man on surfing sup board on a wave

The Best Surfing SUP Boards Compared

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Looking for the Best Paddleboards for Surfing?

Surfing with a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) delivers the perfect mix of excitement and fitness, drawing in both beginners and seasoned riders.

Choosing the right board plays a major role in how well you perform and how much you enjoy your time on the waves.

In this guide, we review some of the best surfing SUPs on the market, outlining their key features, strengths, and limitations to help you make the smartest choice.

Whether you’re just getting started with SUP surfing or looking to upgrade to a better board, this detailed breakdown is designed to make your time on the water more rewarding.

The Benefits of the Surfing SUPs

Whether you’re brand new to paddleboard surfing or you’ve only tried it once on vacation and now want to dive deeper into the sport, this article is for you.

We’ve rounded up five of the best paddleboards that we believe are excellent choices for SUP surfing. For each board, we’ll cover the key specs and standout features so you can easily compare your options.

Of course, the market is full of paddleboards, and if none of these five feel like the perfect match, a little extra research will help you discover a SUP that suits your style and needs.

top, bottom, and side view of the tom carroll outer reef mx sup


Features:

  • Durable MX Construction: Built with Molded Epoxy for strength and longevity.
  • Double Concave Hull: Enhances water flow and stability.
  • Relaxed Rocker Design: Facilitates smooth paddling and wave entry.
  • 2+1 Fin Setup: Offers maneuverability and control.
  • Beveled Rails: Improves trim sensitivity on waves.

The Tom Carroll Paddle Surf Outer Reef MX Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) is built for paddlers who want one board that can handle it all, from relaxed flat-water cruising to tackling waves. Inspired by Tom Carroll’s innovative hydrodynamic concepts, it strikes the perfect balance between accessibility and performance.

Crafted with durable Molded Epoxy (MX) construction, the Outer Reef MX combines a medium-density EPS core with multiple layers of fiberglass for excellent strength and longevity. Its deep double concave hull paired with a spiral vee tail optimizes water flow, giving the board both stability in rough water and responsiveness when riding waves.

A relaxed rocker profile ensures smooth paddling and effortless wave entry, while the beveled rails enhance sensitivity and control when trimming. The 2+1 fin system—featuring FCS II GL side fins and a custom 9" TCPS center fin—delivers a fine balance of speed, maneuverability, and hold.

Offered in four lengths (from 10'0" to 11'6"), the Outer Reef MX accommodates a wide range of paddlers, making it suitable for everyone from first-time SUP surfers to experienced riders.

Whether your goal is gliding across calm water or chasing waves, the Outer Reef MX keeps you connected to the ocean with reliability, versatility, and a performance edge.

Pros of this Board

  • Stable Ride: High-volume design ensures excellent stability, ideal for beginners and choppy waters.
  • Versatile Performance: Adaptable for both flat-water cruising and wave riding.
  • Durable Build: Robust Molded Epoxy (MX) construction enhances longevity.

Cons of this option

  • Size Consideration: Larger dimensions may be challenging for transport and storage.
top, bottom, and side view of the adventure paddleboarding sixty forty mx


Features:

  • 10'0" length, 33" width, 4¾" thickness
  • Molded Epoxy (MX) durable construction
  • Soft deck traction with arch bar and tail kick
  • Comfortable cavity handle for easy transport
  • Nose plugs for gear storage or GoPro mount

The Adventure Paddleboarding Sixty Forty MX SUP is built for paddlers who want the best of both worlds, surf and flatwater. With a carefully tuned 60% surf / 40% flatwater design, this board adapts seamlessly to changing conditions, making it a go-to choice for riders who crave versatility.

At 10'0" long, 33" wide, and 4¾" thick, the Sixty Forty MX packs a generous 190 liters of volume, giving it excellent buoyancy and stability for paddlers up to about 90 kg. Despite its solid feel, it remains lightweight and durable thanks to molded epoxy construction. Using a high-pressure process, multiple fiberglass layers are fused around a medium-density EPS core, ensuring long-lasting strength without excess weight.

Its shape has been carefully engineered for performance: a subtle displacement hull helps smooth out choppy waters, a single concave center maintains speed, and a double concave vee tail adds maneuverability. A pulled-in tail and curved rail line give it impressive turning ability when riding waves.

Practical features round out the design, including a cavity carry handle for transport, a soft deck pad with an arch bar and tail kick for control, and nose plugs for attaching gear or even a GoPro.

Whether you’re looking to carve clean lines in the surf or relax with a steady paddle on flat water, the Sixty Forty MX SUP delivers a fun, balanced ride that earns its place in any paddler’s quiver.

Pros of this Board

  • Versatile Design: Balances 60% surf and 40% flatwater performance, making it suitable for various conditions.
  • Stable Build: Generous width and full rails provide exceptional stability, accommodating riders up to approximately 90kg.
  • Durable Construction: Molded Epoxy (MX) build ensures structural integrity and longevity through high-pressure molding of multiple fiberglass layers.

Cons of this option

  • Single Fin Setup: Comes standard with a 10" single fin; may require additional fin purchases for enhanced performance customization.


Features:

  • EPX-V Construction: Durable fiberglass and bamboo veneer build.
  • Versatile Fin Setup: Configurable for single, tri, or quad fins.
  • LiftSUP Handle: Integrated handle for easy carrying.
  • Honeycomb Deck Pad: Provides comfortable, non-slip footing.

The Boardworks Kraken is a versatile all-around stand-up paddleboard (SUP) that balances style, strength, and performance. Offered in three sizes, 9'9", 10'3", and 11'0", it’s a board that suits beginners just getting started as well as experienced paddlers looking for a reliable ride.

Built with EPX-V construction, the Kraken combines an EPS foam core with fiberglass and bamboo veneers, creating a lightweight yet durable board. At 32 inches wide and 4.75 inches thick, it offers outstanding stability, while its slightly rockered nose helps it cut smoothly through flat water, chop, or surf.

One of its standout features is its versatile fin system, which supports single, tri-fin, or quad-fin setups depending on your preferred style of paddling. It also comes equipped with a LiftSUP handle for easy carrying and a large honeycomb deck pad for comfort and grip during long sessions.

From serene lakes to rolling ocean waves, the Boardworks Kraken handles a wide range of conditions with ease. Its combination of maneuverability, stability, and sleek design makes it a board that both casual paddlers and SUP enthusiasts will appreciate.

If you’re looking for a dependable, stylish, and adaptable SUP, the Boardworks Kraken is a strong contender worth adding to your lineup.

Pros of this Board

  • Stable Ride: Its wide design offers excellent stability, ideal for beginners and carrying extra gear.
  • Versatile Performance: Performs well across various water conditions, from flat lakes to ocean waves.
  • Durable Build: Constructed with quality materials, ensuring longevity and resilience.

Cons of this option

  • Limited Accessories: Does not include a paddle or leash, requiring additional purchases.
naish nalu sup


Features:

  • Ultra-thin rails: Enhance edge control and responsiveness.
  • Versatile fin setup: Tri-fin and quad box options.
  • Lightweight construction: Approximately 8.8 kg for easy handling.
  • Textured deck pad: ¾ coverage with kick pad and leash point.

The Naish Nalu 10'0" LE is a high-performance, longboard-style stand-up paddleboard (SUP) built for riders who demand precision, responsiveness, and superior nose-riding capability. Its refined foiling design ensures maximum drive with minimal effort, making it ideal for those looking to elevate their paddleboarding experience.

Boasting some of the thinnest rails ever seen on a SUP, the Nalu 10'0" LE delivers outstanding edge control and responsiveness. The ¾ textured deck pad features a kick pad and a single leash point, keeping your footing secure during sharp turns and maneuvers. Its tri-fin setup comes standard, with additional quad fin boxes for versatile configurations to match varying wave conditions.

With a volume of 130 liters and a lightweight 8.8 kg build, this board offers a perfect balance of stability and agility. It’s best suited for intermediate to advanced paddlers who want a SUP capable of performing across a wide range of waves, from knee-high swells to overhead sets.

Whether you’re carving tight turns or enjoying smooth, extended nose rides, the Naish Nalu 10'0" LE delivers a dynamic, responsive, and engaging ride. Its combination of performance, versatility, and refined design makes it an excellent choice for paddlers eager to push their skills further.

Pros of this Board

  • Responsive Handling: Ultra-thin rails enhance maneuverability and edge control.
  • Fin Versatility: Compatible with tri-fin and quad setups for varied wave conditions.
  • Lightweight Stability: At 8.8 kg and 130 liters, it offers a balance of agility and stability.

Cons of this option

  • Not Beginner-Friendly: Its performance-oriented design may challenge novice paddlers.
naish surfing sup


Features:

  • 4+1 Fin Setup
  • Lightweight EPS Core
  • Bamboo-Reinforced Deck
  • Grooved EVA Traction Pad
  • Integrated Ledge Handle

The Naish Hokua GTW Custom is a surf SUP crafted for riders who demand precision and adaptability on the waves. Tailored for intermediate to advanced surfers, this board excels in delivering smooth carving and responsive performance across various surf conditions.

Constructed with a CNC-cut EPS core and an S-glass bamboo sandwich deck, the Hokua GTW balances lightweight agility with robust durability. Double bamboo reinforcement in the stance area enhances strength where it's needed most, ensuring resilience during intense sessions.

The 4+1 fin configuration, featuring FCS2 side fins and a US center fin box, offers versatility to adapt between quad, thruster, or single fin setups, catering to diverse surfing styles and conditions. This design promotes smooth carving and responsiveness, making it ideal for riders seeking dynamic performance on the waves.

Additional features like the ledge handle facilitate easy transport, while the grooved and embossed EVA pad ensures a secure grip during sessions. With sizes ranging from 8'6" to 9'6", the Hokua GTW accommodates various rider weights and preferences, ensuring a personalized fit for optimal performance.

For those looking to enhance their SUP surfing experience, the Naish Hokua GTW Custom stands out as a reliable and adaptable choice.

Pros of this Board

  • Versatile Fin Setup: Adaptable 4+1 fin configuration for various surfing styles and conditions.
  • Durable Build: Lightweight yet robust construction with reinforced stance area for enhanced strength.
  • Responsive Performance: Designed for smooth carving and agility, ideal for intermediate to advanced riders.

Cons of this option

  • Stability for Beginners: Performance-oriented design may present a steeper learning curve for novice paddlers.
naish mad dog sup


Features:

  • For aggressive paddlers that demand performance
  • Combo of speed + turning ability
  • Low volume rails
  • Retains power & grip needed to crank through turns in sizable waves
  • Thruster fin setup

The 2024 Naish Mad Dog is a high-performance surf SUP built for riders ready to push their limits on the waves. With a surfboard-inspired rocker, it enables sharp, powerful turns and impressive speed, making it perfect for aggressive maneuvers.

Its 4+1 fin configuration, two 4.75" FCS front fins and two 4.0" FCS rear fins, provides versatility across different conditions, allowing you to ride it as a quad, thruster, or single-fin setup.

Constructed with a Sandwich Deck featuring bamboo in the stance area, the Mad Dog is both lightweight and durable. The grooved and embossed EVA deck pad ensures excellent grip and comfort, while the ledge handle makes carrying the board to and from the water effortless.

Available in sizes from 7'6" to 9'5", this board accommodates intermediate to expert surfers up to 240 lbs (109 kg).

Whether you’re looking to refine your technique or tackle more challenging waves, the Naish Mad Dog delivers the performance, responsiveness, and versatility to elevate your surfing experience.

Pros of this Board

  • High-Performance Design: Engineered for aggressive maneuvers, offering powerful turns and impressive speed.
  • Versatile Fin Setup: Features a 4+1 fin configuration, allowing customization for various surf conditions.
  • Durable Construction: Built with a Sandwich Deck and bamboo reinforcement, providing a lightweight yet robust platform.

Cons of this option

  • Stability in Choppy Conditions: May be less stable for heavier riders in windy or choppy waters.
sol hudson sup


Features:

  • Lightweight at 19 lbs
  • 33" width for enhanced stability
  • Multi-Layer Fusion construction
  • 2+1 fin setup for better tracking
  • Includes paddle, pump, and backpack

The Stand on Liquid Hudson 10'6" Inflatable SUP is a lightweight, versatile board designed for paddlers who value both stability and performance. At 10'6" long, 33" wide, and 5" thick, it provides a well-balanced platform suitable for a wide range of water conditions.

Weighing only 19 lbs, the Hudson is easy to carry and maneuver, making it a great choice for beginners and seasoned paddlers alike.

Built with Multi-Layer Fusion (MLF) technology, this SUP delivers enhanced rigidity and durability without the extra weight of traditional double-layer boards. Its tapered nose and 2+1 fin setup allow for smooth gliding and excellent tracking on the water.

The soft Croc-skin textured EVA foam deck pad ensures comfort and grip, even during longer paddling sessions.

The Hudson package comes complete with all the essentials: a wheeled backpack for transport, an adjustable fiberglass paddle, a triple-action dual chamber pump, a fin, an ankle leash, a dry bag, and a repair kit. With a recommended inflation of 15 psi, the board performs reliably and maintains stability in various conditions.

Whether exploring calm lakes, gentle rivers, or coastal waters, the Hudson 10'6" Inflatable SUP offers a dependable and enjoyable paddling experience. Its lightweight design, sturdy construction, and full accessory package make it a versatile addition to any paddleboarder’s collection.

Pros of this Board

  • Lightweight: At just 19 lbs, it's easy to carry and transport.
  • Stable Design: 33" width and 5" thickness offer excellent stability for various skill levels.
  • Complete Package: Includes paddle, pump, backpack, leash, dry bag, and repair kit—everything needed to get started.

Cons of this option

  • Lower Weight Capacity: Best suited for paddlers under 200 lbs or those carrying minimal gear.

Final Thoughts

There is no doubt that choosing a paddleboard is hard.  This is especially true for new paddlers that are just starting in the sport.


With the wide range of boards available on the market, it's best to concentrate on your specific needs and choose a board for your skill level, weight, and riding style.

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