The Essential Inflatable Paddle Board Buyers Guide
People of all ages have grown to love paddle boarding in the recent years. As the water sport has increased in popularity, more and more brands and models of paddle boards have started hitting the market. There are now multiple brands, models and features to consider when shopping for a paddle board which can honestly make the shopping process a tad overwhelming. But, that’s where we come in! Our buyers guide hopes to provide you with the perfect amount of knowledge and preparation so that you can begin your shopping journey on the right foot!
Why do you want a new paddle board?
At first glance this may seem like a ridiculous question, but believe it or not, this is one of the most important questions to ask yourself before you head out on your shopping journey. Understanding the reason you want a paddle board will help narrow down your choices to one that fits your specific needs. For instance, if you plan to paddle board several times a week, it would be significantly more important for you to opt for a higher quality, more durable model than if you were to be a more casual paddle boarder.
Board types
There isn’t just one type of paddle board, there are actually various board types which can complicate the shopping process even further. Some board types are more versatile while others are designed specifically for surfing or traveling longer distances. We will not dive into the details of each type of board as that is beyond the scope of our buyers guide, however, we strongly recommend you research each board type individually before you begin shopping.
Some of the most popular paddle board types include: Touring Boards, Surfing Boards and All-Around Boards.
Brand name
When shopping for your brand new inflatable paddle board it is absolutely essential to consider the brand you are purchasing. Reputable, big-name brand names provide an extra layer of assurance that the product you are buying is safe, durable and reliable.
Opting for cheaper, lesser known options is highly discouraged as they tend to come with a plethora of potential pitfalls making them not worth your investment.
Lesser known brands typically have significantly less customer reviews making it difficult to gauge the quality. This leaves you with uncertainty regarding longevity and overall performance. Cheaper brands also tend to not have the same kind of warranties that can protect the buyer in the case of product defects.
Some of the most reliable brands of inflatable paddle boards include:
Earth River SUP, Jobe Sports, Riviera Paddlesurf, Red Paddle Co, JP Australia, Infinity SUP, Fanatic, Yolo Board, Hala Gear, Tower Paddle Boards, SUP ATX, BOTE, Boardworks, Naish and Starboard.
Budget
Another important factor we will focus on before you head out shopping for your new inflatable paddle board is budget. Setting a budget for yourself beforehand helps narrow down your options massively. This immediately reduces your overall amount of choices making it much easier to make a selection.
Inflatable paddle boards can vary widely in price, so if you do not set limits for yourself ahead of time, you can find yourself entertaining too many options, making the whole experience overwhelming.
Other considerations
In this section we will mention some other considerations you should make before you begin the shopping process. We will not discuss each factor in depth as that is beyond the scope of our buyers guide, however we strongly encourage you to research each of these factors individually to ensure that the paddle board you plan to buy matches your needs.
Some important considerations include: Board size, board material, fin setup, pump, storage options, D-Rings, Bungee Cords and overall style.
Final thoughts
We understand that searching for a brand new inflatable paddle board can be a tedious task. There are countless brands, models and features making it difficult to hone in on which one is perfect for you and your specific needs.
We hope you ask yourself why you need a new inflatable paddle board in the first place as well as take into account the brand and the importance of sticking to quality names.
Remember to also evaluate your specific needs and if you are how often you plan to use your paddle board. If you plan to use it daily, you certainly should opt for higher quality, more durable brands.
Do not forget to also set a budget for yourself before heading out shopping! It will simplify the shopping process massively.
Following our buyers guide will direct you with just the right amount of education and preparation to find the perfect paddle board for you!
We have also went out of our way to create a comprehensive list of Our Best Rated Top Tier Inflatable Paddle Boards.
We took into consideration all the factors we discussed in our buyers guide so that our readers can get the biggest bang for their buck!
Happy Shopping!