19 essential kayaking accessories to enhance your adventures

There’s nothing like being out on the open water, with the fresh air on your face and the sound of your paddle grazing its surface. 

Whether you want to capture the moment or improve your comfort, having the right accessories onboard your kayak can make your adventures even more enjoyable.

Here are 19 of the best kayaking accessories on the market, from must-have safety equipment to luxury items for a more memorable experience.  

1. Kayak paddle 

Investing in a quality paddle will save you a lot of trouble when starting out or mastering your technique. It’s the only thing that drives you forward (apart from your strength), so ensuring it suits both you and your kayak is a good idea. 

This H2O Kayaks paddle on Amazon has brilliant reviews and is also quite budget-friendly, or Decathlon has a large range for you to browse if you want a more customised fitting. 

Related: How to choose kayak paddles 

2. Life vest

We strongly recommend prioritising life vests when creating your shortlist of kayaking essentials. 

Even if you’re heading out in perfect conditions at the height of summer, you can severely underestimate how easy it is to run into trouble. A personal floatation device such as a buoyancy aid or 150N life jacket could save your life.  

The ITIWIT 50N kayaking life vest is a great example of improving your safety at a small cost. Need more choices? Check out our list of the 7 best life vests for kayaking to inspire your search. 

3. Wetsuit or drysuit 

This is hands down one of the best kayaking accessories you can invest in. Hypothermia is a very real risk when kayaking, but this simple piece of gear protects you whilst creating a more comfortable paddling experience. 

If you’re unsure about which you require, the rules are as follows:

• drysuits are best for paddling in the winter months or cold conditions 
• wetsuits are most suited to paddling during spring and summer, or more stable conditions 

Here are some of the best wetsuits and drysuits on the market to help you find the right gear for your kayaking trips. 

4. Leash

When it comes to safety, your leash is one of the most important kayaking essentials, as it prevents your paddle from drifting away if you capsize. 

It’s also a useful kayaking accessory, as you can drop your paddle in the water to create more space onboard when you’re not using it. 

Here’s a guide to the best leashes on the market, so you can decide which is best for your trips—you might prefer a sports leash over one designed for fishing rods, for example.

5. Anchor

Heading out fishing on your kayak? If so, you’ll want to invest in an anchor to keep it in the same spot and avoid scaring the fish. 

Alternatively, you can use one for more peaceful paddles where you want to pause now and again and take in the world around you.

This guide to the different types of kayak anchors and the waters and bottoms they’re most useful for could help you find the right product.  

6. First aid kit 

A first aid kit gives you more confidence out on the water and can prevent infections or simple injuries from turning nasty if left unattended—it’s one of the most important safety essentials for kayaking. 

You might also want to purchase a safety whistle to gain others’ attention if you run into trouble. Or, if you have the budget, a satellite communicator to send out your location and SOS alerts to someone on land. 

Related: Why you need kayak insurance

7. Helmet 

You might not consider them one of the most important kayaking accessories for paddling on a calm lake. Still, helmets are essential for tougher rides where you risk encountering dangerous obstacles.

Put it this way—you don’t want to go whitewater kayaking without a helmet. 

Learn how to choose the right protective headgear here and significantly reduce the risk of sustaining any serious head injuries whilst out on your kayak. 

8. Water bottle 

Hydration is crucial when you’re kayaking. This is especially true in hot conditions, as excess sweating is one of the main causes of dehydration if the lost water isn’t replenished. 

Getting a decent water bottle eradicates this worry and means you can stay hydrated and alert for the duration of your paddle. Quality bottles with a water-tight seal are the best choice, as they keep sea or lake water from entering your water source. 

9. Spray skirt 

If you have a sit-inside kayak, this is one of the best kayaking accessories you can invest in for your comfort. 

A spray skirt covers the cockpit and prevents water from getting in, so you stay dry and warm and can keep kayaking for an extended period. Unfortunately, those with sit-on kayaks won’t benefit from spray skirts and will have to layer up instead. 

10. Drybag 

Another of the best kayaking accessories for keeping water at bay, drybags do exactly what they say on the tin—they keep your spare clothes and other stored items dry, ready to put on once you’ve finished your session. 

It’s easy to overlook this if you’re an experienced paddler, but you never know when you might accidentally get your gear wet. 

The Gill 5L voyager drybag is an inexpensive yet effective product, but plenty of others are out there if you require a different capacity. 

11. Gloves and shoes 

Kayak shoes are invaluable if you’re paddling on rocky surfaces. A good pair will protect your feet and prevent slipping, making you less likely to injure yourself when getting in and out of your kayak. 

Merrell is a highly rated outdoor footwear brand, particularly due to their waterproof capabilities, but there’s a range of products you can view here if you want to weigh up your options. 

12. Cag and dry trousers

A cag (or ‘paddle top’) is essential for layering up against wet and cold kayaking conditions. They can be used in all seasons, but you may want a lighter version if you mainly paddle in summer. 

Dry trousers are essential for kayaking in winter, as they keep water from seeping into your thermal layer and protect you from developing hypothermia. 

Related: What to wear for kayaking—a complete guide

13. Bilge pump

Excess water getting into your kayak can make it unstable and even become deadly if you’re far from shore and have to capsize. 

A bucket could be the first thing that comes to mind, but they’re not the most efficient at removing water and would certainly take up a lot of space—this is where bilge pumps come in.  

They’re a quick and highly effective method of pumping the excess water out of your kayak and could be potentially lifesaving if you find yourself in a sticky situation. 

14. Roof rack 

You don’t want to miss out on this kayaking accessory unless you have an inflatable kayak that fits your car boot. 

Roof racks make driving with your kayak a breeze. They’re designed to keep it safe and secure on your roof while saving you plenty of space. 

There are a few different types, including:

• saddles—they are horizontal and resemble a horse saddle 
• j-cradles—either horizontal or vertical, and ideal for stacking multiple kayaks 
• mounts—used on larger vehicles and involve mounting your kayaks on the vehicle’s rear

If you have multiple kayaks to transport to the water, invest in a kayak trailer and tow them instead. 

15. Kayak cart

Getting your kayak to your chosen location is one thing but transporting it to the water is another. If you want to make this process easier, a kayak cart is one of the best kayaking accessories for the job. 

Armed with a quality kayak cart, you should be able to get it down to the water, regardless of how rough or bumpy the path may be.

16. Scupper plugs 

Do you own a sit-on kayak? If so, scupper plugs are one of those kayaking accessories you don’t want to overlook. 

You’ve probably noticed the small holes towards the bottom of your kayak—these are known as ‘scupper holes’ and serve to bail out excess water under normal conditions.

However, during rough conditions, they can take in too much water. Scupper plugs bypass this system, keep water out when needed, and save you from having to pull out the bilge pump. 

17. Cooler 

A full day of kayaking can be tiring, and there’s nothing more important than ensuring you’re properly hydrated and energised throughout your session. 

A cooler box or bag can be a great investment, as it means you can take your favourite chilled snacks and beverages with you and find a nice rest spot to refuel. Just ensure it’s waterproof, and soggy sandwiches could spoil your day. 

Related: The 15 best places for kayaking in the Lake District

18. Waterproof phone case 

Nowadays, our smartphones can prove incredibly useful when out on the water, whether to snap a few photos or call for help in an emergency. 

If you plan on taking your smartphone, a waterproof phone case is one of the best kayaking accessories you can buy. 

Ideally, you’ll want one with a neck strap for easy access if you spot any wildlife you want to capture or run into trouble on the water and need to make an urgent call.

19. GoPro 

Finally, this is truly one of the best kayaking gadgets for capturing your adventures on film. GoPros come at quite a hefty price compared to the other kayaking accessories on our list, but they’re a great luxury item to add to your wish list. 

They’re fully waterproof and provide high-res photos and videos at 60fps. They’re perfect for kayaking, as they can be strapped to your head, chest, hand, or wrist to create immersive footage. 

You can browse the full range here to see which suits you best. 

Specialist kayak insurance through Insure4Boats 

Once you’re happy you’ve got the right kayaking accessories and are ready to take to the water, you might want to take out specialist kayaking insurance. 

At Insure4Boats, you’re covered for accidental loss or damage to your kayak and for legal costs up to the value of £3m if you damage another boat or third-party property, or injure another person. 

Learn more about how we can help here, or click the button below to get an online quote in minutes.