10 Best Kayaking Accessories for Your Adventures (Affordable!)

Updated: July 2024

There are really only 2 things you NEED to kayak: a kayak, and a paddle.

A 3rd highly recommended (and sometimes required) item: a PFD (personal floating device/life jacket).

But, there are so many more things that can add to the experience by making it more comfortable, more enjoyable, and safer.

Here are 10 of my favorite accessories to elevate the kayaking experience.

The Best Kayaking Accessories…

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Best Kayaking Accessories: #1

Keep your paddle secured to the kayak with a paddle leash. The strap easily attaches the paddle to the kayak to prevent the paddle from floating away should you tip.

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Best Kayaking Accessories: #2

Improve comfort and grip, and avoid blisters on your hands with a pair of paddle grips that slide onto your paddle.

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Best Kayaking Accessories: #3

If you haven’t heard of a dry bag, you NEED one! These amazing things have saved my belongings many times.

Dry bags can keep your items nice and dry during your float. They can get pricey depending on the brand and size, but the smaller bags are under $20.

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Best Kayaking Accessories: #4

My favorite, unassuming kayaking accessories are carabiners. They work great for securing all types of items in a kayak. With a little creativity, and maybe some straps, almost anything can be attached to a kayak!

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Best Kayaking Accessories under $20: #5

I always stay stocked with fishing lanyards! It’s an extension of the carabiner but with a flexible leash for items that need to move around a little more for use. I attach one to my waterbottle to keep if from floating off if I tip the kayak.

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Best Kayaking Accessories: #6

Most of the time it’s enough to kick back and listen to the sounds of nature. But sometimes it’s nice to throw on some music and sing your way down the river.

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Best Kayaking Accessories: #7

Waterproof phone pouches are a good way to keep your phone protected, dry, and ready for pictures in an instant.

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Best Kayaking Accessories: #8

A small, fast-drying towel is always a good kayaking accessory to store inside your dry bag. They are perfect for cleaning and drying your smaller items (sunglasses, phone) should they get dirty or wet.

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Best Kayaking Accessories: #9

Secure your sunglasses with a sunglasses strap in case of tipping! Or so you don’t set them down and leave them. You would be amazed at how many lost sunglasses I have found on the river.

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Best Kayaking Accessories: #10

Having a safety whistle is always good practice with outdoor adventures. A whistle can be blown in case of emergency if you need help or get lost.

Can you make do without these? Sure! But do you want to? Naaaaah. Get the stuff to make your summer adventures on the river even better!

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