Is it worth buying an inflatable paddle board?
Quick Answer: For all-around leisure paddling, inflatable SUPs are much better overall, due to advantages in durability, portability, weight, versatility, and injury prevention. But if you are buying a board mainly for SUP surfing or racing, certain technical attributes of hardboards make them worthy of consideration. Most SUP boards are designed for one person only (especially inflatable SUPs). However, some family-sized paddle boards are designed to support the weight of several people, allowing two people to paddle and have fun together.SUP Equipment The Board: A stand-up paddleboard is larger, wider, and generally more buoyant than a traditional paddleboard. It ranges between 9 and 12 feet in length and is designed to support a standing rider.The 11′ paddle board stands out in choppy waters or when embarking on long touring trips due to its superior stability and speed. Conversely, a 10′ board, due to its shorter length and great maneuverability, thrives in calm waters and is perfect for casual cruising.The Role of the Board Among these, touring paddle boards are specifically designed to glide through the water at higher speeds due to their narrow and long design. An inflatable board might be lighter, but it often lacks the stiffness of a solid board which can hinder speed.Bottom Line: If you’re a beginner, an inflatable board is not harder to stand on. In fact, it might be more forgiving and comfortable, especially in real-world paddling conditions like lakes, bays, and rivers.
What is a good size inflatable paddle board?
Medium boards (10′ to 12′) are ideal for all-around use and for SUP yoga. Most of these boards have planing hulls, but sometime you’ll find a displacement-hull SUP at this length. Long boards (12’6 and above) are great for fast paddling and long-distance touring. It builds all-body strength Beyond the core alone, SUP is also a great all-round body workout. It’s an exercise in strength and endurance that requires almost every element of the body to cooperate. When you paddle through the water, your quadriceps, shoulders, arms and knees work together to propel you forward.SUP stands for stand-up paddle board, which describes a type of watercraft used for paddleboarding.Paddle boarding is an excellent full-body workout. It uses all of the muscles in your body, including your back, to maintain balance and propel yourself through the water. However, because paddle boarding requires you to constantly adjust your position, it can put a strain on your back and neck.For novice paddlers who want a good-quality SUP experience, I would recommend budgeting around $1,000 and looking for paddleboards in the middle of the price range. At this pricing tier you will begin to experience better performance on the water and the construction will be a bit higher quality than low-level boards.The Adventure Series paddle boards are some of the most durable SUP boards on the market today. These paddle boards are built to take abuse. Virtually ding proof, the board is constructed like a traditional epoxy fiberglass paddleboard, but then wrapped in an ABS thermo-mold plastic shell under high heat and pressure.
Do inflatable paddle boards work in the ocean?
Both hard epoxy SUP boards and blow-up paddle boards are fantastic for lake and ocean paddle boarding. However, you must ensure your gear is from a reputable business and made from high-quality materials. The general rule of thumb is this: you’ll want a longer board if you’re taller. If you’re shorter, you’ll want a shorter one. The reasons are mostly pretty intuitive. Taller people have higher centers of gravity than shorter people.Heavier paddlers who are well under 6′ tall can get away with a 10-11 board that is over 32” wide. Paddlers over 6′ tall across the weight spectrum will do best to prioritize length.Recreational paddlers will see a mix of single- and three-fin configurations on all-around paddleboards. Many inflatable SUPs have a three-fin setup, which works well for beginners as the side bites provide extra stability and assist in turning.Inflatable SUPs are much more stable and can handle everything from chop to flat water, making them much better for yoga, fishing, and general recreational use. In short, solid SUPs make huge sacrifices for slightly better glide. This makes them perform better when SUP surfing and racing.When choosing a stand-up paddleboard (SUP), it’s important to consider the size, shape, and weight capacity of the board to match your needs. For beginners, stability is key. Generally, a longer and wider board offers better balance: Length: A board between 10 to 12 feet is ideal for most adults.
How long will an inflatable paddle board last?
With proper care and maintenance, a well-built inflatable paddle board can last anywhere from 5 to 10 years or more. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that the lifespan of your iSUP may vary depending on how often you use it, the conditions in which it’s used and stored, and the quality of construction. If you keep your inflatable SUP inflated for months at a time it will start to slowly release air. This happens extremely slowly however. If for example you leave your SUP inflated for 10 months it may lose 1-2 PSI’s worth of air so nothing that can totally change the integrity of your inflatable paddle boards.Longevity depends on a few different factors. Maintenance is key, like any else, if you take care of it it should last you!With proper care and maintenance, a well-built inflatable paddle board can last anywhere from 5 to 10 years or more. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that the lifespan of your iSUP may vary depending on how often you use it, the conditions in which it’s used and stored, and the quality of construction.Inflatable paddle boards are built to last, often enduring up to 10 years with proper care. Made from multi-layered, high-grade PVC, they are designed to resist wear and weather conditions. The use of drop-stitch technology ensures they retain their shape and performance over many years of use.
Why not buy a cheap paddle board?
The cheaper inflatable paddle boards in the market tend to be constructed with glued seams which over time and constant inflating, deflating, folding up, and unfolding tend to loosen and cause punctures. This is dangerous. There’s nothing worse than being out on the water and realising that your board is deflating! SUP Equipment The Board: A stand-up paddleboard is larger, wider, and generally more buoyant than a traditional paddleboard. It ranges between 9 and 12 feet in length and is designed to support a standing rider.Durability: Surprisingly, inflatable paddle boards are more durable than solid paddle boards. Quality inflatables are made from military grade materials, so if you knock or drop your inflatable board, it won’t dent or scratch. This also makes inflatable boards perfect for white water paddling or paddling rocky rivers.Inflatable boards: Made from PVC material, they are generally resistant to punctures and impacts. However, they can be susceptible to damage from punctures by sharp objects like fins or rocks.A high-quality inflatable paddle board is absolutely not harder to stand on—and in many cases, it’s easier. With the right width, construction, and inflation, today’s inflatable SUPs deliver outstanding stability, durability, and performance.
How to tell the quality of a paddle board?
Material Quality: Look for boards with multi-layer heavy-duty PVC and woven drop-stitch construction for enhanced durability and rigidity. Seam Inspection: High-quality boards feature heat-welded or fusion seams for superior durability and leak resistance. Avoid boards with inconsistent welds or visible glue. Premium boards will have a much higher density than a cheaper board and inflation pressures of 15-19psi. To make up for the less dense drop stitching, a cheaper board manufacturer will use more layers of PVC to try make the board more rigid. Adding significantly to its weight.