Kayaking has been rapidly gaining popularity in recent years and that can lead to a lot of competition for available models. That is why it is good to have options and be aware of the best places to buy kayaks.
Where To Buy Kayaks Online
Kayaking has been rapidly gaining popularity in recent years and that can lead to a lot of competition for available models. That is why it is good to have options and be aware of the best places to buy kayaks.
Where To Buy Kayaks Online
Kayaks can be a somewhat difficult thing to buy online, but if you know what you want it is the best place to find discounts and deals. Once you have a good idea of the different types of kayaks and what style is best suited to you, you can compare prices at some of these online retailers.
Some of these places specialize in certain types of fishing kayaks and others that are used for specific purposes. Others can be more accurately categorized as general wholesale sellers and there are pros and cons to each, which we will also highlight in this kayak buying guide.
Generally speaking, third-party resellers are more likely to have recreational kayaks in stock. They will be less likely to keep more niche kayak models in stock because these models tend to be designed for more experienced paddlers and the demand for them is much lower.
That being said, more experienced paddlers tend to veer away from resellers because their kayak style preference changes. When you are looking for some of the most expensive kayaks out there, you will usually need to go directly to the manufacturer.
The main drawback to buying something like a kayak online is the inability to feel what it feels like to actually sit inside and paddle it. It is kind of like trying to buy shoes online because so many of us really need to feel them on our feet in order to finalize our decision.
That being said, we all know that shopping online is usually where we can get the best deals and discounts. So we have to find a balance between doing our research to establish exactly what we are looking for and then shopping around online to find a deal.
So if you are working with a limited budget, finding a kayak online is usually your best bet. Luckily, some of the kayaks online are also part of package deals that come with one of the best kayak paddles, a kayak seat, and other essential safety equipment.
Amazon is one of the easiest and fastest places you can go to order a kayak online. Delivery times may vary slightly depending on your location and how close you are to a distribution hub, so make sure you input your zip code before you begin searching for kayak availability.
REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.) is one of the most recognizable outdoor brands in the entire industry and they offer kayak sales both online and in many of their brick-and-mortar locations. Just be aware that certain locations may carry larger or smaller inventories depending on the demand in that area.
Scheels is another large U.S. retailer that sells kayaks both online and in their massive superstores. Going into a Scheels location is usually an experience in and of itself because many have an operational Ferris wheel at the center of all the shopping action.
In many cases, you will find a much larger inventory online than you will find in any Walmart store. That being said, you can order and have your preferred kayak shipped to the store closest to you and that is really the largest benefit of shopping for a kayak at Walmart because it is rare that you will find a super knowledgeable paddle sports staff member here.
If you are looking for a brick-and-mortar location, their flagship store in Freeport is definitely worth the visit, but most of their other locations are concentrated in the northeast and midwest with the farthest west location being in Colorado. Fortunately, they ship kayaks throughout the U.S. and even to some international destinations.
Gander Outdoors is a more well-known name in the RV industry, but they also sell a variety of outdoor gear, including traditional kayaks and even some of the best folding kayaks. You will be able to browse their entire kayak inventory online, but they also have brick-and-mortar stores in 26 states.
There is little to differentiate both their online and in-person stores, aside from the name on the outside. Again, they are going to specialize in carrying kayaks that are designed to be used for hunting and fishing, but you may also find a recreational model or two in their inventory.
They mainly distribute their products through a network of dealers today, as well as through their online store. They specifically specialize in providing some of the best inflatable whitewater kayaks on the market, but they also have whitewater rafts and inflatable paddleboards available through their online store.
Known for their creative social media posts labeled with the #moosejawmadness, this company has been around since 1995. Their online kayak inventory includes inflatables, sit-insides, fishing kayaks, and even pack rafts.
While they offer online shopping and shipping to most U.S. states, they also have 11 brick-and-mortar locations in five states. Seven of those stores are in Michigan and the remaining five are in Boulder, Colorado, Chicago, Illinois, Olathe, Kansas, and Kansas City, Missouri.
Geartrade is a super cool online platform that allows private resellers to connect with folks that are interested in buying used gear. You can advertise and buy products through the platform and they help to facilitate fast and affordable shipping.
In addition, your local sporting goods store is usually the best place to try out multiple different styles of kayaks to see what you like best. They may even offer daily rentals that allow you to get out on the water and really experience what a certain kayak feels like.
At the end of the day, there are many places to buy kayaks and they are all competing for your hard-earned dollars. Hopefully, you can use this resource to find the right kayak for you and get the best price on it.
Where to buy a kayak? Kayaks can be bought from outdoor recreation stores, sporting goods stores, online retailers, and outdoor outfitters. Choosing where to buy a kayak depends on your wants, needs, and your budget. Kayaks will have differing costs and overall quality depending on where they are purchased.
The most convenient places to buy kayaks are traditional department stores and large outdoor recreation stores. Department stores, like Walmart and Dicks Sporting Goods, will often have a good selection of kayaks to choose from, though most will likely be flat water kayaks. White water kayaks are more likely to be available at larger outdoor retail stores such as Bass Pro Shop, REI, or online specialty kayak shops like Colorado Kayak Supply or Austin Kayak.
Many cities also have smaller, independent outdoor recreation shops that specialize in kayaking supplies and kayaks. While some of these shops may not have a wide selection or always have kayaks in stock, they can be a good place to look first if you want to shop locally.
Most larger retailers will also have online catalogs available for buyers to look through and order from if the in-store inventory offers too narrow of a selection. When buying kayaks from an online website, you can take more time to thoroughly examine the qualities and features of the kayak before purchasing. Once ordered, the kayak will likely be delivered to the store for pickup, though some will ship directly to your home if you prefer that.
Big department/box stores, like Walmart and Costco, are the next best place to go when searching for cheap kayaks. These kayaks may be of lesser quality than the slightly more expensive ones bought at outdoor recreation stores and retailers. However, Costco especially will usually have a good deal on a decent kayak just about every year.
Bar none, the best place for used kayaks is Craigslist. However, beware and prepare, because many people, seeking to offload a kayak they no longer want or can store, are unrealistic about the price they should get for them. In my opinion, in order to make the risk of used kayaks worth it, you need to get at least 30% off of the new retail price of the kayak.
Also, secondhand stores exist in many cities and are a great place to look for used boats in good condition. Used kayaks are likely to always be the cheapest options available for purchase. It is crucial when buying a used boat to thoroughly inspect it for any damage.
Online marketplaces to sell used goods have become extremely popular on social media platforms such as Facebook. These marketplaces are set up as groups that you have to join and then you can buy and sell products being offered. Depending on where you live, there may be a marketplace with members based in your area that is specifically designated for the buying and selling of used sporting goods.
Keep in mind that kayaks can be ordered online as well. In this case, if there is not a good selection of stores or kayaks available nearby, you can instead turn to online ordering. The one issue with this is not every online retailer will deliver directly to you, so make sure to research whether or not they do before purchasing.
The best approach is to do a quick internet search for department and outdoor recreation stores within the mile radius you are willing to travel. From here, you can search what types of kayaks they have in their inventory and decide which store to go to.
When buying specialty kayaks, such as white water or fishing kayaks, you may need to find a specialty manufacturer if you have specific type of kayak or use. Otherwise, general versions of these types of kayaks will likely be available at outdoor retailers like REI.
These kayaks may be the kind that the actual sporting store does not have many of in stock since they are not as commonly bought. Thus, this may be an instance where you need to order online and have it delivered to the store.
Ordering online gives you much more choice in terms of variety and features of a specialty kayak. However, one disadvantage is that you will be waiting for a longer period before receiving your kayak. This may not work in your favor if you wish to start paddling as soon as possible.
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