Best Compact Paddle Board
By: James | Last update: 2 November 2022
Paddleboarding enthusiasts know how entertaining this can be, and there are a lot of amazing sites where you can probe into your paddle board. You can unwind, get fit, or catch some waves offshore. Numerous best compact paddle boards are accessible in small bags that are well suited for road trips and easy packing.
But the greater part of us always end up with the same question which is “Will it fit into my budget?” This is something we all prioritize. And luckily, you can always track down for certain, (with a little hunting), a couple or more within budget. The critical but-not-so-hard-to-do part is finding the characteristics that make a board the best compact paddle board.
If you’re reading this, then you’re probably interested in figuring out what the components are to getting a good SUP paddle board. So, keep on reading because we’ve barely begun this discussion on how to find the best compact paddle board.
🥇Best inflatable choice
Fanatic Fly Air Premium 9’8″
🥇Most popular choice for touring
Red paddle 11’3″ Touring HT supboard pakket
🥈Best budget choice
Aqua Marina Breeze supboard pakket
Why Start With the Best Compact Paddle Board First?
Trying to determine a good SUP board is quite simple. In finding a suitable stand up paddle board, you’ll need to consider these:
- How you’re going to use it
- If it matches your BMI
- And how you want it to manage in the water
The vital decision points will be the following: figure and shape of the board, getting proper volume, capacity, span, breadth, and thickness. While we have a good list of the best compact paddle board to save you time from the research, it’s going to help reading through this article.
Most Common Paddle Boards
Now, the most common four types of stand up paddle boards are the following:
Touring – If you are targeting a convenient and comfortable SUP experience, this is the paddle board. Created explicitly for still waters or sea paddling, the board has a longer frame compared to the all round paddle board. The board’s tip is also longer to achieve that smooth performance, seamlessly cutting through the water.
Race – Primarily, this is similar to a touring SUP board, but the previous is made for speed. Built with sturdy and pointed noses, the overall form of race paddle boards is slender and slim than the touring SUP boards.
All round – This board is popular and the best-seller on the block, and sells on a large scale as it is the go-to of every beginner in the SUP “course” and is your finest alternative especially if you’ve just begun paddling. This whole paddle board in general was created and designed to deliver maximal stability, assurance, and comfort.
Surf – For those who have leaned towards taking a chance on rough waters, the Surf SUP board could be for you. Surf paddle boards have superb maneuverability, and it’s because of their structure and outline. Even though it is similar to many of the boards in demand, there always is a drawback. Surf paddleboards function best on harsh surges, but are not suggested for use on flat waters.
Not Even The Best Compact Paddle Board Can Avoid Drawbacks
Inflatable paddleboards are totally eked out from drop-stitch PVC. This is a substance that uses a PVC top and bottom coating with a lot of strings between them. They can be very stiff and sturdy when inflated. Not all PVC drop-stitch are built the same way.
Cheap boards use single-layer PVC. Most high-priced boards may use 2 or 3 layers. There are other alterations like MSL or Woven PVC that can add more rigidity. The more layers of PVC are applied to the structure, the heavier and weighty the board becomes as well. Heavier means harder to lift and doesn’t fold and tuck as small.
A Light, but Smart Idea
The concept of a compact SUP, made for convenience, is very enticing. Anything lightweight that fits in cabin luggage seems like a striking change. And we are aware that for obvious reasons that inflatable paddleboard paddlers want this.
Although lighter, a compact paddle board is more flexible because of its drop-stitching that makes up the marrow of a compact board. The seams, in some cases, are not as dependable if you get the poor-quality ones. Why? Because of the suppleness of the outer shell. This could lead to an undesirably high failure rate.
Three Buying Points for the Best Compact Paddle Board
But let’s not get stranded there. Apart from our top choices on this page, we’ll let you into the 3 basic yet crucial points to getting the best compact paddle board.
Volume
A paddle board’s volume, indicated in liters, is evidence of the board’s capacity to float with weight on it. The higher the volume, the more weight the board can uphold. You can never go wrong in selecting your best compact paddle board as long as you get the right volume. We have a weight chart that you can always check on this page.
Weight Capacity
Every SUP has a passenger weight capacity. Knowing weight capacity is necessary because if you are too overweight for a board, it will sink lower in the water. When putting weight capacity into consideration, study how much weight you will place on the board, inclusive of your weight, your gear, and food. You could also take the whole payload/freight of the paddle board and take off 25% of that weight.
Body Type
You should match your SUP’s width to your body type. In other words, if you are a small person, go for the narrower paddleboard, and vice versa. The reason for that is that a smaller person can typically get their balance on a narrow board. On the other hand, someone bigger will need more effort to keep balance. A petite person will also find it difficult to paddle on a big board as they wouldn’t be able to reach the sides comfortably to paddle the water.
For further reference, please check out the sizing chart at the bottom of this article.
Board Specifications
The entire embodiment of your board plays a significant role for you, from wood to fiberglass, epoxy, and so on. The fins affixed to your board control how your board “traces” its speed. They also affect the overall performance of your board. A big lone fin located on the back of the board will help your tracking and velocity. Positioning the fin further upfront will improve turning and rotation. Usually, a 2-3 fin frame is used for surfing, but it can also help SUP boards. There are also fins for racing. The most important thing to keep in mind is the volume and proportions of a SUP board so here’s a sizing chart:
| BOARD DIMENSIONS
Wide – Broader and more stable platform, which also means more surface underneath, creating a drag while paddling. Thickness – thicker boards are meant for beginners, and also for heavier riders. Length, width, and thickness of the board determine how much volume there is on the board. |
A Debate on Board Type: Which Team Are You?
INFLATABLE vs RIGID BOARD Inflatable paddleboards have become reasonable. They can be of the same quality as the rigid type. You can even get a racing board that’s inflatable. This is the board that we encourage for users if you want an easy-to-transport and store portable paddle board. There are other compact options other than inflatable paddleboards. The asset of these boards is that they are rigid and stiffer and will enhance their performance on the water. They are easier and faster to set up. Setting up includes unfolding the 3 board sections and hooking up straps or fasteners. It might take 2 minutes on a slow day. |
| Inflating an inflatable paddleboard normally takes about 6-12 minutes based on the paddleboard type. The problem with folding paddle boards is that they still occupy a lot of space and aren’t lightweight. Their normal freight is about 45lbs. The trunk space of a small SUV will quickly be “filled”. They are and weighty than the most giant inflatable paddle boards. |
| FIN SETUPS
Never pick a permanently fixed fin; that is to say, don’t ever buy attachments and other types of equipment that cannot be detached, specifically side fins. The standard fin setup is the 2+1 fin design if you want a decent inflatable SUP board. |
Board Dimensions Guide for Beginner
| Your Weight | Width | Thickness | Length |
| Below 125 lbs (56kg) | 31-32” | 5” | 9’6″-10’9″ |
| 125-150 lbs (56-68 kg) | 31-32” | 5” | 9’6″-10’9″ |
| 150-175 lbs (68-79 kg) | 31-33” | 5” | 10’0″-12’6″ |
| 175-200 lbs (79 – 90 kg) | 32-34” | 5” | 10’0″-12’6″ |
| 200-225 lbs (90-102 kg) | 32-34” | 5-6” | 10’0″-12’6″ |
| 225+ lbs (102 kgs +) | 32-34” | 6” | 10’0″-12’6″ |
Conclusion
Choosing the best all round paddle board really depends on your lifestyle and preference. Do you love traveling often? Is your vehicle an SUV or a pick-up truck where you can carry a solid SUP board anywhere? Do you live near the sea or rivers?
If you feel like your lifestyle keeps you on the go, then your new paddling experience is better off with an inflatable paddle board. But if you like everything lax, old school, and slow, then go with the hardboard paddle board. Just make sure that whatever all round paddle board you buy, don’t forget that fun is the most important thing to have.
To make your search for the best all round paddle board a lot easier, we have already made a selection for you. View our selection of the best all round stand-up paddle board(s) at the top of the page.
Enjoy discovering the world of paddle boarding!