If you are a woman who wants to get into kayaking, you may want to know which kayaks are best for women.
Smaller kayak models are usually more maneuverable, while still offering enough storage space for all your rescue and safety gear. If you’re new to the sport, you might also find it helpful to read about different kayaking strokes that can improve your technique.
We are going to focus on 15 kayak models that are great choices for female paddlers in today’s article.
how to choose best kayak for women
When selecting a kayak, narrow down your options by considering what you will be using the kayak for, how experienced you are, and your budget.
Weight
The weight of the kayak is the first thing you should consider because it will impact how easy it is to use on and off the water. Most new kayakers don’t realize that they will need to carry their kayak almost as much as they use it while paddling.
The best kayaks are those that weigh 45 pounds or less because they are easy to load on and off your vehicle and to carry from the parking lot to the water’s edge.
If you don’t want to carry your kayak, you can use a kayak cart. Some kayak carts are designed for rough terrain to support the weight of the kayak.
Kayak Type
Sit-on-top kayaks:
– Easier to get in and out of
– More comfortable in hot weather
– More stable
– Less comfortable in cold weather
– Can fill with water
Sit-in kayaks:
– Harder to get in and out of
– More comfortable in cold weather
– Less stable
– More comfortable in hot weather
– Won’t fill with water
You should consider whether you want to go with a sit-on-top kayak or sit-in kayak.
Each have some pros and cons that you should be aware of. Sit-on-top kayaks are generally easier to get in and out of, but they can fill with water if capsized.
They are more stable than sit-in kayaks, but less comfortable in cold weather. Sit-in kayaks are generally more comfortable in cold weather and won’t fill with water if capsized, but they are less stable.
They can be difficult to get in and out of.
Sit-on-Top Kayaks
Sit-on-top kayaks offer many benefits for beginner kayakers. They are easy to get into and typically offer multiple molded-in footrests to accommodate kayakers of various heights.
The sit-on-tops usually have open storage areas, which is perfect for storing kayak accessories such as coolers, tackle crates, or a DIY kayak milk crate.
Sit Inside Kayaks
Spray skirts are a type of neoprene skirt that fit snugly around the cockpit opening and help to keep water out of the kayak. They can be extremely helpful in rough water conditions and help to keep paddlers warm and dry.
Sit-inside kayaks have a more enclosed cockpit than sit-on-top kayaks. They can be a little more difficult for some paddlers to get in and out of, but they can accommodate a kayak spray skirt.
Spray skirts are a type of neoprene skirt that fit snugly around the cockpit opening and help to keep water out of the kayak. They can be extremely helpful in rough water conditions and help to keep paddlers warm and dry.
A kayak spray skirt is a great accessory for kayaking in rainy conditions or when the temperature isn’t ideal. It encloses the cockpit to keep water out and also helps retain body heat, keeping the lower half of your body warmer.
When it comes to storage, sit-inside kayaks typically have more enclosed storage space than sit-on-top kayaks. Most sit-inside kayaks will have one or two compartments that are sealed with a kayak hatch cover to keep the gear inside as dry as possible.
It is important to remember that not every hatch on a sit-inside kayak is completely effective at keeping water out.
To be safe, you should put your gear in a dry bag that is the right size before storing it in the kayak’s compartment.
Hybrid Designs
There is at least one kayak on our list that is essentially a cross between a sit-on-top kayak and a standup paddleboard. This kayak offers more flexibility than the others on our list.
beginner kayakers are primarily concerned with learning the basics of how to paddle a kayak while seated rather than worrying about whether or not they will be able to stand up.
If you’re undecided about whether you want to get a kayak or a paddleboard, a hybrid design might be the perfect solution.
Weight Capacity
The last thing we want to mention is to check a kayak’s weight limit to make sure it can hold all the extra gear you’re planning to bring.
This is less of a concern if you’re just planning to go for a leisurely paddle with a water bottle and some snacks.
As you get more experienced, you’ll want to spend more time kayaking. To do this, you’ll need to bring extra layers of clothing, more rescue equipment, and you might even need to learn how to pack your kayak for camping trips.
You shouldn’t load your kayak with more than 80% of the maximum weight it can hold.
If you capsize in your kayak, it won’t sink, but it will become much harder to move and control. This will make you go more slowly, have to work harder with each paddle stroke, and make it harder to avoid obstacles.
Best Kayaks For Women
What are some of the best kayaking options for women? Some kayaks have features that can be beneficial for anyone, regardless of their size or height. woman’s kayak should be comfortable and fit her properly.
This guide outlines some of the best kayaks for women, taking into account various desired features.
Perception Tribe 9.5 Sit-On-Top Kayak
The Perception Tribe 9.5 is a good recreational kayak for those who want a versatile and easy-to-use boat.
The short hull on this yak makes it easy to maneuver in smaller bodies of water, while the stable hull ensures it can be used in a range of different water types including flatwater and ocean water.
The kayak has a large open deck that is comfortable to sit in for long periods of time. You can also adjust the back of the seat for added support. The kayak is also very spacious, allowing you to bring along all the gear you need for your next adventure.
The small center hatch can be useful for storing items that you want to keep close to you, and the bow and stern storage wells can be great for larger items.
This tough kayak has both bow and stern carry handles, as well as molded side handles to make it easier to carry and store on top of a car. There are also molded foot wells to accommodate different sizes of paddlers.
Features:
- Compact
- Versatile
- Stable
- Open deck
Ocean Kayak Venus 11 Women’s Sit-On-Top
New Ocean Kayak Venus 11 is designed for women; it has a seat that allows for a lower center of gravity and a low-profile deck which is easier to paddle. There is also a lot of storage, including a dry storage hatch at the bow.
The seat on this kayak is 20 inches wide, which gives you more room for comfort. The seat is also padded and adjustable, which gives you more back support while you paddle.
This yak is perfect for beginners who want to paddle on calm lakes and slow-moving rivers. It’s stable hull makes it easy to paddle and it moves quickly through the water.
This bag has front and rear carry handles, as well as side carry handles, which make it easier to lift. This is especially helpful when loading the bag onto a roof rack.
Features:
- Designed for women
- Low profile deck
- Wide seat
Sun Dolphin Aruba 10 Sit-In Kayak
The Sun Dolphin Aruba 10 is a recreational sit-inside kayak that is perfect for beginners who want to explore rivers and lakes. It is a durable boat that offers good value and is great for beginners.
The yak has a large and stable hull, as well as a large cockpit. This can make it more comfortable for paddling, as the thigh pads on the rim of the cockpit minimize the feeling of being enclosed.
The seat back is adjustable and padded, but the seat bottom is only molded, so you may want to take a cushion or seat pad if you plan to be sitting for a couple of hours.
The kayak has a storage compartment at the back that’s perfect for carrying a waterproof bag full of essentials. Additionally, the kayak has bungee cord rigging on the top for extra storage space at the back, as well as a bottle holder at the front.
Features:
- Durable
- Affordable
- Large cockpit
- Great for beginners
Pelican Sport Athena 100XP Kayak
The Athena 100XP also has a large, open cockpit for easy entry and exit, and adjustable foot pedals to ensure a comfortable fit for all. The Pelican Sport Athena 100XP is a single sit-inside kayak specifically designed for women.
It’s lightweight and has ergonomic carry handles at the front and back for easy carrying. The Athena 100XP also has a large, open cockpit for easy entry and exit, and adjustable foot pedals to ensure a comfortable fit for all.
This kayak has a large cockpit that is easy to enter and exit. The seat is designed to be comfortable with adjustable padding and a seat back. Inside the cockpit, there are also adjustable foot rests so you can paddle comfortably.
This craft is good for paddling on different types of water because it is fast, manageable, and stable.
The cockpit table is conveniently located for keeping your belongings close, and there is also a storage platform with space for securing items using bungee cords.
Plus, there is a holder for water bottles so you can stay hydrated during your flight.
Features:
- Lightweight
- Made for women
- Comfortable
Star Raven I Inflatable Kayak
This particular kayak is good for both river and flat water paddling due its design which can handle up to Class IV whitewater.
The kayak is constructed from PVC to be both tough and abrasion-resistant. It is designed with a wide hull to provide stability, which is beneficial when kayaking in rapids.
This kayak has a padded seat back for comfort and it can be attached to the D-rings in the boat. There is not a lot of storage space on this kayak, but there is some space behind the seat that has D-ring attachment points to tie down gear.
Features:
- Inflatable
- Lightweight
- Ideal for whitewater
Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100
This kayak is good for fishing trips because it has a lot of storage and built-in gear tracks.
This yak is versatile and can be used on many different types of water. It is also efficient, meaning it won’t take much effort to paddle it.
The Tarpon 100 comes with an air-cushioned Phase 1 seat that can be adjusted to your comfort, and adjustable footrests to accommodate different leg lengths. With an open deck design, you’ll enjoy plenty of space to move around while paddling.
This yak has great storage, with a large tank well behind the seat that can be used for a fishing crate or cooler. There are also two storage hatches, one in the center and one at the bow.
Features:
- Versatile
- Good storage
- Built-in gear tracks
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a small, tough craft that’s easy to control, we believe the best choice is the Perception Tribe 9.5. You can paddle it on various types of water and it has enough space for you to bring along extra supplies while also providing you with a spacious seating area.
The second most popular kayak is the Perception Tribute 10, which has a large cockpit and a adjustable seat. This kayak is designed specifically for women, and gets extra points because of that.
The Pelican Sport Athena 100X is a good choice if you are looking for a light, compact craft that you can easily lift yourself. It is designed for women.
The boats are designed to be easy to paddle and easy to transport. They have plenty of room in the cockpit for improved comfort.
Not all women’s kayaks will be comfortable or fit everyone’s taste. If you find a man’s kayak more comfortable, that is perfectly fine.
Before you purchase a kayak, you should consider how large and heavy it is. This is especially important if you need to move it by yourself.
