OutdoorGearLab

There are some things you just can't do in a sit-in kayak and vice versa. Sit-on-tops let you hop in the water to take a dip in the middle of the lake and then pull yourself back onto your boat without taking on water or potentially capsizing. And with all of the Tarpon 105's great features, storage, comfort, and functionality, it was an easy pick over the other sit-on-tops we tested. 
The Wilderness Systems Tarpon 105 builds upon their well-established and ever-popular Tarpon sit-on-top design series. This maneuverable kayak offers great storage, comfort, and functionality. The exceptional stability and open design make it easy to hop on and off the Tarpon. In addition, as it is self-draining, it doesn’t collect pools of water in the cockpit, which is much more comfortable. The Tarpon has higher functionality than your average sit-on-top kayak and it was an easy pick over the other sit-on-tops we tested. 
Although the Tarpon is one of the most expensive kayaks in the test, its solid all-around handling and the number of extra bells and whistles it offers easily justify the price. Just like its sister vessel, the Aspire 105, the Tarpon's versatility makes the price point all the more palatable. This well-rounded boat can perform the functions of multiple boat designs.
Read more: Wilderness Systems Tarpon 105 review

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The Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 is a time-tested classic, excelling in almost all our testing categories. It particularly stands out for its stability, maneuverability, and decent tracking and glide. With a 20-inch cockpit length and padded seat, it's also one of the most comfortable options we tested. The Pungo is a highly versatile and comfy vessel that is very popular amongst the company's armada of boats because of its broad paddling diversity. Many boats are either short and wide or long and narrow, forcing the user to pick between maneuverability and tracking. Wilderness Systems has successfully created a high-quality hybrid crossover that can competently float through gentle currents and cruise across glassy lakes. With all the extra features this boat has to offer, it is easy to see why it scored so well in our tests.
The boat isn't perfect; although it's slightly lighter than average, the bulky nature of the kayak design makes it difficult to carry solo. The hatch cover requires a bit of care and attention over time and is a slight departure from the rest of the boat's incredibly durable construction. Although the Pungo is expensive, the price is more than justified by its versatility. This multifaceted boat allows for different styles of paddling in different environments. It is a good bang for your buck if you want a one-boat quiver.
Read more: Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 review

Upgrade Pick

Unsure if you want to take the big plunge on an expensive, high-end boat? Old Town has created a budget option to get you out on the water having fun and enjoying the wonderful world of boating without putting a huge hole in your wallet. The Old Town Vapor 10 is an excellent beginner's boat at a significantly lower price than many other sit-in models. With its 10-foot length and flat bottom hull, this boat is maneuverable, sturdy, and forgiving for the novice paddler. A large cockpit makes for easy entering and exiting on the beach and its pointed bow helps cut through waves and track across the water.
This option is one of the less expensive boats on the market. To make that happen, Old Town did make some sacrifices. The Vapor is not very hydrodynamic. If you are hoping to go somewhere fast, then there are better-suited options. It's hard not to notice the Vapor's seating system's lack of padding and adjustability &#40;especially if you have ever sat in the cockpit of one of the more comfortable options&#41;. However, the no-frills approach also eliminates the number of parts that could possibly break. If you are looking for a decent quality kayak that is half the price of some other award winners then this boat is a worthwhile option.  
Read more: Old Town Vapor 10 review

Budget Pick

The Pakayak Bluefin 142 is a long sea kayak masquerading in a compact bag that fits your trunk or closet. This hardshell boat snaps together with stainless steel clamps over watertight seals to become a full-length 14'2" sea kayak. The length tracks exceptionally well in the water, and the hard exterior glides easily through the water. Adjustable footpegs allow you to properly brace yourself in ways that no inflatable boat can offer. Sealed dry storage areas in both the bow and stern of the boat provide plenty of storage space for gear that won't get wet as you slice through the waves. The cockpit can also accommodate a spray skirt for intense paddling missions, and the tall front easily rolls waves off to the sides, keeping the cockpit fairly dry.
The Bluefin 142 is not without its faults, though. While our expert paddlers love the performance of this watercraft to cut through serious waves on the lake or ocean, intermediate paddlers less experienced with the pitch and roll of big waves frequently fell out of this narrow boat. It's designed to be able to roll but has low sides that can work against you when you find yourself parallel with the waves. It's also extremely heavy, affecting both your ability to control its pitch with your hips and how quickly you fatigue-- this is the heaviest boat we tested, by far, at just over 70 pounds. And though its case has both wheels and backpack straps, we despised taking it for long distances or over rough terrain. The wheels are tiny and don't handle well over bumps or through sand, and the backpack straps are practically useless, as there's only a thin layer of padding between your spine and this hard-shelled boat. We hope this bag gets improved in later iterations. But for on-water paddling performance that's on par with a regular sea kayak, the Pakayak Bluefin 142 is fantastic.
Read more: Pakayak Bluefin 142 review

"Wait a second," you may be thinking, "why is a non-inflatable kayak winning the best inflatable kayak award?" Well, as we test inflatable kayaks, we realize that the number one reason to purchase a boat of this style is because of its ability to be packed away and more easily thrown in a trunk and stored in a closet. While most of the kayaks we tested are inflatable, a few notable non-inflatable, but still very packable boats also made our list. The Oru Beach LT is one. Even after several years of testing, storing, toting, and paddling &mdash; and in direct comparison with the smaller Oru Lake &mdash; this foldable plastic watercraft remains our favorite. Once you've gotten used to folding and unfolding this boat, it's a cinch to get out on the water, and you don't need a pump. It's longer than most others, providing excellent traction, while its plastic hull limits drag and help you paddle as quickly as you desire. The large, open cockpit is wide enough to please both new paddlers and those who've been enjoying kayaking for years. We had no problems hauling gear, 80+ pound dogs, and kids in this big boat. Though it's picked up a few cosmetic scratches, this craft is still our all-time favorite option for casual flatwater paddling. 
If you're hoping to crash through some waves in your kayak, the very open design of the Beach LT can let waves lap inside. The seat design is also rather minimal, though not uncomfortable, and the plastic exterior can cause some rubbing while carrying against bare skin if you're not careful. We like that it's easy to dump excess water as you pull this boat apart after your adventure, and the nature of the non-porous material means it dries very fast. With this model, you won't have to worry about waiting hours for your boat to dry or cleaning mold out of the crevices later because you didn't wait long enough. While the Beach LT is far from alone in this review as a hybrid hardshell kayak that packs down like an inflatable, it's remained our favorite boat for every casual paddling mission.
Read more: Oru Beach LT review

If you want to get the most for your money in a versatile kayak, then look no further than the Ocean Kayak Malibu 11.5. Ocean Kayak took their time-tested Scrambler 11.5 kayak and added a host of upgrades and tune-ups such as a seat pad, adjustable backrest, and a splash-resistant dry hatch to create a top-notch boat at a mid-range price. Standing out for its construction quality and design for longevity,  the Malibu edged ahead of the other competition with its versatility and extra features. This boat's long keel and pontoon-style tri-form hull design make for great tracking and glide in addition to offering incredible stability in strong wind and waves. With enormous storage wells on the bow and stern, this boat is ready to be loaded up with anything you'd need for a long day trip or even an overnight excursion.
This is one of the heavier options we've tested, but the trade-off for this is superior stability. You can quickly get in and out of it on the beach or in the water, making it a fun and safe choice for younger and older paddlers. And you can't beat the price-to-value comparison with this durable boat. It offers up a variety of usages, from surfing waves to fishing to sunbathing all in one comfortable and durable package.
Read more: Ocean Kayak Malibu 11.5 review

Kayak Comparison