How Much Does a Kayak Weigh? Real Weights by Type and Model (2026)
Kayaks range from under 20 pounds to well over 100. Here's what different types weigh, real weights of popular models, and how to lift, carry and transport yours.
Kayak Weight at a Glance
| Kayak Type | Typical Weight Range | Real Example |
|---|---|---|
| Folding | About 17–35 lb | Oru Lake: 17 lb |
| Inflatable | About 15–35 lb | Intex Explorer K2 (tandem): about 37 lb |
| Recreational sit-in | About 30–55 lb | Pelican Maxim 100X: 36 lb |
| Recreational sit-on-top | Often heavier than a comparable sit-in | Old Town Ocean Kayak Malibu 11.5: about 61 lb |
| Touring / sea kayak | About 40–60 lb | Varies widely by material |
| Whitewater | About 30–50 lb | Short and compact |
| Hardshell tandem | About 50–75 lb | Longer hulls add weight |
| Fishing (paddle) | About 40–80+ lb | Perception Pescador Pro 10.0: 62 lb |
| Pedal fishing | About 85–130 lb rigged | Hobie Mirage Outback: 103 lb rigged |
Ranges are compiled from several paddling guides, which disagree somewhat, and real model weights from manufacturer and retailer specs. Always check the exact model you're considering, since weights change between model years.
Real Weights of Popular Kayaks
| Model | Type | Length | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oru Lake | Folding | 9 ft | 17 lb (Oru); REI lists 18 lb |
| Oru Inlet | Folding | — | About 22 lb |
| Oru Bay | Folding | 12 ft 3 in | 26 lb |
| Oru Coast XT | Folding | — | About 32 lb |
| NRS Akamai 110 | Inflatable | 11 ft | About 17 lb |
| Intex Explorer K2 | Inflatable tandem | 10 ft 3 in | 36.96 lb |
| Eddyline Sky 100 | Thermoformed sit-in | 10 ft | About 34 lb |
| Pelican Maxim 100X | Recreational sit-in | 10 ft | 36 lb |
| Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 | Recreational sit-in | 12 ft 2 in | 49 lb (measured by OutdoorGearLab) |
| Old Town Loon 106 | Recreational sit-in | 10 ft 6 in | 53 lb |
| Old Town Ocean Kayak Malibu 11.5 | Sit-on-top | 11.5 ft | About 61 lb |
| Perception Pescador Pro 10.0 | Fishing sit-on-top | 10 ft 6 in | 62 lb |
| Hobie Mirage Outback | Pedal fishing | 12 ft 9 in | 85 lb hull; 103 lb fully rigged |
| Old Town Sportsman PDL 106 | Pedal fishing | 10 ft 6 in | 107 lb assembled |
| Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 12 | Pedal fishing | 12 ft | 105 lb hull; 128.5 lb fully rigged |
Specs from manufacturer pages where available, otherwise from REI and OutdoorGearLab listings. Some other sites list slightly different weights for the same models.
What Makes a Kayak Heavy or Light?
Material
| Material | Weight | Trade-Off |
|---|---|---|
| Rotomolded polyethylene | Heaviest | Inexpensive and abrasion-resistant; most recreational and fishing kayaks |
| Thermoformed ABS | Lighter than polyethylene | Costs a bit more; glossy finish |
| Fiberglass and carbon composites | Lightest hardshells | Big jump in performance and price |
| Inflatable (PVC or vinyl) | Light | Packs small; slower and less rigid than most hardshells |
| Folding (polypropylene) | Very light | Assembly required |
Material descriptions follow REI's kayak buying guide. Manufacturers don't publish standard weights per material, so compare specific models.
Size and Type
- Length and width: more boat means more weight. Tandems and long touring kayaks weigh more than short recreational boats.
- Sit-on-top vs. sit-in: REI notes sit-on-tops are typically heavier than comparable sit-in kayaks. See sit-in vs. sit-on-top kayaks.
- Features: frame seats, rod holders, hatches, tracks and rudders add pounds.
- Pedal drives: the drive itself adds a lot. Old Town lists the Sportsman PDL 106's seat at 6 pounds and its pedal drive at 18 pounds.
Hull Weight vs. Rigged Weight
Manufacturers measure weight differently, which can make kayaks hard to compare:
| Term | Means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Hull weight | The boat alone, sometimes with fittings | Hobie Mirage Outback: 85 lb |
| Fully rigged weight | Hull plus seat, pedal drive, rudder and accessories | Hobie Mirage Outback: 103 lb |
| Assembled weight | Ready to paddle | Old Town Sportsman PDL 106: 107 lb |
The good news with pedal kayaks: you can remove the seat and drive to make loading easier, then carry them separately.
Does Kayak Weight Matter?
Yes, mostly off the water. A lighter kayak is easier to carry, load onto a car and launch alone, and it gets up to speed with less effort. A lighter hull can also leave more of the boat's capacity for you and your gear. On the water, weight matters less than hull design: a heavy, stable fishing kayak can be ideal for anglers who launch from a truck or trailer.
Think about how you'll transport and store your kayak before you buy:
- Car roof: check your roof rack's weight limit, which is often lower than people expect.
- Solo paddlers: a kayak around 35 to 50 pounds is manageable for many adults; heavier boats usually need a cart or help.
- Pedal kayaks: REI notes they're typically too heavy for a roof rack and are best moved by trailer.
- Apartment dwellers: folding and inflatable kayaks are light and store in a closet.
Weight also relates to how much a kayak can carry; see kayak weight limits.
Best Kayak Weight for Beginners
For most beginners, a 10- to 12-foot recreational kayak weighing roughly 35 to 50 pounds balances stability, tracking and easy handling. If you'll carry it alone or have limited storage, consider a folding or inflatable kayak. Our guides to the best kayaks for beginners, inflatable kayaks and folding kayaks compare options.
Intex Explorer K2
An inflatable two-person kayak that Intex lists at about 37 pounds with a 400-pound capacity for two people. It packs into a bag for storage and transport.
Check Price on AmazonWilderness Systems Pungo 120
A 12-foot recreational sit-in kayak that OutdoorGearLab measured at 49 pounds, with a 325-pound capacity, a popular all-around choice for lakes and slow rivers.
Check Price on AmazonHow to Lift and Carry a Kayak Safely
Two-Person Carry
The easiest way to move any kayak: one person at each end holds the grab handle, both facing the direction you're walking.
Solo Shoulder Carry
- Stand beside the cockpit and squat with your back straight.
- Pull the near edge of the cockpit up onto your thighs.
- Reach across and grip the inside of the far side of the hull.
- Stand up using your legs, rolling the kayak so the cockpit rim rests on your shoulder.
- Shift until you find the balance point, then walk.
Wearing your life jacket pads your shoulder. Bend your knees, keep your back straight and lift with your legs, not your back.
Loading a Kayak on a Car
- With two people, lift by the hull rather than the grab handles and set the kayak onto the rack.
- Solo, use a rack with a lift assist or roller, or rest the bow on a towel on the back of the vehicle and slide it up.
- A small stepladder helps with straps on tall vehicles.
Lifting steps follow REI's lifting and carrying advice. See our kayak transport guide and storage racks.
Moving Heavy Kayaks
- Kayak cart: a two-wheeled cart is the easiest way to move a kayak of 60 pounds or more from car to water.
- J-cradle or load-assist racks make roof loading easier.
- Truck bed with an extender avoids lifting overhead.
- Trailer: best for pedal kayaks and multiple boats.
Suspenz All-Terrain Kayak Cart
A kayak cart for rolling heavier kayaks from the parking lot to the launch over mixed terrain.
Check Price on AmazonThule Hull-a-Port XTR
A J-style roof rack carrier that holds a kayak on its side, saving roof space.
Check Price on AmazonSee the best kayak carts for more.
Kayak Weight in Kilograms
| Pounds | Kilograms |
|---|---|
| 20 lb | About 9 kg |
| 35 lb | About 16 kg |
| 50 lb | About 23 kg |
| 65 lb | About 29 kg |
| 80 lb | About 36 kg |
| 100 lb | About 45 kg |
| 120 lb | About 54 kg |
Kayak vs. Canoe Weight
Recreational canoes are usually heavier than one-person kayaks because they're longer and wider. Old Town's Discovery 119 canoe weighs 50 pounds, and its Discovery 158 tandem weighs 87 pounds. See canoe vs. kayak, and learn to carry a canoe in how to portage a canoe.
Related Guides
Check kayak weight limits, learn how to get in and out of a kayak, and browse types of kayaks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a kayak weigh on average?
A typical one-person recreational kayak weighs roughly 35 to 50 pounds. Folding and inflatable kayaks can be under 20 pounds, while fishing and pedal kayaks often weigh 60 to well over 100 pounds.
How much does a tandem kayak weigh?
Hardshell tandem kayaks commonly weigh about 50 to 75 pounds. Inflatable tandems are much lighter; Intex lists its Explorer K2 at about 37 pounds.
How much does a fishing kayak weigh?
Usually more than recreational kayaks. Perception lists the Pescador Pro 10.0 at 62 pounds, and pedal fishing kayaks like the Old Town Sportsman PDL 106 weigh over 100 pounds assembled.
How much does a pedal kayak weigh?
Often 85 to 130 pounds fully rigged. Hobie lists the Mirage Outback at 85 pounds for the hull and 103 pounds fully rigged, and the Old Town Sportsman PDL 106 weighs 107 pounds with its seat and drive.
How much does a kayak weigh in kg?
A 40-pound recreational kayak weighs about 18 kg, a 60-pound fishing kayak about 27 kg, and a 17-pound folding kayak under 8 kg. Multiply pounds by 0.454 to convert.
Are sit-on-top kayaks heavier than sit-in kayaks?
Usually. REI notes that sit-on-tops are typically heavier than comparable sit-in kayaks.
Can one person carry a kayak?
Most people can carry a 35- to 50-pound kayak short distances using a shoulder carry. Heavier kayaks are easier with two people, a kayak cart or a trailer.
Which is lighter, an inflatable or a hardshell kayak?
Inflatables are usually lighter than similar hardshells. Folding kayaks like Oru's are among the lightest of all.