Stand-up paddle boarding is one of the fastest growing watersports in the world. According to UK watersports brand Aquaplanet, searches were up 300 per cent last year and the global market is forecast to surpass £1.4 billion by 2025.Easy to learn as an alternative to kayaking and canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding involves standing (or kneeling) on a large, floating board and using a paddle to glide it across the water. The best inflatable paddle boards offer a way to explore coasts, rivers, lakes and canals and gives a whole body workout – in winter as well as in summer, if you have a good wetsuit.
“Finding the right inflatable paddle board can seem like a daunting task,” says qualified coach Jo Taylor, co-founder of Paddle Cabin on the River Medway. “But an all-rounder board is a great way to get started. They’re wide (generally around 30 to 34 inches), stable and easy to turn. We teach beginners on Red Paddle Co ‘Ride’ boards which are 10ft 6in long and 32 inches wide. They’re super stable and sturdy for paddlers of all weights, abilities, and balance.”
Inflatable paddle boards, unlike solid hard boards, can be deflated and stashed away in the boot of a small car. They are getting better all the time in terms of design and technology, with increasing numbers of brands and styles to choose from. Below I’ve tried and tested several of the best inflatable paddle boards and spoken to an expert about paddleboard maintenance and water safety. You can find my full reviews below, but if you’re in a hurry, here are my top five:
Which are the best inflatable paddle boards in the UK? At a glance:
- Best inflatable paddle board overall - Jobe Yarra
- Best value inflatable paddle board - Itiwit X100
- Best touring paddle board - Red Voyager
- Best inflatable paddle board for kids - Aquaplanet Bolt Jr
- Best all rounderinflatable paddle board - iRocker All Around
How to choose an inflatable stand-up paddle board
Pay close attention to the board’s dimensions. If you’re taller and heavier, you’ll benefit from the stability of a wider paddle board. But if you’re shorter and lighter, with a lower centre of gravity, you’ll find it easier to manoeuvre a smaller board. There are paddleboards designed for kids, for touring, for choppy conditions (you might also want a waterproof jacket for that), for SUP surfing and for paddle-board yoga. The different uses dictate the shape, size, rocker line (the curved shape of the board) and volume.
“Just don’t buy a nameless board that doesn’t detail its dimensions and doesn’t include a leash, pump and repair kit,” recommends Taylor. “And never buy a board that inflates to less than 15 PSI (air pressure), as this would be very unstable to paddle. Check the warranty and customer service promise for your board and check they are advocating for SUP water safety.” See my guide to that, as well as answers to other frequently asked questions, at the bottom of this feature. (Or read my full-length guide to paddle boarding for beginners.)
How we tested the inflatable paddle boards
Along with my nieces and nephew I tested a range of inflatable stand-up paddle boards on rivers, canals and the sea. As well as price, I considered their weight, manoeuvrability, speed in the water and how easy they were to inflate. Other important considerations are carrying capacity, versatility, rigidity, buoyancy, portability and what accessories are supplied. The boards below are the best, but other good brands to check out are Hatha, Fatstick, Fanatic, Quroc and Starboard.
Best inflatable paddle boards
1. Jobe Yarra 10ft 6in
Best inflatable paddle board overall, 10/10
We like: an all-round, versatile board for fun and functionality
We don’t like: it’s expensive, but well enough built that it’s worth it
- 32in width
- 9.3kg weight
- Comes with paddle, backpack, pump, 10ft leash
The 10ft 6in Jobe Yarra is a well-made all-rounder, suited to beginner and intermediate paddlers and takes a maximum rider weight of up to 140kg. I found the board itself surprisingly light while the easy-to-attach detachable 8in fin made for straight tracking in the water. The thick, grooved deck pad gave me extra traction.
While the nose of the board is rounded for stability, the tail is narrow, which makes it easy to manoeuvre. It has a good glide on flat water but is also very stable. There’s no reason why you couldn’t use this Jobe board in gentle surf and choppier water.
This package comes with an adjustable, three-piece fibreglass paddle. Many SUP paddles can be adjusted to the correct height for you so that you can easily dig the whole blade into the water to propel you forwards. Heavier paddles can be more powerful but they tire you out, so look for lighter weight ones.
Also included is a waterproof backpack, a double action pump that inflates on the upstroke and as well as on the down and a coiled 10ft ankle leash. An ankle or waist belt leash is an essential safety feature that will keep you tethered in reach of the board if you fall off.
There are also bungee straps so that you can attach a dry bag with supplies and valuables. Jobe is a respected watersports brand that’s been around since 1974 and this is their biggest seller, so it’s a durable choice you’re likely to get good use out of. There are cheaper boards out there, but this is a good price for a board as well made as this.
2. Itiwit X100 10ft
Best value inflatable paddle board, 9/10
We like: an all-round paddle board at an affordable price point
We don’t like: it doesn’t come with a pump or a paddle
- 32in width
- 9kg weight
- Comes with rucksack, leash
For the price, this best-seller from Decathlon with a distinctive pointed nose is a surprisingly good board. It cruises well on flat water and I found it performed well on a half-day touring paddle in gentle waves and chop. With an internal volume of 233 litres it’s stable enough for any rider up to 80kg and if you want to carry kit, it takes a maximum load of 230kg, which is comparatively high. The grippy, comfortable foam deck pad has a generous surface area for extra stability but it weighs just 9kg, so it’s easy to transport.
The single fin is attached with a slide-in clip, rather than with fiddly and easy-to-lose screws. Unlike many all-in paddle board packages, this board doesn’t come with a pump or a paddle included. Decathlon separately sell a £25 hand pump or a £55 electric pump. Electric pumps are faster but they can be noisy and you’ll need to be connected to a 12V-15A outlet.
Also sold separately are Decathlon’s three part adjustable stand-up paddle (£35), which I found a little heavy to use at 960g (compared to Red Paddle Co’s 740g Prime lightweight paddle), although it’s perfectly serviceable entry level paddle. Slightly light on extras, then, but if you’re on a tight budget this board is the way to go.
3. Red Voyager 12ft
Best touring paddle board for longer distances, 10/10
We like: quality design to go the distance
We don’t like: this will be out of most people’s budgets
- 28in width
- 12.2kg weight
- Comes with backpack, pump, 8ft coiled leash, twin detachable fins, choice of paddle
South Devon based Red, founded in 2008, are considered leaders in the paddle board market. The 10ft 6in Ride is their best-selling all-rounder and back in 2019 they unveiled their 9ft 6in Compact board, which folds down to half the size of most paddle boards and weighs just 7.4kg.
At 12.2kg, this all-new 12ft Voyager is far less portable. But its weight and shape make it perfectly suited to those touring longer distances with adventure in mind. Extra volume (it inflates to 285 litres) means more buoyancy, so you can easily pack all the kit you need.
Red boards are expensive, premium products. This has a Rocker Stiffening System (RSS), which works by slotting two stiffening battens into pockets on the side of the board. It’s one of the most rigid and stable boards I’ve tried. With two removable fins and a rocker line which curves up and out of the water, I found it very easy to manoeuvre athigh speed through choppy waves.
As well as bungee straps, it has plenty of D-rings for securing extra kit such as a tent (up to a maximum rider weight of 110kg) and two built-in mounts for Go Pros, GPS or lights. The supplied backpack has wheels and the Titan II Sup Pump is double-action, like the Jobe’s above. You can choose either a powerful Hybrid Tough paddle or a light, fast Prime paddle.
Far better suited to beginner tourers than Red’s earlier 12ft 6in and 13ft 2in Voyager boards, this is the next step up from an all-rounder. If you’re ready for adventure, the Voyager 12 is dream to paddle.
4. Aquaplanet 9ft 4in Bolt Junior
Best inflatable paddle board for children, 9/10
We like: a board designed especially for children and teens
We don’t like: though a good board, the size means it’ll only suit kids for a limited number of years
- 28in width
- 9kg weight
- Comes with adjustable paddle, pump, leash, rucksack, dry bag, carry strap
This smaller paddle board weighs just 9kg and designed for younger paddlers, children and teens weighing up to 60kg. Two of my nieces, who are eight and eleven, and my nephew, who is thirteen, had much more fun with it than when trying to control a 10ft or larger board, especially when the sea was choppier and when paddling in surf.
Although I’m taller and heavier than them, I found I was also able to keep my balance – although it was less stable for me than a 10ft 6in,. The pointed shape of the nose and tail makes it easy to turn, so it’s a good investment for juniors who are building up their confidence.
I was impressed with the overall package for the price; as well as a rucksack, pump (because the board is smaller, I found it was also quicker to inflate than other boards), paddle and leash, it also comes with a mini dry bag for riders to keep their belongings safe and dry stored on the bungee straps at the front of the board, and a shoulder strap to help them carry it down to the water by themselves (it also has a central carry handle, so it gets top marks for portability).
The deck pad is grippy and it has two fixed fins and one removable, easy-to-slide in centre fin. It comes with a one year warranty, and overall, for the price, I was impressed with the quality, performance and rigidity. In either bright blue or coral, this is the choice for parents who want to encourage their children to join them on their SUP adventures.
5. iRocker All Around 11ft Ultra
Best runner-up all-rounder paddle board, 9/10
We like: an all-round paddle board with plenty of storage that can be converted into a kayak
We don’t like: the upper weight limit is only 132kg considering it converts to a kayak
- 32in width
- 9.7kg weight
- Comes with electric pump, leash, backpack, paddle
This one boasts plenty of cargo space, with bungee straps at the front and the back of the board. Handy if you want to take a cool bag or two for a picnic. They are removable, if you’d rather have extra space to move your feet up and down the board for turns, or for paddleboard yoga.
There are three accessory mounts for GoPros, fishing rod holders and lights and its six extra D-rings can be used to install iRocker’s kayak conversion kit, in case you fancy switching between stand up paddle boarding and kayaking. However the board takes a maximum weight of 132kg, so you might want to take your own weight into consideration when loading it up.
In terms of manoeuvrability and glide, I found it tracked straight when paddling and didn’t drag in the water thanks to the two slide-in fins, which are tethered to the board to prevent them from being lost. It’s stable enough for a beginner, and going for an 11’ rather than a 10’ board offers extra speed and glide.
Although it’s rigid when inflated and well-constructed with three layers of PVC, the 9.7kg board packs down into a compact square backpack with padded straps and plenty of pockets. The coiled ankle leash has a hidden pocket for storing keys, too.
One thing to note is that the iRocker comes with an electric pump only, for which you’ll need a 12V outlet. Still, it makes for faster inflation and deflation. With a three year warranty, this is a feature-packed paddle board to enjoy in a variety of conditions. Athough I’d say it’s best suited to a day’s river safari.
6. Aqua Marina Dhyana 11ft Fitness and Yoga SUP
Best for SUP yoga, 8/10
We like: this board is designed specifically for paddle board yoga, Pilates and fitness
We don’t like: the aluminium paddle sinks in water
- 35in width
- 10kg weight
- Comes with three-piece paddle, pump, backpack, leash, carry strap
SUP yoga and Pilates improve your strength and balance on the gently moving platform of a board, instead of a mat. Boards designed specifically for yoga tend to be wider, with a flat deck, larger volume and rounder nose for greater stability; a must when practising your plank or downward dog – or even headstands, if you’re really advanced. They’re not designed for nimble, manoeuvrable cruising.
The Aqua Marina Dhyana is 36 inches wide and, with a solid 296-litre volume, I found it super stable and perfect for practicing beginner moves and balance-training exercises. It would also suit more advanced paddle board yogis. The illustrated mandala design on the board not only looks the part but helped me to find my centre of balance. There is no middle handle to get in the way when doing yoga in the board; instead, the carry handles are either side.
The Dhyana package includes all the essentials you would expect of any other board including a leash, dry bag, double action pump and lightweight aluminium paddle and performs quite well as an all-round paddle board on flat water. It’s a cheaper choice than Red Paddle Co’s competing 10ft 8in Activ inflatable yoga paddle board (£1099).
Overall, I was impressed with the quality and design of Aqua Marina’s boards; they also do an 8ft 8in board with a narrow nose and squared tail designed specifically for SUP surfing (£299, decathlon.co.uk. This is a hybrid of paddle boarding and surfing which involves catching and riding waves while standing on the board with your paddle, rather than popping up on a traditional surf board.
Aqua Marina also make a star-shaped yoga platform (£729, sup.co.uk) which can be used to dock up to eight boards for group yoga lessons.
There are many different types of blow-up paddle boards, so as well as your ability-level it’s worth considering whether you’ll be paddling on flat water like lakes, touring long distances with lots of kit, racing or trying SUP yoga.
“Touring boards are longer, at upwards of 12 feet in length, and have a larger volume,” says paddle board coach Jo Taylor. “They’re intended for exploring and adventures where you can put lots of equipment on your board and take it with you on your journeys.
“Racing boards are long and narrow - designed for speed, they’re less stable, but glide through the water faster, with less drag. They’re great once you’ve gained confidence and experience.
“Tandem boards for two are a fun option on which you can take the whole family and a picnic on one board, but they’re too heavy to paddle on your own.”
Inflatable paddle board FAQ
What is the most stable paddle board?
A 10ft 6in or 10ft 8in length board with a width of 30 to 34 inches is generally the most popular size for beginners, and for the whole family to enjoy.
Is it OK to leave an inflatable paddle board inflated?
It’s best to rinse your board with fresh water and store it deflated in its bag in a cool place out of sunlight. However, it’s also fine to leave it inflated between uses - with a few caveats.
If the board gets too hot, the air inside can expand over the recommended pressure (PSI). So don’t leave it out in hot sun for too long: leave it docked in cool water or in shade. Air can also escape, so next time you use it, you might need to top up the pressure with your pump. “If you store it inflated, make sure you check the PSI before you take it out each time,” suggests Jo Taylor of Paddle Cabin.
Depending on the quality of the board, leaving it inflated might place pressure on glued seams. Also, if it’s not in a bag, it’s best to store it on a rack to ensure it stays clean and safe from mice. Although paddle boards are designed for the great outdoors, they should always be washed and protected from the elements when they’re stored, to ensure longevity. Sun, dirt and salt can damage the PVC material.
How long will an inflatable paddle board last?
A lightly used, well cared for and good quality board should last for five to ten years – or more if well cared for. Wash it between use, don’t leave it exposed to the sun for long periods, don’t drag it along the ground and be careful when paddling in shallow water across rocks and stones. Many paddle boards come with a repair kit for patching up minor punctures.
“If you buy a good board, it can last a lifetime,” says Taylor. “I still have my first board from Decathlon that I bought five years ago and it’s doing just fine. Make sure you check the warranty when you purchase. Technologies change over the years and older boards and paddles may feel heavier with less nifty features, but they’ll still have a good lifespan.”
How to stand up on an inflatable paddle board
“Once on the water, get comfortable kneeling and build your confidence rocking your board from side to side and moving around the board on your knees,” says Taylor. “Once you can effectively use your paddle while on your knees, you can give standing a go.
“Position your feet hip width apart either side of the handle in the centre of the board, look ahead (not down) and keep your knees soft and your core engaged. The sooner you start paddling, the more stable you will be, although that might feel scary at first.”
For more tips and to see it in action, check out this Youtube video. A qualified paddle boarding instructor will be able to offer further tips on the most effective paddle strokes and techniques. It’s worth booking yourself in for lessons to start with.
What you need to know about water safety
Water safety is an important consideration if you’re new to paddle boarding. It’s a good idea to book lessons with a qualified instructor and to stick to safe, sheltered and non-tidal spots to begin with. Organisations like the Water Skills Academy, the British SUP Association and British Canoeing offer great SUP safety courses for beginners. Here are some tips to consider.
- Always take into account the effect currents, tides, wind and river flow can have on paddling conditions. It may be a lot harder to paddle back to shore or to your intended destination. Avoid paddling in offshore winds (those blowing away from the land), and check local weather conditions, forecast and tide times. You should also check for local rip currents and submerged rocks. “It’s a good idea to paddle against the wind and against the flow for the first half of your paddle so you know you can get always get back,” suggests Jo Taylor. “Learn what wind speeds are in your comfort zone and learn your local spots as some places are more sheltered than others from the wind.”
- Maintaining contact with your board is vital, so always wear your leash. This is also important for the safety of others, especially in the surf where a loose board can easily collide with other water users.
- “Wear a buoyancy aid or an airbelt personal floatation device (PFD) when you paddle,” says Taylor. “It is like wearing a seat belt in your car, you don’t expect to need it, but you wear it just in case.”
- Avoid paddling alone, and take a method of contacting people should you need help (for example, a whistle for attracting attention from fellow water users or a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch). A head torch might be wise if paddling towards evening.
- “Always tell someone where you are going, when you will be back and take a phone with full battery in a waterproof case. Apps like Paddle Logger and Geo SUP can make this super easy,” suggests Taylor.
- “Make sure you practice getting back on your board by yourself (self rescues) in case you fall in, and dress appropriately for the water temperature, not the air temperature, “ says Taylor. “Think neoprene leggings, tops, boots, hats, gloves. In the winter, wetsuits or drysuits will keep you warm and protected.” A wetsuit or a drysuit will help you avoid the risk of hypothermia or cold water shock should you be unexpectedly plunged into cold water. Always take sunscreen and a hat if it’s hot.
- Choose the appropriate leash for conditions you’re paddling in - either an ankle leash or a quick release waist belt. A quick release waist belt is sometimes better suited to situations where there’s risk of entanglement with objects, since you might not be able to reach your ankle in a dangerous situation.
- Make sure you have a waterways licence to paddle on inland waters. You can buy this through British Canoeing with their ‘On the Water’ membership.
