The Best Cheap Inflatable Paddle Board Reviews and Buyers Guide

How to Choose an Inflatable SUP (Step By Step)

I’ve been in your position before. Choosing an inflatable SUP is tough, choosing an inflatable SUP on a budget is even tougher! below we go through criteria to help you make the best decision for your needs. 

Step 1: Where are you Paddling?

When choosing the best inflatable paddle board for you and your lifestyle you have to keep in mind a few different factors.

The first is where are you paddling and what kind of paddling would you like to do? When I first bought my inflatable paddle board I went for a Recreational/ Touring hybrid as I could see myself wanting more speed from the board. What I completely underestimated was the fact that it was tippy and tricky to get used to when attempting to stand on the board.

I definitely was not the kind of person that had good balance from the get-go. As a result I had to adjust my learning curve by kneeling on the board and standing when I was paddling in lakes that had calm water.

The point of my story is that you should get an ISUP that will best represent the skill level you are at now and what you plan on doing with the board in the future. If you are a bit like me and you want a challenge, by all means you can get an inflatable touring paddle board. Just know there there will be an adjustment period in the beginning.

Types of Inflatable SUP Boards

Now that you have an idea of where you will be paddling, and what skill level you are. Now we will show you the different types of inflatable paddle boards there are and what purposes they serve.

Recreational ISUP Boards

These are usually the most common inflatable paddle boards on the market and they are usually the best for beginner to intermediate paddlers. They are also the main types that we will be reviewing in this article. These boards typically have a round snout and tail which allows them to act as an all around type of board. They are also the most common fishing paddle boards as well. 

When looking at these types of inflatable boards some factors to look out for are the width, length and thickness of the board. The width will give you a good idea as to how steady the board is. Typically if you are new to paddle boarding you are looking for a board that has at least 30” in width. Anything less and you start getting into tippy territory.

In terms of length with these boards anything within the 9’ to 12’ range is a pretty good starter range, with 10’ being the most ideal all around board. The length of you board relates to your height. The taller and heavier you are the longer the board should be for ideal stability.

• Smaller People 140 lbs and Under : Use a 9’ + Board
  Example: Aqua Marina Breeze, Pathfinder ISUP
• Average Size 140 lbs – 200 lbs : Use a 10’ + Board
  Example: Ten Toes Weekender, SereneLife Premium Inflatable Paddle Board
• Larger People 200 lbs + : Use a 11’ + Board
  Example: iRocker Cruiser, Atoll Inflatable Paddle Board

Thickness of the board should preferably be at least be 4” but more preferably in the 6” range.

I say preferably 6” range because as soon as you start going under that thickness the board will drag in the water making you have to paddle harder and exert more effort per stroke.

These  paddle boards are typically best for lakes, calmer bays but can handle some surf and waves if need be. Different ISUP manufacturers will be good for different conditions so read carefully what the paddle board is best for. These are the jack of all trades types of stand up paddle boards that are meant to get you out on the water.

Touring / Racing ISUP’s

These boards are made for intermediate to advanced paddlers and are typically above the price range of this particular article. Touring ISUPs are meant for long distance paddling and feature a pointy nose and a more skinnier build. Racing ISUP’s are even thinner and are meant for advanced users who actively take their boards out to race.

Examples of Popular Touring Boards: Isle Discovery, ISLE Airtech  Explorer

Examples of Racing ISUPS: Ten Toes Jet Setter, Shark SUPs

Yoga ISUP’s

We did a full review on Yoga Paddle boards that goes more indepth. Inflatable Yoga SUP boards are meant to act as a yoga mat but on water. A common feature of Yoga SUPs is that they feature a wide width to insure stability while doing those yoga poses you love.

Examples of Yoga Inflatable Boards: Peak Yoga SUP, Isle Airtech Yoga Board

Surfing ISUP’s

Typically hardboards are better for surfing because of their rigid structure but there are a few surfing sups out there. Some common features of these boards is that they feature smaller fins that come in 3’s or 5’s instead of the larger center removable fin that are typically found on most paddle boards. This is to help the surfer with quick turns and maneuverability while in the water.

Examples of Surfing ISUP’s: Hala Milligram

Step 2: Anatomy of a Good Inflatable Paddle Board

Length

• The Longer the board is the quicker it is. Longer Paddle boards tend to glide on the water quicker than shorter ones.
• The Longer the board is the less maneuverable it is. It is harder to turn a 12’ board than say a 9 or 10 foot inflatable SUP.
• Beginner and Intermediate Paddlers are best to go with ranges of 9’9-12’6 paddle boards. All the Boards reviewed here are in those ranges
• Longer Boards generally track better although that is not the only factor in tracking ability

Width

• Wider Boards mean more stability. A 32” board would be better for a beginner than say a 28” board.
• Wider Width also equals more drag. As a result wider boards are usually slower than skinnier ones.

Thickness

• Many Good quality Paddle Boards are now 6 inches thick. This is because they keep you higher out of the water and keep shape better.
• Boards that are less than 6 inches thick will usually not be as firm

Nose and Tail Rocker

• While not the most important factor when choosing a board it does make a difference.
• More Tail and Nose Rocker means that the front and rear of the board point upwards.
• Having more Nose Rocker is ideal for for more wavy conditions.

All of the boards I have reviewed on this page are All Around Boards. I did this because these are usually the best cheap inflatable boards to start off with.  If you want to read more about the differences between paddle boards heres a great article by REI

Step 3: Portability and Weight

Not a lot of people put as much thought into this criteria as they should. Most times when people buy an ISUP they assume “ohh it will be around the size of a backpack” when really this is not so much the case. Keep close attention of how big the board is when folded up and in its carry bag. In my case the board that I bought folds up to be the equivalent of a hitchhiker’s backpack, maybe even bigger. This limits me from being able to walk long distances with it. A good way to avoid this problem is contact the manufacturer or look at their website to see how big the board is when it is folded up.

Step 4: Quality Materials

Another thing that seperates a cheaper stand up paddle board from a higher quality one is the materials used. Cheaper paddle boards (typically ones that are under $500) have a single layer of PVC material which will result in more sag in the board.

It will also not keep its rigidity as long as a higher quality ISUP. A higher quality ISUP will typically have a double or triple layer PVC which allows the more expensive brands to keep their rigidity for a longer period of time. In the long run it makes more sense to pay a few hundred more to get a board that you can use for a long time.

Step 5: On-Water Performance

On-water Performance can be broken down into 3 different categories. Stability, Speed and Maneuverability. This is a particularly important factor because ideally you want buy a SUP that can do what it’s expected to do in the water. Otherwise you may be paddling an over glorified pool toy that lasts less than 2 years. Unfortunately if you want more on water performance you will typically have to pay a bit more for a few different reasons. Cheaply made SUP’s typically do not put a lot of effort in the materials that go into the board. As a result you have to paddle with more effort to travel less distance.

Stability

This is typically a factor that is important to beginner paddle boarders. Qualities of a good stable cheap paddle board is that its length is at least 9’6” it’s width is 30” and up and the thickness of the board is at least 4” but preferably in the 6” category. When looking for a stable ISUP it’s best to stick to the leaders in the paddle boarding industry as they have years of experience making these boards. I would also look at customer reviews as a good way to judge stability. Many beginners express their opinions (both good and bad) in these customer reviews.

Speed

This will not be as important a criteria for those starting out but it is something to think about in the future. In the long run if you are looking to do longer paddling excursions you probably don’t want to spend more money on a different kind of SUP. Some characteristics of a fast SUP is as slender build, pointed nose. These SUP’s typically are in the 12’ category and are less than 30” wide. If this is the route you want to go one day you may just have to accept the steeper learning curve and get a touring inflatable paddle board.

Maneuverability

Depending on where you are paddling you may want a SUP that does not feel like you are drive a giant boat. These SUP’s will usually be shorter in length and their fins will be shorter in length as well. While I would not say this is a main criteria you do ideally want your board to have some steering capability to it. This especially comes in handy if you are paddling tighter quarters like the mangroves in Florida.

Step 6: Whats the Maximum Weight Capacity?

The maximum weight capacity is how much weight you can take on the ISUP. You also have to take into consideration what you will be bringing with you when you are paddling and add that to your weight. Paddle boarders for the most part are minimalists compared to kayakers and canoers but there are definitely activities like fishing, diving or even camping where all these little items add up quick.

Step 7: Inflation and Deflation Time

So I touched on this a bit in portability and weight but it is still a pretty important factor in my mind. It is often a very looked over criteria but it is important as it represents how much time you occupy before you can go into the water and leave the site.

As a stand up paddle board owner I will just say this outright. Get an electric SUP Pump (or be creative like the man in the video) ! I cannot tell you how much time this saves and how much less stress you will cause your back. While almost all inflatable paddle board manufacturers come with a SUP Pump they often are a bit clumsy, cumbersome to use and are often not the right size for the person doing the pumping.

Deflation is a bit of a different animal but with most SUP’s you will just have to wrestle around with it and roll it up/ deflate it like a sleeping bag. Some SUP’s are easier than others to deflate so do some research beforehand.

Step 8: Accessories that Come with the ISUP?

Finally last on the list is accessories. What does your blow up paddle board come with? Typically the bare bones cheap paddle boards come with a SUP Pump, a removable fin ,a repair kit of some sort and a carry bag to store it in. Some SUP manufacturers even throw in a paddle, SUP leash and a waterproof phone holder. While more an more Inflatable paddle boards come with a paddle these days don’t assume that it does unless it specifically says so in the product description. Some other accessories you should have with you include:

• A PFD Belt or Vest
• A SUP Ankle Leash
• Small waterproof backpack
• A Whistle
• Bathing suit
• Sunglasses
• Hat
• Paddle

We go into more detail on what to expect when you first go out on a paddle board.