Inflatable SUP Boards
Why Choose an Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board?
The main benefit of an inflatable SUP board is its ease in storing and transporting.
An inflatable SUP can be packed down to store in a closet. This may be a make-or-break deal between owning a SUP board and not owning one, depending on your living situation.
It gets even better with transporting your inflatable. No need for an expensive roof rack, truck or trailer. Inflatables fold down to fit in a pack that you can carry on your back, check-in on a plane trip, or stow in the backseat of your car.
This makes it easy to take your SUP along with you on vacation, or to backcountry waterways with no vehicle access. It can also give you peace of mind when you’re in the city and can store it out-of-sight in your car’s trunk instead of the roof rack.
Disadvantages of an Inflatable SUP
There are a couple disadvantages of an inflatable when compared to a solid board:
Most people find a solid (or rigid) SUP board to be more responsive than an inflatable when surfing waves, and to be faster when racing or touring.
And, of course, you’ll need to take the time to inflate your board before you can use it. It’s not just unpack-and-go like a solid board.
How Durable are Inflatable SUPs?
Just how durable is an inflatable SUP board? Well, take a look at this fun video by our friends from Red Paddle Co. as they put their 10’6” Ride Inflatable through a series of tests:
As you can see, inflatable doesn’t mean wimpy! Buy one from a reputable manufacturer and you’ve nothing to worry about.
Choose a Packable Paddle to go with your Inflatable SUP
If you choose an inflatable stand-up paddleboard for packability and ease of travel, you’ll also want a paddle that’s just as easy to pack up.
Aqua-Bound has three 4-piece paddles that make a perfect partner to your inflatable board:
- Freedom 4-piece has an all-carbon shaft with an epX engineered polymer 100-square-inch blade. It features an adjustable-length shaft and weighs 28 ounces. MSRP $164.95.
- Freedom 85 4-piece is identical except the blade is a more streamlined 85 square inches. MSRP $164.95.
- Lyric 4-piece has the same all-carbon adjustable-length shaft and epX engineered polymer blade, but is designed for smaller paddlers. It weighs just 23.5 ounces. MSRP $164.95.
(Source: w82.com)
Have paddling questions we can help with? Call or email our Wisconsin-based customer service team today: 715-755-3405 • [email protected]
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