As a major paddle sports brand, Lifetime creates a vast range of paddle craft, including kayaks and standup paddleboards.

Read our article to find out our top picks of kayaks from the brand.

About Lifetime Kayaks

Lifetime has been functioning in the industry for over 35 years. It jumped in kayak market in 2010 with its acquisition of Dragonfly Kayaks and blend this when it bought Emotion Kayaks in 2011

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Lifetime kayaks are blow-molded in their Utah manufacturing facility, using high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which keeps their kayaks cheap.

Lifetime kayaks are great for those who want a stable and reliable kayak without making a hefty investment.

Best Lifetime Kayak

The following Lifetime fishing kayaks have received the highest star ratings by reviewers. 

Charger 100

Cruze 100

Yukon Angler 116

Shopping For a Used Lifetime Kayak

If you’re trying kayaking for the first time and you’re not sure how will you like it, then I’d suggest you go for the pre-loved Lifetime kayaks.

These are some tips on what to look for when selecting used kayak.

Overall condition

When buying a used kayak, look for scratches and abrasions. Also check for the damages like cracks or holes in the hull of the kayak.

For a sit-inside kayak, these are pretty obvious to see. On sit-on-top kayaks, pick the kayak up and listen for water sloshing around inside.

Storage and transport

Ratchet-style straps this might cause warping or distortion of the kayak hull upon transporting.

While selecting a used kayak, look for damages from the ratchet straps along the kayak sides; bending and distortion will be obvious.

You must also see if there’s any excessive fading and apply firm pressure to the hull and deck. If it feels spongy or appears sun-bleached, take it as a sign that it will wear out more quickly.

Outfitting

You’ll need to inspect the adjustable elements of the kayak, like foot pegs, the hatch, seat and seat back. Ensure that they function properly.

It’s not a deal-breaker if they are broken. Contact Lifetime, and their customer service team will help source replacement parts.

Lifetime kayak buying advice

Look for kayaks available in Lifetime’s lineup and see if any align with your paddling goals. 

Lifetime has over 20 different kayak models in their product lineup. These are broken down into four categories: Sit-inside, sit-on-top, fishing and youth kayaks.

Sit-inside

Sit-inside kayaks contain closed decks and a seat inside the cockpit where the paddler sits. Though Entering and exiting a sit-inside kayak is a bit tricky, it provides protection from wind, cold, rain or harsh sun. 

Paddlers also find more control as their legs can engage the kayak sides for a better connection with the boat.

Lifetime offers a selection of solo sit-in kayaks that are classified as recreational kayaks. They have wide cockpits and flat bottoms. These kayaks offer stability, as designed for use on calm waters, capsizing isn’t a bigger concern.

Sit-on-top

Sit-on-top kayak is one easier to use than sit-inside kayaks.

Lifetime sit-on-top kayaks are much popular, with solo and two-person models ranging from the 6-foot Lifetime Wave 60 youth kayak to the 11-foot Lifetime Temptation 110 kayak.

Once you sit on them, you’ll figure out how to paddle them.

Fishing

Fishing options in Lifetime include sit-on-top models as well as sit-inside options (Payette Angler 98). 

Fishing kayaks and recreational kayaks are very much alike, the only difference is the addition of fishing elements like rod holders on the deck behind the seat of the kayak, frame seats and extra bungee cords to tackle.

My favorite advanced models of Lifetime are Tamarack Pro 103 and Stealth Pro Angler 118. These fishing kayaks include a slider to add extra rod holders or fish finder, an integrated live well and molded-in ruler to measure your catch. The pedal drive allows anglers to maneuver the boat while keeping their hands free for fishing.

Youth

Lifetime’s youth kayaks are advanced versions of their recreational kayaks.

If you want a small and lighter kayak for your kid, I’d suggest you go for Lifetime Wave 60 as its six feet long. This sit-on-top kayak is easier to control and lighter to carry. It has a swim-up deck for easy re-entry. 

If the kids are too young to paddle on their own, consider a tandem. Lifetime’s sit-on-top tandems are easily controlled by a single adult, having higher weight capacity and allow kids to enjoy along with them.

Lifetime vs Pelican Kayaks

One of the brands that consistently competes with Lifetime in the fishing kayak market is Pelican kayaks. Pelican is a Canadian company that is easy to find across North America.

Similarities

Both kayak companies focus on recreational kayaking or kayak fishing. You will regularly find Pelican kayaks sharing the water with Lifetime kayaks.

Both Lifetime and Pelican kayaks are great budget-friendly kayaks for beginners and recreational paddlers.

Lifetime and Pelican fishing kayaks often have the same price and are made for similar ability levels and waterways. Both kayak brands are also regularly available at large retailers.

Lifetime fishing kayaks and Pelican fishing kayaks also have similar features. Depending on which model you are looking at, Pelican and Lifetime can seem almost identical. A couple of small distinctions concern storage and the seat.

Dissimilarities

• Pelican features a hatch in the bow of the boat, provides a large interior storage space within the hull of the kayak. For Lifetime, some models feature a bow hatch, but a number of the Lifetime kayaks do not have this storage space.
• Lifetime kayaks are built using blow molding to produce their boats while Pelican kayaks are made using thermoforming. 

Choosing and buying a kayak largely depends on your personal preferences and how you like your ride to be.

Find out whether a lifetime kayak is right for you and see strainers and undercuts; tides and currents; and rocks and shoals before going out on water.

To Wrap Up

If you want to consider shopping Lifetime, see and review all Lifetime kayak reviews and kayak angler guides.

Don’t forget to wear a life jacket for your safety, even strong swimmers need to wear it.