How to choose Kayak & Water Sports Gear
This is a mixed type, so decide what you are buying first. The 11 reviews here, all from Leader Accessories, are 4 roof-mounted J-bar kayak racks, 3 items for the 3-person towable tube (the tube, a replacement inner backrest bladder and a replacement nylon cover), 2 four-piece boat fender sets, a Type III life jacket and a padded kayak seat, priced from $39.99 to $299.98. The rack listings state a capacity of 100 lb (the $109.99 EverShine set), 150 lb (the $89.99 2-in-1 rack and the $149.99 EverShine set) or 250 lb (the $91.99 two-pair rack). The fender sets are sized for boats: 25 to 35 feet for the $74.99 oval twin-eye set and 30 to 40 feet for the $139.99 hole-through-middle set.
For racks, fit depends on your crossbars. All four say they do not fit round crossbars; the two EverShine sets need crossbars at least 1.8 inches above the roof and at least 0.8 inch thick, and the $91.99 rack needs a bar at least 0.5 inch tall. The $149.99 and $91.99 racks list loads up to 8 feet. The towable tube is 75 x 67 x 34 inches inflated and is listed for one to three riders, while the listings for the replacement bladder ($100.00) and cover ($150.00, blue, bladders not included) publish no material, dimensions or inflation details. The $49.99 kayak seat lists no dimensions or weight rating. The life jacket lists a U.S. Coast Guard approval number and sizes M to 4XL in 24 size and color combinations.
Every review of this type comes from one store, Leader Accessories, so the terms are shared. It ships only within the 48 continental US. Orders of $70 or more ship free and smaller ones pay a flat $10, which applies to the $39.99 life jacket and the $49.99 seat when ordered alone. Processing takes 1 to 2 business days and transit 2 to 6. Returns are accepted within 30 days, with a prepaid label only for defective, wrong or incomplete items; a change of mind is at your cost, and exchanges are possible within 24 hours of ordering. Sale items are excluded from returns, and 5 of the 11 reviews flag the item as discounted. Only the towable tube states a warranty, 1 year, with a user guide.
Look elsewhere if your vehicle has round crossbars, or if you need a weight rating for the seat. Five of the 11 items, among them the tube, the 2-in-1 rack, the $91.99 rack, the seat and the replacement cover, were listed out of stock at the last check.
Guide updated October 25, 2026, from the reviews on this page and the store terms they cite.
Questions before you buy
Will a J-bar kayak rack fit my roof?
It fits your crossbars, not your roof. All four racks here say they fit square, factory or aerodynamic crossbars but not round bars. The two EverShine sets need crossbars at least 1.8 inches above the roof and at least 0.8 inch thick; the $91.99 rack needs a flat-style bar at least 0.5 inch tall. Check the shape, size and height of your bars before ordering, as the listings advise.
How much weight can these kayak racks carry?
The listings state 100 lb for the $109.99 EverShine 4-piece set, 150 lb for the $89.99 2-in-1 rack and the $149.99 EverShine 4-piece set, and 250 lb for the $91.99 two-pair rack. The $149.99 and $91.99 racks also list loads up to 8 feet long. The EverShine sets carry two kayaks on four racks, and each rack kit includes 4 tie-down straps.
How many people fit on the 3-person towable tube?
The listing says one to three riders. Inflated it measures 75 x 67 x 34 inches, with a heavy-gauge PVC air bladder under an 840D double-stitched nylon cover and tow points at the front and back for cockpit or chariot-style riding. It costs $299.98, lists a 1-year warranty and a user guide to read before use, and was out of stock at the last check.
What size boat fenders do I need?
Leader sells two 4-piece sets, each with 4 fender lines and an inflation pump. The $74.99 oval twin-eye fenders are 27 inches long and 8.5 inches in diameter and are recommended for 25 to 35 foot boats; the $139.99 hole-through-middle fenders are 26 inches high and 10 inches in diameter and are recommended for 30 to 40 foot boats. Both arrive uninflated.
Is the $39.99 life jacket Coast Guard approved?
The listing says it is a U.S. Coast Guard approved Type III personal flotation device and cites Approval No. 160.064/4729/0; that number is the listing's own citation. It is an adult vest in sizes M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL and 4XL, with 4 buckles, adjustable chest belts and a whistle in an inside pocket. The listing's 24 size and color combinations call for care when you pick a variant.
Can I return a kayak rack or tube to Leader Accessories?
Within 30 days. Defective, wrong or incomplete items get a prepaid label; if you change your mind you pay the return shipping, and exchanges are possible within 24 hours of ordering, before the item ships. Sale items are excluded from returns, and 5 of the 11 reviews flag the item as discounted. Leader ships only within the 48 continental US, free on orders of $70 or more and a flat $10 below that.