The Greatest Standup Paddleboards of 2024

Standup paddleboarding is among the fastest-growing water sports activities of the previous decade. The market is flooded with high-quality standup paddleboards, and our purchaser’s information may also help you select the very best, whether or not you’re a seasoned paddler or simply beginning out.

Standup paddleboarding, or SUPing, is the act of standing (or sitting or kneeling) on a stable epoxy or inflatable plastic board tapered at each ends and utilizing a paddle to maneuver via the water. Whether or not you’re floating on a mellow river or lake, navigating Class 2 rapids, or exploring coastlines, a SUP gives freedom and publicity you don’t get in a ship or kayak.

Paddleboards are related in form to a protracted ocean surfboard but in addition have fins which are detachable or mounted on the underside, which assist the board monitor nicely within the water whereas being steered.

Inflatables, which we concentrate on right here, are an amazing possibility as a result of once they’re deflated, they will extra simply slot in a closet, trunk, or truck mattress. You’ll be able to even take them on airplanes. Inflatable designs have advantages on the water, too, like sturdiness towards rocks or different particles.

Some paddlers use their boards for multiday adventures, whereas others race, fish, surf ocean waves, do yoga, run whitewater, hike to glacial tarns, or hang around with family and friends on the native reservoir. Our specialists take all of those makes use of and situations into consideration when evaluating paddleboards.

Over the past 3 years, we’ve had the pleasure of testing 15 superior boards out on lakes and rivers from Colorado to Utah to Texas. Our editors and contributors are continually looking for out the most recent and the best to incorporate in our purchaser’s information. 

Beneath, you’ll discover our checklist of the very best inflatable standup paddleboards of 2024. We’ve grouped them into classes that will help you discover the paddleboard that’s best for you. Be sure you try the purchaser’s information, FAQ, and comparability chart on the finish of this text when you want extra assist selecting.

Editor’s Notice: For our June 14, 2024, replace, we’ve lined the Isle Pioneer Professional. This board is exceptionally inflexible and steady for an inflatable paddleboard. It’s an amazing selection for folk who need to carry a variety of gear, paddle with their mates, and even float with their canine.

The Greatest Standup Paddleboards of 2024

Standup Paddleboards Comparability Chart

How We Examined Standup Paddleboards

On high of intensive analysis, we get pleasure from placing these SUPs to the check. We took these SUPs on meandering river outings, via turbulent whitewater, and on calm waterways via canyons. We hiked our SUPs to high-altitude mountain lakes, paddled on wide-open reservoirs, and loaded them up for multiday journeys. 

Hailing from Crested Butte, Colo., contributor Morgan Tilton is an avid paddleboarder each summer season. Whereas a day on the lake is at all times enjoyable, Morgan prefers to err on the facet of journey. Morgan has accomplished a self-supported first SUP descent down the 100-mile wild whitewater of the Escalante River, in Utah, giving her a novel perspective to guage SUPs for his or her cargo-carrying and touring talents. 

Based mostly out of Denver, Editor Mary Murphy regularly assessments the most recent paddleboards on the native lakes, no matter circumstances, and enjoys multi-day excursions each time she will get the prospect. Her expertise with a spread of boards permits her to make helpful, related comparisons.

For this information, we appeared on the general development, sturdiness, and options of every standup paddleboard throughout a spread of costs and functions. Our metrics for every board included high quality, development, and worth. We put an enormous concentrate on inflatable standup paddleboards and all-around fashions. They’re an amazing possibility for all expertise ranges, have quite a lot of makes use of (flatwater and whitewater), and don’t require particular racks or further storage.

We examined all the boards on this checklist — with and with out gear luggage strapped down — to get a really feel for a way the boards deal with at completely different weights. We additionally name out the standard and performance of the included equipment like pumps, paddles, and carrying luggage.

As well as, we think about the most recent, highest-rated, hottest, and bestselling fashions in the marketplace immediately.

Purchaser’s Information: The right way to Select a Standup Paddleboard

Forms of Standup Paddleboards

A wide range of standup paddleboard designs exist which are tailor-made to particular actions and person targets. Boards can even have hybrid designs that work nicely for quite a lot of functions.

All-Round

These common boards work for a lot of varieties and expertise ranges of paddlers from whitewater to flatwater. However the designs don’t excel at a particular sort of paddling equivalent to racing or whitewater.

Nearly all of the SUPs in our information are all-around boards, given the designs are sometimes appropriate for freshmen, households, teams, people, and laid-back paddling along with extra aggressive missions. All-around SUPs could be stable or inflatable, and we concentrate on inflatable designs on this information.

Whitewater

SUPs for whitewater are usually inflatable, which will increase the sturdiness whereas working towards rocks, bushes, or different particles. Whereas they’re lengthier than a river surfboard, they’re usually shorter than the longest SUPs which are speed- or race-oriented on flatwater.

Touring (Flatwater)

Touring boards are made to be steady and transfer quick in water for paddling over lengthy distances. The form, or hull, is pointier to displace the water. Touring SUPs could be stable or inflatable.

Fishing

For larger stability, fishing-oriented SUPs are sometimes wider, which makes them a tad slower than narrower boards. These boards additionally normally have loads of attachment factors for angler equipment. Fishing SUPs could be stable or inflatable.

Race

The size of the SUP is longer, and the width is narrower. The longer design helps the board monitor straighter. The three major race classes are 12’6″, 14′, and all the pieces that’s longer than that. The form, or hull, could be pointier to displace the water (known as a displacement hull), which is nice for flatwater races and lengthy distances. Or, a planing hull sits extra on high of the water, which is beneficial for uneven or ocean water.

Surf

If you happen to frequent the ocean and need to surf waves, you are able to do so on a SUP. These designs are normally shorter in size and narrower for maneuverability.

Strong vs. Inflatable SUPs

Strong Designs

Efficiency-wise, stable SUPs journey stronger via water and with extra stability in comparison with a lighter, air-filled inflatable. A inflexible board is often manufactured from EPS foam that’s strengthened with fiberglass and epoxy. The mix is sturdy and pretty gentle.

One other stable materials possibility is to put money into a carbon fiber board if you would like an excellent lighter-weight, stiffer construct. Carbon fiber is pricier. Designs can even incorporate wooden, which is aesthetically engaging. These choices embrace bamboo, which is powerful, gentle, and cheaper than carbon fiber. Different kinds of wooden embrace cedar, paulownia, and beetle-kill pine.

Typically, inflexible boards have a broader vary of sizes and styles in comparison with inflatables. If you happen to do go along with a stable board, make certain you could have the right transportation setup, like a automobile rack, in addition to a spot to retailer the full-length board year-round.

Inflatable Designs

Inflatable SUPs normally are manufactured from plastic with reinforcements, equivalent to alongside the rail and beneath the place the paddler stands. They’re pumped up with air to be used, just like pumping up your bike tires earlier than a experience. The supplies of the deck pad are gentle underfoot.

Inflatable designs are tremendous common as a result of they’re simpler to retailer and transport than a stable board. However they do require vitality and time to inflate each single time you employ the board. Sometimes, it takes us about 10 minutes to pump up a board — it’s an amazing warmup earlier than a paddle. It might elevate your coronary heart price and make your biceps burn relying on the PSI wants of the day!

They’re additionally usually much less performance-oriented than inflexible boards in regard to hurry and stability.

Inflatable SUPs are an amazing selection if you may be in low water depths or close to rocks, sharp sticks, or logs as a result of they will soak up and deal with abrasion and impression higher than a stable board.

Form or Hull

The hull is the form of the board. There are usually two kinds of shapes for SUPs, that are in easy phrases rounder and pointier.

Vast and Blunt (Planing Hull)

This SUP design is flatter and rides towards the floor of the water. The broader, rounder nostril (and tail) and general form are steady and simpler to show. Planing hulls are used for all-around SUPs. These shapes are usually good for whitewater, browsing (the form is just like a surfboard), and practising yoga on a SUP.

Slim and Pointed (Displacement Hull)

A displacement hull is narrower, and the nostril is pointier so the board effectively, easily cuts via the water, and tracks nicely. The tail is commonly flat as a substitute of spherical. Flatwater or touring and race-specific boards usually have a displacement hull. This design is an effective selection for competitions, occasions, and speed-oriented exercises or masking lengthy distances.

Size and Width

With boards, the size and width correlate to general quantity and weight capability. General dimension influences how nimble a board is in waves or whitewater (relative to the paddler dimension and cargo weight) in addition to the board’s stability.

If ocean browsing is your focus, go shorter. For an all-around board, select a reasonable size. In case your precedence is long-distance excursions, go for a protracted board.

In any other case, when you weigh 140 kilos (and wish the board to be further speedy or maneuverable), you could have the choice of selecting a shorter size — and subsequently much less quantity — board. If you happen to weigh at or over 180-200 kilos — or if you wish to paddle with a canine, little one, or accomplice — think about an extended size and wider board.

Additionally, think about if you wish to journey tremendous light-weight equivalent to on brief day journeys. Or, when you want loads of storage for cargo, equivalent to dry luggage and a cooler.

Typically, listed here are the rules of a brief, reasonable, and longboard:

Quick size (lower than 10 toes)

Medium size (10 to 12 toes)

Lengthy size (larger than 12 toes)

Widths vary from practically 25 inches to 35 inches or extra. Including width will increase the quantity, which improves stability, in addition to capability for hauling gear. Narrower boards have much less drag, transfer quicker, and might extra simply pivot.

Typically, we advocate a barely bigger board to new paddlers to supply extra stability.

The most typical dimension boards are 10′ 6″ or 11′. However there are many lengths, shapes, and sizes past that vary.

If you happen to’re looking for a household, it can save you buckets by buying one longer, wider board as a substitute of two (or 4). As an illustration, two 140-pound adults can comfortably match on an 11′ board (the match and weight restrict will differ by model). Like kayaks, there are even tandem-specific fashions on the market (starting from 12 to fifteen toes in size).

Weight and Weight Capability

Inflatable SUPs usually weigh lower than stable boards. The entire inflatables in our information weigh below 31 kilos. The heavier boards embrace the 31-pound NRS Thrive Inflatable SUP Board and the 30-pound BOTE HD Inflatable Paddle Board. The lightest board is the 12.9-pound Kokopelli Chasm Lite, adopted by the 18-pound Badfish Flyweight.

The burden capability is how a lot a SUP can safely carry, together with paddlers, pets, catch, or cargo.

Whenever you trim a SUP’s grams, usually the board has a decrease capability for weight general, nonetheless, there’s not a direct correlation so take note of these numbers. As an illustration, the NRS Thrive Inflatable SUP mannequin has a 275-pound capability. The BOTE HD Inflatable Paddleboard weighs a tad much less, has a larger general quantity, and might carry 315 kilos.

The Badfish SUP Flyweight can tote as much as 230 kilos, and the iROCKER All-Round 10′ Extremely Paddleboard can carry 260 kilos. The bottom weight capacities amongst our selection SUPs are the NRS Thrive Inflatable SUP Board and the NRS STAR Section Inflatable SUP Board that may every carry 180 kilos.

On the best finish of weight capability, the Portager can carry 350 kilos. The upgraded Portager XL even carries as much as 650 kilos.

Deck Pad

The deck pad covers the highest of the SUP the place the paddler will sit or stand. Protection varies per board, and a few boards have wider, longer patches of pad than others. The fabric mix is exclusive to every model however usually consists of plastic.

The supplies supply traction and grip, and so they usually really feel gentle and cushioned. Nevertheless, that doesn’t imply you possibly can’t get burnt from friction! If you happen to plan to paddle whitewater or uneven water, don’t be ashamed to put on knee pads, particularly on a protracted journey.

Certainly one of our favourite deck pads is on the Boardworks SHUBU Solr. The deck pad is roofed in a layer dubbed “Honey Fomb,” which seems like honeycomb and appears like a therapeutic, thick yoga mat. A whopping three-quarters of the board is topped off with this cushion, which makes standing, sitting, kneeling, or practising Warrior II Pose that rather more snug.

All-around or whitewater boards usually have a deck pad that covers nearly all of the board’s floor and at the very least covers the middle to the tail, given the paddler will likely be making extra dynamic paddling strokes and transferring round to shift weight on the board. As an illustration, the Hala Rado is sort of fully lined in an EVA cushioned deck pad, which is even topped off with a 1.5-inch raised stomp pad within the again, just like the upturned tail you see on a skateboard deck.

Compared, the EVA deck pad on the iROCKER All-Round 10′ Extremely Paddleboard is cut up within the center with two strips the place the paddler is more likely to stand, which helps trim down weight. The deck pad can be strategically positioned on the Paddle North Portager Paddleboard, marking the place a paddler can keep centered on the board.

Rails

The SUP rail is the sting across the board. The rail supplies can differ and the form could be rounder or extra angled.

Rails are good to concentrate to as a result of they will usually be the primary place on a board that may get dinged or start to deteriorate via use. It’s good to know easy methods to restore a rail and to have your restore package on a visit.

Handles

Many SUPs are designed with a well-cushioned, ergonomic carry deal with within the heart of the SUP, so you possibly can carry it below your arm. There will also be carry handles on the nostril and tail. Some carry handles are extra snug than others, and never all are cushioned.

Tie-Down Factors and Bungee Straps

Varied tie-down factors exist on SUPs. Many designs characteristic bungee wire nets mounted to the entrance or again of the board (or each).

For in a single day paddle journeys and whitewater journeys, our favourite characteristic is chrome steel D-rings — they’re simple to clip or thread tie-downs into, dependable, and tremendous sturdy.

Different rings embrace gentle rings, which aren’t as fast to string, and plastic rings, which aren’t as sturdy as chrome steel.

Sure SUP designs characteristic particular attachment factors for model equipment tailor-made to sure sports activities like fishing and touring. The BOTE HD Aero Paddleboard is appropriate with detachable rack receivers for the model’s deal with rack or bucket rack equipment for anglers.

Fins

Fins beneath the board close to the tail assist a board monitor nicely (learn: keep straight) within the water and assist improve stability. Shapes and sizes differ. The longer the fin, the extra affect it is going to have on monitoring and stability. In distinction, shorter fins are nice for shallower water like low-volume rivers, sure seashores, or areas with a number of vegetation like seagrass. Usually of us discuss with fin dimension in regard to the size of the fin or how a lot it protrudes into the water.

Numerous paddle manufacturers supply detachable and interchangeable fins for varied kinds of water. Sure boards have a mixture of each mounted and detachable fins, just like the ISLE’s Pioneer 2.0 SUP, which has two mounted facet fins and a detachable bigger heart fin.

A detachable fin attaches to a board by way of a fin field or plate, which is the place the tip of the fin slides or snaps into place. Notice: not all fins are appropriate with all kinds of repair packing containers.

A wide range of fin configurations exist:

Single fin: One single, normally longer fin that’s positioned within the heart

3-fin: Three fins which are equal in size and dimension and spaced evenly aside

2-fin: Two fins which are equal in size and dimension and area evenly aside

2 plus 1: One single bigger fin within the heart and two smaller fins on both facet

If you understand you need to take your board out on each flatwater and whitewater (or the ocean), put money into a model that has a surf fin in its lineup.

Some manufacturers additionally supply spare fins with a purchase order.

Paddles

Nearly all of SUPs embrace a paddle with buy however not all. Typically, an inflatable SUP features a multi-piece or three-piece paddle that breaks down and matches nicely within the journey bag. The size is adjustable.

A paddle has a deal with at one finish, related to the shaft, after which a blade (which fits within the water) on the different finish. Nicer paddles have extra ergonomic handles.

Paddle shafts are normally manufactured from aluminum, glass fiber, carbon, or Kevlar. Carbon is probably the most performance-oriented as a result of it’s light-weight and powerful, and the funding could possibly be well worth the lengthy haul.

Leash

A leash is useful when you fall off your board and don’t need it to drift away, particularly if it’s breezy or there occur to be wakes, or when you pushed the board away as you toppled over. A leash can be a instrument utilized by flatwater racers, given they’re transferring quicker. Many SUPs are made with a leash attachment level like a D-ring.

Some SUP packages embrace a coiled leash, which attaches to the board. The opposite facet of the leash is padded and Velcros across the paddler’s ankle, such because the one made by BOTE ($44).

Nevertheless, there may be main rivalry nationwide relating to the security of whether or not or not a leash needs to be used on a SUP (and on a river surfboard), particularly in turbulent, quick-shifting, debris-laden water. The trade lacks common requirements relating to this piece of drugs. Fatalities have occurred as a consequence of leashes getting lodged in underwater particles when a SUPer falls off in fast-moving river water.

To assist improve a paddler’s capability to disconnect themselves from their setup a number of manufacturers have designed quick-release leashes equivalent to NRS ($64), Hala ($80), and Stage Six ($50).

If you buy a quick-release leash, be sure you observe and confidently know easy methods to successfully and effectively use it within the water.

And no, a leash doesn’t substitute the buoyancy and security of a PFD (private flotation gadget). Be sure you comply with the PFD, or life jacket, rules the place you intend to SUP.

Journey Bag

Journey luggage are normally included within the package deal for an inflatable SUP, and so they usually have a backpack design with padded shoulder straps. Nicer journey luggage even have sturdy wheels to allow them to be rolled. Sometimes, the luggage have zippered pockets, too.

The luggage are an effective way to maintain all the equipment in a single place together with the fins, hand pump, and patch package.

Probably the most distinctive journey bag design we’ve seen is the one made by Pink Paddle Co., which comes with the MSL 10′ 6″ Trip SUP. Nice for minimal strategy hikes, the SUP gives the choice to totally isolate the shoulder harness from the remainder of the curler backpack, forsaking a easy system of straps that connect horizontally and vertically across the SUP.  For a streamlined paddle day, this association is nice.

Packages

One other high consideration to have a look at when buying a board is what comes with it.

This wasn’t at all times the case, however many boards are actually offered with a paddle, fin, pump, and journey bag included within the package deal.

Shopping for the board and paddle collectively saves time, analysis, and infrequently cash. And on the very least, these combo packages make sure you’ll get an adjustable paddle that works along with your board.

Transporting Your SUP

Inflatable SUPs could be deflated, rolled up, and simply stashed inside a truck mattress or inside your rig.

If you happen to plan to move a SUP on the skin of your automobile, make certain the board is totally locked down and secured. As an illustration, Thule makes a SUP roof rack and Viking Options makes a truck mattress rack.

SUPs which are sketchily or incorrectly mounted to autos can fly off and into the windshields of rigs behind them. Be certain your board is accurately affixed!

Finances

The SUPs featured in our gear information vary from $699 on the low finish to $1,399 on the excessive finish. Sometimes, SUPs price round $1,000.

If the board you like is out of your value vary, look ahead to a sale. You might lease or demo the board you want via your native retailer till you discover the one you want.

Some outfitters will even unload their demo fleet boards after a few seasons. These are all nice choices for setting your self up for achievement. Wait, plan, make investments.

When it comes to high quality, particularly with an inflatable SUP, it will likely be nicely value it in the long term.

Caring for Your SUP

There are just a few widespread practices you must know when you put money into an inflatable SUP.

• By no means depart your board sitting out within the solar. This may degrade the energy of the fabric over time, delaminating the board. To not point out, UV rays might trigger the floor and colours of your board to fade.
• All the time inflate to the really useful PSI. You need to preserve the utmost weight in thoughts when you’ve got two riders, whether or not two adults or an grownup, and cargo (canine or child). If you’re a heavier rider and wish extra stability, be at liberty to inflate to the utmost really useful PSI when beginning out.
• Spend money on some boat cleaner on your SUP. An inflatable boat cleaner is designed to take away any grime, oxidation, and marks from a SUP or kayak (works on PVC or urethane supplies). Alternatively, you possibly can wipe down your board after use with a humid fabric. That is essential in case you are paddling regularly in saltwater. We at all times carry a gentle microfiber towel within the trunk.
• Examine the valve and board earlier than you go. Most SUPs these days embrace a restore and patch package, however nobody needs to need to take care of that on the water. All the time examine your board earlier than you head out for the day.

Repairs, Restore Package, and Product Lifespan

It’s not daily that you’ve got a chance to observe a 7-year-old bomber SUP lastly bust on the rails from common put on and tear, as one in all our editors did final summer season. 

Product Lifespan 

Based mostly on our expertise, you can usually count on the lifespan of a premium whitewater SUP to succeed in round 7 years. That’s if the board is constructed with double-glued, mechanically welded seams — and it’s not been hammered by pup toes or dragged throughout asphalt. In keeping with Hala Gear, the usual minimal life expectancy on all the boards they produce is identical timespan. 

That stated, the ultimate blowout was a stable reinforcement of the pink flags of wear-and-tear, common upkeep, in addition to prevention of a blowout.

Within the Discipline: Watch out for Warmth

First issues first; heed that warning label: Don’t depart your inflated SUP in direct daylight whatever the board’s age. 

On a sunny summer season morning, rays slowly baked our editor’s veteran SUP, which was anchored on a seaside throughout a multiday paddle journey, 12 miles from the takeout. A seam began to leak air, which was audible, and bubbles had been seen alongside the rail. 

Carry a Restore Package

All the time carry at the very least one restore package, and know if the provides are an satisfactory amount to repair your SUP plus the opposite boards in your group in a gear emergency. 

Our editor’s restore package included PVC (polyvinyl chloride, a kind of plastic) glue and round PVC patches that she reduce in half with a pocket knife to maximise the protection. 

The one repair required practically all the package’s provides, which had been beforehand unopened. (Be sure you not contact PVC glue along with your naked pores and skin.)   

Examine Your SUP

After coming back from that multiday journey, our editor pumped up her SUP for a brief river lap one toasty afternoon, walked inside for five minutes, and returned to a totally blown rail. 

If you happen to see indicators of air bubbles across the fringe of the SUP (which she had) don’t take ‘em flippantly — they might burst. 

Retailer in a Cool Place

That goes for storage, too. A preferred possibility could be to maintain your SUP inflated and grasp it between outings, however be sure that the rack or pulley system permits the board to relaxation within the shade. 

General, stashing the plastic at a cooler temperature and out of pointless UV rays may also help lengthen its lifespan. 

Restore Kits: What’s Included

Many standup paddleboard bundles as of late embrace a restore package. 

Prepacked restore kits from producers embrace: 

• A brightly coloured, stable waterproof case
• PVC glue
• PVC patches
• Valve instrument that may tighten or loosen the valve level in your SUP  

The right way to Use Restore Package Provides

If air is leaking out of the valve, use the valve instrument to tighten it by giving a small clockwise twist. Nearly all of the time there’s a leak, it’s coming from the valve, the place grime can get lodged. 

A valve instrument can even loosen the valve sufficient to tug it up so you possibly can clear out any particles. 

Not all valve instruments are interchangeable throughout valves — so carry the one which got here along with your board! 

Some PVC patches are rectangular and others are round. Both means, be sure to have a beneficiant quantity readily available. If you must repair even a small gap alongside the rail, the patch will possible want to increase a number of inches on both facet of the opening so as to totally safe the leak. 

Guarantee Plan and Finish of Product Life

Examine your SUP’s guarantee plan. Our editor’s board had a 5-year guarantee, so the incident fell past that timeline. 

Some manufacturers, together with Hala Gear, will take again retired SUPs and reuse the supplies to maintain waste out of landfills — like repurposing the deckpads as flooring mats. Or utilizing the inside drop sew for instructional movies and shows.  

FAQ