Do you feel that kayaking is consuming too much of your energy, even if you don’t do it for too long? Perhaps the problem does not lie in your physical fitness, but in the fact that you’re not using a good paddle. With a quality paddle in your hands, you can take your kayaking to a whole new level. You will be able to go faster, as well to keep the vessel stable.
And just because you are a beginner, you don’t have to settle for a cheap kayak paddle. Nope don’t make that mistake. Cheap paddles don’t last long and that means, you might end up paying more than a premium kayak paddle. This is the reason, why we have listed premium kayak paddles here so that you can start your kayaking career with a bang.
Furthermore, a good kayaking paddle is also very lightweight, meaning that you won’t get sore muscles after paddling even for a prolonged period of time. But, being lightweight must not mean that the paddle is easy to break. On the contrary, one of the most important attributes of the best kayaking paddles is that they’re extremely sturdy.
The final thing to consider when choosing the right kayaking paddle is its price. Although this is a piece of equipment that can improve your kayaking experience significantly, it doesn’t mean that you should pay too much for it. In fact, if you look hard enough you can find fabulous kayaking paddles at very decent prices. But, if you don’t feel like searching for the best kayaking paddle, we have a solution for you – pick one of the best kayak paddles from our top 5 list!
Best Kayak Paddles for Beginners
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1. Bending Branches Angler Scout 2-Piece Kayak Fishing Paddle
The fact that this paddle was manufactured in the United States is a sort of indicator of its quality. The manufacturer of the paddle is Bending Branches, a Wisconsin-based company, known for high quality of their products. The same is the case with this paddle, which is super-tough and very durable. What this means is that once you buy it, you won’t need another paddle for a long time.
Features
The size of the paddle needs to be decided depending on how tall you are. That’s why Bending Branches kayak paddle comes in several different dimensions, the shortest being 220 centimeters in length and the longest being 260. The paddle also comes in several different colors. You can choose from sage green, orange, or green.
The blades of the paddle are reinforced with fiberglass, making it sturdy, yet very light in weight. Actually, the total weight of the paddle is just a bit over 3 pounds. This makes it great for rowing, but also for transporting. You can carry it around easy for one more reason – the paddle features a snap-button ferrule, so that it will take less space during the transport.
This paddle is loved by anglers and kayakers (both beginners and advance level paddlers) because it comes with a number of angler-friendly features. One of those is the built-in measurement system (in centimeters and inches), which will help you measure the catch. There’s also a hook retrieval slot on one end of the paddle.
Pros:
- Made of high-quality material
- Very lightweight, yet durable
- Comes in different colors and sizes
- Easy to transport
- Has a number of features that anglers will find useful
- Affordable price
Cons:
- We can’t find anything bad about this kayak paddle
Recommendation
If you want to get yourself the very best kayak paddle, this might be the right choice. Still, this doesn’t mean that you should stop reading our paddle reviews. The remaining 4 kayak paddles also deserve your attention!
2. AQUA BOUND Manta Ray Carbon 2-Piece Kayak Paddle
One of the main reasons why we decided to put this AQUA BOUND Manta Ray Carbon 2-Piece Kayak Paddle on our list is that it’s very easy to use and transport. In fact, the 2-piece paddle is easy to take apart, so that when you need to carry it around, you can simply put it into a bag. Apart from that, AQUA BOUND Manta Ray Carbon 2-Piece Kayak Paddle is also great in terms of performances. It’s bound to make kayaking much easier for you! It is designed for beginners as well.
Features
AQUA BOUND Manta Ray Carbon 2-Piece Kayak Paddle comes only in one color – black, but you can choose from different sizes (from 210 to 250 centimeters in length). AQUA BOUND Manta Ray Carbon 2-Piece Kayak Paddle is made to last for a long time, which is why it’s reinforced with carbon. This makes it incredibly sturdy, while not taking a toll on its weight. In fact, the paddle weighs only 3.5 pounds.
The design of the blade is deliberately high-angle, so that you will be able to get more from each stroke. This way, you will be able to move your kayak much faster than before. On top of that, such paddle will also help you in the battle with rough waters, when you need to keep your kayak stable.
Pros:
- Easy to transport
- Made of tough and durable material
- Designed to provide you with maximum performance
Cons:
- Comes in one color only (black)
Recommendation
If you are looking for a paddle that will make you go faster with your kayak, you’re looking at your best choice. It’s designed to help you go faster and have a better control of the kayak. Apart from that, AQUA BOUND Manta Ray Carbon 2-Piece Kayak Paddle is also superb in terms of quality. It’s reinforced with carbon, meaning that there’s no way it could break. If you don’t mind that it comes only in black color, you should seriously consider buying it.
3. Werner Camano Premium Fiberglass Kayak Paddle
Werner Camano Premium Fiberglass Kayak Paddle is one of the most expensive on our list, but even if it cost two times more, we would still recommend it. This is because Werner Camano Premium Fiberglass Kayak Paddle is made of the finest materials, meaning that it’s durable, yet very lightweight. On top of that, it’s designed in order to provide you with the maximum performance. This paddle is going to make kayaking a much more interesting experience for you – you’re gonna go faster and be able to control the boat easily.
Features
Werner Camano Premium Fiberglass Kayak Paddle comes in several different sizes, so that you can choose the one that suits you the best. It also comes in different color – trophy charcoal, swellz blue, redfish golden, red, orange, amber, and lime drift. All of the colors are bright, so that if you accidentally drop the paddle in the water, it won’t be hard to spot it.
The blades are made of fiberglass and designed so that you get the maximum out of every swing. What this means is that buying this paddle can improve your kayaking performance. It will help you go faster and have a better control of the kayak.
Werner Camano Premium Fiberglass Kayak Paddle is also easy to transport, as you can take it apart in two pieces and then carry in a bag. The total weight of the kayak paddle is only 2.3 pounds, making it one of the most lightweight paddles on the market today.
Pros:
- Several dimensions and colors to choose from
- Fiberglass blades are tough and durable
- Very lightweight
- Easy to transport
Cons:
- Not the cheapest paddle on the market
Recommendation
The reason why you are likely to fall in love with this Werner Camano Premium Fiberglass Kayak Paddle is the fact that it comes in a variety of different colors, so the chances are high that you’ll find one that fits your taste. But, apart from looking nice, Werner Camano Premium Fiberglass Kayak Paddle is also amazing in terms of performances. It’s also very sturdy as it’s made of tough and durable materials. Finally, the paddle is extremely easy to transport, because of the fact that it’s less than 3 pounds heavy.
4. AQUA BOUND Sting Ray Hybrid 2-Piece Kayak Paddle
When it comes to AquaBound products, it’s all about durability. AQUA BOUND Sting Ray Hybrid 2-Piece Kayak Paddle is bound to serve you well for a long time. The chances of it breaking are close to zero – not even the strongest waves can hurt it. On top of that, AQUA BOUND Sting Ray Hybrid 2-Piece Kayak Paddle is also great in terms of design. It’s going to help you go much faster than you would with an ordinary paddle.
Features
The blades of the AQUA BOUND Sting Ray Hybrid 2-Piece Kayak Paddle are made of nylon, reinforced with carbon. This makes the blades super-sturdy, yet ultra-lightweight. What this means is that you will be able to get the most of every stroke, thus going further much faster. Apart from improving your kayaking experience, the paddle is also great for being very easy to carry around.
AQUA BOUND Sting Ray Hybrid 2-Piece Kayak Paddle is made of two pieces, which means that you can take it apart and put in a bag, every time you needto transport it. In fact, transporting this kayak paddle is something that’s done easy, as its total weight is 3.5 pounds, which is pretty lightweight.
AQUA BOUND Sting Ray Hybrid 2-Piece Kayak Paddle is offered in many different dimensions, from 210 centimeters to 250 centimeters. What this means is that depending on your height, you will be able to choose the perfect size. When it comes to design, AQUA BOUND Sting Ray Hybrid 2-Piece Kayak Paddle comes only in one color – black, which might be the only downside of AquaBound Sting Ray Carbon paddle.
Pros
- Made of super-quality materials, thus very durable
- Makes paddling much easier
- Lightweight and easy to transport
- Offered in different sizes
Cons
- Comes only in blackcolor
Recommendation
When you buy an AquaBound product, you make a lifetime decision. The products made by this manufacturer are bound to last for a long time, as they’re made of the finest materials. That’s exactly the case with this kayak paddle, which definitely deserves its place on our list.
5. BENDING BRANCHES Angler Scout Kayak Paddle
The final paddle on our list is one of the best options for anglers. In fact, it was designed for that purpose, which is why it’s full of features that will make the job easier for anglers. On top of that, the paddle is also very sturdy and durable, lightweight and easy to use. Its price is not the best, but the paddle is definitely worth a buy.
Features
The blades of the paddle are strengthened with carbon, which makes them much tougher, yet still very lightweight. Actually, the whole paddle is very light in weight, meaning that you won’t find it hard to use it. Paddling with this item is really a job and provides you with much speed that you could’ve imagined
The paddle is also very easy to transport. This is not just because of its light weight, but also because it can be taken apart in two separate pieces. What this implies is that you can put the two pieces in a box or a bag and carry it with you.
All of this sounds great, but the main reason why this paddle is on our list is because it’s very angler-friendly. First of all, there’s a measuring system on the shaft, featuring both inches and centimeters. This way, you will be able to measure the catch, without letting go of the paddle. On top of that, the paddle also has hook retrieval system, which can help you rescue lures or free a snagged hook.
Pros
- Offered in different dimensions
- Made of super-quality materials
- Very easy to transport
- Comes with plenty of useful angler-friendly features
Cons
- Not the cheapest paddle you can find
Recommendation
If you’re an angler, buying this paddle will be the right choice. It features all the things you may wish for from a kayak paddle, but also comes with certain angler-friendly features. Even if it’s not the cheapest paddle on our list, we still think it’s a good buy.
FINAL NOTE
With a proper kayak paddle in your hands, you can make kayaking a much more interesting adventure. A good paddle will enable you to go faster, while not taking too much of your energy. It will also help you have a much better control of your kayak. For all these reasons, buying a proper kayak paddle needs to be your goal.
The problem is that you might not be able to find the best kayak paddle, at least not at an affordable price. That is why we’ve decided to help you. You can be sure that whichever paddle you pick from our list, you are going to make the right choice!
