Best Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Boards of 2022

BEST ALL-AROUND INFLATABLE SUP

When you need a stable, capable SUP beginner-friendly SUP that will appease expert paddlers too, take a look at the Sport.

Red Paddle Co designed the Sport 11’3” as a hybrid touring/recreational option. It’s super lightweight, weighing in at just 22 pounds, but also very stable and boasts a 240 pound weight capacity. The brand’s proprietary ‘RED’ hybrid deck pad is equally grippy and cushy. The SUP comes with an all-terrain backpack with wheels that makes it easy to transport and store.

What I like most about this inflatable SUP is that it also comes with the new Titan II pump — one of the best manual pumps on the market, touted to inflate your board in half the time as competitors.

BEST FOR: PADDLERS ON A BUDGET

If you’re in need of the optimal blend of balance, weight, and size, the GILI is sure to fit the bill.

This inflatable SUP weighs in at only 19 pounds, making for a convenient boat for transport and storage. It’s constructed from 6” thick cross-stitched PVC and is made to withstand normal wear and tear out on the water — and then some.

What I like most about the GILI is that the package includes a snap-in center fin which you can attach and detach as needed, adding a nice element of versatility.

BEST LIGHTWEIGHT & COMPACT OPTION

If you’re looking for an addition to your next hiking, bike packing, or extended road trip, consider the Backcountry — it stows away into its own waterproof pack.

This inflatable SUP alone weighs in at under 15 pounds and tips the scales just above 20 pounds as a total package, making for one of the most lightweight options in its class. The backpack is waterproof and features adjustable, comfortable shoulder straps with exterior gear loops, bungee tie downs, and side mesh pockets.

What I like most about the Pau Hana Solo Backcountry is that when you’re out on the water, you can turn the backpack into a dry bag that’s easy to attach to your board.

BEST FOR: FISHING

When you want to paddle something that deflates and stows away into the trunk of your car but you need fishing-specific accommodations, take a look at the FishSUP — it might be exactly what you’ve been looking for.

Sea Eagle designed the FishSUP as a fishing-specific SUPing package with a swivel seat. It’s constructed from 1000 denier reinforced drop stitch PVC and features a quadruple overlap, so you don’t have to stress about punctures or abrasion. Measuring 12feet 6inches long and 40inches wide, the FishSUP is extremely stable and buoyant.

What I like most about the FishSUP is its 500 pound weight capacity, which ensures you never have to leave any of your fishing gear behind.

BEST FOR: SUP YOGA

If you want a stable paddle board for practicing yoga but you don’t have a fortune to spend, consider the SHUBU Solr.

This SUP features a high density drop stitch core and specialized sidewall material using Dual Fashion laminate construction, making the layered material more durable and resilient while saving on weight. The Solr includes a comfy “Honey “Fomb” deck pad ideal for holding your yoga poses. The SUP comes with neoprene carry handles, a roller travel bag, four tie-does, and an on-deck bungee system.

What I like most about the SHUBU Solr is the included 3-piece adjustable carbon shaft paddle.

BEST FOR: SUP YOGA

This extra-wide SUP is primarily designed to provide an extra stable platform for practicing SUP yoga. But it also offers great performance for casual paddle excursions and can also be a great SUP for larger paddlers to learn on. It features a large traction pad on the deck that is soft underfoot and improves grip when the board gets wet. On the bottom, you’ll find three tracking fins that make this board easy to turn on a dime. The exterior of this SUP is finished with a double-layer outer skin that improves durability and resistance to the effects of rocks, barnacles, and other paddle hazards.

BEST FOR: ALL-AROUND WATER ACTIVITIES

The Boardworks Shubu Kraken is an 11-foot SUP designed to tackle a wide variety of water activities. It can handle a day-long paddle on flatwater or become a floating island for the kids at your next beach day. The board’s laminate construction makes it extra durable and resilient to scrapes or punctures. It offers multiple comfortable handles for transporting it easily and features multiple tie-downs and bungee rigging for on-deck gear storage. The deck (or top) of this SUP is finished with a foam pad that helps to keep your feet comfortable on longer paddle adventures.

BEST FOR: OFF-THE-GRID ADVENTURES

The Pau Hana Endurance Air will go as far as you’re willing to take it. It deflates into a compact travel bag that features full-suspension shoulder straps, high-end wheels, and multiple exterior storage pockets. When you’re out on the water, the travel bag can double as a gear hauler to help you bring along the equipment you’d need for an overnight camping adventure. The board itself boasts 19 separate anchor points for attaching all the gear you’d need for a multi-day adventure. It also includes extra carry handles to make carrying it with another person (or two!) a breeze. Finally, this board’s extra-soft foam deck pad can double as a comfortable sleeping platform for a quick snooze on the beach after your paddle!

BEST FOR: HARD-TOP PERFORMANCE IN DEFLATABLE PACKAGE

This SUP from Red Paddle Company is thin and rigid so that it performs like a comparable hard-top model. The rear section of the board is outfitted with a diamond-cut pad that helps to improve traction and make it easier for you to stay balanced. The board’s lightweight construction makes it easy to transport and also improves its stiffness (and, therefore, performance) when inflated to lower pressures. Multiple tie-downs give you plenty of options for storing gear on the deck and this board comes with a high-flow hand pump, patch kit, all-terrain backpack, and water-resistant phone case so you can capture epic selfies from your new SUP.