The Best Kayak Tie Down Straps

Welcome to ThinkVail – Shop our selection of the best kayak tie down straps including locking, no-scratch and traditional kayak tie down straps from popular brands you trust.

If you’re planning a river trip, you know how important it is to be able to transport your boat, and your friend’s boat, and your friend’s friend’s boat safely and easily to the spot where you are going to put in.

Straps may seem like the smallest detail of your river adventure, but in reality, they can be the difference between an unforgettable trip and a trip you just want to forget.

IMPORTANT FEATURES

Secure

You need to be able to secure multiple boats to the top of your car or SUV and keep them secure as you travel the distance to the river, lake or ocean. Straps must not loosen as you travel or your boats may fall off on the highway.

Ease of Use

Straps need to be easily manipulated. You do not want to waste valuable time untangling straps or having to stop along the way to re-cinch your boats, when you’d rather spend that time on the water.

Buckles

Heavy duty metal buckles will last a lifetime but they do have a tendency to ding and damage both boats and vehicles if you’re not careful. Padded metal buckle protect your equipment, rubber buckles cause no damage but they will eventually break down and need to be replaced.

Webbing

Strong webbing that does not break down over time, that is UV resistant, water resistant and stretch resistant is best. Always use a strap that is at least 1″ width to hold kayaks, canoes and rafts.

Length

Truly, the longer the better. If your strap is too long and wants to flap on the freeway, it can always be daisy-chained to temporarily shorten it. If your strap is too short, you’re just out of luck.

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See Also: Best River Shoes

Kayak Tie Down Straps

#1 Best Kayak Tie Down Straps – NRS Buckle Bumper

NRS, also known as Northwest River Supplies was started in 1972 by a die-hard river enthusiast who was looking for good gear. He couldn’t find any up to his standards, so he started making his own. Since that day, NRS has been at the forefront of high-quality river products. Their tie-downs last years and years (I still have and use the NRS tie downs I bought back in 2000. They are the bomb.

Made out of durable polypropylene webbing
With a metal, double-spring cam buckle with a full wrap-around polyurethane bumper to protect your car and boat from dings and scratches.
Firmly stays in place but can be removed if you need to add it to another strap.
Strap length woven into webbing so you always have a visual of how long the strap is.
1 in. by 2½ in. label lets you write name and contact information.
Sold as pairs, set of two straps in each purchase
If you buy a strap that is longer than you need just daisy chain the extra length to keep it out of the way.

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#2 Best Kayak Tie Down Straps – Perception Deluxe

Perception Kayaks needs no introduction, their kayaks are known for their comfort, versatility, durability, and safety and for being some of the easiest-to-paddle kayaks. For more than 40 years Perception has set the standard for all things kayak, and these straps live up to the hype.

Perception tie down straps are ideal for securing your kayaks, canoes and SUP boards.
Metal locking cam buckle system is resistant to salt corrosion
Rubber buckle cover to prevent scratches and damage and dampens noise.
UV resistant strap material prevents fading and sun related damage
Heavy-duty 1 inch wide webbing straps secure loads up to 800 lbs.
Available in 9′ /12′ /15′ lengths
Sold as pairs, two straps are included in this set.

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#3 Best Kayak Tie Down Straps – THULE Locking

Thule is the uncontested leader in roof racks and cargo carriers so it makes sense that they would know a little something about the straps that securely tie the equipment to the racks. These straps take security to the next level, offering a way to lock your valuables when they are on your roof rack.

Includes two locking straps
Each strap is 13-ft (3.9 m)
Steel cables inside a theft-resistant nylon sleeve provide a dual-layer locking system
Aluminum buckles are lightweight and corrosion-resistant
Rubber-coated lock housing prevents vehicle and equipment scratches
Two One-Key lock cylinders included
Keep your important stuff secure and away from thieves with these innovative tie down straps

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#4 Best Kayak Tie Down Straps – THULE Hood Loop

Thule has created an innovative solution for cars and SUVs that don’t have a roof rack or undercarriage attachment points. Provides the perfect anchor points for kayaks, rafts, paddle boards and other cargo on vehicles that don’t have readily available places to attach a strap.

Straps installs easily to available bolt heads under your car’s hood
Heavy duty tie-down loop straps secure your boat’s bow and stern
Fastens inside the vehicle hood—strap protrudes out through the edge to provide a secure loop to attach tie-downs to
Works in concert with additional straps or ropes, sold separately.
Set of two straps in each purchase

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#5 Best Kayak Tie Down Straps – YakAttack Cam with Rubber Buckle

YakAttack is a “Made in America” company that specializes in premium gear and accessories for the paddle sports and marine industry. The story goes that they were founded in a garage in 2009, but they have quickly grown into a leader in the kayak fishing industry offering problem-solving solutions.

Cam buckle for secure cinching down
Rubber padded buckle covering case for vehicle and equipment protection.
Sold as a pair of straps.
Strong and durable straps are easy to use and strap down items.
Heavy duty 1-inch nylon webbing.
Available in 12′ or 15′ size straps.
Made with high quality polyester webbing that has a higher break strength and less stretch.
Superior resistance to abrasion, UV resistance and increased water resistance
Made in the USA

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#6 Best Kayak Tie Down Straps – Vibe Kayaks

Vibe Kayaks is built on a passion for the water, fishing, and outdoor living and their products are the perfect combination of good looks, great features, and affordability. These straps check all the boxes and will keep your boat and equipment safe and secure while traveling.

15 ft. tie down straps
Made of heavy-duty 1″ nylon webbing
Die cast aluminum cam buckle on one end
Safety pad to prevent hull scratching and vehicle damage
UV-blocking material
Straps evenly apply pressure without the risk of over torqueing and damaging your vessel.
A safe and easy way to secure any boat to your roof racks, rails or trailers.

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#7 Best Kayak Tie Down Straps – Surf To Summit Covered

Surf to Summit designs light-weight, ultra-durable recreation essentials that are functional, appealing and ergonomic. They specialize in outdoor products including kayak seats, inflatable kayaks, sit on top kayaks and accessories and canoe accessories. These tie downs are perfect for your next river trip.

Unique, molded foam collar completely covers the cam buckles to protect your vehicle and equipment
Excess strap length is held by Velcro inside collar to eliminate strap from flapping freeway
Constructed from tough 1″ nylon webbing
Marine-rated cam buckle
15 feet long means you can tie down most anything.
Strap is safe to launch over the roof of your vehicle without the fear of dings, scratches or cracked windows and skulls. S
This strap is called The Flying Burrito because of it’s thermal-molded foam, clam-shell designed collar that completely encapsulates the cam buckle just like a burrito.

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#8 Best Kayak Tie Down Straps – THULE Quick Loop

Another take on the Hood Loop strap. If you don’t have a roof rack, roof rails or any attachment points on your car than this might be the perfect solution for transporting your boat, surfboard of paddle board safely.

Bow and stern tie-down loop straps the bow and stern of your watercraft.
Installs easily by placing under hood or trunk hatch—strap secured by the closed hood or trunk
Strap protrudes out through the edge of the hood to provide a secure loop to attach tie-downs to
Sold in pairs, with a set of two straps.

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#9 Best Kayak Tie Down Straps – BPS ‘No Scratch’

BPS or Bullet Proof Surf is a small family business based in New Zealand. They specialize in SUP paddles, traction pads, leashes and now tie down straps for surfboards, paddle boards, kayaks and canoes.

Secure and convenient quick lock and release cam buckles.
Neoprene Sleeve covers metal buckle to prevent scratching and dinging.
Free drawstring bag is the perfect solution to tangled or lost tie downs
2 liter dry bag is also included to make storing them on the boat or in a car a breeze.
Small family business that ONLY sells water sports gear.
One year warranty
Heavy duty straps with high strength tie-downs
Lightweight

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#10 Best Kayak Tie Down Straps – Rhino Rack with Buckle Protector

Rhino Racks are touted as the world’s most useful roof racks, the same can be said for their tie down straps. This Australian company has been designing and producing load securing items such as tie down straps, holders and cables to fit any size vehicles since 1992.

Tie down straps with metal cam buckle and buckle protector made from injection molded TPV rubber to avoid dents and nicks on your vehicle.
Lashing capacity of 225kg /496 lbs.
Strap length: 3.5m / 11.5 feet
Available in black, blue and red
Available in 3 size lengths: 11.5 ‘(3.5m) / 14.5′ (4.5m) / 18’ (5.5m)
Rapid straps are suitable for heavy-duty use
Includes a sewn in Velcro “Roll it” strap to keep the strap neatly stowed on its own.
Loading your bikes, kayaks, canoes, skis and snowboards has never been easier.

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See Also: Best Dry Bags for Boating

Comments

We hope you found this article about the best kayak tie down straps helpful. What do you use to secure your kayak, canoe, paddle board or surfboard to your car or SUV? Is your name brand strap here, do you recommend a particular tie down? We would love to hear your thoughts and comments and of course any stories you have about strap success or failures. Please share and thanks for reading.

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