best kayak leash

Best Kayak Leash

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This is a review of the best kayaking leashes in 2021-2022.

My name is Janice and I had been running kayaking guided tours for over 5 years, over the years, I have tested and used all sorts of kayaking accessories and gears to make my trips more enjoyable.

A kayaking leash is one of my favorite accessories. When you’re floating out there in the ocean or a lake, losing your paddle is the last thing you want.

I believe that YYST Coiled Kayak Leash should be considered as the best overall option. It is compact, effective, reasonably priced, and comes with great value.

There is a range of different kayak leash options out there to choose from. In this post, I’ll give you a detailed list of all my favorites so you can make a decision the best meets your needs as a rider.

Time to pick up your paddle and get out there.

Quick Summary

3 Best Kayak Leashes Reviewed

Here are my top picks for the best kayak leash. All of these come recommended and have varied characteristics to meet the needs of any paddling lover.

YYST Coiled Kayak Leash

  • Key features:  Metal coil, Aluminum carbineer with a stainless steel wire gate, Two paddle leashes, Adjustable cinch loop, 8’’ rested, 46’’ stretched
  • Coil: Metal, compact, safe
  • Carbineer: Saltwater resistant, Aluminum, stainless steel wire gate
  • Best for: Overall

The YYST coiled kayak leash is compact and effective, making it the best overall kayak leash in our list. For the price and quality you get, the YYST coiled kayak leash is a great deal for safety, convenience, and quality.

YYST kayak leash is coiled in design, which keeps it compact and small by your side. You won’t have to worry about having leashes continually brush against your legs or getting snagged against your stuff. The coiled design folds down to a minimal 8 inches, which keeps it easily snug to your side.

The stainless steel and aluminum materials help these leashes dry up faster. Water dripping down from your leashes won’t have to be a worry here, since the droplets will just slide off instead.

Finally, the product comes in quantities of two, so you can get one for yourself and your partner! The carbineer is made from silver and is easy to attach, while the strap is a simple velcro material making it easy to attach.

While this would have been the safest kayak leash on this list, it lacks a quick release clip to easily detach the paddle. Another disadvantage to note is that if you attach your carbineer far from your sitting position, it can become uncomfortable to fight against the coiled strap.

The maximum length of this extends to 4 feet, but we only recommend up to 3 feet of pulling before you begin to feel resistance.

Campingandkayaking Kayak Leash Cinch Lock

  • Key features: Cinch grip with no hook, Leashes loop together, Fixed elongation, 20’’ rested, 52’’ stretched, Three leashes
  • Material: Tightly woven, fixed elongation, does not overstretch
  • Leash: Loops together for a longer leash
  • Best for: Budget

For those of you on a tight budget, Campingandkayaking has a leash that’s good on the quality but better for your money. This is one of the most recommended products on Amazon, coming from a company built in sweet home Alabama.

The product is the best budget option because it comes with three Kayak leashes for an affordable price tag. If you don’t need three leashes, then you can always tie them together to form a longer leash with a simple cinch grip.

These leashes start at 32’’ long, which isn’t bad at all and stretches all the way to 52’’ without too much resistance. Some users have even stretched it all the way to 57’’ and 59’’ with a bit of force. Impressively, the leash didn’t lose its elasticity even after such strenuous lengths.

To ensure that the elasticity doesn’t deteriorate, the leashes have a fixed length for stretching because of the mesh around it. The mesh lining around the leash keeps it so that it doesn’t stretch more than necessary and break.

Although this is the budget option, you might have to shell out some extra cash to buy another carbineer. Campingandkayaking only provides one carbineer for every three leashes. Lastly, there’s no quick-release feature to easily detach the leash from your paddle.

REJOYE Kayak Spring Leash

  • Key features: Bright colors, Nylon fabric, Extremely durable, Coiled, Quick release, Tight cobra weave, Zinc alloy carbineer, 8’’ rested and flexible, 48’’ stretched
  • Grip: Quick release, Gripper prevents sliding
  • Material: Durable, Nylon fabric, Super-strong elastic rope string
  • Best for: Premium and safety

If you can afford the premium price for safety and quality, REJOYE’s kayak leash is the one to go. Although you only get one leash, the quality of the material in this leash is world-class and in a league of its own. Definitely a purchase that will help you kayak with a safer state of mind.

My favorite feature from REJOYE’s kayak leash is the quick-release system for the paddle. This makes it easy to attach and detach a paddle without having to strap it on and off every time you go kayaking.

Another key feature of this leash is that it’s super compact. Because it isn’t a metal leash, the nylon fabric easily folds around and uses less space around your kayak. It curls down into an 8’’ cord and stretches to as much as 55’’ when necessary.

The bright yellow color also makes it easier to spot, especially if your paddle is the type to sink. The carbineer is made from Zinc, keeping it rust and corrosion-free. REJOYE didn’t skip on the quality either, the woven leash feels premium and durable. 

Although the price for this is close to the budget option, you only get one leash and not two. The quick-release mechanism is just made from plastic, but luckily the reviews for it have all been stellar.

Best Kayak Leash – What to Consider

Here are a few factors that you should consider while selecting kayak leashes that suits you the best.

Coil or Straight

Most kayak leashes can be split into two types, coiled or straight.

Coiled leashes are more compact and best if you don’t want to be bothered with leashes around your lap. Unfortunately, they can have more resistance, especially when you reach the last foot of stretchiness that your coiled leash has to offer.

Straight coils on the other hand are straightforward and don’t resist you the farther you stretch. But since most of these leashes sit nearly at 3’ by default, they can be annoying to have around your legs or thighs while you kayak. They can also be a potential safety hazard in case your kayak dips.

Material

The material of your leash can mean they’ll stay wet and drip for longer or be heavier and more elastic. 

Stainless steel and aluminum leashes are perfect for drying quickly, but their weight often offsets that benefit. You’ll also have to make sure that the material is indeed stainless so your leash doesn’t rust and break down.

Rubber and nylon are two popular materials that go together. While the rubber isn’t usually a problem, the durability of your mesh is the real problem. Meshes that break or tear easily can quickly open up and continually damage your leash.

Length

This consideration is often more important for straight leashes.

You’ll want to look for a straight leash that fits precisely the length you want. Some kayakers attach their leashes behind them and others attach their leashes to their sides. A longer leash can easily feel annoying and will often wrap around your other items on the kayak.

Some companies sell leashes that attach to each other. This gives you more versatility in choosing the length of your leash.

Safety

Your kayak dipping, while your leash is tied around your arm or body, is every kayaker’s nightmare.

Safety is a major concern when using a leash, so we strongly recommend keeping a knife or pair of pliers close to you when you dive. A leash that you can easily cut is definitely an option you’d want to have when you’re upside down underwater.

FAQs

Here are quick answers to some commonly asked questions regarding best kayaking leash.

How do you not lose a kayak paddle?

Making use of a kayak paddle leash is the best solution to keep your paddles stay. It simply link up the kayaks and your paddles together. It’s very useful especially when you encounter windy conditions or strong current.

How long should a paddle leash be?

A paddle leash with around 4 – 6 feet long when it’s stretched is a pretty good range. The bigger your body and boat size, the longer the leash you may need.

Wrapping Up

If you want the best kayaking leash in terms of features and value, look no further than the YYST Coiled. It is durable, loaded with feature,s and works with different types of paddles.

There are many options in the market when it comes to kayak leash. This list has summed up the best ones around and you can just pick one that matches your needs the most.

Stay safe and have loads of fun!