Best Kayak For Lakes: Top 8 Recreational Kayaks For Exploring The Leisurely Side Of Paddling

Whether you’re in it to escape the commotions of daily life, practice your strokes, or get off the couch, lakes allow you to explore a more leisurely side of paddling. The relaxing, easy-going nature of calm waters and a high degree of accessibility are part of what makes it so attractive. 

As long as the weather’s good and there’s a lake nearby, you’re in for a great time – provided that you choose the best kayak for lakes first. 

Given the many different types of lake kayaks, that’s often easier said than done. I’m hoping this buying guide can change that! 

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Best Kayaks For Lake: Everything You Need To Know Before Making Your Choice 

Ask any paddler – regardless of previous experience or preferences – and they’ll likely tell you that a calm lake on a sunny afternoon is the definition of pure bliss. 

Do you know why lakes are among the most popular kayaking destinations? 

Tranquil surroundings and calm water accessible to all skill levels; it’s as simple as that. 

And when it comes to choosing a lake kayak, you have more than a few options. From kayak sit-on-top recreational kayaks to sit-inside sea kayaks, lake kayaks come under many different names and in just as many different shapes and forms. 

Confusing, huh? 

Let’s go over some general guidelines on selecting the best kayaks for lakes and making that decision a bit easier! 

Is There A Difference Between Ocean And Lake Kayaks? 

Provided that you use good judgment and have the skills to pull it off, you could, theoretically speaking, use any type of kayak in any water conditions. It won’t be a good experience – and you might put yourself at serious risk – but one could argue that it’s doable. 

In theory, that is. 

Things are a bit different in practice, though. 

Kayaking the Hutt Gorge on a sit-on-top

The reason why kayaks are classified as “ocean kayaks,” “whitewater kayaks,” or “lake kayaks” is because they’re designed for those exact environments. That’s where they perform their best and are, more often than not, safest to use. 

So, yes, there will be some differences between ocean and lake kayaks, starting with a rather obvious one: 

The former feels right at home in rough, open waters, and the latter is designed for use in calm, flat water environments. 

Other differences worth mentioning here include: 

• Length & Width – Ocean kayaks are notoriously long and narrow, often measuring up to 20 feet in length. Lake kayaks tend to be shorter – typically somewhere between 9 to 12 feet – and broader to increase stability. 

• Storage & Equipment – Ocean kayaks feature ample storage space and additional equipment, such as rudders and skegs, to accommodate long-distance travel needs. Lake kayaks are built for fun and recreational paddling; boating essentials are all you’ll need. 

• Efficiency – Kayaks for lakes prioritize stability and comfort over speed and efficiency. Whereas a sea kayak is designed to navigate large bodies of water, track well, and cover long distances with utmost efficiency. 

Recreational vs Sea Kayaks - Pros, Cons & Features - Weekly Kayaking Tips - Kayak Hipster

And while you could paddle an ocean kayak on a lake, hitting open waters in a kayak for lakes would be a bad idea. 

Safety first, as they say. 

What Type Of Kayak Is Best For Lakes?

You might’ve decided to stick to paddling in nearby lakes – but that doesn’t narrow down your options as much as you’d expect: 

Lake kayaking is a pretty broad term – and the concept of the best kayak for lakes has to be considered in the broadest possible sense, too. 

I mean, think about your skill level, previous kayaking experience, and the type of kayaking you want to do. You can’t expect to find a single kayak that meets every need and every purpose; the verdict on what’s the best kayak for lakes often depends on who you ask. 

For lake kayaking, I’d highly recommend one of the following kayak types: 

• Recreational Kayaks – Since they prioritize user-friendliness above everything else, recreational ‘yaks are the right choice for – well, pretty much everyone who enjoys casual paddling. 

• Inflatable Kayaks – Highly portable, space-efficient, easy to use, inexpensive, and lightweight; inflatables lead the way among travel-friendly, easy-on-the-wallet kayaks.

• Fishing Kayaks – Lakes make for excellent fishing ground. If that’s your thing, a fully rigged fishing kayak that prioritizes stability, roomy deck, storage, and compatibility with fishing accessories is your best bet. 

• Touring Kayaks – If you’re planning lengthy excursions, long and narrow touring kayaks, with ample storage and excellent tracking performance, are the best for the job.

Additional Considerations When Choosing The Best Kayak For Lakes 

Okay, let’s say you’ve settled on the type of kayak that would fit your lake kayaking needs the best. 

What now? 

Well, there are still a few more factors you should consider before you start browsing the market and make the final choice. 

Style Of Kayak: Sit-On-Top Or Sit-Inside? 

Kayaks can, broadly speaking, be grouped into two distinct “styles” based on cockpit design: 

• Sit-on-top (SOT) kayaks that feature an open deck and are easy to get in and out of, especially for beginner paddlers  
• Sit-inside (SIK) kayaks are a much better choice for a variety of weather and water conditions due to the enclosed cockpit 

Sit-on-top vs sit-in kayak is the eternal debate amongst kayakers. One isn’t necessarily better than the other. Your choice between a SOT and a SIK will, in many ways, depend on the type of kayak you want: 

If you plan on using the ‘yak for lake fishing, you’ll probably want a sit-on-top kayak And if you’re more interested in touring kayaks, a sit-in kayak would be a much better fit. 

What if you can’t make up your mind, though? 

Well, a hybrid – the middle ground between a sit-on-top and a sit-in kayak – might be right up your alley. 

Size & Weight 

When it comes to the kayak’s weight and what size kayak do you need, there are a few things you want to consider. 

The first one is the number of people it can accommodate. Are you thinking of bringing someone along for the ride and making lake kayaking a group activity? 

If so, tandems might be an excellent alternative to buying two one-person kayaks. 

The second is the logistics of transporting and storing your kayak: 

Do you have the needed storage space at home for a full-sized kayak? Can you carry the boat to and from the water by yourself? Will you need a kayak trailer? 

How To Load Your Kayak | Car Top and SUVs

Lastly, take a moment to consider how size can affect the kayak’s performance: 

A longer kayak will be heavier and harder to transport – but will also be far more efficient in long-distance trips. Shorter kayaks, on the other hand, tend to be more maneuverable. 

Also, hull width usually dictates stability; don’t overlook this vital aspect of the kayak’s size. 

Kayak’s Weight Capacity 

Whether you’re going with a full-sized touring kayak for lakes or an inflatable sit-on-top, weight capacity is something you need to consider. 

This manufacturer-specified rating will indicate how much weight the kayak can hold and stay afloat. 

Keep in mind that this number doesn’t indicate the paddler’s body weight, though. Instead, it specifies the maximum amount of weight you can bring on board – that includes you and all your gear – with the kayak staying afloat. 

Do some math and figure out your total weight requirements; it will help you get a rough estimate of the load capacity you should aim for in a kayak. 

Your Experience & Skill Level 

If you think about it, it doesn’t make much sense to get a kayak that doesn’t fit your experience and paddling skills. 

You won’t get as much out of it performance-wise as you hoped for as an expert paddler. Or you’ll splurge on a top-of-the-line kayak that, for a beginner, might be hard to maneuver. 

Either way, you won’t be thrilled with your choice. 

Here are a few pointers on how to choose a lake kayak according to your skills and experience: 

• Beginners and those who are “testing the waters” should prioritize convenience, stability, and ease of access found in wider sit-on-top kayaks – and even inflatables. 

• Intermediate-level kayakers should be prepared to spend a bit more, focusing on durability, maneuverability, and lightweight construction. 

• Seasoned paddlers will need kayaks capable of handling a wide range of harsh weather and water conditions; longer and narrower sit-in touring kayaks might fit the bill. 

Best Kayaks For Lakes – Top 8 Reviews & Recommendations 

Best Kayak For Lakes – Final Verdict 

It’s Saturday afternoon, the sun is shining, you’re miles away from civilization, surrounded by nature and tranquil waters, and you don’t have a care in the world. 

Does that sound like your idea of heaven? 

Well, then, there’s a pretty good chance you’re going to love the Wilderness Systems Aspire 105 – because it fits the lazy, worry-free weekend paddling scenarios entirely. 

It’s versatile, offering overall flexibility, stability, tracking, and maneuverability that will meet the needs of beginner and intermediate paddlers alike. Aspire 105 is a jack of all trades – and a master of a few, too. 

Oh, and did I forget to mention how insanely comfortable it is with the roomy cockpit and fully adjustable seat? It’s the best kayak for lakes – at least in my humble opinion, anyway.