Best Touring Kayaks of 2021

Designed for optimum efficiency and control, Eddyline's flagship Fathom touring kayak is great for long-distance adventures or playing in more adverse conditions. The Fathom sports a highly efficient hull design that is fast and nearly effortless to accelerate. Hard chines midship and a healthy degree of rocker makes turns a breeze. For medium- to large-frame paddler.

Excelling in rough seas, surf and wind, the elegant Delta 16 offers a balanced combination of maneuverability and tracking. This nimble sea kayak stays the course in challenging conditions, holds a lively pace with ease and has plenty of storage capacity for multi-day exploration.

You might also look at the Delta 14 or Delta 15s. The Delta 14 is a versatile touring kayak ideal for multi-day adventures and day trips alike, whereas the Delta 15s is an ideal choice for small- and medium-sized paddlers seeking a performance kayak with great cruising speed, exceptional tracking and superior edging

With substantial rocker and a moderately concave sidewall, the Delta 16 edges with satisfying bite, and turns on a dime. At 16 feet, its performance envelope is best explored by a medium-sized paddler. Features include a low-profile front day hatch, Press-Lock hatches, our Contour II Seat System, and optional rudder or spring-loaded skeg.

The Equinox melds the comfort of recreational kayaks and the performance of a true sea kayak. The efficient hull and hard chines provide stability and glide, while tracking well and turning with ease. An ample cockpit is equipped with thigh braces for excellent control and hip pads and thigh pads for comfort. An adjustable Infinity Seat helps the Equinox fit a wide range of paddlers.

Another seaworthy kayak from Eddyline is the Sitka LT. At a 13'9" length, the Sitka ST (previously the "Samba") is a lightweight, high performing day touring kayak designed to fit the small- to medium-frame paddler.

Relaxed in any environment is a phrase that sums up the Atlantic. Although only slightly wider than the Shore Line, the Atlantic provides a level of initial-stability normally only found in much wider kayaks. This extra stability provides extra reassurance to the less experienced and extends the comfort zone of anyone intent on pushing their paddling boundaries.

The beauty of using the hull profile that gives the Atlantic's level of stability whilst retaining a beam of only 22 inch (56 cm) is that the Atlantic retains a reassuring level of speed and avoids the bulk of clumsiness of wider kayaks. All-rounder can sometimes carry negative connotations but once in a while an all rounder does come along that is genuinely good in all departments, the Atlantic is such a case.

The Atlantic, one sea kayak that really can do it all, an ideal first composite kayak.

The Førti (Norwegian for forty) is the latest version of undoubtedly the most influential sea kayak ever produced, the Nordkapp! The original being designed specifically for the 1975 expedition of the Norwegian coast, to the northern most point in Scandinavia, This expedition marked the beginning of modern sea kayak expeditioning and marked a watershed in equipment designed for the sport. Paddle this kayak and you paddle a kayak that can trace it’s DNA back to that very first sea kayak expedition!

Similar to the S16, the Stellar 18 (S18) Touring Kayak was designed for speed and stability on long distance tours. With additional length and reduced beam, this boat glides through the water. Moderate concavity along the keel of the bow and stern helps with tracking in rough conditions. For windy days and following seas, a drop-down rudder off the stern will help keep your course. Higher decks allow for a dryer paddle in rough conditions and a large stern and medium bow compartment provide ample storage for your longer tours.

The Solstice GTS is for the paddler who wants a North American style kayak in a highly efficient package. This sleek hull design cuts through the water like a warm knife through butter. Plenty of foot room and the easy entry keyhole cockpit allows small to average sized paddlers to slip in comfortably while still staying true to it's sporty fit. The Solstice GTS has excellent acceleration, is highly efficient, and can hold plenty of gear in it's ample storage hatches. Great for water big and small, and trips long and short anywhere on the planet.

The Baffin is built for the rigors of rough seas. Its unique hull design provides paddlers with a lively yet stable boat compared to other Greenland style kayaks. The three models in the series are well suited for a wide range of paddlers who demand immediate control and predictability. The generous sized opening of the hatch allows paddlers to load up adequate amounts of gear for up to two weeks, while the day hatch keeps your essentials handy while on the water. The Baffin comes with a full complement of deck rigging and a comfortably outed cockpit.

The NC17 series (pictured) or the NC19 series are extremely fast and efficient touring kayaks.

The NC17 has excellent Rough Water handling characteristics, great tracking and virtually no weathercocking. In Flat Water conditions, they are incredibly smooth and fast! It's designed for large bodies of water including Open Ocean. While still maneuverable enough for great fun on the lake. The NC17 series truly shines in Open Water.

The NC19 series is an incredibly fast touring kayak made for the paddler who wants a larger volume kayak or needs more capacity for extended trips.

• The NC17 series best fits paddlers measuring 5'0"- 6'2" weighing between 100-240 lbs. with up to a size 13½ shoe.
• The NC19 best fits paddlers measuring 5'6"- 6'8" weighing between 160-280 lbs. with up to a size 15½" shoe.

This beautiful new addition to the Lincoln line-up is perfect for the everyday paddler who prefers a kayak that is a bit smaller, fits a small paddler nicely and is easy to handle. This boat is as bold as its namesake is a lighthouse that sits on the edge of Maine, facing out to Canada. It's their smallest day touring kayak which allows for playful turns and stealthy maneuvers all the while offering superior stability. All this means that the Quoddy is a great boat for beginners to experts. It's the perfect companion for day paddles in fair weather.

The Caribou is a classic Greenland style design that has a cult-like following of paddlers from all over the world. The hard chines on this stunning kayak gives it amazing initial stability and edge holding capabilities. Couple that with its wave catching powers and you have a great kayak that's fast, nimble, and a pure joy to paddle. Skeg, back band, and thigh braces come standard.

Designed for rough water and covering distances, the Explorer is NDK's main expedition kayak and suits the medium sized paddler. Faster than the Romany family, maneuverable and direction stable. It has a large carrying capacity and has been used on a one-month expedition to Antarctica carrying all supplies with no support. The Explorer is fitted with the High performance glass seat, unless otherwise requested. The kayak has a low rear deck for easy rolling, a keyhole cockpit that gives excellent grip, control and allows quick exit if need be. The sloping bulkhead behind the seat allows the kayak to be emptied by lifting only the bow, no x-rescue is necessary.