Are you in search of a durable paddle board?
Stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) generally come in two main types: traditional solid boards and inflatable models.
There are several reasons someone might choose a solid SUP. Many paddlers prefer the natural, rigid feel of a solid board, while others rely on the extra performance and responsiveness that a solid board provides.
The Benefits of Solid Paddle Boards
The biggest advantage of a solid SUP over an inflatable (iSUP) is performance. A solid board transfers energy directly from your legs to the board, providing near-instant responsiveness. With an inflatable, there’s always some flex, which can reduce efficiency, especially when making sharp turns.
It’s no coincidence that traditional surfboards are never inflatables; a firm, solid surface simply maneuvers faster and more precisely.
If you’re seeking a SUP that prioritizes performance, or if you simply enjoy the classic feel of a rigid board, keep reading. We’ve put together a list of our top picks, and we’re confident you’ll find some favorites here.

Features:
If you want a versatile SUP that performs seamlessly on both flatwater and surf, the Sixty Forty MX is an excellent choice.
This board combines a shorter, wider design with ample volume, giving you the glide and stability of a larger board on flatwater while maintaining the maneuverability of a smaller board in surf.
The hull’s subtle displacement reduces slap and allows smoother movement through the water. Built with durable molded epoxy, the Sixty Forty MX also features a soft deck with traction and a tail kick, ensuring comfortable paddling for hours.
Suitable for beginner, intermediate, and advanced riders, this board handles waves up to 4 feet with ease, making it a versatile option for any paddling adventure.
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Features:
The ISLE Cruiser Soft Top is a versatile SUP designed to accommodate a wide range of riders and skill levels. Built with a rigid epoxy core and topped with a soft, grippy layer, it offers stability and comfort even with wet feet.
This board performs well in small ocean waves, lakes, and calm coves, and it’s also a solid choice for SUP yoga, giving you a stable platform to test your balance.
The Cruiser Soft Top features a 4-point bungee system at the front, perfect for most uses. For gear-heavy activities like fishing, you might prefer a larger 6-point system, but the standard 4-point setup is sufficient for everyday paddling.
Transporting the board is simple thanks to a center-mounted carry handle with a pop-up design that folds flush when not in use. The board also includes a single center fin, and with a width of 31 inches and a weight of 27 pounds, it’s durable enough to withstand bumps and scrapes.
The package comes with an adjustable carbon paddle, providing a lightweight and efficient option for longer paddling sessions.
Overall, the ISLE Cruiser Soft Top is one of the best all-around SUPs you can get for the price, offering durability, versatility, and performance for a variety of paddling adventures.
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Features:
Tom Carroll Paddle Surf (TCPS) is known for creating beautifully designed SUPs, and the Outer Reef MX continues that legacy.
What sets Tom Carroll boards apart is their “water-friendly” design. For the Outer Reef MX, this means incorporating double concave contours that guide water to spiral along the board. Instead of pushing water forward like traditional SUPs, this design allows the board to glide smoothly, creating a faster, more efficient ride.
The Outer Reef MX offers increased speed on flat water, easy maneuverability, and responsive handling when catching waves. It’s lightweight, making it easy to carry, while still delivering stability and precision in the water.
Fast, agile, and versatile, the Outer Reef MX excels both on calm flat water and in the surf. If you want a board that’s stable yet glides effortlessly, this SUP is an excellent choice.
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Features:
The Pau Hana Malibu Classic is an excellent choice for beginner to intermediate paddlers. Built to last and priced affordably, this hard SUP can handle plenty of wear and tear.
Durability comes from its EPS foam core wrapped in ABS plastic, with Kevlar-reinforced rails for extra rigidity. This construction makes the Malibu Classic both strong and resilient.
Stable yet fast through the water, the board can even support a dog on the nose without issue. Its “Classic” longboard shape provides a smooth, enjoyable ride, making it perfect for cruising, beginners, and families.
The SUP comes with an adjustable aluminum paddle and a convenient accessory system, allowing for easy attachment of cup holders, paddle clips, and bungee tie-downs. There’s even a hole for running a cable lock for added security.
If you’re looking for a versatile board that performs well in all-around conditions, the Pau Hana Malibu Classic is an ideal option for beginners, first-timers, and casual paddlers alike.
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Features:
Classic.
The ISLE Glider stands out with its clean, classic design, a timeless paddleboard that looks as good as it performs.
This all-around SUP is ideal for beginners while still offering plenty of fun and versatility for advanced paddlers and wave riders. Its construction balances firmness, stability, and maneuverability, thanks to a precision EPS foam core layered with fiberglass resin, paulownia wood veneer for added stiffness, and a final fiberglass layer to lock it all together.
The Glider is designed for convenience, featuring ample bungee storage on the nose and a pop-up carry handle that folds flush when not in use—perfect for easy transport.
The center of the board has a soft brushed traction pad for comfortable paddling, while the rear sports a diamond-grooved pad that delivers extra grip for more athletic maneuvers in the surf.
The package includes everything you need to get on the water: a leash, an adjustable carbon paddle, and a center fin that can be installed or removed without special tools.
Lightweight yet firm enough for performance in challenging conditions, the ISLE Glider combines practicality, versatility, and style, making it one of the best-looking SUPs available.
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Features:
The Generator is an outstanding board that stands out thanks to top-quality materials, thoughtful design, and expert construction. It excels in small to medium surf, offering a great balance of stability and maneuverability.
Featuring a flatter rocker, the Generator performs well in flat or slightly choppy conditions. With a width of 32” and a depth of 4.4”, it prioritizes stability over speed, making it a reliable choice for a variety of paddlers.
Constructed with natural wood fibers and reinforced with carbon tail patches, the board is strong yet retains a useful amount of flex for smooth performance.
The Generator also includes a standard 4-point bungee system, along with a wider nose and slimmer tail, allowing it to glide efficiently through the water. Overall, it’s a versatile and high-quality board, definitely one of the best options you can get.
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Features:
The Surftech Promenade features a displacement hull and generous volume, making it a reliable choice for paddlers who want stability and performance.
One consideration is the weight, at 34 lbs, it’s not the lightest board, but its solid construction ensures it can take plenty of wear and tear without issue. This board was built tough, making it perfect for touring, long-distance paddling, or even use as a rental board.
Measuring 11½ feet long, 32 inches wide, and 7.3 inches thick, the Promenade is one of the sturdiest boards available, designed to handle a variety of conditions. Its durability makes it a great option for families or anyone who wants a board that friends, neighbors, or rental guests can use without worry.
The package includes a single center fin and a two-piece paddle, giving you everything you need to get started on the water.
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Features:
The Boardworks Versa is constructed using their patented Bombshell Veneer Technology which is a super hard epoxy. The molded composite construction uses ultra durable Kevlar and PVC materials and finished with a beautiful bamboo veneer.
The Versa is designed to be an all-around paddleboard that any skill level can jump on and start having fun. But, don't think this SUP is just for beginners, the Honey Fomb heat embossed deck pad and Extra wide nose and tail allow for excellent performance in nearly all waters.
The carry handle is integrated into the board, which is a feature that we love here at Paddleboard Surf. You bring enough supplies so you can stay out all day on the Versa because of the four D-ring tie downs with bungee cordage for storing water bottles and other gear.
While the Boardworks Versa is a beautiful board, it has a smart SUP design. Its keeled nose cuts smoothly through chop while the flat sections under the tail and standing area helps with a fluid and stable ride.
If you're looking for an epoxy SUP for paddling for the whole family, and you want a beautiful design, then check out the Boardworks Versa.
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The BOTE Flood is the perfect hard paddleboard for a laid-back beach day. The surfboard style shape hits the sweet spot for riding a wave or a relaxing cruise down the beach.
The Flood floats and glides easily and is super durable due to the Gatorshell construction. The Gatorshell construction is an innovative material that designed to handle abuse. BOTE made an excellent video explaining the details of the Gatorshell construction method that you can watch here.
Designed for fun, the Flood is at home surfing small waves or loaded up with a cooler and all the gear you need for a day of flatwater cruising. There are also plenty of accessories BOTE offers to customize this SUP, like the TravelLink carry system and Wheel Rac, but you have to purchase these separately.
If you're looking for a super stable, easy to carry and even easier platform to paddle, the BOTE Flood is going to be the perfect fit for you.
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Final Thoughts
Solid stand up paddleboards are a lot of fun, there were the first ever stand up paddle boards. They come in a wider variety of styles than inflatables SUPs, so you'll need to find what will work best for your needs.
The boards we listed are some of our personal favorites. We tend to prefer solid paddleboards because we like the added performance.

Bruce Paulson is the owner of PaddleboardSurf and an avid water sports enthusiast with a lifelong passion for all things aquatic. From stand-up paddleboarding and surfing to boating, kayaking, and canoeing, he thrives on the joy of being on the water. As an advocate for water conservation and environmental stewardship, Bruce shares his adventures and insights through his writing, inspiring others to embrace the beauty and excitement of life on the water.