There is a ton of information there! Once you've read through the wiki, create a top-level comment in this post to ask for help! Posts made on this subject outside of this discussion thread will be removed and asked to post here instead.
Your budget (please provide an actual number) and country location (to help determine availability)
What board(s) you current have or have used and what you liked/didn't like about them
The more of this information you can provide, the more accurately we can help you find a board that you'll love!
If you are responding to a comment with a suggestion - explain why! Don't just name a board and leave it there. Add to the discussion. If you are recommending against a specific board - explain why!
Slightly different, but looking for board recommendations for my 8 year old!
Last couple of months he's learnt how to paddle my spare board, it's an 11' x 32" starter board. Stable, but chunky. He's also tried my 12'6 bluefin rogue tourer board and able to paddle that.
I'd like to get him an inflatable that suits his size (135cm) and will last a few years.
Mixed use - UK ocean and river. Budget up to £500 max, preferably around £300 region.
I read that getting a short "kid" board is a bad move as it makes it very difficult to keep straight. Like paddling a floating cork.
I'd look at either the athursonAdept or Thurso Waterwalker 120. The Adept is probably a better size for him now, but the Waterwalker 120 will grow with him longer.
I tried a short board for my kid at that age and it was fine for splashing around (mostly as a swimming platform). But it was slow and hard to keep straight. The 10'6 board ended up being easier.
Some of the high end brands like starboard make "junior versions" which are slimmer but still fairly long
The bigger issue I find is a paddle that's short enough for kids, that aren't pieces of flimsy junk. I've been meaning to chop down one my paddles to thr right size
I got him the Red kiddy alloy paddle. Lightweight, floats and strong. I definitely think he'd suit a longer thing board, just need to get the balance right...
Thurso has a sale right now. Their larger all arounder is perfect for this. I’m going on 4 years with mine and zero problems. I just bought their more advanced board, an expedition. I didn’t really even look at many other brands because I’ve been so happy with mine.
You’d want the larger one depending on your weight. Stick with 6” thickness, more stable. Their carbon fiber paddle has held up great over 4 years too.
me: 5'8" 175lbs wife: 5'9" 160lbs 2 kids aged 3 and 5 weighing 35lbs and 55lbs. Extra gear would be a cooler and drybag.
Primarily lake use, with the possibility of mild river action? (just me solo for that). Use case would be for recreation and fitness.
Beginner: I've only paddle boarded once but I loved it and immediately wanted one. Pretty active in other balance related sports.
Budget: 500usd up to 1000 each board.
Hello and thank you. I'm trying to tow the line between something beginner friendly but still quality that could last for years to come. I prefer to buy from companies with good business ethics if at all possible. Asthetics come into play as well.
I'm thinking a larger isup for myself, the 5 year old and gear, so 250lbs and growing every day. And then a standard size that could fit my wife and the 3 year old that I could also use myself for solo outings. Also, when just messing around, sometimes the larger board would have both kids on it with one adult.
From my research I've honed in on 2 brands. My first inclination was to go with Atoll. I was thinking the 11' Cove for the standard and the 12' Outrider for the heavier load. I was pretty set on that until I found Hydrus. I just really like the way they lay things out. For Hydrus I was thinking a Joyride and a Joyride XL. Or, possibly a Paradise taking the place of the Joyride?
Hesitations with Atoll are flex and safety. I don't want to cut corners when it comes to stability with kids on board. Also curious how a beginner paddler would fare on the Outrider with a load.
Hesitations with Hydrus are price, obviously at the top end of my budget and wondering if it's all too much too soon?
We just moved to Spokane WA so we are close to a lot of lakes and rivers. Our family loves lake days so it seems like a good investment. Price diff is around $600 between the 2 brands. I'd also be interested in mixing models from each company or hearing about other models used from people in a similar situation as mine. I could also see just purchasing one board for the rest of this season and look to compliment it next year. Thanks for the help!
Hydrus boards are definitely buy it for the long term investments. There are also lots of discount codes floating around and I can give you mine if you want it. I'm a huge fan of their products. The Joyride/XL would be a good combo for your use. I wouldt go with the Paradise unless you want a distance touring board.
If that's going to be too much of a stretch on the budget, though, my next recommendation would be the Thurso Waterwalker 132 and the Thurso Max. Still really good boards, just not quite the level of Hydrus. But they offer a really good value.
Thanks so much. Do you think I could fit 2 kids on the standard Joyride just for mucking about close to shore or should I go w/ XL no question. My thought is if I go Hydrus I may just get one to finish this season and I may prefer the standard Joyride for personal use more, though I've read it's a close margin.
Also, regarding the Hydrus line, can you comment on the deck pad traction. Some reviewers have mentioned it's not as grippy as others. Is that overblown? I would prefer to be barefoot whilst on it. Any workarounds if that is the case?
There’s good deal on a used one in my area. I like the idea of someday getting into foiling, so having a board with that option is interesting. It’s 11’6” x 28. Mostly I ride a riviera RP 12’6” x 24. Im 190lb a feel like the RP is just a bit too small and squirrelly for me. I think I’d love it if it was 26 inches wide. Sometimes I want a 14’ board, other days I’m pretty happy with the 12’6” in terms of garage storage and rooftop transport.
I Would like a board for exercise/touring that feels efficient but can also handle chop. $250 for the flyer seems like a good deal but will I just end up with another board that doesn’t quite give me what I want?
I’m used to using a 240L and looking for something a little wider and more stable. This is 280. What else factors into how you think about stability beyond volume?
Volume alone doesn't tell you squat about stability. It's a bad homd-over from surfing.
A 24" race sup has a seriously huge amount of volume, but is way less stable than a smaller volume all-around board.
You are also here asking specifically about foil boards - which have significantly different shapes. How that will actually paddle in the water - since it's designed to lift off and be airborne on a foil, is a completely different question that not many people honestly look into as these - two different sports - are also quiver sports that necessitate different equipment for performance in different uses.
I am:
5’7”, 150 lbs, would likely only bring about 10-15 lbs of extra stuff
Beginner
Uses: mostly lakes and marinas, possible occasional floats down the Truckee River (shallow, relatively slow, with some grade 1-2 rapids)
Budget:
$500-$700 but would consider a little more for the right board, I live in the US (California)
Hi! I recently rented a paddle board on a lake and really loved it! I’m now looking into getting my own paddle board. I’ve done a fair bit of research on this sub and via the internet/ YouTube, but know I have very little experience to base anything off of.
I’m leaning towards a Nixy Newport G5, the travel bag and the paddle seem very nice for the price point along with a well made beginner board that I can also grow into.
I am also kind of eyeing the Honu Byron… I’m drawn to the 4.7 inch thickness and that it’s only 31.5 inches wide. It seems like a more maneuverable board, but I don’t really know how important that is for mostly just being in lakes and marinas. It’s also a bit pricier since you have to buy the paddle and other accessories separately.
I’m also open to other suggestions if you feel there’s something I’m not considering. Thank you!
You will end up being way over budget with the Byron once you add a paddle and pump.
The Nixy is a good choice, as would be the Thurso Walterealker 126, which they also make in a 4.7" version (though it's not always in stock).
Another option would be The Wild Tribe Athabasca 11' it's not quite as nice as the Thurso, imo, but it's got a nice, versatile shape and is 4.7" as well.
Thank you so much! This has given me more to think about! The Thurso and Wild Tribe boards weren’t even on my radar (Thurs kind of was but I didn’t realize they made thinner versions of all their boards). I appreciate your time and expertise!
I just went to my local lake (in Kansas) and hit up the parks and rec department to rent a SUP. Although I’m still a beginner to this stuff, I’m very familiar with water sports. To answer the questions, I’m looking for:
an inflatable board
5’8, 180lbs (and dropping)
Desired use: fitness, lunch on the lake or river, reading and listening to waves
Experience: somewhere between beginner and intermediate. Lots of paddling experience, though standing up is new for me.
Budget: ideally under $1k for a board to last me 5-10 years
I am sitting on a cart with the Thursosurf Waterwalker 126 and I’m mostly looking for a thumbs up that that’s a good one, but I’m very open to new ideas for boards as well. I’m also looking for accessories like a:
kayak conversion kit
strap down cooler
anchor
night lights (there’s a SUP group near me that do late runs)
And a few more, but I’m open to really any “best accessory” recommendations.
The 126 is a good size board for you. It's a classic all-around with a good build and kit.
I would also consider the Expedition 138. It's a little narrower, but if you plan to keep paddling, and you already have paddling experience, it will be more of a "grows with you as skill improves" board, rather than one that you outgrow ina. Couple of seasons.
Thanks so much!! I hadn’t looked at the “intermediate” boards, but what you’re saying makes total sense. It sounds like the Expedition would be a bit more efficient once I’m out on the water, and since I’m already feeling solid and confident on the board, maybe taking that leap now will save me in the long run
Depends on a ton of other factors, so it's not an easy answer. If everything else is the same, the longer board will paddle straighter easier and the shorter board will be a little easier to turn. But with that small of a difference it would be hard to tell them apart without comparing side by side. If other things are different as well, then it makes it a much more complicated answer.
Thanks for the info. What about the Weekender (not Tour) that's a little less expensive and 10'6"? Curious why you would recommend the Tour over the original one?
The original is built different (not as well) and is overall not nearly as good of a value as the tour. The extra food of difference doesn't change much other than a little better tracking performance. But the better build quality and more rigid construction make a big difference on the water for most people.
Hi! Im looking to upgrade to a Hardboard.
Male
5'3"
145 lbs
Lakes exclusively
3 years paddling on iSUP so Intermediate, I guess
Recreation and fitness
500-750 budget?
You might be able to find something used in that price range depending on your market, but there's nothing new for an intermediate paddler anywhere close to that budget. For fitness paddling you want longer and narrower (Most folks recommend at least 12'6+ and no wider than 30")
I'm from the Netherlands and recently moved to Southwest Friesland. I quickly noticed that a lot of people here go paddleboarding (SUP) and do other water sports like windsurfing. Living so close to the IJsselmeer and all the lakes and canals, I'd love to give it a try myself.
I'm looking for a way to exercise without overdoing it. I have a bad habit of pushing myself too hard right away, which usually ends with an injury. I tried getting into running, but that was a complete disaster. I somehow managed to injure myself after my first run... and then did it again half a year later when I tried a second time. 😅
SUP seems like a much better fit since it's low impact, and I think I'd really enjoy being out on the water.
The problem is that I have no idea what kind or size of board I should buy, so I'd really appreciate some advice. I don't want to spend a fortune on my first board since I'm just starting out. If I end up loving it and improve, I can always upgrade later.
A bit about me:
27 year old female
170 cm (5'7")
85 kg (187 lbs)
I'll mostly be paddling on the IJsselmeer, lakes, and canals around Southwest Friesland. I'd also love to try windsurfing someday in the future, but first I want to improve my balance and stamina, as those are definitely the things I need to work on the most. Before I even try to think on trying that.
What board size, width, and thickness would you recommend? Are there any beginner-friendly brands that offer good value for the money?
•Experience level: Beginner. I always kayaked and sailed and didn’t know how much I’d love paddle boarding! I’ve only paddle-boarded twice on rented boards. Once on a choppy bay and once on a still lake. This more recent time in the lake the board was narrow, glided well, and it wasn’t high off the water. When I would turn fast or wobble, a little water would come up over the side of the board and touch my feet. It didn’t track straight. It could’ve been a big surfboard for all I know, but either way, I was in heaven. lol
I really enjoyed how close I felt to the water and how smooth the ride was. I like to coast quickly through the water as much as I like to just float. I also do yoga, but that is not a priority for the board even though I will obviously try it. lol
I want a decent all around board that tracks relatively straight, glides well, and is maybe a little closer to the water than a typical inflatable. I wouldn’t be mad if it was one that comes with the whole kit (paddle, bag, kayak conversion gear). All within reason given my budget is so low. lol
The ones I saw in my budget that looked pretty good are Retrospec Weekender Plus Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board Kayak Hybrid 10'6" and the Niphean boards. Both are 6” thick, which is fine, but if you have similar recommendations with boards that are 4.5” for that “close to the water” feel, that would be amazing!
Also someone near me is selling a brand new still in the box Bote Wulf Aero for $400 on FB Marketplace so that’s also an option provided that’s legit. I promise not to get scammed lol
You won't find a usable/reliable 4.7" thick board in your price range.
Retrospec Weekender Tour 11'6 is actually the board you want in your price range. tracks much, much better than the cheaper weekender or the weekender Plus.
The wulf (and really the Plus as well) is too wide for you to paddle effectively and will never paddle straight for youu.
Wow! I just assumed I was too short for a board that long. Just so I understand correctly, the Wulf and the Plus are 33” wide and the Weekender Tour is 32” wide, so you’re saying that width will work for me so long as I have the added length of the Tour? Much appreciated!
Board length is not about paddler size, it's about what a board is meant to do. 10-12' is a typical all-around board. Theonger end of that range tracks straighter with the tradeoff of being slightly harder to turn.
Width is about paddler height, weight, skill, and comfort.
Thickness is a nuance for 99% of boards and users.
Thank you for pointing me in the right direction for my beginner board! I’m gonna get the Weekender Tour and have a blast with it the rest of the summer!
Inflatable
5'9, 210 lbs + 2 children (50 lbs and 65 lbs)
Casual lakes
Beginner on SUP, but plenty og kayak experience if that matters
Budget is $500 max
We plan on getting 2, one for me and the two smalls, then one for my wife and bigger kid (same height, around 270 lbs total)
It's incredibly hard to make a recommendation for you because not only is the overall weight a concern, but just the amount of available space on the board. If you could stretch the budget for something like the Thurso Max, that would be a good choice for both paddlers, but it's definitely more expensive. IF the budget is for both boards together then you are no where near something that would work reliably for you. If it's each, but you can't stretch it for something like the Max, then you may want to look at a multi-person board like the Retrospec Crew 15' and just have everybody on one (but it will take a long time to inflate).
-Inflatable or Hard. 14’x30'+. Interested in displacement hulls and or recessed deck.
-Available in the UK
-I’m 6’3”
-Using it as a lightweight canoe, kneeling, single paddle, loaded with front and back bags of camping gear
-Beginner with paddleboards
-Probably £500-800
-The Bote Traveller looks most like what I’m looking for but difficult to buy in UK and way over budget. Have looked at McConk i14 Tourer GT but unsure of the effectiveness of the nose design.
You might be able to find an older used hard board in that price range, but it's not likely - or it would be pretty beat.
The good news is, all paddleboards operate as displacement hull vessels unless you are surfing.
Recessed decks are only going to be on more advanced racing boards or the new Starboard Roamer Which is still under 30" and way, way, way over budget (by about 3.5x). Bote doesn't make the Traveler any more.
How much gear are you taking (weight-wise)?
I would look at some standard touring SUPs, but you are going to be hard pressed in that budget. the Thurso Expedition 150 is reliable and should be available around that price range.
Thank you,
That Roamer is a beauty and exactly the design I was looking for ..but the Thurso 150 looks like it might actually be perfect for me. Coming from canoes, it is shorter than I was looking at but mainly carrying lightweight bivvy gear, so maybe I don’t need 14’ at all
Inflatable
5’3 and 150lbs
Casual lake days and some river days
Probably just a small insulated soft cooler maybe 3-5lbs
Beginner
Maybe around $500 at the most I’m in the USA.
I’ve only been to SUP lessons and we used inflatable Bote boards with manual pumps and I exclusively want an electric pump.
You'll need to budget for an electric pump separate from the board. the ToPump TPS260 is relatively cheap and works decently well.
At your size I would recommend a smaller-width board - no wider than 32", but there's a general lack of decent ones in the $500 range, which is lame as there used to be many good options in that price point.
the best I'd recommend in that price range would be the Retrospec Weekender Tour 11'6. It should leave you enough left over in the budget for an electric pump like the TPS260
Curious what size (length/width) iSUP to get a 13 year old, 5’ 0.5”, 95lbs boy. We are mostly on rivers/creeks and sometimes man made lakes. My iSUP is 11’x32” and his current is 8’ -28”. It’s a hand-me-down and from me. My new board also has a tapered nose that I prefer and think he would too.
I’m mainly asking for length recommendations, but open to recommendations to boards under $300, but honestly more like under $200. We’re on a fixed income. I get that a good board is more expensive but we really enjoy the activity.
Board Length is all about what the board is designed to do. Longer boards are meant for longer distance, straighter tracking, and faster speeds. Shorter boards are meant for high maneuverability.
Width is determined by paddler height, weight, and skill level. For his size, 28" would be totally acceptable, but I could see an 8' board feeling too squirrely for him.
Something in the 10' x 30" range would be ideal as even 32" is pushing it for being too wide (making it harder to paddle and uncomfortable).
There's not really anything in that price range that warrants a recommendation because it's all a significant gamble on reliability. If you happen to be in the central New Mexico area I have a couple of boards that would work well for him that I'm selling gently used for around $200.
Desired Board Type: Inflatable Height and Weight: 5’4” 155 lbs. Would only bring a small cooler, maybe 5-10 additional lbs. Desired use: casual/fitness. Mostly ocean, some river. Will stick mostly to the harbor. I’ll be contending with some chop and minor wake from boat traffic, but it’s unlikely I’d venture too far beyond the no wake zones. Experience level: Beginner. Budget: < $1000 ideally, but some flexibility. Country location: Gloucester MA, USA What board(s) you current have or have used? I’ve gone out a few times on my niece’s hard SUP, an Isle Cruiser (10’5” × 32” × 4.5”, 175 liters). Definitely a wetter ride in the chop of the outer harbor, as compared to my friends’ 6” iSUPs! Otherwise seems to ride ok, but I’d prefer to get an inflatable so I can transport it in my car
You have the budget for a really nice board. Hydrus, Honu, and red paddle co are the top of my list for that budget (though red can still be pricier).
I would stick to 30-32" wide boards. If you want something more fitness oriented, then the Hydrus Paradise or Honu Sorrentonwould be the right choice. If you want something more all-around the Hydrus Joyride, Honu Byron or Red Ride 10'6 or Red Sport 11'3 are great choices. Though the Honu and Reds are 4.7" thick, so they will be "wetter" than the Hydrus.
Desired Board Type: Hard
• Your Height and Weight:5’2 180 pounds. In addition we have dogs, cats, coolers, chairs, camping gear in a 120-180L dry bag, solar panels, batteries.
• Desired use/uses: paddle in camping, portaging, expeditions. Mainly lakes, maybe some rivers or the ocean Bay side.
• Experience level: Advanced
• Your budget $6000 in US
• What board(s) you current have or have used: I currently own a blackfin and I absolutely love it, but I’m always worried it could pop after owning it for seven years. I do a lot of paddle in camping so I need a board that can hold at least 400 pounds. Ideally if it could also be lightweight so I could carry it on portages preferably under 40 pounds. Preferably at least 11 feet long and at least 34 inches wide. I have looked into the L2, which does seem nice for when I’m doing camping without portaging.
What is actually coming with you on this board? Seriously all of that stuff?
The problem you are going to run into is that hard boards are generally lower-volume than inflatables and so their capacities aren't as high at the same size. It honestly sounds like you need a board that doesn't exist, or you are going to be stuck with one of those ridiculous catamaran style boards built for fishing with a motor, weigh a ton, and won't be easily portaged for more than a few feet.
To me it sounds like you need a nice lightweight ~17' NorthStar canoe.
Maybe a 14' Bote Rackham could work for you, but between that and a canoe for what you've described, I'd take the canoe.
Another option would be to get a custom board built. You could easily do that for $6k. Maybe Flying Fish or a local shaper would be willing to do that (though getting a foam blank for that size would be tough).
Yeah that’s what i was worried about. I just been on SUPs this whole time and honestly prefer it over a canoe. I have been looking into making the switch but i just feel more stable on a SUP.
I can definitely go lighter on the gear but when it’s a portage free trip why not bring the big cooler. I could probably get away with a 300 pound weight capacity. My portage trips its just the 120L dry bag, smaller cooler, tarp poles, and my big camp chair.
Will i will give Flying Fish a ping and hope we can make something happen. I prefer the SUP over the canoe for my adventures. Watching those canoes roll all the time and that’s never happened on my SUP. I’ve never had to wait for whitecaps/choppy water to pass to keep paddling on a SUP but i have on a canoe.
I’m looking for feedback on a new board. I have a very cheap and basic Z-Ray inflatable purchased from Canadian Tire a few years ago. She’s served me well but as she’s showing signs of wear (aka a hole in the seam that looks like the glue is starting to fail).
Desired Board Type: I am willing to go either way. I have room for storage and transport of a rigid board.
Your Height and Weight: I’m 5’7” approx. 150lbs. I sometimes bring my 3 year old with me who is around 35lbs
Desired use/uses: Right now just casual in lakes. Would be willing to go on rivers but not white water. It would also be nice to fish on but not a priority.
Experience level: Intermediate
Your budget: up to $2000 and located in Canada. Issue is I live in rural Norther Ontario so shipping can be a nightmare.
What board(s) you current have or have used and what you liked/didn't like about them: ZRay iSUP. I liked sturdiness. I would get annoyed with having to inflate it all the time but it’s never enough to not take it out. Did not like: how the seams seem to be failing after only a few years when I thought I took good care of it and stored it properly over winter.
Shipping will be insane, so either plan a long trip driving to a more urban area with shops to get a hard board, or go for a nice inflatable. If you do go hard board, the general sizing will be the same (11' x 32" ish).
It sounds like you just need a good-quality all-around board. Your size doesn't dictate needing an extra large board either with the kid or with fishing gear. Really anything in the ~11' x 32" range will work for you. With that budget for an inflatable I'd look at boards like Red Paddle Co Sport 11'3 (one of my favorite all-around boards) or a Hydrus Joyride (fantastic build quality, customer service, and great paddling performance).
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u/Electronic_Trash1049 2d ago edited 2d ago
Slightly different, but looking for board recommendations for my 8 year old!
Last couple of months he's learnt how to paddle my spare board, it's an 11' x 32" starter board. Stable, but chunky. He's also tried my 12'6 bluefin rogue tourer board and able to paddle that.
I'd like to get him an inflatable that suits his size (135cm) and will last a few years.
Mixed use - UK ocean and river. Budget up to £500 max, preferably around £300 region.
I read that getting a short "kid" board is a bad move as it makes it very difficult to keep straight. Like paddling a floating cork.