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Looking for the Best Inflatable Paddleboards?
What is an Inflatable Stand-Up Paddleboard (iSUP)?
An inflatable stand-up paddleboard, often called an iSUP, is made from durable PVC material, the same type used in heavy-duty whitewater rafts.
These boards are designed with portability in mind. Simply inflate them when it’s time to paddle, and deflate them afterward for hassle-free storage and easy transport.
While inflatable SUPs were once viewed as a gimmick, they’ve evolved significantly over the years. Today, they’re the top choice for many paddlers, prized for their blend of performance, durability, and convenience.
The Benefits of the Inflatable Paddleboards
The Advantages of Inflatable SUPs, Inflatable paddleboards have opened up the sport to more people than ever before. Compact and convenient, an iSUP can be packed down into a bag no bigger than a large backpack, making storage and transport simple.
They’re impressively lightweight too, usually ranging between 27 and 33 pounds. Despite being light, they’re tough, built to handle bumps and scrapes. Whether you knock into a rock, brush against a dock, or collide with another board, an iSUP can take it without showing damage.
Portability is another huge plus. You can bring an inflatable SUP anywhere, out on the lake, on a beach vacation, or even strapped to your back for a hike to a remote river or hidden mountain lake. In short, inflatables make paddleboarding more accessible, more adventurous, and a lot easier to enjoy.
Features:
To see why this is my favorite Inflatable SUP you may want to read my Atoll Paddleboard Review.
Atoll is a paddleboard brand based in Southern California, known for its no-fuss, practical design. Their focus? Creating inflatable SUPs that are both ultra-strong and impressively lightweight—this one comes in at just 21 pounds.
So, why is the Atoll Army Green SUP a smart pick for beginners? Since it’s inflatable, it offers a softer, more forgiving ride. If you accidentally run into a dock, another boarder, or even a swimmer, there's little risk of injury—making it a safer option for newcomers.
It’s also an affordable all-in-one setup, perfect for anyone just starting out and not looking to break the bank.
Versatile and dependable, this Atoll board performs well in all kinds of conditions—whether you’re cruising calm lakes, navigating rivers, or catching small surf.
And this SUP is tough. A beginner won't have to worry about damaging it. You can even drive an SUV over it.
The Atoll iSUP Package comes with everything you need to quickly get on the water. The pump is a dual-action pump which means it inflates when you pull the handle up, and when you push down, cutting your inflating time in half.
A coil leash, removable center fin, and carrying and storage backpack are included. The backpack is built with heavy duty nylon and big enough to hold everything your need, including the pump.
So if you are an adventurous paddler, that like to hike to hard-to-get-to lakes and have a SUP to explore on, then this package is for you.
This iSUP package comes with fiberglass paddle, but if you want to reduce weight even more you can opt for the 100% carbon fiber paddle for an additional cost.
Here at PaddleboardSurf we really like it when we see a strong warranty. That means the manufacturer is confident in their product. Atoll stands behind their iSUP with a 2 Year Manufacturer's Warranty.
And it's not surprising. Atoll boards are built so tough that they can drive an SUV over their fully inflated board, with no damage! Check out the video below.
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The Thurso Waterwalker is designed in the classic touring shape which makes it good for all around paddling activities and most water conditions, while also allowing the comfort for longer paddle tours.
The Waterwalker breaks the iSUP mold and actually looks cool. It look more like a rigid paddle board or even a surfboard with it faux wood print. And added benefit to this package is that it comes with a repair kit, should you need it.
It comes with a great EVA foam padding making for solid comfort and traction. This pad is also great for yoga sessions. And if yoga is your thing, you’ll really like this board because Thurso thought of all the details down to creating Velcro straps on the side rails of the paddle board to hold your paddle, so it doesn’t float away.
The Waterwalker is fully optioned with 3 grab handles, front, center, and rear. A 6 point bungee front and 4 point bungee in the rear for carrying all manner of equipment. As well as 4 D-rings which would allow you to securely attach a cooler if you wanted.
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The Bluefin Cruise comes in three size options, 10’8”, 12’, and an impressive 15’. Known as one of the best value inflatable paddleboards on the market, it delivers everything you’d expect without straining your budget.
This board is built for versatility. Whether you’re converting it into a kayak (the seat is included), tackling mild whitewater, or simply paddling around for fun, the Cruise adapts easily to nearly any SUP activity.
It’s a straightforward, no-nonsense board, but don’t mistake that for cutting corners. The Cruise includes everything you need: a removable center fin, paddle, leash, pump, kayak seat, and a rugged backpack for transport. Even at its lower price point, it’s crafted with durable materials and solid construction that can stand up to frequent use.
If you’re looking for a full package that’s easy to carry, stable on the water, and versatile enough for the whole family, regardless of skill level, the Bluefin Cruise is a smart pick.
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The Blackfin Model X Inflatable SUP is simply one of the best, most versatile paddle boards on the market.
Its durable construction using both the strongest and lightest materials around and consists of a 3 layer composite PVC with a carbon fiber rail system which is almost unheard of on an iSUP.
Due to this rock solid construction the Blackfin Model X can hold up to 450 lbs, which is more than any reasonable person will need.
The EVO deck pad is comfortable while providing good traction. It can even be used as a yoga mat, if you want to take a SUP yoga class.
The Blackfin Model X comes fully loaded with an ankle leash and key pocket, carbon blended adjustable paddle, carrying backpack (with wheels!), an ultra fast twin chamber hand pump, and 3 fins for super stability on the rough water.
This iSUP performs well in most water conditions, can handle 2 people (and a dog), and is a good fit for all skill levels.
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The Red Paddle Co Ride MSL 10'6" is one of the most popular inflatable stand up paddle boards on the market. It is made with military grade materials and construction, so you know it is built to last.
This board is great for all skill levels, from beginner to expert. It comes with a detachable fin system, so you can customize your ride. The Ride MSL also has a soft top deck for comfort and grip.
Regardless what type of paddler you are, you'll have endless fun on this all-round board. It's 120mm/4.7'' thick, providing great stiffness that doesn't compromise on performance.
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Tower Paddle Boards were pioneers in changing the game for inflatables. While most companies stuck with 4-inch-thick boards, Tower introduced 6-inch models that offered far greater stability. The extra thickness reduced sagging, giving their inflatables the solid feel of a hardboard.
Fully inflated, the Adventurer 2 is remarkably stiff, almost like standing on a sheet of plywood.
Durability is another strong point. Constructed with the same rugged material used in Zodiac boats, this board is built to handle rough use. Its added rigidity and thickness make it a great option for tandem paddling or even tackling mild whitewater on rivers.
Measuring 33 inches wide, the Adventurer 2 supports up to 350 pounds, offering plenty of room and balance for paddlers.
Standard features include a front 4-point bungee system for gear storage, a high-pressure hand pump, and a removable center fin.
The only real drawback is the lack of a quality carry bag. Unfortunately, the backpack has to be purchased separately, which is something to keep in mind when budgeting for this board.
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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.
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.