Best 2 Person Kayak Reviews 2023

Pricing is often a determinant for which kayak you end up with. The material used in building a kayak will surely affect its price. We’re sure you can easily understand why a kayak made of Kevlar will cost a lot more than an inflatable one. This is the same reason a Fiberglas-built 2 person kayak might cost you over $1000, while an inflatable one might be around $200. Watch out for the cheap 2 person kayaks, though. You might not be able to detect them from the price, but you sure can from the materials used and what everyone has to say about them. Be assured, though, that we have only included good-quality kayaks in our review.

Kayaking can be great fun, and it is even more so if you have someone else riding with you. 2 person kayaks are becoming more popular, not just for the extra company, but for their versatility. If you plan on getting one, here are some features you might want to look out for:

• Type
• Design
• Capacity
• Material
• Size

You will now learn how these features affect the performance of a 2 person kayak, so you can decide which features you want in yours.

Some people choose a kayak based on its visual appeal, but it is more important to select one for its utility and how it suits what you need it for. First, decide if you want a sit-on-top (SOT) or sit-in kayak. They both have their good and not-so-good sides. The SOTs give you more freedom of movement, so you don’t feel confined. They have scuppers that drain out water. Mounting and dismounting are both easy, which makes it easy to get off in case of an emergency. As for the sit-in kayak, you are submerged in the kayak’s cockpit from your lower abdomen down to your feet, meaning that you are half enclosed in it. This helps you stay warm in colder waters and keeps you from getting wet. But, if the kayak flips over, getting out might be a bit tricky.

2 person kayaks are mostly made of high-density polyethylene, which is strong and lightweight, or rubber, in the case of the inflatable variants. You will also find some made with Kevlar, Fiberglas, and composite carbon. The solid ones, which might give you some level of confidence due to their strength, also have the issue of storage. This is not a problem with the inflatable types, as they can easily be deflated and stored in a carry bag. Inflatable kayaks are strong too, as most of them are puncture resistant, but then, they are not as invulnerable as the polyethylene ones. You know best how you will be using your 2 person kayak, so you’re in the best position to decide which will be best for you.

2 person kayaks have limits too. That they can accommodate two adults and a kid does not mean you can go ahead and load them like a barge. These things have capacity limits, though they vary from brand to brand. More often, you will find 2 person kayaks that can hold up to 500 pounds of weight. You will find others with less capacity, if that’s what you want. But the 500-pound limit is ideal, because it allows you carry some fishing gear with you.

The design of a 2 person kayak is not limited to its aesthetics alone. Consider the design of the seats: Are they molded in or detachable? Are they padded or not? There’s a particular brand whose kayak features padded, detachable, and adjustable seats. This design gives you maximum comfort and control, which is something you would want in an ideal kayak. The leg support is another thing. Foot wells are common on SOT kayaks, but you can also find some kayaks sporting foot pedals. These pedals are often adjustable so the kayak can accommodate paddlers of different heights.

Some 2 person kayaks are designed with carry handles at both the bow and the stern; some also have them on the side, making their transport much easier. Still on ease of movement, some kayaks are designed to be stackable and easily fit on a car carrier, allowing you to carry multiple kayaks on your vehicle with ease. Most 2 person kayaks have storage compartments; some have more than others. So, your choice depends on how much gear you want to carry with you on the kayak. Some storage areas are enclosed, and some are just elastic bungee nets. A lot of 2 person kayaks have an I-beam hull design, which adds to the kayak’s stability and balance, though there are other hull designs.

Just like us humans, kayaks come in different sizes. Even though our focus here is the 2 person kayak, some are still bigger than others. Some are up to 12 feet long and wide enough to allow you to sit comfortably without feeling cramped. Even though kayaks are meant to be lightweight, there are also weight differences. You might need to seriously consider this feature when you think about moving the kayak from car to shore. This is where the inflatable variants are a winner. You just need to get the bag out of your trunk, take it to the shore and inflate it there all by yourself. No stress, no hassles.

We hope you can now decide on the features you’d like on your 2 person kayak. You can then choose the best 2 person kayak to suit your needs.