Best Inflatable SUP (Stand Up Paddle) Boards 2017 – Reviews and Guide

So you’re looking for an inflatable stand up paddle board. You probably decided that paddle boarding looks fun since you can go all sorts of places on the board that you couldn’t get by swimming. The board and paddle allow you to really maneuver in ways that you couldn’t with such boats like kayaks. Not only do paddle boards go out on the ocean like surfboards and boats, but can be used on lakes, rivers, and almost any other body of water.

Since paddle boarding has started to become more popular in recent years, people have started looking for cheaper and more compact paddleboards. Fiberglass boards, while performing well, take up a lot of space. Space is something that a lot of people need for other important things in our lives.

Hopefully, at the end of this article, you will be able to pick out an inflatable paddle board that will do everything that you need it to and still fit into a compact space.

How To Pick the Best Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board

The hardest part about picking out a paddle board is knowing what you need to be keeping an eye out. There are certain qualities that you really need to look for in a board to know if it will do well for your purposes. Those purposes change from person to person, so we’ll talk about what purposes can influence the type of board that you look for. In addition, we’ll even go over what you should be avoiding in your paddle board to make sure that you find a board that will last you a long time.

1. The Qualities To Look For

When you’re looking at a board, there are several key factors to keep in mind. Some of these can make or break a board. Of course, what you want out of a board will depend on your purpose, but we’ll be going over the positives and negatives of each section that we look at.

Weight

Now, there are two parts to the discussion on weight. There is the weight of the board and the weight that the board can carry. Both of these can be extremely important when you’re looking to make a purchase.

The actual weight of the board can mean several things for a paddle boarder. A heavier board may be made of a better material or have sturdy extra parts. It also means that traveling with the board can be more difficult. Paddleboards that are lighter can also be shorter than longer paddleboards. When it comes to the weight, you may need the lightest one physically possible because you are constantly on the road and cannot make extra space in your bag for the larger, bulkier boards. But if you’re looking for an inflatable board that will be able to withstand more, then you may be willing to look for a heavier one. So remember that weight is a big trade off.

When it comes to how much a board can carry, this will matter to parents of kids that want to use a paddle board and dog owners that want to take their dogs with them out on the water. Here are boards specially designed for kids that will be ideal for children. However, this means that you will have to purchase them a new board when they get older and taller and aren’t quite as small. For dog owners, you’ll be looking for boards that are going to be able to support you and your dog. The matter of weight can also matter when it comes to those that want to fish off of their boards. You will want a board that will be capable of holding you, your equipment, and all of the fish that you catch.

Thickness

Thickness has been a big deal in the world of inflatable SUP boards. For a long time when iSUPs were just starting to come out, it was typical to see only 4” boards available. In a couple years, they started offering 6” boards. Now, there is a range of board types that you will see. There are pros and cons to thick and thin boards.

Thick boards, when inflated to the same PSI (pounds per square inch) as a thinner board, are actually going to be stiffer than a thin board. There are people that prefer a stiff board, but you can achieve a stiffer board by upping the PSI of a board. You’ll have to check to make sure that you are not over inflating your board though. A thick board will also ensure that your iSUP board stays a little bit drier. The extra thickness will keep the top of the board further out of the water. This can mean that you will experience less slippery surfaces or water all over your feet. A thicker board will be heavier and bulkier than a thinner version of a board. This can make it difficult to pull around on the beach, but it also means that it can be harder to use in the surf. If you’re looking for a board that you can use on waves, you’ll actually want to avoid a thick board because of the difficulties they will have. The thickness means you can’t dig into the wave as much as you would normally like to. Thicker boards are usually for heavier riders and might be useful for riders that want to bring dogs with them on their adventures.

Thin boards are appropriate for lighter riders and those that really want to feel the experience of stand up paddle boarding. Because you’re closer to the water, you’ll feel the water around you. A lighter board will also allow you to cut through most waves more easily. Not only is this board better for surfing, but it is a typically lighter board and less bulky when you’re carrying it around.

When it comes to thickness, you’ll have to base what you want on what you’re going to do with your board. While 4” and 6” boards were the way a couple years ago, companies are offering more board thicknesses to help those that do all sorts of things with their boards. You will also want to keep in mind that a thicker board will take a lot more time to inflate than the thinner board, but hopefully, you’ll have plenty of time when you’re looking to go paddle boarding.

Length and Width

I have put length and width together because you really have to keep both of them in mind when you’re considering a board. The two can work together to create a more stable but slow ride or a faster but less stable ride.

If you want a more stable ride, then you are going to look for a wider board. The width of a board can affect the stability with just a few inches and not really impact the speed of the ride. Being able to balance easily while on the water can really impact whether you feel comfortable or not on the water. It’s especially crucial if you want to also introduce someone else to paddle boarding. If they aren’t able to be stable, then they might feel a little uncomfortable.

A narrow ride will make the board a little unstable, but it can also improve your speed. So if you’re looking for speed, then you should look into a narrow board. The length of a board will also help in this regard. If you have a longer board, you will find that it’s much more capable of going straight and quickly. A shorter board, while it will go as straight or as fast, is much better for those that need to turn quickly for surfing or such activities.

Obviously, length and width can also have an impact on the weight that a board can hold with longer and wider boards holding more. They can also impact the overall weight of the board itself. You’ll want to find a balance to all of this that matches your needs.

Material

The material of a board isn’t just about the actual material of the entire thing as well as specific parts. While we will talk more about fins in the next section, it’s important to note what they are made of. You’ll want a more flexible fin material if your time with the board is spent on shallower bodies of water and not in the surf.

As for the material of the actual board, most boards are made out of sturdier stuff than inflatable pool toys because they’re expected to get a little abused and stand up to PSIs around 12 PSI. This means that your board will be sturdy. However, you should still remember to take care of your board. Try not to drag your board. Make sure that the board is dry before you roll it up and store it. Keep the board stored in a place where it won’t see a lot of direct sunlight. Regardless of the material, if you take care of your board right, it can last for an incredibly long time.

Attachments

When it comes to your board, you might a few extras to make sure that you’re able to really use your board for everything that you want. Some boards have the fins as an attachment that you put on after you inflate the board. There are boards that include either bungee cords or the ability to attach a bungee cord. The kind and quality of the attachments or areas to attach to will depend on the board and the purpose of the board that you’re looking for.

If you want a board that’s for touring, you’re going to want some spots to attach bungee cords to keep the things you need to be tied down. You’ll also maybe an area that will allow you to safely stow anything you need for a long day on the water.

One of the most important attachments is fins. Some boards have fins that are attached to the body of the board, but there are others that have fins that are detachable. This usually just deals with the fact that it might be easier or harder to fold up the board when it’s not in use.

Price

When it comes to price, you will typically see better quality boards for higher prices. This doesn’t mean that a more expensive board will do everything that you want it to, but that it will be better quality, probably last longer, and hold up better.

You will find that boards for children are usually cheaper because of their smaller size and the fact that they don’t need that many extra parts on them. A longer board is going to cost more just because it is a longer board. So if you’re stuck between two sizes and really can’t see a benefit from getting a longer board, then you would be better off purchasing a cheaper board.

2. The Purpose Of The Board

Now you know some of the basics to look for, but we need to discuss what you want out of an inflatable stand up paddle board. These boards are made for a variety of different uses from fishing, to touring, to surfing, to just taking a lazy paddle around a local lake. The kind of extras that you need or the shape and size of the board will depend on why you’re using it.

If you want to do more touring, then you’re going to be looking at a board that is a little bit narrower, but longer than a typical board. This will mean that you can go fairly fast, but keep in a straight line.

On the other hand, you’ll want a board with multiple fins, shorter length, and a bit wider when you’re using a board for surfing.

I will be going into more specifics in the reviews about the specific kinds of things that make a board good or bad for a certain purpose in the reviews. But you should keep in mind what purpose you’re looking for. A board that’s great all around won’t be great for racing or as good as a board designed for surfing. So when you’re looking at a board, keep in mind what you want to do.

10 Best Inflatable SUP (Stand Up Paddle) Board Reviews 2017

Regardless of what kind of board you’re looking for or whether you’re ready to purchase now, I’ll go through ten boards that can fit a lot of different people and purposes. These boards are picked for a variety of reasons and I’ll try to explain why each board fits into each category.

1. Red Paddle 10’6″ Ride MSL Inflatable SUP Board – Best Overall

This board may not be the cheapest, but if you’re looking for a board that can go just about anywhere and do almost anything, then this is really the board that you need. This board is longer with enough width to make sure that you will be stable. It’s a little over 4 inches thick at 4.72 inches. It’s a very specific number, but it provides the added stability and stiffness of a thicker board while keeping you close to the water.

The board is 10 feet and 6 inches long, and it is 32 inches wide. The width will help keep you steady and while it isn’t the longest board, it will still sail smoothly through most water conditions. The board has three fins attached to the board, so there’s nothing extra to attach to the board unless you need to use the D-rings for bungee cords to tie down bags. The board can carry roughly 220 lbs of weight, which makes it okay for many riders.

What Makes This Board Great

• Three fins that work for both touring and surfing
• D-rings on the board to allow you to tether board or lock down bags and attach leashes
• Perfect for a beginner or a paddle boarder that needs a board that will go almost everywhere

Drawbacks

• Because it’s good at everything, it doesn’t excel in anything
• Slower than other touring boards
• Smaller deck pad, so if you want to take a dog along, you might need to add another deck pad
• On the heavier side at 28 lbs

2. SPORT 11′ x 30″ Wide Inflatable SUP – Best for Touring

When it comes to a touring inflatable stand up paddle board, most boards are going to be longer and narrower. There are boards longer than iRocker’s 11-foot long board, but there are many reasons why this board is going to be a great board for touring. This board is a little bit narrower than most other boards at 30 inches wide. Although just a couple of inches different than other boards, it does impact how stable the board feels. However, once you get used to the board, you probably aren’t going to find any issues with the width.

This board is 6 inches thick, which means that it’s an extremely stiff board. That’s perfect for touring since you need something that’s sturdy and will cut through the water. There are three fins on the board. The largest fin you have to attach, but it’s fairly easy to do so. The fins ensure that the board moves straight through the water, but also helps make sure that you can turn when you need to.

If you’re looking for a board that’s better for racing, then you’ll want something longer than this iRocker board. Although it’s great for flat water and a relaxing day, it won’t go fast enough for the person that really wants to race.

What Makes This Board Great

• Lower price
• Sturdy board for an inflatable board
• Very maneuverable in the water
• Can hold up to 385 lbs (which means it’ll be great for dogs to come along too)

Drawbacks

• No kick tail, which means you may want to practice maneuvers with this board
• Heavy board at 30 lbs
• Bungee cords at the front of the board are smaller

3. Sea Eagle LongBoard 11 – Best for Surfing

When it comes to getting a paddle board that you can use on ocean surf and even whitewater, this board will be a nice sturdy solution. This is the shorter of Sea Eagle’s Longboards, which is why I have included it for surfing.

While you might want a slightly shorter board for use on just surfing, this board will also be safe and sturdy while you’re getting to those waves. The board is 11 feet long, 6 inches thick, and 30 inches wide. The narrower build of this board might make it feel a little more unstable than a 32-inch wide board, but you are likely going to get used to it as you test it out. While most people find that a board that is 6 inches thick isn’t the most conducive to surf, this board is really capable of handling everything that comes at it. In fact, the extra thickness can help some stability when the conditions get a little bit rough. Having a little more trouble biting into the waves may be worth the extra stability when you’re trying to get through windy waters.

The board is only 22 pounds, which means that it will be nice and easy to carry to the beach in a car or packed into a bag on the plane.

What Makes This Board Great

• Lighter weight makes it easy to travel with
• Three fins is perfect for helping maneuverability
• Sturdy kick board to allow you to move the board when you need

Drawbacks

• Built more like an overall board
• A little too thick for using only on surf

4. AIRHEAD Popsicle 730 ISUP Paddleboard – Best for Kids

If you’re already in paddle boarding and have been looking for a board for a child, then look no further. The Airhead Popsicle is a great solution. The board is built for kids that weigh anywhere between 30 and 120 pounds, which means that this board can actually last quite a while for a growing kid. The board itself is much shorter than others you will find at 7 feet long. It is 30 inches wide and 6 inches thick. The combination of width, length, and thickness means that this board will be perfect for a rider that’s just learning.

The board isn’t as quick as the larger models meant for adults which may mean that an adult will have to go a little bit slower with them, but it can still go fairly well through the water. If you’re going paddle boarding and your child needs some gear (like a water bottle and a small bag), then you may need to put their gear on your board. This shorter board doesn’t have the D-rings or bungee set up for gear, which is understandable with the length.

This board is lighter at 19 pounds, which means that your child should be able to carry the board without too much trouble.

What Makes This Board Great

• Shorter and wider to make a more stable ride
• Fins that are small and attached already, so that there is no extra assembly
• Nice kicktail to practice maneuvers with

Drawbacks

• No bungee cords to secure gear
• A little harder to maneuver
• Slower than adult boards

5. ISLE Airtech Inflatable 11′ Explorer Stand Up Paddle Board – Best for Carrying Dogs

When we want to go outdoors, we want to be able to take our furry pals with us. Finding a board that will fit your favorite canine as well as you can be a little bit of a challenge. The 11-foot long board of the Explorer is perfect for making sure that your dog has enough room to sit while you’re paddling across the water.

This board is 32 inches wide for extra stability and 6 inches thick for stability and the ability to carry more weight. In fact, this board is capable of holding up to 275 pounds, which should be enough for you and a furry friend (or two).

This board is made to be stable even without a dog on it. You’ll be able to go for a nice leisurely time on the water and really enjoy the world around you. This board is great for dogs because of how long it is and also the bungees. You’ll be able to secure not only your gear but anything that your dog will need as well. This board won’t go as fast as others, but hopefully, a little extra time with your dog will make up for that.

What Makes This Board Great

• Plenty of bungee cords
• Weighs 19 lbs
• Extremely stable

Drawbacks

• Could use one or two more D-rings
• A little bit slower than other boards

6. Tower Paddle Boards Adventurer Inflatable 9’10” SUP – Best for Price

If you’re looking to get into paddle boarding, then often you’ll find boards at $800-$1,000. This price point can be quite terrifying for someone who isn’t sure if they’re going to like paddle boarding. However, there are a number of boards out there that are available at much lower prices.

This Tower board is one of them. It’s shorter than many other boards at 9 feet and 10 inches. This means that it’ll be easier to maneuver and that you won’t have to pay more money for more fabric. The board is 32 inches and wide and 6 inches thick, which will make sure that your ride is a smooth and stable one.

Like many thicker boards, this one is quite rigid and won’t bend easily when you’re standing on it. This board can actually hold up to 400 pounds which is pretty incredible when you think about the lower price point. Typically boards that are closer to $500 like this one aren’t going to be able to handle a ton.

However, even though it is on the cheaper side, this board is pretty capable. It may not be the fastest, but despite its shorter length, it is pretty stable. This would be a good board for someone that wants to dabble in stand up paddle boarding or just ones a cheap one to take with when traveling.

What Makes This Board Great

• Low price
• Quick to inflate
• Rigid when inflated

Drawbacks

• Doesn’t come with its own carry bag
• No D-rings
• No bungee cords

7. 11′ Ultra Light SUP Inflatable Paddle Board – Best for Weight of Board

If you need a light board, whether it’s for travel or because you just want something that’s easier to carry, then this board is really going to be the way to go. The SUP is 11 feet long, 30 inches wide, and 6 inches thick. Despite its length and thickness, it comes in at a weight of 17 pounds. This board can even handle up to 220 pounds of weight on it.

Even though the board is light, it is still well constructed and made to ensure that your experience is smooth. It is an overall okay board. It isn’t the fastest, but it is easy to take anywhere with you. If you are looking for a paddle board to do yoga or Pilates on, this is actually a great board because it doesn’t have all sorts of bungee cords on it.

However, because this board doesn’t come with bungee cords or a good way to tie down equipment, it might not be the best board for touring. It’ll probably be great when you just want to paddle around for a little while.

What Makes This Board Great

• Light board
• Durable
• Price

Drawbacks

• No back D-ring
• No bungee cords
• Backpack isn’t the greatest quality

8. Ten Toes Board Emporium Weekender Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board – Best for Traveling

While you would think that the best paddle board for traveling would be the lightest one, that isn’t true. You need a board that can do a little bit more than easily roll up. This board is 10 feet long, 30 inches wide, and 6 inches thick. It’s a stable ride and a little bit shorter than other. The board is easy to maneuver.

The reason why this board is perfect for travel is because of how compact it can be. It can easily be a second carry on for a plane trip and will store nicely in the car for long drives. One of the options for a bag actually has wheels on it, which makes it even easier to transport when you’re getting to your destination. This board is a great quality one and perfect for riders of all kinds. Because of its stability, you should be able to take it a number of places without many problems.

There are people that would prefer a much lighter board for traveling, but they might lack the stability and quality of this Ten Toes board. The board is going to be a bit slower than others, but it’s still a great board that can do a lot. It’ll be a nice companion on the road.

What Makes This Board Great

• Bag is perfect for travel
• Fairly versatile board
• Can hold up to 275 pounds

Drawbacks

• On the heavier side
• Not the fastest
• Could use a couple more D-rings

9. Earth River SUP 9’6″x31″ Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board – Best for Lakes and Rivers

When you’re looking for a board that’s able to handle rivers and lakes, you’re also looking for a board that will be able to handle a little bit of surf if you get into white water area. The Earth River is perfect for that. It is 9 feet and 6 inches long, 31 inches wide, and 5 inches thick. All of these are slightly different than what you would expect for a board.

A 5-inch thick board is going to be able to offer extra stability while helping make sure that the board is still maneuverable. Unlike touring or being out on just flat water, you want to be able to make quick turns and move fairly well. This board offers that.

The drawbacks of this board come with a purpose. Because it is a little less wide and a little less thick than other boards of this size, it means that it will respond faster. This can be helpful when navigating a river. On open water, this board will be slower, but that’s typical for boards of this length.

This board is easy to set up and works well at what it was built to do, which is rougher waters and rivers.

What Makes This Board Great

• Kicktail for quick maneuvers
• Shorter board
• Nice bungee system

Drawbacks

• Not very quick
• Less stable

10. Sea Eagle FishSUP 126 – Best for Fishing

This board is quite a bit different than anything on this list because what you need for fishing is a little bit different than the kind of board that you need for touring. This board is 12 feet and 6 inches long, 40 inches wide, and 6 inches thick.

This much longer and wider than many other paddle boards on this list, but there’s reason for that. This board is actually made for a fisherman. With all of the D-rings, there’s plenty of attachment points to lock down equipment or even a chair if you want one. Because it is thick and wide, the board is extremely stable. It can also carry 350 pounds on it, which means that you should be able to carry back plenty of fish.

This board does allow for someone to use a motor, which just means that you get out to the deeper water to fish faster and use the paddle to move just a little bit while you’re out there. Because it needs to be stable and rigid, this board has a hull. This means that unlike the other boards on this list, this board is going to be harder to store like a non-inflatable paddle board and that it might take a little extra time to get set up. The hull also adds some weight that you don’t typically see on a paddle board.

However, with these negatives, you have to keep in mind that this board is perfect for fishing. The hull makes sure that the board is rigid, even when you’re using a motor. The dimensions of the board ensure that it will be stable while you’re fishing. The build of this board is to help you set up your ideal fishing equipment and really make the most out of a day of fishing.

What Makes This Board Great

• A lot of D-rings
• Mount for motor
• Built in fish ruler

Drawbacks

• Much heavier than typical inflatable stand up paddle boards
• Harder to store because of its hull
• Takes a little bit longer to set up.

Conclusion

Regardless of what you will do with your paddleboard, there is a board that will fit your lifestyle out there. Hopefully, the advice and boards in this article will give you a place to begin looking. Even if the boards on this list aren’t exactly what you want, you’ll know where to start looking for a board that will do everything you need it to and maybe a little more.