Carry Your Kayak Safely With the Best Kayak Handles

Buying Guide to Finding Kayak Handles

What are Kayak Handles?

Kayak handles are designed for you to hold on to your kayak when it’s not in use. Normally, kayaks come with handles attached, but many of these handles aren’t the best quality and can be a safety hazard. It is important to purchase new handles to add to your equipment so that you can feel safe knowing you have the best quality products.

Kayaks can be heavy and hard to carry around. It is necessary to have handles attached to your kayak for safety purposes. A kayak without handles is not safe to use in the water. 

Types of Kayak Handles

There are two distinct types of handles for your kayak. While they both serve a similar purpose, they have a slightly different construction for certain situations. It’s recommended that you purchase these handles separately to ensure you’re getting the best possible product for your sporting activities.

Grab handles

Grab handles attach below the front or the back of the kayak. These handles are ideal for towing the boat and help you hold on to your kayak during turbulence, as their construction provides sturdiness and support. You hold onto these handles when you’re in the kayak itself.

Carry handles

Carry handles come in packs of two or four and attach to the sides, the front, and back of your kayak. They are necessary to allow a person to carry the kayak in and out of water. The carry handles on the side help get back in the kayak when you’re in the water. 

Factors to Consider

Handle size and shape

Handle size is one of the most important factors when considering which handle to opt for. If you use the optimal handle for your kayak, it will be easy to carry and handle. Handle sizes of carrying handles range from 8 to 13 inches. Most carry handles offer a slip-free grip with an ergonomic design. This not only makes it extremely easy to carry your kayak to the shore but also makes it a comfortable experience.

Grip handles, on the other hand, come in different shapes from a simple rope loop to a handle to grip onto. Kayak grab handles are sized wide enough to be easily gripped by your hand and can help you tow the kayak into and out of the water.

Material

There are different parts to a kayak carry handle. The first is the nylon straps which buckle the grip onto the kayak. The grips of the handle are made either out of rubber or plastic or ropes. Rubber is softer and grippier than plastic but less durable. Most of the kayak handles are bolted onto using screws and bolts made of stainless steel. 

Grip type

Different handles have different grip types, and it is a personal choice. Some people prefer grooved handles and others plain grips. The main purpose of a grip over a nylon strap is to provide a proper handle to hold onto. 

Attachment points

You can attach carry handles on different points on the kayak. You can fix a carry handle at the ear, which is at the back of the kayak and can provide a connection point to a fishing tool. It can also act as a base for anchoring. Fixing a handle at the front of the kayak offers much versatility. It can allow you to tow a kayak across a water body with ease.

You can add grips to the side of the kayak for stability and balance. The side handles can allow you to get back into the kayak from the water if you fall in, but they’re also ideal for making the kayak more portable. Two or more people can easily grab hold of the kayak with the side handles and carry it anywhere on land. Grab handles are great for towing your boat compared to a carry handle because they can prevent wrist injuries due to their more sturdy construction. 

Assembly method

You need to consider how the handles attach to the kayak. Some require you to drill holes into the kayak to add screws. While some provide you with drilling screws that bolt directly to the kayak. Some kayak handles attach through rivets. It is important to research how you will go through each of the methods to attach the kayak handle.