The Best Stand Up Paddleboards
Let me start off by saying that I realize this is a boating site and many of you would not consider stand-up paddleboards to be boats. I wouldn’t argue with you there, but I do feel that a stand up paddleboards (or SUP) can be one of the most fun boating ACCESSORIES available.
I purchased an inflatable SUP for my wife a few years back, and it always comes with us when we go boating. The great part about an inflatable SUP is that you can easily bring it with you on your boat (even if it’s a small boat) or throw it in the back of your car or suv. Sure, it’s a little work to pump the air into the board before you use it, but it’s well worth the trouble. Its great to be able to bring it to a remote part of the lake by boat and explore areas on your paddleboard you could never get to otherwise.
Keeping Our Eye on Value
In this article, we are going to discuss a few of the best value-priced SUPs on the market today. I’m not necessarily suggesting to go cheap when it comes to shopping for a paddleboard, however I expect many of you are in the same boat as myself. You have never owned a paddleboard before, and you aren’t quite ready to make a huge investment into a product you aren’t quite sure how much you will like. Therefore, we are going to keep talk limited to SUPs in the $300-$500 range.
Sportstuff 1030 Adventure Stand Up Paddleboard
This has been one of the top selling inflatable SUPs on Amazon for some time now, and for good reason. It comes with all of the accessories you need to go with your board, and then some. The accessories included are the mesh backpack, paddle, removable seat, stainless steel tow rings, hi pressure hand pump, pressure gauge, valve wrench, fin and board leash. Obviously you need the pump and paddle. The travel bag is a must have, especially for boaters who want to throw the board under a seat and head out on the lake.
The removable seat is also a nice addition (one that I would like to add to my board) because it basically converts the paddleboard to a kayak. It also will help you get used to operating the board while keeping a lower center of gravity which is great for beginners.
The board has a maximum capacity of 250 lbs. Be sure to keep an eye on the maximum capacity when choosing a board, as some boards seem to have a great price but have a much lower weight limit. This is very important because using a board with a low weight limit will make things much more difficult, especially for larger individuals. This board is very stable when fully inflated, and it comes with stainless steel hardware for extra durability. If you are shopping for a good starter board, the Sportstuff 1030 Adventure should be near the top of your list.
PathFinder Inflatable SUP Stand Up Paddleboard
The PathFinder Inflatable SUP is a great looking board that also ranks among Amazon's top selling standup paddleboards. It also comes with a variety of accessories including a paddle, air-pump and travel bag. This board is 9'9" long so it's a little shorter than the 10'6" SportStuff 1030, but it has the same width at 30" and it's a little thicker at 5" compared to 4" on the 1030.
The weight limit is 240lbs, so its just a little under the 250 lb. limit on the 1030. Overall, this is a very similar board with slight differences in specs so you can't go wrong with either of these two boards. One kicker might be the seat included with the SportStuff 1030, so if using the board as a kayak is important to you, be sure to take that into consideration.
ISLE Classic Soft Top Stand Up Paddle Board
The ISLE Classic Soft Top SUP is a great board for beginners as well, and what I really like is that the board is available in 2 sizes depending on the necessities of the rider. It is available in both 9’6 & 10’8 LENGTHS. The 9'6" board can accommodate riders up to 225 lbs and the 10'8" board is good for larger riders up to 275 lbs! It has a paddle that extends up to 85", so it's great for taller riders as well. The shorter board will be more maneuverable, so if you are a smaller rider, the 9'6" board is probably the better option.
Ten Toes WEEKENDER
Another very popular SUP on Amazon is the Ten Toes Weekender. Ten Toes makes quite a few different models of SUPs, and the Weekender is their 10' model. Ten Toes claims that this is the most stable inflatable paddleboard for all skill levels. Maximum rider weight comes in at a whopping 250 lbs. which is on the high end for this price & size range. This board is made of millitary grade PVC which makes it nearly indestructible. When folded, it measures 11"x35" making it compact enough to fit in small storage areas. There are 5 different color options as well so you can choose a board that fits your exact style and taste.
Jump Onboard!
Stand Up Paddleboards are one of the hottest trends in outdoor activities, and they pair great with boating as well. They can be used by both adults and children, or both at the same time! All the boards listed above are great options for a beginner paddleboarder, so do your research and choose the best board for your needs. If you are interested in giving paddleboarding a try, go for it! It's a great experience that is very rewarding and a great workout at the same time.
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