Best Wall-Mounted Kayak Racks

Wall-mounted racks are one of the most convenient ways to store your kayak. They keep your boat off the ground and out of toe-stubbing range. Plus, you can fit them inside or outside, depending on your available space.

To help you find the right product for your kayak and home, we’ve reviewed the best kayak wall mounts on the market. For more information, check out our comparison table and buying advice.

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: Suspenz EZ Kayak Rack
• Best Value: RAD Sportz Wall Hanger Pro Kayak Rack
• Best Budget: RAD Sportz Kayak Wall Hangers
• Best for 2 Kayaks: Malone J-Dock Hybrid Kayak Storage Rack
• Best for Multiple Kayaks: StoreYourBoard G-Kayak Wall Storage Rack

Best Overall: Suspenz EZ Kayak Rack

Kayak Capacity: 1 | Weight Capacity: 125 lbs | Weight: 8 lbs

Secure and easy to install, the Suspenz EZ Kayak Rack is our choice for the best overall kayak wall mount.

The frame is highly durable, and the arms are adequately padded with nylon-covered foam, ensuring your kayak remains free from dents and scratches. In addition, the primary material is powder-coated steel with rust-resistant stainless-steel hardware, which allows it to be used indoors or outdoors.

Another advantage is that the racks’ arms extend a generous 20 inches from the wall, making it suitable for wide kayaks. As a result, you shouldn’t have any trouble fitting recreational or fishing kayaks on it. Furthermore, this model offers a 125 lbs weight limit, which is plenty for a single kayak, even if you paddle a large touring or sea kayak.

We also like that it comes with an adjustable safety strap that secures your kayak to the rack, making it suitable for kayaks of all shapes and sizes. With the strap attached, there’s no need to worry about the kayak being knocked off.

Don’t have a suitable wall to hang it on? Fortunately, the Suspenz EZ Kayak Rack has a simple mounting design that’s also compatible with free-standing frames.

The only potential drawback is the price of this rack. It’s one of the most expensive kayak wall mounts on the market. However, considering its construction and features, it is reasonably priced.

Reasons to buy:

• Suitable for larger kayaks
• Excellent padding
• Holds kayaks securely with straps
• High weight capacity

Reasons to avoid:

• Quite Expensive for a single kayak wall mount

Best Value: RAD Sportz Wall Hanger Pro Kayak Rack

Kayak Capacity: 1 | Weight Capacity: 125 lbs | Weight: 8 lbs

The RAD Sportz Wall Hanger Pro Kayak Rack has everything you want from a kayak wall mount at a very reasonable price. Like its higher-priced competitor, these kayak hooks are made from durable powder-coated steel. And with an impressive 125 lbs weight capacity, it’s great for storing heavy kayaks.

Similarly, these hangers come with thick foam padding that protects your kayak’s hull from dents, dips, and scratches.

It also features an adjustable nylon strap and quick-release buckle, allowing you to store your kayak securely without messing about with rope or knots. Unfortunately, at approximately 19 inches long, the arms don’t extend quite as far as the Suspenz EZ. But, for most paddlers, this shouldn’t be a problem.

The RAD Sportz Wall Hanger Pro Kayak Rack is still wide enough to hold most medium to large-sized kayaks, including touring kayaks and sit-on-top fishing kayaks. Its 125 lbs weight capacity also makes it well suited to heavier kayaks. However, you may need to replace the built-in straps with longer ones if you own an extra-wide or high-volume kayak.

Reasons to buy:

• Sturdy design
• Features a secure strap system
• High weight capacity
• Excellent value for money
• Suitable for inside or outside storage

Reasons to avoid:

• Slightly shorter arms than the Suspenz EZ
• Straps may be too short for large kayaks

Best Budget: RAD Sportz Kayak Wall Hangers

Kayak Capacity: 1 | Weight Capacity: 100 lbs | Weight: 4.5 lbs

If you’re shopping for the cheapest kayak wall mounts on the market, take a look at the RAD Sportz Kayak Wall Hangers. These sturdy racks are made from powder-coated steel and are designed for indoor or outdoor use. Installation is simple, and hardware is included with the product.

Another thing we like is that these budget wall mounts still feature quality foam padding on the arms. Thus, protecting your kayak and your wallet at the same time!

At just 15 inches wide, these kayak hooks are much narrower than others in our top five. It’s worth checking your kayak’s measurements before purchasing. Although still generous, the 100 lbs weight limit is also lower than competitors. As a result, these wall mounts are best suited for small to medium-sized kayaks.

Other key differences between these budget kayak mounts and higher-priced models are in the finer details.

Firstly, there’s no strap to secure your kayak to the rack. Nor are there attachment points to add a strap or bungee, making it less suited for outdoor storage and crowded indoor spaces.

Reasons to buy:

• Durable
• 100 lbs weight capacity
• Easy installation
• Hardware included
• Budget-friendly price tag

Reasons to buy:

• No strap
• No strap/bungee attachment points
• Won’t fit large kayaks

Best for 2 Kayaks: Malone J-Dock Hybrid Kayak Storage Rack

Kayak Capacity: 2 | Weight Capacity: 200 lbs (100 lbs per boat) | Weight: 6 lbs

Need a wall mount that can safely take the weight of two kayaks? Look no further than the Malone J-Dock Hybrid Kayak Storage Rack. This wall rack features a hybrid design that holds one kayak in a J-bar and one in a sling strap. As a result, it takes up less space than typical double kayak racks without compromising on weight capacity.

In fact, the Malone J-Dock Hybrid can hold an impressive 200 lbs, plenty for two average-sized kayaks.

Like the RAD Sportz Wall Hangers, this model may not be the best fit for high-volume kayaks. However, the 16-inch arms allow enough space to store most small to medium kayaks. Additionally, the 12-foot adjustable sling straps have no fixed shape. So you can use them to hold any sized kayak (assuming that the total weight of both kayaks is under 200 lbs).

Therefore, this rack is the most practical option if you have one heavy and one lighter kayak.

The one drawback is that the J-Dock has minimal padding. The cradle has rigid plastic pads with a small rubber strip to prevent slipping and cushioning the kayak. Therefore, you might want to add foam piping to the rack, particularly if you’re storing a composite kayak.

Like most kayak wall mounts, this model is made from corrosion-resistant steel and approved for outdoor or indoor installation. It also comes with a lifetime limited warranty, so you know that it’s built to last.

Reasons to buy:

• 200 lbs weight capacity
• Sling straps can hold extra-wide kayaks
• Easy to attach a security strap to J-hooks
• Mounting hardware included
• Lifetime limited warranty

Reasons to avoid:

• Minimal padding
• No security strap on J-hooks

Best for Multiple Kayaks: StoreYourBoard G-Kayak Wall Storage Rack

Kayak Capacity: 4 | Weight Capacity: 400 lbs (100 lbs per boat) | Weight: 20 lbs

Are you mad about kayaks, or do you have a family full of paddlers? The StoreYourBoard G-Kayak Wall Storage Rack is one of the best multi-kayak wall mounts. With adjustable spacing between each set of bars and a 400 lbs total weight capacity, this rack is ideal for storing a mix of large and small kayaks.

Each of the four-bar sets has a weight capacity of 100 lbs, making it suitable for anything from tandem and touring kayaks to single recreational kayaks. Additionally, you can adjust the height of all four bars using the quick and easy gated-pin system.

This adjustable system allows you to store a mix of large and medium kayaks or save space if you own smaller kayaks. Alternatively, you can remove some supporting arms, giving you room to store two to three high-volume kayaks.

Furthermore, the bars extend 27 inches from the wall, making this the best rack in our top five for storing wide kayaks. While it’s a convenient choice for sit-on-top and fishing kayaks, the downside is that they need to lay widthways instead of sideways. Consequently, the rack will need more space than other models.

Another thing to note is that although each bar has a strip of felt on top, this rack doesn’t offer the best padding. So you might want to add an extra layer to protect your kayak from scratches.

Reasons to buy:

• Highly adjustable system
• 400 lbs weight capacity
• Can store four kayaks
• Suitable for wide kayaks

Reasons to avoid:

• Minimal padding
• Requires more space than J-hooks
• High price tag

Kayak Wall Mount Comparison Table

Kayak Wall Mount	Kayak Capacity	Weight Capacity	Weight	Dimensions (H x D x W)
Suspenz EZ Kayak Rack	1	125 lbs	8 lbs	27″ x 12″ x 3″
RAD Sportz Wall Hanger Pro Kayak Rack	1	125 lbs	8 lbs	29″ x 13.5″ x 3.75″
RAD Sportz Kayak Wall Hangers	1	100 lbs	4.5 lbs	25″ x 15.25″ x 3″
Malone J-Dock Hybrid Kayak Storage Rack	2	200 lbs (100 lbs per boat)	6 lbs	16″ x 10″ x 5″
StoreYourBoard G-Kayak Wall Storage Rack	4	400 lbs (100 lbs per boat)	20 lbs	46″ x 27″ x 3.5″

Kayak Wall Mount Buying Advice

Now that you know our top picks, let’s talk about choosing the right one for you. There are several things you should think about before buying and installing a kayak wall mount.

• Installation
• Type of Wall Mount
• Kayak Capacity
• Weight Capacity
• Padding
• Straps

Installation

First, consider whether you want to store your kayak inside or outside. Snow, rain, and intense UV rays can seriously impact your kayak’s lifespan. For this reason, many people prefer to mount a wall rack inside.

However, if internal space is limited, it’s possible to fix your wall mount on an external wall. There are just a couple more things to take into consideration. Firstly, could you install the wall mount on a sheltered wall? A covered patio would be ideal. If not, a waterproof kayak cover can protect your kayak from the worst weather.

Next, ensure that the wall you plan to install it on is strong enough and suitable material to drill into.

All the kayak wall mounts we’ve reviewed come with installation guides and hardware, such as bolts, screws, and anchor points. You only need your own drill, and a level or meter stick to install them. 

Type of Wall Mount

There are four main types of kayak wall mounts. All four safely store your kayak, but some are better suited to small spaces, while others are better for multi-kayak storage. 

• J-hooks, like the Suspenz EZ Kayak Rack, tend to have a higher weight capacity. However, some J-hooks are narrower than others and may not fit wider or deeper than average kayaks. Therefore, you’ll need to check the hooks’ width against your kayak.
  
  
• Sling straps hang from an anchor point on the ceiling or wall. A looped strap around the bow and stern suspends your kayak. Sling straps fit almost any size kayak and need less space, but they tend to have a lower weight capacity than J-hooks.
  
  
• Horizontal bars, like the StoreYourBoard G-Kayak Wall Storage Rack, allow you to stack multiple kayaks from a single mounting point but take up the most space.
  
  
• Hybrid Wall Mounts like the Malone J-Dock are less common. These racks offer the best of both by combining a set of J-hooks with sling straps for double kayak storage.

Kayak Capacity

Are you looking for a storage solution for one kayak, or do you have multiple kayaks?

Some kayak wall mounts are designed to hold multiple kayaks, while others only offer enough space for one. If you need a wall mount that can take more than one kayak, the Malone J-Dock and StoreYourBoard G-Kayak Wall Storage Rack are our top recommendations. 

Weight Capacity

Some kayak wall mounts have more generous weight capacities than others. Most will be able to hold a recreational kayak without any trouble, so you can choose whichever rack best suits your space and budget. However, if you paddle a heavy kayak, you’ll need to double-check the rack’s maximum weight capacity.

Likewise, if you’re buying a multi-kayak wall mount, you’ll need to add up the weight of all your kayaks and ensure that the rack is strong enough. Get this wrong, and you’ll likely come home to a damaged kayak, a broken rack, and possibly a few holes in the wall. In short, ignoring weight capacities is a recipe for trouble.

Padding

A kayak mount with padding is preferable as it will protect your kayak from scratches and dents.

Admittedly, rotomolded (plastic) kayaks are durable enough that you’re unlikely to scratch them. Scratches on the hull and deck are much more common on composite kayaks. However, strapping a plastic kayak too tightly or storing it for extended periods (i.e., throughout the winter season) could cause dents and dips to form in the hull.

Padding also prevents your kayak from slipping off the rack before you’ve had time to secure it properly. Fortunately, most kayak wall mounts have foam, rubber, or felt padding. Rubber and foam are more common and provide better protection.

If you’re on a limited budget, it’s possible to upgrade a non-padded wall mount with a pool noodle or foam pipe insulation.

Straps

Although it’s not strictly necessary to strap your kayak onto a wall mount (the hooks should hold it in place by themselves), it does help to keep it secure. If you’re planning to store your kayak outside, a strap would be handy on windy days. Likewise, a strap can prevent you, your kids, pets, or anything else from accidentally knocking your kayak off the wall.

The Suspenz EZ Kayak Rack and RAD Sportz Wall Hanger Pro Kayak Rack include straps.

The Verdict

A quality kayak wall mount that fits your space should be at the top of any paddler’s shopping list. They protect your kayak when it’s off the water and save floor space. What’s not to like?

Of all the models we’ve reviewed, the one that impresses us the most is the Suspenz EZ Kayak Rack. Aside from its easy installation system and compatibility with free-standing frames, we love that it can hold a range of kayak sizes, including big and heavy ones!

It is a touch more expensive than other models. Still, the quality construction and security features make it a worthwhile investment.