Checklist · 9 picks · 4 categories
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Paddlers can always use a lighter paddle, a comfier life jacket or somewhere dry for their phone, all picked from OutdoorGearLab's tests.
The Bending Branches Whisper is its best kayak paddle on a tight budget, made for casual floats, and the Werner Skagit FG its best bang for your buck, with a carbon blend shaft. The Stohlquist Fit is a universally sized life jacket comfortable enough for all-day use, the Astral Layla is OutdoorGearLab's best women's-specific vest, and the Astral YTV 2.0 its best overall, light and low-profile. The SealLine Discovery is a low-cost roll-top dry bag, and the Nite Ize RunOff is a small, submersible hip pack for a phone and keys. The splurges are the Aqua-Bound Sting Ray Carbon, its best overall paddle, and the Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Sport, its best value inflatable kayak. Every pick is on my kayaking starter list with its source.
Who this is not for. Skip this if they'd rather fish than paddle; the gifts for anglers page has fishing gear.
Best dry bagbudget pick · 10 L
Best for keeping snacks and a hoodie dry
OutdoorGearLab's best bang for your buck dry bag: a low-cost roll-top that performs well for the money.
Heads up. Easy to puncture, and not made to stay underwater long
1 outlet. OutdoorGearLab best Bang for Your Buck dry bag.
$25-50
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mid pick · 1 L
Best for their phone, keys and car fob
OutdoorGearLab's best convenient carry-on for your essentials: a small, submersible hip pack for your phone and keys.
Heads up. Not cheap, and the zipper needs lubricating over time
1 outlet. OutdoorGearLab best Convenient Carry-On for Your Essentials.
$50-100
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Best kayak paddlemid pick · 220 to 250 cm
Best for paddling most weekends
OutdoorGearLab's best bang for your buck kayak paddle: a durable Werner design with a carbon blend shaft at an introductory price.
Heads up. Nylon blades are heavier, and the lock can get stiff
1 outlet. OutdoorGearLab best Bang for your Buck kayak paddle.
$150-200
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budget pick · 210 to 240 cm
Best for lazy summer floats
OutdoorGearLab's best kayak paddle on a tight budget: tough and inexpensive, made for casual floats.
Heads up. Heavy shaft, and some play in the locking mechanism
1 outlet. OutdoorGearLab best on a Tight Budget kayak paddle.
$50-100
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stohlquist Fit | budget | $50-100 | a first life jacket that fits most bodies | 1 outlet |
| Astral Layla | mid | $100-150 | a women's fit that doesn't ride up | 1 outlet |
| Astral YTV 2.0 | splurge | $150-200 | active paddling where they need to move | 1 outlet |
Best life jacketbudget pick · Universal
Best for a first life jacket that fits most bodies
OutdoorGearLab's best bang for the buck life jacket: a universally sized vest that's comfortable enough for casual all-day use.
Heads up. Top strap is harder to pull tight, and there are lots of seams around the edges
1 outlet. OutdoorGearLab best Bang for the Buck life jacket.
$50-100
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mid pick · Women's sizes
Best for a women's fit that doesn't ride up
OutdoorGearLab's best women's-specific life jacket: a well-built vest with lots of fit adjustment.
Heads up. Lacks ventilation and runs slightly large
1 outlet. OutdoorGearLab best Women's-Specific Life Jacket.
$100-150
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splurge pick · Pick by size
Best for active paddling where they need to move
OutdoorGearLab's best overall life jacket: a light, low-profile vest with good mobility and pockets.
Heads up. No attachment tabs for the center pocket
1 outlet. OutdoorGearLab best overall life jacket.
$150-200
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Top pickmid pick · 10 ft 3 in
Best for casual flatwater paddling on a budget
OutdoorGearLab's best value inflatable kayak: it performs well above its price, and setup is very easy.
Heads up. Difficult to dry, and the floor isn't rigid
1 outlet. OutdoorGearLab best Value inflatable kayak.
$500+
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splurge pick · 200 to 260 cm
Best for long days where every ounce counts
OutdoorGearLab's best overall kayak paddle: light and well built, with the easiest-to-use join it reviewed.
Heads up. Only available in black
1 outlet. OutdoorGearLab best overall kayak paddle.
$200-300
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means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick? Tell me
A better paddle or a dry bag. The Werner Skagit FG is OutdoorGearLab's best bang for your buck kayak paddle, a durable design at an introductory price, and the Nite Ize RunOff is its best convenient carry-on for essentials, a submersible hip pack for a phone and keys.
Probably not for most paddlers. OutdoorGearLab says inflatable belts are only for strong swimmers in sheltered water and must be re-armed after each inflation, and it suggests a foam vest for anyone who expects to get wet often.
USPS's recommended last send dates for December 25 in the contiguous US are December 17 for Ground Advantage, December 18 for Priority Mail and December 19 for Priority Mail Express. Retailers set their own order-by dates, so check at checkout.