Kayak Paddle Holders: Which Is the Best One for You?
Updated: Sep 16
If you’re a kayak enthusiast, the world is your oyster. Once you’ve made the two biggest buying decisions—what type of kayak you’ll use and which paddle you prefer—there are literally hundreds of accessories available to tinker with and explore. Dry bags, rod holders, kayak carts, wind sails, PFDs, bilge pumps, paddle leashes, outriggers—the list goes on and on.
With so many fun gadgets available, it can be difficult to know which ones are genuinely useful and which models perform best. We can’t cover all that territory in one article, but we can tackle one particularly varied category: kayak paddle holders.
Before choosing a paddle holder, it helps to answer one important question: Do you need something that stores your paddle when you aren’t using it, or something that supports its weight while you are actively paddling? Those are two very different jobs—and they require two very different kinds of equipment.
But first, a definition.
Kayak Paddle Holders: A Tale of Two Very Different Types
Storage-Style Kayak Paddle Holders
When most people think about a kayak paddle holder, they think of a clip, bungee cord or other small device that allows them to temporarily secure their paddle to their kayak to keep it out of the way. The component is usually fairly small and tends to attach with simple hardware, either directly onto the kayak or in conjunction with a track or other mounting accessory. YakGear’s Taco Paddle Clip, Yakclips and bungee kits all fall into this category.
The important distinction is that these devices hold the paddle when it is not being used. For clarity, we’ll call them “storage-style paddle holders.” More about them—and the many shapes they come in—in a minute.
Assistive Kayak Paddle Holders
So, is there ever a scenario in which you would want your paddle in a holder while you’re using it? Is that even possible?
The answer is yes, and that brings us to a very different type of kayak paddle holder—one that supports the paddle’s weight while the paddler is actively moving it through the water.
What madness is this, you might ask? It’s an “assistive” or “adaptive” paddle holder, and Angle Oar’s Gamut Paddle Holder is one example.
The Gamut—named because it works with a wide array, or gamut, of paddles—fills a unique niche. It was developed for paddlers who want to continue using a standard kayak paddle but would benefit from having its weight supported. That may include older paddlers, people managing arthritis or joint pain, stroke survivors with weakness on one side, and kayakers returning after an injury such as a torn rotator cuff.
Unlike a storage-style paddle holder, Gamut uses a kayak paddle holder mount attached to the kayak to support the paddle while it is being used. An omni-directional head allows the paddle to move through the stroke, while YakAttack RotoGrips hold round or oval paddle shafts in position. Optional paddle ties provide additional security.
Top Reasons for Using a Kayak Paddle Holder
Now that we’ve clarified that there’s more than one type of kayak paddle holder, let’s talk turkey. How important are these devices, and why do paddlers use them?
On a scale of oned (“Why did I buy this?”) to 10 (“Where has this been all my life?”), we’d rank most storage-style paddle holders at about a five. They aren’t essential for every recreational paddler, but they can make life much easier for anglers, photographers and anyone who needs to set the paddle aside without letting it slide around or drift away.
An assistive paddle holder is a different story. Its importance might range from a two to a 10 depending on the paddler. Someone who can comfortably use and control an unsupported paddle probably doesn’t need one. For someone who struggles to support the paddle because of pain, weakness or limited mobility, however, a system like Gamut may make a much greater difference.
Now that we’ve clarified that there’s more than one type of kayak paddle holder, let’s talk turkey. How important are they, and why do people typically use them?
Even More Turkey: The Best Kayak Paddle Holders for Storage
Beauty—in this case, function, installation and price—is in the eye of the paddle holder. There isn’t one universally “best” model because paddlers use different kayaks, mounting systems and accessories.
Instead, we’ve grouped some popular storage-style kayak paddle holders into several categories: low-profile holders, track-mounted grips, clip-on holders, straps and bungees. We haven’t personally tested every model, so we’ve noted where our observations are based on design features and manufacturer information rather than firsthand use.
The product links below make it easy to compare the current options and purchase the style that works best for your kayak.
If you want… | Consider… |
A low-profile holder with added security | |
A track-mounted grip | |
A holder for a paddle, pole or landing net | |
A clip that requires no drilling | |
An adjustable strap-style option | |
Support for the paddle while paddling |
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Angle Oar earns from qualifying purchases. If you buy through one of the Amazon links below, we may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.
Taco Style Kayak Paddle Clips
What these models may lack in versatility, they make up for by belonging to an undeniably fun product category. A taco-shaped paddle holder? Why not?
More practically, these are good options for paddlers who want a simple, relatively low-profile kayak paddle clip. The YakAttack PadLoc adds a bungee for extra security, while the YakGear Taco Clip and Scotty Paddle Clip offer straightforward designs with few moving parts.
Installation requirements vary, so check whether the holder works with your existing hardware or requires drilling. Also confirm that the opening will accommodate the shape and diameter of your paddle shaft.
Track-Mounted Kayak Paddle Holders and Grips
Track-mounted grips tend to have a more mechanical—and, dare we say, satisfying—feel. With the YakAttack RotoGrip, for example, the paddle shaft pops between two flexible rollers. The DoubleHeader places two RotoGrips on one track-mounted base, while the RAILBLAZA QuickGrip can also hold items such as poles or landing nets.
We haven’t personally tested the RAM Roller-Ball, but it is designed to hold paddles, gaff hooks, nets and other accessories. Native Watercraft’s Cam-Lok uses rubber grips to store a paddle quietly and help protect the shaft from scratches.
These holders sit higher above the kayak than some low-profile clips, so they may be more likely to catch on other gear. They also require a compatible mounting track or base.
Clip Style Kayak Paddle Holders
Clip-style paddle holders range from extremely simple to surprisingly sophisticated. Cascade Creek Yakclips attach directly to the kayak’s cockpit coaming, so they don’t require drilling or a mounting track. That makes them a particularly approachable option, although the paddle may have more room to move inside the clips.
The YakGear Molded Paddle Clip Kit requires installation but provides a more fixed storage point. The Pactrade folding clips can pivot between positions, allowing the paddle to rest within easy reach or extend over the side of the kayak.
The folding design sounds useful in theory, although coordinating a pair of moving clips from the kayak seat could take some getting used to. We haven’t personally tested that model, so consider that an observation rather than a formal verdict.
Bungee & Strap Kayak Paddle Keepers
Our final storage category includes bungees, adjustable straps and paddle keepers. These tend to be inexpensive and versatile, and some can hold fishing rods or other accessories in addition to paddles.
Some bungee kits require drilling and permanent hardware, while adjustable strap-style holders may attach to existing points on the kayak. Surf to Summit Paddle Keepers use small rubber hooks to suspend the paddle along the side of the boat.
Straps and Velcro-style holders are easy and affordable, but opening and closing them every time you secure the paddle can be less convenient than simply popping the shaft into a clip or grip. The tradeoff may be worthwhile if you want flexibility rather than a rigid mounting point.
Assistive/Adaptive Kayak Paddle Holder
Hanging out all by its lonesome in the assistive paddle holder category is Angle Oar’s Gamut Paddle Holder.
Gamut performs a different job from every storage holder discussed above. Instead of securing the paddle while it is out of use, Gamut supports its weight while the paddler is actively moving it through the water.
The system can be paired with different mounts based on the kayak. For many sit-inside recreational kayaks, the Hinged Mount attaches around the cockpit and uses three points of contact for added stability. Other mounting options are available for certain kayak configurations.
Supporting the paddle may be helpful for paddlers managing shoulder or elbow problems, arthritis, reduced grip strength, weakness on one side or other upper-body limitations. Because every paddler and kayak combination is different, the system and mount should be matched to the person, the kayak and the way the equipment will be used.
Gamut costs considerably more than an ordinary kayak paddle holder clip because it performs a different job and includes a full mounting and support system. Installation is also more involved. It is best viewed as adaptive paddling equipment—not as a premium version of a storage clip.
What to Consider When Choosing a Paddle Holder for a Kayak
It's not rocket science, but you should keep in mind a few factors before deciding which paddle holder to purchase. The right choice depends first on whether you need to store the paddle or support it while paddling. Once you’ve answered that question, consider the following factors.
When choosing a storage-style paddle holder
Does it require a track, drilling or existing attachment hardware?
Will it accommodate your paddle shaft’s shape and diameter?
Can you insert and remove the paddle easily from your seat?
Will it interfere with fishing gear or other accessories?
Would you prefer a rigid grip, flexible clip, strap or bungee?
Is the product sold individually or as a pair?
When choosing an assistive paddle holder
How much paddle-weight support do you need?
How much strength, grip and range of motion do you have?
Do you want to continue using your existing paddle?
What type of kayak will you use?
Which mounting option is compatible with that kayak?
Would personal guidance or a trial help you decide?
Which Kayak Paddle Holder Is Right for You?
There you have it: a stroll through the surprisingly varied world of kayak paddle holders.
If your goal is to keep your paddle secure while you fish, take photographs or simply give your hands a break, start with the storage-style clips, grips, straps and bungees above. The best kayak paddle holder for you will depend on your kayak’s available mounting points, the shape of your paddle shaft and how quickly you want to move the paddle in and out of the holder.
If the challenge is supporting and controlling the paddle while you are actively paddling, an assistive kayak paddle holder such as the Gamut solves a different problem. In that case, compatibility with both your body and your kayak matters more than choosing the smallest or least expensive holder.
Either way, the first step is simple: decide whether you need to store the paddle or support the paddle. Once you know that, the field becomes much easier to navigate.
Angle Oar LLC's mission is getting people who didn’t think they had the strength or endurance to kayak out on the water and keeping experienced paddlers there longer! We provide adaptive paddles, outriggers and other equipment to people with shoulder problems, physical disabilities or limited upper body strength due to age, injury or ability.
