX: https://bit.ly/3NtJQKR
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#Paddling #Whitewater #Kayaking
I read, and read, and read info on different kayaks and tried to match that with my needs and wants and it seemed hopeless. And here I listen to your vid for 6 min, and voila! it’s all clear and simple. Thank you!.
Ken, no mention of touring kayaks?
Class 1 river/creek in No Central Arkansas with some obstacles: I see a lot of my friends using a Wilderness Aspire 105 for the rivers. Thoughts? My Hurricane Skimmer 11’6" (a sit on top) did not not maneuver well and was not easily controllable when we came upon the small waves. Thoughts on a sit it? I don’t float those rivers alone so there is always a group to retrieve the kayak if anyone tips.
I wish I could afford to get into this 😕 it looks like so much fun…..
What about short (12-14 ft) sit inside sea kayaks? They have two bulkheads and can handle Three-foot waves. I’ve been using a rudder equipped Old Town Adventure XL125 and a two-pound Werner Powerhouse 220CM Whitewater paddle. Rocks, downed trees and highspeed water haven’t defeated this setup yet!
Couple years ago, went kayaking in Hawaii on a sit on top, and it was fun. This year decided try again, I’ve been watching your videos and Headwaters videos, and now I really want to get a kayak before next Spring and Summer. Went on Lake Crescent and Lake Washington in Washington State last month and had a blast. The sit inside at Lake Crescent I didn’t like as much, but that lake was awesome. The sit on top at Lake Washington I rented felt so much better, but wasn’t as cool of an area, still had fun though just being on the water. Looking at the CK1 or one of the Vibe kayaks. Definitely love watching your informative videos.
rafting in Russia on the beautiful historical Ugra River: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUBK2_SCV-E&t=32s
I love your channel. I’m new to the sport… but I have a canoe . This is not a canoe channel. Lol
Tried to get my wife into ww kayaks but she just never wanted to go there. So I got her a 11 foot sit on top. She loves it. Its comfortable, carries a lot of gear and works fine in class 3 and under rivers. I was going to try an inflatable but she is never going to tackle big ww.
Wish they made WW kayaks for big dudes
Thanks, Ken. I would imagine the sit inside recreational is more stable than the sit on top? I’m still thinking about a Pungo, but I should check into the Jackson line too. Cheers. 👍🙂🛶
I think I’m even happier with my perception
12′. Pescador 👍🏻
I have to express my disagreement with your review and characterization of recreational, sit-inside kayaks for river tripping. Especially about their extreme limitation to very mild, slow moving water. What? The assumption is that one is paddling only an open cockpit kayak, and that running anything other than light Class I water will fill your kayak and force you to wade/swim to shore. My primary interest over the last several years is river touring with a kayak that is capable of everything from lakes and deadwater to Class II or light III rapids if/when they are encountered. This takes a hull that is designed between a purely recreational and a sea kayak. Sporty and responsive enough to handle some whitewater, but also capable of decent tracking for the long hauls. At least 2 watertight hatches for gear/equipment and flotation. And the big factor not mentioned is deployment of a skirt if any amount of rapids or weather is encountered. There are quite a few videos on YT which show kayaks of this breed being deployed in some pretty impressive whitewater … more than I care to challenge. Two quick examples are the Jackson Journey 14 (my personal choice) and the Dagger Stratos 14 or 14.5. Again, both stable and responsive and situated somewhere between a dedicated sea kayak and a whitewater sport kayak.
great info ty
Great and informative thank you. Been looking at sit on tops here in the uk and I think you’ve convinced me for what I’d use it for.👍🏻
Great information. My problem- I am looking for recommendations for a larger (yes, obese) paddler.
What are some trusted inflatables on the market that are durable and easy to paddle?
Great to see you in those moving waters, even it is only for a few seconds.
Das Video ist sehr interessant. Grüße ronactive
What about crossovers?
I’ve decided on buying a Liquidlogic Kiawah for my first Kayak…. I just can’t decide between the 10ft or 12ft… I’d like to feel comfortable in class 2ish.. maybe the occasional 3… but will also be paddling small mountain lakes in Idaho
Getting ready to paddle down the Missouri River and doing research. Thank you for the input!
Hey Ken, great info as usual keep up the fantastic work.
I keep hear you talking about different classifications of whitewater. I dont know if you did a vid on this before, if not can you do an informative video on the different classes of whitewater, how to distinguish them apart and what are some of the skillset you would need to have to tackle the different classes of whitewater.
Much appreciated.
Thanks! This was very useful. Since I am just getting started, I bought a Pelican Argo 100x. It feels very stable. Also, for now, I am going to stick with small current. I have surprised myself with what I have done so far. I am not a good swimmer, and I use to fear the water to the point of nightmares. Since I have been brave enough to get out there, with a life jacket on and a friend by my side, I have a love of the water and the nightmares are gone. Kayaking is awesome!
Thanks! – Question please: some example (BEST) sit-in high performance long (Touring 14-16 ft) kayaks for use in Class I, II, and III (and IV if possible) rapids? So in other words the BEST long sit-in Kayaks for rapids?