Searching for the Best Foam Paddleboards?
What is a Foam Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP)?
A foam SUP is a paddleboard built around an EPS foam core. EPS, or Expanded Polystyrene, is a lightweight, durable foam originally used in surfboards and later adapted for stand-up paddleboards.
Because EPS is easy to shape, these boards are often called “soft tops.”
One of the key advantages of foam SUPs is their durability. They can withstand bumps and dents while remaining watertight and performing reliably on the water.
The Benefits of the SUPs Built with Foam
Foam SUPs offer two key advantages.The first is affordability. Foam boards are a cost-effective way to produce a paddleboard at a reasonable price, often making them cheaper than inflatable SUPs.
The second advantage is their light weight. Foam is lighter than materials like wood, fiberglass, or epoxy. This makes foam SUPs ideal for beginners and for paddling on flat water, as they are easier to carry and handle.
There’s also a performance benefit. Foam SUPs provide a rigid surface, giving you better traction, sometimes called “bite”, on the water during turns compared to inflatable boards.
This rigidity also makes foam SUPs more enjoyable for beach paddling and small-wave surfing. The increased stability and responsiveness make riding waves easier and more fun than on an iSUP.
Features:
For the past four years, the Isle Cruiser has remained the best-selling soft top stand-up paddleboard, and it’s easy to see why.
Its soft top construction makes it incredibly approachable, handling small bumps with ease and even accommodating your furry friends. At its core, a rigid EPS foam frame delivers the stability and stiffness paddlers need, while the soft, textured croc-skin deck ensures comfort and versatility on every outing.
The Isle Cruiser comes in three attractive colors and offers a thoughtful blend of quality materials, smart design, affordability, and a ready-to-use setup that has won over countless paddlers.
Transporting the board is hassle-free thanks to the ingeniously designed center handle, which extends for carrying and tucks away neatly when not needed. The front features a 6-point bungee system, perfect for securing dry bags or extra gear on longer adventures.
Everything required to get on the water comes included. Seasoned paddlers will particularly value the carbon adjustable paddle, which is lightweight and reduces fatigue during extended trips.
If you want a complete, versatile paddleboard that suits everyone—from kids to adults, and is ideal for beach or lake outings, the Isle Cruiser Soft Top is a top choice that rarely disappoints.
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The LiquidShredder EZ Slider Soft ranks among the most stable paddleboards available today. While it isn’t designed for speed or racing, it excels at providing a fun and relaxed experience on the water.
Its soft outer deck ensures hours of comfortable paddling and standing, making it perfect for SUP yoga or simply lounging. When you’re ready to take a break, the cushioned surface doubles as a cozy spot to relax or even nap.
This adaptable board also shines for casual paddling, fishing trips, and leisurely cruises.
Thanks to its lightweight, buoyant construction, the EZ Slider Soft is easy to carry and maneuver. The fin configuration offers solid grip for navigating bigger waves, while the rounded nose maintains stability and control through turns.
Durability is another highlight. Built from robust materials like polyethylene, polypropylene, and a hard, slick bottom, the board resists heat and is crafted without glue, ensuring long-lasting strength and dependable performance.
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If you’re in search of a lightweight, stable paddleboard with a closed-cell EPS foam core, your search stops here. Getting on the water is a breeze, simply attach the fins, add some water, and you’re ready to go.
The South Bay Board Co. Premium Beginner Soft Top is designed for stability, giving beginners the confidence to handle everything from gentle waves to boat wakes and breezy conditions.
With its thoughtful design, durable construction, and performance-focused features, this board delivers excellent value. Soft top SUPs like this one are not only beginner-friendly but also easier to transport without worrying about scratches or damage to your car or boat.
For those seeking a versatile “all-rounder” paddleboard without investing in an inflatable or paying over $1,000 for a rigid board, this is a top choice.
Built with premium materials and crafted to high standards, the South Bay Board Co. Premium Beginner Soft Top offers impressive quality at a great price, earning it a spot among PaddlboardSurf’s top SUP picks.
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The Scott Burke 10'6" foam SUP is a simple, no-nonsense paddleboard that emphasizes the essentials while still providing plenty of fun on the water.
It comes fully equipped with everything you need to get started, including roof racks, an adjustable paddle, and a leash.
Constructed from high-density foam, the board is completely waterproof and reinforced with three laminated wood stringers coated in waterproof resin. Despite weighing just 26 lbs, it can support up to 300 lbs, making it both sturdy and dependable.
This is the advantage of a soft top SUP: lightweight, easy to carry, maneuverable, and gentle on your knees when you need to bend low in windy conditions.
For anyone seeking an attractive, beginner-friendly paddleboard that’s practical, forgiving, and affordable, the Scott Burke 10'6" is a solid choice.
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The CBC Hydra Foam 10'6" SUP delivers outstanding value, making it an ideal option for beginners and family outings. While rigid SUPs are typically pricier than inflatables due to materials and construction, CBC has created a high-quality board at an accessible price point.
Weighing just 25 pounds, this paddleboard is made from high-density EPS foam and features a fully waterproof core for smooth performance on the water. It also includes a camera mount and surf leash, adding versatility for capturing your adventures or trying different water activities.
Thanks to its solid build, the board provides excellent buoyancy and stability, supporting over 300 pounds, more than most inflatable SUPs, making it suitable for larger riders or even tandem paddling.
With a full accessory package included, the CBC Hydra Foam 10'6" stands out as one of the best-value rigid paddleboards available today.
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The BIC Sport Slide sets itself apart from most foam SUPs. While many foam boards target beginners or rental programs with low prices, the Slide is a premium option designed for performance.
Despite its foam core, this board performs exceptionally well on flatwater tours and can handle small to medium waves for some surfing fun.
The deck is topped with soft, anti-slip EVA foam, ensuring comfort and grip wherever you stand.
One of the biggest benefits of its foam construction is its light weight. At about 5 inches thick and only 25 lbs, the Slide is easy for nearly anyone to carry to the water.
With a perfect balance of buoyancy and weight, the BIC Sport Slide offers stability and enjoyment for paddlers of all experience levels, making it a favorite for families.
While there are cheaper foam boards on the market, the BIC Sport Slide stands out as a high-quality, lightweight option for those seeking performance and versatility.
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The Wavestorm 8ft SUP is built with a foam core, making it a perfect option for beginners thanks to its lightweight design and budget-friendly price.
Foam construction also adds a layer of safety, if you lose control and bump into someone, it’s far less likely to cause injury compared to a hard epoxy board.
This SUP comes as a complete package, including a 9-inch removable and adjustable center fin, an adjustable paddle, and a leash, so you can start paddling immediately.
The internal compression-foam deck pad ensures comfort for hours on the water, offering excellent grip to reduce strain on your feet.
With its affordable price and durable foam design, the Wavestorm 8ft SUP is ideal for beach or lake houses, especially for sharing with friends and family without worry.
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The California Board Company 9ft SUP set offers excellent value, especially for beginners. A notable feature is the included padded roof racks, making it easier than ever to transport your board to the water, a convenience not often seen with SUPs or surfboards.
Lightweight and easy to carry, this board is a big plus compared to heavier hard epoxy models. The trade-off is slightly less stability, whereas rigid boards tend to offer more balance.
Designed for beginners, kids, and smaller adults, it supports riders up to around 160 lbs.
This SUP is perfect for casual paddling on lakes or calm bays without breaking the bank. However, it isn’t built for long-distance tours or larger waves, so serious paddlers may want to explore other options.
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Are foam paddle boards good?
Yes. And well, it depends. There are some foam SUPs, like the ones lister here, that are very good. A few of the best are the South Bay Board Co. Premium Beginner SUP and the ISLE Cruiser. These are excellent boards.
But, you need to be careful. A lot of foam SUPs are priced cheap, and are manufactured using super cheap materials and techniques. You get what you pay for, and that's ok as long as you are aware of this going into your purchase.
Some foam SUPs are really cheap which is for a specific buyer. There are a lot of families that go on vacation to the beach or the lake, and they'll pick up a cheap foam SUP and use it on vacation and basically throw it away when vacation is over.
Can you use a foam surfboard as a paddleboard?
Sure, you can, but do you really want to? If all you have is a foam surfboard and you have a paddle, you can certainly try to paddle standing up on your surfboard, but it's not ideal.
Surfboards are designed for surfing, not SUP. A surfboard is going to be smaller and more narrow and a lot less stable than a paddleboard. Surfboards are also best used... in the surf. One of the cool things about SUP is that you don't need waves, you can SUP on flat water, like lakes or rivers, and a surfboard just won't perform well on flat water conditions.
What is the best SUP board for beginners?
It depends on the person. In general foam paddle boards can be a great option for beginners and people new to the sport. Foam boards are lighter and because of this they are easier to maneuver.
Another nice aspect of foam SUPs for beginners is that the foam is a forgiving and softer surface for the falls that are basically guaranteed to happen when you are just learning how to stand up paddleboard.
Foam SUPs are also a lower price point paddleboard. It makes sense when you are new to the sport, not to spend an arm and a leg on your first board, and so getting a foam SUP makes a lot of sense.
Are cheap paddle boards any good?
Some are and some are not. It's like anything.
If you spend too little, then you'll get a board that will break down on you quickly. But you can still find good values, SUPs that are not too expensive, but that still have a decent quality so the board will last, and you'll have fun.
The best price to quality board on this list is probably the California Board Company's Hydra. After that we'd pick the South Bay Board Co.'s Beginner SUP, and then our favorite is the ISLE Cruiser, but while the Cruiser is not expensive, it is certainly not cheap either.
But what is cheap?
Is a board like the ISLE Cruiser, which is more expensive than a super cheap board like the Wavestorm, a cheap SUP? Well, the ISLE Cruiser will last much longer than the Wavestorm. You can easily get five to ten years of use out of the ISLE Cruiser, and you will probably get two to three years of use out of the Wavestorm.
So if something costs a bit more, but lasts much, much longer, isn't that the cheaper option? It's similar to how a used Toyota costs more than a used Cheverlot, but the Toyota will last three to four times longer.
Final Thoughts
Foam stand up boards are fun to ride. They are ideal for beginners and not worrying about letting friends, family, and guests use your expensive SUP.
The highlighted boards are some of the best you can get, and it will enable you to get to a new level in stand up paddleboard fun.
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.
