Top 5 Best Kayaks for Camping 2022

Best kayaks for camping

Kayak camping can be a wonderful experience: you can explore the open water during the day and camp on a beautiful shore at night. If you want to get the most out of each trip, a standard fun cake won’t cut it you need the perfect cake for camping.

Compared to recreational models, camping cakes offer a greater amount of organized storage, a higher level of comfort, and better overall performance in different situations.

In this article, our camping kayak reviews take a look at all the best river camping kayaks and discuss what they can bring to your adventure on the sea, lake, or kayak river camping.

Contents

1. Oru Kayak Foldable Kayak: Budget kayak for camping

Oru Kayak was born in the UK and was designed to offer a revolutionary, portable kayaking experience.

The Oru Kayak features a compact footprint and is compact enough to fit in the trunk of a car or behind the seat of any small vehicle. It is easy to carry and features a sleek and seamless design.

Within a few minutes, the kayak is ready for you to enter the water for your paddling adventure. With the Oru Kayak, there is no roof rack required. The kayak is easy to fold when not in use and can be stored in most spaces.

The Oru Kayak is constructed from a durable plastic material and includes a built-in paddle holder. It is lightweight and easy to carry on land or on water. The kayak includes a seat, and the package includes a paddle, so you are ready to go right out of the box.

A kayak is inflatable, so it is also extremely lightweight and easy to handle. The kayak is sturdily built and very stable. You will feel safe and secure when you are out on the water in your Oru Kayak. The kayak is made for use on lakes, rivers, and oceans.

2. Intex Explorer K2 Kayak: Kayak camping adventures

With a capacity of 400 pounds, the 2-person kayak comes with aluminum oars and a high-efficiency air pump. Both lakes and shallow rivers can be navigated with a kayak.

Featuring a heavy-duty PVC material that is easy to set up and portable, this kayak is designed for travel. It is estimated that a pressure of 15 PSI will be needed, which can be achieved with a high-pressure hand pump. 

You can sit in the kayak while it is deflated and erect it when you are ready to use it. The kayak has four separate chambers for added strength, two seats, and a maximum weight capacity of 400 pounds. The kayak has a diameter of 36 inches and measures 3 feet wide and 3 feet tall when set up. It is yellow in color and features a seat for the front compartment and one for the rear.

This allows for more storage space and comfortable seating as well as two paddles for your rowing pleasure. The kayak has a carry handle and a storage bag for safekeeping. The kayak is ideal for use on lakes and light rivers and can be used for recreational purposes and for cool activities, such as fishing.

3. Wilderness Systems PUNGO 120: Best kayaks for camping trips

Pungo 120 kayaks from Wilderness Systems are the world’s best-selling sit-inside recreational kayaks for smaller and medium-sized paddlers. Its world-famous hull offers reassuring stability while still delivering performance.

Paddlers of various sizes can adjust the Phase 3 Air-Pro seat, and paddlers of various heights can adjust the adjustable footrests. 

A dry box, two cup holders, and an accessory tray are standard equipment. The Pungo’s beam of 29″ makes it an excellent boat for beginners, or a great day touring boat for any paddler looking to take a break from the same old routine.

4. Pelican Maxim 100X Sit-in Recreational Kayak: best kayak for camping trips

Pelican Maxim 100X Sit-in Recreational Kayak The Pelican MAXIM 100X is a sit-in kayak that’s perfect for fishing, recreation, and even transporting your camping gear.

Pelican MAXIM sit-in kayak was designed to be the perfect fishing kayak for both professional and beginning fishermen.

The open deck design and large cockpit opening, combined with the 10-foot length, allow for easy access and a feeling of security for the fisherman. This sit-in kayak is an excellent entry-level fishing craft, with a weight capacity of 275 lbs. The Pelican MAXIM is also great for sightseeing or just leisurely paddling.

A storage hatch is located behind the seat, allowing easy access to keep fishing gear and accessories in easy reach. This is a sit-on-top kayak, creating a feeling of security and confidence for the user. This kayak is made from high-quality plastic and is 10-feet long. The Pelican MAXIM has a maximum capacity of 275 lb. / 125 KG.

Rest assured, your Pelican Maxim 100X Sit-in Rec Kayak is as safe as can be. This kayak is made with a rotomolded polyethylene construction that’s incredibly strong, and it has an ABS bulkhead that will keep you protected in the case of an emergency.

It even has an adjustable paddle keeper that keeps your paddle secure when you’re not paddling or when you’re transporting the kayak. This kayak has an easy-to-use, self-bailing drain that will keep the water out of your kayak when you’re on the water. It also has a rigid carry handle so you can carry it more easily. The Pelican Maxim 100X Sit-in Rec Kayak also has a molded-in seat that’s positioned to keep you in a comfortable, ergonomic position.

5. Intex Excursion Pro Kayak: best kayak for river camping

The Intex Excursion Pro is one of the most durable, stable, and easy-to-use fishing kayaks you can buy. This is a perfect fishing kayak for beginners!

Floating kayaks provide an excellent way to explore a calm lake or view the shoreline from a whole new perspective. There are two removable skegs for deep and shallow water, as well as a removable mounting bracket for easy transport and storage. 

As well as the storage space in the bow and stern, this inflatable kayak includes stainless steel D-rings for securing dry bags and gear. It is constructed of three layers of super-strong laminated PVC with a high molecular content Intex Excursion Pro kayak, is constructed of super-durable laminated PVC with a removable mounting bracket for easy transportation and storage Includes 2 removable skegs for deep and shallow water IncludesBow and stern storage compartments have stainless steel D-rings to attach gear and dry bags Dimensions: 8′ x 31″ x 111/2″  Weight: 55 lbs.  Maximum weight of 250 lbs is supported.

How to choose a kayak for camping – Buying guide

Choosing the right kayak for camping is important. With all that water around, you’re going to want one that can hold up to some wear and tear. You’ll also need to know what to look for in a kayak for camping. Read more here.

Stability

Whether you are on the river or on the high seas, stability is essential. This is largely determined by the design of the hull and whether the boat has barbs and/or a bottom tracking system.

In general, a smaller but wider cake is better for moving water, while taller, narrower models are better for camping cakes on open water.

Speed

Depending on the shape of the hill, a camping kayak will be fast or slow on the water. Unfortunately, stability and speed can rarely be achieved with a single kayak. A wide boat is more stable but produces a lot of drag which slows it down. A narrow kayak slides smooth and fast but can be very tipping for inexperienced kickers.

Storage options

To properly prepare for a cake camping trip, you’ll need a kayak with plenty of storage space onboard. Possible options include models with sealed hatches, bungee cord areas, and storage tanks. Also, many camping kayaks for camping can accommodate some gear inside the cabin.

If you plan to go on a multi-day camping trip, we suggest you find a backcountry cake with multiple hatches to accommodate everything you need.

Sustainability

Because you will be out for a long time, caking becomes even more important. In light of this, hard shells made of rotomolded HDPE are probably the best option for kayak camping as they are very difficult to damage. Of course, you can also use inflatables, but make sure you always have a repair kit in case of an accident.

Travel time

Before choosing a kayak, you will need to consider whether you will use it primarily for overnight trips or for several day trips. After doing this, you need to think about two aspects: usable storage volume and general comfort.

For multi-day camping, a boat should have more storage space for a large amount of gear, and it should also be comfortable to use for a long time. Unfortunately, this can also lead to a significant increase in the cost of the boat.

Camping place

It is important to make a general plan for your camping trip and to know the camping area. To give you an example, if you are only going to do the groundwork on bushes and sharp rocks, then an inflatable kayak may not be the best option for this space.

Although it is not always possible to know what to expect at camp, knowing the general characteristics of an area can help you make better decisions.

Maximum load

The maximum weight capacity can make a big difference when kayaking camping. Although you may not be able to go beyond that on leisure trips, the gear you bring with you during camping can really be a burden on the boat.

For this reason, we recommend that you get an overweight model, and always be careful not to overdo it, as this will make the boat unreliable.

Relax

This type of adventure often involves long paddling sessions, which can be very painful in the wrong kayak. A good camping kayak should be suitable for long trips: it should be large enough, with a padded adjustable seat, adjustable foot, and maybe even thigh pads on the sides.

Performance

It is difficult to talk about universal performance because the same cannot be expected from white water and touring kayaks. A stable and workable river kayak will be very slow in open water, while a sea kayak will be very unstable in moving water.

However, if you are thinking of a particular model, it is always a good idea to check user reviews and read about first-hand experiences in different situations.

What is a sea kayak?

The Sea Kayak is a sit-down or closed deck kayak with a built-in bow and stiffness and is over 14 feet long. Also called Turing Kayaks and Sea Kayaks, these boats are designed for paddling in the open water and can be used in Class 1 river conditions.

A sea cake, sometimes called a touring kayak, is a kayak designed for paddling in vast waterways such as lakes, bays, and oceans. Marine kayaks are used around the world for cruises ranging from a few hours to several weeks.

They provide enough capacity for one to three paddlers as well as camping gear, food, water, and other supplies.

Expedition kayaks, often called marine kayaks, are narrow, seated kayaks designed for speed and ocean navigation. This type of kayak, which is often longer than a normal kayak, has more swings (rotation of the plow from bow to stiffness), which allows it to pass through the water.

This shape improves agility, allowing them to withstand more difficult conditions such as bloating and waves.

Large storage compartments for expedition kayaks and sea kayaks allow you to turn a cruise into a night out. Touring cakes are usually set on cakes and can be attached to spray skirts. It keeps you dry and warm when paddling in rough water over long distances.

A Sea kayak, sometimes called a touring kayak, is a kayak designed to paddle large bodies of water such as lakes, bays, and oceans.

Sea kayaks are small, ocean liners with the option of adding covered decks and safety decks. In exchange for their walking speed, loading capacity, ease of paddling in a straight line, and comfort over long distances, they give up the whirl of white water cakes.

Read more: Safety with canoes and kayaks

What equipment do I need for kayak camping?

Kayak camping is an outdoor sport that involves paddling cakes and spending the night at the campground. Cake camping trips can be overnight, or longer depending on personal taste, and campsites can be reached by rivers, lakes, or the open sea.

Proper preparation for a cake camping trip is very important and will make the experience even more enjoyable. As you become more experienced with kayaking camping, you will learn about the gear that works best for you, the weather, and the environment.

Kayak camping equipment starts, of course, with a kayak and paddles. Always carry extra weight in case of accidents. Depending on the type of vehicle you have, you can tie the kayak or kayak up, or tie the kayak down and carry the trailer.

Make sure secure parking is available or someone is available to pick you up and drop you off. You should also pack your kayaks before going out, to make sure all your luggage will fit and the weight will be evenly balanced.

The basic principle of packing for kayak camping is that you must assume that whatever you pack can get wet. You can reduce the risk of this happening by packing in dry bags, highly insulated plastic, or rubber bags that can be sealed.

However, if the dry bag fails, you will want the material to be usable, so try to pack waterproof items and textiles that can be dried quickly and easily. Avoid wool and other materials that will become heavy when wet.

At a minimum, you will need food, water, water purification, and shelter. You want to pack as light as possible, because you can’t carry too much luggage in your kayak, both in terms of volume and weight.

For shelter in hot climates, a sleeping bag is sufficient. However, it is a good idea to pack a tent or tarpaulin, especially in colder areas or areas where it is likely to rain. In addition to foods that can be eaten out of the box, you want to expand your options by picking a kitchen stove, and you should also pack utensils, pans, and cooking and cooking utensils. Try to focus on high-energy foods that are easy to prepare.

Water is very important. In addition to bringing clean, fresh water, you should pack a water filtration pump if you have access to freshwater. Otherwise, you should pack about 5 gallons (three liters) of water per day for each camper. You should also plan to bring protective clothing layers, including rain gear. Some people like to wear a weight suit for kayaking camping, with a hat and a long-sleeved shirt for extra protection.

Personal care items will help make cake camping more enjoyable. Hairbrushes, toothbrushes, bug sprays, aspirin, biodegradable soaps, and other products will help keep campers clean and comfortable. In addition, a supply of toilet paper and rubbish bags should be packed.

When you get out there, you should plan to pack everything with you, and you’ll want to check out the bio-waste disposal rules. In some areas, you may need to use so-called “honey tubes” to collect your waste and leave it in the bathroom on the way back.

FAQ’s

What is a camping kayak?

A camping kayak, sometimes called a sit-on-top kayak, is a kayak designed specifically to carry gear, people, and/or pets.

While many kayaks are designed to be used for more than one type of activity, camping kayaks differ in that they are designed specifically for multi-day camping trips, in addition to the standard fishing, water-skiing, and other types of kayaking.

Design of these kayaks facilitates fishing, paddling, and camping, but sacrifices some performance when compared to other types of kayaks.

For example, the large openings on the sides of the kayaks do make it easier to get in and out of the kayak but can make the kayak more difficult to control and slow to paddle. Camping kayaks typically have storage holes or compartments for food and other camping supplies.

How do you pack a sit-on-top kayak for camping?

Before packing your kayak, make sure it is completely dry. Also, check all of the valves for leaks and make sure all of the hatches are sealed tight. Now you are ready for the packing.

You can start with the small items first and then move on to the bigger items. Try to keep things as tight as possible, and make sure if you have any fragile items that they are secured with bubble wrap or something similar.

Another suggestion is to keep everything organized. Try to group similar items together so you will know exactly where to find something in case you need it.

Conclusion:

Kayak camping can be very interesting, and it gets even better if you prepare properly. With camping kayaks on our list, you can pack everything you need and go on a multi-day trip. Cake a camping trip with confidence. We hope our reviews and shopping guide have answered all your questions, so you can get the right kayak for any adventure.

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