Kayak tie down straps may seem inconsequential to some but believe me, they can make or break your kayaking trip. A good quality Kayak Tie Down Strap could be the difference between a memorable trip and a nightmare. But since there are so many varieties of Kayak Tie Down Straps available in the market that you might get totally confused when it comes to selecting the right strap for your next kayaking trip. To make your job easier, here we have listed the best Kayak tie down straps that money can buy.
Best 10 Kayak Tie Down Straps
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1. Fortem Ratchet Tie Down Straps
Fortem Ratchet Tie Down Straps are extremely durable and they have got a nice color that really pops. Made from polyester fibers, Fortem Ratchet Tie Down Straps have got an impressive 500-pound loading capacity. Fortem Ratchet Tie Down Straps enjoy greater visibility and their hooks are made from premium quality stainless steel. The hooks are also weather proof. The ratchets will not open that easily as Spring-loaded release mechanism is in place already.
2. RHINO USA Ratchet Straps
The break strength of RHINO USA Ratchet Straps is somewhere around 5000-6000 lbs which are more than impressive. Well-made and well designed, RHINO USA Ratchet Straps are heavy-duty kayak tie down straps. Real nylon webbing is being used in the making of this strap. The threads will not unravel that easily and that means, there is no need to burn off the threads.
3. Everest Premium Ratchet Tie Down
Everest Premium Ratchet Tie Down has got a solid Aluminum Handle that makes it ideal for extreme environments. This also makes it highly resistant to corrosion. Everest Premium Ratchet Tie Down has got double j hook that you can easily attach to O-ring and D-rings that are commonly available in the market. You can make a direct connection to the anchoring points thanks to its 90-degree angle. The hooks are made from stainless steel that makes them extremely strong and sturdy.
4. YAKIMA – Bow/Stern Ratcheting Tiedowns
Reliable and user-friendly bow and stern tie-down straps feature ratchet pulleys for non-slip securing of boats or other long loads to your vehicle.
A little boat rocking is fine on the water, but any boat rocking on your roof rack is definitely cause for concern. Make sure your kayak or canoe—or any other long load like a ladder or lumber—is fully secure and highway-ready with Yakima bow and stern tie-downs. These straps for tying down long loads feature user-friendly ratchet pulleys for ease and security, clear plastic tubes to protect your vehicle from strap contact, corrosion resistance for durability, and included hooks to easily connect to vehicle bumpers.
Features
- Includes a pair of bow/stern tie-downs to secure kayaks, canoes, or other long loads like lumber and ladders to the front and rear of the vehicle
- Ratcheting pulleys make adjustment fast and simple and keep straps secure even at highway speeds
- Clear plastic tubes protect vehicle finish from contact with tie-downs
- Corrosion-resistant materials add durability and weather-resistance
- Steel hooks provide easy securing to bumpers or underside of vehicle
5. Yakima Heavy-Duty Straps
Infinitely strong and versatile, this pair of 16’ load straps with padded buckle covers secures any gear imaginable, from boats and boards to lumber and ladders.
So strong and high-performing their likeness belongs on a cereal box, the Yakima Heavy Duty straps are supremely versatile and easy to use. Sold as a pair, these 16 foot box-stitched straps with padded buckle covers are perfect for lashing down any load, from canoes and kayaks to lumber and ladders. Alternately, the Yakima RipCord straps are a locking load strap solution (sold separately).
Features
- Includes two 16’ load straps
- Perfect for securing virtually any cargo, including kayaks and canoes, surfboards and SUPs, ladders, lumber, and more
- Padded buckle covers protect gear and vehicle from scratching
- Box-stitched webbing is extremely strong and resistant to tears
- Pairs especially well with Yakima LoadStops or Yakima Cross Bar Pads (both sold separately)
- Yakima RipCord locking load straps are alternately available (sold separately)
6. Malone Bow Stern Tie Downs
The Malone Rope & Hook Kayak / Canoe Tie-Down Kit (MPG306)includes nylon cording and 2 S-Hooks to allow for simple, safe securing of your boat to your vehicle.
The Malone Rope & Hook Tie-Down Kit (MPG306) is a simple and secure way to make sure your kayak or canoe gets transported safely. Consists of non-stretching nylon coated cording and corrosion resistant S-Hooks that can attach to either the vehicles frame or to the MPG322 HoodLoops.
7. Sportrack Bow/Stern Tie Down
With the SportRack Bow/Stern Tie down, you can ditch the old ball of twine, and never questionably lash your boat to the car again.
The SportRack Bow/Stern Tie Down straps are durable, woven nylon cinch straps for attaching your favorite boat securely to the top of your vehicle. The SportRack Bow/Stern Tie Down set includes two separate straps.
8. SportRack Universal Tie Down
You should never have to worry about your tie down straps not holding up to the test of time. Keep your boat secured and your mind at ease with SportRack’s range of SportRack Universal Tie Down straps. Pair.
The SportRack Universal Tie Down is a tightly woven and durable tension strap, designed for use with watercraft, or other difficult-to-transport items. Available in 9, 12, 15 and 18 foot lengths, the SportRack Universal Tie Down has a secure tension buckle that is protected by a clever rubber pad, allowing users to cinch the SportRack Universal Tie Down without marking a vehicle’s finish. The SportRack Universal Tie Down is truly an irreplaceable component of any successful trip to the put-in.
9. Malone Auto Racks Quicklash T-Style Hood Loops
Malone HoodLoops provide a location to attach your kayak/canoe tie-downs when you have a car or truck with plastic bumpers. Attach to the underside of your hood to create a solid location to attach your tie-downs.
Use Malone HoodLoops when you are trying to secure your canoe or kayak to a vehicle with bumpers (bumpers without metal underneath). The loops attach to the quarter panel bolts underneath your hood and provide a place to attach the S-Hook portion of our safety tie-downs. Two per set.
10. Malone Sentry Ratchet Tie Down staps
The MPG316 Sentry Ratchet is Malone’s premium bow & stern line tie-down system. Set comes with 2 tie downs and everything needed for securing one canoe or kayak.
The Malone Sentry Ratchet Tie Down Set can be used to secure your canoe or kayak safely without having to tie knots. Each set comes with 2 tie-downs and everything needed to tie-down one boat.
Features To Look For
Length
Length is a crucial factor. You should always opt for the longer ones because as a wise man once said – the longer, the better. You can always daisy-chain the longer kayak tie down straps but there is no option to extend the length of shorter straps unless you have mastered the art of summoning Satan. (Just kidding)
Webbing
Make sure that the webbing can withstand the UV rays of the sun and is waterproof. It would be great if you can manage to find a kayak tie down strap that is highly resistant to stretch. The width of the strap should be at least 1’’ otherwise it will be of no use.
Buckles
Most people tend to opt for kayak tie down straps that come standard with metal buckles but they do have some downsides. Of course, metal buckles tend to be durable and tend to last long but they tend to get damaged or develop dents very easily. Unless you are super careful with your stuff, these buckles will for sure develop marks and dents. Use a padded metal buckle if you want to keep the kayak protected at any cost. Rubber buckles though don’t last very long, they tend to go easy on the equipment.
Simplicity
Our lives are already completed and therefore, there is no point in making it even more complicated. The kayak tie down straps that you decide to purchase at the end should get tangled that easily. Untangling straps take forever and therefore, you need to find straps that are easy to manipulate.
Arthur G. Moore is a veteran paddler. He has over 10 years of whitewater kayaking experience in his kitty. When he was young, he used to love kayaking in rapid III and rapid IV but as time went on, he decided to concentrate mainly on covering long distances on a standard touring kayak. He is currently working as a senior editor for Kayak Manual.
