The 5 Best Fishing Kayak Seats for Angling Comfort (2022)
Have you ever been paddling away, not a care in the world, for hours on end, watching the sun dance on the water's surface when gradually your back has become strained and achy, and your butt's gone numb?
It sounds like the kayaks seats your used to are not very comfortable, and you may need an upgrade, and luckily we are here for you! We can help you on your way to having a paddle that will make your back and bottom sigh with relief and find you the best fishing kayak seats on the market!
Why Upgrade Your Kayak Seat?
You should upgrade your kayak seat when you feel as if you are becoming uncomfortable or strained on the water.
If you tend to go on long paddles or fishing trips, it's always a good idea to up your comfort level, especially if you intend on fishing, as seats which allow you to cast from a higher position are more enjoyable to fish from.
How to Choose the Best Kayak Seat for Fishing?
Comfort
When you're out casting a line in your fishing kayak, you may end up staying out there for a considerable length of time, so a big priority in a seat is comfort.
You'll want to consider the comfort of the new seat while waiting, sitting, or relaxing as well as when you are paddling. A raised seat is usually more comfortable to fish from, and lots of kayaking seats come with mesh backs. This is not only to give your back a rest but allow the water to drain away when the weather isn't favorable, also allowing your back to breathe on a hot day.
Support
If you intend to spend a lot of time in your new kayak seat, we suggest you choose one that's comfortable, with extra padding, a high back and offers good lumbar support.
This will aid your spine by relieving some of the pressure to your back and prevent any pain occurring from elsewhere.
Height
Depending on the paddler's height, consider the height of the backrest. Most seats are designed to conform to an ergonomically standard paddler size, and if you are of a taller persuasion, you might have to look around for a higher backrest to make sure you have the proper support.
Materials
When you're out paddling, your kayak seat will be taking on some wear and tear, so it is essential that it is made from tough and waterproof materials such as nylon or molded foam.
Types of Fabric
Polyester: This is a moisture-wicking fabric, good for any sweaty backs out there. It's usually a softer touch, which bodes well for people with sensitive skin.
Nylon: Nylon tends to be more durable and much more robust than polyester. It's also a water repellent fabric instead of a moisture-wicking fabric that will cool things down a bit.
Durability
It's essential that your kayak seat lasts a long time, and it can take on a range of weather conditions and withstand friction. This is why it's important to consider the materials and how well they will perform.
Stability
You want your paddle to be a stable one. It is vital to ensure that your new comfortable seat can handle it!
Kayak seats will be more stable; the more securely it is attached to the kayak. Therefore you want to look at how the seat attaches to the kayak and how many adjustable straps you can secure to the boat.
Storage
Some kayak seats can come with extra storage in the form of pockets or a pouch on the back or underneath the seat. Many anglers will look for kayaks with enough storage space to store their baits or their catch.
Features
Many kayak seats can come with extra handy features to aid you in angling or recreational kayaking.
Rod Holders: Some kayak seats come with built-in rod holders to give you an enjoyable hands-free fishing experience.
Cup Holders: A feature under-appreciated in many kayak seats is the addition of a humble cupholder. Imagine you're out on a cold, wet day and really looking forward to the flask of hot soup you brought along, and you've nowhere to put it! This is why cupholders are an excellent added feature to any seat you cannot live without.
Extra Storage: As mentioned already, storage can be an excellent feature in a kayak seat. It offers a place to store any immediate kit, like a torch, tackle, lunch, keys, or phone. Plus it is also ideal to keep your tackle box secure.
Padding and Cushioning
Seat Foam Materials
From fluidized gel to EVA foam, what does it all mean?
Gel: Seats with fluidized gel padding use a soft gel material underneath the fabric cover, which will most likely be neoprene. Gel seat make for a comfortable padded seat; however, the downside is the seat pad can break down quickly.
Thermo-Molded: Thermo-molded seats were once hard to come by, but these days are standard practice. They look simple and provide sufficient comfort.
Pressure Molded Foam: This type of foam padding is by far the most durable foam. Although they aren't immediately the softest option, kayak seats made using pressure molded foam last a long time. Some pressure molded options work ergonomic features like posture and back support into the design.
Top 5 Picks
So you want to find a seat for kayak angling? Well, let's begin by looking at the top contenders in the best kayak seats category.
1. Ocean Kayak Comfort Tech Seat Back
Ocean kayak is a brand known for its many boats and popular seats and accessories. The seat is designed for comfort using a sufficiently sized comfy seat cushion, making your paddle as enjoyable as possible.
The best thing about this seat is if you happen to own an ocean fishing kayak already, this seat can conveniently clip right in, no hassle. The fastenings are adjustable, and the clips are made in marine grade brass.
The seat back is made with a type of nylon that happens to be UV resistant and scoops around the body to give side and back support in a sort of ergonomic hug. This is an excellent choice for those looking for a durable kayak seat and an alternative to the molded options. This Ocean kayak are suitable for sit-on-top kayaks.
YakGear is also a well-known kayak brand and kayak accessories company, and they do not disappoint as they make quality products!
A comforting molded foam choice, offering a seat cushion of generous size. The fastening clips and marine-grade brass complete with durable webbing straps. You're able to adjust all fastenings to provide the best fit even if you have a tight cockpit to contend with.
The 19 inches tall and 1-inch thick high seat back provides the support needed for a long adventure. The seat bottom has built-in water cutters meaning if you are taking on any water, you won't find yourself sitting in a puddle.
This is the best choice for that little bit of extra room and is a sit-on-top kayak seat but also suitable for sit inside kayaks and canoes.
This kayak has everything from comfort to stability. It suits all type of kayakers, paddlers, and anglers by offering back support and comfort, complete with a detachable cushion which can be useful for those of us who are vertically challenged kayakers. The 18-inch tall rigid high seat back allows your back pain to seep away into the water and become a distant memory.
The best thing about this kayak seat is the extra storage space it provides. The seat has a large detachable storage pack perfect for anglers to grab their tackle or essential items like your lunch on the go! On top of that, it incorporates rod holders to keep your rods secure and in place. The rod holders also have Velcro straps to further ensure the safety of your rods. Is there anything this seat can't do?!
Are you looking for a seat for a kayak with excellent lumbar back support? One that's built for a sit on top kayak to match up to all your angling desires?
Well, you're in luck. The Feel Free Kingfisher kayak seat is here for you!
This offers comfort complete with a lovely luxury padded seat base and rigid back seat support making it perfect for the angler with long trips in mind. The Kingfisher has a multipoint adjustment system enabling you to prevent any sagging and ensure the right fit. And finally, this kayak is built to fit a sit on top kayak, making it perfect for a traditional popular style of angling kayak.
If you want to kayak with seats to keep all of your angling gear and when convenient place within arms reach, than Vibe Kayaks have the best kayak seat for you!
This kayak is designed as a sit-on-top model, practical to those who have already committed to sit-on-top kayaks.
When considering comfort, the seat provides excellent lumbar support, so say goodbye to the back pain, and hello back support. These are very comfortable kayak seats for when you need to be on the water for a long period of time.
The seat is fastened using straps with marine grade brass clips, which should mean an absence of erosion, even when you're battling the saltiest of waters.
Our Top Pick!
So we've looked at what we think are the best kayak seats on the market today and have come to the conclusion that the best fishing kayak seat overall is the Saturn Deluxe Molded Foam Kayak Seat!
This seat provides everything a fisherperson could desire. It has back support, padding, extra storage and handy rod holders. A great seat to catch a whopper!