10 Lightweight Kayaks for Every Budget
7-minute read + 13-minute video
Lightweight kayaks are so much easier to move around than heavy ones. It may even make the difference between you getting on the water more…or even at all.
In the video below, Aqua Bound Ambassador Ken Whiting shares his take on 10 kayaks that are lighter than the norm.
Whether you’re a beginner looking for your first boat or an avid paddler simply looking for one that’s easier to move and use, you’ll find something that suits your needs in this list.
Watch below or keep reading for all the details:
Having a lightweight portable or full-size kayak can make a huge difference for a large number of people. Ken has tested all of the kayaks in his video. He starts with portable kayaks.
1. Sea Eagle EZLite 10
The EZLite 10 by Sea Eagle is an inflatable solo kayak that weighs just 28 pounds/12.5 kilograms. Its dropstitch construction and V-bottom hull make it surprisingly fun to paddle with its great performance.
Because it can be inflated to 10 PSI, it’s rigid enough that it feels almost like a hardshell kayak. And its V-hull, rare among inflatables, makes it track well. A removable skeg helps with tracking as well. The EZLite 10 also has a quality seat and adjustable foot pegs, making it very comfortable to paddle. Not always a given in a kayak this small.
This kayak is designed primarily for flatwater, although it can easily take on a bit of chop and slow rivers. 2026 MSRP: 3 different packages from $899-$1,099.
2. Delta 15.5 GT
The Delta 15.5 GT is a hardshell touring kayak designed for the ideal combination of stability and performance. Great for day touring but also for multi-day trips due to extensive storage space for gear.
This kayak weighs 49 lbs/22 kg, which may not sound light compared to the previous model, but it is when considering the length and features.
This kayak is a thermoform model, which makes it lighter and very responsive on the water. While you get the benefit of a lighter weight, thermoform kayaks aren’t as durable as the more common rotomolded plastic kayaks. So you’ll need to handle it with care. Not the ideal boat for the family cabin when it could get bashed into rocks and dragged across gravel. But for a lightweight touring kayak you’ll enjoy—perfect.
At $2,350 USD (2026 price), the Delta 15.5 GT is at a very nice price point for its class. You’ll have to pay more in exchange for the lightweight than a comparable rotomolded model, but if that’s worth it to you, you’ll love this boat.
3. Hurricane Osprey 120
The Hurricane Osprey 120 is a sit-on kayak. These are very popular models for their ease of entry and exit and their stability. But these boats are also some of the heaviest available.
The Osprey 120 is just 47 lbs/22 kg, proving a sit-on kayak doesn’t have to weigh a ton. Again, the trick is what it’s made of: it’s another thermoform kayak. Its hull design is built for performance and efficiency, making it fun to paddle.
The comfortable seat ensures several hours of enjoyment at a time. It even has a “canine comfort seat” at the bow, in case you have a dog that also loves to kayak! 2026 MSRP: $1,499 USD.
4. Oru Kayak Inlet
The Oru Kayak Inlet is another portable kayak, this time a folding one. At just 20 lbs/9 kg, it’s light enough for almost everyone to handle easily. The Inlet is made with a material that’s almost like heavy-duty coated cardboard. Opening and closing it is like doing origami, which is quite easy once you get the hang of it.
The disadvantage of this kayak is that it’s really only designed to be paddled on calm, flatwater. So it won’t be for everyone. But if you’re content to paddle on nice days for short amounts of time, it could be the ideal craft for you. 2026 MSRP: $899 USD.
5. Melker Värmdö
Would you love a luxury touring kayak? Then consider the Melker Värmdö. This boat by Swedish brand Melker is the ideal combination of touring, stability and performance. It’s able to take on rough conditions like coastal waves and whitewater for experienced paddlers, but is also well-suited for a beginner who can afford to pay more for a versatile and comfortable boat.
The Värmdö is a sustainable kayak as well, made with cork, flax and recycled plastic bottles instead of carbon and Kevlar. It also uses a plant-based resin and gel coat. These materials enable this 14.5-foot boat to weigh just 44 lbs/20 kg. 2026 MSRP: $5,199 USD.
6. Swift Cruiser 14.8
The Swift Cruiser 14.8 is a solo hybrid pack boat that looks more like a canoe but is outfitted and paddles like a kayak. Pack boats take advantage of the best features of both types for those who love multi-day adventures that require lots of gear.
The open canoe-like deck has room for large packs, while the low center seat with a kayak paddle makes it easy to maneuver, very stable and is great for traveling long distances like a kayak. It also has a removable yolk to carry the boat over portages.
Its carbon/Kevlar construction allows for a weight of just 24-27 pounds (11-12 kgs), depending on the trim package you choose. 2026 MSRP: $3.795-$4,295.
7. Delta 12 AR
The Delta 12 AR is a recreational kayak. As Ken points out in the video, 12-foot rec kayaks are extremely popular in the kayaking world, and this model stands out. Like all Delta kayaks (including the 15.5 GT above), the 12 AR is thermoform, keeping its weight down to 42 lb/19 kg. (To put that in perspective, this is about 20% lighter than a 12-ft rotomolded kayak.)
The hull on this model is also very unique in that it features an aggressive V in the bow with a double catamaran-style stern design. This gives great forward tracking combined with excellent stability.
It also has two watertight bulkheads, making it very safe in case of a capsize, not to mention plenty of inner storage space for multi-day trips. 2026 MSRP: $1,395 USD.
8. P&H Ultralight Virgo
“If you’re in the market for a touring or sea kayak that can handle any type of conditions and that’s extremely playful in waves or surf, you might want to consider the P&H UL Virgo,” says Ken.
This carbon/Kevlar boat is 15 feet long, and equally at home on flatwater and rough water. The Virgo comes in several layups or package options. The UL (Ultralight) weighs just 32 lb/14 kg. The trade-off, again, is that it won’t take impacts on boulders and other water hazards like rotomolded models. The materials and features mean this is a higher-end boat with a premium price tag. It’s made in Great Britain and sells in Europe for £6,765 (just over $9,000 USD).
9. P&H Volan Series
Staying with P&H, their Volan Series kayaks are longer and have more storage capacity than the Virgo series. If you’re looking for a premium sea kayak that will give you high speeds and ample space for multi-day trips, consider one of these.
The Volan models are available in several different layups: different lengths and materials. The ultralight models are constructed with carbon/Kevlar infusion, and each is priced at £6,765 (just over $9,000 USD, 2026 prices).
10. Hobie ITrek 9
The Hobie ITrek 9 is another unique addition to this list of lightweight kayaks. It’s designed like a pedal sit-on kayak with its raised seat and open deck—but it’s inflatable and therefore, very light. Ideal for flatwater cruising and/or fishing.
Achieving that low weight with a pedal system is remarkable, as pedal sit-on kayaks are notoriously heavy. This model is very easy to maneuver with its hand control. Ken comments that it’s one of the most fun pedal kayaks he’s ever tested. The framed suspension seat is very comfortable, especially since it’s raised above the deck a few inches, making entry and exit easy.
It appears that Hobie redesigned the ITrek 9 since Ken made this video, as the current one on their website (as of this writing) is called the Mirage ITrek 9 Ultralight. It weighs just 20 pounds (compared to the 36-lb model Ken tested), and yet its price tag has dropped to $1,999 USD (2026).
11. BONUS: Mocean Kayaks
This brand isn’t part of Ken’s video but we wanted to tack them on anyway because this newer American company just won Paddling Magazine’s 2026 “Best Recreational Kayak” award for their Ace 12-foot kayak.
All Mocean’s kayaks are thermoformed, which makes them substantially lighter than similar rotomolded boats. The Ace weighs just 42 pounds and is designed for all-day comfort and top performance. It includes a comfy seat, adjustable foot pedals, two gear-ready hatches and more. 2026 MSRP: $1,799 USD
We hope this list helps you when it's your time to shop for a lighter yet still responsive kayak that's a joy to paddle!
What paddling questions can our friendly Customer Service team help you with? Contact us at 715-755-3405 or sales@aquabound.com, or choose our online chat option.
More for you...