If your idea of fun involves long-distance paddling, exploring new locations, and a paddling route that can take several days to “complete,” then yes, it’s time to treat yourself to the best touring kayak.
You want something efficient, swift, and agile – a kayak that allows you to cover large distances with ease – without compromising comfort and convenience along the way.
Not sure where to start your search for a touring kayak?
Well, how about this guide?
I’ve prepared a detailed buying guide – and rounded up my long-distance favorites in one place!
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In A Rush? The Winner After 40 Hours of Research:
What Is The Difference Between A Touring Kayak And A Sea Kayak?
Spotting the differences between recreational and touring kayaks is generally easy enough. But when it comes to the differences between a touring kayak and a sea kayak, the lines can be a bit blurred.
Some might say it’s nothing but marketing jargon – the kayak manufacturers’ way of tricking you into buying a kayak you might not need. Proponents of this argument would tell you that touring and sea kayaks are the same thing.
Then again, you have those who believe that, while they share certain similarities, touring and sea kayaks aren’t the same thing.
You see, the phrase “sea kayaks” refers to the conditions that a kayak is meant to handle – and kayak touring may or may not be a part of it. So, in that sense, sea kayaks could be described as sea-worthy touring kayaks.
You’ll hear the two terms used interchangeably – and while that’s not always wrong, you should keep in mind that not every touring kayak is a sea kayak by default. There’s a good chance that it is, but it’s best not to jump to conclusions.
Instead, you can view sea kayaks as a subcategory of touring kayaks that perform exceptionally well in open waters.
I hope that clears up the confusion a bit.
Choosing The Best Touring Kayak: What Should I Look For In A Touring Kayak?
All touring kayaks have a few things in common.
They’re generally longer than traditional recreational kayaks, have a closed cockpit to protect the paddler from the elements, spacious storage, and higher load capacity, and are pretty narrow.
Each of these characteristics is there to achieve the same thing:
Make touring kayaks suitable for long-distance paddling and more-than-a-day trips.
That’s not to say that every touring kayak is the same or that you’ll have an easy time choosing one for yourself, though.
That’s rarely the case with kayaks – especially those you’ll be spending so much time in – but I’ll try to make the process easier with this guide!
What Size Touring Kayak Do I Need?
Most touring kayaks tend to be between 12 to 16 feet long on average – although some can go up to 20 feet. Tandem kayaks are even longer than that; don’t be surprised to find that some can go up to 26 feet in length.
All the while, touring kayaks retain a narrow and sleek silhouette, with a beam that’s about 18 to 28 inches wide.
Speed, efficiency, and superior tracking are must-haves for long-distance paddling, and it’s no surprise that touring kayaks have such long-but-narrow hulls.
Longer kayaks move through the water more efficiently; it’s as simple as that.
But that’s not the only benefit of going with a longer ‘yak. Onboard storage also goes up with an added foot or two in length.
There is a downside to this, though:
Carrying a touring kayak will often be a two-person job – a challenge, to say the least. So, while you’re at it, consider getting a kayak trailer, especially if you drive a smaller car.
Besides the length, another thing to look at when sizing a kayak is the cockpit.
The dimensions – mainly length and width – and the amount of legroom available should fit your body size, allowing you to get in and out with ease, without feeling restricted. You’ll be spending a lot of time inside that kayak of yours, and you want a cockpit that fits you – because a good fit means a more comfortable ride and improved control.
Let’s Talk Comfort
Touring kayaks are designed with long-distance travel in mind. So, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll be spending a great deal of your time in one.
Think about weekend trips, for example; is comfort something you’re willing to compromise on in that case? And don’t even get me started on week-long excursions.
What starts as slight, barely noticeable discomfort could turn into flat-out pain by the end of the trip.
So, yes, comfort should be high on your list of priorities when choosing a touring kayak; it’s one of those things that could make or break the entire trip.
And the keyword here should be adjustability:
Everything from the kayak seat to the thigh braces and footrests should be adjustable, allowing you to get a customized fit. That, along with the right cockpit size, will ensure that you stay out on the water longer – and enjoy every minute of it, too.
Weight Capacity & Storage Options: More Is More
Think about how much gear and supplies you’d typically bring on an average camping trip. Now, add essential kayaking equipment into the equation.
That’s a lot of stuff to squeeze into a single kayak, huh?
The problem is that even the best touring kayaks can only carry a certain amount of load at a time – including your body weight plus any kayaking gear you bring with you.
Before you get a chance to ask, yes, exceeding that limit is a bad idea – in more ways than one.
That’s why you always want to check the kayak’s load capacity – and, more importantly, leave some “wiggle room” so that you don’t exceed that limit by accident.
Another thing you can’t afford to overlook is onboard storage.
A touring kayak without enough storage space won’t be of much use on longer trips – meaning it won’t be much of a touring kayak at all.
On that note, the best touring kayaks should feature at least two bulkhead hatches for dry storage – one in the front and one in the back – and bungee deck rigging. Additional D-ring tie-downs, paddle parks, and easy-to-reach water bottle holders are always a plus.
Skeg Or Rudder?
If you’re serious about kayak touring, having a skeg or a rudder system will be a plus in terms of improving your kayak’s tracking performance and maintaining a straight course. And, in the case of a rudder, it can help with steering, too.
A skeg is, simply put, a fin that sticks out from the bottom of your kayak and cuts through the water, which helps you maintain a straight line. It’s fixed – as in, it can’t move side to side – so it doesn’t do much for steering, but some models are retractable.
A rudder is more sophisticated. It can be hand or foot-controlled and can change its direction on the water, meaning it provides additional maneuverability – on top of keeping your kayak on a straight course.
Granted, you can choose to go without either of them and rely solely on your paddling skills for maintaining direction and navigating the waters.
However, if there’s a chance that you’ll end up in open waters or powerful currents, I suggest that you look into skegs and rudders – just in case.
Best Touring Kayaks Of 2023 – Top 12 Touring ‘Yaks Reviewed & Rated
A Quick Side-By-Side Comparison
You’ve gone over quite a bit of information about touring kayaks so far – and that will surely help you decide which one should be your trusty companion on all your future adventures.
I tried my best to share the most relevant, straight-to-the-point information so as not to confuse or overwhelm you. But I’m aware that an extensive round-up like this could still be a bit much to comprehend at once.
And that’s why I’ve made one last effort to help you out – that’s what I’m here for, after all – with a quick comparison table.
It holds the most important information about each kayak I’ve reviewed today, including the pros and cons, so you can quickly skim over it and compare them side by side:
Best Touring Kayak – Final Verdict & Recommendations
Comfortable, efficient on longer distances, responsive, with excellent tracking performance – a joy to paddle, in short – and fitted with lots of storage space. That would be the simplest way to summarize what you should look for in the best touring kayak.
I’d say each of the kayaks you’ve seen today fits that description to a degree, some better than others. However, there’s one that ticks all the boxes and should not be overlooked by long-distance paddlers – the Wilderness Systems Kayak Tsunami 145.
Phase 3 AirPro seating system, adjustable outfitting, 350-pound load capacity, multiple storage solutions, and a hull designed for stability and efficiency; Tsunami 145 will be a reliable touring partner for years to come! That said, if you’re worried about the logistics of storing and transporting a classic touring kayak, Oru’s origami-style, folding Coast XT could be an alternative worth considering.