No matter what you’re using your kayak for; fishing, river kayaking, recreational lake kayaking, sea touring, or whitewater kayaking, they all have one thing in common. The paddler will be in the seated position. So, at times the standard kayak seat can limit a person to the overall comfort and custom options that we want in our kayak. Almost every kayak can be customized in one way or another. Why not the seat too, since paddlers spend most of the time sitting in them? Makes perfect sense. Below we’ve found the 7 best kayak seats for total comfort and quality.
Quick Overview | Best Kayak Seat
Types of Kayak Seats
Basic Padded Cushion with Backing
The basic seat you’ll find is still an upgrade to many of the factory seats that come with a sit-on-top.
These seats give more cushion and thickness to the seat and afford a better backing that can include a winged contour for additional back support.
Premium High-Back Kayak Seat
More high-end kayak seats will use a high back and even lumbar support for the back. These seats will use higher quality fabric that gives more padding and comfort too.
Look for memory foam paddings, individual comfort panels, specific lumbar support areas, and reinforced contoured backs.
Kayak Fishing Seat
A fishing seat is going to retain many of the options available with the premium high-back style seats while adding in some fishing-specific options.
These options can include rod holders and bungee-style storage or detachable tackle storage bags.
Key Factors to Consider When Buying a Kayak Seat
Comfort
Comfort is usually the top quality and driving factor for why most people consider buying a different seat for their kayak. Fishing, touring for long trips or even just a recreational kayaker will benefit from the additional comfort of a well-designed kayak seat.
Quality
A well-made and durable seat that can stand up to continuous use is a key factor. Ideally, you want to find the right kayak seat and never have to replace it again because of lack of quality or durability.
Rigidity
High-back seats can provide much-needed stability for those with back issues but the back itself needs to not only provide comfort but a little rigidity for the high-back to be effective at giving support.
Choose a seat with materials that add a little stability to the back.
Material
High-end materials will make sure the kayak seat is protected against tears and punctures. The kayak seat should not absorb water or fade and crack when exposed to the sun.
Storage
No kayaker ever said they needed less storage available. More storage wherever you can get it is always a bonus and a welcome feature.
Choosing a seat that comes standard with a storage bag is a must. The back of the seat makes a perfect sport for these storage bags. Most of the time they will also be detachable.
Best Kayak Seat For Your Kayak
Surf To Summit Drifter Kayak Seat
Specs
- Seat Back: 11.5″L x 23″W
- Seat Cushion: 13″L x 14″W x 3″H
Features
- Thermal-molded foam
- Channeled seat pad
- Detachable seat pack
- 3″ raised platform under cushion
Using a firm 3″ padding below the seat cushion, the Surf To Summit Drifter Kayak Seat will lift your line of sight higher in the kayak while adding extra comfort.
The channeled seat cushion allows for water to easily drain away if needed. The 11.5″ back is just high enough to provide needed support.
The tackle/storage pack located on the back of the kayak seat is a nice addition for the kayak angler looking for extra storage.
Magellan Outdoors Antigua Kayak Seat
Specs
- Seat Thickness: 1″ thick seat
- Backrest: 24″W x 15″H
- Base: 17″W x 13″D
Features
- Neoprene padding
- Contoured backrest for comfort
- Storage pack attached behind backrest
The Magellan Outdoors Antigua Kayak Seat is a do-it-all universal sit-on-top kayak seat. The seat itself is made from water-resistant neoprene material, so you won’t have to worry about the fabric absorbing water that gets into the kayak.
The backrest is large and contoured to add enough support and comfort for any paddler. There is also added storage behind the backrest.
Brooklyn Kayak Company Universal Kayak Seat
Specs
- Seat Back: 17.7″H x 20.25″W
- Seat Cushion: 12″L x 14.75W
Features
- Premium memory foam padding
- 600D polyester and neoprene material
- Adjustable backrest
- Brass hardware
If comfort and support are a high priority when choosing a kayak seat, then the BKC PS223 Universal Kayak Seat will be the perfect fit.
The seat is also very easy to install using brass hardware and 4-way adjustable straps that connect easily to most sit-on-top kayak hooks.
These same straps can also be tightened or loosened to adjust the seatback support. The 600D polyester and neoprene material are UV resistant and durable as they protect against punctures and tears.
Surf To Summit GTS Expedition Kayak Seat
Specs
- Seat Back: 18″L x 21″W
- Seat Cushion: 16″L x 18″W x 2″H
Features
- Thick 2″ seat bottom
- Drainage channels in seat bottom for water removal
- 6 point rear attachment for adjustable back
- Contoured 18″ tall thermoformed foam backrest
- Detachable storage pack
If you’re someone needing to paddle all day or sit to fish in your kayak all day, then you’ll need a seat that can provide all-day comfort.
The Surf To Summit GTS Expedition Kayak Seat brings comfort and functionality to the table with the 18″ tall contoured multi-panel backrest. Adjustable straps make it easily customizable too.
The GTS uses a special thermoformed foam/plastic/fabric blend. This means they used a plastic sheet in-between molded EVA foam and 600D fabric and foam.
The result is a soft backing that’s just stiff enough to provide the required support for your lower back.
Skwoosh Fishing Kayak Seat
Specs
- Seat Back: 20″L x 16″W
- Seat Cushion: 13″L x 16″W x 1″H
Features
- Fluidized Gel comfort seat
- Waterproof seat cushion
- Adjustable lumbar support
- Reinforced back
- Bungee pockets for gear storage
- (2) rod holders
- 600D polyester fabric
The Skwoosh Fishing Kayak Seat includes everything a serious kayak angler wants from an aftermarket kayak seat. It’s hard to go wrong with additional rod holders built right into the seat.
Comfort is always a concern when choosing the right seat too. Skwoosh Fishing uses a fluidized gel seat, adjustable lumbar support for the lower back, and a 20″ back with large fiberglass batten reinforced side wings to add overall comfort to the seat.
Surf To Summit Outfitter Molded Kayak Seat
Specs
- Seat Back: 13″L x 20″W
- Seat Cushion: 14″L x 16″W x 3/4″H
Features
- Compression molded seat
- Affordable pricing
- 4-point adjustable attachment lacing
Originally developed for commercial kayak fleets as a comfortable yet durable upgrade to the factory kayak seating system, the Surf To Summit Outfitter Kayak Seat uses a layered foam, fabric, and plastic compression design to bond the materials together during the molding process.
This allows for a comfortable, yet extremely durable seat. There aren’t many frills or extras with the seat, which makes it very affordable.
WOOWAVE Adjustable Kayak Seat
Specs
- Seat Back: 20.5″L x 17.7″H
- Seat Cushion: 12.2″L x 15″W
Features
- Detachable seat bag
- (4) adjustable straps
- 210D polyester and EVA foam material
- High-back design
The WOOWAVE adjustable kayak seat is a great replacement high-back kayak seat that does exactly what you want when adding an after-market kayak seat.
Easy installation using the 4-way adjustable straps, along with nice back support. Along with the large detachable storage bag, WOOWAVE offers a 12-month free replacement in case of damage.
Actively Outdoor Choice | Best Kayak Seat
The Surf To Summit GTS Expedition kayak seat ranked as the Actively Outdoor Top Choice for kayak seat for several reasons.
The high back design using multiple panels for comfort and support is great for extended time spent paddling on the water.
The thicker than normal 2″ seat cushion is made from EVA foam and 600D fabric that uses special channels built into the seat to direct water away from the sitting area.
Overall, this is a top-notch seat that’s great to sit in and has all the features that you could want from an aftermarket kayak seat.