The 10 Best Folding Anchors
Special Honors
Mako Spearguns Mini You’ll need something heavier for a full-sized fishing boat, but this 1.5-pound anchor should work well for small vessels in relatively calm water. All four of its prongs collapse and lock into place for portability, and it includes a removable D-ring for fastening the chain or rope. makospearguns.com
Tulsa Chain T316 Whereas the utility of a three-pound anchor probably won’t extend beyond a single-person canoe, these hefty stainless steel models will prove effective with heavier boats. They are available in four weight classes — seven, 12, 16 and 22 pounds — each with a different price point. tulsachain.com
Haas Stainless A low-cost, crudely built model may suffice for some, but this anchor from Haas Stainless is far superior in the aesthetics department. Its glistening mirror polish gives it a high-end look, and you can choose from three sizes for use with various types of boats. e-rigging.com
Editor's Notes
June 29, 2020:
We found that the blue nylon rope that comes with the OceanMotion Kayak may bleed its color when wet, which is something to be aware of to avoid staining any gear that’s stashed in the boat. Indicated that the Extreme Max BoatTector is resistant to corrosion when used in saltwater. Slightly downgraded the Gradient Fitness Marine after discovering potential rusting issues.
Added two compact, traditional anchors in the Yak Gear Rig and Attwood Iron, both of which offer long-term durability and quality craftsmanship. Given that they both weigh in at about three pounds, they should be used exclusively with small watercrafts. Some of the items on this list consist of only the anchor, while others offer useful add-ons like rope, travel bags and buoy balls for marking the anchor's location.
Like the Yak Gear and Atwood models, many of the items ranked here are designed for use with canoes, fishing kayaks and similar vessels. However, the line of anchors from Tulsa Chain, which we’ve included in the Special Honors section, can be used for heavier boats. Its largest offering weighs 22 pounds, but it’s quite a bit more expensive than the lightweight models.