Contents
The main advantage of sit on top kayaks is that they’re much more comfortable than the traditional versions. It’s because they provide you with more leg room, as well as a better view of what’s going on around you. All of this also makes them very safe.
In fact, these types of kayaks are ideal for beginners, who are not yet that good in keeping the balance. If you flip over, you will be able to simply swim back to the kayak. That’s not the case with traditional kayaks, in which your legs would stay stuck.
Another advantage of stand on top kayaks is that they’re usually much cheaper than their old-fashioned counterparts. Still, the fact that they’re cheap doesn’t mean that you should buy whichever. Instead, we urge you to do your research and find the very best stand on top kayak.
If you’re afraid that it might consume too much of your time, we’re going to help you. There’s no need to spend hours searching for your ideal match – you can find one by checking our list of 5 best stand on top kayaks currently on the market!
5 Best Sit on Top Kayak Reviews
1. Lifetime Lotus Sit-on-top Kayak With Paddle

This sit on top kayak was manufactured by an American company, in America. This fact alone is a sort of guarantee of its quality. The kayak was built to last for a long time, but that’s far from being the only reason why you should buy it. It’s also amazing when it comes to the performances on the water, not to mention that it really looks nice.
Features Of Lifetime Lotus Sit-on-top Kayak
The kayak looks very nice with its blue color, which is not going to fade away anytime soon. This is because the material of which the kayak is made of is polyethylene, which is UV and saltwater resistant. Apart from that, this material is also what makes this kayak sturdy and durable. There’s no way it’ll get damaged even if you hit a rock. The durability of the kayak is guaranteed with a 5-year warranty.
Another great thing about polyethylene is that it’s very lightweight. In fact, the total weight of the sit-on-top kayak is 38 pounds. Speaking of the weight, the maximum load capacity of the kayak is 250 pounds. When it comes to the length of the kayak, it’s 8 feet. This means that you will have plenty of room to rest your legs while kayaking. The good things about this kayak don’t end there – it also comes with a paddle.
Pros
- UV-resistant
- Sturdy and durable
- Easy to transport
- Comes with a paddle
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- We can’t find anything bad about this kayak
Recommendation
This sit-on-top kayak has all the features needed to be called the best. With such superb specs, some would think that it costs quite a lot. But, that’s not the case with this kayak, which is among the most affordable on the market.
2. Lifetime Tioga Sit-on-top Kayak With Paddle (2 Pack)

Lifetime is an American manufacturer of plastic goods, known for high quality of their kayaks. You can make a bad choice, whichever Lifetime sit-on-top kayak you choose, but if want nothing but the best, our suggestion is to go with this one. Lifetime Tioga Sit-On-Top Kayak with Paddle is actually a pack of two kayaks, both of which are going to serve you well for a long time. Apart from their durability, these kayaks are going to impress you with how they behave on the water.
Features Of Lifetime Tioga Sit-on-top Kayak With Paddle
One of the best things about this kayak is that it’s extremely stable. Even if you’re a beginner, you won’t find it difficult to keep balance. Flipping over is something that almost never happens. It’s all due to the design of the kayak, but also due to the material used for its construction. We’re talking about polyethylene, a type of synthetic resin that’s very lightweight, yet extremely sturdy.
It’s guaranteed that this kayak is going to serve you well for a long time. It’s UV-resistant and even the saltwater can’t have a bad effect on it. The kayak is also almost impossible to break, even if you hit a rock. The durability of this sit-on-top kayak is backed with a 5-year limited warranty given by the manufacturer.
Another reason why people love this kayak is that it has a pretty decent load capacity. It’s meant for one person, but you can load it up with accessories 6″ rear storage compartment to make the total weight of up to 275 pounds. While we’re on the subject of weight, the total weight of the kayak is only 50 pounds, meaning that carrying it around should not be a problem.
Pros
- A pack of two kayaks
- Very stable
- Made of tough and durable material
- 5-year warranty
- Comes with paddles
Cons
- The kayaks are sold as a pair, meaning that you will need to pay over 500 dollars in total
Recommendation
If you’re looking to buy two kayaks (for you and your kayaking partner), look no further than this offer. Furthermore, even if you need only one, it might be smart to get this pack. This way, you’ll always have a superb sit-on-top kayak as a spare.
3. Lifetime Tamarack Angler 120 Sit-on-top Kayak

Here’s another sit-on-top kayak manufactured by Lifetime, proving that this American company is one of the leaders in this field. Same as the two previous items on the list, this one too deserves your attention. The kayak looks very nice and is also superb in terms of its features. You will love every moment spent kayaking if you decide to buy this small boat.
Features Of Lifetime Lifetime Tamarack 120 Angler
The first great thing about this kayak is the fact that it’s made of polyethylene, a super-sturdy material that’s also very lightweight. On top of that, the material makes the kayak UV-resistant, so that you have nothing to worry about its color fading away. The same goes for saltwater, which can’t harm it.
The kayak is 120 inches in length, making it pretty spacious. You have nothing to worry about the leg room, as this sit-on-top kayak is made with comfort in mind. Apart from being comfy, the kayak is also extremely safe. In fact, you would need to try really hard in order to flip it over. It’s because it has a rather low gravity point.
The kayak has a superb weight load capacity of 275 pounds. What this means that apart from carrying one person, the kayak can easily be loaded with lots of cargo. In fact, that is the reason why the kayak has two 6-inch-long storage compartments. This feature is loved by anglers, who have plenty of room to store the fish they catch.
Pros
- Made of sturdy polyethylene
- Spacious and comfortable
- Has a superb load capacity
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- Some sellers don’t include a paddle in the package
Recommendation
If angling is the reason why you’ve taken up kayaking, this vessel might the perfect choice for you. It’s superb in terms of stability, not to mention that it has plenty storage space and amazing load capacity. Of course, same as any other product manufactured by Lifetime, this sit-on-top kayak is also made to last for a life time!
4. Sun Dolphin Journey 10-foot Sit-on-top Fishing Kayak

The first three sit on top kayak reviews were about Lifetime products. Although Lifetime kayaks are superb in terms of quality, there are a few more manufacturers that deserve your attention. One of those is Sun Dolphin. The products made by this American manufacturer are known for their durability, but also for their design, which makes them super-stable. One of their most popular sit-on-top kayaks is Sun Dolphin Journey.
Features Of Sun Dolphin Journey Kayak
The open cockpit is pretty spacious, making this sit-on-top kayak very spacious. On top of that, the kayak has an additional storage compartment, where you can put fishing accessories. The total weight load capacity of the kayak is 250lbs, which is more than most other kayaks can handle.
Even when fully loaded, the kayak is bound to stay stable, allowing you even to stand up without any worry that you might flip over. This is something that is highly appreciated by anglers. In fact, the kayak seems ideal who are in a need of a small fishing boat.
When it comes to the durability of this kayak, you got nothing to worry about – it’s built to last for a long time! The kayak is made of polyethylene, a highly durable material. Polyethylene makes the kayak very sturdy, but at the same time lightweight. Actually, this is one of the most lightweight sit-on-top kayaks on the market, with the total weight being just over 40 pounds.
Pros
- Spacious and comfortable
- Decent weight load capacity
- Sturdy and durable
- Lightweight
Cons
- Not the most affordable kayak you can find
Recommendation
If you really care about quality, this kayak is your perfect match. You can be sure that it’s going to last for a long time, providing you with nothing but utmost stability even when kayaking against strong waves. The kayak is also rather spacious and has a decent load capacity, making it a great choice for anglers.
5. Ocean Kayak Frenzy Sit-on-top 9-Feet Recreational Kayak

This might be the most expensive sit-on-top kayak on our list, but its price is well-justified. It’s because this is one of the most stable kayaks on the market. Flipping it over is a mission impossible. On top of that, it has plenty of leg room in the cockpit, as well as superb weight load capacity. The kayak is also very lightweight, meaning that you’ll be able to transport it on the top of your car without any problems.
Features Of Ocean Kayak Frenzy Sit-on-top Recreational Kayak
The kayak uses the Tri-Form hull technology in order to ensure the stability. This makes it one of the most stable vessels you can find. Apart from being stable, the kayak is also great in terms of weight load capacity. The maximum is 325 pounds, which is much more than other vessels from our sit on top kayak reviews can handle.
Another thing that makes this kayak great is that it’s made of extremely sturdy material. This means that exposure to direct sunlight won’t have a bad effect on it. The kayak will serve you great for a long time, no matter what. The kayak is also very easy to transport, due to the fact that its total weight is just 43 pounds.
Pros
- Very stable
- Plenty of leg room
- Superb weight load capacity
- Lightweight
Cons
- Expensive
- Doesn’t come with a paddle
Recommendation
If money is not a concern for you, the best choice you can make is buy this sit-on-top kayak. We strongly believe that this product is worth every cent. The kayak is extremely stable and has a superb weight load, something that you should look for if angling is the reason why you want to get a kayak. Finally, the kayak is made of a super-quality material, which is a guarantee that it will last for a long time. What this means is that buying Ocean Kayak Frenzy is an investment for the future.
Final Note
If you buy a quality sit-on-top kayak, you are bound to become a better angler. Why? Because such a kayak will enable you to go further than ever, providing you with impressive stability even when kayaking against strong waves. You can also use such kayak on flat water when you’ll also be able to stand up when you need to deal with strong fish.
The design is what makes sit-on-top kayaks stable, but what adds to their durability is the type of material used. It needs to be sturdy and durable, yet lightweight, so that it will be easy for you to transport the kayak around. Finally, the price also needs to be affordable, which is why we made sure to include in our list only those kayaks that don’t cost too much.