11 Best Sit On Top Kayaks In 2023

The Pelican Sentinel is a perfect sit on top model for cruising around lakes and rivers. This kayak is made for comfort and stability and is suitable for kayakers who want a kayak that can offer a little bit more bang for their buck.

The perfect sit on top kayak for enjoying a relaxing day at the lake or beach, the Pelican Sentinel offers a well-constructed seating area with an incredibly comfortable seat. The kayak also sports a large, easy access tank storage area with a secure bungee system for bringing along gear and equipment.

The Sentinel is also one of the faster models on this list and is suitable for kayakers with some experience who want to try something new without committing to a different style. The kayak is also beautifully constructed using the RAM-X, a UV resistant Pelican patent material that is exceptionally durable.

The Pelican Sentinel is an excellent recreational sit on top kayak for kayakers who want a better than average kayak perfect for cruising about it.

The Lifetime Triton kayak is exceptionally durable and offers an outstanding balance of maneuverability and stability. This recreational sit on top kayak provides a superior level of performance. 

This sit on top kayak is suitable for all sorts of activities, from exploring and adventuring in coastal bays to fishing in lakes. Additional features include molded footrests, bungee storage straps,  a comfortable adjustable seat pad, and even a bottle holder. 

The Triton boasts an integrated skeg that allows for improved maneuvering for a sit on top kayak. This recreational kayak is well outfitted with all the essentials necessary to have a comfortable, stable, and steady journey while providing an outstanding level of control. 

Finally, the Lifetime Triton is ideal for kayakers looking for a premium level of comfort and a high level of maneuvering and control while on the water.

Perception’s most popular sit on top kayak, the Tribe, is an all-time favorite for kayakers and is brilliant for beginners and advanced kayakers.

The Perception Tribe is an extremely versatile recreational sit on top kayak that is comfortable and stable. It also offers a substantial level of maneuverability and control that is even considered to be adequate for choppy coastal conditions.

The Tribe features molded footrests, comfortable padded seats, nose and tail handles as well as front and back toggles. This kayak is robust and durable, and with proper maintenance and storage, it will last you a long time. 

Ultimately, the Perception Tribe is a unique recreational sit on top kayak that is best suited for kayakers who have some experience and are used to kayaking.

This recreational sit on top kayak is excellent for kayakers looking for a comfortable, lightweight, and spacious kayak. The Sun Dolphin Bali is very affordable and is a fantastic option for beginners who want an easy-to-use and accessible kayak to go adventuring in on the weekends.

Designed for small bodies of water like lakes and rivers, the Sun Dolphin Bali is a stable and comfortable sit on top kayak. It’s easy to paddle in this kayak, regardless of your skill level, and it is equipped with a plush comfortable seat. 

The seating area includes adjustable foot braces for additional support. The open tank expands for extra storage if you’re planning a long trip. There are also carrying handles for convenient transportation. 

Ultimately, the Sun Dolphin Bali is an easy to use -and comfortable kayak for kayakers who are new to the sport.   

This recreational sit on top kayak is super lightweight and is ideal for travelers. It has a uniquely dynamic shape that makes it fast and maneuverable.

The Lifetime Lotus is the lightest and smallest kayak on this list, and one of the most portable sit on top kayaks around. That said, it might be better suited for smaller and lighter kayakers as the max weight capacity is 250 lbs. It also features a unique design that provides increased speed, maneuvering, and control.

This kayak sports a huge bungee storage area at the tail and an integrated dry storage area below the seat. Additionally, it has molded footrests, toggles, and integrated paddle holders at the nose and behind the seat.

Finally, the Lifetime Lotus is a fantastic recreational sit on top kayak that is extremely portable and is best suited for lighter, smaller kayakers and travelers.

One of the best and most affordable sit on top flatwater kayaks on the market, the Emotion Spitfire 9 is great for the whole family.

The Emotion Spitfire is designed to effortlessly glide on flat water while providing kayakers with a comfortable and spacious kayak to cruise in. This sit on top kayak features a slight rocker that increases maneuverability and a defined keel that maintains the kayak’s limited tracking.

The blow-molded polyethylene construction creates a strong hull that can withstand knocks and blows. Additionally, the Spitfire offers much more storage than your conventional sit on top kayak, with two open storage areas at the nose and tail of the kayak and even a storage hatch just below the seat for convenient access.

In summary, the Emotion Spitfire is the perfect sit on top kayak for kayakers looking for an affordable kayak with some unique features and a reliable hull.

The Brooklyn Kayak Co.’s FK184 is one of the coolest sit on top kayaks. It features a beautifully designed hull with molded footrests and two waterproof hatches for storing valuables.

Designed to be robust and maneuverable, the FK 184 is the perfect sit on top kayak for adventure. It’s very stable and buoyant and makes cruising around lakes a relaxing experience for kayakers.

The FK 184’s top features are its two waterproof storage units, paddle park bungee cords, and rod holder, making it an ideal kayak for fishing. The kayak also features handles and an incredibly comfortable seat that can be adjusted to fit the kayaker.

The Brooklyn Kayak Co.’s FK 184 is an awesome kayak for kayakers looking for the perfect sit on top kayak for cruising about in.

The Lifetime Tioga is a popular sit on top kayak for many experienced kayakers, but a good entry-level model too. It offers exceptional performance and maneuverability in most conditions and a high level of comfort and stability.

This kayak has a fantastic design for a sit on top, and it’s dimensions allow for some speed on flat water. The kayak is very maneuverable, and the tracking is on point. The kayak also has lots of room to move around in, making it comfortable and enjoyable to use. It is also portable and easy to transport thanks to the carry handles at each side. 

The Lifetime Tioga features molded footrests, toggles, and deep hull channels for upgraded tracking performance. The Tioga provides many different areas for storing equipment and a waterproof storage hatch for those valuable items that need to stay dry.

To conclude, the Lifetime Tioga is a fantastic sit on top kayak that will suit most kayakers and allows you to explore lakes, rivers, bays, and coastal areas.

The Perception Hi Life is part sit on top kayak and part stand up paddleboard. With this kayak, you get the best of both worlds, and it provides fun for riders of all ages and levels. It’s versatility is reflected in the higher price.

Designed to be part kayak and part stand-up paddleboard, the Perception Hi-Life is an awesome experience for anybody who loves SUP and kayaking. The Hi-Life can be used while sitting and is exceptionally comfortable and stable while in kayak mode. It can also be used while standing up and becomes a lot more maneuverable but loses some stability. 

The Hi-Life is very durable and comfortable and comes with a built-in cooler. The foam deck padding provides a significant level of comfort and support for paddling, while the upright seat allows you to feel supported while kayaking. The kayak also makes an impression with other kayakers and comes in a flurry of different color options.

Finally, the Perception Hi-Life is a must-have for kayakers who love to paddleboard.

This sit on top kayak is ideal for recreational use by entry-level kayakers and is suitable for being used by several different kayakers. 

The Ripper is one of the shortest and lightest kayaks on this market, making it a best in class in terms of portability and transportation. If you plan to take your kayak traveling with you and only have a small car, this is the kayak for you. 

This kayak features a molded-in design with footrests, handles, toggles, and even some dry storage. The Ripper is the right choice for kayakers who want an affordable and versatile sit on top kayak that provides an adequate level of stability and maneuvering.

Overall, the Wilderness Systems Ripper is a perfect recreational sit on top kayak for travelers and smaller kayakers who don’t mind getting wet.

The Perception Zip is the perfect sit on top kayak for playful adventures exploring lakes and calm coastal bays. It’s a great kayak for the whole family as it is suited for kayakers of any level.

Offering superior stability to other sit on top kayak designs, the Perception Zip provides an ideal recreational kayak for a range of ages and experience levels. The kayak is designed to be lightweight as well as extremely easy to maneuver in the water.

This kayak features easy-access storage areas and a spacious seating area where you can install a padded seat for maximum comfort while kayaking. The high level of stability offered by the Perception Zip increases the overall safety of this kayak.

Overall, the Perception Zip is a lightweight and easy to maneuver kayak for kayakers of any ability.