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Best Kayak Storage
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Style
There are plenty of style options sure to suit your specific needs.
There are a few different storage system styles available on the market and, in order to provide you with an accurate idea of what to expect as you embark on your hunt to find the best option for you, we felt it was important to include the most popular styles in our buying guide. Let’s look a little more in-depth at the types you’ll see on our list.
Freestanding Racks: This style of kayak storage has legs that will stand on their own once assembled. These styles will typically hold more than one kayak, making them a perfect choice for families who own more than one boat. They are typically quite easy to put together and, once unloaded, easy to move around if you choose to place it somewhere else around your home.
Wall Mounted: This style works well for people who need to free up some of the space on the floor of their garage, though it can also be mounted outside on the side of your deck or home if you prefer to not have your garage wall space compromised. They typically look like hooks with arm cradles that are often padded to help protect your kayak.
Hoist/Ceiling Mount - If you like the idea of freeing up your floor space but aren’t in love with the horizontal room that a wall-mounted storage system takes up, you may want to consider a hoist option. These usually use a pulley system to keep your boat up by the roof of your garage or shed keeping it out of sight and off the floor and wall. They are easy to operate and make getting your device down off the ceiling a cinch. The ceiling mount option is similar to a hoist style but only in that, your boat will be kept on the ceiling. These do not have pulleys and may require more strength to get your boat in and out of them.
Adjustability
Adjustable storage systems mean you can get the right fit every time.
Being able to adjust your storage system to your specific needs is important. Not every kayak is made to be the same size, shape and weight, so having some leeway in terms of adjustability with your storage solution is going to help make sure you get the right fit for your particular boat. Each style of storage is going to offer different ways to adjust it to fit your needs. Some have adjustable ropes and pulleys that can be lengthened or shortened to fit around your boat. Some have hooks that can be moved up or down in order to make room for your boat.
Weight
Will the rack be able to support the weight of your kayak?
When we’re referring to the ‘weight’ of the storage solution, we’re not necessarily talking about how much the product itself weighs. We’re referring to how much weight the storage solution is capable of holding. This is important to know because if you purchase a rack that is not rated to hold the weight of your kayak, you’re going to wind up wasting time and money on a solution that just isn’t going to work for you.
Features
Different storage solutions provide different special features that set them apart.
Every storage solution in our buying guide is different from the next one. We wanted to be able to provide our readers with a variety of styles and options so that they can get a feel for what is out there in the world of storage systems for kayaks. Some have padded support arms to protect your boat. Some feature UV-resistant materials for storing outside. Some of the hoist systems have locking mechanisms in place to prevent your boat from falling on top of your vehicle in your garage. Some are incredibly basic in design, not providing much in terms of features aside from their simplicity. Regardless of which item you choose, if it has a spot on our top ten list, it is there for a reason. These are the best kayak storage systems you can buy on the market today and we stand behind our reasons for including them on our list.
Value
You will receive a lot of value for your investment.
Sometimes it feels necessary to ensure you’re getting the best bang for your buck. When it comes to storage systems, you’ve already likely spent a fair bit of money on your kayak in the first place. You don’t want to buy a storage unit for your boat that costs more than the boat itself. The great news is, that most of the options on our list are priced very fairly and many of the options that are higher priced offer things like guarantees and warranties so you can feel protected in your investment.
Top 10 Picks
1. Suspenz Big EZ
The Suspenz Big EZ took the coveted number one place in our buying guide for several reasons we will get into in our review. First of all, this incredibly versatile storage rack can be used for a kayak, canoe or even a stand-up paddleboard if you so wish. It comes with an affordable price tag and is really highly recommended by current users.
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The Suspenz Big EZ is designed to store your watercraft on its side at its strongest point. It has arms that are foam padded for added protection. This helps to cut back on the risk of wrecking your kayak by improperly storing it.
Adjustability
This rack can be mounted right to your garage wall or to the side of your deck if you wish to store it outside. You can purchase the compatible freestanding frame from Suspenz separately if you don’t like the idea of making holes in your walls for the rack.
Weight
The weight capacity of this storage rack is 150 pounds.
Features
The foam and nylon padding used on the arms of this rack is made from top-notch materials. The 600D nylon will not fade if it’s stored in the sun and is strong and durable so it will be resistant to damage as well.
Value
This item rings in around the middle of the line in terms of cost. When you consider the high-quality nature of this storage rack and how highly praised it is, you will see that the small investment required to purchase it is more than worth it.
2. Malone Auto Racks
Next, up on our list, we have this snazzy option from Malone Auto Racks. Don’t let the company name fool you, they definitely manufacture more than just auto racks. This particular storage system is designed to hold three kayaks. Let’s see just what else it has to offer you, though.
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As mentioned above, this rack is meant to hold up to three kayaks. It is a freestanding style, so if you have space in your garage or your backyard and a couple of extra kayaks kicking around, this might be the right pick for you.
Adjustability
You can choose where to install the ‘arms’ of this rack to ensure you’re getting the right fit for your kayaks.
Weight
The weight capacity for this storage rack is 250 pounds.
Features
This rack has been powder coated which will help it to maintain its look whether you choose to keep it indoors or outdoors.
Value
This is one of the pricier options that you’re going to find in our buying guide. The good news is that because it is meant to hold three kayaks and not just one, you’re going to be able to store all of your boats with it making the price tag much more reasonable.
3. RAD Sportz Lift
Taking the third place on our buying guide is this option from RAD Sportz. It looks a little (okay, a lot) different than the other options on our list so far but it stole the third-place spot for very good reasons. With over 825 five-star reviews, you can rest assured that you’re buying a high-quality storage solution for your watercraft.
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As you may have noticed already by looking at the photo of this storage system, it looks a lot different than the other two we’ve reviewed so far. This is because this product from RAD Sportz is actually a hoist lift. This simply means that your kayak (or canoe) will be stored near the roof of your garage.
Adjustability
This product is adjustable in that it can host a number of different items up and out of the way, freeing up your precious garage floor space. Whether it's your kayak, a canoe, a ladder or your bicycle, this hoist can tackle it all.
Weight
The weight capacity of this hoist is 125 pounds.
Features
The hooks on the hoist feature a rubber coating on them so they will not scratch the surface of your kayak. It has a locking mechanism that will prevent the hoist from accidentally releasing your equipment on top of unsuspecting vehicles or humans.
Value
Get ready for a surprise. This incredibly high-quality, space-saving hoist is one of the cheapest options in our buying guide. We loved that it allows consumers to store their equipment up and off of the ground, freeing up precious space.
4. RAD Sportz Deluxe Freestanding
No, you’re not having déjà vu, we are reviewing another product from RAD Sportz. What can we say? This company just knows what they’re doing! This storage option looks drastically different from the previous one we have from this brand. Let’s see what it is that sets it apart.
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This storage system has a freestanding style. This works great for people who have space in their garage to store a unit like this on their floor or it works well for outdoor storage solutions as well.
Adjustability
You can choose where on the rack you would like to install the padded arms, making this rack adjustable to your specific needs.
Weight
The weight capacity for this product is a whopping 175 pounds, making it one of the strongest options on our list.
Features
Even though this rack is extremely sturdy as is, RAD Sportz does include hold down anchors in the package so you can secure this storage system to the floor, dock or deck.
Value
This is one of the pricier options you’ll see in our buying guide. Though, you must take into account the fact that this rack is designed to hold two kayaks so the value is definitely there.
5. Seattle Sports Wall Cradle Hooks
If you’re in the market for a basic storage solution for your kayak or paddleboard, look no further than this option here from Seattle Sports. No frills, heavy-duty and durable are all words that can be used to describe this storage solution. Let’s look a little closer, though, and see what else this product has to offer.
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This is the most basic, no-frills storage solution you’re going to see in our buying guide. It’s great for people who just want something easy to install that’ll keep their kayaks off of the ground.
Adjustability
There isn’t much in terms of adjustability with this storage solution.
Weight
Don’t let the simple look of this storage solution fool you. Surprisingly enough, these hooks are designed to hold up to 200 pounds. It shocked us, too!
Features
If you want the fastest storage solution on the market, you’re going to love this product from Seattle Sports. It is the easiest option on our list to install and can be done so in a jiffy.
Value
This product is one of the most budget-friendly options on our list. We loved its simplicity, how strong and durable it is and how quick the installation process is.
6. StoreYourBoard
As you may be able to guess from the brand name of the company, this manufacturer specializes in ways to store your adventure gear. Whether you need bike, stand-up paddleboard, broom or skateboard storage, they have your back! Being that this company is so well-versed in the world of storage equipment, you can expect this particular product to be top of the line.
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This is a style we haven’t yet seen in our buying guide. StoreYourBoard has created a ceiling storage solution designed to be able to store two kayaks (or stand-up paddleboards).
Adjustability
Consumers are able to adjust the length of the bars to accommodate the size of whatever it is they are storing.
Weight
This ceiling rack is able to support up to 150 pounds.
Features
This product comes with four padded support arms to protect your gear from scratches or damage.
Value
This storage solution is very simplistic in design so we were a bit surprised to see the higher price tag attached to this product. Despite it requiring a slightly higher investment than other similar options on the market, we still think the StoreYourBoard adjustable mount is a worthwhile consideration.
7. Extreme Max Hoist
Up next, we have this hoist option from Extreme Max. This product is designed for a number of different uses other than kayaks. Canoes, bicycles, ladders or shop equipment, you name it, this item can hoist it.
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This is another hoist style storage system. It is a one-person operation that makes grabbing your gear for an impromptu kayaking trip an absolute breeze.
Adjustability
The straps of this hoist are adjustable to suit the size of the item you will be storing.
Weight
The weight capacity of this unit is 120 pounds.
Features
The pulley system of this hoist features a locking mechanism that will provide safety and protection to the users of the system. It is a simple operation that will lower (or elevate) each strap at the same time to make getting your kayak up or down a cinch.
Value
This system from Extreme Max is one of the most affordable options you’re going to see in our buying guide. We love that it is simple to operate and all of its added safety features were a big bonus.
8. Best Marine
Having the name “Best” in the brand name is no happy accident. Many reviewers believe that this is actually one of the best solutions to storing a watercraft. This system can safely hold one item up to 100-pounds. It can be mounted just about anywhere, inside or outside.
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This option from Best Marine is a great choice for anyone who is short on space. The “arms” of this system are easily screwed into the wall and securely hold your watercraft on its side. Each system only holds one accessory. If you have multiple excursion devices, you may want to invest in more than one order. Each piece is 22-inches tall and sticks out 19.5-inches from the wall.
Adjustability
Thanks to the durable materials and life-extending features, you can choose to hang the Best Marine wall hooks indoors or outdoors. They are made from powder-coated steel which is rust-resistant. You can use this system indoors, in the garage, shed, or even set it up on the dock. There strap used to hold the watercraft in place is adjustable, allowing you to easily secure it. Another great feature is that you can choose how far apart to mount the arms. If you have a very small boat, this system will still work for you.
Weight
The weight capacity of this product is 100-pounds. Considering that it is built to hold only one item, you are not very limited in terms of weight. As for the weight of the product itself, each arm weighs three pounds each.
Features
To prevent your boat from getting dinged, the arms feature nylon coated foam. This same system also works well for stand up paddleboards and surfboards. Reviewers love how easy this system is to set up and use. However, there have been a few mentions that it would be easier to use with larger watercraft if the straps were longer.
Value
For such a secure and well-loved product, this is actually quite affordable. However, if you are looking for a product to hold multiple boats, this would not be ideal, unless you order multiple sets. Besides all of the great features and durability, Best Marina also offers a risk-free purchase. You can return or replace the product without hassle.
9. Surf to Summit
This simple method from Surf to Summit is straight-forward and easy to use. It uses webbing straps that are secured to the wall with screws. It can hold two boats or boards and two paddles.
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Perhaps one of our least space using options is this. This kit from Surf to Summit holds your boats almost horizontally on the wall. The system is made from webbing straps which are secured to the wall using the included mounting screws, or molly screws for concrete walls. Your boats or boards are held in place by straps and side-squeeze buckles. This style has the ability to hold two watercrafts.
Adjustability
The webbing straps can be adjusted to fit a wide range of different items that you would want to hang. Also, when you are first mounting this system to your wall, you can decide how far apart to hang the straps. A minimum of 48-inches is recommended, but it is best to measure your boats and decide what will work best for you.
Weight
Oddly enough, the maximum capacity weight is not listed. However, reviewers have mentioned that they have two 100-pounds boats hanging from the Surf to Summit system without issue.
Features
Another great feature of this system is that there are specific loops to hold two paddles. Mounting the webbing system to the wall is fairly simple. The best advice that reviewers have given us is to make sure you measure the distance that will be best for you. Dismounting doesn’t seem to be an issue, but getting the boats back into the straps takes a team effort unless it is a small and lightweight boat.
Value
This is a great value. The product is priced affordably and holds two boats and two paddles securely. If you often venture out to the water alone, you may need to enlist help when re-mounting your watercraft, however, we don’t necessarily see that as a deal-breaker.
10. Log Kayak Rack
If you have a little (or, well, a lot) of extra cash to spend, this storage solution from Log Kayak Rack is going to catch your eye right away. Not only is this beautiful rack able to store four kayaks with ease, but it will also double as an art installation for your home.
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This is a freestanding kayak storage solution. It is not small by any means, so you will need to ensure you have the space necessary to display this.
Adjustability
This is not an adjustable kayak rack by any stretch of the imagination. What you see is what you get.
Weight
Because this kayak rack is made with American Northern White Cedar, you can expect it to be a bit more durable than the other options on our list. It can hold four kayaks, each weighing up to 100 pounds, making the overall weight capacity of this rack a whopping 400 pounds.
Features
This rack is available in three different color options – natural, canyon brown or unfinished. If you choose the ‘unfinished’ style, you may wish to finish it yourself when you receive it, making it feel like more of a custom rack.
Value
This is an expensive storage solution; we’re not going to lie to you. But, dangit, it is beautiful. Is it worth the humongous price tag? This is a well-constructed, handmade product that doubles as an art piece. We think it’s worth the price tag if you have the extra funds to invest in it.
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