Best Inflatable Paddle Board

By: James | Last update: 13 April 2022

The birth of stand-up paddle boarding did not only mean a new sport for adventure enthusiasts. It also meant more business opportunities for board sports brands and manufacturers. Before, there was only one option to enjoy stand up paddle boarding, and that is with the use of a hard board SUP board. However, more than a decade ago, innovation took a good turn in the advancement of paddle boards and made difference in the world of paddling. A sports genius invented inflatable paddle boards. Today, many stand up paddle board enthusiasts are jumping into the newest kind of SUP boards. In this article, we will know every detail of why the best inflatable paddle board is taking the hearts of paddlers by storm.

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Welcome to SUP Planet! I’m James and together with a team of SUP experts I help you discover the best Paddle Board. Although we started SUP Planet as a hobby, it has grown into the #1 SUP website of the world!

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What is an Inflatable Paddle Board?

An inflatable paddle board is no different than a rigid paddle board when it comes to function. On the other hand, the differences are quite numerous when it comes to board construction (e.g. materials used), performance, durability, and versatility.

The paddle board is usually drop stitched. It is made from layers of PVC materials, textile substrates, and reinforced threads. These materials are interconnected to build a rigid but lightweight paddle board. Currently, there are four (4) types of iSUP boards when it comes to exterior and interior:

Types of Inflatable Paddle Board

Single Skin (PVC)

Considered as the most flexible board, the single skin iSUP board is drop-stitched from the outside and interconnected to the insides. It is lightweight and perfect for paddlers with small to medium built.

The Stinger

While it also has a single skin exterior, its 6” – 8” second layer of interior material is what makes the difference. This second layer adds stiffness, making the board more rigid. For medium to largely built paddlers, it’s safe to say that this is a good choice.

Double Layer (PVC)

Before PVC lamination was invented, double-layered iSUP boards became the rave in the market. With the use of a classic but durable way of gluing two layers, the iSUP boards are made stiffer–but heavier.

Laminated or Fusion

We think that this is the best inflatable paddle board that fits any SUP paddler. Using advanced lamination technology, the PVC is heat-laminated onto the board exterior, making it more rigid and lightweight at the same time. It is also perfect for a wide range of user builds. Nowadays, many paddlers opt and buy laminated stand up paddle boards because not only these are durable, but as also affordable.

Why Choose an Inflatable Paddle Board?

There’s really nothing wrong with sticking to the conventional type. However, if you’re more concerned about your SUP boarding lifestyle and convenience, there are a lot of things in an inflatable paddle board that you will find useful. First, it’s very portable. Unlike hardboard SUP boards, you can bring an iSUP anywhere without much hassle because it’s inflatable/deflatable. All you have to do is strap it on your back and you’re ready to go. Car storage is also out of the question because an iSUP is super handy. It’s also easy to set up in just a few minutes. Whether you’re an all-round, surf, touring, or surfboard user, as long you have an iSUP, there will be fewer considerations in many factors.

To give you an idea about the most common inflatable paddle boards, here is a list:

Touring
This paddleboard is all about comfort. Crafted mainly for flatwater and open ocean paddling, these paddle boards are typically lengthier than all round paddle boards. Most downwinders use this when they are paddling from one point to another with the wind on their backs. Its nose is built pointed to allow the paddleboard to glide smoothly on the water. The longer the touring paddle board is, the more smoothly it slices through the water. However, stability is sacrificed.

Race
With almost the same shape as a touring board, race boards are typically designed for speed. These are made lengthy with pointed noses, but are narrower compared with touring boards.

All Round
Considered as the most suitable paddleboard for most people, an all round paddle board gives the most stability compared with the other boards. On a standard size, these boards are thick with a wider nose and tail. Everything about this paddleboard is designed to give the most comfort and enjoyment while paddling.

Surf
This is built for those who prefer surfing on the waves. Typically shorter, surf paddle boards have higher maneuverability. However, like the other boards, there’s always a trade-off. These are often slower but more stable, especially on flatwater.

Inflatable Paddle Board: A Modern Way to Enjoy Stand Up Paddle Boarding

Finding the best inflatable paddle board can be tricky, especially if you’re a beginner who’s spending all out for pro accessories ahead of time. Well, your paddling journey may just be starting, but as long as you know what to consider when buying, there’s nothing to fret about. Here are some of the details that we will discuss in this article:

Board Dimensions
- Width
- Length
- Volume
Parts
- The Fin Boxes & Base
- Fins

Other Parts & Accessories
- All-Terrain Backpack or Waterproof bags
- SUP seat
- D-Rings
- Traction Pads

The sliders below will show you what the qualities of an inflatable paddle board are per category:

Compact

Compact 100%

Traveling

Traveling 100%

Setting the board up

Setting the board up 85%

Pricing

Pricing 95%

Common Buying Traps: When the Best Inflatable Paddle Board Becomes Hard to Find

Any hasty purchase without knowledge of the product is a bad purchase. This means nothing more than your precious money going down the drain. Buying an inflatable paddle board is not a common purchase. We’re talking about spending a few hundred to a thousand dollars of expenses from the SUP board set alone. Do not make a bad purchase as it will affect your skill development. Here are some buying traps that you need to avoid when purchasing your first inflatable paddle board:

First, do not believe in everything that an ad says.

Read between marketing lines. There are some iSUPs that are not made to last long. It’s not about claims on flexibility, stiffness, or lightweight. But it’s all about the materials and technology used in the making of the board. Look for credibility seals. These are seals or stamps that signify that the board has undergone a series of tests to comply with international standards. Again, any brand can claim they are the best, but it’s up to your research to prove if those claims are true.

Second, it is not true that one size is perfect for everyone.

Unlike other sports, stand up paddle boarding is a little personalized. The board you need depends on your weight, practice, and skill level. For example, if you weigh 110KG, you can’t easily pick a 10’6x32x4.75 just like that because you’d do better with a 10’8x34x4.75! And trust us on this: some purchasers never made it to their knees with their boards just because of picking the wrong size. Long and short of it, it really goes down to how you pick the board that perfectly fits and matches your skills and style.

Lastly, do not miss on consumer ratings.

The best and most reliable review that you can always count on is the consumers’ review. Do not be impatient in scrolling through and reading feedback one by one. Ads may be able to fake claims, but disappointed consumers will never hold back in letting out the truth about bad purchases. Reading the rants and raves and you will surely find the best inflatable paddle board!

Research Factors for the Best Inflatable Paddle Board

Now, for the chunkier details, here are some in-depth information for the best windsurf paddle board:

VOLUME

When it comes to volume, you have to understand that the goal is to make the board sit not too above the water like a cork, and not too below it that it starts to sink when you’re already on it. The volume + width play a huge impact on how much the board floats on water. Your weight needs a minimum volume to keep the buoyancy. Just a rule of thumb, a liter of volume can support a kilo of weight.

LENGTH

There really isn’t much to consider when it comes to length because there are some iSUPs that are built really long, like race paddle boards. As long as you are choosing the one with the appropriate width and volume for your built, then length is pretty much not too critical to consider.

Board Details When Choosing the Best Inflatable Paddle Board

A Crucial Detail

WIDTH

The board’s width plus your built affects maneuverability. Simply put, a larger built needs a wider board, while a smaller paddler needs a narrower board. However, it is a misconception to assume that the wider the board is, the more stable it is. Because your weight and the board’s volume are separate factors to consider. Also, your paddle strokes are affected if your iSUP board is too wide for you. Thus, affecting how you can easily paddle forward. On this matter where specific body details are needed, we advise that if you’re buying from a physical store, ask for an assistance. But if you’re buying online, refer to the board size and weight chart below.

THE FIN BOXES & BASE

Did you know that even the fin base affect tracking, stability, maneuverability, and speed? As a default, an iSUP has a default of three fin boxes which usually are quick-lock for replacing fins.

All stand up paddle boards come with default or standard fin box with at least one main fin. It is usually known as the US fin box, or in iSUPs, a snap-in fin system.

FINS

These affect performance. It is with these small attachments that your speed, glide, and maneuverability are determined. For an iSUP, the default is a one or three-fin setup. The longer the fin, the deeper it goes into the water and the more the board becomes stable. However, longer fins mean a little challenge when it comes to maneuverability. On the other hand, shorter fins help with getting more speed. Professional SUP racers will benefit more on shorter fins. For surf SUP enthusiasts, you will see their boards with Quad fin or a Thruster fin setup (more than three).

The Importance of Fin Boxes and Fins

Displacement

● All-Terrain Backpack or Waterproof bags – Used for storage
● SUP Seat – Perfect for resting, especially when you’re on a tour

● D-Rings – For extra storage, hooks, and grip

● Traction Pads – Essential for a non-slip paddling experience

Other Parts and Accessories

Onze merken

Conclusion

The best inflatable paddle board can be easily found if you are well-equipped with knowledge about the product. As consumers ourselves, we strongly believe that there is no better purchase than one that is not done hastily. So, we hope that you enjoyed reading this article. You can view my selection of the best inflatable paddle board(s) on the top of the page. Happy paddling!

Learn more about stand up paddle boarding by reading other content from our website!