ashenLifetime Youth Wave Kayak
- Hard shell polyethylene material
- 6 feet and 18 pounds
- Weight capacity of 130 pounds
- Ergonomic cockpit design
Now this is a sit-on-top and not a sit-in. There is a reason to justify our selection. This 6 foot kayak is a well recommended best seller for 5-9 year old kids, with paddle included. The build is perfect for enhanced mobility. It has moulded finger handles so that carrying it is quite convenient. Also because of its mere 18 pound weight, it can easily be placed in the back of a vehicle. The design has been focused completely for safe kayaking with minimal adult supervision. The self-bailing scupper holes drain the cockpit area of water so the kids don’t have to worry about it filling up. Paddling and keeping in steady direction is also easier with the twin fin design and the reversed chine enhances stability while on less than calm waters. It also has multiple footrest positions and a moulded paddle cradle.
The customer feedback for this Lifetime Wave Kayak is truly encouraging for any prospective buyer. Common customer reviews include but not limited to, perfect fit for kids, durability, ability to fit in a small SUV and some larger cars, sturdiness and easy manageability. A minor drawback was the paddle. According to some customer reviews, the paddle sinks and does not float. However, that was just an isolated incident and the rest of the feedback screams that this youth sit-in kayak is awesome.
Sun Dolphin Aruba SS 8-Foot Sit-in Kayak
- Fortiflex polyethylene material
- 8 feet and 27 Pounds
- Weight capacity of 260 pounds
- Best for lakes and rivers
A little heavier than the Lifetime kayak, yet packed with equal amounts of safety and functional features. Therefore we felt that it deserves to be on the list for youth sit-in kayaks that offer value to price. In addition to the listed specs, it also has the carrying handles, paddle holder, storage and shock cord deck rigging, adjustable foot braces and a large seating area and optimised stability brought out by the design. As you probably guessed, this kayak is best fit for 8-12 year old kids and maybe even older. Best for recreational activities and not fit for the ocean. You are well protected from the wind and water while kayaking and optimum stability for your body is ensured because the knees are in a locked position. Because of the lightweight and the sleek design, it is quite easy to flip.
The customer feedback isn’t spectacular as of the Lifetime Youth Wave kayak. However, they aren’t discouraging either. The tracking isn’t as splendid and a few have complained about rough edges and instability, but you can truly have a wonderful time on the water with this one. According to most users, it is super easy to move in and out of trucks and quite comfortable when settled in, and the tracking can be made better with each time you kayak. Best for nature lovers on a budget.
Old Town Canoes & Kayaks Heron Junior Kids Kayak
- Single-layer polyethylene material
- 7ft 5in and 26 pounds
- 115 pounds weight capacity
Direct competition for the Lifetime Wave. The kayak’s padded, contoured seat provides comfort and added control for a child’s body. Bow and stern carry handles make transportation easier and quicker. A special feature of this kayak is the tag along tow system making it easy to tow the kayak to shore if needed or attach it to a larger boat when the kids arms get tired. It also comes with a limited lifetime warranty, something which you cannot find in most. There are several colour combinations making it an even attractive purchase.
The reason we mentioned earlier that this is direct competition for Lifetime was because of the highly positive feedback. Almost all the reviews have come from parents who bought this for their 6-10 year old kids. The tag along tow system is responsible for this kayak’s growing popularity amidst factors such as easy to manoeuvre and paddle, good tracking, lightweight and durability. You can be assured that the money you spend on this one will reap the benefits for many years to come.
Intex Explorer K2 Kayak
- Polypropylene material
- 10 feet and 35 pounds
- Weight capacity of 400 pounds
- Removable/ adjustable seats
- Grab line on both ends and removable skeg
Okay so this one is literally a “youth sit in” kayak. Meaning that it is too big for kids of 5-12 years. As always, we have a practical reason for including this on our list. Of course kids have to paddle under adult supervision at all times. But it still might not suffice for most parents who are overprotective. So why not hop in the kayak with your kid? The Boston valves contribute a lot for the easy inflation of the kayak. Therefore, if storage is a necessary criteria for you consider the Intex Explorer.
Lakes and rivers with calm waters are the optimum environments for this kayak as well. As for the customer feedback, they have taken a form of mixed impressions. To highlight the benefits, most users found the included pump to be terrific and filled the chambers very quickly. The paddles are an excellent design and the kayak material is pretty impressive. The carry bag turns out to be pretty useful for most. The cons include the shallowness of the seats which makes getting in and out a bit troublesome. For a couple of users one of the seams had split while on water making them swim back to the shore. Nonetheless, most users voted for this kayak and mentioned that they recommend it to beginners and pros alike.
Intex Challenger
- Durable welded material
- 9 feet long and 25 Pounds
- 220 weight capacity
- Hand pump, 84 inch aluminium oar and repair patch included
Our final youth sit-in kayak recommendation. One of the best kids inflatable kayaks without a doubt. It is certainly the best of both worlds, because of its portability, ease of storage, cheap price and the surprising top functionality. In addition to the specs above the cockpit is designed for comfort and maximised space, and inflatable I beam floors add stability. The Removable skeg as always aids in keeping the kayak on track. Inflatable seats with backrest, cargo net to store extra gear and grab line on both ends add more value than the price tag. This kayak is mostly built for older kids(13+) and adults with little to no experience. You’d be happy to know that the Intex Challenger is also certified by the National Marine Manufacturers Association.
The customer feedback for this kayak is positive as it gets, much like the Lifetime Youth Wave. Users(Adults & Teens) are loving the flexibility, functionality on top of the affordable price. Can you do competitive kayaking with this one? probably not. However, as a beginner or an intermediate kayaker, the Intex Explorer will definitely help you out in expanding your kayaking skills. To be honest, the users are loving everything from the build quality to the collapsible oars. Pumping and inflating for the first time can be a bit of a nuisance but it gets easier as you get used to it, plus the Boston cap makes it convenient. A helpful fact about the seat, inflate the back portion without the bottom because it sits quite high. After all, we want a sit-in kayak right?
The skeg does its navigation job and keeps you on track. The durable plastic is not prone to leaks at all unless something major strikes the kayak. The leg space is ample and comfy. The only con here is the rinsing and drying which can be a bit of a stretch. With all these considered, you are in for a great product that values price to money performance.
Summary
We hope this guide is helpful in choosing a durable, high quality Youth Sit in Kayak for your kid. To summarise if your child is between the ages of 4-8, the Lifetime Youth Wave should be the ideal choice given its positive feedback. If you are planning to kayak with your kid at least during the initial phase, we recommend the Intex Explorer. For kids between the ages of 8-12, the Sun Dolphin Aruba should do the job. The Intex challenger works best with teens and young adults. Weight capacity, design and stability are the main factors that you should consider when buying a kids kayak. If these features are present and if the customer feedback is more of a positive outlook, then you know your kid is in for a good time.
