Updated May 8, 2021
Gift-giving is one of the great joys in life for the giver as well as the receiver. In this world of plenty finding a meaningful one that demonstrates the intended level of care can be challenging.
If you are selecting a gift for a kayak enthusiast the number of choices available that have a high probability of being appreciated is pretty bountiful. Especially for a giver who is not especially knowledgeable about kayaking, I’ve put together 20 items of gear and accessories to choose from or as food for thought.
Do you have any questions about the gift ideas presented? If so, I’d love to hear from you. Maybe I can offer some advice or come up with some additional thoughts. Otherwise, you can go to some of the links provided to get more information and reviews of similar gear and accessories. Please post your response in the comments section at the bottom and we’ll see what we can do.
Best Gifts For a Kayaker – Some Ideas to Consider
- Aomekie 7 x 50 Marine Binoculars
- Sweet Protection Wanderer Kayak Helmet
- Stohlquist Edge Life Vest
- O’Neill Epic 4/3mm Backzip Full Kayak Wetsuit
- Seattle Sports Sea Rover Kayak Compass
- Attwood Grapnel Kayak Anchor
- NRS Kayak Bilge Pump and Basic Touring Safety Kit
- Malone Handirack Inflatable Universal Kayak Rack
- Railblaza C-Tug Kayak or Canoe Cart
- Oru Kayak Beach LT Foldable Kayak
- Sea to Summit Big River Dry Bag
- Sea to Summit Ultraflex Booties
- Stohlquist EZ Kayak Drysuit
- Werner Camano Kayak Paddle
- Garmin Striker 4 Marine GPS Fish Finder
- Camillus Carbonitride Titanium G2 Sailing Knife
- Surviveware Waterproof First Aid Kit
- Skwoosh High Back Kayak Seat with Lumbar Support
- YETI Hopper Flip 12 Portable Soft Cooler
- YETI Roadie 20 Cooler
Best Gifts For a Kayaker
Aomekie 7 x 50 Marine Binoculars
Great for charting your course and bringing the distant scenery a bit closer, binoculars are a great gift for a kayaker as a tool and a source of enjoyment. The Amokie Marine Binoculars are an excellent candidate for a gift with durable rubber-armored coating, waterproofing, fog-resistance, an internal range finder, and compass, and they float.
For more details on this model and reviews of other top marine binoculars, please check out this post: Marine Binoculars
Sweet Protection Wanderer Kayak Helmet
When you decide to take on whitewater, head protection is a priority. The Sweet Protection Wanderer Helmet has a durable carbon fiber reinforced ABS shell rated for rigorous conditions up to Class IV rapids but also makes a great gift for the all-around recreational kayaker. It’s comfortable and lightweight, designed for a secure fit with vents for airflow and water drainage.
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For more details on this model and reviews of other top kayak helmets, please check out this post: Kayak Helmets
A quality life vest that provides a margin of safety and a design that facilitates comfortable freedom of movement is what every kayaker looks for. The Stohlquist Edge has large arm openings, ergonomic design, and mesh-sides to keep you cool on a hot day of paddling. An offset main-zipper helps facilitate easy overhead on and off and when you find yourself in the water, there is plenty of buoyancy as well as 3M reflective panels for visibility.
For more details on this model and reviews of other top kayak life vests, please check out these posts: Kayak Life Vests Kayak Life Vests For Women Kayak Fishing Life Vests
O’Neill Epic 4/3mm Backzip Full Kayak Wetsuit
When your kayaker plans to brave moderately cold temperatures, a comfortable flexible wetsuit makes a great gift. The O’Neill Men’s Epic 4/3mm Backzip Full Wetsuit is a good choice. With its lumbar seamless design and extra flexible neoprene in the arms and torso, paddling is easy and warm.
For more details on this model and reviews of other top kayak wetsuits, please check out this post: Kayak Wetsuits
Seattle Sports Sea Rover Kayak Compass
Not everyone has one, but any serious kayaker would love to have a good compass mounted in front to help stay on track. The Seattle Sports Sea Rove Kayak Compass has a non-slip base and is easily attached to deck rigging or a deck bag with adjustable nylon straps and quick-release buckles. It’s durable, can be read from the top or sides, and gets great reviews from users.
For more details on this model and reviews of other top kayak compasses, please check out this post: Kayak Compasses
Kayaking typically involves forward movement across a lake or bay or shooting through rapids moving downstream. Occasionally, though, stopping temporarily onshore for a break or mid-water for some fishing is in order. That’s when your kayaker will appreciate the gift of a handy durable grapnel anchor like this Attwood model. It comes with a 25-foot anchor line, large snap hook, marker buoy, and nylon storage case.
For more details on this model and reviews of other top kayak anchors, please check out this post: Kayak Anchors
NRS Kayak Bilge Pump and Basic Touring Safety Kit
For those kayaks that aren’t self-bailing, when water accumulates in the hull, a bilge pump is just the ticket to clear it out in a hurry. Your kayaker will appreciate a gift of this 21-inch basic bilge pump that can remove 8 gallons per minute. The package also includes a sponge for mopping up, an emergency whistle, and a paddle float.
For more details on this model and reviews of other top kayak bilge pumps, both electric and hand models, please check out this post: Kayak Bilge Pumps
Malone Handirack Inflatable Universal Kayak Rack
An inflatable or folding kayak can just be loaded in the trunk and easily transported to the destination launch area. If you have a solid body kayak, however, the size and weight require a little bit more. The Malone Handirack Inflatable Universal Kayak Rack is a good choice as a gift because it will fit most cars with front and rear windows and doesn’t take a lot of research on your part as the purchaser. It’s an inflatable, lightweight system not requiring any cross-rails or tools to install. A double-action hand pump is included which enables set-up in minutes.
For more details on this model and reviews of other top kayak roof racks, please check out this post: Kayak Roof Rack Systems
Railblaza C-Tug Kayak or Canoe Cart
After the car is parked, the kayak still needs to make its way to the water. If there is only one person, the distance is great, and/or the kayak is pretty heavy, a good cart will prevent getting tuckered out before the paddling even begins. This durable Railblaza Kayak Cart assembles without tools, dismantles in under 20 seconds, and fits inside a kayak hatch. Adjustable rubber pads suit almost any kayak and it weighs less than 10 pounds with a large capacity of 300 pounds. This is a great gift to take a load off your kayaker’s back.
For more details on this model and reviews of other top kayak carts, please check out this post: Kayak Carts
Oru Kayak Beach LT Foldable Kayak
For the kayaker that wants classic sit-in styling who doesn’t want to hassle with mounting it on a car rack or lugging it to shore side, the Oru Kayak Beach LT Folding Kayak is an awesome gift. It has durable double-layered polypropylene construction and folds into a 26-pound suitcase for easy portage. Setting up takes minutes and your kayaker will quickly be paddling from the comfortable adjustable seat. It is UV treated, has 3 bulkheads for rigidity, 140 liters of storage below deck, and reflective deck lines for visibility.
For more details on this kayak and reviews of a range of other top models, please check out these posts: Lake Kayaks Touring Kayaks Tandem Kayaks Whitewater Kayaks for Beginners Ocean Kayaks Fishing Kayaks Beginner Kayaks Recreational Kayaks Inflatable Kayaks
Sea to Summit Big River Dry Bag
With the proximity to the water and opportunities to get wet inherent to kayaking, a good waterproof dry bag for gear and supplies is a welcome gift. Made with durable 420 denier nylon with TPU lamination, the Sea to Summit Big River Dry Bag is completely waterproof and abrasion-resistant. With a roll-up closure and D-ring attachment points to secure it to the kayak, it comes in sizes from 3 to 65 liters in 5 eye-catching colors.
For more details on this model and reviews of other top dry bags, please check out this post: Waterproof Kayaking Bags
Sea to Summit Ultraflex Booties
With a soft comfortable 3mm neoprene upper and thin, sensitive traction sole, The Sea to Summit Ultraflex Booties make a great gift for a kayaker for warm water use that will also serve well for a range of watersports including SUP, surfing, rafting, and sailing. It has a Y-pull Velcro strap system for secure closure, non-chafing stitch-lines, a synthetic lining, and comes in sizes from 5 to 12.
For more details on these booties and reviews of other shoes for kayaking including cold water models, please check out this post: Kayaking Water Shoes
For truly cold conditions, your kayaker will really appreciate the gift of this reasonably priced drysuit from one of the top makers. It has a relaxed fit, which allows for layering, and comes with integrated drysocks, relief zippers, and soft, comfortable, good sealing latex neck and wrist gaskets. Suitable for touring or whitewater, it has armored knees, zippered thigh, and arm pockets, and comes in a choice of colors including mango, as well as black.
For more details on this model and reviews of other top kayak drysuits, please check out this post: Kayak Drysuits
There is probably nothing an experienced kayaker would appreciate more to receive as a gift than a top-quality paddle like the Werner Camano. It’s a two-piece low-angle model with a lightweight carbon shaft, durable fiberglass blades, and adjustable feathering. Available in 11 colors and 7 lengths from 215 cm to 260 cm, there is a size to suit a range of paddlers. Consult the manufacturer details or the gift receiver for the best length.
For more details on this model and reviews of other top kayak paddles, please check out these posts: Kayak Paddles Kayak Paddles for Fishing
Garmin Striker 4 Marine GPS Fish Finder
The Garmin Striker 4 has a CHIRP (Condensed High-Intensity Radar Pulse) transducer that delivers a clear display of schools of fish and underwater topography on a 3.5-inch color display and marks them for later reference using GPS. What kayak fisherman wouldn’t love to receive it as a gift? It’s lightweight, waterproof, and has an easy-to-use keypad for navigation.
For more details on this model and reviews of other top GPS and fishfinder devices, please check out these posts: Kayak Fishfinders Marine GPS
Camillus Carbonitride Titanium G2 Sailing Knife
Every boater considers a knife to be an essential tool making it a great gift for a kayaker. This Camillus Sailing Knife is well crafted of durable VG-10 Japanese “super steel” with a special Carbonitride Titanium non-stick coating that is non-flake and rust and corrosion-resistant, perfect for marine applications. It has a dual locking system with a 2.75-inch drop point locking blade and marine spike for rope work. Your kayaker can keep it in a pocket or attach it with its lanyard clip.
For more details on this knife and reviews of other top marine knives, please check out this post: Sailing Knives
Surviveware Waterproof First Aid Kit
The gift of this Surviveware Waterproof First Aid Kit will give your kayaker more than 200 items including an emergency blanket, 6-inch shears, tweezers, a CPR kit, and a range of dressing, disinfecting, and bandaging materials. It’s all packaged in a durable 600D TPU case that is rated at IPX7 for waterproofing (30 minutes at 1 meter), with a water-tight zipper and welded seams. Well-organized, lightweight, and compact, any kayak has a handy space for it.
For more details on this first aid kit and reviews of other kits, please check out this post: First Aid Kits
Skwoosh High Back Kayak Seat with Lumbar Support
The kayak seating installed when you purchase a kayak is often not as comfortable as you might like. Skwoosh has taken care of that by creating this wonderful replacement. It is waterproof with durable welded construction, a comfortable 20-inch padded backrest with adjustable side wings and lumbar support, and a fluidized gel pad seat. It also has a bungee net on the seat back for stowing gear. Your kayaker will send his blessing to you for this gift every time he goes paddling.
YETI Hopper Flip 12 Portable Soft Cooler
The YETI Hopper Flip is just what a kayaker needs to hold a dozen cold drinks and ice that easily stows for a day of paddling. Closed-cell rubber foam keeps the contents cold and the outer DryHide high-density fabric resists punctures, UV rays, and mildew. It’s waterproof and leakproof with a detachable padded shoulder strap and carry handles, as well as a HitchPoint grid for attaching bottle openers and accessories, and D-ring tie-down points to secure it to its place on board.
For more details on this and other soft-sided coolers, please check out this post: Soft Sided Coolers
With heavy-duty rotomolded polyethylene construction, the YETI Roadie can take a few bumps and abrasions and easily maintain it’s waterproof leak-proof integrity. Compact with a 14-can capacity, it has a bucket-style handle, vortex drainage system, non-slip feet, and tie-down slots making it easy to use and keep firmly in place on a kayak. It makes a great gift for a day of kayaking or any outing to the beach or park.
For more details on this and other hard shell coolers, please check out these posts: Beach Coolers Marine Coolers
Feedback and Comments
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