The Complete Kayaking Gear List for Day Touring
Updated on February 6, 2020
Kayak touring is an incredible adventure that lets you see so many sights and waterways that you couldn’t otherwise, propelled by your own strength. Before you venture on a kayaking day tour, you’ll want to double check our kayak gear list, where we’ll cover every item that you’ll need to go on a kayaking adventure.
Here at The Adventure Junkies, we’re obsessed with finding the best item of each piece of gear so that you can spend more time kayaking and less time combing the internet for the best pieces of gear. In this guide, we’ll cover everything that you’ll need to bring on a kayak tour, and show you the top models for each item.
HOW TO USE THIS PACKING LIST
Next to each piece of kayaking gear that we feature, we’ll tell you a few essential facts that you’ll need to know about it. Here are the categories we’ll show and a quick explanation of what information you can expect to find.
PURPOSE: This tells you the basic use of the piece of gear and what it’s used for.
ESSENTIAL ITEM? Is the piece of gear essential to your trip, or is it simply an extra luxury? We’ll let you know. However, an item might be essential for one type of kayaking trip but unnecessary for another.
PRICE RANGE: How much you can expect to pay for this item.
LOOK FOR: Key traits and features that really make a great item stand out.
BEST MODELS: We’ll link to our in-depth guide for this particular piece of gear, where you can dive deeper into the details of how to choose the best one.
KAYAK BASICS
SEA KAYAK
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon | REI
PURPOSE: Navigate through choppy sea conditions with ease and speed
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes — for sea kayakers
PRICE RANGE: $400 – $3000
LOOK FOR: Sturdy build materials, small cockpit opening, the correct hull type for you
OUR PICK: Eddyline Equinox
BEST MODELS: Top 10 Sea Kayaks
TANDEM KAYAK
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon | REI
PURPOSE: Kayaking with multiple people in a single kayak
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes — for tandem kayakers
PRICE RANGE: $120 – $3000
LOOK FOR: Enough space to fit everyone, storage space, comfort
OUR PICK: Ocean Kayak Malibu Two XL
BEST MODELS: Top 10 Tandem Kayaks
INFLATABLE KAYAK
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: A kayak that inflates and can be deflated to be compact and travel anywhere
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: No
PRICE RANGE: $350 – $2500
LOOK FOR: Sturdy materials, compact deflating system, compatible collapsible paddle
OUR PICK: Hobie I9s
BEST MODELS: Top 10 Inflatable Kayaks
TOURING KAYAK
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon | REI
PURPOSE: For long distance kayakers
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes — for touring kayakers
PRICE RANGE: $500 – $2500
LOOK FOR: A sturdy tracking system, sturdy materials, solid stability
OUR PICK: Wilderness Systems Tsunami 145
BEST MODELS: Top 10 Touring Kayaks
SIT ON TOP KAYAK
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon | REI
PURPOSE: Basic kayaking for beginners and casual paddlers
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes — for the average kayaker
PRICE RANGE: $500 – $2500
LOOK FOR: Solid design and stability, comfort, storage space
OUR PICK: Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120
BEST MODELS: Top 10 Sit on Top Kayaks
PADDLE
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon | REI
PURPOSE: Propels the kayak through the water
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $20 – $500
LOOK FOR: A compatible paddle with your kayak, sturdy materials especially in saltwater, rigidity
OUR PICK: Werner Camano Hooked Straight Shaft
BEST MODELS: Top 10 Kayak Paddles
KAYAK SEAT
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Provides comfort, core, and back support while kayaking
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $15 – $200
LOOK FOR: High or low back depending on your kayak, kayak compatibility, support
OUR PICK: Surf to Summit GTS Sport
BEST MODELS: Top 10 Kayak Seats
SAFETY GEAR
PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon | REI
PURPOSE: Keeps kayakers afloat in case of emergency
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $50 – $300
LOOK FOR: US Coast Guard certification, correct size, comfort
OUR PICK: Kokatat OutFIT Tour
BEST MODELS: Top 10 Kayak PFDs
WHISTLE
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Alerts others for help in case of an emergency
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: No
PRICE RANGE: $5 – $50
LOOK FOR: Rust-proof materials, a lanyard cord attachment for easy access
OUR PICK: Heimdall Safety Whistle
HELMET
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Protects your head in rapids or narrow waterways
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: No
PRICE RANGE: $50 – $250
LOOK FOR: A helmet specifically designed for kayakers, rust-proof materials, safety rating
OUR PICK: NRS WRSI Current Pro
CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR
HAT
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Provides sun protection for the face, neck, and shoulders
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: No
PRICE RANGE: $10 – $100
LOOK FOR: A full brim for maximum sun protection, comfort, and breath-ability
OUR PICK: Camo Coll Outdoor
KAYAK SHOES
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon | REI
PURPOSE: Protects the feet and provides warmth
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: No
PRICE RANGE: $20 – $130
LOOK FOR: Comfortable neoprene, shoe height, sturdy soles, proper fit
OUR PICK: NRS Freestyle
BEST MODELS: Top 10 Kayaking Shoes
DRY TOP
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Keeps the kayaker dry and protected from the sun
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: No
PRICE RANGE: $30 – $150
LOOK FOR: Proper fit, tight cuffs to shield from spray, lightweight materials
OUR PICK: NRS Rio Top Paddle Jacket
BEST MODELS: Top 10 Kayak Drysuits
GLOVES
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Protects the hands from blistering and keeps them warm in cold conditions
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: No
PRICE RANGE: $15 – $90
LOOK FOR: Comfortable fit, flexible fabrics, easy to adjust
OUR PICK: Warmers Barnacle Half Finger
BEST MODELS: Top 10 Kayak Gloves
NAVIGATION TOOLS
GPS
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon | REI
PURPOSE: Helps navigate through diverging waterways
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: No
PRICE RANGE: $50 – $400
LOOK FOR: Personal locator beacon, easy to use features, waterproof or water resistant
OUR PICK: ACR Electronics ResQLink
BEST MODELS: Top 10 Kayak GPS
COMPASS
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon | REI
PURPOSE: Helps paddlers navigate using basic coordinates and directions
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: No
PRICE RANGE: $10 – $100
LOOK FOR: Easy to read and use functions, waterproof and water resistant, compact
OUR PICK: Suunto M-3D Leader Compass
PERSONAL ITEMS
DRY BAG
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon | REI
PURPOSE: Keeps items like the GPS, phone, camera, and other things dry and secure
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: No
PRICE RANGE: $20 – $200
LOOK FOR: Enough storage space for your items, clasp to secure shut
OUR PICK: Sea to Summit Big River Dry Bag
BEST MODELS: Top 10 Dry Bags for Kayaking
OTHERS
SunscreenCameraWater bottleSnacks
KAYAK TRANSPORTATION
KAYAK CART
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Transports the kayak to and from the car to the water
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: No
PRICE RANGE: $40 – $300
LOOK FOR: Compatibility with your kayak, handle comfort, easy to store
OUR PICK: Malone Clipper Deluxe
BEST MODELS: Top 10 Kayak Carts
ROOF RACK
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Transports the kayak via car to and from destinations
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes – depending on your vehicle
PRICE RANGE: $30 – $250
LOOK FOR: Vehicle and kayak compatibility, quick on-and-off loading, easy to use
OUR PICK: TMS HD Kayak Carrier
LEARN MORE: How to Transport a Kayak
READ MORE
For more of our top kayaking gear recommendations, check out these popular buyer’s guides:
Sea Kayaks
Inflatable Kayaks
Touring Kayaks
Fishing Kayaks
Tandem Kayaks
Sit-In Kayaks
Sit On Top Kayaks
Canoes
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