The term one person kayak covers all kayaks designed for one person. There are many different types of boats such as sea kayaks, whitewater kayaks, sit-on-top kayaks and touring kayaks.
Which one person kayak is right for me?
We have compared the best one person kayaks in our recommendations and explain in our Checklist how to make the right choice when buying a one person kayak.
Contents:
The best one person kayaks 2024 reviewed.
1. Best stable one person kayak
This kayak has a length of 400 cm and a width of 66 cm. It weighs 24 kilograms and the cockpit measures 97 x 50 cm. It is made of PE.
- Comfortable fit
- Tracking accuracy
- Stability
- Price
- Difficult to transport
Why we like it: The kayak has a height-adjustable seat that enables a comfortable and individual sitting position. It scores with stability and directional stability, which also makes the boat beginner-friendly. Luggage can be stored in the partitioned storage compartments and the footrests can be adjusted to the rider’s height.
Recommended for: The kayak can carry up to 150 kilograms. It is particularly wide and therefore stable, making it ideal for beginners. Even experienced paddlers who value seating comfort will have fun with it. It is ideal for touring or watertrails.
2. best one person kayak with paddle
When inflated, the canoe measures 274 x 76 x 38 cm. It weighs just under 11 kilograms and, with a pack size of 60 x 45 x 42 cm, can be easily transported in the bag supplied. It also comes with an air pump, paddle and repair kit. The canoe is resistant to salt water, oil, abrasion, pressure and UV radiation.
- Inexpensive
- Quickly assembled
- Easy to transport
- Transport bag quickly becomes defective
- Carrier than other models
Why we like it: The boat is very stable and offers plenty of legroom. It comes with a paddle and pump, which are well made. Within a few minutes it is set up and ready for use on the water. The reinforced floor supports the stable handling of the canoe. It is very agile and enables quick changes of direction. The hard-wearing vinyl material promises a long service life.
Recommended for: The kayak is suitable for one person and a maximum weight of 100 kilograms. Even tall people can still sit comfortably in it.
3. best one person kayak with seat
The kayak measures 320 x 81 x 25 cm and weighs around 12 kilograms. It consists of two individual air chambers and therefore offers greater safety on the water.
- Fast assembly
- Plenty of legroom
- Solid workmanship
- Price
- Not suitable for long tours
Why we like it: This inflatable kayak is a space-saving alternative to conventional models. It can be stored and transported in the bag supplied. The Tarpaulin floor is particularly strong and robust and assembly is quick thanks to the Twistlok and air spring valves.
Recommended for: The kayak is suitable for people who are looking for a model with a comfortable, high backrest that is easy to transport. However, it is too small for long tours with luggage.
4. best one person kayak set
This kayak measures 375 x 72 x 7 cm, weighs just under 17 kilograms and is therefore around 40 % lighter than comparable hard canoes. It comes with a recycled rucksack, high-pressure pump, two removable central fins and a seat cushion.
- Dimensionally stable
- Does not tip over quickly
- Good directional stability
- Without paddle
- Price
Why we like it: The extra long hull waterline helps to achieve higher paddling speeds. The drop-stitch technology makes it particularly rigid and stable. The footrest is adjustable and ensures a comfortable ride. The high-quality, adjustable seat with high backrest ensures a comfortable ride.
Recommended for: The kayak can be loaded up to a maximum of 128 kilograms. Due to its shape, it offers the paddler good directional stability, but still enables fast and stable turns.
5. best one person kayak made of plastic
The boat measures 305 x 71 cm and weighs 18 kilograms. It is supplied including a paddle with a length of 220 cm and a weight of 953 grams. The kayak is made of HDPE.
- Sliding properties
- Speed
- Also suitable for beginners thanks to its riding stability
- Difficult to transport due to its size
Why we like it: It offers good gliding properties and enough storage space for necessary equipment and food. It has a bottle holder, a splash-proof day hatch in which luggage can be stored and luggage nets at the front and rear. Preparation for a fishing rod holder is also already available.
Recommended for: The lightweight kayak is also suitable for beginners due to its high tipping stability and can be loaded with up to 125 kilograms.
More articles you might find interesting:
- 2-seater kayak
- Fishing kayak
- Inflatable canoes
- Carbon paddle
- Double paddle
- Drybags
- one person kayak
- Folding kayak
- Wooden paddle
- Kayak
- Kayak helmet
- Kayak trolley
- Canadian
- Canoe paddle
- Canoe
- Packraft
- Paddle pants
- Paddle shoes
- impact vest
- Inflatable boat
- Swim vests for kayaks
- Sea kayak
- Paddle
- Touring kayak
- Hiking kayak
- Waterproof headphones
- Whitewater kayaks
- Whitewater paddle
One person kayak Checklist: These features are important in the test
- Area of use: Depending on whether for white water, on the sea or for touring, one person kayaks differ greatly in their shape. A touring kayak is therefore not suitable for whitewater trips. Before buying, it should be clear what type of kayak you want to use and where.
- Construction: There are hard-shell kayaks, folding kayaks and inflatable kayaks. Each design has advantages and disadvantages. While hard-shell kayaks are very robust, they are more difficult to transport and require more storage space. Folding and air kayaks are less robust, but are easy to transport and take up very little space.
- Dimensions: The length depends on the area of application. A long kayak is unsuitable for white water rafting, for example. In sport it is a maximum of 520 cm long. The width is not specified there, but professionals now often sail boats that are only 30 cm narrow, which means they tip over more easily than wider models.
- Hull shape: The hull shape determines the tipping stability, maneuverability and maneuverability of a kayak. The keel and width of the hull also determine how stable and smooth a kayak is.
Bestsellers: The most popular one person kayaks on Amazon
(**Last update 2024-09-16)
FAQ: Frequently asked questions and answers
Which one person kayak is the best?
What is a one person kayak?
What is the lightest one person kayak?
The lightest kayaks with a fixed hull are kayaks used for racing and canoe slalom. These laminated boats made of carbon and aramid fibers have a weight of 8-9 kg, depending on the boat class.
How safe is a one person kayak?
- it is used correctly according to the intended use of the kayak (e.g. white water kayak for white water).
- the person paddling is practicing the sport within their personal limits.
- the person paddling is aware of possible dangers when using the one person kayak and avoids these dangers.
How expensive is a one person kayak?
One person kayaks with a fixed hull are somewhat more expensive and are available from around 500 $. One person kayaks for specialists or competitive sports can cost up to 5000 $.
What alternatives are there to one person kayaks?
Is there a Consumer Reports or Öko Test on one person kayaks?
*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.
Add comment