The 5 Best Touring Kayaks [Reviewed] – 2020 Buyer’s Guide
If you’re looking for the best touring kayak for paddling adventures, you might be wondering how it might differ from a recreational kayak. Basically, a touring kayak is more versatile, with plenty of cargo space and excellent handling. As a general rule, you’ll also find more features.
Touring kayaks are fantastic for paddling faster, and further than a simple recreational kayak will take you. Furthermore, they’re built to withstand rough water like ocean waves, though they’re often not as stable as recreational kayaks.
Check out the pros and cons of these top five touring kayaks, to help make your decision.
5 Top Touring Kayaks on the Market
|
Image |
Product Name |
Tracking System |
Hull Material |
Weight Capacity |
Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Riot Kayaks Edge 13 LV Flatwater Day Touring Kayak | Skeg | Polyethylene | 300 Pounds | Check Current Price |
|
Eddyline Skylark Kayak | None | ABS Plastic | 295 Pounds | Check Current Price |
|
Perception Tribute 12.0 Kayak | None | Polyethylene | 240 Pounds | Check Current Price |
 |
WILDERNESS SYSTEMS Tsunami 140 Kayak | None | Polyethylene | 300 Pounds | Check Current Price |
 |
Dagger Stratos 14.5 | Skeg | Polyethylene | 315 Pounds | Check Current Price |
Choose the Best Touring Kayak for You
1. Riot Kayaks Edge 13 LV Flatwater Day Touring Kayak
Riot is easily one of the best kayak companies when it comes to making sea, ocean, or touring kayaks. The Edge 13 LV is one of their best kayaks for touring.
The first feature on this kayak is its retractable skeg. A skeg, like a rudder, has one primary purpose. This is to help the kayak handle difficult waves and currents.
That being said, a skeg is a retractable piece on the bottom of the kayak. It doesn’t rotate left or right to help steer the kayak, like a rudder. It simply moves up and down, giving the kayak more resistance or less resistance against the waves.
The skeg on the Edge is controlled from the inside of the cockpit, making it easy to control and use.
When on the ocean, skegs are often considered superior over rudders. However, rudders are often easier for kayakers to manipulate, making them a more popular choice.
Next, the hull is made from polyethylene, which is the most common and most durable plastic compound used for kayak hulls.
Additionally, the Edge is 13 feet long and 25 inches wide. This length of the kayak combined with the beam of 25 inches is ideal for handling difficult ocean waves.
With a weight capacity of 300 pounds, this kayak allows you to bring adequate gear with you for all-day kayaking.
Speaking of storage, the Edge has two waterproof compartments, one in the stern and one in the bow. There are also two shock cord storage areas.
Inside the cockpit, there’s an adjustable comfort seat, adjustable foot braces, thigh and knee braces. You’ll also find a paddle hook, so you won’t lose it when you’re taking photos.
Pros
- Excellent beam
- Thigh Braces
- Knee Braces
- Adjustable seat
- Paddle Hooks
- Skeg
- Made from polyethylene
- Easy to steer
- Waterproof storage
Cons
- Short
- Low weight capacity
2. Eddyline Skylark Kayak
The Eddyline Skylark is really a recreational kayak, but it’s a great choice as a touring kayaking for beginners.
Why? Because it offers many of the features of a sea kayak, with the added bonus of excellent stability. This is not often the case with touring kayaks, so it allows beginners to develop skills in safety.
Comfort is a fantastic feature of this yak. It provides an Infinity Seat and backrest that can be adjusted for a custom fit. Adjustable foot braces ensure good posture and support while paddling.
For storage, there are front and rear bulkheads to keep your gear dry and safe. Additionally, bow and stern deck bungees let you carry more stuff for all-day or overnight trips.
To make it easy to transport, you’ll find retractable carry handles and security loops. In terms of durability, ABS laminate provides this, as it’s abrasion-resistant and easily maintained.
For beginners especially, the rudder-free design means the Skylark is easy to maneuver.
Pros
- Comfortable and adjustable seating
- Great stability
- Adequate touring storage
- Retractable carry handles
- Durable
Cons
- Beginner’s kayak
- Best for flatwater only
3. Perception Tribute 12.0 Kayak
The Tribute 12-foot Kayak by Perception is fairly unique. It’s designed specifically with smaller kayakers and women in mind, with a specially designed cockpit.
The hull is made of polyethylene, a very durable plastic which protects the kayak from damage.
With a bean of 24.5 inches, the Perception Tribute offers excellent stability, though this means sometimes sacrificing speed.
Comfort is assured on this kayak, with a Zone DLX seat. This means the seat is a full seat inside of the kayak cockpit and is fully adjustable. It also offers a foot brace system, thigh pads, and knee pads.
A stern hatch with a rubber cover and a stern bulkhead provide adequate storage for day touring.
Pros
- Designed for smaller kayakers
- DLX seat
- Stable Beam
- Polyethylene
Cons
- Can be resistant to speed
- Not for large kayakers
- Low weight capacity
4. WILDERNESS SYSTEMS Tsunami 140 Kayak
Wilderness Systems Tsunami is a decently long yak, at 14 feet. Therefore, it handles rough water well and is a great choice for ocean touring.
The hull is made of polyethylene, so it withstands damage even if it’s pulled across rough terrains in order to access the water.
At a 300-pound weight capacity, this kayak can’t haul a great deal of gear if you are a larger kayaker, but it does have lots of storage options. There are three domed storage hatches, one at the bow, one at the stern, and one towards the middle of the yak.
This kayak provides exactly the comfort expected at this price point. It has a full seat and padded thigh braces. Another unique feature with this kayak is the extra large foot brace system. This means if you have long legs, this might be the best touring kayak for you!
A paddle holder is another feature, so you can set your paddle down in a locked position, without fear of losing it in the water.
Pros
- Large Kayak
- XL Foot Braces
- Comfortable Seating
- Polyethylene Hull
- Paddle Holder
- Large cockpit
- Good tracking in the water
- Lots of storage
Cons
- Low weight capacity
- No Skeg
- No Rudder
5. Dagger Stratos 14.5
Whether in the surf or open waters, Dagger Stratos is a stable choice for beginners and a high performer for experienced paddlers.
Good weight capacity of 315 pounds means you can take quite a bit of gear with you too.
A sporty hull means you’ll work up some speed and maneuver easily for extra adventure. While you’re paddling, you’ll be comfortable with the ConTour CFS Seating System. It features an ergonomic floating back band and soft foam seat padding.
Adjustable padded thigh braces and SlideLock foot braces make it easy to customise to fit your needs.
For storage, bow and stern hatches have bulkheads to keep your gear dry. Bungee deck rigging offers additional space for safely transporting items.
In terms of tracking, this kayak features the TruTrack Skeg System which is useful in strong currents and windy conditions.
Pros
- Very stable
- 315-pound weight capacity
- ConTour CFS Seating System
- Dry storage options
- TruTrack Skeg System
- Durable polyethylene
- Great for both beginner and experienced paddlers
How to Buy a Touring Kayak
Touring Kayaks are specifically designed for following ocean coastlines. Therefore, you probably want to spend most of the day out on the water and the kayak needs to have enough features for a comfortable paddle.
Beam and Length
When considering an ocean kayak of any kind, it’s incredibly important to consider the length and the beam. If you hope to take your kayak out on the ocean far from shore, you need a kayak of 14 feet or longer. This ensures that the boat can handle difficult waves easily.
The beam of the boat should be wide enough to keep the kayak stable and thin enough to help it keep up with the high speeds of waves. A wider beam can cause drag, which causes the boat to tip when encountering larger waves.
When purchasing a touring kayak, it’s ideal to have a beam between 20 and 25 inches. Much more and you have significant resistance. Much less and you run the risk of tipping easily.
Rudders and Skegs
Rudders and Skegs are very interesting features on kayaks. A rudder is a small metal piece which can be turned to the right or left. This movement is directed by foot pedals inside the cockpit, which make a rudder a very accessible, easy to use addition.
A skeg is a small piece, often made of whatever the ocean kayak is made of, which raises and lowers. This raising and lowering is determined by either foot pedals or hand controls in the cockpit of the kayak.
A skeg is often used on the ocean to help create resistance against waves or create a smoother ride with the waves. Meanwhile, a rudder is used to steer the kayak various directions, possibly against the current.
A rudder is a often a semi-permanent feature on the bottom of the kayak. This means that it is installed on the bottom of the kayak and can be removed. However, this can only be done when the kayak is out of the water.
Weight Capacity
Weight capacity is an important feature to consider, especially when purchasing a touring kayak. Kayaking in the ocean is very different from touring on lakes or on rivers and it’s likely you’ll need more gear.
Make sure your kayak is capable of hauling you and all of the gear you need. If you think that, at some point, it may be fun to bring your 85 pound furry friend kayaking, plan for that now as you shop.
Durable
Next, durability is very important when considering the best touring kayak for you.
Salt can very easily erode different materials, so choosing a material which is noted for withstanding salt is important. Polyethylene typically does an excellent job at this.
If you do know that you will be taking your sea kayak in very shallow water and you may encounter large limbs or other obstacles, you might want to ensure your kayak has a warranty.
Comfort
Finally, comfort is a must with most kayaks, but especially touring kayaks.
To ensure this, look for an adjustable seat, adjustable foot braces, thigh pads and knee pads.
It may be worth your time to test ride touring kayaks by renting them for the day. Many kayaks boast different models of comfortable seating, but it can be hard to tell unless you’ve spent several hours in the seat.
Our Final Review for the Best Touring Kayak
Lastly, finding the best touring kayak is all about your own personal preferences. Where do you like to paddle? Do you prefer a lightweight kayak? Will you take much gear with you? Jot down all your answers before buying one and it’ll be easy to spot the right touring yak for you.
