10 Best Inflatable Paddle Board (2024)
Definitive Guide [New Research]

1. What are the different types of Inflatable paddleboards?

They are mostly classified based on the type of use. But keep in mind some hybrid boards can be used in more than one category.

So here are the main types of iSUP boards. Take a look.

Allround SUP boats

For beginners and families, all-round boards are the best option. When fully inflated, they are also versatile enough to use in most types of water. At the same time, they aren’t the best choice for a specialized activity. Nor are they the best options for gaining speed.

Also slim, these are the most common types of iSUP boards you’ll find. They are also one of the most affordable options for beginners. You get an ultra-stable platform that makes it easy to learn to paddle. Besides, a traditional round nose shape makes them versatile for most surfaces.

Surf SUP boards 

These boards have a narrow nose and are more curved around the periphery. The narrow shape makes them great for tackling waves. The surfboard profile is also called a rocker. However, a steep curvature makes the board slow while moving in a straight line.

When it comes to the nose profile, a SUP board with a broader nose will struggle with large surf. The reason is, it simply can’t tackle steep wave faces. Surfboards are also longer as that makes it easy to catch the waves.

In reality, rigid composite SUP boards are the best choice for surfing. Experienced riders who push the board towards the limit generally prefer rigid boards. But inflatable paddle boards are catching up in terms of performance. They still need to do a lot of catching up.

Racing SUP boards

In most cases, the racing paddle boards are narrow in design. This allows them to glide through the water at a fast rate. On the other hand, this makes them less stable than the other kind of boards.

In most cases, racing boards are 12 to 14-feet in length. They have a concave bottom that allows them to move fast and easily maneuverable. Some of the boats also come with a  thruster setup for smooth movement.

Touring SUP boards

These boards combine the features of an all-round and a racing boat. So they are slower than racing boats but have better stability. On the whole, these paddleboards are most suited for long-distance paddling.

These boards are usually 12 to 13 feet long. A large deck area also allows you to store lots of camping or fishing gear. They might be challenging to control for beginners but great options for heavier paddlers.

Yoga SUP boards

Any surfboard that offers good stability and a wide deck area can be used for yoga. The anti-skid coating on the deck needs to be of high quality. The softness of the deck material also needs to be adequate.

While they are on the slower side, they’re great options for a fun ride with kids and pets.

2. Features to look out for

There are quite a few features to watch out for while picking a paddleboard. Here are the main things you need to look out for.

• The purpose of the use is the main point you need to consider. As we have already discussed, the boards are classified by the type of activity. All-round boards are suitable for beginners, while experienced users can look for a performance category board.
• The weight capacity is another essential factor. Heavy-duty boards with a higher weight capacity have a robust build quality. They’re on the slower side and are harder to maneuver. For casual rides with the family, they’re great. The lighter boards are more agile but not the best for heavier riders. For beginners, stability is very important. So a broader and heavier board is a better choice.
• Next, you need to think about construction quality. Most inflatable boards that come under the affordable category are made from a single layer drop stitch material. The material used is military grade PVC in most cases. To make them rigid and puncture-resistant, a unique fusion construction is used in many cases. Keep in mind multiple layers of PVC will make the board more durable. The boards with a high level of rigidity use single or dual rail layups for more outstanding durability.
• The type of fin system impacts the overall performance of the board by a lot. Experienced riders can use the removable and interchangeable fins to change the configuration as needed. But such boards are expensive. A triple fin system will best serve casual riders. This allows a board to navigate through almost all types of water.
• The range of accessories plays a vital role in determining the overall quality of a surfboard. The kind of D-ring, bungee cords, leash, paddle, and pump that you get will affect the overall user experience. Pumps can come with a single or dual chamber. A carbon fiber paddle is the best option you can get for smooth paddling. A backpack for carrying the board is also a necessary item for handling the paddleboard.

3. Product  and specifications explained

Quite simply, the design of a SUP board is all about aerodynamics. More importantly, design trends keep changing. So here’s a look at the main parameters and specifications related to inflatable paddleboard design.

The Length

The length is measured from the tip to the tail. A longer board results in better stability and provides more paddling power. It also allows surfers to catch bigger waves with ease. The length should be chosen based on the skill level and the weight of the paddler.

Width

The width is measured at the widest point of a paddleboard. A wider board has more surface area, which results in better stability. This also makes the board easier to paddle and more efficient in catching waves. The ratio between wish and length can be varied depending on the preferences. Note that the width will also impact the turning radius and the riding style.

Paddleboard volume

Volume is one aspect of a board that has recently come into focus. The total volume is related to the height, width, and thickness of the board. More volume also results in more surface area. So modern surfboards are adding to the volume while reducing the length. This is making the paddleboards more maneuverable.

Bottom contour

The bottom contour of a paddleboard can be either concave or convex. Basically, it changes the way the board holds onto the water surface. A convex base will sit low and make the ride smoother. It sacrifices speed to provide better control of the board. On the other hand, concave bottoms create more left and allow the board to skip over the surface at a higher speed. A board can also have multiple recessed grooves to help it propel faster.

The fins

Fins play a significant role in the overall performance of any inflatable paddleboard. Some important ones are propelling the board, determining the turning radius, and reducing the drag. The best inflatable paddle boards can come with a variety of fin setups and shapes. These include single fin, twin fin, tri-fin, and quad fin. Presently, the three fin setup is the commonly used one. They offer more maneuverability than single fin setups. Note that a configurable fin system with removable fins makes the board more flexible.

4. These are things to consider 

Once you know the points to keep in mind, choosing the right paddle board gets much easier.

Here are a few guides for choosing a high-quality paddleboard.

• Make sure that you pick a paddleboard of the right size. The size will depend on your skill levels, weight, and purpose. Most all-round boards come with a length of around 10 to 11 feet and a width between 30 to 34 inches.
• Some boards have permanently attached or removable fins. Three fins provide additional lateral stability. But they aren’t the best choices for choppy conditions. Removable fins are good while hedging into shallow waters.
• You need to make sure that the rings or attachments for the bungee system, leashes, or other items are made of stainless steel. The thing is, a lot of attachment points don’t make a board super useful. They will simply increase the weight and restrict movement on the deck.
• Make sure that the deck pad is made from high-quality EVA material or foam rubber. Quite simply, you need to have a good underfoot feeling while paddling. Cheaper deck pads don’t provide the same level of comfort. Besides, they also wear out quickly.
• Know that a high-quality SUP leash is an essential part of the accessories. It will prevent you from getting separated from the paddleboard in case you fall in the water. A leash can be coiled, straight, or a mixture of both. A hybrid leash is a good choice for most paddling conditions.

5. Jargon buster

There are quite a few jargons related to inflatable paddle boards that can confuse first-time riders. Here we decipher a few of them.

Rocker- This term is used to describe the overall curvature of the board. A steep rocker is more curved, while the flat rocker will be less curved. A board with a steep rocker will also have less drag and more maneuverability. Experienced surfers use boards with more intricate rockers to tackle the heavy surf.

Foil- The distribution of high-quality foam across the length of the board is termed as a foil. It can also refer to the overall thickness of the board. The performance of the board will be related to the overall thickness.

Thruster- A typical three-fin arrangement in a SUP board is termed as a thruster. This arrangement adds a lot of maneuverability to the board and allows it to change directions promptly.

Downwind paddling- This is the technique of paddling with the wind at your back, pushing you forward. The technique requires a lot of board control, footwork, and balance. So it’s mostly used by experienced paddlers.

Drag- Drag is the friction offered by the water when it makes contact with any iSUP board. This will reduce the speed of the board and make it difficult to turn. Designers use a lot of techniques to reduce the drag force on a stand-up paddleboard.

• Any inflatable board needs pumping for inflation. Most inflatable stand up paddleboard accessories come with a manual pump. Needless to say, the quality of the manual pump is critical. A dual-action pump delivers more air than a single action pump. Keep in mind a board needs to be inflated to the recommended psi of pressure. So pumping it up is always going to be a good workout. Picking an appropriate electric pump can be a good solution.
• Inflatable paddleboards are more stable than epoxy made rigidThey have a uniform thickness and are lighter than a rigid board with the same dimensions. The best part is, inflatable boards can be easily rolled up for carrying around.
• The paddle is the most vital aspect of handling SUP boards. A large blade size can displace more water and help you move faster. But for beginners, that might be a surefire way of inviting shoulder pain. A carbon fiber paddle with an ergonomic design is the best choice. Aluminum is slightly heavier but is good enough for beginners.
• We suggest making your paddleboard accessory selection. It can be a lifejacket or an inflatable belt pack. This is essential gear for your safety. A PFD is necessary on many lakes and water bodies by law.