If you have been kayaking, I know you have experienced the uncomfortable feeling of sitting in the boat for extended periods. Of course, instances like this are inevitable. After all, nobody hops in a kayak and just leave after a short while.
When using a sit on top kayak, it is imperative that the seat is utterly comfortable and ergonomic. Stroking your paddle will be a lot easier if you are correctly positioned. Furthermore, the seat allows your body to be erected without your spines being nudged from alignment. In this part, you will need the service of the best sit on top kayak seat.
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Of course, the process of choosing a seat for this particular boat may come straightforward. As long as you know the considerations, I am pretty sure that you can do it easily. However, for those that are still new about it, this guide will teach you the ropes.
For the meantime, I will show you some of the finest options that you have for this specific amenity. You will be certainly be amazed by these selections. Let's get started!
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Best Sit On Top Kayak Seat On The 2022 Market
Product Name | Image | Quality | Our Rating | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Skwoosh Expedition Kayak Seat - Editor's Pick | A+ | ||||||
A | |||||||
3. YakGear Manta Ray Deluxe Kayak/Canoe Seat - Budget-Friendly Option | A | ||||||
4. Surf To Summit GTS Expedition - Premium Option | A | ||||||
A |
#1. Skwoosh Expedition Kayak Seat - Editor's Pick
One of the most remarkable things about the Skwoosh Expedition Kayak Seat is the way that has been built. It is made to provide the very thing that paddlers need, which is comfort. You see, this kayak seat has an optimal design to provide you with all-day comfort. Once you are seated here, you will never feel any nuisances in your back, which is a very good thing.
The back of this seat features a reinforced structure. It also comes with two battens to improve its strength and durability. In short, it is not as flimsy as compared to other conventional brands of kayak seats. Furthermore, you will be delighted that in a swift, you can already install this seat in your kayak.
Meanwhile, the welded gel seat is made to be waterproof. In this way, you can feel more comfortable while sitting on it. It also makes drying a lot faster, too! The seat cushion has a one-inch thickness, which optimizes its stability. Behind the seat, you can see a bungee net where you can store some of your items.
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The GTS Sport Kayak Seat of Surf to Summit is definitely an excellent choice for any paddlers. Initially, this one is made for small paddlers, but soon, a one-size-fits-all model has been released in the market. This particular amenity can ensure that your lower back is fully supported while you are paddling. The padded and thermoformed foam panels will ensure that your back can feel the utmost comfort and support that it needs.
Even though it is padded, you can guarantee that the seat didn't compromise its firmness. Furthermore, it will not absorb water, which in the long run, maintains its rigidity. You can also find snap attachment clips on the back and the front portion of the seat. Installing this item to your kayak will never be a problem either.
The GTS Sport utilizes a 600 denier fabric for heavy-duty performance. Even placed against stress, the fabric won't wear and tear. Meanwhile, the bottom and the back seat have an EVA foam to provide extra support and comfort to your body. It also helps reduce your fatigue too!
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#3. YakGear Manta Ray Deluxe Kayak/Canoe Seat - Budget-Friendly Option
I certainly know that some of you are just looking for cost-friendly seats. If that's the case, then you deserve to know YakGear Manta Ray Deluxe Kayak/Canoe Seat. The latter has been rising in popularity in recent years, thanks to its affordability and functionality. It will never disturb you while you are paddling. It will just be there to give your back the utmost support that it requires.
I can guarantee that this kayak seat is compatible with many sit-on-top kayaks out there. After all, the D-ring placement and brass buckles are all adjustable. The installation will never be a problem here. In fact, the seat is so versatile that it can also fit on canoes and sit-inside kayaks, too.
The back panel of this kayak seat reaches up to 19 inches. However, it can always be adjusted to accommodate your preferences. The latter can also give you comfort and support for extended kayaking sessions. I also appreciate the fact that there are water gutters installed in the seat. They help drain the water so that your seat remains dry and convenient.
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#4. Surf To Summit GTS Expedition - Premium Option
The GTS Expedition is definitely a top-tier kayak seat. It is not something that you can just compare to ordinary boat seats because of its impressive design and features. It can give you the maximum level of comfort that your body needs while you are paddling. Thanks to its thermoformed contoured foam back panel, the seat is capable of ensuring that you will not suffer from back pain after a whole day of paddling.
There are grooves on the back panel so that it can keep your spine aligned even if you are doing some explosive strokes. It also ensures your stability so that getting off balance from your kayak is the last thing you are going to expect. Meanwhile, the bottom part has water channels that can assist in draining water from your cockpit.
As most of the seats in the GTS Series, the GTS Expedition is using the combination of plastic, foam, and fabric on its construction. With this, the seat can give optimal support and comfort to your body without sacrificing its rigidity. It eliminates the need for constant replacement because of the given durability that it has. Of course, you can guarantee that this seat is compatible with various kayak designs.
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The OceanMotion Ergo-Fit Sit On Top Kayak Seat is one option that you cannot let pass. Aside from being a cost-friendly seat, this one also possesses the essential ergonomics that provide comfort and support to any paddler. Compared to other kayak seats, this one comes with a sufficient level of padding in both of its back and bottom parts. Sitting here would not cause aches in your back. That's a guarantee.
Because it has an adjustable strapping system, the OceanMotion Ergo-Fit can be installed on various sit-on-top kayaks. There is also a detachable storage bag that is integrated on this kayak. You can place your small yet important items there.
It is also important to note that this seat has an anti-slip system. Even if things get wet, the seat will keep you on board. It is not like some of the seats that I have tried where the sitting platform becomes smooth once it has been exposed to water. With this seat, I can remain balanced and positioned while paddling.
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Why Do You Need The Best Sit On Top Kayak Seat?
Unlike sit-in kayaks, the convenience of a sit-on-top kayak is entirely dependent on its seat. You need to be appropriately positioned so that you can paddle with ease and proficiency. You can't do successful low or high-angle strokes if you don't have the correct posture.
Of course, it is considered that the existing seat of your kayak has already a good design already. But over time, its quality will degrade. In some instances, the default kayak seat is no good at all. Replacements should always be in the realm of possibility. One way or another, you are going to invest in these seats if you wish to have a pleasant kayaking adventure.
Another thing that you have to understand about these seats is their innate capability to prevent back pain. Kayaking can cause an eruption of painful sensation, especially if you will do it for long periods. The more you grind your body, the more your back will be agitated. If there's no ergonomic seat that can support your back, there's a good chance that the fatigue and exhaustion will take a toll on it.
Furthermore, I cannot deny the fact that having a good kayak seat brings convenience in every paddling session that I have. After all, I always consider kayaking as my guilty pleasure. I still see to it that once I am in the boat, I am comfortable and relaxed.
How To Choose The Best Sit On Top Kayak Seat?
Not all sit on top kayak seats have the same specifications. Just like what you have seen in the previous section, some kayak seats have different sets of features that make them unique and functional. And so, that gives you an idea that not all options out there can be considered.
However, certain factors remain to be constants when it comes to choosing a new seat for a kayak. Here are some of them.
Backrest Adjustment
The backrest or the back panel of the seat has to be adjustable. Such a feature gives the seat the ability to accommodate to the size and built of the paddler. Missing this point can automatically reduce the support and comfort that you can feel while sitting.
Imagine being tall, but the backrest of the seat is small. Can you feel comfortable with it? Will you be able to paddle swiftly without sensing inconveniences? Things will still not be good if you are a small person, and the backrest is too big for you. It is a predicament that will limit your movement. You can't paddle well because you feel that something is inhibiting you.
The best solution for this is finding a seat that has an adjustable backrest. In this way, you will never have to deal with this quirky problem.
Size Of The Seat
You also need to know if the seat that you want can accommodate you. Always keep in mind that not all seats have the same dimension. In fact, some are specifically made for kids and women. Of course, you can expect that they are narrower than most of their counterparts.
Before you choose a kayak seat, make sure that you are well aware of your size. By doing this, you can immediately identify if a particular option will have a room for your body. A seat that is too loose or too stiff can cause discomforts and issues while paddling.
Cushions And Padding
Don't ever forget that the primary purpose of pursuing an ergonomic kayak seat is for comfort. Therefore, it is imperative that the seat that you choose must come with sufficient cushion or padding. They are the ones that can negate the fatigue that your body feels while being seated on the kayak. Without them, it is easy for your skin and muscles to get sore because of constant movement.
I am not saying that the seat should be fully cushioned. That's not a good thing too because such a seat does not have supportive capabilities anymore. What you need is something that has semi-firm padding. The latter will give you sufficient support without sacrificing your convenience.
Bottom Line
Kayaking is not all about paddling. If you want to get the most out of this activity, you need to make sure that all your boating necessities are already prepared. That's the very reason why you need to have a kayaking checklist before each of your trips.
Of course, checking the status of your kayak is essential. If you deem that some parts are already old, replacements might come important. For instance, the seat of a kayak is one of the most easily aggravated parts that you need to look out always. Once it is already worn out, you have to invest in a new and better one.
The selection that I mentioned here is some of the options that you can consider if you are using a sit-on-top kayak. One of them should be able to satisfy the requirements of your boat.
That's it for now. If you have questions or suggestions, feel free to drop them in the comment section below!