The stand-up paddleboard (SUP) has become popular in the past decade or so, as more people are taking to the water on boards in lakes and rivers. Without waves, you would not expect to see people on boards out in the water, but stand-up paddleboarding does not need waves or current or anything else. All you need is a board and a paddle. But what kind of board should you choose?
As a paddleboarder, you have a wide variety of paddleboard brands to explore. There are dozens of brands on the market. So, choosing the best brand for you depends on what type of paddling you will be doing. We’ll explore the top brands and how they’re best used below.
Article Contents
Choosing the Right Board for You
Whether you are a new paddleboarder or a seasoned expert, it can be difficult to decide on a brand of board to choose from. With so many choices on the market and so many varieties of boards, you may have a hard time figuring out what to get. We want to help you out.
This post covers some of the best overall brands. But if you’d like to read about getting started in paddle boarding at a lower price, be sure to check out “Are Cheaper Paddle Boards Worth It” from Carlo. Good advice and a few recommendations in that post.
The Different Types of Paddleboards
There are also two different types of paddleboards: solid core boards and inflatable boards.
- The solid core board is typically a foam core covered with carbon fibers, fiberglass, or wood veneer. Epoxy resin may also be used on top for a stronger board.
- Inflatable boards are built from a core of thousands of threads covered with strong layers of polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
In addition, there are various styles of paddleboards depending on the sport you are into. Some variations of board types include:
- Flat water paddling
- Whitewater paddling
- Touring
- Yoga
- Paddle surfing
- Racing
- Wind surfing
You don’t even have to know how to swim to paddle board as long as you take precautions and wear a life jacket.
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Best Premium Stand-Up Paddleboard Brands
Because there are so many brands and styles on the market, it can be difficult to decide which board is right for you. We are going to look at the top eight best paddleboard brands on the market to help save you time.
The first four are premium boards that offer more quality:
iRocker Paddleboards
iRocker inflatable paddleboards come in four different styles and several different sizes. They range in price from just under $500 to just over $1,000. Each one comes with these accessories:
- 10-foot ankle leash with a key pocket
- D-Rings
- Hand pump
- Air hose
- Carbon ultralight paddle
- Backpack
The Nautical line of boards (on Amazon) is great for beginners. I bought the 10’ 6” version from iRocker site as my first board. It is great for beginners. It is a dual-use inflatable board that comes in two sizes with the following features:
| Size | 10-feet 6-inches | 11-feet 6-inches |
| Width | 32 inches | 32 inches |
| Thickness | Six inches | Six inches |
| Tail width | 16 inches | 16 inches |
| Board weight | 20 pounds | 22 pounds |
| Weight in the bag | 29 pounds | 31 pounds |
| Volume | 221 L | 221 L |
The Blackfin paddleboard lineup has three different models that come in different sizes. Carlo briefly owned the XL model, and wrote about it here. It is wider for more stability and great for bigger riders or yoga enthusiasts. Their features include the following:
| Model | Blackfin Model X | Blackfin Model XL | Blackfin Model V |
| Size | 10 feet six inches | 11 feet six inches | 12 feet six inches |
| Width | 35 inches | 34 inches | 32 inches |
| Thickness | Six inches | Six inches | Six inches |
| Tail width | 19 inches | 18 inches | 17 inches |
| Board weight | 27 pounds | 29 pounds | 30 pounds |
| Weight in the bag | 37 pounds | 39 pounds | 40 pounds |
| Volume | 237 L | 259 L | 259 L |
The iRocker 11’ All Around paddleboard (iRocker) is my top choice from this brand. It also has the widest range of color schemes. I bought the gray color scheme (directly from iRocker summer 2020) as my primary board.
It will accommodate a wide range of rider size and abilities. The 10’ All-Around board is the smallest iRocker makes. It is best for riders under 5’10”. Both have the following features:
| Size | 10 foot | 11 foot |
| Width | 32 inches | 32 inches |
| Thickness | Six inches | Six inches |
| Tail width | 16 inches | 16 inches |
| Board weight | 24 pounds | 26 pounds |
| Weight in the bag | 36 pounds | 36 pounds |
| Volume | 221 L | 246 L |
There are two other iRocker paddleboards, which include the Cruiser and the Sport. The iRocker Cruise was Carlo’s choice, which he purchased and wrote about previously, is the Cruiser (read his comments here.)
The Sport is excellent in any type of water and best for those who already have some SUP experience. The Cruiser has an extra wide tail for better stability and is perfect for beginners. They have the following features:
| Model | Cruiser | Sport |
| Size | 10 feet six inches | 11 feet |
| Width | 33 inches | 31 inches |
| Thickness | Six inches | Six inches |
| Tail width | 22 inches | 12 inches |
| Board weight | 25 pounds | 25 pounds |
| Weight in the bag | 35 pounds | 35 pounds |
| Volume | 234 L | 231 L |
Bluefin SUP
The Bluefin name in paddleboards is known worldwide for its precision and stability. They also have a nice variety of boards including six different models to choose from. All of their paddleboards come with several accessories such as:
- Triple action pump
- Double paddle
- Coiled ankle leash
- D-Rings
- Air hose
- Kayak seat
- Extra fin
- Backpack
Also, these paddleboards come with conversion kits so you can change your SUP into a kayak. Carlo named the Bluefin Aura Fit as one of his top paddle boards for yoga in this post. Carlo wrote about Bluefin here. Here are some of the main features of all the Bluefin models.
| Model | Cruise/Cruise Carbon | Cruise Junior | Sprint | Aura Fit | Voyage | Mammoth |
| Length | 10 feet 8 inches | 8 feet | 14 feet | 10 feet 8 inches | 10 feet 10 inches | 18 feet |
| Width | 32.3 inches | 29.1 inches | 30.3 inches | 35.8 inches | 38 inches | 60 inches |
| Thickness | 6.3 inches | 5.1 inches | 6.3 inches | 5.9 inches | 6 inches | 8 inches |
| Weight | 26 pounds | 24 pounds | 27 pounds | 24.2 pounds | 25.3 pounds | 59.5 pounds |
| Volume | 111 L | 111 L | 111 L | 111 L | 111 L | 111 L |
Nixy Sports
Nixy is a family-owned company that makes one thing – paddleboards. They do one thing and they do it well. And their customer service is awesome too. Even though these are listed in the premium section, the prices are all under $1,000. All Nixy paddleboards come with a variety of accessories, including:
- Coiled ankle leash
- Adjustable fiberglass paddle
- Triple action double chamber pump
- Air hose
- Premium wheeled backpack
- Repair kit
Nixy Sports has five models to choose from. They each come in several colors and are warrantied for two years. Here are the features for each of these paddleboards.
| Model | Newport G3 All Around | Newport G3 All Around Palm | Huntington G3 Compact | Venice G3 Cruiser | Manhattan G3 Touring | Mammoth |
| Length | 10 feet 6 inches | 10 feet 6 inch | 9 feet 6 inches | 10 feet 6 inches | 12 feet 6 inches | 18 feet |
| Width | 33 inches | 33 inches | 32 inches | 34 inches | 30 inches | 60 inches |
| Thickness | 6 inches | 6 inches | 6 inches | 6 inches | 6 inches | 8 inches |
| Weight | 23 pounds | 30 pounds | 17 pounds | 23 pounds | 22 pounds | 59.5 pounds |
| Volume | 300 L | 300 L | 250 L | 350 L | 335 L | 111 L |
RedPaddle Company
The RedPaddle Company specializes in inflatable paddleboards. These boards are easy to take wherever you want to go even if you drive a small vehicle or bike. Each one of the RedPaddle SUPs come with all you need to get right into the water. These accessories include:
- Double action pump
- Air hose
- Fins
- Patch kit
- Cell phone holder
- All-Terrain backpack
RedPaddle Company has nine different styles of inflatable boards in 27 different types. From junior boards to the massive 22-foot Dragon, this company has the best selection to choose from.
All Round SUPs are great for all types of paddling. Each of them are made with monocoque structural laminate (MSL) construction to make them especially durable and they have rocker stiffening system (RSS) battens for maximum stiffness, which is perfect for beginners as well as experienced paddlers. Here are the specs for each of these models:
| Model | Compact | Ride MSL | Ride MSL/SE | Ride MSL | XL Ride |
| Length | 9 feet 6 inches | 9 feet 8 inches | 10 feet 6 inches | 10 feet 8 inches | 17 feet |
| Width | 32 inches | 31 inches | 32 inches | 34 inches | 60 inches |
| Thickness | 3.7 inches | 3.93 inches | 4.7 inches | 4.7 inches | 8 inches |
| Weight | 16.3 pounds | 20 pounds | 22 pounds | 23 pounds | 45.2 pounds |
| Volume | 120 L | 150 L | 150 L | 150 L | 160 L |
Touring Paddleboards are made for the pro boarders who want lots of features and top performance. These paddleboards are made for paddlers who want to explore. Whether you are going on a weekend trip or just want to spend a few hours on the lake, the touring paddleboards have something for everyone. Here are the important features and specs of the touring boards.
| Model | Compact | Sport Touring | Sport/Sport SE | Sport | Voyager | Voyager+ | Voyager Tandem |
| Length | 11 feet | 11 feet | 11 feet 3 inches | 12 feet 6 inches | 12 feet 6 inches | 13 feet 2 inches | 15 feet |
| Width | 32 inches | 30 inches | 32 inches | 30 inches | 32 inches | 30 inches | 34 inches |
| Thickness | 4.7 inches | 4.7 inches | 4.7 inches | 4.7 inches | 4.7 inches | 4.7 inches | 8 inches |
| Weight | 18.6 pounds | 21.3 pounds | 22 pounds | 23.5 pounds | 24.2 pounds | 25.3 pounds | 38.14 pounds |
| Volume | 259 L | 150 L | 150 L | 150 L | 150 L | 150 L | 160 L |
Surf Stand Up Paddleboards are tougher and stiffer for surfing the waves. Although traditional surfboards are typically made of solid core, having an inflatable paddleboard designed for surfing gives you the freedom to get in the surf anywhere.
The Whip has a removable and adjustable fin with a rounded nose and a narrow tail, giving you the best surf possible with an inflatable board. Check out the features of the Whip paddleboard:
| Model | Whip |
| Length | 8 feet 10 inches |
| Width | 29 inches |
| Thickness | 3.9 inches |
| Weight | 16.3 pounds |
| Volume | 150 L |
Race SUPs have the special monocoque structural laminate detail to give them the extra stiffness and agility along with solid construction for durability. The forward flex control is patented by RedPaddle Company to remove the flex that increases speed.
The Tec air manufacturing system makes these boards stiffer and faster than any other racing paddleboards on the market. RedPaddle has several models to choose from with a variety of specs:
| Model | Max Race Kids SUP | Elite Racing | Elite Racing 140×25 | Elite Racing 140×27 |
| Length | 10 feet 6 inches | 12 feet 6 inches | 14 feet | 14 feet |
| Width | 25 inches | 26 inches | 25 inches | 27 inches |
| Thickness | 4.7 inches | 5.9 inches | 5.9 inches | 4.7 inches |
| Weight | 14.5 pounds | 21.9 pounds | 22.7 pounds | 23.5 pounds |
| Volume | 150 L | 150 L | 150 L | 150 L |
Yoga Paddleboards are made extra wide to provide you with enough room to strike a pose. Also, the six inches of height keeps most of the water off the board so you can stay relatively dry during your session. RedPaddle Company has one type of yoga paddleboard, which has some great features. Carlo named their Activ Yoga one of his top yoga boards in his paddle board yoga post.
| Model | Activ Yoga |
| Length | 10 feet 8 inches |
| Width | 34 inches |
| Thickness | 6 inches |
| Weight | 24.2 pounds |
| Volume | 150 L |
Junior Paddleboards are built smaller and narrower so the younger paddlers can handle them better. The same MSL and Tec Air process makes these boards just as smooth-riding and more stable in a smaller size. There are two models of junior paddleboards. Here are the important features.
| Model | Snapper | Max Race Kids SUP |
| Length | 9 feet 4 inches | 10 feet 6 inches |
| Width | 24 inches | 25 inches |
| Thickness | 4.7 inches | 4.7 inches |
| Weight | 13.7 pounds | 14.5 pounds |
| Volume | 150 L | 150 L |
White Water SUPs are extra light, more responsive, and tougher than the rest to get you through the rapids. RedPaddle Company knows the excitement whitewater paddling can bring. They gave their Wild MSL Whitewater paddleboard extra durability and a quad-iFin setup, so you don’t get the extra bumps from three-fin setups when going over the rocks.
The fins are low-profile to minimize hang-ups in the shallows and they are adjustable for different water conditions. Here’s the specs on the Wild:
| Model | Wild MSL Whitewater |
| Length | 9 feet 6 inches |
| Width | 34 inches |
| Thickness | 4.7 inches |
| Weight | 27.7 pounds |
| Volume | 150 L |
Wind Surf Boards are made with a built-in mast foot and Sure-Fin dagger removable fin system so you can convert them from a paddleboard to a windsurfer. The Windsurf is perfect for beginners and seasoned windsurfers alike. Grab one of the Ride Rigs for your Windsurf for a lightweight rig that fits like a dream. The specs for the Windsurf are listed below:
| Model | Windsurf |
| Length | 10 feet 7 inches |
| Width | 33 inches |
| Thickness | 3.9 inches |
| Weight | 23.3 pounds |
| Volume | 150 L |
Multi-Person Paddleboards range from a two-person board to a massive 17-foot XL with a 60-inch deck for up to eight people. Even the dog can fit on board. These huge paddleboards range from 12 to 22 feet long with a variety of features.
| Model | Multi-Person Ride L | Voyager Tandem | XL Ride | Dragon |
| Length | 14 feet | 15 feet | 17 feet | 22 feet |
| Width | 47 inches | 34 inches | 60 inches | 34 inches |
| Thickness | 8 inches | 8 inches | 8 inches | 8 inches |
| Weight | 44.9 pounds | 38.14 pounds | 45.2 pounds | 51 pounds |
| Volume | 160 L | 160 L | 160 L | 170 L |
Best Economy Stand-Up Paddleboard Brands
You do not have to spend a ton of money to get out on the water. Some of the paddleboards we found cost as little as $250 and they do not scrimp on the quality either. They even come with the same or similar accessory packages. There is a paddleboard for every budget.
Here are four of the top economy stand-up paddleboard brands:
Connelly
Connelly has been crafting stand up paddleboards for more than 50 years and are known for their economic prices as well as their quality. They have both inflatable and solid SUPs to choose from in 10 different models. The prices for Connelly boards range from about $600 to over $1,000. The Connelly Nava is one of three top paddle boards for yoga as covered in Carlo’s paddle board yoga article.
The Connelly 2021 Tahoe 11’ 6” SUP is available from Redshift Watersports.
The Connelly Odyssey 2.0 SUP can be ordered online from Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Here is the full lineup:
| Model | Rocket Solid Core | ClassicSolid Core | HighlineSolid Core | Echo Solid Core | Softy 3D Solid Core | Denali Inflatable | Tahoe Inflatable | Dakota Inflatable | Drifter Inflatable | Nava Inflatable |
| Length | 11 feet 6 inches | 11 feet 6 inches | 11 feet 6 inches | 10 feet 6 inches | 11 feet 6 inches | 12 feet 6 inches | 10 feet 6 inches | 10 feet 6 inches | 10 feet | 9 feet 6 inches |
| Width | 29.5 inches | 33 inches | 33 inches | 32 inches | 33 inches | 32 inches | 32 inches | 33.5 inches | 30 inches | 35.5 inches |
| Thickness | 6 inches | 6 inches | 6 inches | 6 inches | 6 inches | 6 inches | 6 inches | 6 inches | 6 inches | 6 inches |
| Weight | 31 pounds | 30.5 pounds | 32.5 pounds | 34 pounds | 30 pounds | 23 pounds | 21.4 pounds | 18 pounds | 16 pounds | 20 pounds |
| Volume | 255 L | 220 L | 240 L | 190 L | 250 L | 330 L | 290 L | 265 L | 185 L | 355 L |
Decathlon
With just four boards to choose from, this economical company may not have the most variety, but you can definitely find something that you can afford. From under $250 to under $850, there is something for every budget at Decathlon. And each board comes with a backpack and pump. Here are some of the specs for the Decathlon SUPs:
| Model | Touring | Touring 10 | Touring 11 | Touring X500 Tandem |
| Length | 9 feet | 10 feet | 11 feet | 15 feet |
| Width | 29 inches | 32 inches | 36 inches | 35 inches |
| Thickness | 5 inches | 5 inches | 6 inches | 6 inches |
| Weight | 15.5 pounds | 19.8 pounds | 23.1 pounds | 33 pounds |
| Volume | 197 L | 244 L | 335 L | 449 L |
Serene Life (Amazon Store)
Serene Life is another economical choice for inflatable paddleboards. For around $400, you can get one of their two styles of paddleboards. These are high-quality boards for a nice price, and they come with all the accessories you need to get in the water right away. They both include:
- An ankle leash
- Pump
- Air hose
- Adjustable paddle
- Extra fins
- Backpack
- Repair kit
These are the only boards in this article sold on Amazon. Both are available in multiple color schemes. Each of the two models of inflatable paddleboards from Serene Life has its own set of specs:
| Model | Thunder Wave | Free-Flow |
| Length | 10 feet | 10 feet 5 inches |
| Width | 30 inches | 30 inches |
| Thickness | 6 inches | 6 inches |
| Weight | 19.6 pounds | 20.4 pounds |
| Volume | 150 L | 150 L |
Gili Sports
For less than you would think, Gili can put anyone in the paddleboard of their dreams. And what is even better is that part of every purchase goes to saving endangered species, reefs, and sea creatures. All of their boards are made with premium PVC material for strength and have an accessory package that includes:
- 10-foot coiled ankle leash
- Aluminum travel paddle
- Two-stage hand pump
- Snap-in center fin
- A high quality backpack
With four models to choose from, in several different colors, you will be sure to find what you are looking for. And you’ll find it for less than $800, Here are the specs:
| Model | Air Sup | Adventure SUP | Meno SUP | Komodo SUP |
| Length | 10 feet 6 inches | 11/12 feet | 10/11 feet 6 inches | 10 feet 6 inches |
| Width | 31 inches | 32 inches | 35 inches | 33 inches |
| Thickness | 6 inches | 6 inches | 6 inches | 6 inches |
| Weight | 19 pounds | 23/24 pounds | 23/24 pounds | 21 pounds |
| Volume | 225 L | 238/272 L | 245/270 L | 225 L |
Choosing the Right Paddleboard for Your Needs
Are you a racer or a surfer? Maybe you enjoy windsurfing? Yogis enjoy paddleboards as well. Believe it or not, you can do just about anything on a paddleboard. Whether you are planning to do some fishing on the lake or hanging ten in the ocean, there is a paddleboard that is perfect for you.
Flat Water Paddling
Any of the all-around paddleboards on the list are good for many types of paddleboarding. Fishing or paddling on flat water is easy on the all-around boards. You can take them in any type of water and since they come in many different lengths and widths, they are great for all types of paddling. The all-around paddleboards on this list include:
- Either of the iRocker All Around paddleboards
- Any of RedPaddle Company’s Ride MSL paddleboards
- All of the Bluefin Cruise paddleboards
- The Nixy Newport G3 All Around paddleboard
- Connelly Classic or Tahoe paddleboard
- Either of the Serene Life paddleboards
- Any of the Gili Sport paddleboards
Touring
For exploring, any touring paddleboard is a good choice.
These are made with a stiffer build and enhanced stability as well as a profiled nose for high-speed cruising. If you like to glide along and go for long-distance rides, the touring paddleboard is the one you need. Some of the touring paddleboards on the list include:
- Any of the iRocker Nautical paddleboards
- RedPaddle Sport, Voyager, or Touring paddleboards
- Either of the Bluefin Sprint paddleboards
- The Nixy Manhattan G3 Touring paddleboard
- The Connelly Rocket or Denali paddleboards
- Any of the Decathlon paddleboards
- Gili Sports Adventure, Meno, or Komodo paddleboards
Surfing
If you like to surf, you need a board that is tougher and stiffer for rough surf. Most surf paddleboards have a removable and adjustable fin, a narrow tail, and a rounded nose. Some of the best surf paddleboards on the list include:
- The iRocker Sport paddleboard
- RedPaddle Whip paddleboard
- Bluefin Voyage paddleboard
- Nixy Venice Cruiser paddleboard
- The Connelly Dakota, Drifter, or Echo paddleboard
Racing
For those who like to race or to just go fast, racing paddleboards are made with a special stiffening process as well as RSS stiffening battens to cut through the water with ease.
They are also made lighter than other paddleboards so you can get that extra edge for racing. Here are the paddleboards on the list that are made for racing:
- Either of the iRocker Blackfin paddleboards
- All seven of the RedPaddle Company racing paddleboards
- The Bluefin Sprint Carbon paddleboard
- The Nixy Manhattan G3 Touring paddleboard
- The Connelly Highline paddleboard
Yoga
When you want to get out on the lake and relax, try some yoga on one of the yoga paddleboards. Stretching and posing are easier on the extra wide boards and they are thicker than other boards to help keep you dry while practicing your yoga poses. Here are some of the yoga paddleboards on the list:
- The RedPaddle Company Activ Yoga paddleboard
- The Bluefin Aura Fit Yoga paddleboard
- The Connelly Nava Yoga paddleboard
- Either of the Serene Life paddleboards
- Gili Sports Komodo, Meno, or Air paddleboards
Whitewater Paddling
Those who like adventure and have a bit of a wild streak can really appreciate a good whitewater paddleboard. The only one on this list is the Wild MSL Whitewater from RedPaddle Company. It is built for durability and has high sides for fast river flow. It also resists rock bumping with the quad-iFin setup.
Wind Surfing
Another exciting paddleboard sport, wind surfing is a fantastic way to feel the wind in your hair and enjoy the speed of the air. The Windsurf from RedPaddle Company is the only one on the list that is made for windsurfing.
It has a versatile setup and when you partner it with one of the RedPaddle Company Ride Rigs, you can get out there and enjoy the wind and surf at the same time.
Bought a paddle board and need some tips? Read What PSI Should a Paddle Board Be, Can You Inflate a Paddle Board with an Electric Pump, or check out the entire list of paddle board articles on the site.
Wrapping it Up
Whichever paddleboard you choose, make sure it is right for your paddling needs.
Whether it is solid core or inflatable, and regardless of whether you want to surf or race, you are sure to have a blast on one of these paddleboards.
From the premium high-dollar RedPaddle Company paddleboards to the economical Gili Sports paddleboard, there is something for everyone on this list.
The most important this is to choose one, get out there, stay safe and have fun!
