The 10 Best Kayak Seats

The Brooklyn BKC Professional (appx. $39) is a soft, padded option with four straps that link to the top and bottom of the backrest. Each of the attachments hooks on to a metal D-ring on your boat, so if you don't already have those, be prepared to do some drilling.

The Surf to Summit GTS Sport (around $125) boasts deep, molded-in water channeling grooves, allowing you to splash around without being forced to sit in a puddle all day. The thumb-operated tension locks on the straps are painless to adjust to your liking, as well.

The gel-filled Yakpads Cushioned Highback (about $60) insulates your rear from the effects of the weather, so no more freezing your butt off during the winter or scalding your thighs in the summer. Of course, it can't help if you get soaked, so staying upright is all on you.

If you can get over your fear that it might slingshot you across the ocean, the Surf to Summit Performance Band (appx. $38) provides incredibly flexible lumbar support. Designed for surfing, it can accommodate a wide range of motion, so you can react naturally as the waves crash in.

The Sea Eagle Deluxe (around $68) is a blow-up model that works well in just about any inflatable kayak. Despite being loaded with air, it's remarkably stable, and props your back up nicely while you paddle. Be aware that it will cause you to ride high, though.

If your boat already has a seat, but it's killing your tush every time you take it out, the Skwoosh Classic (about $59) may be a solution to the problem. It has a non-skid bottom, which is good, because there's nothing other than your weight to hold it in place.

You can make that sit-in model a little more tolerable with the Surf to Summit Mild (appx. $36). It attaches permanently to your craft using a sticky underside. All you have to do is peel off the backing, position it to your liking, and press it on.

The OceanMotion Ergo-Fit (appx. $100) offers extremely thick foam padding, so much so that you won't sink all the way in when you sit on it. That gives it a firmer feel than many other options, which is something users are likely to either love or hate.

There's plenty of bounce in the inflatable Sea Eagle SEC (about $23), so anyone who doesn't want to sit on a hard, flat surface all day should give it a look. It rides low, so there's little need to be concerned about accidentally rolling out.

The bottom of the Skwoosh High Back (appx. $107) is only an inch thick, allowing you to sit deep in the cockpit. It's waterproof, as well, with gel instead of foam inside, so if you accidentally tip over reeling in a fish, all you'll ruin is your afternoon.