The Greatest Standup Paddleboards of 2023

Standup paddleboarding is among the fastest-growing water sports activities of the previous decade. There’s a superb probability you’re aware of standup paddleboarding, however when you aren’t, right here’s what you should know.

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 by means of 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 comparable in form to an extended ocean surfboard but in addition have fins which are detachable or fastened on the underside, which assist the board monitor nicely within the water whereas being steered.

Inflatables, which we concentrate on right here, are an awesome choice as a result of once they’re deflated, they’ll extra simply slot in a closet, trunk, or truck mattress. You may 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 consultants 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 14 superior boards out on lakes and rivers from Colorado to Utah to Texas. Our editors and contributors are consistently searching for out the newest and the best to incorporate in our purchaser’s information. 

Under you’ll discover our checklist of the perfect inflatable standup paddleboards of 2023. We’ve grouped them into classes that can assist you discover the paddleboard that’s best for you. Make sure to try the purchaser’s information, FAQ, and comparability chart on the finish of this text when you want extra assist selecting.

Editor’s observe: We up to date our SUP information on September 7, 2023, to incorporate the BOTE WULF Aero in our increasing lineup. This mannequin is a good choice for rookies or anybody trying to get into SUPing on a price range. 

The Greatest Standup Paddleboards of 2023

Standup Paddleboards Comparability Chart

How We Examined Standup Paddleboards

On high of intensive analysis, we get pleasure from placing these SUPs to the take a look at. We took these SUPs on meandering river outings, by means of turbulent whitewater, and on calm waterways by means of 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 CO, contributor Morgan Tilton is an avid paddleboarder each summer season. Whereas a day on the lake is all the time enjoyable, Morgan prefers to err on the aspect 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 skills. 

Primarily based out of Denver CO, Editor Mary Murphy regularly exams the newest paddleboards on the native lakes, no matter situations, and enjoys multi-day excursions at any time when she will get the possibility. Her expertise with a spread of boards permits her to make helpful, related comparisons.

For this information, we appeared on the total building, sturdiness, and options of every standup paddleboard throughout a spread of costs and purposes. Our metrics for every board included high quality, building, and worth. We put an enormous concentrate on inflatable standup paddleboards and all-around fashions. They’re an awesome choice 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 the entire boards on this checklist — with and with out gear baggage strapped down — to get a really feel for the 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 baggage.

As well as, we take into account the most recent, highest-rated, hottest, and bestselling fashions available on the market immediately.

Purchaser’s Information: Find out how to Select a Standup Paddleboard

Sorts of Standup Paddleboards

A wide range of standup paddleboard designs exist which are tailor-made to particular actions and consumer objectives. Boards may have hybrid designs that work nicely for quite a lot of purposes.

All-Round

These standard boards work for a lot of sorts and expertise ranges of paddlers from whitewater to flatwater. However the designs don’t excel at a particular kind of paddling corresponding to racing or whitewater.

The vast majority of the SUPs in our information are all-around boards, given the designs are sometimes appropriate for rookies, 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 operating 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 higher 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 main race classes are 12′ 6″, 14′, and every little thing that’s longer than that. The form, or hull, could be pointier to displace the water (referred to 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 helpful for uneven or ocean water.

Surf

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

Stable vs. Inflatable SUPs

Stable Designs

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

One other stable materials choice is to spend money on a carbon fiber board if you’d like an excellent lighter-weight, stiffer construct. Carbon fiber is pricier. Designs may incorporate wooden, which is aesthetically enticing. These choices embody bamboo, which is robust, gentle, and cheaper than carbon fiber. Different kinds of wooden embody cedar, paulownia, and beetle-kill pine.

Usually, inflexible boards have a broader vary of styles and sizes in comparison with inflatables. In case you do go along with a stable board, be certain you might have the correct 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 product of plastic with reinforcements, corresponding 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 journey. The supplies of the deck pad are comfortable underfoot.

Inflatable designs are tremendous standard 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 utilize the board. Sometimes, it takes us about 10 minutes to pump up a board — it’s an awesome warmup earlier than a paddle. It could actually increase your coronary heart charge 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 awesome selection if you’ll be in low water depths or close to rocks or sharp sticks or logs as a result of they’ll take 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 total 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 by means of the water, and tracks nicely. The tail is usually flat as an alternative 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 total quantity and weight capability. Total measurement influences how nimble a board is in waves or whitewater (relative to the paddler measurement 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 an extended board.

In any other case, when you weigh 140 kilos (and wish the board to be further speedy or maneuverable), you might have the choice of selecting a shorter size — and due to this fact much less quantity — board. In case you weigh at or over 180-200 kilos — or if you wish to paddle with a canine, little one, or accomplice — take into account an extended size and wider board.

Additionally, take into account if you wish to journey tremendous light-weight corresponding to on quick day journeys. Or, when you want loads of storage for cargo, corresponding to dry baggage 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 (higher than 12 toes)

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

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

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

In case you’re looking for a household, it can save you buckets by buying one longer, wider board as an alternative of two (or 4). For example, 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. All the inflatables in our information weigh underneath 31 kilos. The heavier boards embody the 31-pound NRS Thrive Inflatable SUP Board and the 30-pound BOTE HD Inflatable Paddleboard. 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.

While you trim a SUP’s grams, usually the board has a decrease capability for weight total, nonetheless, there’s not a direct correlation so take note of these numbers. For example, the NRS Thrive Inflatable SUP mannequin has a 275-pound capability. The BOTE HD Inflatable Paddleboard weighs a tad much less, has a higher total 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 very 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 typically consists of plastic.

The supplies supply traction and grip, and so they usually really feel comfortable and cushioned. Nevertheless, that doesn’t imply you’ll be able to’t get burnt from friction! In case you plan to paddle whitewater or uneven water, don’t be ashamed to put on knee pads, particularly on an extended journey.

One in every of our favourite deck pads is on the Boardworks SHUBU Solr. The deck pad is roofed in a layer dubbed “Honey Fomb,” which appears to be like 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 comfy.

All-around or whitewater boards usually have a deck pad that covers the vast majority of the board’s floor and at the 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. For example, the Hala Gear 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.

As compared, the EVA deck pad on the iROCKER All-Round 10′ Extremely Paddleboard is break up within the center with two strips the place the paddler is prone 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’ll typically be the primary place on a board that may get dinged or start to deteriorate by means of use. It’s good to know restore a rail and to have your restore equipment on a visit.

Handles

Many SUPs are designed with a well-cushioned, ergonomic carry deal with within the middle of the SUP, so you’ll be able to carry it underneath your arm. There will also be carry handles on the nostril and tail. Some carry handles are extra comfy than others, and never all are cushioned.

Tie-Down Factors and Bungee Straps

Numerous tie-down factors exist on SUPs. Many designs function bungee twine nets fastened to the entrance or again of the board (or each).

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

Different rings embody comfortable rings, which aren’t as fast to string, and plastic rings, which aren’t as sturdy as stainless-steel.

Sure SUP designs function particular attachment factors for model equipment tailor-made to sure sports activities like fishing and touring. The BOTE HD Aero Paddleboard is suitable 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 enhance stability. Styles and sizes differ. The longer the fin, the extra affect it should have on monitoring and stability. In distinction, shorter fins are nice for shallower water like low-volume rivers, sure seashores, or areas with numerous vegetation like seagrass. Usually of us confer with fin measurement in regard to the size of the fin or how a lot it protrudes into the water.

A number of paddle manufacturers supply detachable and interchangeable fins for numerous kinds of water. Sure boards have a mixture of each fastened and detachable fins, just like the ISLE’s Pioneer 2.0 SUP, which has two fastened aspect fins and a detachable bigger middle fin.

A detachable fin attaches to a board through a fin field or plate, which is the place the top of the fin slides or snaps into place. Word: not all fins are suitable with all kinds of repair containers.

A wide range of fin configurations exist:

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

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

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

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

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

Some manufacturers additionally supply spare fins with a purchase order.

Paddles

The vast majority of SUPs embody a paddle with buy however not all. Usually, an inflatable SUP features a multi-piece or three-piece paddle that breaks down and suits 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 matches within the water) on the different finish. Nicer paddles have extra ergonomic handles.

Paddle shafts are normally product of aluminum, glass fiber, carbon, or Kevlar. Carbon is essentially the most performance-oriented as a result of it’s light-weight and robust, and the funding could possibly be definitely 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 sooner. Many SUPs are made with a leash attachment level like a D-ring.

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

Nevertheless, there’s main competition nationwide relating to the protection of whether or not or not a leash must 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 result of leashes getting lodged in underwater particles when a SUPer falls off in fast-moving river water.

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

If you buy a quick-release leash, you should definitely apply and confidently know successfully and effectively use it within the water.

And no, a leash doesn’t substitute the buoyancy and security of a PFD (private flotation machine). Make sure to comply with the PFD, or life jacket, laws the place you propose to SUP.

Journey Bag

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

The luggage are a good way to maintain the entire equipment in a single place together with the fins, hand pump, and patch equipment.

Probably the most distinctive journey bag design we’ve seen is the one made by Crimson Paddle Co., which comes with the MSL 10′ 6″ Trip SUP. Nice for minimal method hikes, the SUP gives the choice to completely 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 take a look at when buying a board is what comes with it.

This wasn’t all the time the case, however many boards are actually bought with a paddle, fin, pump, and journey bag included within the bundle.

Shopping for the board and paddle collectively saves time, analysis, and sometimes 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.

In case you plan to move a SUP on the skin of your automobile, be certain the board is totally locked down and secured. For example, Thule makes a SUP roof rack and Viking Options makes a truck mattress rack.

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

Price range

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

If the board you’re keen on is out of your value vary, await a sale. You possibly can lease or demo the board you want by means of your native retailer till you discover the one you want.

Some outfitters will even dump 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 price it in the long term.

Caring for Your SUP

There are a couple of widespread practices it’s best to know when you spend money on an inflatable SUP.

By no means go away your board sitting out within the solar. This may degrade the power of the fabric over time, delaminating the board. To not point out, UV rays may trigger the floor and colours of your board to fade.

All the time inflate to the advisable PSI. You wish to maintain the max 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 happy to inflate to the utmost advisable PSI when beginning out.

Put money into some boat cleaner to your SUP. An inflatable boat cleaner is designed to take away any dust, oxidation, and marks from a SUP or kayak (works on PVC or urethane supplies). Alternatively, you’ll be able to wipe down your board after use with a moist fabric. That is essential if you’re paddling regularly in saltwater. We all the time carry a comfortable microfiber towel in my trunk.

Examine the valve and board earlier than you go. Most SUPs these days embody a restore and patch equipment, 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.

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