Sit On Top versus Sit Inside Kayaks – Which One is Right For You?

When choosing a kayak there are a few basic questions you’ll need to answer. One of the first is to ask yourself if you want a Sit On Top or Sit Inside kayak design? It makes a huge difference in the types of kayaks available to you and to throw another wrench in the machine there’s even a third type of hybrid kayak depending on your definitions of Sit Inside vs Sit On Top.

So let’s dive into the differences, pros, and cons of Sit On Top (SOT) kayaks and Sit Inside (SI) Kayaks.

Sit On Top (SOT) Kayaks

We’ll start with Sit On Top (SOT) kayaks. SOT kayaks are very common and often used by outfitters and guide shops, beginners, and kayak anglers.

As their name implies, Sit On Top kayaks are designed for you to sit on top of them rather than inside of them.

Many new paddlers like the idea of a SOT kayak because they may feel safer on the water in that they won’t be “trapped” inside a kayak if they capsize. Let me go ahead and nip that one in the bud – even in extremely tight, custom-fit whitewater kayaks you will slide right out of them when upside down in the water. The chances of actually being caught inside a kayak by something like a shoelace are extraordinarily low.

Back to Sit On Top kayaks. These kayaks are generally made with injection-molded or roto-molded plastics. Depending on the type of plastic and its thickness, this can make them very durable. However, because the kayak must have an enclosed volume and strong enough deck to support a paddler (or two), this also makes them very heavy.

With weights generally over 50 pounds for a simple single-person model and over 100 pounds for larger fishing rigs, this can make transporting Sit On Top kayaks very difficult.

Basic molded seats, foot braces, and cargo wells found in entry-level SOTs are simple to use, but very limited in customization and comfort. However, these large-volume kayaks are also generally quite stable, making them an easy option for beginners to get on the water.

More advanced Sit On Top kayaks have more adjustability in ergonomics and cargo storage, and they can provide huge carrying capacities and even standing platforms on fishing kayaks. While some SOT kayaks are compatible with additional elements like thigh straps, their weight and open-cockpit designs generally limit them out of higher-performance designs.

Sit Inside (SI) Kayaks

Sit Inside (SI) Kayaks can offer many performance advantages over SOT kayaks, while more recreationally-focused models may not provide the same level of improvement.

Kayaking originated in the arctic with Inuit and Aleut peoples fashioning boats with skin-on-frame designs that completely enclose the paddler. These small, sleek boats can keep the paddler completely dry and attached to the kayak – an essential in frigid arctic waters. They are also the basis for modern Sit Inside kayak designs.

Sit Inside kayaks are easily identified by their closed decks, discrete cockpit openings, and lowered seating position. This lowered seat dramatically increases stability compared to an elevated seat on a Sit On Top kayak. This allows Sit Inside kayaks to use narrower designs for faster, more efficient paddling while still maintaining good stability.

The closed decks allow bulkhead storage systems to keep your belongings dry, and the cockpit combing lets you use a skirt to keep yourself dry. It also allows you to develop advanced maneuvers and self-rescue skills like edging and rolling.

Because you are sitting inside the boat, designers can use hollow shapes with thinner, lighter materials. Similar size Sit Inside kayaks can be half the weight (or less) than their Sit On Top counterparts. This makes transportation and storage even easier. It also allows boat designers to create highly-refined shapes for the hull, chines, rocker lines, and deck of the boat to maximize intended performance.

But not all sit-inside kayaks are intended for maximum performance. There are many sit-inside recreational boats as well. These kayaks include comfortable stability, light weight, and options for things like optional sun/splash skirts, work decks, and bulkhead dry storage for fun days on the water.

Hybrid Sit Inside/Sit On Top kayaks

This third category of kayaks is found mostly with inflatable kayaks. These boats combine the lower seating positions of sit-inside kayaks with the open deck design of sit-on-top kayaks.

Like the other two types, Hybrid kayaks can be shaped for different purposes from recreational flatwater paddling to distance touring or even whitewater. They are also typically the lightest weight constructions for a given shape and are the easiest to transport and store since they deflate.

Which is Better – Sit Inside or Sit On Top Kayaks?

The true answer to the question of which is better – Sit Inside or Sit On Top kayaks is that it depends on what you are looking for!

Sit On Top kayaks offer quick access to the water, beginner friendly stability, and simple options for seat and foot positions. These are great for brand-new paddlers looking for simplicity and for guides and outfitter services looking for durability over weight savings.

Sit Inside kayaks offer better customization options in both performance and ergonomics, lowered seat position for better stability at narrower widths, the option to add skirts for rough conditions, and lighter materials for easier transportation and better feel on the water.

Of course there are also inflatable kayaks that blend lower seat positions, lighter materials, and friendly open-deck designs.

Which type of kayak do you prefer and why? Let us know in the comments!