How much does a good inflatable paddle boards cost?
Stand up paddle boarding is becoming more popular every summer. And that’s no surprise. Paddle boarding is a fun and healthy outdoor activity that anyone can learn. While you may not live near the ocean you can enjoy the “surf lifestyle” on lakes and rivers with a paddle board.
When you’re thinking about buying a SUP the first consideration is how much do paddle boards cost. You want to buy a good paddle board without paying a fortune.
One way to save money is to look for paddle board packages. Most, but not all stand up paddle boards come with an adjustable paddle. Some will come with an ankle leash.
Inflatable stand up paddle board packages will always include a hand pump. Most will also include a repair kit, paddle and carry backpack. Some will come with an ankle leash. Never assume a package will include everything. Always double check to see what is included.
Dig Deeper: How to Buy Your First Paddle Board
How much do I have to pay for a good inflatable paddle board?
Paddle boards can range in price from high end models for $3000 to lower end paddle boards around $300. What you spend will depend on what type of paddling you want to do, how often you will be paddling and, of course, your budget.
High-End Inflatables
Can fall between $900 – $1600. These are high quality durable boards for someone spending a lot of time on the water. Brands I like here include Red Paddle Co, Starboard & Bote
Mid-Level
Sell for $600-800. These are great for everyone including first time buyers. Brands I like in this range include Sea Eagle, iRocker, Thurso, Nixy, Blackfin & Isle
Paddle boards under $500
These are lower end inflatables. They can get you out on the water but performance and durability are lacking. I cannot recommend buying these paddle boards.
What’s the difference in a cheap paddle board under $500?
There are a few decent paddle boards under $500. But most of them are disappointing. Paddle boards under $500 are all inflatable SUPs. To keep cost down manufactures will use cheap materials and only one layer of pvc. Good inflatable SUPs will have two, three or even four layers of pvc.
You also get a cheap paddle and pump with your paddle board package. Although there are expectations you can’t expect high quality when prices are this low. Once again the old cliche is true: “You get what you pay for”.
A inflatable paddle board with one layer of pvc will not be durable and will not perform well. The layers of pvc are the main factor that separates a real inflatable paddle board from a kiddie pool.
… multiple layers of pvc separate a real paddle board from a kiddie pool.
A quality inflatable board is surprisingly rigid and super durable. Good inflatable paddle boards will not flex in the water.
Cheap inflatable paddle boards may be okay for beginners. But my recommendation is to spend a bit more for a good inflatable.
Paddle Board Cost by Type
Beginners
If your’re new to stand up paddling you don’t want to pay too much. Chances are you will love paddle boarding. But if for some reason you don’t that new paddle board will become an expensive dust collector.
Also if you become an advanced paddle you may want a more specialized board. You may want become a serious SUP surfer. Or go on overnight camping trips with a touring sup. So you may not want to spend a lot on your first stand up paddle board.
It’s not unreasonable for a beginner to spend $1500 if he is serious about becoming an advanced paddler, but you can buy a decent inflatable for $600 that will paddle fine.
All-Around SUP
These are the popular paddle boards most people want and need. They can range from $600-$1500. All Around paddle boards are versatile and great for beginners. Typically wide and stable they can be enjoyed by the whole family. See the best all-arounds here.
Touring SUP
You can get a decent touring paddle board between $700-$2000. Red Paddle Co. Voyager is one of my favorite paddle boards. See the best touring paddle boards here.
Racing SUP
The best racing boards are hard/composite boards but you can find decent inflatable racing SUPs. Racing boards will cost anywhere from $1000 to $3000.
Surfing SUP
If you’re serious about SUP surfing I recommend a hard/composite. The will range from $1000-$2000. I have a surfing hybrid I bought from PaddleboardDirect.com that performs well in medium size surf.
Yoga SUP
You can use any stable paddle board with a large deck for Yoga. But there are boards designed for yoga and they can range from $500-$1500. Check out the Nixy Venice.
Dig Deeper: Do I need a Yoga Paddle Board?
Fishing SUP
You want a paddle board that is stable with a large deck but also glides through the water well. You can fish off any paddle board. But serious anglers may want a board designed specifically for fishing. These paddle boards can range from $700-$3000. A fishing SUP will have plenty of mounts for accessory tracks. You can add rod holders, a tackle box, coolers and about any fancy fishing gear you can imagine. See the best fishing paddle boards here.
Dig Deeper: Benefits of Fishing Off a Paddle Board
What should l look for when buying a paddle board?
1. What type of riding do I want to do?
First subject you want to consider is what type of riding do you want to do. The best choice for a beginner would be an All-Around Cruiser. The majority of paddlers use an All-Around paddle board. The second best option would be a Touring paddle board, especially if you are a bigger person.
Dig Deeper: Types of Paddle Boards Explained.
- All Around Cruising
- Surfing
- Yoga
- Camping
- Long-distance Touring
- Fitness Runs
- Downwinding
- Fishing
- Racing
2. What size paddle board do I need?
The size of your paddle board will depend on your body weight and the type of activity you want to do. The best paddle board for a beginner is the All Around paddle board. This is what most people want and need.
Dig Deeper: What Size Paddle Board do I Need?
If you don’t buy a paddle board with enough float is will feel unstable, be hard to paddle and move slow.
It’s critical that you buy a paddle board with plenty of float for your weight. Think of the length, width and thickness of a paddle board as volume. The volume of a paddle board is the biggest factor in how much float it will have. So if you are a big person you will need a big paddle board.
3. Maximum Weight Capacity
Your body weight should be well under the weight limit of any board you want to buy. Also think about any cargo you may want to carry on your board. That could be a kid, dog, a cooler filled with beverages or fishing gear.
Dig Deeper: Paddle Board Weight Capacity
Length
In general, longer boards are faster. Shorter boards maneuver quicker and easier.
- Under 10’ – Good for surfing and/or kids.
- 10’ to 12’ – Best for all-around cruising and yoga.
- 12’6” to 16′ – Best for speed and long-distance touring.
Width
The wider the board the more stable. Narrow boards are best for speed. Most beginners want stability. A good width for a beginner is 32″.
Dig Deeper: Paddle Board Width and Stability
A typical All-Around beginner paddle board is 10’6″ long and 32″ wide.
4. Inflatable and hard/epoxy paddle board?
Dig Deeper: Inflatable Paddle Boards Pros and Cons.
Choosing your type will mainly depend on your transportation/storage preferences and your budget
Performance
- Hard paddle boards perform better than inflatables.
- Inflatable paddle boards are a great choice for beginners and will paddle just fine for the majority of paddlers.
- If you are serious about paddling speed, glide or maneuverability buy a hard paddle board. If you are serious about SUP surfing, racing or paddling long distances go for a hard paddle board.
Think about transportation & storage
Transportation & Storage
- Inflatable roll up into the size of a large backpack. They are by far the easiest to transport and store.
- Hard paddle boards require a car roof rack or truck to transport. Also you need to find somewhere to store an 11′ hard paddle board.
Price
- Inflatables have a lower entry price point. You can pay as much for an inflatable as a hard board. or you can pay less. You can buy a decent inflatable for $500 but you will not find a hard paddle board at that price.
Durability
- Inflatables are more durable than hard paddle boards. Inflatable will surprise you with their durability. Hard paddle boards damage easy and require care when handling.
Inflatable SUP Durability (Video)
