20 Best River Kayaks [2024]

Are you looking for the best river kayaks? Based on expert reviews, we ranked them. We've listed our top-ranked picks, including the top-selling river kayaks.

We Recommended:

# Preview Product
1 Intex Explorer K2 Kayak, 2-Person Inflatable Kayak Set with Aluminum Oars and High Output Air Pump Intex Explorer K2 Kayak, 2-Person Inflatable Kayak Set with Aluminum Oars and High Output Air Pump
2 Pelican - River Gorge 130X Tandem Kayak - Sit-on-Top - Recreational 2 Person Kayak - 13 ft Pelican - River Gorge 130X Tandem Kayak - Sit-on-Top - Recreational 2 Person Kayak - 13 ft
3 Bestway Hydro-Force Cove Champion Inflatable Kayak Set | Includes Double-Sided Paddle, Extra... Bestway Hydro-Force Cove Champion Inflatable Kayak Set | Includes Double-Sided Paddle, Extra...
4 Amazon Woman: Facing Fears, Chasing Dreams, and a Quest to Kayak the World's Largest River from... Amazon Woman: Facing Fears, Chasing Dreams, and a Quest to Kayak the World's Largest River from...
5 A Guide to the Whitewater Rivers of Washington, Over 320 Trips for Raft, Kayak & Canoe, 2nd Edition A Guide to the Whitewater Rivers of Washington, Over 320 Trips for Raft, Kayak & Canoe, 2nd Edition
6 Kayak T-Shirt - I'd Rather Be Kayaking River Canoe Canoeing Kayak T-Shirt - I'd Rather Be Kayaking River Canoe Canoeing
7 Kayak Suite (Part I) River Groove Kayak Suite (Part I) River Groove
8 60' Kids Kayak Paddle | River Tubing Paddle | Double Oars for Intex River Run 60" Kids Kayak Paddle | River Tubing Paddle | Double Oars for Intex River Run
9 Death on the River: A Fiancee's Dark Secrets and a Kayak Trip Turned Deadly Death on the River: A Fiancee's Dark Secrets and a Kayak Trip Turned Deadly
10 Kayaking Retro Vintage Sunset River Kayak Kayaker T-Shirt Kayaking Retro Vintage Sunset River Kayak Kayaker T-Shirt
11 Oru Kayak Foldable Kayak - Stable, Durable, Lightweight Folding Kayaks for Adults and Youth - Lake,... Oru Kayak Foldable Kayak - Stable, Durable, Lightweight Folding Kayaks for Adults and Youth -...
12 Paddle Faster, I Hear Banjos | Funny Camping, River Rafting Canoe Kayak T-Shirt-(Adult,L) Navy Blue Paddle Faster, I Hear Banjos | Funny Camping, River Rafting Canoe Kayak T-Shirt-(Adult,L) Navy Blue
13 Black Mamba for Breakfast: One River, Three Kayaks, Six Months Black Mamba for Breakfast: One River, Three Kayaks, Six Months
14 On Holiday Lime Green Kayak Water Sports Boat Paddle River Camping Outdoors Sports Christmas Tree... On Holiday Lime Green Kayak Water Sports Boat Paddle River Camping Outdoors Sports Christmas Tree...
15 Men Athletic Water Shoes for Men Quick Dry Swim Shoes Pool Shoe Beach Shoe Diving Surf Kayak Boating... Men Athletic Water Shoes for Men Quick Dry Swim Shoes Pool Shoe Beach Shoe Diving Surf Kayak...
16 inktastic Kayaking River is Calling Kayak Infant Creeper 6 Months White 322cd inktastic Kayaking River is Calling Kayak Infant Creeper 6 Months White 322cd
17 Chasing Niagara Chasing Niagara
18 Extreme Kayak Boat Riding Track Race: River Rush Water Slide Driving Missions Extreme Kayak Boat Riding Track Race: River Rush Water Slide Driving Missions
19 Mystery of the Nile (IMAX) Mystery of the Nile (IMAX)
20 New River Guide: Paddling and Fishing in North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia New River Guide: Paddling and Fishing in North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia
SaleBestseller No. 1
Intex Explorer K2 Kayak, 2-Person Inflatable Kayak Set with Aluminum Oars and High Output Air Pump
  • Comfortable for anyone: Kayak includes an adjustable inflatable seat with backrest; Cockpit designed for comfort and space
  • Dimensions: Inflated size 10 feet 3 x 3 feet x 1 feet 8 inch; Maximum weight capacity: 400 pounds
  • Directional stability: Removable SKEG for directional stability
  • Increased visibility: In case of emergency, bright yellow color helps visibility
  • Made for smaller bodies of water: Explorer k2 is made for smaller bodies of water including lakes and mild rivers
Bestseller No. 2
Pelican - River Gorge 130X Tandem Kayak - Sit-on-Top - Recreational 2 Person Kayak - 13 ft
  • Upgraded Features: Additional storage in this tandem kayak includes quick lock hatch and a tank well equipped with bungee cords. It's also equipped...
  • Stable: The twin-arched multi-chine hull offers excellent stability giving you a secure and steady ride. It also makes it incredibly easy to get in...
  • Safe: Our unique manufacturing process allows us to include additional flotation inside the hull of all of our sit-on-tops in order to meet or surpass...
  • Comfortable: The adjustable ERGOFIT G2seating system is specially designed with thicker ergonomic padding to provide targeted cushioning and better...
  • Lightweight: Our kayaks being made with exceptionally durable high molecular density polyethylene, less material is needed to produce each boat....
Bestseller No. 3
Bestway Hydro-Force Cove Champion Inflatable Kayak Set | Includes Double-Sided Paddle, Extra...
  • TAKE SUMMER TO THE NEXT LEVEL: Drift along the lake, river, or ocean in the Hydo-Force Cove Champion Inflatable Kayak. Perfect for adventures and...
  • COMPLETE SET: This kayak set comes with everything you need to get you out on the water fast! A durable, double-sided paddle, air hammer hand pump,...
  • RIDE COMFORTABLY: The wide-opening cockpit features an adjustable seat with a backrest for extra lumbar support! There's also plenty of storage areas...
  • LIGHTWEIGHT & COMPACT KAYAK: Because the kayak is inflatable, it can be deflated and folded up into compact size making it convenient for travel or...
  • TIE IT UP: The wraparound grab rope surrounds the entire exterior of the kayak for easy transport. It also gives you the ability to tie up to a dock...
Bestseller No. 4
Amazon Woman: Facing Fears, Chasing Dreams, and a Quest to Kayak the World's Largest River from...
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Gaechter, Darcy (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 241 Pages - 03/03/2020 (Publication Date) - Pegasus Books (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 5
A Guide to the Whitewater Rivers of Washington, Over 320 Trips for Raft, Kayak & Canoe, 2nd Edition
  • Jeff Bennett (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 352 Pages - 12/26/1998 (Publication Date) - Swiftwater Publishing Company (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 6
Kayak T-Shirt - I'd Rather Be Kayaking River Canoe Canoeing
  • Lightweight, Classic fit, Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem
Bestseller No. 8
60" Kids Kayak Paddle | River Tubing Paddle | Double Oars for Intex River Run
  • Kids kayak paddle measures 60" total length after assembly. Approximately half the length of a traditional adult touring paddle
  • Recommended for children ages 4 to 10. Also works well for youth and adults as a propulsion aid while river tubing.
  • Easy screw-together assembly. Light weight and light duty. Ideal learners paddle
  • RWTUV approved
Bestseller No. 9
Death on the River: A Fiancee's Dark Secrets and a Kayak Trip Turned Deadly
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Fanning, Diane (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 295 Pages - 04/30/2019 (Publication Date) - St. Martin's True Crime (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 10
Kayaking Retro Vintage Sunset River Kayak Kayaker T-Shirt
  • A cool, retro style, kayaking design and/or gift - with the silhouette of a river, whitewater kayaker against a sunset, water, circle, circular...
  • Christmas gift for a white water kayaker.
  • Lightweight, Classic fit, Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem
Bestseller No. 11
Oru Kayak Foldable Kayak - Stable, Durable, Lightweight Folding Kayaks for Adults and Youth - Lake,...
  • THE WORLD'S MOST PORTABLE FOLDING KAYAK – Quickly and easily get out on the wide open water! Your innovative Inlet boat by Oru Kayak is made for...
  • FROM BOX TO BOAT IN MINUTES – Construct your kayak in under 5 minutes! Oru pioneered the Inlet’s origami-inspired, foldable structure, so you...
  • SLEEK, DURABLE, & RELIABLE – Although your kayak is small enough to carry when folded, it is most certainly mighty. Oru Kayaks undergo extensive...
  • NO ROOF RACK REQUIRED - Fits into the trunk of a small car or our Oru Inlet Pack carrying case [sold separately] for easy transport when hiking,...
  • AWARD-WINNING DESIGN - featured on Shark Tank, Forbes, CNN, Wall Street Journal, and Oprah Magazine, there are now more than 25,000 Oru Kayaks out on...
Bestseller No. 12
Paddle Faster, I Hear Banjos | Funny Camping, River Rafting Canoe Kayak T-Shirt-(Adult,L) Navy Blue
  • MICHIGAN ARTISTS & PRINTERS | this design was drawn and screen printed (silk screened) with pride by our skilled illustrators and printers in Ann...
  • UNISEX MODERN FIT SIZING | this shirt is slightly tapered to be a little less boxy than the old style of mass-market t-shirt. Nothing drastic, and...
  • SOFT FABRICS | Our shirts are a ringspun, 30/1 fine jersey knit on 100% USA-grown cotton. If you don't speak t-shirt geek, that means they are soft...
  • TOP QUALITY INKS | We use QCM screen printing inks, manufactured in Pineville, North Carolina. These are high quality inks - vibrant and durable, and...
  • SAFE CHEMISTRY | QCM has been one of the most forward-thinking ink manufacturers in the industry, going phthalate-free over ten years ago - way ahead...
Bestseller No. 13
Black Mamba for Breakfast: One River, Three Kayaks, Six Months
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • M'gog, Hollie (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 304 Pages - 05/26/2017 (Publication Date)
Bestseller No. 14
On Holiday Lime Green Kayak Water Sports Boat Paddle River Camping Outdoors Sports Christmas Tree...
  • Approx. Size 4.37 inches long, 3 inches wide and 1 inch deep.
  • Made of polyresin
  • String hanger included
Bestseller No. 15
Men Athletic Water Shoes for Men Quick Dry Swim Shoes Pool Shoe Beach Shoe Diving Surf Kayak Boating...
  • Perfect Fit Design: Low top with elastic drawstring and lock buckle closure system, speedly adjust shoe width and prevents the aqua shoe drip off when...
  • Foot Safety: The newly all inclusive rubber cap design, anti collision, reduce hurt from hard objects outdoors. Soft and ventilated honeycomb holes...
  • Unique Rubber Sole with Drainage Holes: Upgrade fishbone pattern rubber outsole with 7 drainage holes, ensure good drainage, creates a cooler and...
  • Suitable Occasion: SAGUARO barefoot water shoes is a multifunction shoes, perfect for beach, diving, swimming, pool, snorkeling, surfing, sailing,...
Bestseller No. 16
inktastic Kayaking River is Calling Kayak Infant Creeper 6 Months White 322cd
  • The river is calling cute kayaking Infant Creeper for weekend water sports boating enthusiasts
  • Our unisex one piece baby bodysuit makes a unique clothing gift for newborns, babies, infants, baby showers and expectant moms.
  • Quick & easy diaper changing with reinforced three-snap closure.
  • Solid colors are 100% cotton, other are cotton/polyester or cotton/polyester/viscose Blend.
  • Clothes printed In the USA.
Bestseller No. 17
Chasing Niagara
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Rafa Ortiz (Actor)
  • Rush Sturges (Director) - Philip Manderla (Producer)
  • English (Playback Language)
  • English (Subtitle)
Bestseller No. 18
Extreme Kayak Boat Riding Track Race: River Rush Water Slide Driving Missions
  • Unusual river paddle boat racing
  • Wide range of boat upgrades
  • Different game modes
  • Realistic physics of jumping and boat controls
  • English (Publication Language)
SaleBestseller No. 19
Mystery of the Nile (IMAX)
  • Gordon Brown (VIII), Jordi Llompart, Pasquale Scaturro as himself (Actors)
  • Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
SaleBestseller No. 20
New River Guide: Paddling and Fishing in North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia
  • Ingram, Bruce (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 216 Pages - 12/01/2014 (Publication Date) - Secant Publishing LLC (Publisher)

Having trouble finding a great river kayaks?

This problem is well understood by us because we have gone through the entire river kayaks research process ourselves, which is why we have put together a comprehensive list of the best river kayakss available in the market today.

After hours of searching and using all the models on the market, we have found the best river kayaks for 2023. See our ranking below!

How Do You Buy The Best River Kayaks?

Do you get stressed out thinking about shopping for a great river kayaks? Do doubts keep creeping into your mind?

We understand, because we’ve already gone through the whole process of researching river kayaks, which is why we have assembled a comprehensive list of the greatest river kayaks available in the current market. We’ve also come up with a list of questions that you probably have yourself.

John Harvards has done the best we can with our thoughts and recommendations, but it’s still crucial that you do thorough research on your own for river kayaks that you consider buying. Your questions might include the following:

  • Is it worth buying an river kayaks?
  • What benefits are there with buying an river kayaks?
  • What factors deserve consideration when shopping for an effective river kayaks?
  • Why is it crucial to invest in any river kayaks, much less the best one?
  • Which river kayaks are good in the current market?
  • Where can you find information like this about river kayaks?

We’re convinced that you likely have far more questions than just these regarding river kayaks, and the only real way to satisfy your need for knowledge is to get information from as many reputable online sources as you possibly can.

Potential sources can include buying guides for river kayaks, rating websites, word-of-mouth testimonials, online forums, and product reviews. Thorough and mindful research is crucial to making sure you get your hands on the best-possible river kayaks. Make sure that you are only using trustworthy and credible websites and sources.

John Harvards provides an river kayaks buying guide, and the information is totally objective and authentic. We employ both AI and big data in proofreading the collected information.

How did we create this buying guide? We did it using a custom-created selection of algorithms that lets us manifest a top-10 list of the best available river kayaks currently available on the market.

This technology we use to assemble our list depends on a variety of factors, including but not limited to the following:

  1. Brand Value: Every brand of river kayaks has a value all its own. Most brands offer some sort of unique selling proposition that’s supposed to bring something different to the table than their competitors.
  2. Features: What bells and whistles matter for an river kayaks?
  3. Specifications: How powerful they are can be measured.
  4. Product Value: This simply is how much bang for the buck you get from your river kayaks.
  5. Customer Ratings: Number ratings grade river kayaks objectively.
  6. Customer Reviews: Closely related to ratings, these paragraphs give you first-hand and detailed information from real-world users about their river kayaks.
  7. Product Quality: You don’t always get what you pay for with an river kayaks, sometimes less, and sometimes more.
  8. Product Reliability: How sturdy and durable an river kayaks is should be an indication of how long it will work out for you.

John Harvards always remembers that maintaining river kayaks information to stay current is a top priority, which is why we are constantly updating our websites. Learn more about us using online sources.

If you think that anything we present here regarding river kayaks is irrelevant, incorrect, misleading, or erroneous, then please let us know promptly!

Related Post:

FAQ:

Q: What is the best fishing kayak for rivers?

A: Intex Professional Series Inflatable Fishing Kayak. … Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100 Fishing Kayak. … Sevylor Coleman Colorado Inflatable Fishing Kayak. … Lifetime Tandem Fishing Kayak. … Sun Dolphin Journey Fishing Kayak. … Pelican Sentinel Fishing Kayak. … Perception Pescador Pro 12 Fishing Kayak. … Vibe Kayaks Skipjack Fishing Kayak. … Pelican Maxim Fishing Kayak. …

Q: What is the best beginners kayak?

A: Best Beginner Kayak Reviews. 1. Pelican Premium Sprint 100XR Kayak – 10 Footer. 2. Sea Eagle 330 Inflatable Kayak – 11 Feet. 3. Ocean Kayak Malibu Two XL Tandem Kayak – 13 Feet 4 Inches. 4. Sun Dolphin Aruba SS Sit-in Kayak – 10 Feet.

Q: How to find the best recreational kayak?

A: Where do you want to paddle? Is it a lake,a seacoast or a river? … Sit-in or sit-on-top? … Kayak weight and your budget: Materials,which directly impact the boat’s price,are the biggest factor in the weight and durability of your boat. Shape and size considerations: These affect handling and cargo space.

Q: What is the best all around kayak?

A: Type. Think about where and how you plan to use the kayak. … Safety. Dan Crandall,owner of The River Store and Current Adventure Kayak School and Trips,both out of California,advises looking for boats with internal bulk heads. Capacity. Weight capacity is an important consideration. … Material. … Price. …