It is overwhelming to shop for inflatable paddle boards because of the number of new brands. Inflatable paddle board brands are streaming into the market hence flooding the market.
However, many brands in the market can create confusion. Moreover, that happens, especially if you don't know about the best inflatable paddling boards.
Best Inflatable Paddle Board for Surfing
Inflatable paddleboards are portable, versatile, durable, and convenient. But it may not be easy to walk into the market and point at best.
You need to hold thorough knowledge about what to look for in an inflatable paddleboard. Moreover, there are many technical factors to consider for the best inflatable paddling board.
A typical surfing paddling board should range between 7 feet to 12 feet long. Yet, the size of a surfing board one chooses will depend on the level of skills, size, and needs.
A more advanced rider may want to choose a smaller board that will turn and maneuver fast during surfing. Besides, a longboard is best for big people for more stability or people who enjoy riding on longboards.
The shapes of inflatable surfing boards are all similar, but the nose and tip curves may differ.
The shape of the whole surfing board contributes a lot to how well the surfing board will perform. What's more, the shape of the board's nose, rails, fins, tail, and rocker work together to give an outstanding performance.
A more curved inflatable paddleboard with a narrower tail is the best to maneuver the waves.
Rails of a surfing board affect the board's performance more than you may think of at the moment. The rails run from the tip to the tail. An ideal inflatable paddle surfing board should be at least between 4 inches to 6 inches thick.
Thicker inflatable paddling boards might not give you the best surfing experience. That's because they cannot turn as easily and fast as compared to the lower volume boards.
Longboards with longer and thicker rails won't turn quickly, but they glide better. If you are also a big person, you may consider these types of inflatable paddle boards.
Thus, for a great surfing experience, go for smaller and thinner inflatable paddleboards.
Great performing inflatable paddling boards with quick maneuver come in three tail shapes.
- Squash or Square-Shaped Tail: This type of tail offers the paddling board the ability to maneuver quickly.
- Fish or Swallow-Shaped Tails: These types of tails are not so familiar with inflatable paddleboards. However, they are suitable for small surfs where they can do quick turns and fast maneuvers.
- Pin or Round Shaped Tails: These are the type of tails typically found on longboards that surf on big waves. They offer extra stability, especially if they are thinner.
Mid to large paddleboards have a tri-fin configuration. The tri-fin consists of one large and two smaller fins. Also, the larger fin is set up at the center while the two small ones at the sides.
Smaller paddling boards have a thruster set up consisting of three fins of the same size. The fins offer more riding power to the board.
Best Surfing ISUP for a Small Person (Under 160lbs)
Checking the right size of surfing ISUP for your weight is an essential factor you can't afford to miss out on at the moment. Your weight and skills level go hand in hand to determine the kind of surfing ISUP to buy.
#1. Earth River Inflatable SUP
- Length: 9'6''
- Width: 31''
- Thickness: 5''
- Weight: 22 lbs
- Capacity: 220 lbs for intermediate rider; 170 lbs for beginners
- Price: $1,279.00
Buying a surfing ISUP that does not have the right volume for your weight will be unstable and slow. So, if you weigh 60lbs or less, you will be able to float on a standard surfing ISUP.
Thus, the Earth River Inflatable SUP model might suit your needs. This board is extremely lightweight.
Best Surfing ISUP for a Big Person (Above 160lbs)
The more you weigh, the immense surfing ISUP volume you will need.
#1. Red Paddle Inflatable Stand-Up Paddleboard
- Length: 11'
- Width: 30''
- Thickness: 4''
- Weight: 21 lbs
- Capacity: 250 lbs
- Rider weight：198 lbs
- Price: $1,449.00
If you weigh between 160lbs and 200lbs, then buy a board with at least a volume of 120L.
If you weigh more than 200lbs, you may need to go aboard with a higher volume. Thus, you can pick a stand-up paddleboard of the Red Paddle brand. Though this model is lightweight, it can sustain more weight.
Best Inflatable Paddle Board for Racing
A narrow racing board is ideal for competing if you want to win. But if you need a racing board for daily racing for fitness, buy a more practical touring racing board.
If you don't want to fail in your racing activities, do not buy any other than inflated racing boards.
Race Classes
The most common lengths for race class boards are 12.6 inches to 14 inches.
Width
Well, the best width for an inflated racing board should be 28inches to offer both speed and stability. If you go lower, like a 26inch width, you will struggle with strength but with an improved rate.
Other Features
There are features added to some inflatable racing boards to improve their fitness. Some of the features include a nose cone and side battens.
The starboard has stringer belts as an added feature. Another essential feature is the carbon fiber stiffening bar added on Red board.
If you want to buy a surfing board to serve more purpose than racing, buy a touring board. The touring board has at least a width of 30-32 inches for stability for heavy-weight people.
#1. Red Paddle Co Stand Up Paddleboard - 12'6" Voyager Inflatable
- Length: 12'6''
- Width: 30''
- Thickness: 5.9''
- Weight: 23 lbs
- Capacity: 350 lbs
- Rider weight：330 lbs
- Price: $1,599.00
The red paddle voyager is super stiff with increased thickness and extra stability. The board is solid and durable. It's super long to offer you some extra space for a kid or some cargo for camping.
What's more, it has many carry handles, an extra fin removable fin beneath it, and a nose runner fin. All these added features should improve your surfing experience.
#2. Starboard Inflatable Race SUP Board
- Length: 9.18'
- Width: 23.62''
- Thickness: 4''
- Weight: 33 lbs
- Price: $1,443.99
The surfing starboard is perfect for both professionals and beginners. The latest technology improves its stability, speed, durability, and ability to maneuver fast.
Its EVA deck is heat-embossed to enable comfort and a non-slip safe stand. Besides, the stability and ability to maneuver fast make it ideal for racing.
#3. NRS Escape Inflatable SUP Boards
- Length: 11'6''
- Width: 32''
- Thickness: 6''
- Weight: 26 lbs
- Volume: 718 lbs
- Price: $1,245.00
The NRS inflatable Sup boards are fast and can go far. They consist of heavy-duty PVC to make them more durable best for adventurous fun.
They have a pressure valve that relieves the pressure to prevent accidental over-inflation.
Best Inflatable Paddle Board for Fishing
Inflatable paddle boards can make perfect platforms for fishing. Paddleboard fishing enables the fisherman to access spots one could not access with a boat.
A good fishing board should be wide to give you stability, as well as enough space for cargo. The weight capacity should be enough for your gear. A fishing board, 11 feet long and a width of at least 32 inches, is perfect for more stability.
#1. The Sea Eagle 12'6 Inflatable FishSUP
- Length: 12'6''
- Width: 40''
- Thickness: 6''
- Weight: 45 lbs
- Volume: 500 lbs
- Price: $1,149.00
It has a large surface area to give you stability and room to move around without falling. The dimensions are 12" by 40" by 6", which assures you of its ability to offer you enough stability.
Besides, it has excellent capacity and a good packaging deal for your gear and cargo. The sea eagle inflatable FishSup weighs 45lbs with a total of 500lbs. Moreover, it will take you approximately 7 minutes to inflate it.
#2. ISLE Fishing Stand Up Paddle Board - 11'6" Inflatable
- Length: 11'6''
- Width: 36''
- Thickness: 6''
- Weight: 27 lbs
- Volume: 631 lbs
- Price: $745
It is the best choice for beginners. That's because it is 11'6" long and 36" broad, offering you excellent stability.
What's more, it has a capacity of up to 320lbs of cargo. The board consists of high-density PVC for durability.
Moreover, it has excellent stiffness and weighs only 27lbs. It comes with a fantastic box to store away your catch.
#3. Bote Rackham Paddle Board
Rackham gives you stability even in harshest water conditions. It has thick rails, ample deck space, and a displaced hull, ideal for heavy people.
Moreover, these boards come in two sizes; 12 feet with a weight of 350lbs and 14 feet with a weight of 400lbs.
Best Inflatable Paddle Board for Camping
Most paddleboards for camping come well equipped with features for camping. The features include straps to hold camping gears, but the amount to carry will depend on your board's size.
The best paddleboard for camping should be broad and stable for your weight and camping gear. Extra attachment points are an added advantage for more camping gear.
They should be long enough for easier and faster movement of flat waters. They should have a high volume to support floating when carrying heavy gear.
#1. Body Glove inflatable paddleboard
- Length: 11'
- Width: 34''
- Thickness: 5.4''
- Weight: 32 lbs
- Volume: 320 lbs
- Price: $999
The body Glove has the best features for many paddling activities, including camping. What's more, it's constructed using puncture resistance heavy-duty PVC for durability. The current improved board has a 30% better stability than the previous make. It can support up to 320lbs, allowing extra luggage or an adult and a kid on board.
Its traction deck-pad offers a soft but grippy feel. So, that makes it comfortable to paddle while standing as well as for Yoga. It's very portable with a three-piece adjustable travel paddle.
#2. Serenelife inflatable stand up paddleboard
- Length: 10.6'
- Width: 32''
- Thickness: 6''
- Weight: 19.6 lbs
- Volume: 275 lbs
- Price: $369.99
The Serenelife inflatable stand-up paddleboard has unique measurements - 10'6" long and 32" wide. These measurements ensure excellent stability. Moreover, its top deck is non-slip, soft, and stable to add to its comfortability. It's perfect for beginners because of its improved stability features.
Its triple bottom fins, steering, and handle makes it easy to paddle with and maneuver in the waters. It's also portable, making it easier to move around with for more exciting adventures. Hence, this makes it a good choice for camping.
It performs like a hardboard with features of an inflatable paddleboard. The ISUP is an all-around board with a non-slip deck pad for steady rides.
#3. Tower inflatable paddleboard
- Length: 10'4''
- Width: 32''
- Thickness: 6''
- Volume: 200 lbs
- Price: $629.99
The tower paddle board measures 9 inches, 10 feet long, and 32 inches thick to give you perfect stability. It offers a particular maneuver with a single-large Fin at the bottom that improves its speed. It's easy to handle and steer; hence teenagers and kids can use it to paddle.
It has features like a non-slip top deck which improves its stability. The non-slip soft top deck also reduces the likelihood of injuries. It has a removable center Fin, a roll-up carrying strap, and a hand holder added features.
Tower inflatable paddle boards are becoming the number one option for most paddlers. That's because of their incredible features. They are portable and easy to store, which makes them the best for camping. They are rigid, making them indistinguishable from the hard SUPs but still soft and safe.
Best Inflatable Paddle Board for Yoga
Doing your Yoga outside is excellent, but it's even greater if you take it on the waters. Doing Yoga on the water with a board gives you instability and a need to engage extra muscles. That's why it's essential to shop for the board that gives you as much stability as possible.
Engaging extra muscles during Yoga yet is an excellent advantage for your yoga sessions. Apart from stability, you may also need a board to give you an easy time for your Yoga sessions.
Things to Look For in a Yoga Inflatable Paddle Board
There are specific paddleboards for SUP Yoga. The paddleboards for Yoga are all-around paddleboards with extra features. Regular paddleboards get adjustments on the deck board and cargo attachments. This additional change is what makes them Yoga specific.
When buying a paddling Yoga board, buy an all-around board with extra features for Yoga. So, it means you can use it for both Yoga and other paddling activities.
You may realize that you can perform your Yoga on any stable platform. But a 36 inches wide and 5 inches thick board for Yoga will offer you perfect stability. Board length does not have much effect on the stability when doing Yoga. But because you want an all-round board, buy 10 feet to 11 feet length range.
Deck Pad
The deck pad of a yoga paddleboard should have a reasonably flat texture to leave marks on your skin. A deck pad should cover three-fourths and leave extra space for other belongings. Buy a Yoga specific board that has handles at the edges or a center handle that can flatten.
Fin Setup
Fin setup generally does not affect the board performance when doing Yoga. Besides, Fin setup affects board balance when paddling. The only time you should worry about fin setup is when you are buying a board for other purposes.
Best Yoga Inflatable SUP
The main feature to focus on when buying an inflatable paddling board for Yoga is stability. You can use any standard paddling board for Yoga, but the sessions won't be practical on an unstable board. Most people will opt to use the regular boards for Yoga which is okay.
Yet, there are Yoga specific inflatable paddling boards. The boards have extra features to improve your Yoga time experience.
#1. Peak Yoga SUP
- Length: 10'
- Width: 32''
- Thickness: 6''
- Weight: 55 lbs
- Volume: 275 lbs
- Price: $595
Peak 10' Yoga/Fitness SUP measures 10' by 32" by 6" and weighs 23lbs. The board's primary purpose is Yoga and other fitness activities and thus very stable. It can carry up to 275lbs of weight.
Lightweight PVC makes the top deck cover which makes it light to carry. The top has a non-slip soft deck pad which makes it comfortable for long periods of Yoga. It has a perfect storage system for your belongings. It will take you 5 to 10 minutes to inflate the board using a manual pump.
#2. Advanced Element Lotus YSUP
- Length: 10'
- Width: 32''
- Thickness: 6''
- Weight: 28 lbs
- Volume: 717 lbs
- Price: $699
The advanced element Yotus YSUP measures 10 feet by 32 inches by 6 inch that offers excellent stability. It weighs 28lbs and has drop-stitching for stiffness and a double-layered puncture resistance PVC for more extended durability.
The board's nearly complete traction non-slip form offers the most comfort. Its detachable shoulder carry strap makes it easy for transportation. Its high pressure 6" thickness and the drop stitch material add to the super stiffness.
It comes with a detachable shoulder carrying strap to aid for its transportation. It weighs 28lbs, and it can support up to 200lbs.
Inflatable vs. Solid Paddle Board - Which Is Better?
Hardboards are the traditional paddling boards that have been there for decades. Hardboards are still stable and preferred by many people. Inflatable paddling boards are a better choice for both yoga and camping activities.
An inflatable board has a softer surface as compared to a solid epoxy surface. Hence inflatable paddling boards will offer more comfort than hardboards. Inflatable boards are also more stable as compared to hardboards of the same size.
The thickness of an inflatable paddleboard is uniform all around. It is unlike the tapered edges of the hardboard. The uniformity makes it more stable for Yoga sessions. Inflatable paddleboards are portable, durable, and easy to store.
Conclusion
Whether you are going camping or planning to start a Yoga session, boards' choice is essential. Please focus on the features of an inflatable paddling board and its functionality. Your needs should also come first when buying a paddling board.
It's essential to focus on buying an all-around board that features more of your main activity. For example, you can buy an all-round board but with extra features for Yoga sessions. That will give you room to use your paddling board in more paddling activities when need be.
When choosing a surfing board, make the right choice for a great experience. It's essential to make an informed choice than wrong ignorant choices. Buying an inflated paddleboard for your adventure or fishing online is not any safer.
You need the knowledge before you buy. Many online sellers have mastered the best marketing skills to convince buyers. It applies to any quality and non-quality boards hence the need to be keen on shopping online.
