Inflatable paddle boards have been around for only a short time, but they’re growing increasingly popular with people who enjoy water sports. But what are they ? And are they just a passing fad?
The moniker of inflatable paddle boards is fitting, since they are designed to be inflated rather than rigid.
These items are constructed with a thermally stable material, able to withstand the repeated practice of inflation and deflation, and generally come with their own device for dual chamber inflation.
What Are the benefits Inflatable Paddle Boards?
They’re so Portable
Inflatable stand up paddle boards provide a great advantage of being much more easy to transport than regular paddle boards.
You can quickly let the air out of them and store them in your vehicle, which is beneficial if you plan on bringing your board on vacation or a camping excursion.
Are They a More Affordable Stand Up Paddle Board?
An additional advantage is that stand up paddle boards usually cost less than typical paddle boards. If you are a beginner in the sport, an inflatable paddle board may be an ideal choice for you.
So, are inflatable paddle boards just a passing fad? It’s hard to say. It’s evident that these have certain benefits compared to traditional paddle boards, nonetheless, it remains to be seen if they’ll be enduring or not.
They’re Not Actually all That New
Are you unfamiliar with paddle boarding? Maybe you’re curious as to why so many people enjoy inflatable paddle boards. Stand up paddle boards that can be filled with air and deflated for convenience in moving and storing them are known as inflatable iSUPs.
Inflatable paddle boards have been an existing part of the landscape for some time, contradicting their reputation as comparatively fresh inventions.
It was the start of the 2000s when Aqua Marina, an Australian business, initially came up with the concept of them.
Why are They so Popular?
Why are inflatable Stand Up Paddleboards so widespread these days? There are a few reasons.
Convenience
Inflatable stand-up paddle boards are much more convenient to use than traditional rigid paddle boards. They are convenient to move around in either a car or on public transport, and they can be put away in limited spaces such as cupboards or under beds.
Durability
Inflatable stand up paddle boards are more resilient than the hard board models (except for Glide’s extremely robust rigid boards). They are constructed from materials that are tough and resistant to punctures, able to put up with significant mistreatment.
Budget Boards
In addition, many inflatable stand-up paddle boards often cost less than rigid paddle boards, making them a great choice for people who want to save money.
Before purchasing an inflatable paddle board, it is important to consider several factors.
more Benefits of an Inflatable Paddle Board
Are you interested in finding a unique and thrilling way to experience nature? An inflatable SUP board might be the perfect answer. Here are just a few of the benefits that paddle boarding can offer:
Great for De-stressing and Low Impact Workout
Paddle boarding is an effective means for unwinding and relieving tension. Nothing beats the feeling of being out on the lake, surrounded by nature, and the only sound you can hear is that of your paddle entering the water.
An Inflatable SUP allows you to Explore the Great Outdoors
Exploring new places can be done through paddle boarding. Canoeing through a river or a lake gives you a whole new viewpoint.
Just About Anyone Can Do It
Paddle boarding is great for all skill levels. All kinds of kayakers, from novice to experienced, can have fun taking part in this activity.
Exploring the advantages of inflatable paddle boarding is a great idea. They can be moved around easily and employed in many different locations. Inflatable stand up paddle boards are great for those just starting out, as they offer a high level of stability.
At present, paddle boards come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
An Inflatable SUP for Every Kind of Paddling
Certain types of boats are meant for use in open marine waters, while others are more suitable for ponds and streams. Inflatable paddle boards are a perfect choice for novice paddlers due to their transportability.
An inflatable paddle board is simple to transport in your vehicle so there is no need to be concerned about it getting damaged or wet. Using an inflatable paddle board is an excellent choice for recreational paddlers since it can be effortlessly operated.
Put the board on the water, then get on it and start rowing with the paddle! Many inflatable paddle boards come with lots of extras, from a hand pump to kayak chairs, making the task of using even simpler.
Inflatable Paddle Board Alternatives
Inflatable SUPs have gained traction recently, but they’re not the only choice available. If you are searching for something other than an inflatable paddle board, there are several factors to think about.
Rigid paddle boards made for recreation are the classic choice and possess a few perks compared to inflatable models. Generally, they are longer lasting and simpler to fix if something goes wrong. Boards with a hard-shell are usually quicker and use less energy when moving through the water.
Inflatable paddle boards have become more favored in recent years. A soft-top surfboard shares a lot of the same benefits as an inflatable one, such as it is lightweight and convenient to move around. They’re also often less expensive than hard-shell paddle boards.
Those looking for a different approach from an inflatable paddle board may be interested in SUP yoga. SUP yoga boards are created with a single purpose in mind – they are meant to be utilized for yoga and provide a solid base for perfecting various exercises.
Investigate thoroughly to locate the paddle board that best suits your needs…
Best Overall
Atoll 11′ Inflatable SUP
What We Like
- Larger weight limit
- Good for beginners
- Stylish
The famous Atoll inflatable stand up paddleboard has a very recognizable buffalo logo, and is specially constructed to be thick and strong for maximum durability. Bigger paddlers can have a hard time with boards that have small profiles and have capacity limits that are on the smaller side.
The Atoll is quite the hefty option, displaying a comfortable 6 inches of thickness and measuring 32 inches in width. It can accommodate up to 400 pounds for one individual, and a maximum of 750 pounds if two people are riding.
The board is designed to be efficient, boasting a squared tail and pointed nose for improved speed and maneuverability. The thruster fin arrangement allows you to accelerate and keep travelling in a straight line when you have to traverse a long distance.
There are plenty of D-ring attachment points and removable elastic straps to secure your equipment. The included fiberglass paddle is of excellent quality, and the leash resembles that of a surfboard.
Once inflated (which was done in a very brief amount of time), the Atoll 11-Footer had a very solid, stable feeling that was quickly evident when we jumped on in the water.
We did not observe the typical flexibility that is typically seen in less expensive blow-up products. It had a form that was practical, was organised well and was 6 inches thick which made it straightforward to go on a journey.
One thing that made this board thicker than surf and fiberglass SUPs (generally around 2-4 inches) was a bit of an inconvenience; If there was a particularly windy day, our tester felt the board getting caught in the air, making it harder for them to stay steady with paddling.
Inflatable Stand-Up Paddleboards usually don’t move as quickly as the hard boards, but our test revealed the Atoll was secure enough to keep the gap insignificant. Inflatable boards might not offer exceptional turning capacity.
We were taken aback to witness the Atoll’s capability to turn quickly, however we were delighted with what was in front of us: The noticeably peaked and ever so slightly raised nose gave it the capacity to maneuver, despite having been designed mainly for flatwater.
Although the size of this inflatable is more manageable than larger platforms, it is not designed to provide a perfect wave surfing experience, and moving it from one place to another requires some effort and time. All in all, you can get a top-notch SUP bundle from the Atoll at a great price.
Price at time of publish: $626
Dimensions: 132 x 32 x 6 in | Composition: PVC | Guarantee: 2-year manufacturer’s | Weight: 21 lbs
Best Overall, Runner-Up
Isle Pioneer 2.0
- This is the perfect option for paddlers of any ability due to its affordable cost and superior quality.
- The large size of the bag made it very easy to repack at the end of the day.
- It was extremely agile and coped effortlessly with varied types of water and weather conditions.
Using Isle’s newest design of the pioneer is utterly straightforward. It was effortless to bring this board into action, starting from taking it out of the box and blowing it up to paddling around and finally to deflation and stuffing it back.
This bundle includes a lead, a fin, a pump, an oar and a sack. Two people can easily share the burden with the help of the front and rear handles, and bungees on both ends enable carrying of water bottles, life jackets, or extra clothing. Additionally, two Velcro straps on the side provide a secure place to keep the paddle during the carrying of the board.
On the water, this board performed very well. The size of this board, with a 6-inch loft and 34-inch width, gives it a heightened level of stability, making it one of Isle’s most stable boards.
One of the testers managed to demonstrate the ability to fly-fish by casting the rod and successfully capturing Brook trout from the lake in Summit County, Colorado.
There were no major problems when sailing through the surf near Ventura County’s coast. Its maneuverability was very good and it seemed to move quickly and easily through the air.
We appreciate an inflatable paddle board that can be quickly re-packed in its container, and the Pioneer 2.0 achieves this. In summary: The Isle Pioneer is a great financial option for people of any ability who may want to try various activities on the water such as fishing or yoga.
Price at time of publish: $795
Dimensions: 126 x 34 x 6 inches | Composition: Unspecified | Guarantee: 2-year limited | Weight: 24 pounds
Best Budget
ROC Inflatable Stand Up Paddleboard Pack
This board from ROC is something to be liked a lot. Don’t let the fact that this board is “budget” be its only defining characteristic. Our tester tried out the solid ROC inflatable SUP alongside a board which was two times more expensive and it competed well.
Our evaluator found that one of the two boards they examined had more advantages than the other.
Particularly, they appreciated the front and back bungee fastenings, the simplistic method of attaching and detaching the fin utilizing the QuickClip fin system, and the added dry bag, which was useful for bringing along a cell phone and car keys when paddling.
This board offers an added benefit of a paddle that can be used for paddleboarding and kayaking.
Best Value
SereneLife Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board
SereneLife’s inflatable SUP would be suitable for paddlers of all levels, from beginners to experienced. This includes all the essentials: a board, a paddle, an air pump, a repair kit, a leash, and a spare fin.
Our tester was able to successfully inflate the tire to 12 PSI in a duration of less than 10 minutes. The paddle was simple to adapt, even though I was standing up on the board in the water. This board has amazing balance, as evidenced by our tester who went out onto a windy lake and river while riding it with a companion and a mischievous pooch that kept hopping off the board again and again.
We took this board out camping and on a four-day river journey, and despite some bruises and scuffs from carrying it in and out of the river, it remained sturdy. Our tester reported that, despite some minor scuff marks, the item felt extremely tough and durable.
We take issue with the bag that comes with these boards, as it could be larger and make it simpler to pack them away when finished. It will be difficult to find a superior board at its price.
Our tester remarked that it was very simple to take the paddle board on both a path and a paved surface, and it was one of the sturdiest they had ever used. I really enjoyed having the company of my pup or companion on my paddle board, and it was incredibly steady in spite of the additional weight.
In general, this paddle board was an absolute joy to use on the water, no matter the paddler’s level of skill.
