Fitness Trends Equipment and Apparel The 8 Best SUP Boards of 2021 Hit the waves with the right board for your needs and experience By Lindsey Lanquist Lindsey Lanquist is a writer and editor specializing in fashion, lifestyle, and health content. Her work has appeared in SELF, StyleCaster, SheKnows, MyDomaine, and more. Learn about our editorial process Lindsey Lanquist Fact checked by Fact checked by Ashley Hall on April 26, 2021 linkedin Ashley Hall is a writer and fact checker who has been published in medical journals in the field of surgery. Learn about our editorial process Ashley Hall on April 26, 2021 Print Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. Our Top Picks Best Overall: SereneLife Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board at Amazon Its slightly rounded hull will keep you stable and in control while on the water, while its narrow silhouette offers some speed. Best Budget: SUDOO 10’ Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board at Walmart A solid budget-friendly pick if you're a beginner, it includes a pump, paddle, repair kit, and some detachable features. Best Splurge: Bote Breeze Gatorshell Stand Up Paddle Board at Boteboard.com A solid investment piece, the board’s wide design makes it ideal for paddling and even yoga and fishing. Best Intermediate: Pau Hana Malibu Tour Stand Up Paddle Board at REI A great pick for intermediate paddlers looking to take on some new challenges, it’s capable of traveling longer distances. Best for Groups: Pau Hana Oahu Nui Giant Stand Up Paddle Board at REI Built for a group, the massive board boasts a 1,100-pound weight capacity, making it great for a variety of activities. Best for Yoga: Advanced Elements Lotus Yoga Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board at Amazon Yogis will appreciate this board that's designed to help you tackle a yoga session on the water and offers control and balance. Best for Surfing: Connelly Tahoe 10’6” Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board at Amazon It boasts a surf-style shape that promises to make surfing easier for paddlers of different skill levels. Best for Kids: Lifetime Hooligan 8’ Youth Stand-Up Paddleboard at Walmart To keep kiddos comfortable and in control, the board’s deck is padded with EVA foam—a material that offers both cushion and grip. In This Article Expand Our Picks What to Look For FAQs Why Trust Verywell Fit? Stand-up paddleboarding can be a fun way to get a little exercise while exploring an ocean, lake, or river near you. And if you’ve never heard of stand-up paddleboarding before, don’t worry—it’s pretty self-explanatory. Stand-up paddleboarding is a water sport where you stand on top of a stand-up paddleboard (or SUP board) and use a paddle to propel yourself forward. Paddling will challenge your upper body, while maintaining your balance will engage your lower body and core. This dynamic challenge makes stand-up paddleboarding a great way to get a full-body workout—and to have a little fun, while you’re at it. In order to go stand-up paddleboarding, though, you’ll need a stand-up paddleboard—which is more commonly known as a SUP board. SUP boards come in many different sizes and styles—and they’re available in a range of price points—so it should be easy to find one that meets your needs. Here are the best SUP boards on the market. Best Overall: SereneLife Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board View On Amazon View On Walmart Pros Generally budget-friendly Inflatable design makes it easily portable Comes with extra pieces Cons Best for leisure use May not be as durable as more solid options SereneLife’s Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board is a fan-favorite, and it’s not hard to see why. The SUP board promises to be versatile, easy to use, and travel-friendly—making it a particularly solid pick. The board is designed to feel both comfortable and efficient. Its slightly rounded hull will help you stay stable and in control while on the water, while its narrow silhouette will give you some of the speed you crave while paddling. Since the board’s deck promises to be grippy, it should give you all the traction you need to find and maintain your balance. Since the SUP board is inflatable, it can roll up compactly between uses, making it very on-the-go-friendly. The board also ships with everything you need to take advantage of it—including a pump, a paddle, an adjustable fin, and a convenient travel bag. Dimensions: 10 feet long x 32 inches wide x 6 inches thick | Weight: Not listed | Weight Capacity: 275 pounds | Hull Type: Planing hull | Inflatable: Yes Best Budget: SUDOO 10’ Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board View On Walmart View On Sears.com Pros Budget-friendly Inflatable design makes it easily portable Comes with extra pieces Cons Best for leisure use May not be as durable as more solid options SUDOO’s Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board is a budget-friendly SUP board that ships alongside everything you need to make the most of it. The large board promises to feel comfortable and stable. And its slightly rounded hull offers a touch of efficiency—keeping you in control as you paddle, while allowing you to pick up a little speed. Since the board is inflatable, it should be easy to fold up and carry. But with a weight capacity of 300 pounds, it still promises to be durable enough to support a little cargo. What’s nice? The SUP board doesn’t just come on its own. It ships alongside a pump, a paddle, a repair kit, and some detachable features. This makes it a great pick for beginners who just want to get started—and a solid choice for those who want to dig a little deeper and explore some of the detachable features. Dimensions: 10 feet long x 33 inches wide x 6 inches thick | Weight: 17.5 pounds | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Hull Type: Planing hull | Inflatable: Yes Best Splurge: Bote Breeze Gatorshell Stand Up Paddle Board View On Boteboard.com Pros Versatile—can also be used for yoga and fishing Durable Good for a range of skill levels Cons Best for leisure use If you’re looking to invest in a sturdy and versatile SUP board, Bote Breeze’s Gatorshell Stand Up Paddle Board is an excellent choice. The durable board is cushioned for comfort and textured for traction, so rest assured knowing it should be easy to use. And the board’s wide, flat design makes it a great fit for a variety of activities, including paddling, yoga, fishing, and more. The board isn’t inflatable, but at 28 pounds, it’s still pretty lightweight. And it promises to be sturdy enough to support a fair amount of cargo, too (its weight capacity is 220 pounds). Sure, it’s easy to find luxurious SUP boards as you gain more experience (and reach higher price points). But this board is an investment-worthy pick fit for beginner and intermediate paddlers—making it a particularly versatile option. Dimensions: 10 feet, 6 inches long x 32 inches wide x 4.5 inches thick | Weight: 28 pounds | Weight Capacity: 220 pounds | Hull Type: Planing hull | Inflatable: No The 9 Best Kayaks of 2021 Best Intermediate: Pau Hana Malibu Tour Stand Up Paddle Board View On REI Pros Versatile—can be used for a variety of paddleboarding activities Durable Cons Expensive May not be beginner-friendly Pau Hana’s Malibu Tour Stand Up Paddle Board is a great pick for intermediate paddlers looking to take on some new challenges. The sleek board promises to be both stable and efficient, so it should make a comfortable addition to your more leisurely trips. But since it’s also capable of traveling longer distances (at moderate speeds), it should give you the versatility you need for a varied paddleboarding experience. The board promises to be sturdy and durable, and its 249-pound weight capacity means you can throw a little cargo on board. And since the board comes equipped with SeaMounts—which are really just accessory mounts—you can easily outfit your SUP board with all the accessories you want to have with you on your trips. Dimensions: 11 feet, 6 inches long x 30 inches wide x 6 inches thick | Weight: 31 pounds | Weight Capacity: 249 pounds | Hull Type: Displacement hull | Inflatable: No The 7 Best Men’s Water Shoes Best for Groups: Pau Hana Oahu Nui Giant Stand Up Paddle Board View On REI Pros Great for groups Versatile—can be used for a variety of paddleboarding activities Cons Expensive Large Heavy Can’t roll it up between uses (not inflatable) Pau Hana’s Oahu Nui Giant Stand Up Paddle Board is a SUP board built for a few. The massive SUP board is 15 feet long, 54 inches wide (at its widest point), and 8 inches thick. And it boasts a whopping 1,100-pound weight capacity—so yes, it really can accommodate a group. The board’s versatile, all-purpose design makes it a great pick for a variety of activities—namely, paddling and leisure. And because cargo is a must with any large group, the board comes equipped with D-rings and bungee cords that’ll make it easy to store all your stuff. Dimensions: 15 feet long x 54 inches wide x 8 inches thick | Weight: 59 pounds | Weight Capacity: 1,100 pounds | Hull Type: Planing hull | Inflatable: No Best for Yoga: Advanced Elements Lotus Yoga Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board View On Amazon Pros Portable Versatile—can be used for a variety of paddleboarding activities Great for yoga Cons Expensive May not be as durable as some solid options Advanced Elements’s Lotus Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board is a solid SUP board designed to help you tackle a yoga session on the water. The board’s flat planing hull should keep you—and your board—stable while on the water. And its wide silhouette promises to hold steady, helping you maintain your balance as you encounter waves and other obstacles. To give you even more control, the board is lined with a grippy traction pad. So you can confidently tackle your favorite postures—even in the middle of the ocean. Dimensions: 10 feet long x 32 inches wide x 6 inches thick | Weight: 28 pounds | Weight Capacity: 200 pounds | Hull Type: Planing hull | Inflatable: Yes Best for Surfing: Connelly Tahoe 10’6” Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board View On Amazon Pros Portable Versatile—can be used for a variety of paddleboarding activities Great for surfing Cons May not be as durable as some solid options Looking to do a little surfing? Connelly Tahoe’s Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board boasts a surf-style shape that promises to make surfing easier for paddlers of different skill levels. Though the board is inflatable, it promises to be durable. And it’s lined with soft EVA padding that makes it easy to get traction and establish a comfortable stance. Fixed fins on the sides of the board promise a steadier, more efficient ride. And the board’s center comes equipped with a fin you can adjust, based on the kind of paddling you’re trying to do that day. Since the board is inflatable, you can easily deflate it, roll it up, and carry it with you on the go. This makes it a particularly great option for travel—and since the board weighs just 21.4 pounds, it shouldn’t weigh you down very much at all. Dimensions: 10 feet, 6 inches long x 32 inches wide x 6 inches thick | Weight: 21.4 pounds | Weight Capacity: 260 pounds | Hull Type: Planing hull | Inflatable: Yes The 8 Best Rash Guards of 2021 Best for Kids: Lifetime Hooligan 8’ Youth Stand-Up Paddleboard View On Walmart View On Lifetime.com Pros Generally budget-friendly Sturdy Versatile Cons Can’t roll it up between uses (not inflatable) Lifetime Hooligan’s Youth Stand-Up Paddleboard is a sturdy SUP board crafted with kids in mind. Though many kid-friendly SUP boards are inflatable, this one is solid. The board is crafted from sturdy polyethylene, so it promises to hold up over time. And to keep your little one comfortable and in control, the board’s deck is padded with EVA foam—a material that offers both cushion and grip. The board’s wide, flat design promises a stable, steady ride. And its base is equipped with a fin that should make the board even easier to steer and maneuver. Though it may not be as portable as some inflatable options, at 28 pounds it’s still pretty lightweight. So it should be relatively easy to take with you on the go. Dimensions: 8 feet long x 29.5 inches wide x 7 inches thick | Weight: 28 pounds | Weight Capacity: 130 pounds | Hull Type: Planing hull | Inflatable: No Final Verdict There are tons of great stand-up paddleboards—or SUP boards—out there. So finding the right one really comes down to what kind of stand-up paddleboarding you’d like to do. If you’re looking for a versatile, beginner-friendly SUP board that’s great for leisurely use, SereneLife’s Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board (view on Amazon) is a solid option. The inflatable paddleboard promises to be easy to transport and easy to use, making it great a go-to. What to Look for in a SUP Board Dimensions It’s always useful to know how big something is before you buy it. So double-check the dimensions of the SUP board you’re eyeing, and consider whether you can easily store it in your home—or transport it from place to place. Weight Some SUP boards are much heavier than others. Inflatable SUP boards typically weigh 20 to 25 pounds, solid SUP boards typically weigh 30 to 35 pounds, and some novelty SUP boards get up to 55 to 60 pounds. Remember, you’ll likely have to carry your SUP board from place to place at least a little bit, so make sure the one you’re eyeing isn’t so heavy that it’ll overwhelm you. Weight Capacity Some SUP boards can bear more weight than others. If you’re planning to use yours leisurely, just make sure it’s strong enough to support you—and anyone else who might borrow your SUP board. If you’re planning to use your board for long-distance touring, though, you should also consider the weight of your potential cargo. Hull Type Most SUP boards either have a planing hull or a displacement hull. Planing hulls tend to be flat, round, and stable—so they’re a great pick for beginners. Displacement hulls tend to be narrow and pointy. This design allows a SUP board to pick up more speed, making it a better pick for more advanced paddle boarders. Inflatable Many SUP boards are inflatable. These options tend to be plusher, lighter-weight, and less durable than solid SUP boards—making them a great pick for beginners and leisure paddle boarders. And since you can deflate them and roll them up between uses, they’re also a particularly travel-friendly option. FAQs What does SUP board mean? The phrase “SUP board” is short for “stand-up paddleboard.” Stand-up paddleboards look a lot like surfboards, but they tend to be longer, heavier, and more stable. They’re also designed to be used with paddles. (So you can think of them as a cross between a surfboard and a kayak). What size paddleboard should I get for my height? When shopping for a SUP board, you’ll want to consider both your height and the style of riding you plan to do. Surfers and kids may prefer a board under 10 feet long. Adults looking for a versatile board for yoga or leisure use may prefer something in the 10 to 12 feet range. And advanced paddle boarders should look for a SUP board that’s 12 feet long (or longer), as these longer, narrower options tend to be great at picking up speed and traveling long distances. Why Trust Verywell Fit? As a seasoned health and fitness writer, Lindsey Lanquist understands how vital quality product recommendations can be. She is careful to recommend products that are reliable, comfortable, and genuinely well-reviewed by those who’ve tried them. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get exercise tips to make your workouts less work and more fun. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? 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