One of the most important investments you can make is your kayak paddle, but people often overlook this when they’re first starting. Make sure to review our FAQ for the things to consider when purchasing the best paddles for kayak.
See Additional Lists: Best Fishing Paddle / Best Aluminum Paddle / Best Fiberglass Paddle/ Best Carbon Fiber Paddle / Best Low Angle Paddle / Best High Angle Paddle
Best Paddles For Kayak: Overall
1. Werner Kalliste Carbon Kayak Paddle Shop Now: (Straight shaft/Bent shaft)
- Paddle weight: 23 oz (Straight), 26 oz (Bent)
- 2-piece carbon fiber shaft
- Carbon fiber & foam core blades 20.5″ x 6.3″
- Low-angle paddle style
2. Werner Cyprus Carbon Kayak Paddle Shop Now: (Straight shaft/Bent shaft)
- Paddle weight: 23 oz (Straight), 26 oz (Bent)
- 2-piece carbon fiber shaft
- Carbon fiber & foam core blades 18″ x 7″
- High-angle paddle style
3. Werner Camano Premium Fiberglass Kayak Paddle Shop Now
- Paddle weight: 27.25 oz
- Many color options
- 2-piece carbon/fiberglass blend
- Fiberglass blades 20.5″ x 6.3″
- Low-angle paddle style
4. Aqua Bound Tango Kayak Paddle Shop Now: (Straight shaft / Bent shaft)
- Paddle weight: 26 oz. straight / 28 oz. bent
- 2-piece T-700 Carbon Fiber shaft (Also: 4-piece)
- Compression molded fiberglass blades 17.9″ x 6.6″
- Low-angle paddle style
5. Aqua Bound Manta Ray Carbon Posi-Lok Kayak Paddle Shop Now
- Paddle weight: 29.5 oz
- 2-piece, 100% carbon fiber shaft (Also: 4-piece)
- Carbon reinforced nylon injection molded blades 18″ x 7″
- High-angle paddle style
- See: Aqua Bound Manta Ray Carbon Review
6. Werner Skagit CF Carbon Fiber Kayak Paddle Shop Now
- Paddle weight: 31 oz.
- 2-piece carbon fiber shaft
- Carbon reinforced nylon blades 19″ x 6″
- Low-angle paddle style
7. Aqua Boung Sting Ray Carbon Kayak Paddle Shop Now
- Paddle weight: 28.75 oz.
- 2-piece carbon fiber shaft
- Carbon reinforced nylon injection molded blades 18″ x 6″
- Low-angle paddle style
8. Aqua Bound Manta Ray Hybrid Kayak Paddle Shop Now
- Paddle weight: 31.5 oz.
- 2-piece carbon fiber shaft
- Fiberglass reinforced nylon blades 18″ x 7.25″
- High-angle paddle style
Best Paddles for Kayak: Buying FAQ
What is the difference in kayak paddle material?
There are several different types of kayak paddles that you will find. Each have different pros and cons.
Shaft Material:
- Aluminum: Aluminum shafts are very durable and found on most entry level kayak paddles. These are usually inexpensive, but are also the heaviest option.
- Fiberglass: This is a step up from the aluminum shaft. It is usually lighter, but also durable.
- Carbon Fiber: Carbon fiber is usually the lightest material found on a kayak paddle shaft. These are usually going to be the most expensive paddles, but also the highest performance paddles for kayaking.
Blade Material:
- Plastic: Plastic is most common on entry level paddles. Their stiffness makes them durable, but not as efficient when paddling. These are also usually the heaviest blades.
- Fiberglass: This is the next step up. Lighter, but a little more expensive than plastic.
- Carbon Fiber: Top performance kayak paddles have carbon fiber blades. They are even lighter than fiberglass, and more expensive.
Pairing the right shaft material and blade material will make the best kayak paddle for your use. Figure out your budget, and get the best paddle you can. This is one area that you won’t regret spending a little more after you’ve been on the water all day.
Do I need a low-angle paddle or high-angle paddle?
The paddle angle is the direction of your paddle when you put the blade in the water and continue through your stroke. If the paddle is closer to vertical, you are a high-angle paddler. If it is more horizontal, you tend to be a low-angle paddler.
High Angle Paddling: Vertical paddle style. Uses short, wide blades for more power.
Low Angle Paddling: Flatter, more horizontal paddling style. Uses long, narrow blades for more relaxed paddling.
You will see whether the paddle is designed more for low angle or high angle paddling in our descriptions of each paddle.
What length do I need?
The length of your paddle will depend on the width of your boat and the size of the person paddling. Some people recommend a paddle the you can just curl the ends of your fingers around if it is standing on the ground. However, this doesn’t account for the width of your kayak. Most manufacturers have a chart for recommended sizing based on the width of your kayak and your torso length.
Sizing Guide: Aquabound, Werner
What other features should I look at when choosing a paddle?
Ferrules: This is what connects the 2 or 4-pieces of the paddle together. On many entry level paddles, this connection becomes loose over time. The more expensive paddles often use specialized ferrules to keep a tight connection for the life of the paddle. This also determines what feathering options you have. Feathering is the angle of your blades, which can make paddling more comfortable.
Blade Shape: This is a smaller feature, but the shape can effect the efficiency of your paddling. Check out the Paddling.com link below for more info on blade shape.
Straight vs Bent Shaft: Best shaft is usually more ergonomical, but you are limited in where you can place your hands. Straight shafts are more common, but test out a few paddles and see which you prefer.
Resources:
Blade shapes – Paddling.com
Choosing a Paddle – Aquabound.com
Best Kayak Paddles – Aluminum
Aluminum paddles are a great option when you are just starting to kayak. At Best Kayak Accessories, we started out with an aluminum paddle from Dick’s Sporting Goods. It served it’s purpose until I upgraded, and I still use it as a backup paddle. (Check out My Current Gear for what I am using now.)
Aluminum paddles allow you to get on the water and test out the new hobby without investing a lot of money. If you know you enjoy kayaking, check out our overall best paddles for kayak for some other options that may be a better long-term solution.
Aluminum paddles are usually durable and affordable. However, they are usually the heaviest option, too. Usually, they have grips on the shaft. However, these can become loose over time. The aluminum paddles often don’t have the specialty blade shapes that some of the more expensive paddles have. Because of this, you won’t see high-angle, low-angle, etc in these descriptions.
For more info on choosing the right kayak paddle, see our FAQ .
1. Vibe Kayaks Journey Aluminum Paddle – Shop Now
- Paddle weight: 40 oz.
- 2-piece Aluminum shaft 90.5″ L
- Polypropylene blades
2. XGEAR Aluminum Paddle – Shop Now
- Paddle weight: Unspecified
- 2-piece Aluminum shaft 87″ or 96″ L
- “Marine grade” (probably polypropylene) blades 18.5″ x 7.5″
- 5 colors available
3. Overmont Aluminum Paddle – Shop Now
- Paddle weight: 32.5 oz.
- 2-piece Aluminum Alloy shaft 87″ L
- Polypropylene and fiberglass blades 19.3″ x 6.7″
- Includes paddle leash
- 3 colors available
4. Oceansouth Asymmetric Aluminum Paddles (x2) – Shop Now
- Includes 2 full paddles
- Paddle weight: 40.4 oz.
- 2-piece Aluminum shaft 87″ L
- Fiberglass reinforced polypropylene blades
- 4 colors available
5. Pelican Poseidon Aluminum Paddle – Shop Now
- Paddle weight: 42 oz.
- 2-piece Aluminum shaft 89″ L
- Fiberglass reinforced polypropylene blades
- 4 colors available
6. Leader Accessories Aluminum Paddles – Shop Now
- Paddle weight: Unspecified
- 2-piece Aluminum shaft 87″ or 96″ L
- Polypropylene blades 18.5″ x 7.5″
- 5 colors available
8. Bending Branches Angler Rise Aluminum Paddle – Shop Now
- Paddle weight: 41.5 oz.
- 2-piece Aluminum shaft 98″ or 102″ L
- Polypropylene blades
- Built in hook retreival for fishing
7. Unfied Marine SeaSense X-Treme II Aluminum Paddle – Shop Now
- Paddle weight: 42oz.
- 2-piece Aluminum shaft 84″ or 96″ L
- Polypropylene blades
- 6 colors available