Types of Kayaks: Guide to various types of kayaks
If you’ve become intrigued by kayaking, the first step is to figure out what kind of kayak is right for you. Kayaks come in many forms, and different kayaks are suited for different bodies of water.
The type of kayak you choose will depend on what kind of kayaking you plan to do, how often you kayak, where you kayak and with whom you kayak. For example, if you kayak infrequently with your kids on a small lake, there’s no point in buying a kayak that’s suited for kayaking rapids at high speeds.
Using this guide, you can learn about the different types of kayaks and kayak characteristics to help you make a decision on which kayak is appropriate for your needs:
Flat Water Kayaks
Flatwater kayaks are designed for pretty much what it sounds like, paddling on flat bodies of water. There are various types of flatwater kayaks, sit-on-top, recreational, touring, inflatable, and pedal kayaks. The kayaks are designed to take you on day trips or multi-day excursions, depending on the kayak.
Sit-on-top Kayak

Sit on top kayaks are open-topped kayaks that are a great first choice for a beginner kayaker. They are often used for short trips on lakes, bays, or near the ocean shore. Sit-on-top kayaks are easy to get into and out of, making them a good option for people who may have trouble lifting their legs over the sides of other types of kayaks.
Recreational Kayaks
Recreational kayaks are used for similar purposes as sit-on-top kayaks, except that they have an enclosed cockpit that is sealed with a skirt. These kayaks are great for short trips on lakes or oceans where you might want to stay warmer than a sit-on-top allows, such as in cold or wet weather or during choppy water conditions where you might get sprayed.
Touring Kayaks

Touring kayaks are longer boats used for crossing large bodies of water, such as big lakes or the ocean. Touring kayaks have a sleek design so you can paddle for extended amounts of time without getting too tired or wearing yourself out. Touring kayaks are also known as sea kayaks or expedition kayaks. Touring kayaks are normally more expensive than recreational sit-on-top models.
Inflatable Kayaks
Inflatable kayaks are a great option for people who don’t have much storage space and typically only paddle on small to moderate-sized bodies of water. Inflatable kayaks are often made from durable PVC and nylon fabric that is puncture resistant. Most inflatable kayaks are sit-on-tops, although there are skirted versions on the market.
Pedal Kayaks
Pedal kayaks are a type of kayak that are propelled by paddles controlled by foot pedals. These types of kayaks supply the convenience of being able to propel forward without having to use your arms. Pedal kayaks are great for covering long distances, especially on large bodies of water.
With pedal kayaks, you can sit back and relax as your legs power your kayak forward. There’s no need to worry about how many strokes you take or if you’re using the correct stroke, as the kayak will go exactly where you want it to go. Pedal kayaks are often used by people who spend long days on the water, such as commercial fishing vessels.
Whitewater kayaks
Whitewater kayaks are designed for tackling rapids on rivers and creeks. Whitewater kayaks are typically shorter, with curved hulls that give them great maneuverability. There are various types of whitewater kayaks, including river running kayaks, play boats and creekers.
River Runners
River running kayaks are general-purpose whitewater kayaks used for paddling rivers. These are the most common type of whitewater kayaks you’ll see on the river, designed for running your typical whitewater river, with the shape varying for specific requirements, such as carrying camping gear (larger, more volume) or for doing a bit of playboating (smaller, hulls designed to allow for surfing waves).
Play Boats

Play boats are shorter whitewater kayaks that are designed for doing tricks on whitewater. Play boats are typically very maneuverable, so you can paddle on standing waves, holes and other river features.
Creek Boats
Creekers are short, maneuverable kayaks used for running smaller rapids along rivers or creeks. Creekers have high-volume bows to help them punch through whitewater features and resurface when they submerge after running waterfalls.
Slalom Racing Kayaks
Slalom Boats are used for racing down whitewater race courses–the kind you see in the Summer Olympics. Slalom racing kayaks are typically made from lightweight, yet strong materials like fiberglass and carbon fiber. The boat is designed with a small cockpit to give the paddler maximum control while navigating through rapids.
That’s a basic rundown of the various types of kayaks. Kayaking is one of several types of paddle sports. To learn more about the others, including canoeing and SUP, check out our overview of paddle sports.