Carry-On Watersports

What hull type is best for you? 

• Planing: Maneuverable and rides on top of the water—great for leisure paddling, surfing, SUP yoga and whitewater
• Displacement: Efficient for longer distances and speed; less maneuverable than planing hulls
• Hybrid: Combines aspects of planing and displacement hulls to cut through water easily with more stability

Solid or inflatable SUP? 

• Inflatable: Budget-friendly, easy to store and travel with; good for paddling whitewater and SUP yoga
• Solid: Best performance—fast, smooth and more stable with less effort. Requires plenty of storage and a way to transport it

Sizing your board 

• Volume, weight capacity and thickness affect stability. Factor in cargo and passengers when figuring weight capacity
• Length: Longer boards are generally faster than shorter ones but less maneuverable
• Width: Wider boards are more stable than narrow ones, but can be slower and more difficult to paddle

Standard or inflatable personal flotation device (PFD)? 

• Standard: Low-maintenance, always buoyant, great for various sports, often with pockets. Can feel bulky, restrictive and hot while paddling. 
• Inflatable: Slimmer profile, comfortable, but must be inflated to work and requires more maintenance.
• Hybrid: Balances features of both, but heftier price. 

What conditions will you encounter? 

• Level 50: For competent swimmers and high-mobility activities (kayaking, paddle boarding), where quick rescue is expected.  
• Level 70: For calm, inland waters where fast rescue is likely. 
• Level 100: For rough or remote waters or offshore where rescue may lag.  

Finding the right fit 

• Try on PFDs over paddling clothes for the best fit.  
• Mimic paddling motions. 
• Test with your seat to see if it's comfortable. Kayakers may prefer a shorter PFD.  
• If possible, test your PFD in a pool or shallow water; it shouldn't ride up while floating. 

Where in the boat do you want to sit? 

• Sit-in kayaks move fast, track straight with covered cargo compartments. Good for paddling to a destination and in cooler conditions.  
• Sit-on-top kayaks are easy to get on, self-draining and less confining. Best for easy flowing waters and warmer conditions. 

What category of kayak is best for you? 

• Recreational: Affordable, stable, easy to use and simple to turn. Best for shorter outings.   
• Day touring: Sleeker and more efficient. Easier to transport and handle than touring models but often pricier. 
• Touring: Ideal for long distances, tracks and handles wind and currents well with more storage—but at higher cost. 
• Specialty: Includes folding, inflatable, tandem and pedal-powered models. Great for limited storage or specific activities like fishing. 

Where do you want to paddle? 

• Calm waters (lakes): Any sit-on-top or recreational sit-in kayak is a fun choice. 
• Flowing rivers (no technical rapids): Choose a short, stable recreational or day-touring model.  
• If dealing with wind, waves, currents and tides: Look for a sit-in touring kayak with a rudder or fin. A sit-on-top is a good choice if you don’t mind getting wet.