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If you are a fan of adventure and love the idea of spending the day in nature exploring lakes, rivers or the ocean, inflatable stand up paddle boards (SUPs) may be a great fitness option for you. Not only does this activity provide the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, but it may offer health benefits including improving strength and balance.
First appearing as a recreational activity in Hawaii in the 1950s, standup paddle boarding combines the techniques of surfing and paddling. Today, there are a wide variety of paddle boards available for a range of activities including yoga, racing, fishing and general stand up paddle board fitness.
Paddle boards take up a large footprint, with many boards measuring 10 or 11 feet long. However, inflatable paddle boards can make paddle board fitness more convenient and easy to take with you on any adventure.
Inflatable paddle boards can roll up to fit in a backpack or carrying bag. They are often lightweight, while stable and durable at the same time. What should you look for in an inflatable paddle board and how do you find the one that’s right for you? Whether you’re looking for a beginner paddle board, a two-person paddle board or a great paddle board for yoga, this list will help you find the best paddle board for your preferences and budget.
Red Paddle Co’s Ride 10 feet six inch Inflatable Paddle Board is a durable and stable option for beginners, intermediate paddle boarders or those looking for an all-around reliable board for the family. In fact, Red says this is its most popular board.
The paddle board’s dimensions are designed to provide stability: It features a 10-foot six-inch length and 32-inch mid and is 4.7 inches thick. Its full-width deck pad provides traction with an extra-grippy texture that offers comfort and hold for whichever stance you use. In addition to stability, these dimensions were also selected to offer a good mix of glide, agility and speed.
At the back of the board you’ll find the inflation valve which was made for fast inflation and deflation. The board comes with a Titan II, a quality pump to get the job done. (The brand recommends 20 PSI for inflation.)
The board has three carry handles: A cushioned, ergonomic carry handle at the front of the board, one on the deck pad and one on the tail. The carry handle at the tail has a D-ring for the leash. The board also features three stretchy cargo straps. (The largest strap is fully adjustable.) The paddle board’s two tail fins feature the iFin System, a durable, tooless fin system.
The Ride comes with a three-piece adjustable paddle, coiled leash and backpack for storage. The three-in-one backpack makes portability easy, and can be used as rolling luggage, a backpack or a bagless harness. The two reviewers on the REI website both love the carrying bag. One reviewer says, “The carrying bag is really well made and I LOVE that it's got wheels.” The other reviewer says, “The new bag is amazing, love that I can separate the carrying system from the main bag. Makes it much easier to get to the beach.”
Meanwhile reviewers on the Red Equipment website give this inflatable paddle board 4.5 out of five stars overall. “Just love it, quality board, quality pump, quality bag… you get what you pay for,” says one reviewer on the Red Equipment site.
Purchase Red Paddle Co Ride
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If you are looking for a wide paddle board, but are on a budget, Advenor Paddle Board 11-foot x 33 x 6 may be a good fit. At only $186.98, this 33-inch wide board provides stability and balance for a great price.
At the front of the board a criss-crossed bungee tie-down provides a secure storage option. The deck of this Advenor Paddle Board features a non-slip EVA pad to provide a good amount of grip and support high pressure. There’s also a carry grip handle on the deck pad.
At the tail of the board you’ll find the air valve for inflating the board. The board comes with a double action hand pump for quick and easy inflation. The D-ring for securing your leash is also at the tail of the board. This board features three fins on the underside: two removable side fins and a large removable center fin.
The board also comes with several accessories including an adjustable aluminum paddle, safety leash, backpack, repair kit and waterproof cellphone bag. One Amazon reviewer comments on the accessories, saying “Love the accessories as they are very practical and useful to both beginners and novice paddle-boarders.”
Reviewers on Amazon give this inflatable paddle board 4.6 out of five stars total, saying it is sturdy, stable and easy to inflate. One reviewer says, “This paddle board seems sturdy, durable and looks to be made pretty well.” Another reviewer says, “Full disclosure, this isn’t an expensive paddle board. But for the price I’d say this board is pretty outstanding. It’s a good length, width, depth, it holds air, appears well constructed (no leaks yet!) and is pretty stable.”
Purchase Advenor Paddle Board 11’x33 x 6
Looking for an attractive and affordable paddle board that can be used for a wide variety of activities from paddle board yoga to fishing to stand up paddle board fitness? This 10-foot tall, 33-inch wide, six-inch thick board is built with military-grade materials for durability and stability. It also comes in nine colors and is lightweight at only 17.5 pounds.
The board features an EVA foam deck for grip. Like most of the other paddle boards on this list, there’s also a carry handle on the deck pad. A criss-cross of bungees at the front of the board can be used for securing your things. Similarly to the Advenor Paddle Board, this board features three fins on the underside: two smaller outer fins and a larger removable inner fin that locks on. It also has the air valve and secure D-ring leash clip at the tail.
The paddle board comes with the accessories you need to get started on your paddle boarding journey. This includes a pump, adjustable aluminum paddle, safety leash, waterproof accessory bag and a carrying backpack.
Roc Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Boards are not only affordable, but they are also the best rated paddle board on Amazon, earning 4.8 out of five stars overall, with over 88 percent of reviewers giving this board five stars. Reviewers say this board is highly durable, sturdy and stable. One reviewer says, “Our paddle board exceeded all expectations! It was sturdy, easy to inflate and most of all very light/easy to pack. We love this product and would recommend very highly!” Another reviewer shares, “This product is awesome! Rides like a dream :-) very easy to inflate and pack back into its bag when done.”
Purchase Roc Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board
Bote’s Flood Aero 11-foot paddle board is a stable, easy-to-use board with an efficient design that makes it a good choice whether you’re a beginner or intermediate paddle boarder. The paddle board has an entry rocker shape with an up pointed nose to help maneuver through the water. It’s designed to be used for leisure paddling, SUP fitness or fishing. It’s also a good choice for yoga on the water thanks to its 11-foot length which will give you plenty of room to practice your warrior poses and more.
The board features a full-length deck pad with traction along the entire board for grip throughout. This could be helpful if you want to share the board with a child who’s learning to paddle board (or even your dog).
It also features bungees at the front and rear of the board for securing your essentials. Bote Flood Aero has three fins, including a detachable center fin.
This military-grade single layer PVC board comes with most of the accessories you need to get started on the water, including a three-piece adjustable paddle, Aero repair kit, hand pump and travel bag. However, it does not come with a leash which Bote sells separately for $44. The board comes with two aesthetic design options, and both are unique and stylish.
Reviewers on the Bote website say this board is lightweight yet stable. One reviewer says, “Very good balance and design. Works great for the creek and river.” Another reviewer comments, “I was thoroughly impressed with the ease of inflation and stability of this paddle board. It’s hard to believe it’s something you can fit on your back yet in less than five minutes you're paddling on the water. Awesome and highly recommended.”
Purchase Bote Flood Aero 11-Foot
This lightweight inflatable paddle board weighs only 14.8 pounds, so it’s easy to take with you wherever you travel. The board comes with a dry-bag backpack that features ergonomic shoulder straps with exterior gear loops, bungee tie downs and side mesh pockets, making portability and storage convenient. There’s also a zippered accessory bag that you can use for holding your repair kit and other essentials.
Key paddle board features include its textured PVC traction pad which offers plenty of grip, front and rear bungee tie downs for securing items and a reinforced D-ring for attaching your leash. The board’s two fins are simple to snap into place.
Besides the backpack, the Pau Hana Solo Backcountry SUP also comes with several accessories including a paddle, pump, leash and repair kit.
Reviewers on the REI website say that the board is great for portability. One reviewer says, “The Pau Hana Solo delivered on what I wanted it for—to let me paddle my favorite high mountain lakes that are miles from trailheads. The total size and weight of the Solo package is incredibly small compared to any SUP I've ever used. The board itself is very stable and maneuverable and the new paddle design works really well.”
Another reviewer comments, “While an interesting exercise in engineering, the paddle is by far the most notable nod towards weight and packability. That it can roll up into a package the size of a good baguette and still function as a paddle is impressive.”
Purchase Pau Hana Solo Backcountry SUP
At 15 feet long, this Body Glove 15-Foot Dynamic Deuce Inflatable Paddle Board is just the right size for a day of fun for two. This board gives you plenty of configuration options for two people. You can stand up paddle, sit down paddle or even use the board as a kayak. It comes with two removable kayak seats for extra versatility.
The board features a front cargo bungee, EVA traction pad for grip and two carry handles. The carry handles feature a unique design that can also be used to secure water bottles to your board. D-ring attachment points can be used to secure the coil ankle leash.
Additionally, this paddle board comes with useful accessories including a high pressure pump to inflate the board, cell-phone dry bag, repair kit and backpack to carry everything.
One reviewer on the Dick’s Sporting Goods website shares, “This thing moves us about like whip cream on ice cream. Very smooth. It’s like being in a limousine.” Another reviewer says it’s a solid paddle board, but “It needs more tie down area.”
Purchase Body Glove 15-Foot Dynamic Deuce Inflatable Paddle Board
Whether you are looking for an inflatable paddle board for SUP fitness or need a stable board for your downward dogs, the Advanced Elements Lotus Yoga Board gives you the stability and balance you need for a comfortable experience. The 10-foot-long board is almost completely covered with a grippy full-length traction pad for a smooth yoga experience. There are no bungees or grip handles throughout the length, giving you the full surface to practice your moves without anything getting in the way. There is a removable shoulder strap that can be used to help carry the board.
The board also comes with a paddle, pump and Lotus YSUP carrying bag.
One reviewer on Amazon says, “I love this board! I used it for touring and yoga in the ocean, harbor, my pool and on a lake! It's so convenient to transport and easy to pack into the duffel. The shoulder strap makes it easier to transport inflated than any other board I've used. It's really maneuverable for its size (10 feet) very buoyant, stable (nice and wide for yoga) and firm! The only feature I think is missing are elastic cargo tie downs to secure a life vest or gear.”
Purchase Advanced Elements Lotus Yoga
While some of the boards on this list barely support over 200 pounds of weight, the Big Easy has a weight capacity of 375 pounds. It’s also 11 feet long, making it a good choice for those who are on the taller or heavier side.
For comfortable grip, the board features a soft, sanded EVA deck pad. A bungee at the front of the board is ideal for storing essentials. Accessories include a high-pressure pump, convenient carry bag, coil leash and a patch and repair kit. It also comes with one nine-inch center fin that can be removed for storage.
Inflatable paddle boards can be a convenient option for water fitness since they are easily portable, but still solid, durable and stable boards.
Mike Lamm, champion surfer, surf coach, paddle board instructor and owner of Channel Island Kayak says, “The inflatables are really good for toughness, transportation, lightness and storage.”
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In order to use an inflatable paddle board, you first need to inflate the board. Most inflatable paddle boards on this list come with an air pump. You’ll need to use the pump to fill up the valve on the back of the board. Usually, boards will have a recommended PSI for achieving the best pressure for the paddle board experience.
Once your paddle board is inflated, and you are ready to use it, one of the first things you may want to do is secure your leash to your ankle. This will ensure that you don’t get too far from the board if you fall off. You can carry the paddle board to the water, using the carry handle.
When entering the water, make sure that the water is deep enough to accommodate the entire board including the fin(s). When you get on the board, first get on your knees with an even weight distribution on the center of the deck pad. Once you feel stable, you can get onto your feet, with a balanced upright posture. Often positioning yourself around the center carry handle provides a good reference for where to stand.
The paddle should be held vertically with the angled bottom forward. One hand should be at the top of the paddle and the other more towards the center of the paddle as you pull the paddle straight back with the blade underwater.
Some manufacturers will provide instructions and/or videos for how to best use the board. If you are a beginner, it’s a good idea to take an introductory paddle board class to learn how to safely use the board.
Paddle boards can be used for a wide variety of activities including SUP fitness, fishing, yoga and more. Some paddle boards can only support one person while others have enough room and weight capacity to support two people.
It’s important to keep your intended use in mind when selecting a paddle board because some features will be a better fit for certain activities than others. For instance, if you want to do yoga, you may want a longer board with full-length grip throughout the board.
Longer and wider boards can provide more stability and be a better fit for beginners.
Lamm shares that boards that are longer are good for going a little faster while boards that are shorter and wider can be a little easier to turn.
Most of the sizes on this list are between 10 to 11 feet long and 32-38 inches wide. While wider boards are more stable, they can be slower.
It’s important to consider your intended use, when deciding on a size because certain sizes are better suited to specific activities.
The boards on this list range from 200 pounds of weight capacity to 500 pounds of weight capacity. It’s important to make sure the board can accommodate the amount of weight you plan to use on it to ensure a safer experience and avoid damaging the board.
Special features can include unique fin designs, bungees for storage, multi-use carry straps, board artwork and more.
Inflatable paddle boards are usually made from durable materials such as PVC. They aren’t as likely to get damaged as easily as a fiberglass board.
The inflatable paddle boards on this list range from around $186 to over $1,000.
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Whether a foam or inflatable paddle board is better for you will depend on your needs and preference.
If you’re looking for a convenient option for travel, inflatable paddle boards can easily be rolled up and transported in a backpack. “You can take them on airplanes, throw them in RVs, take them on boats. Then at the end of your trip, you roll them up, and they're very transportable,” says Lamm.
He also shares that both work well on flat water.
“The inflatables are very light, easy to get to the water and get out of the water. They’re very stable.” However, Lamm shares that in higher wave settings inflatables can “taco” or wobble more.
Lamm shares, “Stability is based on size, the length and the width of the board.”
Boards that are wider and longer usually provide more stability. Most of the inflatable paddle boards on this list are at least 32 inches wide and 10 feet long, which are considered stable dimensions appropriate for beginners.
Fins can help with maneuverability. Often boards have one large center fin and they may have two smaller outer fins.
Lamm says that one to three fins work fine for inflatable paddle boarding on flat water, but you may want more fins if you plan to do SUP surfing. “For surfing, usually you're gonna want either a four fin or a three fin. You can use a single fin, it just doesn't have the performance,” he says.
Inflatable paddle boards are not harder to stand on. Stability depends more on the dimensions of the board than whether it is inflatable.
Bote, one of the SUP brands on this list, recommends storing inflatable boards deflated to protect the integrity of the board and help prevent wear and tear.
Yes, inflatable paddle boards roll up and can be stored by deflating the board and then rolling it up to put in a carrying bag.
Paddle boarding can be a fun way to get exercise. Research suggests that paddle boarding may provide benefits including increased aerobic and anaerobic fitness, increased core strength, and improved balance.
You can find a highly rated beginner budget-friendly paddle board for as low as $186, such as the Advenor Paddle Board 11’ x 33 x 6 on this list. Higher quality boards can cost in the $800 to $1,000+ range.
One of the benefits of inflatable SUPs is that you don’t have to transport them on the roof rack of a car where they would get direct sun exposure. However, it is not ideal to store SUPs in extreme heat or cold.
According to REI, one of the SUP board sellers on this list, extreme heat and direct sunlight have the potential to damage the materials in the board and discolor it. If possible, store your inflatable SUP in a place where it is protected from sun, moisture and heat.
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Inflatable stand up paddle boards provide a fun and versatile way to stay fit while enjoying nature. Their easily portable design makes them an ideal fitness tool for travel and adventure.
Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.
Lizzy Sherman is an award-winning digital content writer and editor. This author is writing sponsored content paid for by Pillar4 and not affiliated with Sports Illustrated.