6 Best Kayaks Under $300
Kayaking is a great sport. It strengthens your upper body and core muscles, plus tones your legs. It’s also a good leisure activity if you want to clear your head off.
Best Kayaks Under $300
If you’re beginning to love this recreation, then getting the best kayak under $300 may suit you.
Fortunately, we’ve come up with a list of options. So, you need not look anywhere else. Keep reading!
1. Intex Challenger K1 Inflatable Kayak
Best Overall 1-Seater
The Intex Challenger is our pick for the best overall 1-seater kayak with a maximum capacity of 220 lbs.
It’s a perfect choice for beginners and casual kayaking. To enjoy it best, use it in tame waters, like small rivers and lakes.
You can bring it to places easily with its compact and lightweight features. Plus, assembly and tear-down are a breeze.
Moreover, the streamlined design makes paddling simple, without sacrificing comfort and space. It’s equipped with an adjustable inflatable seat with a backrest. Along with this are, an I-beam floor and highly buoyant side chambers for added comfort and rigidity.
This kayak is also appealing and functional at the same time. You’ll feel much safer in the water because of the product’s green and sporty aesthetic that increases visibility.
For under $300, this boat gives you most of what you need for your kayaking session.
Other Features
- Grab lines and handles available on both ends for convenience
- Removable skeg for directional stability
- Comes with 1 paddle, a pump, a repair patch kit
- Overall functional design for visibility, comfort, and rigidity
Pros
- Rugged vinyl construction for puncture-resistance
- Lightweight and compact
- Ease of use and assembly
Cons
- Seats can become unstable during paddling
- Getting in and out can be a struggle for people with long legs
2. Intex Explorer K2 2-Person Inflatable Kayak
Best Overall 2-Seater
The Intex Explorer K2 is another kayak from Intex that stands out in its price range. Its design is optimized and an improvement to the Challenger series.
The inflatable seats and I-beam floor are retained for comfortable seating. However, the bow is curved and performs better against slightly rougher waters.
The drawback to this, though, is the length. While it can hold two people with a maximum weight of 400 pounds, it doesn’t have much leg room. This makes it tiresome for longer rides and long-legged individuals.
Nevertheless, you can use this kayak alone. It packs nicely and, with its 30.60-lb weight can be transported easily.
It also boasts an easy-to-spot yellow color and three air chambers for safety purposes.
Other Features
- Grab lines and handles on both ends
- Skeg for directional stability
- Complete with paddles, a pump, and a repair patch kit
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Functional design
- Snappy assembly and tear-down
- Durable PVC material
Cons
- The back booster seat is smaller and less comfortable
- Not enough legroom for taller individuals
3. Sevylor Quikpak K1 Kayak
Best for Budget 1-Seater
The Sevylor Quikpak K1 is remarkable among one-person kayaks due to its cost-to-performance factor.
The design was made with careful thought and consideration for consumer safety. It’s built using high-quality polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to keep you and the kayak safe from sharp objects. The make is further strengthened with a tarpaulin underside for puncture resistance.
Moreover, it has multi-air chambers that can keep you afloat during incidents. It also has a double-valve system, effectively locking deflation and inflation points.
Besides safety features, this kayak offers comfortable seats with backrests. Plus, the footrest is multidirectional, so you can find the most desirable angle.
However, note that bigger-built individuals experience sinking in the middle of the kayak.
Other Features
- Grab handles
- Cargo storage space including a cup holder for water bottles
- Backpack carrying bag
Pros
- Good value for your money
- Safety features
- Comfortable seats and foot space
- Ease of assembly and use
Cons
- The center tends to sink when loaded with larger-built individuals
- The skegs are too small
4. Sea Eagle SE 330 Inflatable Kayak
Best for Budget 2-Seater
The Sea Eagle SE 330 gives you a loading capacity of 500 pounds. This value is significantly higher than most two-person kayaks under $300 offer.
Despite this feature, the equipment only weighs 26 pounds. So, it’s light enough for moving.
Nonetheless, it delivers durability with its proprietary PVC construction.
It also has movable, deluxe kayak seats that are good for back support. However, some people find this movability troublesome and prefer staying still when in motion.
For more comfort and space, this kayak can be used by a single person. This makes steering more manageable.
When you purchase this item, you get it with accessories like two paddles, a foot pump, a carry bag, and a repair kit.
Other Features
- Equipped with two molded skegs for better tracking and speed
- Five deluxe valves with a one-way inflation/deflation mechanism
- Five-tube I-beam floor construction
Pros
- Suitable for up to Class III whitewater
- Lightweight
- Ease of transport and storage due to its packed-down size
- High loading capacity
Cons
- Tight for two adults and can become tippy
- Not good for windy conditions
5. Sea Eagle SE 370 Inflatable Kayak
Best for Budget 3-Seater
The Sea Eagle SE 370 is a more durable version of the SE 330. The length of the kayak makes it an excellent choice for your family or friends.
Although this boat can seat three people, going with two gives you more legroom and space. It can hold more cargo, as well. Just take note of its 650-lb capacity.
Even with the 35-lb weight, it’s still portable and easy to pack and assemble. During use, the size can make maneuvering the kayak a little more difficult than tinier boats.
Overall, the cons are a small trade-off for the functionality that the SE 370 offers.
The purchase package includes two movable seats, a foot pump, two paddles, and a carry bag.
Other Features
- Twin skegs at the bottom for better tracking and speed
- Five deluxe valves with a one-way inflation/deflation mechanism
- With an open/close drain valve
Pros
- Suitable for up to Class III whitewater
- Lightweight and Portable
- Spacious with high load limit
Cons
- The seats aren’t as comfortable and are too low
- Difficult to balance and steer in windy conditions
6. Intex Excursion Pro Kayak
Innovative 2-Seater
If you’re looking for more advanced features from a kayak, then the Intex Excursion Pro may be what you need. This innovative equipment comes at a reasonable price.
The construction uses high-quality, durable PVC in triple layers, with a polyester core. As a result, you get reduced impact from external forces and sunlight and minimized abrasion.
You also get more rigidity as it can withstand higher inflation pressures.
Just like the other kayaks, the Excursion Pro comes with complete gear. Additionally, you get a removable and adjustable bracket for mounting accessories, like GPS systems and fishing rod holders. Plus, it comes with a pressure gauge to ensure chambers are sufficiently filled with air.
So, if you want to go fishing, you can very well take this kayak.
Other Features
- One directional skeg for deep waters
- Another shorter skeg for shallow waters
- Mounted footrest for stability
- Adjustable bucket seats
Pros
- Improved durability and resistance to damage
- Lightweight
- Portable
- Value for money
Cons
- The 39-lb weight is heavier to carry around
- Tracking is more difficult due to its size
Conclusion
We’ve taken into consideration several elements in our search for the best kayak under $300.
Besides cost, we’ve looked at the design’s functionality, ease of use and assembly, and the added features and accessories that come with the equipment.
We came up with six kayaks for one to three-seating capacities. All of our selections used PVC materials for durability. They also have complete accessories, like paddles, storage bags, and repair kits.
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