Ascend Kayaks: Full Model Lineup and Reviews [2023]

What does Ascend Kayaks have to offer in 2023? In this overview, we’ll take a look at Ascend’s kayak model range to help you find the best kayak for your needs.

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Comparison Table: Ascend Kayaks in 2023

ModelSpecsWhere To Buy
Ascend 10T
Ascend 10T
Size: 10′ x 29.5″
Weight: 67 lbs.
Capacity: 325 lbs.
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Ascend 9R
Ascend 9R
Size: 9′ x 32″
Weight: 52 lbs.
Capacity: 275 lbs.
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Ascend H10
Ascend H10
Size: 10′ x 31″
Weight: 55 lbs.
Capacity: 400 lbs.
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Ascend D10
Ascend D10
Size: 9’10” x 29″
Weight: 50 lbs.
Capacity: 300 lbs.
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Ascend 12T
Ascend 12T
Size: 12′ x 31″
Weight: 77 lbs.
Capacity: 350 lbs.
Cabels’s
Ascend 133X
Ascend 133X
Size: 13′ x 37″
Weight: 125 lbs.
Capacity: 550 lbs.
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Ascend H12
Ascend H12
Size: 12′ x 32″
Weight: 76 lbs.
Capacity: 450 lbs.
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Ascend FS10
Ascend FS10
Size: 10′ x 30″
Weight: 57 lbs.
Capacity: 325 lbs.
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Ascend 128X
Ascend 128X
Size: 12’8″ x 34″
Weight: 96 lbs.
Capacity: 450 lbs.
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WHY TRUST US: Here at Paddlingspace.com, we spend more time on the water than we do in the office. We paddle, kayak fish, and camp as often as we can, so we know exactly what kayakers and kayak anglers need. Each year, we independently research, review, and rate the best kayaks, canoes, and paddling gear. Our experts analyze hundreds of products to find out key differences, pros, and cons of each product. We only make money from ads or if you purchase through our links. No sponsored posts or biased reviews here, period.

Ascend 10T

Ascend 10T kayak

Length: 10′ (304 cm)
Width: 29.5″ (75 cm)
Weight: 67 lbs. (30 kg)
Capacity: 325 lbs. (147 kg)

As its name indicates, the Ascend 10T sit-on-top fishing kayak is 10 feet / 304 cm long with a width of 29.5 inches / 75 cm. It stands at 13.5 inches / 34.29 cm, making it relatively low profile, and weighs 67 lbs / 30 kg. The Ascend 10T is listed as having a capacity of 325 lbs / 147 kg.

It isn’t the lightest kayak on the market but is still able to be handled by one person for stowing, portage, or car topping. You wouldn’t want to be carrying it too far though! 

Ascend 10T kayak
Super Marsh Bros Outdoors

Еhe Ascend 10T sit-on-top kayak is a mid-range boat designed specifically for anglers. This fishing kayak is sturdy and durable and will make an excellent addition to keen anglers that are looking for a first boat or to add to their fleet.

Ascend’s trademark tunnel hull design helps this kayak track well and creates more maneuverability, as well as increases stability. The updated seating system provides superior comfort even on long days, and the generous open-design storage gives you plenty of room for gear. The Ascend 10T will make an excellent choice for anglers looking for a mix of performance and stability.


Ascend 9R

Ascend 9R kayak

Length: 9′ (274.32 cm)
Width: 32″ (81.28 cm)
Weight: 52 lbs. (23.5 kg)
Capacity: 275 lbs. (124.73 kg)

The Ascend 9R measures 9 feet / 274.32 cm in length, 32 inches / 81.28 cm in width, and weighs 52 lbs / 23.5 kg. While it isn’t the lightest play boat on the market, the small, compact design still makes it easy for one person to stow, transport, and portage. 

The Ascend 9R sit-on-top kayak has a capacity of 275 lb / 124.73 kg. The kayak was designed to suit children, youths, and smaller adults below 5 feet 10 inches / 180 cm tall. 

Ascend 9R
Sarge’s Adventures

This kayak paddles smoothly and tracks well, but is best suited for calmer bodies of water. Because of the lack of foot pegs, the kayak is not as easy to control in rougher waters and some stability is sacrificed.

The unique hull design of this kayak makes it track well, and while it isn’t the fastest play boat on the market, the kayak has relatively good speed, especially for one that wide. 


Ascend H10

Ascend H10 kayak

Length: 10′ (304.8 cm)
Width: 31″ (78.7 cm)
Weight: 55 lbs. (25 kg)
Capacity: 400 lbs. (181 kg)

Lightweight kayaks are always popular among anglers due to the convenience of carrying them around. That’s where the H10 comes on top since it only weighs 55 lbs / 25 kg. 

You can easily load it on top of your car or into the back of your truck because of its overall length of 10 feet  / 304.8 cm and width of 31 inches / 78.7 cm. The height of the kayak measures 14.6 inches / 37 cm at the bow and stern and 13.1 inches / 33 cm in the center.

Ascend H10
CastFromTheHip

For a lightweight kayak, the Ascend H10’s maximum capacity is an impressive 400 lbs / 181 kg. This leaves all but the bigger paddlers plenty of capacity to stash food, water, and gear. 

The Ascend H10 sit-in kayak provides performance, ample storage room, and rigging characteristics that are a feature of the longer Ascend H12. This 10-foot long kayak is a lighter, more manageable kayak yet easily handles day trips.

The stepped bow and stern keel design handle waves and rough waters well, while the shorter length means it is more maneuverable and allows for tighter turns than its longer counterpart. With plenty of storage room, the Ascend H10 is a versatile hybrid kayak that recreational paddlers and all levels of anglers can enjoy.


Ascend D10

Ascend D10 kayak

Length: 9’10” (299.7 cm)
Width: 29″ (73.7 cm)
Weight: 50 lbs. (22 kg)
Capacity: 300 lbs. (136kg)

Ascend D10 sit-in kayaks are perfect for those who want a lightweight, easy-to-transport kayak that doesn’t sacrifice features. This compact model measures 9′ 10” / 299.7 cm in length and is 29″ / 73.7 cm wide, while its cockpit opening is 68” / 172 cm x 23” / 58 cm.

It weighs a mere 50 lbs / 22 kg, which makes it easy for one person to handle, unlike heavier models that would require two. The overall dimensions of this kayak make it among the easiest to handle and load on a car without sacrificing performance.

Camera Crusades by Jon Manjeot

For a kayak of this size, the Ascend D10 can handle weights up to an impressive 300 lbs. / 136kg. There are storage options along each side of the boat, plus front and rear D-rings with tie-downs.

With its large open cockpit, the boat offers plenty of space for cargo management and easy access when getting on or off. The sleek design also means minimal restrictions while out on the water. This kayak is a durable, reliable way to get around most bodies of water. Whether you’re an occasional fisherman or a recreational paddler looking for something versatile that can handle all sorts of conditions, the Ascend D10 will serve its purpose every time.


Ascend 12T

Ascend 12T kayak

Length: 12′ (365 cm)
Width: 31″ (78 cm)
Weight: 77 lbs. (35 kg)
Capacity: 350 lbs. (160 kg)

The Ascend 12T measures 12 feet / 365 cm in length and 31 inches / 78 cm in width. The height is 11 inches / 28 cm at the center and the kayak weighs 77 lbs / 35 kg. 

While this isn’t the lightest kayak on the market for this size, you certainly can handle the kayak alone for car topping or launching. 

Ascend 12T kayak
Tank Hunters Fishing

This kayak has a capacity of 350 lbs / 160 kg. Users reported that with a combined weight of the paddler and gear of close to 300 lbs / 136 kg, the kayak still continues to track and perform admirably. 

The Ascend 12T tracks well in the water and you can stand up and cast from it thanks to its great stability and flat non-skid deck. It isn’t the fastest boat in the Ascend fleet, but for a kayak this size, it keeps up just fine. The kayak maneuvers relatively well, its large cockpit offers plenty of room for gear and fish. It also works with the RedHead waterfowl blind if duck hunting is your thing.


Ascend 133X

Ascend 133X kayak

Length: 13′ (396 cm)
Width: 37″ (94 cm)
Weight: 125 lbs. (57 kg)
Capacity: 550 lbs. (250 kg)

The Ascend 133X measures 13 feet / 396 cm in length and 37 inches / 94 cm in width. Weighing in at 125 lbs / 57 kg, you certainly will need some help transporting and launching this boat. This is Ascend’s largest kayak in the fleet.

Ascend 133X kayak
David Sury

The Ascend 133X has a capacity of a whopping 550 lbs / 250 kg. That’s plenty of room for yourself, gear, and optional modifications that some people make such as installing a bow or stern trolling motor.

The Ascend 133X is a high-end fishing kayak designed with the serious angler in mind. Because of Ascend’s catamaran hull design, the kayak’s stability is unparalleled, and standing up and walking around on this kayak feels incredibly secure, even in winds. Packed with useful features like the Yak-Power system, it is just the boat if you want to take it to the next level in your kayak fishing game. With loads of room and storage space, you can spend all day in this kayak.


Ascend H12

Ascend H12

Length: 12′ (365 cm)
Width: 32″ (81 cm)
Weight: 76 lbs. (34.5 kg)
Capacity: 450 lbs. (204 kg)

With a weight of around 76 lbs / 34.5 kg, H12 is certainly not the lightest boat in the Ascend series. However, even with full capacity, this boat doesn’t feel too close to the water, which is really impressive. 

The Ascend H12 measures 12 feet / 365 cm in length and is 32 inches / 81 cm wide, two feet longer than the Ascend H10. It stands 14.1 inches / 35.5 cm at the bow and stern and 12.1 inches / 30 cm at the center. 

Ascend H12
Generally Outdoors

At an impressive capacity of 450 lbs / 204 kg, the Ascend H12 will hold people of all sizes and a generous amount of gear. This superior capacity will suit gear-heavy anglers and people who want to pack heaps for an overnight trip. 

The Ascend H12 sit-in kayak was created to offer the perfect balance of performance, storage, and rigging qualities. This hybrid kayak nicely combines a sit-in design with a sit-on-top feel. With a huge cockpit and plenty of storage space, the Ascend H12 is the ideal boat for overnight expeditions yet can easily keep you comfortable on day trips.


Ascend FS10

Ascend FS10 kayak

Length: 10′ (304.8 cm)
Width: 30″ (76.2 cm)
Weight: 57 lbs. (25.8 kg)
Capacity: 325 lbs. (147.4 kg)

The compact Ascend FS10 angler kayak measures 10 feet / 304.8 cm in length and is 30 inches / 76.2 cm wide. It is relatively light for a fishing kayak and weighs 57 lbs / 25.8 kg, making it easy to handle for just one person. 

Overall, the dimensions of the Ascend FS10 make it easy for anyone to load it on top of the car, manage it on land, or when launching it.

Ascend FS10 kayak
Ethan Price Outdoors

Despite its compact size, the Ascend FS10 can handle up to 325 lbs / 147.4 kg, which leaves anyone but the largest anglers plenty of allowance for gear and tackle. This kayak is an excellent choice for anglers that want something easy to handle yet offer plenty of room to stash gear. 

Thanks to the V-shaped hull design, a performance rocker, and aggressive strakes, anglers regularly praise the Ascend FS10’s stability. The large cockpit makes it easy to get in and out. The seat is super comfortable and you’ll be able to spend the day out without getting fatigued. 

Like most fishing kayaks, the Ascend FS10 isn’t the fastest, but it does have excellent tracking abilities. All in all, the Ascend FS10 would be more suited for calmer bodies of water like lakes.


Ascend 128X

Ascend 128X kayak

Length: 12’8″ (388 cm)
Width: 34″ (84 cm)
Weight: 96 lbs. (43 kg)
Capacity: 450 lbs. (204 kg)

The Ascend 128X measures 12 feet 8 inches / 388 cm in length and 34 inches / 84 cm across. This is one of the larger kayaks in the Ascend fleet and weighs in at 96 lbs / 43 kg with the seat. 

You’re going to need help getting this kayak on top of your car or in the water. Most people transport this kayak on a trolley. 

Ascend 128X kayak
Darryl H

The Ascend 128X takes up to an impressive 450 lbs / 204 kg, which leaves you plenty of capacity to haul extra gear. 

The Ascend 128X sits relatively high above the waterline. It tracks very well and because of its weight, some maneuverability is sacrificed. Still the Ascend’s trademark catamaran hull design makes this fishing boat extremely stable even in choppy waters and high winds. 

The seat is positioned fairly high on the kayak, so you’ll have a higher center of gravity but the stability of the kayak doesn’t make you feel insecure at all. 

With its huge payload, the Ascend 128X would suit larger paddlers or those with more gear. The Yak-Power already included would be a significant advantage for serious anglers that need to power their electronics like a lighting system, GPS, or fish finders. 

Alex Buchnev

Alex Buchnev

Alex loves kayaking, fishing, and all things outdoors. When he's not out there in the wild, he's probably typing away at his laptop or trying to be the world's best father for his two lovely daughters.

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