Explore secluded bays and enjoy great views – with a 3-person kayak, fun for the whole family is pre-programmed. There are many different types of kayaks for specific purposes, water conditions and distance.
Which 3-person kayak is the best?
The range of kayaks on the market is just as diverse as their possible uses. Kayaking is a great sport for young and old. A triple kayak is the perfect companion for a family trip into the cool water. Our recommendations present the best models 2024. Our checklist contains practical tips to help you find a suitable kayak in no time at all.
Contents:
- Review: The best 3-seater kayaks 2024 in review.
- Checklist: These features are important.
- Bestseller: The most popular 3-person kayaks at a glance.
- FAQ: Fasked questions and answers about 3-seater kayaks.
Review of the best 3-person kayaks 2024
1st best 3-person kayak with Velcro seats
The inflatable boat has three kayak seats with straps and Velcro fasteners. The 4 carrying handles help with transportation. The kayak is versatile and comes as a set with foot pump, transport bag, fins and paddle.
- Easy assembly
- Good workmanship
- Practical backpack
- Quite a lot of splash water when paddling
Why we like it: This kayak offers plenty of storage space and has a load capacity of up to 230 kilos. Experience has shown that assembly is quick and fairly simple. The kayak is designed for 3 people and has two fixed fins for steering. The foot pump is also included, as well as a carrying bag.
Recommended for: The padded seats of the kayak are equipped with harnesses so that children can paddle safely. The kayak also comes with a useful transport rucksack for when you’re out and about. This makes it a perfect and safe companion for family outings.
2nd best 3-person kayak with carry bag
This inflatable kayak in an all-inclusive set is very durable and made of robust polyester. It is also UV-resistant and has PVC air chambers. The V-shaped floor offers plenty of space and makes the boat stable. It can be loaded with 3 persons and max. 95 kilos of additional luggage.
- Comfortable seats
- Plenty of storage space
- High-quality workmanship
- Fin difficult to attach
Why we like it: This kayak is the perfect choice for beginners. It is supplied completely ready to use including air pump, paddle, inflatable seats and carrying bag. Its hard-wearing outer material is also UV-resistant and water-repellent.
Recommended for: The kayak is easy to steer thanks to the fins. The comfortable seats also have a backrest and storage pockets. Thanks to the carry bag, the kayak is very easy to transport and can also be used in more remote locations. Great for active vacationers.
3. best 3-person kayak for two adults & one child
The Sevylor kayak is stable and inflatable. It has a wide design and space for luggage at the bow and stern. It also has three inflatable and adjustable seats. The set comes with a transport backpack and repair kit.
- Agile & fast
- Easy handling
- Inexpensive
- Seats quite low & poor backrest
Why we like it: This inflatable kayak from the Sevylor brand is ideal for three people. It is longer and wider than other models on the market, guaranteeing a high degree of stability on the water. This is particularly advantageous when small children are on board.
Recommended for: The robust PVC outer shell of the kayak makes it very durable and the wide design very stable. The load capacity is 200 kilos and it has a repair kit included. This kayak is particularly suitable for long-term use.
4. best 3-person kayak with foot pump
This kayak comes with a foot pump, carry bag, paddles, seats and fin. It is made of sturdy polyester with air chambers made of tear-resistant PVC. The flat underside of the boat ensures great stability when riding.
- Sturdy paddles
- Comfortable seats
- Fast assembly
- Very high side walls
Why we like it: This three-person kayak can be fully inflated in just a few minutes using the foot pump supplied. When filled, it can withstand a maximum load of 210 kilograms.
Recommended for: Anyone looking for a model that is quick and easy to set up will find what they are looking for here. The foot pump supplied helps you to set up the kayak quickly, even on your own, and the kayak comes in an efficient set. Relaxed and simple.
5th best adventure triple kayak
The SKINHAWK Premium kayak is a set with air pump, seats with high backrest, paddles and carrying bag. It offers great comfort and speed. It also has a high load capacity of 350 kilos and is very hard-wearing.
- High quality
- All inclusive
- Robust material
- Quite heavy
Why we like it: Three robust layers of plastic make this kayak particularly resistant and prevent water from penetrating. In addition, three high air chambers make it easy to inflate the kayak.
Recommended for: This kayak is the perfect companion for your next whitewater adventure. The V-shaped floor enables many maneuvers and smooth, fast travel across the water. Fun is guaranteed here.
6. best stable 3-person kayak
The kayak with three inflatable seats has spray covers at the bow and stern for luggage. The wide design ensures greater stability. It has preformed carrying handles and offers plenty of comfort.
- Small pack size
- Lots of stability
- Comfortable seats
- Side chambers after intensive use and tight
Why we like it: In terms of stability, this kayak has the edge – its wide design means it sits securely in the water. There are sprayhoods at the bow and stern for stowing luggage protected from the water. The pre-shaped carrying handles on the sides also function as paddle holders.
Recommended for: This model is a good alternative for anyone who likes to be stable and safe on the water. It is wide and has preformed carrying handles. Perfect for longer trips on the water.
7. best 3-person kayak with splash guard
The kayak has spray skirts at the bow and stern to protect it from splashing water. The Boston valves help with easy inflation. The maximum weight is around 210 kilos and the tare weight is around 18 kilos.
- Good for families
- Easy to paddle
- Fast assembly
- Seams somewhat weak
Why we like it: This inflatable folding kayak has an extremely robust nylon outer layer. The three seats are inflatable and easy to adjust. And the two side chambers made of PVC are stable, tear-resistant and durable.
Recommended for: While there is never a complete guarantee of staying dry when kayaking, this kayak comes very close:
The reinforced floor ensures maximum stability and prevents the kayak from tipping over. In addition, the spray covers on board ensure that luggage is reliably protected from the wet.
3-seater kayak checklist: These features are important in the test
- Material: The material of the kayak has an influence on the stability and weight of the kayak. Smoother hull materials reduce water resistance and thus increase sailing speed.
- Polyethylene is the most commonly used material in kayak construction. This has the advantage that it is very easy to clean and robust. The use of drop-stitch technology, in which the material is specially stitched, creates more stability. This enables inflation at high pressure.
- Hard shell kayaks can also be made from laminates with glass fiber or aramid. In most cases, the work is done by hand, which is why such kayaks are correspondingly expensive.
- Comfort: A good seating system is the most important prerequisite for maximum comfort. A good arrangement of the seats enables efficient paddling. As the name suggests, 3-seater kayaks are equipped with three seats. Good features of kayak seats include adjustability, an ergonomic shape and, ideally, padding.
- Length: The longer the kayak, the more maneuverable it is. Although wider kayaks offer more stability, they are slower and more difficult to steer. Long kayaks also have more space for luggage.
- Accessories: With the right accessories, nothing stands in the way of your next whitewater expedition:
- Double paddleWhether you are paddling alone or with several people – the kayak cannot be propelled without at least one double paddle. The paddle is therefore the most important tool for kayaking.
- Air pumpInflatable kayaks require an air pump. This can be operated electrically or manually. As with an inflatable boat, it fills the air chambers with air and thus ensures that the kayak remains stable.
- Carrying bagA carrying bag makes it easier to transport the kayak when it is not inflated. This means the kayak takes up less space and can be easily stowed in a rucksack.
- Life jacket: Safety comes first. A life jacket is a must for kayaking, especially for small children. However, even adults should not underestimate the dangers of currents. Should the kayak capsize for any reason, a life jacket will help keep you afloat.
- Area of use: The type of water you prefer has an influence on the right type of kayak. It therefore makes sense to consider in advance where the boat will primarily be launched:
- Lakes/rivers: A leisure kayak or a sit-on-top kayak are ideal for relaxed tours in good weather. They are particularly suitable for calm waters. On larger lakes, however, more wind and currents must be expected. Accordingly, a canoe with more stability is required. A touring kayak is more stable and provides better protection against splashing water.
- Sea/coast: Waves, wind and tides make this area a paddling area for experts. A fast, long leisure kayak is the perfect solution. It impresses with its maneuverability and stable water position.
Also interesting: The best 2-person kayaks 2024.
Bestseller: The most popular 3-person kayaks
(**Last update 2024-09-08)
More articles you might find interesting:
- 2-person kayak
- 2-person canoes 2023
- Fishing kayak
- Aquabikes
- Carbon paddle
- Double paddle
- Drybags
- Single kayak
- Folding kayak
- Wooden paddle
- Kayak
- Kayak roof rack
- Kayak bike trailer
- Kayak helmet
- Kayak motors
- Kayak paddle
- Kayak sails
- Kayak trolley
- Canadian
- Canoe
- Canoe paddle
- Hatch cover kayak
- Paddle pants
- Paddle shoes
- Impact protection vest
- Life jackets for kayaks
- Sea kayak
- Paddle
- Pedal kayak
- Touring kayak
- Hiking kayak
- Waterproof headphones
- Whitewater kayaks
- Whitewater paddle
FAQ: Frequently asked questions and answers
- 1 Is it possible to steer a 3-person kayak alone?
- 2 How stable is a 3-person kayak?
- 3 How much does a 3-person kayak cost?
- 4 Where can I buy a 3-person kayak?
- 5 How heavy is a 3-person kayak?
- 6 Can a 3-person kayak be used by two people?
- 7 Which 3-person kayak is best?
- 8 What alternatives are there to 3-person kayaks?
- 9 Is there a test from Stiftung Warentest or Ökotest for 3-person kayaks?
Is it possible to steer a 3-person kayak alone?
It is therefore advisable to steer a 3-person kayak with at least one other person.
How stable is a 3-person kayak?
Nevertheless, it should not be a problem to board and maneuver the kayak with three people.
How much does a 3-person kayak cost?
For a high-quality 3-person kayak, a price of between$200 and $600 is realistic. If you want to save money, you can opt for a used model.
Where can I buy a 3-person kayak?
This has the advantage that prospective buyers can first read the reviews of previous buyers to make a decision.
How heavy is a 3-person kayak?
Transporting hard-shell kayaks, on the other hand, is somewhat more difficult. The weight of one of these is usually between 15 kg and 40 kg.
Can a 3-person kayak be used by two people?
It offers enough legroom and space for two people, including luggage, and the steering does not suffer from a missing person.
Which 3-person kayak is best?
Longer leisure kayaks, on the other hand, are perfect for sea and coastal regions as they are both stable and maneuverable. Our checklist will help you find out which 3-seater kayak is right for you.
What alternatives are there to 3-person kayaks?
Canoes are another alternative. These are also available in various designs and are very similar to a kayak in terms of construction and function.
Is there a test from Stiftung Warentest or Ökotest for 3-person kayaks?
Our checklist also explains the most important purchasing criteria.
*Price includes VAT, plus shipping. Customer reviews, prices, delivery times and costs may change in the meantime. By linking to selected online shops and partners, we may receive a small affiliate commission. There are no additional costs for you.
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