Should You Choose an Inflatable SUP Board?

Why Choose an Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board?

The main benefit of an inflatable SUP over a rigid or solid board is the ease of storing and transporting.

You can pack an inflatable SUP down to stow in a closet. This may be a make-or-break deal between owning one and not owning one, depending on your living situation. 

Maybe you live in an apartment and don’t have a yard, basement or garage. No problem. Maybe you have a garage, but it’s already full of vehicles and other items with no room for an 11 or 12-foot board. No problem.

It gets even better when it comes to transporting your SUP. With an inflatable, you don’t need an expensive roof rack, a truck or a trailer. Inflatables fold down to fit in a pack that you can carry on your back, check on a plane, or stow in the backseat of your car. 

This makes it easy to take your SUP along with you on vacation or to reasonably-accessible backcountry waterways that don’t have vehicle access. It can also give you peace of mind when you’re in populated areas and fear theft of a board strapped to your roof rack. Instead, you can store it out-of-sight in your vehicle’s trunk.

Another advantage of an inflatable board is that it’s softer. If you fall while paddling or drop it while carrying it, you won’t hurt yourself. Something to consider, especially if you’ll bring small kids along.

Disadvantages of an Inflatable SUP

There are some disadvantages of inflatables when compared to solid boards. 

First, solid boards are more responsive than inflatables when surfing waves. They’re also faster when racing or touring. Inflatables, then, are a bit sluggish in the water comparatively.

SUP/kayak hybrids have hit the market, too—this is a great option for paddlers who enjoy both worlds (photo courtesy of Scottie Peterson)

If you see yourself surfing, racing or paddling long distances for many hours on your board, an inflatable may not be your best choice.

Next, you’ll need to take the time to inflate your board before you can use it. It’s not just unstrap-and-go like a solid board. Whether you pump by hand or by motor, it takes a good ten minutes on average for inflation.

All inflatable SUPs come with a hand pump. Pumping one of these up to the PSI needed for use is a workout in itself! Some paddlers like that and consider it a pre-paddling warm-up. Others may wear themselves out before even getting on the water. An electric pump that plugs into your vehicle is a great option if you prefer to save your energy for the water.

Finally, it’s really important an inflatable board is allowed to dry thoroughly before getting rolled up and put back in its pack. Especially if it won’t be taken out in a while. Not doing so could invite mold growth, and maybe even compromise the materials over time.

So owning an inflatable SUP requires having a spot where it’s able to dry out after use before it’s put back into storage.

How Durable are Inflatable SUPs?