How to Choose an Inflatable Stand-Up Paddleboard
The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Inflatable Stand-Up Paddleboard for You!
Introduction
Choosing the right inflatable stand-up paddleboard (iSUP) isn’t always easy, but it’s important. You want to make sure you have the right board for you, and make sure the board is going to perform and handle how you expect it to.
This straightforward guide will help you make the right decision when purchasing your next iSUP!
First off, we heavily recommend going with an inflatable paddleboard over a hard board. With modern technology inflatable boards are just as stable and rigid as hard boards, while benefitting from easier storage, easier travel, and generally more affordable.
If you would like an additional help or advise on choosing a paddleboard feel free to reach out via one of the channels below:
iSUP BOARD SIZE & SHAPE
Generally speaking, the larger the rider, the larger the board you’ll want, because a larger board will hold more weight, and provide a larger surface area for greater stability. Smaller boards are going to be better for smaller riders, but also will provide easier turning, enhanced mobility, and easier storage and transportation.
Benefits of Bigger Boards: Bigger Weight Capacity | More Stable | Track Better in a Straight Line
Drawbacks of Bigger Boards: Heavier | Higher Cost | Harder to Turn
All-Around SUP Use – Size Chart
| User Weight | SUP Board Length | SUP Board Width | SUP Board Height |
| <80lbs | 8′ | 28″-32″ | 6″ |
| 80lbs-130lbs | 9′ | 28″ – 32″ | 6″ |
| 130lbs – 175lbs | 10′ | 30″ – 34″ | 6″ |
| 175lbs – 275lbs | 10’6″ – 10’8″ | 32″ – 36″ | 6″ |
| 250lbs + | 11’+ | 34″ – 36″ | 6″ |
BOARD LENGTH:
The length of your paddleboard is probably one of the most important pieces of information to consider when shopping for a paddleboard. The length of the board is going to influence the overall stability, the trackability of the board, and who is going to be able to properly handle the board. Most adults will want between 9′ and 10’8″.
BOARD WIDTH:
Board width is important and can influence the stability, weight capacity, and turn radius of your paddleboard. Generally speaking most adults will benefit from a board that is 32″ – 34″ wide and most kids will feel most comfortable on boards 28″ – 32″ wide. If stability is a priority to you, wider is almost always going to be better, but keep in mind wider is typically heavier and more expensive.
BOARD HEIGHT:
Board height is synonymous with the height of the sidewall and is typically also indicated by the height of the drop-stitch material. Many cheap boards will have 4″ tall sidewalls, this is a very easy way for the manufacturer to save on manufacturing costs, so be careful when shopping on eBay and Amazon, as you will commonly see boards sold there that don’t bother mentioning the height. We always recommend a minimum of a 5″ sidewall, but 6″ is the ideal sidewall height!
8′ Long Paddleboards
Best for: Kids | Tweens | Surf | Lake Use | Ocean Use
Optimal Rider Height: Under 5’2″
Optimal Rider Weight: Under 80lbs
Recommended Board Width: 28″ – 32″
Recommended Board (Sidewall) Height: 6″
8 feet long paddleboards are generally meant for kids and teens under 90lbs. The smaller size is ideal for kids because they are lighter-weight, making them easier to handle in and out of the water. Kids boards are also usually more affordable than adult boards since less materials are required to build the board.
Our Choice: STAGE J8 Cruiser – 8’x30″x6″ – 2-Ply PVC / 6″ Drop-Stitch Technolog
9′ Long Paddleboards
Best For: Teens & Smaller Adults | Lake Use | Ocean Use
Optimal Rider Height: 5’0″ – 5’4″
Optimal Rider Weight: 80lbs – 130lbs
Recommended Board Width: 28″ – 32″
Recommended Board (Sidewall) Height: 6″
9 feet long SUP are ideal for smaller adults and teens looking for something easy to handle for their weight and height. 9′ long boards are a little less common to find than 8′ or 10′, due to the smaller demographic of users, but if you are within the ideal weight range for this size of board, it could really benefit your paddling. 9′ boards are super easy to turn, generally weigh less, and are easier to carry from car to water. This is also a great board size for transitioning your little one to an adult board!
Our Choice: STAGE S9 Cruiser – 9’x31″x6″ – 2 Ply PVC / 6″ Drop-Stitch Technology
10′ Long Paddleboards
Best For: Most Adults | Easy Turning | All-Around Use | Lake Use | Ocean Use
Optimal Rider Height: 5’4″ – 5’11”
Optimal Rider Weight: 130lbs – 200lbs
Recommended Board Width: 30″ – 34″
Recommended Board (Sidewall) Height: 6″
10 feet long stand-up paddleboards are a fantastic choice for most riders and skill levels. 10′ is the most common length for a paddleboard on the market, so there will be lots of really fantastic options. We recommend something 32″ wide so that is stable enough to provide support and comfort, but not so wide that you will feel board and outperform the board down the line.
Our Choice: STAGE S10 Journey – 10’x32″x6″ – 2 Ply PVC / 6″ Drop-Stitch Technology
10’6″ Long Paddleboards
Best For: Larger Adults | Tracking Long Distances | Lake & River Use
Optimal Rider Height: 5’11″+
Optimal Rider Weight: 170lbs – 270lbs
Recommended Board Width: 32″ – 36″
Recommended Board (Sidewall) Height: 6″
A 10’6″ long paddleboard is not only great for taller adults looking for extra stability, but also for paddlers who are paddling long distances. A longer board such as this one will generally ride in a straight line for longer and easier, however may be a little bit harder to turn. We recommend a 34″ width and 6″ sidewall to pair with this length.
Our Choice: STAGE S10 Expedition – 10’6″x34″x6″ – MSL PVC / 6″ Drop-Stitch Technology
iSUP PVC CONSTRUCTION
Lucky for you in the last decade the materials and construction methods used for building inflatable stand-up paddleboards has significantly improved and gotten much cheaper. In reality many of the iSUP boards on the market that cost $900+ are using the same material and methods as boards in the $400 range. Take a look below as we analyze the differences in PVC construction you’ll find on the market today.
We recommend 2-Ply PVC or Fused Double Layer PVC Construction!
SINGLE LAYER – (1-PLY) PVC CONSTRUCTION
PROS: Lightweight | More affordable
CONS: Less durable | Lower weight capacity | Hard to control in wind or waves
1-Ply PVC has a few different names like Single Layer, Single Ply, or Single Skin, but it all means the same thing a lightweight and very affordable paddleboard that is going to be prone to damage and overall not very durable. Typically these boards will be your cheapest on the market, however cheap is not always bad. These boards are really great for those looking to hike their board into a lake, as they’re usually 10lbs or more lighter than alternative construction methods.
OUR CHOICE: Retrospec Weekender – 10’x30″x6″ – 1-Ply PVC / 6″ Drop-Stitch Technology
STANDARD DOUBLE LAYER – (2-PLY) CONSTRUCTION
PROS: Durable | Stiff | Higher weight capacity
CONS: Heavier | More Expensive than 1-PLY
2-Ply construction is a significant improvement over 1-ply construction, that will benefit from increased stiffness and much better durability overall, meaning greater stability and higher weight capacity, however this method is more expensive than 1-Ply and adds quite a bit of weight to the build. It is normal for standard double layer boards to show imperfections from heat and sun exposure over the years.
OUR CHOICE: STAGE S10 Journey – 10’x32″x6″ – 2-Ply PVC / 6″Drop-Stitch Technology
FUSED DOUBLE LAYER – (2-PLY) CONSTRUCTION
PROS: Lightweight | Durable | Higher weight capacity
CONS: Most Expensive
Fused double layer technology is a modern improvement over the standard double layer, by fusing the two layers together before the board is every inflated at the factory. This improvement makes the board more rigid and reduces the weight typically by 3-5 pounds. This fusion process offers a superior product, however it does come at an increased sales price.
OUR CHOICE: STAGE S10 EXPEDITION – 10’6″x34″x6″ – Fused 2-PLY PVC / 6″ Drop-Stitch