Some types of kayaks come with pre-installed kayak foot pegs and braces that allow the paddler to sit comfortably in the kayak. Maintaining correct posture while kayaking–and more specifically–while paddling the kayak is important not only from a technical standpoint but also to keep from stressing the shoulders or causing injury.
What Are Kayak Foot Pegs and Braces For?
Contrary to what some believe, the legs are used when paddling a kayak. This is more evident when using a sit-in kayak. The legs and hips are used to brace against the kayak for generating power for paddling and to turn the kayak.
Foot braces and foot pegs aid when bracing for paddling and edging the kayak. Edging is a technique used to tilt the kayak slightly to one side or the other while keeping the upper body mostly centered. Edging allows the paddler to turn more sharply and with more control. This wouldn’t be possible without a foot brace.
Foot pegs and foot braces are all about gaining more control over the kayak. When you’re feet have a point to anchor in the kayak, you’ll be better able to control the kayak while paddling.
If your kayak does not currently have foot braces or adjustable foot braces, you’ll find that adding these as an accessory can help for better kayaking. Those paddlers that are either taller or shorter than normal will also find adjustable foot braces to be helpful as well, as the standard foot peg setting might be too short or too long to work effectively.
If your kayak doesn’t currently have adjustable foot pegs and braces, or the standard braces are not adjustable, there are also adjustable aftermarket foot braces that can be installed.
How to Install Kayak Foot Pegs and Braces
1. Remove the Old Foot Brace System
Start by removing the old foot brace system. Remove any screws and other hardware that is attached to the kayak. Make sure to remove any gaskets or caulking left behind around the holes.
This will make sure that the new rails can make full contact with the hull of the kayak when installed. It also might be possible to reuse one or two of the existing holes.
2. Measure and Decide Location For New Foot Braces
Measuring for placement of the new foot braces is one of the most important steps. The best way to do this is to use painter’s tape or masking tape, cut to two pieces.
Next, sit inside the kayak and outstretch your legs to a comfortable position. The key here is to be sitting exactly as you would when using the kayak. The seat should be in the correct position and sitting upright.
If the kayak also has thigh braces, be sure that your legs are positioned to be hitting the foot pegs with the balls of your feet, along with making contact with the thigh brace.
Place the pieces of tape inside of the kayak where your feet are. This will be a temporary marker for measuring where to drill the holes for the foot brace rails to mount.
From a fixed point, measure the length from this point to the pieces of tape you’ve placed inside the kayak. Transfer this measurement to the outside of the kayak.
It might be possible to reuse the existing holes for the new foot brace. If not, make sure to fill the old holes that are no longer in use.
3. Drill Holes to Mount New Foot Braces
With the new holes marked on the outside of the kayak, they can now be drilled. Use the new foot brace holes as a template when marking the holes to be drilled.
Use a smaller drill bit to pre-drill your holes into the kayak. This is not necessary, but good practice when drilling into the body of the kayak. Larger drill bits are prone to wander, so having a smaller pre-drilled hole can eliminate this from happening.
Finally, use a 1/8″ drill bit to make the final hole for the new kayak foot brace. After the first hole is drilled. Use the foot brace to double-check the mark for the second hole placement before drilling, to make sure everything still lines up.
4. Attach Gaskets to the Foot Brace Rail
If your foot brace kit came with gaskets for the screw holes, apply those now. Some are a peel-and-stick type. Otherwise, be sure to apply caulking or epoxy to the holes to make a seal once everything is tightened down.
5. Attach New Foot Braces with Screws and Epoxy
To finish off the installation, reach through to the inside of the cockpit with the foot brace, and with the other hand tighten the screw from the outside of the kayak to attach the foot brace to the kayak.
Double-check to make sure the foot pegs are aligned properly for the left and right sides. Ensure that all holes have been filled and sealed properly to prevent future leaks in the hull of the kayak.
How to Adjust Kayak Foot Pegs and Braces
Adjusting your kayak foot brace position is fairly easy and intuitive. Different braces use a slightly different mechanism to release and then lock the foot peg at different intervals along the rail.
Simply release the foot peg and move to the correct position. Then, lock the foot peg back into position on the rail when the foot peg is at the desired location. It’s pretty easy, but for a visual representation, here is a short video below.
Are Kayak Foot Pegs Universal?
Almost any kayak foot braces you buy will be a universal type that will retrofit any sit-in kayak. They are adjustable to accommodate people with shorter or longer legs. Since you’ll be installing the foot braces on the kayak yourself, it’s easy to customize their location to truly fit your situation.
Do Inflatable Kayaks Have Foot Rests?
Many inflatable kayaks don’t have footrests and braces. But some quality inflatables will offer a foot brace. For example, Sea Eagle includes footrests on their sit-on-top inflatable kayak.
There are even footrest kits that can be glued to the sides of an inflatable kayak.
Summary | Kayak Foot Pegs and Braces
Having a foot brace in a sit-in kayak is more important than you might think for boat control and paddling. Without something to anchor your lower body to the kayak, it can become very difficult to lean and edge the kayak as needed. Putting enough force behind each paddle stroke can also be difficult without bracing your feet against something in the kayak.