Whether you you are new to the world of paddle boards or a seasoned SUP pro, picking the best paddle board can be a difficult decision. We take a look at some of the best options on the market Given its significant increase in popularity in recent years, stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) likely requires no introduction for those who spend time on the water. If you\u2019re interested in joining the world\u2019s fastest-growing sport, we\u2019ve compiled a list of the best paddle board options suitable for beginners and more experienced paddlers. Alternatively, you can skip ahead to learn more about the differences in stand-up paddle boards.
\nFor newcomers to the sport, many of these options are available as complete kits, providing everything you need for an immediate water adventure. However, if you\u2019re considering a board-only choice, or if you find yourself needing to upgrade your accessories, it\u2019s advisable to explore our guides on the best paddle board pumps to ensure you can easily inflate your paddle board.
\nWhile paddle boarding can be enjoyed in simple swim shorts, if safety and comfort are priorities, you\u2019ll want to learn about appropriate clothing for paddle boarding, from athletic tops to paddle board life jackets and buoyancy aids.
\nI\u2019ve personally tested many of the models listed here and other testers in our group have tested some too, to ensure these paddle boards live up to the marketing hype.
\nQuick look
\nBest overall paddle board \u2013 Red Paddle Co 11\u20190 Compact
\nBest paddle board for families \u2013 Red Paddle Voyager 12\u20196\u2033
\nBest paddle board kit \u2013 Bluefin Cruise 10ft 8in paddle board
\nBest non-inflatable paddle board \u2013 TAHE 10\u20196\u2033 Beach Performer
\nBest inflatable paddle board<\/p>\n
Bluefin Cruise inflatable paddle board
\nSpecs: Size: 10ft 8in | Type: Inflatable | Max Weight: 150kg
\nReasons to buy: Great kit at a reasonable price | Good manoeuvrability for its size | Holds plenty of weight with lots of space, good for adventuring
\nReasons to avoid: Quite heavy when everything is packed together | Accessories such as the pump, might want upgrading in time
\nI can\u2019t be alone in being deeply suspicious about any number of the cheap paddle board bundle options on Amazon and so, when I first came across a Bluefin paddle board kit a couple of years back, heavily discounted in an Amazon sale, I was very dubious of the quality that might be on offer.
\nHowever, I\u2019ve now been testing the Bluefin Cruise 10ft 8in paddle board kit for the entire summer and can report that it is far, far better than I had assumed. As with many paddle board packages, you may want to upgrade to a better paddle board pump and paddle over time, but the ones that come with the set are certainly good enough for your first few years of paddling.
\nIs it the\u00a0best inflatable paddle board\u00a0on the market? Frankly, no. Is it surprisingly good for the cost? Absolutely.
\nAs noted above this board often appears in sales, I think it\u2019s good value at RRP, but if you\u2019re thinking about buying one and Black Friday \u2013 or another big sale \u2013 is on the horizon, it might be worth holding out until then.
\nThe Bluefin Cruise is very stable for paddling and has a fair amount of buoyancy thanks to its width and depth. Of course this does also mean it is more affected by wind and waves than other, smaller designs.
\nI like that the grip runs almost all the way to the tail of the board, meaning you still have grip to stand on if you have a heavy dry bag strapped to the attachment point on the nose of the board \u2013 or a small child \u2013 both of which would see you stand much further back than normal
\nThis model excels in versatility and manoeuvrability, making it well-suited for most novice or occasional paddlers.
\nWhile the backpack makes transportation convenient, and the inclusion of everything you need to get on the water is a boon, as a package it is up there in weight terms, so carrying the complete set may be challenging for some smaller users. I certainly wouldn\u2019t want to carry the whole kit a long way.
\nBuy it now from Amazon
\nNote: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn\u2019t affect our editorial independence.<\/p>\n
Red Paddle Voyager 12\u20196\u2033
\nSpecs: Size: 12ft 6in | Type: Inflatable | Max Weight: 150kg
\nReasons to buy: Widely considered the best inflatable paddle board manufacturer | Carries weight well | Ideal for long distance paddling
\nReasons to avoid: Expensive
\nI tested Red Paddle\u2019s 12ft 6in Voyager throughout this season. The board is designed for heading off and exploring as well as just being a water toy.
\nWith 370 litres of volume and 32in wide, it is buoyant and stable enough for a large adult plus a couple of kit bags, or an adult with a child on the front, without losing its long, efficient shape.
\nThe board is flat and is made stiffer in the mid section by battens inserted along the edges. And a large single skeg fin makes straight line paddling easy, though to turn quickly you\u2019ll need to take a step or two aft to lift the nose. The board inlfates to a solid-feeling 20psi, which is about as good as you will find on the market and means all your paddling effort goes into propulsion, not flexing the board.
\nWhile it is one of the heavier boards at 11kg, it\u2019s still light enough to carry under one arm.
\nYou can choose the paddle to go with your board \u2013 or even a full package option. I\u2019ve been using the three-piece carbon 50 paddle, which is \u00a3205 (the alloy version is \u00a395) that packs down to fit inside the bag.
\nOther accessories that made the board more useful were the Red Paddle dry bag that clips neatly on deck, the cable lock so you can leave the board safely ashore, and the Titan twin-chamber pump for faster inflation.
\nIt should also be noted that Red Paddle\u2019s position as a market leader means resale remains high on many of their products, so if you want to upgrade in the future, purchase price is not all sunk cost.
\nBuy it now from Amazon<\/p>\n
Bestway Hydro Force Fast Blast SUP
\nSpecs: Size: 12ft 6in | Type: Inflatable | Max Weight: 120kg
\nReasons to buy: Cheaper than almost everything else on the market | Works well as a basic paddle board
\nReasons to avoid: Needs to be well weighted when in use | Supplied paddle is very poor
\nWith so many people getting into stand-up paddle boards in recent years there has been a similar boom in boards that have rapidly hit the market. There are several very established brands on the market \u2013 such as Red Paddle Co. But their boards tend to be around the \u00a31000 mark, and sometimes more. Experienced paddle boarders will tell you that they are well worth the price and they undoubtedly are. But what of the cheapest brands on the market, can they be worth it for the novice?
\nWe decided to test out one of the cheapest boards we could find. We found the Bestway Hydro Force Fast Blast SUP for around \u00a3200 and conducted a full SUP test. Our conclusion was that it was remarkably useable.
\nThere are some drawbacks \u2013 as you would expect for something so cheap \u2013 the board is happiest when well-weighted, ideally near to its 120kg max. The Bestway Hydro Force Fast Blast SUP gets along nicely enough for what it is and did the intended job for our reviewer, Jake Frith as a two person fun craft and for occasional yacht tender duties, but don\u2019t get it if you\u2019re a lightweight and definitely budget for a half decent paddle as we found the one included was of very poor quality.
\nBuy it now from Decathlon
\nThe board pumped up well to 15PSI with the included pump
\nLight 10ft 6in stand up paddle board
\nSpecs: Size: 10ft 6in | Type: Inflatable | Max Weight: 140kg
\nReasons to buy: Very lightweight for the size | Room for an adult and a child of needed | Good directional stability
\nReasons to avoid: Slightly unbalanced due to weight | Non-slip could extend further forward and backward
\nThe real winner for me \u2013 and the reason this and the slightly smaller 9ft 10in version\u00a0\u2013\u00a0 was the weight and pack size. Made with Single Layer ULT (Ultra Light Technology) Dropstitch, they roll up very small and can even be folded in half first. The total weight for the whole package for each board (board, rucksack, two-speed pump, leash, two fins, and three-piece aluminium paddle) came it at 11.1kg (9.10) and 11.7kg (10.6).
\nThis is light, easy to handle and packs away small. The aluminium paddle worked well without too much flex, and the pump was effective at fast inflation and at high pressures. I was really impressed with the boards from what I could see of their quality, and they were fun boards to use on the water. Their weight recommendations can be stretched if you\u2019re an experienced paddleboarder, but otherwise opt for the size up. For the price, I would highly recommend these.
\nBuy it now from Amazon<\/p>\n
Isle Pioneer Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board
\nSpecs: Size: 10ft 6in | Type: Inflatable | Max Weight: 130kg
\nReasons to buy: Versatile for a variety of uses | Durable construction | Comes with bag, leash, pump, paddle
\nReasons to avoid: Performance will be limited | Not ideal for experienced paddlers
\nIsle have produced a number of paddle boards that have impressed us and they tend to focus on creating paddle boards that offer a range of uses. We were particularly impressed by their paddle board \/ Kayak hybrid, which the US-based company brought out in 2022.
\nAcross their range, Isle have a variety of clips and accessories so you can carry belongings with you. This does mean that they are not always the absolute best boards for the aspiring paddler who wants to do nothing but get the very best paddle board performance from their board, but if you want to head off on an adventure then these could be the choice for you.
\nThe Pioneer 2.0 is what Isle call their \u2018all-round\u2019 board and would be well suited to beginners with plenty of volume and with a width of 36in, it should be plenty stable enough. However, with a suggested maximum pressure of 12psi, it is on the soft side compared to the very best inflatables, so might not be as suited to advanced paddlers.
\nBuy it now from Isle<\/p>\n
Red Paddle Co 11\u20190 Compact Inflatable Paddle Board
\nSpecs: Size: 11ft x 32in | Type: Inflatable | Max Weight: 110kg
\nReasons to buy:\u00a0Incredibly portable \u2013 fits into smallest of backpacks | High build quality | 5-year warranty
\nReasons to avoid:\u00a0Premium price
\nRed Paddle were the pioneers of high-quality inflatable paddle boards and they remain the most innovative brand out there, with an extensive product range \u2013 in fact many of the best inflatable SUPS on the market are made by Red and we have tested many of them. All the Red boards we have used have offered impressive performance and demonstrated great build quality. It is easy to look at the price of Red products and struggle to justify the cost. But if you want one of the best inflatable boards on the market, you\u2019d be hard pressed to beat this one.
\nThe reason we particularly like the Red Paddle Co Compact SUP is that, in addition to offering all the quality you expect from Red, this board also packs down into the smallest backpack on the market: half the size of most inflatable paddle board packages. Yet folded into that space is a real do-it-all board with a truly top-end finish.
\nThis 11ft x 32in Compact is an ideal all-round size, though it does also come in a 9ft 6in option (best for small surf) and 12ft x 32in option (best for flat-water and touring.)
\nSuperb for stowage and transport, pricey yet super-high quality with a 5-year warranty.
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Bluefin SUP 10\u20328\u2033 Aura Fit SUP
\nSpecs: Size: 10ft 8in | Type: Inflatable | Max Weight: 160kg
\nReasons to buy: Small size makes it very convenient | 5-year warranty for peace of mind
\nReasons to avoid:\u00a0Premium price
\nIf you are relatively new to the paddle boarding scene then a key consideration is going to be stability. Although this SUP from Bluefin is relatively short it is designed specifically for water-based yoga and Pilates.
\nThat width and stability are also ideal for a general newcomer to the SUP world. Another side effect of the yoga specialism is an extra wide deck with plenty of grip and a gentle, rounded profile. This means it is unlikely to be the absolute best performer, but it will provide the ideal platform for those wishing to take their fist step into the world of stand up paddle boarding \u2013 and is, obviously ideal for those tempted by a little water-based yoga too.
\nA three-fin setup adds stability and good water manners, while the fibreglass paddle and polyurethane blade are reasonably light weight, so you won\u2019t get tired paddling for long periods of time.
\nThe kit also includes a double action pump, leash and rucksack for transport, letting you take on waterways as near or far as your fancy takes you.
\nBuy it now from Amazon
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Decathlon ItiWit Tandem
\nSpecs: Size: 15ft | Type: Inflatable | Max Weight: N\/A
\nReasons to buy: Great value | Stable and manoeuvrable | Optimised for two people but can stretch to a small family
\nReasons to avoid: Doesn\u2019t include a pump, leash or paddle | Not the fastest or most directional
\nMulti-person boards aren\u2019t commonplace in paddle boarding, yet it is a lot of fun to paddle in company and a few manufacturers do produce quads and tandems.
\nThe best value you\u2019ll find is this Decathlon ItiWit at a little under six-hundred quid \u2013 although be warned that doesn\u2019t include a pump, leash or paddle, so do budget for those too unless you already have your own.
\nAt 15ft x 35in this is relatively short and wide for a tandem, so while it won\u2019t be the fastest or most directional it will be stable and pretty manoeuvrable.
\nWell put together for the money and good for 17psi of air pressure, so robust and rigid enough to work nicely on the water.
\nOptimised for two-person paddling, although a board this big could take a small family at a push.
\nBuy it now from Decathlon<\/p>\n
Mistral 11ft 5in Adventure Paddle Board
\nSpecs: Size: 11ft 5in | Type: Inflatable | Max Weight: N\/A
\nReasons to buy: Fairly cheap for the quality | 2-year warranty
\nReasons to avoid: Accessories could be better
\nIf you are looking for a brand you can rely on in the increasingly congested world of stand-up paddle boards, you could do a lot worse than picking up a board, but Mistral a brand that have been at the forefront of windsurfer boards and sails for many years \u2013 in fact it was a Mistral windsurfer that was used when the sport was first included in the Olympic Games.
\nFalling back on years of board construction, the Mistral Adventure\u2019s body uses a single skin made from Mistral\u2019s Fusion Layer Technology which helps to make it lighter than double-skinned paddle boards and polyester strands run between the upper and lower faces of the board to maintain the correct board shape and add extra rigidity \u2013 as is the case with many top-end inflatable paddle boards.
\nA small word of warning, however. Although the board inflates to high pressure and is very rigid, and is very well constructed the accessories that come with it are somewhat lacking in quality. As such, you probably want to consider the price as \u2018board only\u2019 and expect to want a better pump and paddle in relatively short order.
\nBuy it now from Amazon<\/p>\n
Gul Inflatable Paddle Board
\nSpecs: Size: 10ft 7in | Type: Inflatable | Max Weight: N\/A
\nReasons to buy: Light | Good stability for beginners | Max inflation of 20psi means a rigid board when pumped up
\nReasons to avoid: Slightly cheaper options are available for beginners
\nAs with Mistral, when it comes to looking for a SUP, you can be overwhelmed with choices, so it can be a good idea to go for a well established brand so you know you are less likely to be sold a cheap dud. Gul have been making marine products for many years and we really rate their wetsuits and a variety of other watersports kit they produce.
\nThis board features a double wall design and strands between the decks, which mean it can be inflated to 20psi, which makes for a very rigid board. This is important as it means more of your effort is transferred into moving forward and the board will behave consistently in waves.
\nBuy it now from Sports Direct
\nBest paddleboard \u2013 rigid options<\/p>\n
Jobe Ventura 10.6 Bamboo Paddle Board
\nSpecs: Size: 10ft 6in | Type: Rigid | Max Weight: 110kg
\nReasons to buy: Rigid and durable | Beautifully-constructed
\nReasons to avoid: Bulky to transport | Surface is delicate
\nThis Jobe Ventura 10.6 paddle board is certainly easy on the eye, with bamboo construction really help it stand out from the other options, visually.
\nThe solid construction also makes it highly robust in use. Although the bamboo deck draws the eye, the bulk of the board is made from a foam core for buoyancy with fibreglass for strength \u2013 that buoyancy is visible in the sizable 110kg weight limit (good for this size rigid board). Two channels in the underside promote stability and speed, while the sharp nose rocker will help the board to carry itself over waves well. A single toolless fin is great for long-distance stability, while the bungee and camera plug make this a practical choice too.
\nHowever, that strength and performance come with the problem of a 10.6-foot board to transport and store, something worth thinking through before buying. Portability is always going to be a problem when it comes to buying a rigid SUP, but the additional rigidity does help performance \u2013 even if that becomes less of a case each year as pressures continue to rise in the inflatable paddle board market.
\nBuy it now from Amazon<\/p>\n
TAHE 10\u20196\u2033 Beach Performer
\nSpecs: Size: 10ft 6in | Type: Rigid | Max Weight: 90kg
\nReasons to buy: Great brand reputation for virtually indestructible boards | Strong outer skin | Solid value for money
\nReasons to avoid: Sold as board only | Hefty weight
\nBiC Sport \u2013 the watersports subsidiary of the famous biro company \u2013 rebranded as TAHE following a 2019 merger. BiC\u2019s surfing and windsurfing reputation has long been for virtually indestructible, mass-market products, and TAHE paddle boards follow that theme.
\nThis 10ft 6in x 31.5in is a no-frills, versatile solid that looks wave-friendly and should be fun in flat water too.
\nConstructed in thermoformed \u2019Tough-Tec\u2019, an extremely strong outer polyethylene skin wraps a watertight EPS foam core for maximum impact resistance, but that comes at the price of weight \u2013 a hefty 14.5kg.
\nSolid value for money, but supplied without a leash or paddle.
\nBuy it now from Decathlon
\nWhat size of paddle board do I need?
\nIn SUP, as in surfing, measurements are generally imperial. In a nutshell, an average all-round paddle board is around 11 feet long and 32 inches wide. The wider the board the more stability it has \u2013 but that width is also drag, so a narrower board will be faster yet tippier.
\nTaller, heavier riders generally appreciate a little more width for comfort. A 32\u201d wide board is a sensible beginner \/ all-round option \u2013 although a lighter or more progressive rider might prefer a 30\u201d, while heavier or more nervous paddlers may appreciate a full 34\u201d.
\nThe longer the board, the better it will glide in a straight line, but the harder it will be to turn. All-round boards tend to be 10\u2019 to 11\u20194\u201d in length; longer will be more satisfying for flat-water \u2018touring\u2019, shorter more suited to \u2018messing about\u2019 in choppier water and even catching small surf.
\nBest paddle board brands
\nThe massive growth in paddle boarding over recent years has also seen un upsurge in frankly substandard brands looking to \u2018cash in\u2019 on the sport\u2019s popularity for both the boards and the many SUP accessories, such as paddle board pumps, to be found on the market.
\nMost reputable brands are sold via dealer networks, although there are a few notable small independents selling direct on the domestic market. Many of the best paddle board brands were borne from the windsurfing industry; Starboard, Naish, Fanatic, JP \u2013 and in fact the inflatable market leaders Red Paddle were founded by Tushingham Sails down in Devon.
\nSolid or inflatable?
\nAlthough the best paddle board for top-end surfing and racing is still generally of solid construction, inflatable paddle boards are justifiably more popular for most recreational uses. A good quality inflatable (ie; well constructed and able to pump up to sufficiently high pressure) has minimal performance disadvantages, yet will be much more resistant to damage from the inevitable knocks and scrapes.
\nOften more pertinently, storage and transport is much easier with an inflatable that packs down into a backpack than a relatively delicate solid board. This is particularly true for sailors, who increasingly have a paddle board onboard as a boating accessory.
\nIf you are specifically looking for a pump up paddleboard take a look at our guide to the best inflatable paddle boards on the market.
\nDidn\u2019t find what you\u2019re looking for? Head to Amazon\u2019s dedicated sailing page for more marine products.
\nThe post Best paddle board: Top SUPs for beginners and seasoned experts appeared first on Yachting World.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Whether you you are new to the world of paddle boards or a seasoned SUP pro, picking the best paddle board can be a difficult decision. We take a look at some of the best options on the market Given … <\/p>\n