OutdoorMaster SHARK II Electric Pump Review 2024 | Live Test
You recently purchased an iSUP, or you’re an old hand in the game. You love the convenience, and compact nature inflatable boards afford you, but
Looking for a solid stand-up paddleboard? Not sure where to start. We've got all the info right here in one place. Detailed reviews on all solid SUPs to make your choice easy.
Need an inflatable SUP? We've categorized all SUPs according to brand, type, and size. We've done all the paddling work to get you on the water faster with your ideal iSUP.
Children are fearless, brimming to the top with excitement, and have unique requirements. These reviews take all of this into account to help parents make the ideal choice.
You can trust our expert paddle guru team to paddle you through every gritty detail there is about a SUP and compare stand up paddle boards on the market for sale, for both adults and the best paddle boards for kids. We even include ratings! Why? Because, we’re more than dedicated to the sport, we’re fanatical about it!
Our solid SUP & inflatable reviews of paddle boards are helping you get as much out of your buy as possible, which means bodies on the water, kids outside and active, and a fun and fit way of life that embraces nature and the outdoors! Now, that’s a fantastic kind of fun and lifestyle!
With like-minded SUP gurus that make up our team, we explore the many available SUP boards and accessories to provide you with as much knowledge as we can before you buy. We aim to make every penny worth being spent!
Our SUP gurus have put together an informative, engaging, and concise review of each product. The articles are writen to give you an in-depth look at the many aspects of the product to help you make a well-informed purchase, because every penny should be well spent
Image | SUP | Type | Length | Suitable For | Guru Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BLACKFIN – Model SX Read Review | Solid (foam, fiberglass, Poly Carbonate) | 10’6″ | Recreational paddleboarding, SUP yoga, flat water, light surf | 9.3/10 | |
GLIDE O2 Retro Read Review | Inflatable (PVC) | 10’6″ | All-round, flat water, surf, SUP yoga. | 9.2/10 |
|
ISLE Versa Rigid Read Review | Solid (Epoxy) | 10’5″ | All-round, flat water, light-medium surf, SUP yoga | 9.2/10 | |
Boardworks Kraken Read Review | Solid (Fiberglass) | 9’9″/10’3″/11’0″ | All-round, flat water, light-medium surf, SUP yoga | 9.1/10 | |
iROCKER ULTRA Range Read Review | Inflatable (PVC) | 10’0″/10’6/11’0″ | All-round, flat water, light surf, touring, SUP yoga. | 9.1/10 | |
Boardworks Versa Read Review | Solid (Fiberglass) | 10’6″ | All-round, flat water, light-medium surf, SUP yoga | 9.0/10 | |
BOTE Flood Read Review | Solid (ABS composite) | 10’6″/12’0″ | SUP yoga, flat water, light surf, SUP Fishing | 9.0/10 | |
Atoll 11’0″ SUP Read Review | Inflatable (PVC) | 11’0″ | All-round, flat water, surf, SUP yoga. | 9.0/10 | |
SUP ZOOM 10’6″ iSUP Read Review | Inflatable (PVC) | 10’6″ | All-round, flat water, light surf, SUP yoga. | 8.9/10 | |
BOTE Traveller Read Review | Solid (Epoxy) | 12’6″/14’0″ | Touring, flat water, light surf | 8.9/10 | |
GLIDE O2 Angler Read Review | Inflatable (PVC) | 11’0″ | All-round, flat water, light surf, SUP Fishing | 8.8/10 | |
GLIDE O2 Lochsa Read Review | Inflatable (PVC) | 10’0″ | Rough Water Paddle boarding, River Running | 8.8/10 | |
ISLE Cruiser Soft Top Read Review | Solid (Epoxy, Foam) | 10’5″ | All-round, flat water, light surf, SUP yoga | 8.8/10 | |
ISLE Voyager Read Review | Solid (Wood, Epoxy) | 11’6″ | Touring, fishing, light surf | 8.8/10 | |
California Board Co Hydra Read Review | Solid (EPS/ Polyethylene) | 10’6″ | All-round, flat water, light surf | 8.8/10 | |
ISLE Glider Read Review | Solid (Wood, Epoxy) | 10’10” | All-round, flat water, light surf | 8.6/10 | |
ISLE Megalodon Read Review | Inflatable (PVC) | 12’0″/15’0″ | Multi person, flat water, SUP yoga | 8.5/10 | |
Lifetime Amped 110 Read Review | Solid (HDPE) | 11’0″ | All-round, flat water, light surf | 8.0/10 | |
Aqua Marina SPK-1 Read Review | Inflatable (PVC) | 9’9″ | Flat water. | 7.6/10 | |
Bestway HydroForce Read Review | Inflatable (PVC) | 10’1″ | Flat water, light surf, recreational. | 7.2/10 |
Lesson one of becoming a SUP guru is to know what you’re looking for. Avoid being “that” person that buys a paddle board when you lack the right info!
So, let’s paddle you through the types of boards you want to invest in!
This is what you would want if you’re looking to hit the ocean breaks. They’re short, narrow, and plenty unstable for beginner paddle boarders. But, for the more experienced riders that are looking for that adrenaline high from hitting the crest of a wave, a surf SUP’s dimensions are ideal for the surfer. They’re not made for long-distance paddling or even tracking in flat water, but they’re made for excellent maneuverability on the waves.
These types of paddle-boards are excellent entry-level boards for beginners or for recreational use. They’re versatile and multi-purpose boards that can take you through a variety of water conditions as you build up your skills. Since they’re wider and longer than surf boards, they’re very stable for riders to learn to track and glide for flat water paddling or open ocean touring. You can check out a great fishing & touring paddle board here.
While many all-round boards are perfectly apt for flat water paddling, the flat water paddle board is a product specifically made for it. It’s designed to slice through water to maintain perfect tracking with its pointed nose. The shape is akin to a race SUP board that’s made for optimum speed and performance, but it’s wider to accommodate for beginners.
If you’re a fanatic, then you’re probably out for a gut-wrenching core workout or you’re extremely competitive when it comes to speed. They’re very slim and narrow which is great for velocity on surf, however, it’s not recommended for beginners. It’s also unstable to use in flat water conditions. But, there’s no room for flat water for a speed freak!
If you’re comparing the performance of a hard board to an inflatable, you’re looking at things with a narrow mind. iSUPs are excellent paddle boards but they truly shine when it comes to cost, storage convenience, and transportation benefits.
Because they’re inflatable, they can be inconspicuously stored and shoved in the trunk of your car – all within a backpack too! iSUPs are also typically sold as an entire package with all the fixings to get you on the water without having to dish out for extra accessories.
While many all-round and iSUP paddle boards can cater to SUP Yoga, there are specific paddle boards that are made a little differently for this calming but sweat-inducing activity.
They’re wider and longer, and they allow for anchoring so that you’re not floating away while you’re in the middle of a downward facing tree pose! They’re often soft top decks that provide a little cushioning for your entire body.
If river rapids sounds like your kinda style, then you’ll need the best SUP board that can handle the unpredictable terrain. Whitewater paddle boarding is dangerous, but it’s a ton of fun! These kinds of SUPs can come in a variety of lengths and shapes.
Depending on these aspects, you can take a river SUP for surf and waves to the flat waters for recreational paddle boarding to even getting some time in for a little yoga.
You either hate it or you love it! But, windsurfing has been a popular pastime for many ocean-goers! Most windsurf stand up paddle boards are compatible for use with and without the wind, meaning, if you remove the center sail, you can enjoy all the paddling you can dish out.
Like the Whitewater stand up paddle boards, they’re a breed of their own. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes, and their ability to handle various water conditions depends on the build and dimensions.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
The length of the board has a lot to do with performance and how you want to use the paddle board.
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.
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.
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.
The same numbers also apply to inflatable SUPs. Be sure to check these specifications before you purchase.
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.
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.
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.[
These promote speed and help to maintain tracking in those downward swells for longer boards.
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.
We’re in the business of making every water sport lover a SUP guru! It’s in your best interest to know everything about a water vessel that will bring tons of enjoyment for the entire family. Plus, you want to know if you’re getting a top rated product for a great deal!
A SUP guru in the making is the start of a stand up paddle boarding lifestyle!
You recently purchased an iSUP, or you’re an old hand in the game. You love the convenience, and compact nature inflatable boards afford you, but
If you’re searching for a cool-looking paddle board that won’t break the budget and will meet your needs, then the SUP ZOOM Shark 10’6″ may
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