Best Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Boards (2024) | SupBoardGuide (2024)

Best Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Boards (2024) | SupBoardGuide (1)
Are you looking to purchase a new inflatable SUP board? If you are, take a moment to read over our newly updated 2024 best inflatable paddle board list. This list will continue to be updated as new boards hit the market – so be sure to check back often for updates.

Sadly, the internet is full of false information from people who have not tested any of their top-rated iSUPs (some of them have never even paddle-boarded before). Instead, they simply throw up a list of ‘top 10 rated inflatable stand up paddle boards’ and move on to the next post. Or you have a paddle board company that puts together their top rate list, which is inherently going to be biased towards their brands and unfair to others.

At SupBoardGuide.com, we paddle and test each board we recommend, and we spend hours talking with manufacturers and give them advice on how to better improve their boards every year. We are a team of people across the globe, from the USA to New Zealand and have one goal – to give you the best inflatable stand up paddle board reviews so you can find the right iSUP for you.

Below, you will find our current Best All-Around Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Boards for 2024. This list is our attempt at putting together recommendations based on how well each board performs on the water, how well the SUP is built (we want to make sure any board listed is made with high-quality materials and is going to last), and what people old and young, short and tall, small and large think about the boards.

This list is not just a list from industry pros who are so far removed from the average paddler that they only recommend $1,500 inflatable paddle boards.

We know that most people are budget-conscious, and also take cost into consideration when creating this list. Finally, we also vet every company and make sure that you will be given the customer support after you make your purchase.

Best Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Boards of 2024

(scroll to the right to see all our top rated, best paddle boards for 2024)

BoardBlackfin Model XIsle Pioneer 3iROCKER All Around 11' UltraSea Gods Skylla CrossHonu Byron 10'6 All-RounderThurso Surf WaterWalkerGili Meno 11'6Hydrus Joyride XLBŌTE Breeze AeroSea Gods Diatom Ten6Red Paddle Co Ride 10'6Isle Explorer Pro
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Rating out of 109.7/109.6/109.6/109.6/109.7/109.5/109.4/109.6/108.9/109.6/109.6/109.8/10
PricingSee Best PriceSee Best Price
See Best PriceSee Best PriceSee Best PriceSee Best PriceSee Best PriceSee Best PriceSee Best PriceSee Best PriceSee Best PriceSee Best Price
Best For Person Who Wants:Very stable, yet maneuverable board. Great for larger paddlers, families, beginners, fishers, and anyone wanting to load up the board with gearVery lightweight but still stable board. Great option for beginners, and for bringing gear, pets, or kids with them.A good performing, well-built, lightweight & ultra compact SUP. Great for travel and hiking, and everyday paddlingA stable board that can still pick up some speed, ability to load up with gear, kids, or pets. Gorgeous artwork as well!A high-performance all-around, has a hardboard-like feel on the water due to the 4.7" thickness and impressive constructionHas a smooth, gliding feel on the water making for a more enjoyable, relaxing experience.Great family SUP - high weight capacity yet lightweight construction makes it easy for kids to carry, paddle, or ride along as passengers.Want a high weight capacity, high performance SUP that is great in all conditions, from the river to the lake.A great beginner board that's lightweight, wide, and stable and has a great design.Very stable Around SUP with one of the best designs. High quality construction with woven drop stitch and welded railsGreat performing all-around SUP with fantastic combination of speed, tracking, and stability thanks to higher-performing 4.7" thickness.A game and industry changing iSUP that is both an extremely high quality inflatable SUP AND recreational kayak.
SpecsBlackfin XPioneer 3All Around 11' UltraSkylla CXHonu
Waterwalker 132Gili MenoJoyride XLBreeze AeroSea GodsRed Paddle CoExplorer Pro
Length10'610'611'11’10'611'11'6"11'6"10'8"10'6"10'6"12'
Width35"34"32"33”32"32"35"34"33"34"32"31.5"
Thickness6"6"6"6”4.7"6"6"6"6"6"4.7"6"
Weight27 lbs19 lbs21.4 lbs19.5 lbs16.9 lbs26 lbs24 lbs29 lbs20 lbs24 lbs20 lbs23 lbs
Capacity450 lbs285 lbs290 lbs350 lbs250 lbs330 lbs485 lbs400 lbs250 lbs340 lbs220 lbs330 lbs

Note: It’s important to reiterate that at SupBoardGuide, we judge boards based on their category and price level (i.e., how much the average consumer wants to spend). For example, with our best inflatable paddle board for 2024, we compared mid-level-priced boards against each other and have another category, performance SUPs, for the higher-end performance boards. You can see what we think overall about each paddle board listed here by looking at their overall score/rating.

Keep that in mind, and let us know if you have any questions!

Best All-Around Inflatable/Blow-Up Stand Up Paddle Boards

This year, we have chosen to set up our best stand up paddle board page a little differently. Below, you will find our list of the best iSUPs for 2024. As mentioned above, each of these boards has been thoroughly tested in various conditions by various paddlers.

Best Stand Up Paddle Boards

  • Blackfin Model X
  • Isle Pioneer 3
  • iRocker All Around 11′ Ultra 2.0
  • Sea Gods Skylla Cross Touring
  • Honu Byron 10’6 All-Rounder
  • Thurso Surf Waterwalker 132
  • Gili Meno
  • Hydrus Joyride XL
  • BOTE Breeze Aero
  • Sea Gods Diatom Ten6
  • Red Paddle Co 10’6 Ride
  • Isle Explorer Pro 12′

What makes the best inflatable stand up paddle board?

Versatility really! As the name suggests, an all-around iSUP is going to be good at doing most things. All-arounders may not be the best for paddling long distances (that would be a touring board), or the best for surfing (that is probably not an inflatable, to begin with).

Still, they are the best if you are looking for a great board that you can take almost anywhere in various conditions. From the lake to the ocean in smaller waves and a little chop. Essentially, it’s the jack-of-all-trades board that is easy enough for a beginner to paddle but also enjoyable for someone more experienced.

Next, an all-around iSUP lets you do many different things, from normal SUPing to kayaking, fishing, or even yoga. An all-around is a great choice if you want to do it all.

So, with that in mind, our best-rated iSUPs on this list all have higher weight capacities, great stability, and quality performance that allows beginners and advanced paddlers alike to have a great time on the water.

1. Blackfin Model XL

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Blackfin Model XCheck Latest Price

Returning to our list of best inflatable SUPs for 2024 is the Blackfin Model X. The X is a high-weight capacity (450 lbs), super stable SUP with surprisingly good performance for being 10’6×35″ wide. As such, the X is an excellent option for anyone looking for a larger SUP, from the beginner to intermediate/advanced paddler.

It’s also currently on sale, making this an incredible value that may not last very long.

While the Blackfin L is ideal for the larger paddler who likes the extra rigidity and stability, it’s also a great board for the average paddler looking to load up their SUP for camping adventures, paddling with kids, fishing trips, or just cruising around the lake.

The Model X is also a very sporty, maneuverable SUP. It is a little slower than the longer, 11’6 Model XL. However, it’s also less expensive and has five different colorways currently available, including what we think is a nice fuchsia blue and teal colorway.

Pros

  • Super stable, multi-function board yet still sporty and fun to paddle
  • Improved rigidity and overall quality
  • Fast for a large, 35″ wide iSUP (not a rocketship, but a great option for adventures with a ton of gear)
  • We personally love the new designs
  • Option to build out your own SUP package, so no need to buy your 3rd manual pump if you already have 2

Cons

  • Not sure this is possible – but we’d love to find a way to get the scotty mounts moved more towards the outside rails

2. ISLE Pioneer 3

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Isle Pioneer Pro 3.0Check Latest Price

The Isle Pioneer 3 is a very stable yet lightweight all-around SUP that comes with everything you need to paddle on the water for a very reasonable price. At 10’6 x 34”, it’s also very wide throughout the nose to the tail, showing that once again, Isle is leaning heavily into the ‘stability’ feature on their all-around SUP.

It stands in contrast to the Blackfin Model X or XL in that the deckpad is much more open and has more of a classic beach vibe. It also features upgraded internal construction, using an x-woven drop stitch for improved rigidity over previous models.

Overall, the Pioneer 3 is an excellent option for paddlers who want a wide, stable, clean paddle board that is lightweight, easy to paddle, and surprisingly quick.

Pros

  • Lightweight, yet stable SUP – great for beginner paddlers
  • Clean, uncluttered deckpad that is great not just for paddling but for yoga
  • Improved x-woven dropstitch construction is very durable and has a great feel and glide on the water
  • More maneuverable and quicker than we expected
  • Great new backpack – we love the shape and design

Cons

  • Make sure to use the fin screw to lock down the fin.

3. iROCKER All Around 11’ Ultra 2.0

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iRocker AA 11' UltraCheck Latest Price

Truth be told, we were blown away by the entirety of iROCKER’s Ultra series. From their compact designs to their impressive rigidity and exceptional performance on the water, the Ultra series has quickly become staples in our team’s SUP collection. The 11’ All Around has stood out among the pack as a stable yet lightweight and fast all-around that improved upon everything iROCKER’s original 11’ All Around had to offer.

The biggest selling point of the Ultra series by iRocker is simple: they are the most compact SUPs on the market (with a patent pending on the compact design). However, they are not just compact – iRocker was also able to make them very stiff, lightweight, and sporty.

While the performance and build quality alone had us hooked on the Ultra series, we also love the included accessories. The Ultras come in an extremely comfortable, compact, and lightweight SUP backpack with a 5-piece carbon hybrid paddle, coiled leash, a pair of newly designed twin fins, and iROCKER’s 12V Electric Pump. An accessory list of this quality adds so much value to this SUP and its kit, making it impossible to beat in the compact SUP market right now.

Pros

  • The most comfortable and portable compact SUP on the market
  • Lightweight yet impressively stiff construction
  • Carries the stability of the original All Around while gaining speed and overall performance
  • Good array of features that don’t limit ‘compact-ness’
  • Included accessories make this an incredible value

Cons

  • We’d like the deck pad extended towards to tail

4. Sea Gods Skylla Cross Touring

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Check Latest PriceSea Gods Skylla

The Sea Gods Skylla is an impressive and lightweight hybrid board that balances the stability and versatility of an all-around with the speed and tracking capabilities of a touring SUP. It’s a unique combination that we love and find somewhat unique to this board.

And then you have the best selling point of this board: it’s absolutely jaw-dropping looks-wise. Out of all the boards on our best inflatable paddle board list, this is our favorite from a looks/design standpoint. The only downside to how cool this board looks is that you are going to get mauled with questions about it every time you pump the board up at the lake or ocean.

At 11’ x 33”, the Skylla’s dimensions are a bit unorthodox at first glance, however its longer waterline combined with its tapered nose raise its speed capabilities above that of more classic all-arounds. At the same time, the 33” width combined with its boxy, squared off tail help to maximize the wet area, keeping the paddler feeling stable and supported on the water.

As with all Sea Gods SUPs, the Skylla has a few features to make it even more accommodating to a range of SUP activities. Integrated into the front and rear cargo area, the Skylla showcases 4 total universal action mounts, as well as kayak seat compatibility with 4 extra D-rings along the rails.

One of the things that impressed us the most about this board is its thoughtful construction. The Skylla CX is constructed using a cross-woven drop stitch, enabling Sea Gods to make this one of their lightest SUP at just 19 lbs, while also being one of the stiffest of their line up. On the water, this translates into a higher weight range without needing to opt for a heavily built SUP.

The Skylla has been a weekend staple here at SUPBoardGuide, as its versatile performance and ability to load up with camping gear, passengers, or pets make it a true ‘jack of all trades’.

Pros

  • Extremely lightweight at just 19.5 lbs
  • Sea Gods most rigid SUP due to its cross-woven dropstitch construction
  • Is capable of decent speed for a 33” wide iSUP
  • Features gorgeous artwork
  • Comes with Sea Gods High quality accessory kit and is backed by their lifetime warranty
  • Beautiful (because it deserves two points for the artwork, we are going to mention that again)

Cons

  • We’d like Sea Gods to include a more efficient hand pump

5. Honu Byron 10’6 All-rounder

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Check Latest PriceHonu Byron 10'6

The Honu Byron 10’6 is one of the highest-performing all-around inflatable SUPs we’ve tested to date. At 10’6 long, 32” wide, and just 4.7” thick, it’s stable enough for a wide range of paddler skill sets while having more of a hardboard-like feel on the water.

During our testing, the Byron proved to excel in all of our categories, whether it be stability, speed, maneuverability or tracking. The Byron does have a caveat though, in that its 4.7” thickness results in less volume than 6” thick SUPs, and will often cause inexperienced paddlers at or above its weight capacity to feel unstable and experience a decrease in performance.

These paddlers would better enjoy the Byron’s larger counterpart, the Fairlight 10’9”.
Outside of (but not unrelated to) how it feels on the water, we were also very impressed with Honu’s construction.

The Byron is constructed with a cross-woven drop stitch core encased in two layers of fusion-bonded PVC and sealed with triple layered rails, resulting in an iSUP that is rigid yet a lightweight 16.9lbs.

As the final cherry on top, the Byron 10’6 and Fairlight 10’9 are both competitively priced, despite being in the premium performance category and each come with a kit full of high quality accessories.

Pros

  • 4.7″ of thickness= lower center of gravity and higher performance on the water
  • Lightweight 16.9 lbs = easy to carry and easily gets up to cruising speed while paddling
  • Well placed raised kick pad aids in making this SUP super manueverable
  • Honu’s 2+2 warranty is very extensive and shows their willingness to stand behind their product

Cons

  • We’d appreciate a larger front cargo area
  • Not a crazy high weight capacity (heavily paddlers should go with the Fairlight 10’9)

6. Thurso Surf WaterWalker 132

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Check Latest PriceThurso Waterwalker 132

Coming in at #5 on our list of best iSUPs is the ThursoSurf Waterwalker 132. While we’ll be focusing on the 132 in particular, the Waterwalker also comes in a 10′ and 10’6 version better suited to smaller solo paddlers.

The 2 things we love most about the Waterwalker are the board design and how the board performs in the water; it’s stable but not cumbersome, and has a really smooth glide that gives it a faster feel.

Accessory-wise, there are a lot of things that we love about the WaterWalker. The upgraded bag comes with two wheels and an extra zipper pouch for fins and other accessories (leash, repair kit, etc.). Looking at the board, we love the velcro paddle holder on the side of the board that safely secures your paddle out of the way. On other boards, the center handle that can undo and wrap around the shaft acts as the paddler holder. This kind of design still leaves the paddle in the way while doing anything like SUP Yoga. Thurso’s design is the best for a paddle holder that I’ve seen yet! It makes this one of the best-suited boards for any kind of extra activities like SUP fitness or yoga. I also love the extra D-rings and the bungee cords on the front and back of the board for storing all kinds of things or setting up the optional kayak seat.

Thurso chose to make their boards with a dual-layer PVC that’s both durable and has a high weight capacity. They also add an extra layer of PVC + carbon fiber to the rails for better protection and stiffness. Finally, Thurso kept with their well-known style of a wooden grain print but has a few different color options that we just love.

Overall the board is awesome, and we are excited to see what Thurso Surf comes out with in the future as they continue to grow!

Pros

  • Well designed – very fast for an all-around
  • Unique graphic design
  • Carbon fiber side rails
  • Quality Carbon Fiber Shaft Paddle
  • 3 handles for easy carrying (front, middle, back)
  • Lots of D-rings and bungees for storage and accessories like kayak bundle
  • Velcro rail paddle holder
  • All fins are removable
  • Bag has wheels and extra pouch

Cons

  • Middle carry handle is slightly off-center, so it’s a little off-balance when carrying it off the water

7. Gili Meno 11’6 Inflatable SUP

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Gili MenoCheck Latest Price

We have been super impressed with the Gili Meno series this year! Gili kept the core of the Meno series the same (dual-layer PVC, carbon fiber rails) but upgraded most of the features and accessories. In general, the board feels fine-tuned and is a great inflatable SUP for anyone who wants a big board that is also lightweight. At just 24 lbs, this is one of the lightest 11’6 x 35″ iSUP on the market – but don’t think that the lightweight-ness of the board hurts its performance. Even at 11’6, the Gili Meno tracks well and is reasonably fast. Simply put – it’s a ton of fun on the water.

With a quality backpack, a standard fin set that includes 5 fins, and the ability to upgrade to a full carbon fiber paddle, the Gili Meno series is a great option. You’ll also notice that it comes in at a great price!

Pros

  • Very lightweight for its size and still paddles really well on the water
  • High weight capacity for larger paddlers and carrying gear
  • Loads of great features and accessories
  • Carbon fiber shaft paddle is light and great for paddling all day – plus you can upgrade to a full carbon blade paddle at checkout for a great price.
  • Snap lock fins only take seconds to install.
  • Large dual bungee/cargo areas

Cons

  • The D-rings are a little small, which makes it hard to remove the bungees.

8. Hydrus Joyride XL

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Hydrus Joyride XLCheck Latest Price

Making our list for the 2nd year in a row is a SUP from my (Justin’s) hometown of Boise, Idaho: the Hydrus Joyride XL!

For those questioning if we added this just because it’s a hometown shop, the answer is no. The Hydrus easily earned a spot as one of the top-rated inflatable SUPs for 2024. It not only performed very well in our testing, but we love the look and feel of this board. No, it won’t be the look that every paddler is going for, but if you like a more dark-themed, triton-staffed board, this might be your board.

We found the Joyride XL to be very stable, well-built, and a general favorite of larger, more experienced paddlers. X-woven drop stitch and kevlar reinforced fibers, this is a very durable SUP that is great for paddling just about everywhere. With great stability and a high quality deckpad w/ tail kick pad, we love the Joyride for paddling on rivers or longer adventures were you need to carry a ton of gear.

Overall, this has quickly become one of our favorite boards, and we think it’s a great option for anyone looking for a wider, more stable SUP.

Pros

  • High quality construction
  • Attention to detail, from the kick pad to the placement of the carry handles showcase how this SUP was designed by paddlers for paddlers
  • High weight capacity for loading up cargo and/or kids
  • Great look and design, and we like how they made the rails more grey than black for reduced heat retention and increased durability
  • US fin box for versatility and high performance

Cons

  • Only one color-way, so if this isn’t the look your going for then you are out of luck
  • Board tends to be preferred by larger, stronger paddlers

9. BŌTE Breeze Aero

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BOTE Breeze AeroCheck Latest Price

No best inflatable SUP list would be complete if BŌTE was not represented.

BŌTE is known by consumers for their great designs, stability, and accessories. Here, we recognize BŌTE as one of the best marketers in the SUP industry. BŌTE knows how to craft a sense of quality and fun, two things our readers like.

The BŌTE SUP we think belongs most on this list is the 2024 Breeze Aero. At 10’8 x 33”, this SUP leans towards the cruiser side of all arounds. It’s a great option for someone looking for a good beginner board that is both lightweight and stable – but still easy to paddle given how lightweight it is (20 lbs).

It’s also one of the best-looking boards, in our opinion, with several different color and design options. Note: These color options are not just different colors of the same design. BŌTE offers several completely different designs with this board, so we are pretty confident you’ll be able to find one that suits you. You can also choose the larger 11’6 version if you need some extra volume for gear or even improved stability.

Pros

  • Beautiful designs, with a variety of design options
  • Cruiser style all-around for good stability
  • Lightweight and easy to paddle
  • Great package options with high-quality BOTE accessories (BOTE really shines on the accessory front)

Cons

  • We’d like to see BOTE work on making this a little stiffer. However, it feels very sturdy in the water and absorbs wake and bumps easily

10. Sea Gods Diatom Ten6 CX

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Sea Gods Diatom Ten6 CXCheck Latest Price

The Sea Gods Diatom CX 10’6’’ is worth considering because of its incredible artwork alone; aside from the fact that it displays stellar performance on the water.

If you’re a person that values artwork and aesthetic appeal as well as high performance, quality construction, and great weight support, the Sea Gods Diatom Ten6 will be a phenomenal fit.

The Diatom 10’6 more than meets the mark in the all-around SUP category. This lightweight board weighs just 20 lbs, and its high volume dimensions (10’6 x 34″ x 6″) and rigid build quality allow the Diatom to support up to 340 lbs.

The paddleboard is beginner-friendly, perfect for taller/heavier paddlers, and features a nice, clean deck pad that is perfect for practicing yoga without having to buy a dedicated yoga SUP. It also has D-rings for kayak seat compatibility, as well as two bungee cargo areas for storing dry bags, coolers, or small containers.

We’re very impressed with the included accessories as well. The lightweight carbon fiber 3-piece paddle is one of our personal favorites, and the unique Kumano flex-fin setup fits into the US fin box in seconds without having to deal with a screw and plate or tools (like typical FCS fins). While the included pump is rather basic, the fantastic roller backpack isn’t. It has sturdy roller wheels, a roomy fit, and plenty of pockets.

Oh, and did we mention that the artwork is amazing!!?

Pros

  • Possibly the best-looking board on this list
  • Ultra-stable at 34″ wide w/ a lot of weight support
  • Rigid but lightweight construction at just 20lbs
  • High-quality construction: woven drop stitch + welded rails for durability
  • Relatively easy to maneuver despite width
  • Versatility focused features that don’t crowd the deck pad
  • Delivered in compostable packaging

Cons

  • Single chamber pump is not the most efficient

Best Performance All Around SUPs

Red Paddle Co 10’6 Ride

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Red Paddle Co 10'6 RideCheck Latest Price

Red Paddle Co makes some of the best paddle boards in the industry, so its hard to pick which Red Paddle Co board is our favorite. However, when talking about all-around SUPs, that choice is easy: The Red Paddle Co Ride 10’6.

We haven’t been big fans of Red Paddle Co’s Ride series in the past. The three fixed fins it used to come with didn’t perform very well, and the cost was high.

All of that changed when Red moved to their twin fin system. The fins now do justice to a well-constructed, super lightweight yet stable board. The board tracks better, and this is the first board with fixed gummy fins that we actually like. Yes, you will still have to bend them back if your kids jump up and down on the board while it’s on the shore – but the point of the fixed fins is that they are indestructible, and you never have to worry about losing fins or taking the time to put them in when you’re in a rush to get out on the water.

At 4.7″ thick, the board also lowers your center of gravity and gives a better sensation of paddling through the water vs sitting more on top, similar to the feel of the Honu Byron. However, the Red 10’6 is more stable than the Byron without losing much in terms of speed.

Also, if you are a larger paddler, you can consider the 10’8 Ride and get that little extra volume and stability that you need.

Pros

  • High performance and more stable on the water thanks to 4.7” thickness
  • Fantastic all-around. Great for beginners and experts alike.
  • Lightweight and nimble on the water, but still stable even for beginners
  • Hybrid RED deck pad. Grippy, yet also cushy so you can paddle longer yet with better balance.
  • High performing fins that you don’t have to remove, store, and worry about
  • RPC has some of the lowest return rates in the world. 5-year warranty if something does go wrong.
  • Great package deal available from Green Water Sports (we’ve never seen a package deal this good, so jump on it)

Cons

  • A little more spendy than some boards on our list, but the quality is worth the price in our opinion

ISLE Explorer Pro SUP/Kayak (best SUP/Kayak Combo hands down)

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Isle Explorer ProCheck Latest Price

You might notice that this is the only ‘touring SUP’ on this list. That is not a mistake. The Isle 12’ Explorer Pro is more of a touring board, BUT it’s as stable (or more stable) than most all-around SUPs.

In other words, you get the best of both worlds with the Isle Explorer Pro: speed and stability.

As we like to say: this is the one board we would choose if we were stranded on a deserted Island or only had one board to choose from.

The Pro series SUPs are also kayak hybrid SUPs and are unique in that they don’t suck as kayaks while still performing excellently as paddle boards. It’s a combo we never found in the industry until Isle created this series.

If you are someone who wants the best of both the SUP and Kayak world, without sacrificing performance, then the 12’ Explorer is your board.

Pros

  • Very stable SUP/kayak. More stable than any other 31.5” SUP we’ve tested
  • Very lightweight hybrid SUP-Kayak combo
  • Tons of versatile features and plenty of room to add your own accessories/customizations
  • Paddles extremely well as a stand up paddle board or as a kayak, which is harder to do than you would think
  • Most rigid SUP on this list
  • Some of the highest quality construction we’ve seen on an inflatable paddle board

Cons

  • Not much. Being super nit-picky, the board is actually more stable than it needs to be
  • It is a bit costly if you add the kayak accessories

Overall Comparison Of The Best All-Around Inflatable SUP Boards

Something to keep in mind when taking all of this information in.

We have judged each boards performance based on the following:

  • Performance and Versatility. A good all-around SUP board is one that performs well in multiple conditions as a jack-of-all-trades.
  • Stability. From beginners to intermediate/advanced paddlers you want to make sure the board will support its weight limit. Nothing is worse than buying a 300lb capacity board, only to find it extremely difficult to balance on if you are 220 lbs (this is what happens when you buy a cheap board from a store like Costco).
  • Tracking. Tracking refers to the ability for the board to paddle straight. A good all-around board might not track as well as a touring board will, but with a good fin set up the all-arounder will do a great job.
  • Durability. The last thing we want is for you to have to drag your deflating board behind you or have your paddle sink to the bottom of the lake.
  • Features and Accessories. You want an iSup that comes with good paddles, bungees for storage, and D-rings for adding accessories like kayak seats. Another big selling point for iSUPs is how portable they are, so you are also going to want a quality backpack to store and carry your board in.

How they Compare: Performance and Versatility

The first thing you need to understand when it comes to performance is that your personal performance on each board will vary depending on:

  • Skill level – an experienced SUP boarder will be much better on boards with lighter weight capacity and might find they enjoy how such boards are more maneuverable and playful.
  • Weight – if you weigh 120 pounds your experience is going to be much different than someone weighing 180 or 220 lbs.

We found outstanding performance with each paddle board on this list (we don’t just put up any board on this list). Each board performs well, and the differences are slight but important.
Overall, every board on this list is going to be a top-notch performing SUP. We don’t put a bad board on the list. However, you will see the highest-ranked boards in terms of overall performance towards the end of this.

We put these boards at the end because they cost more than some of the other boards. That makes sense, given you are paying for high performance. Boards like the Honu Byron and the 10’6 Red Paddle Co Ride are fantastic 4.75” thick boards that help you feel more connected to the water.

The Isle Explorer Pro is 6” thick but incredibly rigid (one of the most rigid boards we’ve ever tested) and incredibly versatile as an inflatable kayak and SUP.

How They Compare: Paddles

Now, the only other thing that comes into the performance is the paddle. So what paddle you get with these boards will determine a bit of your performance. However, I don’t make a huge remark about the paddles, as you can easily upgrade them.

Most companies will offer you a discount on an upgrade if you are already buying a board (so don’t be scared to ask!!). In our opinion, the best kit paddle here is the iRocker paddle. It’s got a slim blade that is also quite light thanks to less materials. It has some flex in it, but feels great while paddling and outperforms our expectations as a kit paddle.

We also like the Sea Gods paddle, which is a carbon fiber composite that paddles very nicely. The BlueFin and BOTE paddles come in last here as they are a bit heavier/clunkier than the others.

How they Compare: Stability

There is a strong correlation between weight capacity, width, and length with stability. That is the case with the top all-around SUPs on this list.

The most stable board here is the Isle Explorer Pro, at 10’6×35” (you can even get its more stable sibling, the 11’6 Pioneer Pro, if you need even more stability and length). Next up, and not far behind, is the Blackfin Model X.

Of course, there is a trade-off between stability and maneuverability, so keep that in mind.

Finally, remember that if you weigh 110 lbs, you will be much more stable than someone weighing 230 lbs, so you might want to choose an iSUP that is a little more nimble.

How they Compare: Maneuverability / Turning

The ability for the inflatable SUP to turn quickly and maneuver makes for a fun board long after your first year of SUPing. The move maneuverable SUPs on this list are pretty much the opposite of the stability winners – like we said, stability and maneuverability are trade-offs.

The Honu Byron or Red Paddle Co 10’6 Ride are the most nimble, maneuverable boards on this list, which is one reason we recommend them so highly for advanced, smaller paddlers. They’re a ton of fun!

Finally, if you are a taller, heavier SUPer, we recommend that you first focus on stability. You will be able to maneuver a bigger board much easier than a smaller paddler.

How they Compare: Tracking

Larger, firmer center fins provide the best tracking, so if you are looking for long, straight adventures, you will want a very large, firm center fin setup.

If you want to SUP in a river with shallow spots, you will need shorter fins. You will also sacrifice some ability to go straight for the ability to move and be agile around the rocks.

Every board on this list does a fantastic job tracking. We brought out a group of beginners to intermediate SUPers, and not a single one could tell us which board tracked better.

That being said, there are some slight differences. The twin fins on the iRocker 11’ Ultra help the board track incredibly straight, and we also found improvement on the updated Red Paddle Co Ride boards now that they have moved to a twin fin system as well (technically, Red Paddle Co adopted the twin fin system before iRocker, for those who are counting)

How they Compare: Durability

Durability depends on the materials used to manufacture the iSUP, and every manufacturer on this list prides itself on using the highest-quality materials available.

You won’t find a board on this list that isn’t durable and dependable. We’ve discussed and reviewed each company’s manufacturing process and materials in depth so you can feel comfortable on these boards.

One thing to note: We found many boards moving to what we are calling woven drop stitch instead of knitted drop stitch and welded rails instead of glued rails.

While we don’t have data yet on whether these ‘improvements’ will be more durable, we have found that the woven boards with welded rails are more rigid in our bend test and lighter.

We expect the industry to move towards this construction over the next few years.

Best All-Around SUPs VS Budget Paddle Boards

The difference between our best inflatable paddle boards and the budget boards you see everyone on Amazon is quite large. The top-rated boards on our list are a step (or 3) above all those $200 boards on Amazon, from materials to accessories.

Honestly, we wouldn’t touch a super cheap Amazon board with a 10 ft SUP paddle.

Conclusion

Now we’re done analyzing, it’s your time to shine.

What will it be? This is the exciting part where you get to decide who’s going to be arriving on your doorstep soon. If you need some more reassurance, refer to our graph again. Or even better, leave us a comment below.

As we mentioned, this is our list of the best inflatable paddle boards. It’s what we think is best. We might share different preferences than you, but we spend hours every week testing different boards and getting our friends to come along so we don’t get too biased. We’ve paddled in rivers, seas, rapids, and lakes.

Choosing from this list, you can be assured that it’s really been put to the test. We would suggest overlooking this list only if you are in the market for particularly niche boards—racing or surfing hardboards, for instance.

Otherwise, there is something here for absolutely everyone. It doesn’t matter your experience, budget, or preference—our best inflatable SUPs for 2024 are an all-inclusive list!
Till next time! Keep on enjoying the beautiful sport of SUPing!

Note: We constantly update our content to make it as up-to-date and relevant as possible. That’s why you will see some comments about boards no longer listed in this review.

Also, we recently revamped this list to focus on All-around iSUPs. We have more in-depth lists for the best performance All-Around SUPs, best touring SUPs, best SUPs for Yoga/Fitness, and more.

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At SupBoardGuide.com we are a team who love the water, the outdoors, and are more than grateful that our full-time job allows us to review stand up paddle boards. We paddle year round (it helps that we are just about 2 hours outside of Las Vegas), and we bring in a wide range of paddlers with the goal of providing our readers with the best, most in-depth, and accurate stand up paddle board reviews.

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