The Best Stand Up Paddle Board Reviews

Lesson two of becoming a SUP guru is learning the specs to make a well-informed buy, buying cheap is not recommended!

Unless you have done your homework. You probably want the best paddle board for the money, from materials and dimensions to fins, we’ll lay it all out!

Paddle Board Core Materials

Discussing every individual component that comes into the construction of a stand up paddle board deserves a whole page of its own. To condense things for you, it really comes down to two types – solid or inflatable.

Inflatable SUPs

These are made with PVC material for the exterior and a drop-stitch construction. This makes them extremely durable. Core materials and construction between varying iSUP brands are typically the same. Since they comprise of mostly air, they’re lightweight, uncomplicated to transport, and easy to store.

Solid SUPs

These can be a little bit different from solid paddle board to inflatable paddle board and brand to brand. They can be made out of a variety of materials. However, the most common core materials are the ones we’ll discuss.

• Polyurethane Foam (PU): This is the original core material used for paddle boards until EPS came around. But, some people still prefer the soft foam because of the little bit of flex it provides in a solid board. It’s usually seen on entry-level boards or what you would call “soft top” boards.
• Expanded Polystyrene (EPS): Since 2005, this has been the most commonly used material for solid tops. They’re always combined with some sort of resin or epoxy coating for strength and durability. They’ll last longer than PU boards and are 60 percent lighter.
• Hollow Core: Some solid boards will feature a hollow core to maximize performance and reduce weight. The construction is unique as it’s a process of blow-molded polyethylene. These types of solid tops might be popular among whitewater stand up paddle boards for its toughness.

SUP Size

Does size matter? It sure does! We’ll break this down so that you understand each aspect of size when it comes to paddle boarding.

Why do you need to know volume? The volume which is represented in liters will tell you how much weight it can support while still being able to stay afloat. The more volume it has, the more it can hold.

Here’s a quick formula to determine what level of volume you’ll need to keep your feet dry.

• Beginners – your weight (kg) x 2
• Intermediates – your weight (kg) x 1.7
• Advanced – your weight (kg) x 1.3

The result is the least amount of volume you’d want in a stand up paddle board. For example, if you’re a beginner and you weigh 80 kg, multiply by 2 and you’ll need at least 160 liters of volume.

Weight Capacity

Many SUP boards will list the weight capacity of the board for those not into doing math. It’s usually listed in pounds. Knowing this number will help you determine if you’ll stay afloat without sagging in the middle and compromising on performance.

Most boards can hold weight anywhere between 240-350 pounds. Also, the heavier and taller you are, you should look for a longer board. This leads us to…

SUP Length

The length of the board has a lot to do with performance and how you want to use the paddle board.

• Shorter boards 9′ and under are either surf paddle boards or they’re kids paddle boards designed for smaller riders.
• Medium boards 9′ to 12′ long are great for everyone of all skill types looking for all-round, recreational, flat water, and SUP yoga uses. Many all-round sups in the longer end of this range are great cross-over SUPs for versatile use in most water conditions.
• Long boards 12’6 to 14′ long are for those with a lead foot. Because they’re longer and slimmer, they’re excellent for speed or for touring when you’ve got several miles to paddle back to shore.

When considering the length of your SUP, you’ll also have to take into account transportation. Is it short enough to strap to the roof of your car? Longer boards might be heavier and difficult to carry from the car to the water source, especially in wind, if you’ve got to hike in between.

SUP Width

The width will determine the stability and speed of the board for users of various skill levels and the type of activity you plan on doing.

• Narrow boards of 29″ or 30″ are narrower than other boards making them less suitable for the beginner. Its width can be unstable for riders but they’re desired for its faster performance than wider boards.
• Wide boards of 31″ to 36″ are much more user-friendly for the beginner male or female Yoga paddle boarder since they’re easier to remain standing on. Where they contribute in stability they typically lack in speed, making them slower than narrow boards.

Summing Up Size

To sum up size, you’ll have to take all measurements into consideration. Here’s a quick guide to sum things up! Match your type of most-commonly bought SUP with your weight for the right length board you’ll need.

Surf:

• 48-150 pounds, 9′ or smaller board
• 150-275 pounds, 9’1″ to 10’6″ board
• 249+ pounds, 10’7″ to 11’6″ board

All-Round:

• 48-123 pounds, 9′ or smaller board
• 123-174 pounds, 9’1″ to 10’6″ board
• 149-249 pounds, 10’7″ to 11’6″ board
• 222+ pounds, 11’7″ to 12’6″ board

Flatwater/Race:

• 48-123 pounds, 9’1″ to 10’6″
• 48-174 pounds, 10’7″ to 11’6″ board
• 174-224 pounds, 11’7″ to 12’6″ board
• 200+ pounds, 12’7″ or longer board

The same numbers also apply to inflatable SUPs. Be sure to check these specifications before you purchase.

SUP Fins

Fins are mounted on the underside of a SUP for tracking and stability. Sometimes they’re removable, sometimes they’re not. Here are the variations.

Single Fin

A single, center fin is mounted into the underside of the tail of the board with a nut and screw. The rack it’s placed into is called a finbox that allows the fin to move back and forth.

Tri-Fin

The Tri-Fin Setup consists of three fins. One larger one in the center and two smaller ones on the side. It’s also referred to as the thruster setup.

They’re dual-purpose fins that allows for straight tracking when in flat water and excellent control when in surf. They’re a lot easier to remain stable and comfortable on for paddle boarding versus the lone, center fin system.[

Race Fins

These promote speed and help to maintain tracking in those downward swells for longer boards.

Removable Fins

These are often found on iSUPs. Some inflatable iSUPs will allow for only the center fin to be removed while the other two are permanently attached.

The removable option allows for tighter rolling for compact storage without fin damage. However, fins are usually semi-rigid or made out of a flexible rubber that can easily be reshaped.