The last several years have seen a boom in the relatively new sport of stand up paddleboarding (SUP Boarding). Now, it should not come as much of a surprise that this sport is becoming so popular.
If you don’t have time to hang around, check out my favorite inflatable paddle board at Amazon.
Paddle boarding is more entertaining than going for a swim, but it is also much more accessible than sailing, making it a perfect beach activity. So good in fact, that nearly any beach you go to these days will have somebody paddle boarding.
In addition to the fun that comes with paddle boarding, you will notice that you routinely get a great workout with this activity. Paddle boarding is a full body workout that targets your core helping to keep you lean, and providing you with improved balance.
Combining the aspects of entertainment, exercise and the calming feeling of being in the water surrounded by the beauty it is easy to see why people love paddle boarding so much.
If you are beginning your paddle board quests, you will no doubt feel a little overwhelmed at all of the options to choose from. Today I am going to attempt to narrow down your selection and help you make an educated decision on buying the best inflatable paddle board for your needs.
Where will you be boarding?
Many people think of paddle boarding strictly as a beach activity, but that is an incorrect assumption. Paddleboards work anywhere there is a large enough body of water, they work just as well in a lake or river as they do in the ocean.
But if you are going to be in the paddling in the lake you will want a different board than you would for the sea.
Beach boards have a small rocker on the bottom. This is necessary because the swells experienced in the ocean cause the board to move up and down much more than at the lake. What the rocker does is allow your board to balance easier. In a lake, there is much less water movement so you can get away with having a flatter board.
Speed?
Are you looking for a board that is going to be faster? If so you are going to want a board built for speed; this can be determined by the shape of the bow, if it is narrow, it will cut through water quicker allowing you to pick up more speed.
Price
Of course, the price is always a pretty big deal for most of us when purchasing anything. One thing to note is you get what you pay for. This statement rings very true in the world of stand-up paddle boarding
Best Inflatable Paddle Board Reviews
Sea Eagle Paddle Board 126
The Sea Eagle 126 is by far my top favorite inflatable paddle board.
It is about 12.5 feet long and thirty inches wide with a depth of six inches. The inflation time is relatively fast at seven minutes, and even though it is an inflatable, it is remarkably sturdy when filled.
It has quadrupled overlapped seams to keep air from escaping and made with 1,000 deniers reinforced the drop-stitch material. This is where it gets its durability from.
Another great thing about this board is the risk-free 180 trial that you get through Sea Eagle.
If you are going to be taking your inflatable SUP board on the ocean, I would probably make this the one that you invest in. The durability along with its design makes it a good fit for ocean paddling. (I can still be used on the lake)
Peak Inflatable Stand up Paddle Board with adjustable paddle
This Peak paddle board is light enough for anyone to manage in the water. And it’s perfect for someone just starting out.
It too is a very durable board. Constructed out of military grade PVC that is six inches thick (you won’t need to worry about accessive dents and knicks).
The Peak also comes with a 30-day risk-free warranty and a one-year manufacturers warranty on all of the materials.
I think this is a good board for someone just getting into paddle boarding. It is very durable, and if you catch it on sale, you can bypass the sticker shock that generally comes with these types of purchases.
Red Paddle Company Ride 2018
The wide base design of the Ride Paddle board makes it a good choice for beginners and experienced paddles alike.
They are great for first-time paddle boarders because of their wide base that helps you to maintain your balance. It is 10.5 feet in length, and the base is a very sturdy 32 inches, giving riders added balance, and it only weighs 20 pounds.
It can accommodate up to 220 pounds, so this is an excellent board for larger individuals.
This board is maybe the best paddle board on the market so you can expect to pay a premium price for it. But it is also consistently rated as the best quality and most durable board, so I do believe you will be getting your money’s worth.
Wrap – Up
Inflatable Paddle Boards have come a long way since they first hit the market, becoming more durable and much more versatile than they once were.
My favorite pick out of these top 3 boards is hands down the Sea Eagle 126. If you are looking at purchasing a paddle board, I would strongly recommend taking a peak at one of the boards covered here.
You can never have enough water when you’re in the outdoors or when SHTF. Check out my recommendations for the best water purifier for any outdoor situation.
Everyone’s gotta start somewhere right? So if you’re new to snow hiking check out the best snowshoes for beginners.
If you’re looking for a new kayak paddle, you’ve got to check out my top recommendations before spending a dime.
