When you’re paddling in the summer heat kayak paddle grips come in handy. If you paddle with gloves, you will start to swat and this will leave your hands uncomfortable. Kayaking with paddle grips allows your hands to breathe while staying comfortable paddling bare hands. Here we will take a look at some of the best options for buying kayak paddle grips.
Riversearch.com is Reader-supported. When you purchase gear through links on our site, we may earn commissions.
Best Kayak Paddle Grips
- Yakgrips Paddle Grips for Solid Shaft Kayak Paddle, Kayaking Accessories, Non-Slip Grip, Blister Prevention – Cascade Creek
- Yakgrips Cascade Creek
- Seattle Sports Paddle Grip
- KAPCO HF06SP00172000001 HoldFast Kayak and Canoe Paddle Grip 6″, Black, Pair
- Liveday 1 Pair Rowing Boat Protective Kayak Canoe Oar Cover Holder Soft Paddle Grips Prevent Blisters Durable
1. Yakgrips Paddle Grips for Solid Shaft Kayak Paddle, Kayaking Accessories, Non-Slip Grip, Blister Prevention – Cascade Creek
Product Features
Brand Name: Yakgrips
Colors: Black, Blue, Orange, Red
The top spot on our list of best grips for kayak paddles goes to the Yakgrips Paddle Grips. These paddle grips are designed to provide cushioned padding that contours to the curves of your hand which makes them ultra-comfortable for long paddling sections. The soft material is designed to reduce discomfort, blisters, and calluses caused by paddling barehand. These are easily installed through a hook and loop closure. The material is made to be fast drying so you don’t need to worry about getting them wet. They are also machine washable which makes these grips very low maintenance. Overall these are great grips that can be used for all types of paddles
2. Yakgrips Cascade Creek
Product Features
Brand Name: Yakgrips
Colors: Nine Color Options
The next spot on our list is brought to you once again by Yakgrips with their Paddle Grips for Take Apart Paddle Shafts. These grips are similar to their other model in that they are designed to provide superior cushioning and comfortable padding while gripping your paddle. These are designed to easily slide onto take-apart paddles. Each grip measures approximately 6 1/4 inches across which is plenty of gripping room. These are machine washable and come in nine different color options.
3. Seattle Sports Paddle Grip
Product Features
Brand Name: Seattle Sports
Colors: Green
Coming in at number three is the Seattle Sports Paddle Grip. This grip is made from silicone which makes it comfortable and durable. It not only acts as a comfortable ergonomic grip for your paddle but also is designed to protect your hand from a cold paddle if you’re out in cold weather. These are excellent easy to use grips that also glow in the dark. The only thing with these is that they are not sold as a pair. You will need to buy two of them if you want a grip for each side of the paddle.
4. KAPCO HF06SP00172000001 HoldFast Kayak and Canoe Paddle Grip 6″, Black, Pair
Product Features
Brand Name: Kapco
Colors: Black, Clear, Pink
The Kapco Holdfast Kayak and Canoe Paddle Grips are our number four choice. These grips are designed to be used for kayaking, canoeing or any other water sport paddles. The grips themselves measure 6″ across and are composed of tiny ergonomic gel-like pads to provide superior comfort and gripping power. These grips are easily installed through an adhesive, but since they are applied by adhesive they are not reusable.
5. Liveday 1 Pair Rowing Boat Protective Kayak Canoe Oar Cover Holder Soft Paddle Grips Prevent Blisters Durable
Product Features
Brand Name: Liveday
Colors: Black, Blue, Red
Our final pick for paddle grips are the Liveday Rowing Boat Canoe Oar Paddle Grips. These grips are made from comfortable neoprene which makes them soft and stretchy will providing grip and protecting your hands from blisters and callouses. They can be used on a wide variety of boating paddles such as for kayaks, canoes, boats, and paddleboards. Overall these are pretty solid paddle grips. They are budget-friendly, easy to install and come in three color options.
Kayak Paddle Grip Buying Guide
When you’re shopping for paddle grips for your kayak, canoe, boat, or paddleboard, there are a few things you may want to consider:
- Ease of Install
- Washable
- Price
How to Choose a Pair of Paddle Grips
1. Ease of Install
One thing you may want to consider when buying paddle grips is how easy they are to install. Some of them are slip-on, and can only be used for take-apart paddles, some can be easily installed on all paddles, while some are applied through a tape-like adhesive.
2. Washable
When you’re paddling in the summer heat, your grips will get sweaty and start to smell eventually. That’s why we always recommend grips that can be easily machine washed.
3. Price
Lastly, you will likely want to consider the price when shopping for your grips. Luckily overall it is not a very expensive product, so you can find a good set for pretty cheap.
For further reading check out our kayak paddle buying guide.