The 10 Best Inflatable Stand Up Paddleboards

When you are looking to buy yourself a nice inflatable paddle board there are so many factors to consider. First of all, you are going to want to set yourself a budget and decide how much money you want to spend on an inflatable board. It is important to think about how much you have gone paddle boarding so that you can make sure that you like it before you spend a bunch of money, as well as how much time you plan on spending using your paddle board. It can be a very difficult procedure so to help you out with your issues we have created a buying guide below for the factors that you should consider, as well as a top ten list for the best paddle boards that are on the market.

Top Inflatable Stand Up Paddleboard Comparison Chart

Inflatable Paddleboard Buying Guide

Design

The first thing that is probably going to sway your eyes besides the price tag is the design that is incorporated onto the board. It is important to find a board that appeals to your own personality because there are so many options to choose from that it would be silly not to. Another important thing to remember about the design of the board is that you are likely going to be paying a bit of a premium if you want to buy yourself something that is made from a well-known brand.

Weight Limit

Especially when you are looking to buy yourself an inflatable board it is extremely important to make sure that you meet the weight limit that was set by the manufacturer. Failing to meet the weight limit may cause the unit to pop and a big enough hole in an inflatable unit may mean that you have to purchase yourself an entirely new board. If you are unsure as to the weight limit of the board it is important to contact the manufacturer before purchasing because it is very likely that warranty won’t cover the unit popping due to excess weight being put on the unit.

Size

Size is one of the most important aspects of a paddle board as the size of the board has a direct correlation to the level of difficulty in order to use the board. Different sizes of boards have certain advantages over other ones and it is important to know the advantages and disadvantages of the different lengths available before you make your purchasing decision. Board’s that are under 9 feet in length have very good maneuverability and are generally designed for kids to use; you will definitely want to watch weight limits with extreme caution when purchasing a board at under 9 feet in length. A medium size board is considered to be in the range of nine to twelve feet and is ideal for use in calm water but still offers fairly good maneuverability. A long board is considered to be 12 feet to 14 feet and can be paddled faster than that of smaller boards. A longer board is much more difficult to turn and when paddling and attempting to stay straight it will be much easier than a smaller board will be. Races, as well as long-distance traveling, are the key uses for the longest paddle boards. Width is also something to pay attention to because it directly affects how stable the board is on the water. Generally, a wide board is considered to be 31 inches or more and offers the highest stability when paddling, a wide board will slow you down which is one thing to be aware of. A narrow board is generally considered to be 29-30 inches in width and offer much less stability than a wider board but is capable of traveling much faster if you can keep your balance.

Accessories

When you buy yourself an inflatable paddle board you can expect to get a variety of accessories that come along with your purchase. Depending on how much money you spend on the unit you will see lower quality or higher quality accessories accordingly. All inflatable paddle boards should come with patches as well as a leash so that you can attach yourself to it and be able to find your board when you fall off of it. Other more expensive accessories that are common on high-end paddle boards include some kind of a pump that you can use to blow up the unit, paddles or a paddle, and you will even find some boats will come with a backpack of some kind to hold your personal items in.

Reinforcement

Especially when you are looking at an inflatable board it is important to make sure that the material is going to be durable so that you don’t end up popping your expensive board the first day you go out on the water. Different companies have different ways that they reinforce the board and some companies just include extra patches so that they don’t have to reinforce their product which is something that you should be on the lookout for. If you are doubtful about the quality of a product the best thing to do is investigate further and see the issues others have had.

Grip

There are all different kinds of ways that paddle board manufacturers make the grip. Generally, the manufacturer makes more or less grip depending on whether they have their target market as a beginner or an inexperienced paddle boarder. Someone who doesn’t have a whole lot of experience is going to want more grip while riding the board otherwise they are going to have a tough time learning to use the board without falling off and losing their balance. Some boards actually incorporate extra-large traction pads on the deck so that two different people can use the board at the same time and have a bit of room to move around. It is important to think about what all you are going to be doing on the board so that you can decide how much grip you are going to need. For example: if you are going to be doing things like diving off the board or fishing then you are probably going to want a fairly large grip deck to give you more stability. Another thing that you are going to come across is a grooved board rather than a board with a traction pad. These boards do offer increased grip but they may not quite be as good as a traction pad which is something that you should be aware of before you make your purchasing decision.

Price

One of the most important aspects of a paddle board for many people will be the price of a paddle board. Even inflatable boards can get very high in price and it is especially important to expect to get a quality board that is going to last you for a few years if you are going to have a really high budget. When you are attempting to set a budget for yourself it is important to consider your experience as well as how much you are going to use the board. Think about your financial situation and make sure you can afford the board that you are looking to purchase. It is important to think about the longevity of the board in your purchasing decision because if you plan on replacing the board if it breaks, you may want to spend a little bit more money so that you don’t have to do that as often; this could save you money in the long run. Even the cheapest inflatable boards on the market are going to cost you a fair bit of money so it is important to make sure that this is actually a product that you want to purchase. If you can it may be a good idea to try and find a friend or a rental shop to take one of these out on the water and learn to use it before you make your final purchasing decision. It would really suck to buy a board only to realize you didn’t like using it and you couldn’t return it because it was either past the deadline or damaged in some way.

Warranty

The last thing you are going to want to heavily consider when looking at a board is how long the company warranty is on the product that you are purchasing as this can really save you. It is important to look at the finer details of the warranty to make sure there are no hidden clauses that make the warranty void; you will often find these with companies that are trying to rip you off with a bad product and it is good to know that companies like this actually exist. You will find a range of warranties on the market that only covers things like manufacturer defects, it is a good idea to look for something that also covers damage especially when you are buying an inflatable boat because you may run into issues a few years down the road.

Best Inflatable Paddle Board Reviews


 

1.   Bluefin SUP Stand Up Inflatable Paddle Board

The Bluefin SUP hits the top of our list because of its balance between value/price and features.  Users are raving about it, and how it’s by far the best option for an inflatable SUP in its price range and beyond.  Why are so many people so happy?  Let’s explore!

It’s made from military grade triple layered PVC for strength, and it comes with a full kayak conversion kit so you can use it as more of a boat than a board.  That means you’ll get a two-piece, dual-ended paddle, seat, ankle leash and of course, a high capacity pump.  Most of that can fit into an included carry bag.

The board itself is quite long at twelve feet, and it’s over thirty inches wide.  That means it’s capable of handling the weight of several people.  In fact, it’s rated for 410 pounds!  That can actually hold my entire family including me, my wife and my THREE kids!  Crazy stuff!

Like many larger SUPs, you can use this board for Yoga, Pilates, racing, white water travel, surfing and lake touring.  That’s a lot of value and diversity for an affordable price!

Pros:

  • 410 lb weight limit allows the majority of people (along with most of their family at the same time) to be able to use this board
  • Very nice floatable, two-piece paddle
  • Hand pump to pump the unit up, bag to carry your stuff around in
  • Durable design is built to last
  • very rigid

Cons:

  • Some have concerns over stability, while others say it’s really stable – not sure who to believe!

 


 

2.   Tower Paddle Board

This paddleboard requires an average to high budget as far as paddleboards are concerned but has some nice features incorporated into the design to attempt to make up for the higher price tag. This paddleboard has a weight limit of 350 lbs meaning it can hold up the weight of the majority of people in the marketplace. The board is 9’10 in length making it a bit smaller than some of the boards on the market but increasing the overall maneuverability of the board. The board is quite durable as it is made out of PVC piping and has a two year warranty on it that covers everything besides regular wear and tear.

Pros:

  • Purchase includes a board, a pump, and a 3 part adjustable paddle
  • Very durable PVC pipe material incorporated into the design
  • Two-year warranty covers everything but wear and tear on the unit
  • This unit is capable of holding a weight of up to 350 lbs
  • Easier to transport due to its small size

Cons:

  • Average to high price as far as inflatable paddle boards are concerned
  • Some users may want a longer board

 


 

3.   iROCKER Cruiser Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board 

The iRocker Cruiser is one of our team’s (yes, we have a “team”) favorite boards because of its relatively low price (barely half of a thousand bucks!), and because of what it offers.  For starters, it’s made by a company whose name stands out among the competition as an icon in the inflatable SUP industry.  

In addition, it’s a very stable board at 10’6″ long, 33″ wide and 6″ thick.  It only weighs 25 pounds and it’s easy to carry on your back in a duffle/travel backpack.  It can hold up to 400 pounds (which is lot more than other 6″ thick, stable boards that are rated at under 300 lbs.)  By the way, in case you’re wondering, the 25-pound weight is somewhere around HALF the weight of a typical hard board.

A floating fiberglass paddle is included and it’s tough, so chipping won’t be a problem.  You can make the paddle into a kayak paddle if you buy an optional blade addition.  The paddle also breaks down into 3 separate pieces so it can fit into your carry bag.  It includes a full throttle, dual chamber pump which is 100% faster than previous models.  The pump weighs 4 lbs. It also gives you 3 removable fins to finesse your performance based on water conditions, more rear D-rings and cargo storage at the front.  Color options include a light sky blue, deeper royal blue, fluorescent light green and red.

All this comes with a 2-year warranty for peace of mind!

Pros:

  • Comes with a wide variety of accessories including a pump, a paddle, a leash, a backpack and removable fins
  • The 33-inch board is very wide and easier than other boards to maintain your balance
  • 6″ thick deck adds buoyancy and stability
  • Great price

Cons:

  • Loses some speed thanks to the very wide base – not as fast a thin, sleek hard board

 


 

4.   Blue Wave Sports Stingray 10 ft

This boat is available for a pretty low price tag and does come with some pretty nice features with your purchase as well. The board comes with a paddle, a detachable track fin, a footrest, a storage bag, a repair kit as well as a hand pump so that you can blow up the board. This board features a nice carrying handle which makes it very easy to transport from place to place so long as you can either handle the ten foot length or release the air in the chamber and fold it up to take it with you. The board has a large grip deck on the top to make it much easier to stand on and maintain your balance. The board itself is 10 feet long by 30 inches wide which makes it offer a combination of speed as well as s decent amount of maneuverability.

Pros:

  • Large anti-slip deck on the top to prevent slips
  • Top end of the narrow board make this board fairly fast
  • Medium size board offers good maneuverability
  • Tons of accessories come with the board including a hand pump, a detachable fin, a footrest, a storage bag as well as a repair kit
  • Convenient carrying handle
  • Doubled outer layer for added protection and increased durability over time

Cons:

  • Only capable of holding up to 220 lbs at one time

 


 

5.   ROC Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board

The ROC is what we would consider an overall good value – especially if your price range is south of $300.  It’s not an exceptional board on any count, but quite capable of whatever you put it through (even rocky rivers).  It’s made of military-grade PVC and ROC claims (of course they would – they have to!) it’s the lightest and most durable board on the market – PERIOD!  Big claim ROC and I’m not so sure you’d know if you were or were not, but we’ll let it slide this time.

It’s 10.5 feet long and 32 inches wide (I really like those dimensions actually).  Like most boards, it’s 6 inches thick and this board can hold 275 pounds which is adequate though not exceptional.  You’ll get an alloy floating paddle, leash, pump, waterproof cell and key bag as well as a great backpack for the whole schmozzle!

ROC will give you a 1-year warranty which they actually sell (so they say) for $50, but you special customers, it’s free!

We do like the board, but some of the claims and semi-lame warranty are a little lackluster.

Pros:

  • Non-slip surface
  • Comes with a backpack and air pump for your own convenience
  • Lots of excellent reviews on Amazon (could 240 people be wrong?)

Cons:

  • Might be too slow of a board and too sturdy for experienced paddleboard riders
  • Jack of all trades and master of none

 


 

6.   Vilano Journey Inflatable Board

This unit is one of the most affordable inflatable paddle boat packages that are available on the market. The package is available in a white and grey as well as a white and blue design to appeal to a broader audience. The board itself is 9.9 feet long and 30 inches wide as well as 5 inches thick. With your purchase, you get a lot of accessories including a 3 part aluminum paddle a pump with a pressure gauge so that you can properly fill up the board, a backpack and a carrying strap that is removable and located directly on the board for ease of transportation. The deck on this board is grooved in order to improve grip so that you don’t fall off when you are paddling as often. Amazingly for this affordable price tag, the manufacturer offers a one year warranty on the unit which can really help to give you some peace of mind with your purchase.

Pros:

  • Deflated the boat sits at only one foot in diameter making it extremely easy to transport
  • One year warranty to give you peace of mind
  • Three piece aluminum paddle
  • The grooved deck offers improved grip strength
  • Made from durable PVC material to help protect from chips and scratches
  • Very hard to beat the affordable price tag
  • Comes with a backpack, 3 piece aluminum paddle, a pump with a pressure gauge, and a removable carrying strap on the unit

Cons:

  • May be too thick for some users liking

 


 

7.   Peak 10′ Yoga Fitness Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board

Specifically designed for Yoga and Pilates, this board delivers a package of quality for a very reasonable price.  The soft EVA deck offers traction and comfort for any workout routine.  The Peak Yoga Fitness Inflatable SUP is made of military-grade PVC and the way it’s built makes for a lighter, more durable and stiffer board than many others with similar specifications.  The added stability you’ll find in this board comes in large part through the qualities of the thick 6″ depth.  It’s 10 feet long, 31 inches wide and 6 inches deep.  It weighs 18 pounds and it can hold 275 pounds.

Other features include a rear carrying handle and a front bungee system for your gear.  It can even fit an extra person or dog with ease.  It only takes about 5 minutes to fill it with an electrical pump and about 10 minutes with the included hand pump. 

The entire package contains an adjustable, floating 3-Piece Alloy Paddle with a Nylon Blade, a travel backpack, a 10-foot coil ankle leash, a GRI high-pressure dual action 15 PSI pump with gauge, a 9-inch nylon snap-In center fin,  and a bonus waterproof smartphone carry case. It also has built-in tail-mounted D-rings and a 6-point bungee system.  You can easily get replacement parts for all these items.

Pros:

  • Capable of holding up to 275 lbs at one time
  • Comes with a huge variety of accessories including a pump with a gauge, a three-piece aluminum paddle, an ankle leash, a removable fin and a carrying backpack to move the unit around when it is deflated
  • Thick board makes for a very stable ride
  • One year warranty against any defects that appear
  • Exterior made from PVC pipe material to help protect against scratches and chips

Cons:

  • May take extra effort to fully inflate

 


 

8.   Swonder Premium Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board

Here’s Another board that is available for a pretty reasonable price considering all of the nice features that you get with the design.  Its shape falls somewhere between an aggressive, tapered design and a placid blunt-end recreational design.  The Swonder offers exceptional stability and it comes in both a 10.5-foot and 11.5-foot model.  Both are 32 inches wide (that’s a full 2 inches narrower than some) and 6 inches thick which is thicker and more rigid than others.

For the smaller board, the weight capacity is rated at 255 pounds while the larger 11.5-foot version is rated for 275 pounds.

The deck is non-slip and accommodates lots of activities like exercise, touring, fishing and even full wedding receptions!  Okay, that last one wasn’t totally true, but you get the idea!

The military-grade PVC with drop-stitching increases the overall durability of the board and we love the accessories (which are not necessarily more or better than others, but it offers things some others don’t).  The deal comes with a big backpack, super light aluminum paddle, high-pressure hand pump, repair kit, coiled safety leash and a detachable fin!  With the extra fin, you’ll have 3 fins on the bottom for way better control.  They really do make a difference.  That much I know from personal experience.

The whole pack weighs 30 pounds which is quite reasonable for what you’re getting!  All this with a 30-day return policy and a 1-year warranty.

We like the quality of this board and that’s why on a scale of 1-10 in pricing, it falls around 5 while most fall around 3-4.

Pros:

  • Comes with a fin, a leash, a paddle and a carrying bag
  • 11.5 feet long and 32 inches wide for a great size and stability
  • Super easy to transport the board around
  • Works in waves and calm water
  • Can handle up to 275 lbs
  • Thicker and more rigid than most competitors’ boards

Cons:

  • The worst criticism of this board is a less-than-perfect quality pump that malfunctioned.  We’re guessing this is not a regular, common, ongoing problem for every Swonder board kit.

 


 

9.   PathFinder Inflatable SUP

This is another board that is very friendly with your wallet. This board comes available in two different styles in order to suit a broad range of personality traits. The board is 9.9 inches long, 30 inches wide and 5 inches thick. The board comes with quite a lot of accessories in order to improve the value of this deal. The accessories included are: a large no slip deck, an adjustable aluminum paddle, a pump to blow up the board, a detachable center fin for extra stability, a backpack to carry the unit around in when it is deflated as well as a valve wrench so you can easily blow the board up and deflate as needed. The weight limit of the board is 240 lbs which means it can hold the majority of people with relative ease; you will also find that the board is made from PVC piping and is multi-layered which adds durability.

Pros:

  • PVC piping and multiple layers for added durability
  • 240 lb weight limit can hold most people
  • Large portion of accessories including adjustable aluminum paddle, a detachable fin, a backpack to carry the unit around, a pump to blow up the unit as well as a valve wrench
  • Very budget friendly board of a reasonable size
  • Instructions included for user convenience
  • Sits high up in the water

Cons:

  • Some users may want a longer board for more speed
  • Gets difficult to pump up at the end

 


 

10.   iROCKER Inflatable Paddle Board Kayak Seat

If you are looking to buy yourself a paddleboard on the really cheap side of things just so that you can give paddleboarding a try, then this product may be the one for you. This board comes with two side fins and a removable center fin that are all used for added stability. Like many of the other inflatable boards on the market, this comes with a nice amount of accessories. The board has a pump, an aluminum oar, a pressure gauge to pump your board up to the right pressure as well as a carrying bag for easy transportation. The board also features an anti-slip grip pad on the deck so that you have even more stability when using the unit. Drop stitch material is also incorporated into the design which helps to add more durability to the unit.

Pros:

  • Two side fins and removable center fin for added stability
  • Medium size board at 10 feet 2 inches in length
  • Anti-slip traction pad for increased grip strength and more stability
  • Drop stitch material adds more durability to the unit
  • Comes with a pump, an aluminum oar, a pressure gauge and a backpack
  • Very cheap price tag compared to other inflatable boards on the market

Cons:

  • No repair kit
  • No leash included
  • The weight limit is 220 lbs which means it is lower than most on the market

 


 

Conclusion & Recommendations


It can be quite difficult to purchase yourself an inflatable paddle board especially due to the fact that there are so many options available on the market. It is very important to look at the finer details of the paddle board design so that you can uncover the potential issues that you may run into down the road. Look for things like extra thick padding, extra patches, and a high weight limit and it is much more likely that you will be purchasing yourself a durable board. It is also important to try and stick within whatever budget you set for yourself because you will find that there is a huge variance in price ranges available and some of them may be way over your budget. Hope that this list has helped to inform you a bit about paddle boards and that you maybe even found yourself a new board. Have fun on the water!

 


 

Pete

My name's Pete Stec and I'm one of the owners here at SportConsumer.com and Sport Consumer Family (YouTube). My family and I invite you to travel our journey of wellness for your kids and family through nutrition and exercise while we continue to provide the very best reviews on the sports gear you need for serious competition or for your leisure activity!

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