Best Kayak Canopies and Bimini Sun Shades
Need some time in the shade during your paddles? We’ve reviewed the best kayak canopies and bimini sun shades on the market.
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Kayaking in the sun is awesome, but sweating profusely in the heat and getting sunburnt isn’t. Thankfully, there’s a solution to all your summertime paddling woes: a kayak canopy.
A good kayak canopy can protect you from the sun and the elements while you enjoy some quality time out on the water. However, finding that ideal sun shade for your kayak isn’t as simple as it might seem.
We want you to have the perfect gear for all your paddling adventures. So, we’ve researched and reviewed numerous models available and put together this guide on the best kayak canopies and bimini sun shades on the market.
Our Top Picks
If you’re in a hurry, here are our top picks. Or continue scrolling to see our full list with in-depth reviews.
- Best Overall: Hobie Kayak Bimini Sun Shade
- Best Value: Adventure Canopies Kayak Sun Shade
- Best Budget: Lixada Kayak Sun Shade Canopy
- Best for Tandem Kayaks: Adventure Canopies Sun Shade for Tandem Kayaks
Best Overall: Hobie Kayak Bimini Sun Shade
The best overall kayak canopy in our review, the Hobie Kayak Bimini Sun Shade is a versatile sun shelter for a wide range of adventures on the water.
Hobie built the Bimini with a rugged, water-resistant ripstop nylon fabric that boasts UPF 50+ protection for shelter from the rain and the sun. This sun shade also comes with aircraft-grade aluminum in its mast for improved rigidity in the wind and enhanced long-term durability.
It also features a triangular shape that provides protection from the elements without sacrificing your visibility on the water. Plus, the whole thing packs down small into an included heavy-duty storage bag for simplified transport to and from the put-in.
Assembling the Hobie Kayak Bimini is also super straightforward. The Bimini comes with Hobie’s proprietary articulation feature, which boasts easy-to-adjust straps so that your sun shade is always perfectly positioned. It even integrates well with the accessory mount base on Hobie kayaks, and it has a set of quick clips for a simplified no-drill assembly process.
The Hobie Kayak Bimini Sun Shade is a solid all-around performer during paddling adventures. However, it is much more expensive than the competition. Its mast design also isn’t ideal for use on all kayaks, unless you have a compatible mount in the bow of your boat. That said, it’s still a quality kayak sun shade when durability and performance are top concerns.
Best Value: Adventure Canopies Kayak Sun Shade
Offering a mix of versatility and functionality, the Adventure Canopies Kayak Sun Shade is a solid choice for paddlers that want quality gear that doesn’t cost a pretty penny.
This sun shade comes in two sizes: one for sit-in kayaks and sit-on-tops with low-lying cockpits, and another for sit-on-top kayaks with elevated seats. Regardless of which size you opt for, all of Adventure Canopies’ Kayak Sun Shades are made with a durable ripstop fabric that boasts a UPF 50+ rating for added sun protection.
Furthermore, this kayak sun shade is built with a set of fiberglass poles that are quick and easy to set up. The poles come with hub mounts and stainless steel screws, too, so that installation is a breeze. Each of these fiberglass poles is also height-adjustable, so you can get the perfect amount of shade on the water without compromising visibility.
Although this sun shade is lightweight and highly portable, it’s designed to withstand a modest breeze on the water. In particular, its rigid frame and four-point hub connection system provide this sun shade with improved performance in a wide range of weather conditions.
The primary drawback to this model is that it requires you to drill into your kayak to install the hub mounts. Additionally, while fiberglass poles are nice and lightweight, they’re not as durable in the long term. But if a mix of value and performance is what you need, look no further than the Adventure Canopies Kayak Sun Shade.
Best Budget: Lixada Kayak Sun Shade Canopy
If keeping costs at an absolute minimum is your goal, the Lixada Kayak Sun Shade Canopy should be at the top of your list.
This canopy from Lixada is crafted from extra durable oxford fabric that’s rip-resistant and designed to last, even after countless outings on the water. It also features shock-corded aluminum poles that provide increased ruggedness in moderate winds.
Overall, this canopy provides more than 8 square feet of coverage, so it’s ideal for all-day protection as you paddle. Its two poles are also 43 inches tall, so they provide a decent amount of headroom for sit-in and sit-on-top kayaks with low-lying cockpits.
Better yet, this sun shade is designed to be quick and easy to assemble. Its two included aluminum poles can fit inside nearly any recessed fishing rod holder in the stern of your kayak. Meanwhile, the front of the canopy anchors to the front of your kayak using a set of straps that you can connect to deck bungees or a carry handle.
This sun shade is a straightforward and convenient option for getting additional sun protection on the water. However, it’s not quite tall enough to use with sit-on-top kayaks that have high-riding seats. It can also be a bit tricky to put back into its stuff sack. But if you want sun shade that doesn’t break the bank, this model from Lixada is a worthy choice.
Best for Tandem Kayaks: Adventure Canopies Sun Shade for Tandem Kayaks
When paddling with a buddy is more your style, the Adventure Canopies Sun Shade for Tandem Kayaks is tough to beat.
This sun shade uses all the fantastic features of Adventure Canopies’ classic sun shade model and reconfigures it for use with a tandem kayak. It’s technically a 2-piece canopy that provides individual protection for each paddler. The two sun shades connect together, which helps ensure enough coverage for the entire kayak without obstructing anyone’s vision.
Like the company’s solo sun shade, this tandem model is made from durable ripstop fabric that comes with UPF 50+ protection. Its poles are also designed to adjust with minimal hassle so you can get the perfect sun shade dimensions for your kayak.
As far as compatibility goes, there are actually two lengths of this canopy available. So, it’s compatible with nearly any tandem kayak that’s at least 12 feet long. You can also fold down this canopy into its included stuff sack for easier storage and transport when it’s not in use.
Keep in mind that you need to drill holes into your kayak to install the hub mounts for this canopy system. The canopy is also fairly complex to set up, so it’s not ideal for quick paddling outings. However, if you need premium sun protection for longer adventures in a tandem kayak, the Adventure Canopies Sun Shade is hard to overlook.
Kayak Canopy & Bimini Sun Shade Buying Guide
A kayak canopy might seem like a simple piece of gear. But there’s actually a lot that goes into selecting the right model for your needs. Here are some key things to look for as you shop for your next kayak canopy.
- Kayak Compatibility
- Ease of Set-Up
- Durability & Materials
- Water & Sun Resistance
- Canopy Color
- Packed Size & Weight
Kayak Compatibility
Before you even start looking at cool features and other add-ons, your first task is to ensure that the canopy you buy is compatible with your kayak.
The good news is that most canopies are designed to be used with a wide range of kayaks. But as you shop, compare the length and width of any canopy that you’re interested in with the length and width of your kayak. Doing so will let you know if a given sun shade is the right size for your kayak.
Additionally, pay attention to the assembly system of whatever canopy you want to buy.
Some models require your kayak to have specialized mounts or flush-mounted fishing rod holders to work correctly. If your kayak doesn’t already have these extra features, you need to ensure that there’s enough space on your kayak deck to install the right equipment for your canopy.
Again, most kayak canopies are designed to be used with almost every kayak on the market. But, when in doubt, contact the manufacturer directly and get their advice before you buy.
Ease of Set-Up
Kayak canopies are fantastic pieces of gear, but they almost always require a bit of set-up before you can get out and enjoy the water. That said, while some models take just a couple of seconds to pop together, others require a much more intricate pitching process.
The easiest kayak canopies to pitch usually boast simple designs, like what you get with the Lixada Kayak Sun Shade Canopy.
These canopies are built with a couple of shock-corded poles that you simply need to unfold, extend, and pop into place before you can start paddling. This process is usually painless and straightforward, so you can spend less time assembling your gear and more time enjoying your kayak.
The downside is that many of these easy-to-pitch canopies don’t have as many additional features as some of the more complex models. There are exceptions to this rule, of course, and you can find some quick-pitch canopies that are jam-packed with features.
But you often have to make a trade-off between convenience and functionality with kayak canopies, so keep this in mind as you shop.
Durability & Materials
The very last thing you want is to buy a new kayak canopy and have it break after just a few paddles.
Unfortunately, kayak sun shades are prone to rips and tears because they’re so exposed to the elements while you’re on the water. A strong gust of wind can cause serious damage to a canopy, especially if it wasn’t made from suitable materials to begin with.
Therefore, as you shop for a kayak canopy, look for models made with quality, durable materials.
For example, ripstop nylon and polyester are two popular fabric materials for canopies. That’s because they’re durable and relatively lightweight.
Additionally, if you’re buying a canopy with poles, consider models that come with aluminum rather than fiberglass poles. Fiberglass is an excellent, lightweight material, but it’s not as strong as aluminum in the long run, particularly in very windy conditions.
As you can imagine, durability in a kayak canopy often goes hand in hand with an increased price tag. So it’s up to you to decide whether you want to prioritize affordability or durability in your gear.
Water & Sun Resistance
The primary purpose of any kayak canopy is to provide you with protection from the elements. As a result, you’ll want to look for a model that offers a decent amount of sun and water resistance.
With regards to sun protection, look for kayak canopies with fabrics that have a UPF rating. UPF, or Ultraviolet Protection Factor, is a way to measure the amount of protection a material gives you from the sun. Any UPF is better than nothing, but look for fabrics with a UPF 50 rating or higher whenever possible.
Additionally, if you paddle somewhere that often gets rain showers during the summer, you might want to look for a kayak canopy that offers at least a little bit of water resistance.
Most ripstop fabrics used in canopies have some natural water resistance, but you can also look for models like the Hobie Kayak Bimini Sun Shade that has a dedicated water-resistant treatment too. Keep in mind that no canopy will keep you completely dry in a rainstorm, but a small amount of protection in a drizzle can boost your paddling experience.
Canopy Color
When you shop for new kayaking gear, the color of your equipment is more a matter of preference and style than of performance. But with kayak canopies, the color of your canopy can make a big difference.
Darker colors, like black and blue, can absorb more of the sun’s heat than lighter colors, such as yellow and white. Therefore, if you’re trying to stay cool in the heat, you might want to get a kayak canopy that’s light in color. Of course, this is more of a concern in sweltering climates, but it’s something to think about regardless of where you live and paddle.
Packed Size & Weight
Last but not least, it’s always worth considering the weight and packed size of your gear, and a kayak canopy is no exception. Thankfully, most kayak canopies are designed to fold down small into a stuff sack for easier storage and transport.
But kayaking is already a gear-intensive pursuit, so you need to be sure that you’ll have space to stash your canopy in your kayak storage rack at home or in your car on the way to the put-in. If you’re nervous about having enough space to store your gear, opt for a canopy with shock-corded poles that can pack down extra small in between your adventures.
The Verdict
There are few better things in this world than enjoying some fun time on the water on a bluebird day. But spending too much time in the sun isn’t always great, especially in hot climates. Having the right canopy can help you make the most of your time in the kayak and limit your sun exposure, all at the same time.
There are several excellent kayak canopies out there, each of which offers unique benefits for paddlers. However, of all the canopies that we reviewed, the Hobie Kayak Bimini Sun Shade stood out to us as one of the best on the market.
We particularly appreciate that the Hobie Kayak Bimini Sun Shade offers both water resistance and UPF 50+ protection. It’s also built with super-sturdy materials, and it has a quick pitch system that’s easy to adjust as you paddle.
