THE BEST Kayaks

A few years ago, Oru created a kayak that could fold up like origami. Their latest design is the smallest yet, packing up into a suitcase that’s small enough to fit just about anywhere. Somehow they managed to fold a 10-foot boat down to just 42″ L x 19″ H x 10″ W. An optional pack lets you carry it and your paddle on your back.

This lightweight, transparent canoe-kayak hybrid is made from vacuum-formed Lexan, letting you and a friend see through to the water, rocks, and sea life below your boat. A double UV layer prevents yellowing, and the frame is made from T6 6061 anodized aluminum. Substantial discounts available when buying 2 or more kayaks.

DIY channel The Q shows us how to make a kayak using only three materials: sticks, shrinkwrap and a ton of transparent tape. The question of course is how and why you’d carry the latter two in the wild. But the end result is surprisingly sturdy.

Weighing just 42 lbs, TRAK’s 2.0 Kayak goes from backpack to water in 10 minutes, with a unique compact bag system that can be taken on an airplane. It also adapts to a variety of water conditions with its adjustable rocker and waterline.

LockRack is a strapless roof rack for surfboards, paddle boards, kayaks and canoes. It has an anodized aluminum base, nylon rail protectors and non-slip rubber arms. The arms are secured by locking pins and can be folded flat or removed when not in use.

Watch as daredevil kayakers Rush Sturges and Ben Marr ride through a drainage canal that’s just inches wider than their tandem boat, as they take a thrilling and dangerous ride that could have easily snapped their paddles – or their bones – if anything went wrong.

Want a kayak, but don’t have the storage space for one? The Pakayak disassembles from a 14-foot boat into a 3.5 foot-long package thanks to pieces that nest inside one another. They’re small enough to fit multiples inside an SUV, or to even carry one on your back.