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Millions of Americans are paddle board wannabe’s or enthusiasts. Why not invest in a quality board so you can glide whenever you want? There are some awesome and affordable boards on the market that are easier to store and transport than ever before, thanks in large part to the rise of inflatable boards.
Inflatable vs Solid Stand Up Paddle Boards
Old-schoolers may not be on board with ISUPs (inflatable stand up paddle boards), but ISUP boards have come a long way in the past few years.
The best inflatable SUPs consist of extremely durable, military-grade vinyl that can withstand a beating. However, these days, many inflatable boards rival cheaper solid material boards in their durability and rigidity. And, of course, there’s the issue of board transportation and storage — you can’t beat inflatables if your space is limited. That’s why you’ll find many ISUPs in our reviews.
With that said, it can be a drag to inflate and deflate an ISUP, especially if you’re a frequent paddle boarder. Ultimately, the choice comes down to personal preference and lifestyle.
Best Paddle Boards
There are thousands upon thousands of SUPs on the market — a testament to the growing popularity of the sport. But how do you weed through them all, especially if you’re a novice? That’s where we come in.
We’ve researched the most popular and highly rated boards to give you our top picks. First, we give you our overall top three picks for the best ISUPs followed by our recommendations for SUPs for touring, yoga and more.
Best Inflatable Paddle Boards | Best Paddle Boards by Category
Best Inflatable Paddle Board Winners
These rankings were difficult to cap at three winners — there are so many strong contenders on the ISUP market. Nevertheless, we present you our inflatable paddle board reviews.
Roc | Atoll | Tower Adventure 2
Roc Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board Review
#1
The Roc wins our top spot for the best inflatable stand up paddle board. It’s budget-friendly and as good quality, durability and performance of any inflatable on the market — even giving non-inflatable paddle boards a run for their money. It has a dual layer non slip pad, secure bungee tie down and comfort grip handle.
This Amazon-top rated paddle board is amazingly versatile, handling flat water and light surf well. The Ride series comes in four different colors: black, blue, green, pink and comes with waterproof bag, leash, paddle and hand pump. It’s a sturdy board for youth and adults alike and is.
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Pricing & Tech Specs
- $224.95
- Includes backpack, Titan pump, pressure gauge, repair kit, waterproof phone case and bungee lacing on deck
- Length: 10’5″
- Width: 32″
- Thickness: 6″
- Board Weight: 27.5lbs
- Max Payload: 275lbs
- Material: PVC
Atoll Review
#2
The Atoll 11′ Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board comes in a very close second in our best inflatable SUP rankings. Unless you’re shorter in stature, don’t let the length of this paddle board deter you — it’s made with new ultra-light dual layer PVC coming in at only 19 pounds (30% lighter than comparable models).
The Atoll is durable, steady, and fully functional for flat water and surf, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and pros. Some of its bonus features include 14 D-rings so that you can bring along all your gear, and a universal fin box that fits most after-market fins if you want to switch up your ride (it comes with a removable 8″ composite fin).
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Pricing & Tech Specs
- $625.99
- Includes backpack, 2-way pump, aluminum alloy paddle, repair kit and 14 D-rings, bungee lacing on deck
- Length: 11′
- Width: 32″
- Thickness: 6″
- Board Weight: 19lbs
- Max Payload: 300lbs
- Material: PVC
- 2-year warranty
Tower Adventurer 2 Review
#3
The Tower Adventurer 2 (as seen on Shark Tank) rounds out our top three picks as the best inflatable paddle board. This all-around ISUP is one of the most popular boards on the market, and for good reasons. The Tower comes at a price point that’s hard to beat for its extreme durability and rigidity— its military-grade material can even accommodate riders up to 325+ lbs.
Although the Tower Adventurer is a little heavier than some other top quality ISUPs and doesn’t come bundled with as many extras, its pricing is hard to pass up.
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Pricing & Tech Specs
- $699.00
- Includes adjustable fiberglass paddle, pump, bungee lacing and 3 D-rings
- Length: 10′ 4″
- Width: 32″
- Thickness: 6″
- Board Weight: 25lbs
- Max Payload: 350lbs
- Material: PVC
- 2-year warranty
Best Paddle Boards By Category
Here are some other categories to help you choose the best stand up paddle board for your individual needs. Simply click on a link below to jump to a category or continue reading.
Best Non-Inflatable SUP for Beginners | Best SUP for Yoga | Best SUP for Racing/Touring
Best SUP For Beginners (Non-Inflatable): California Board Company Review
The California Board Company’s 10’6″ could be just the ticket if you’re a beginner or amateur paddle boarder and don’t want the hassle of inflating and deflating an ISUP. This model is surprisingly lightweight for a solid SUP, making it a great option for a family beach, river or lake outing.
And for an attractive price, you get a sturdy board with an excellent reputation for a smooth ride. It may not be as fast as higher end paddle boards, but it gets our vote for beginners.
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Pricing & Tech Specs
- Includes adjustable paddle, leash and instant padded roof rack
- Length: 10′ 6″
- Width: 31″
- Thickness: 5″
- Board Weight: 23lbs
- Max Payload: 300lbs
- Material: High-density EPS foam
- 30-day warranty
Best For SUP Yoga: ISLE Airtech Review
Paddle board yoga? You bet! It’s a growing fitness trend, and the ISLE Airtech Inflatable 10’4 Yoga Stand-Up Paddle Board makes an excellent choice. With a rigid 6″ base, and a wide nose and tail, this ISUP gives you all the balance you’ll need for your yoga sessions.
Its diamond-groove deck pad offers fantastic traction and comfort. The ISLE Airtech is also one of the best all-around inflatable stand-up paddle boards on the market for recreational use. It provides a smooth glide and can handle light surf. And it’s easy to transport at its light 19lb weight. You get all of these features and more at an extremely competitive price.
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Pricing & Tech Specs
- Check Amazon for availability
- Includes 3-piece aluminum adjustable travel paddle, backpack, pump with pressure gauge and repair kit
- Length: 10′ 4″
- Width: 31″
- Thickness: 6″
- Board Weight: 18.2lbs
- Max Payload: 255lbs
- Material: Military-grade PVC
- 1-year warranty
Best For Touring/Racing: BIC Sport ACE-TEC Wing Review
Are you a recreational paddle board pro and ready to kick it up a notch? If so, the BIC Sport ACE-TEC Wing Stand Up Paddle Board makes an excellent touring and recreational racing board. Outside Magazine’s Gear of the Year winner, the Wing is speedy and stable enough to handle choppy ocean water and windy conditions.
And it’s a superb, fun ride for long touring sessions. Some of its fantastic features include a premium deck pad, ergonomic carry handle, nine deck attachment points to secure gear and a recessed standing area for added stability and comfort. The Wing is available in 11′ and 12’6″ lengths.
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Pricing & Tech Specs
- Check Amazon for availability
- Length: 11′
- Width: 29″
- Volume: 220 liters
- Board Weight: 27lbs
- Max Payload: 175lbs
- Material: EPS foam core, fiberglass reinforcement with ASA Polymer outer skin
- 1-year warranty
- Also available at 12’6″ length
What Are The Golden Rules Of Paddle Boarding?
Check out this video for some awesome tips if you’re just taking up paddle boarding or want to fine-tune your form.
Is Paddle Boarding Considered A Sport?
If you’ve been paddle boarding before, you know it’s a great all-body workout. But it’s not just a recreational hobby. Paddle boarding continues to gain traction in the sporting world, from racing to surfing. There’s even some buzz about a possible Olympics category in the future. Regardless of how you plan to use a paddle board, it’s a versatile piece of equipment that’s a ton of fun.
SUP For A Challenge?
If you’re feeling extra adventurous, why not try filming your paddle board experience with a drone or doing yoga on your board?
I have been wanting to get my own paddle board as renting them can be expensive but have no where to store these – didn’t realize they had inflatable ones, soo cool!