Stand up paddle boarding is your new hobby and that means you are looking for one of the best paddle boards out there. You have come to the right place. In this article we are going to dive deep into the top rated paddle boards and help you decide which one is right for you.
So what should you look for when searching for the best SUP boards? Typically, the two main factors are going to be whether the board is fixed or inflatable.
Next, you have to ask yourself what all do you plan on using it for? Do you prefer still waters like a lake or close shore? Perhaps you enjoy slightly choppy waters? Maybe you are into long distance adventures where speed and efficiency matter? Whatever you are looking for, we are going to cover the top paddle boards here.
The best paddle boards are the ones that meet your specific requirements at a price that you can afford. Here, we will cover the top rated stand up paddle boards on the market, and go into what makes them so great, so that you can decide which one is right for you. Let's dive right in and take a look at the different types and brands of SUPs out there.
Paddle Board Comparison Table
|
Image |
Model |
Dimensions (L x W x H) |
Max Weight (lbs) |
Price |
Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
9' 10" x 32" x 6" |
350 |
$$$ |
||
 |
10' x 31" x 6" |
190 |
$$ |
||
 |
10' x 30" x 6" |
250 |
$$ |
||
 |
10' 4" x 30" x 6" |
205 |
$$ |
||
 |
11' x 32" x 6" |
215 |
$$$ |
||
 |
10' 6" x 30" x 5" |
300 |
$$ |
||
 |
10' 4" x 32" x 6" |
350 |
$$$ |
||
 |
14' x 32" x 8" |
800 |
$$$$ |
||
 |
12' 6" x 31" x 6" |
235 |
$$$ |
||
 |
12' 6" x 30" x 6" |
400 |
$$$ |
Different Types
One of the first decisions we need to make in deciding which one of the best SUPs is right for us is the type of board. The two options are fixed, meaning the board keeps its shape, and also inflatable, which means we can inflate and deflate it. Let's go into the advantages and disadvantages of both.
Fixed vs Inflatable
Fixed boards can be made from different types of materials and will always weigh more than inflatable boards. They require a roof rack on your vehicle to get them back and forth from the water. This is the more traditional style of board, and more popular with the diehard paddlers among us who most likely live on or near the water. You will also need some space to store this board when not in use.
Inflatable boards have gained tremendously in popularity and the products have gotten better and better over the years. Typically, they are made of very durable PVC and can hold around 15 psi of pressure when inflated. The advantage of an inflatable board is that you don't need a roof rack on your vehicle, and can easily get your board to and from the water without much trouble.
Most inflatable SUPs only take 10 minutes or less to set up and get into the water. They are easy to store anywhere in your home as well. Inflatable SUPs are some of the best paddleboards these days because most of the time they perform just as well as fixed boards, but are often better priced. SUP reviews show that most users prefer inflatable as their first choice.
What Will You Use It For
Another factor when selecting the perfect SUP for you comes down to how you plan on using it. If you are a beginner and plan on using it for a typical lake environment with still or slightly choppy waters, then this will steer you towards shorter and wider boards.
If you plan on taking your board out for close shore exploration, where the water is a bit more choppy, then you start getting into possibly needing a longer board.
For those that want to go for long distance exploration and care about speed, then usually the longer and more narrow boards are the way to go.
Brands
The best stand up paddle boards are typically from the top brands. Here we will go into a little bit about each of the top 4 brands out there and why we like them. This is definitely not an exhaustive list, and there are other great brands out there too not covered here. The better SUP boards review usually come from boards from these top brands.
Tower
Tower is a cool company out in San Diego and was featured on Shark Tank. Mark Cuban invested in the company, and since that time it has seen fantastic growth, offering many different types of products for paddle boarding.
Their style is very basic, and they have a simple 4 model product scheme that makes it easy for buyers to select the right paddle board for their needs. Tower is also infamous for having videos where they drive cars over their inflated paddle boards to show how durable they are under stress.
Tower is very popular with main stream and beginner paddlers, and out of all of the SUP board reviews, Tower products are rated the highest.
Isle SUP and Surf
Isle is a company started by two surfers out in San Diego in 2004, and the company has grown to be one of the biggest paddle board companies in the United States. They have a wide product selection of both fixed and inflatable SUPs to choose from.
Isle paddle boards come in a variety of options and colors for those that want a little more style for their board. The company also connects well with its customers and develops a loyal fan base.
Aqua Marina
Aqua Marina is a brand line by a company called Silver Marine. Silver Marine is based in China and excels at the manufacturing of inflatable boats in general, including paddle boards. The technical specifications of the Aqua Marina paddle boards are great. However, there is not a company presence in the surfer community in the United States.
California Board Company
California Board Company is a brand line by Keeper Sports. They focus both on fixed and inflatable boards, which vary in length and have a lot of diversity in colors, patterns, and design. This brand line can get you that unique style or look in a SUP that helps make you stand out from the rest of the crowd.
Top 5 SUPs
As discussed earlier, finding the perfect paddle board for you comes down to whether or not you want a fixed or inflatable board, and how you plan on using it. Inflatable SUPs have come a long way over the years in terms of performance, and have gained a large amount of ground in popularity.
For this reason, 9 of the top 10 paddle boards in this review are inflatable. The following SUPs are the best according to paddleboard reviews. The top 5 come in a kit with a SUP, paddle, and starter pump to get you up and running fast. If you need to upgrade the paddle down the road, that is always an option.
1. Tower Adventurer
The Tower Adventurer is one of the most popular inflatable SUPs on the market. It has awesome features, including a 9 foot, 10 inch length, a width of 32 inches, and a thickness of 6 inches. These measurements, along with a tri fin system helps create fantastic stability. Beginners and intermediates alike love the Adventurer.
It can support a max weight of 350 pounds, and handles well in calm and slightly choppy waters. It is made from high quality PVC. The Tower company has even created videos showing its durability by running over it, while inflated, with a car.
The Adventurer color scheme is black and white, where the base of the board is white, the deck pad is black, and there are fine grey line patterns. It comes in a kit with a 3 piece paddle and a starter pump. This is by far the most popular iSUP out there.
2. Isle All Around
The All Around, by Isle SUP and Surf is another fantastic option for beginners and intermediates. It has a 10 foot length, 31 inch width, and 6 inch thickness, making it a very stable board. It sports a tri fin system, helping it to track better in the water.
It can support a max weight of 190 pounds, which might limit some paddlers. One great feature is a cargo net area on the deck to help stow away some extra gear for those extended trips out on the lake. Made from durable PVC material, the All Around should last you a long time.
The All Around has a very cool blue base with black deck pad area, with neat black lines and logos in key positions. It's overall functionality is great, and it looks very stylish as well. It is a great SUP for calm and slightly choppy waters.
3. Ten Toes Weekender
The Weekender, by Ten Toes, is another fantastic option for beginners. With its 10 foot length, 30 inch width, and 6 inch thickness, and max weight of 250 pounds, it creates a stable platform that is perfect for most paddlers.
It also has a nice cargo net area just in case you need to store something for your trip for the day. The tri fin system works great for helping the SUP go straight in the water.
The Weekender comes in four color options: black, grey, blue, and green, giving you options for your particular style. It's styling is a main base color with the words ten toes near the front of the deck and a grey deck pad for all color options except for the black one, in which the deck pad is also black.
This is a great SUP for beginners, and is also a fantastic option if you are interested in using your paddle board for yoga.
4. Isle Women's
The Women's SUP by Isle SUP and Surf is a great paddle board. It has a 10 foot, 4 inch length, a 31 inch width, and 6 inch thickness. While an overall great SUP, it is clearly marketed for the ladies in name and also by its more feminine style. It can handle a max weight of 205 pounds, which is nice.
It is a very stable board, and has a tri fin system that helps it track well. A unique feature is a side strap that will let you fasten your paddle to the board, in case you wanted to do some yoga or other fun activity.
The board comes in light cool green with flowery design, and a bright pink deck pad. It looks very nice and will definitely have you standing out of the crowd.
5. Isle Explorer
At 11 feet long, the Explorer by Isle SUP and Surf, gives you a little more length as well as a width of 32 inches and thickness of 6 inches. The Explorer is very stable and can accommodate paddlers up to 215 pounds. A tri fin system guides the board straight in the water.
An awesome feature of the Explorer is the two areas of cargo netting on the front and rear deck for ultimate storage options. This makes the board a superb option for other activities while paddling like fishing, or maybe even drinks and snacks for a long extended adventure out on the water.
The Explorer has a very styling design with a grey base, black deck pad, and yellow highlights that give it a unique flavor. Its PVC construction means that it will be with you for a very long time.
Next 5 SUPs
California Board Company 10 Six Classic
The 10 Six Classic by California Board Company is a great fixed foam board. If you do not want an inflatable SUP, then it's nice dimensions make it a great choice for those that can transport their board on the roof of their car.
Tower Adventurer 2
If you already wanting the Tower Adventurer and believe that a little more length and some cargo nets on the deck are worth the extra money, then the Adventurer 2 is for you.
Tower Xplorer
The Tower Xplorer is a massive paddle board that can take on a lot of weight. This is a great choice if you plan on long water adventures with multiple passengers.
Isle Touring
The Isle Touring is a great option for the race minded out there. It does a great job of efficiently navigating long distances for a great ride.
Tower iRace
The Tower iRace has the best features if you are going for speed and long distance. It also reverses the color scheme as compared to the other boards offered by Tower for a cool look.
Buying Guide Tips
Obviously, the number one factor is price when buying a stand up paddle board. Typically, the boards around 10 feet will be in the lower price bracket from the different brands, and will be perfect for calm or slightly choppy water. If you are looking for water that is rougher, or even longer distance or speed applications, then the price of the board usually goes up, as does the size of the board.
It's always a good idea to stick with the known good brands that are covered in this article so that you are safe in getting a quality product. You can't go wrong with any of the top 5 picks here. The paddle boards reviews for all of these are high.
Conclusion
In this article we reviewed the top 10 SUPs on the market right now and have the best stand up paddle board reviews. We went through the main criteria on what to look for when going to buy that perfect SUP for your situation. We discussed the different uses that you might want in a SUP. If you are a beginner or intermediate paddle boarder, then any of the top 5 options will work great for you.
Most people go with the Tower Adventurer as one of the most awesome SUPs, given all of its features. If you don't want to go that route, then the best way to decide between the other top 4 options comes down to overall look and style, as well as your budget. Happy paddle boarding! And remember, always safety first.
Product Images Sourced From Amazon.com
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