Best Inflatable Standup Paddleboards 2023

After personally paddling, weighing, and thoroughly testing 200+ boards, our expert staff has selected the best inflatable stand up paddle board 2023 models. These are designated by the "A" grade and organized by categories (inflatable, all-around, touring, etc). In its 7th year the Supconnect team spent countless hours individually assessing each one of the SUP boards below, counting a total of 23 metrics per board and consistently applying them across all products. The end result: simply the most comprehensive, consumer-friendly, value-added review platform in the stand up paddle world. Click through each one of the reviews and find a consistent, in-depth assessment of each product listed.

Quick Answer:

The Best Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Boards 2023

• Pau Hana Solo SUP Backcountry
• Blackfin Model X
• Jobe Yarra Elite
• Body Glove Performer
• Aqua Marina Hyper
• ISLE Switch

 

 

 A Comparison

The Best Inflatable Paddle Boards 2023

 

Picture	Board	Weight	Price	Use	Skill	Build	Width
	Pau Hana Solo SUP Backcountry	16.5 lbs	$1,249	Touring	Intermediate	Inflatable	30 inches
	Blackfin Model X	26.15 lbs	$749	All Around	Beginner	Inflatable	35 inches
	Jobe Yarra Elite	23.2 lbs	$1,099.99	All Around	Beginner	Inflatable	32 inches
	Body Glove Performer	23.3 lbs	$999	All Around	Beginner	Inflatable	34 inches
	Aqua Marina Hyper	27.5 lbs	$869	Touring	Beginner	Inflatable	32 inches
	ISLE Switch	21.11 lbs	$995	All Around	Beginner	Inflatable	35.5 inches

 

Inflatable Paddle Boards 101

3 Things to Consider to Find the Best Inflatable SUP

 

1. BUILD

Inflatable paddle boards usually fall into 1 of 3 categories of construction: Single Layer, Double Layer, and Double Layer with reinforced rails.

Least Rigid: Single Layer construction is exactly how it sounds: it’s a single layer. Advantages of the single layer construction are that it is lightweight and easy to carry. Disadvantages of this construction are that it is not very durable and also it becomes very flexible, which is not ideal for an inflatable.

More Rigid: Double Layer construction is the next step above the single layer and adds an extra layer of reinforcement allowing for the board to not only be more durable but also more rigid and stiff. As expected, adding the extra layer does help with rigidity and durability but it causes the board to be heavier which is an obvious disadvantage. This construction is the standard used in the SUP industry and most boards are built with the double layer.

Most Rigid: Double Layer with reinforced rails are the best quality inflatable paddle boards on the market. The added reinforced rails help keep the board really stiff and also give the board better durability. Added material means more weight so the reinforced rails are adding weight to the board which is the only bummer.

2. USE

The beauty of stand up paddle boarding (SUP) is that there are so many ways and situations where you can participate. Here at Supconnect we break down the different uses of a paddle board into 7 categories: All Around, Touring, Yoga, Fishing, Race, Surf and River. Each category has their own specific purpose and thus, a different shape/design is necessary for each. There are boards that fit into multiple SUP disciplines and can be used in a variety of ways. A brief breakdown of each category is as follows:

• All Around: For multiple purposes but primarily for recreation
• Touring: For cruising paddles beyond the shoreline and for expedition paddling
• Yoga: For optimal stability as a floating yoga mat
• Fishing: For stability to cast the line, with plenty of accessories
• Race: For speed, coming with lightweight build
• Surf: For maneuverability and wave handling
• River: For rapids, river eddies and river wave riding

3. ADD ONS

Add-on’s are accessories for a paddle board that add to your experience on/off the water. The quality of the bag/backpack and the air pump tend to be directly related to the board’s price points. Aside from your paddle, bags and pumps are the most important add-on’s to your board and can drastically improve your overall experience with the board, such as helping you more easily carry the board and/or pump it up more quickly. Other popular add on’s include bungee cords, a minimalist way to haul things; Connexsup, which allows for all sorts of attachments, even fishing rods; and FCS II/Connect, for easy fin instal. Other add on’s could be upgraded handles like the Liftsup & EZgrab and paddle holders for when you aren’t using your paddle.

 

Best Inflatable Paddle Board Reviews

 

PAU HANA SOLO SUP BACKCOUNTRY

Pau Hana first introduced this board a couple of years ago so this review is long overdue but well worth the wait. If we could sum up this review to one word it would be: impressed. Where do we even begin? Let’s start with the packaging. The box itself was really nice and had graphics on it vs a blank cardboard box that we see a lot of boards come in. Next, the bag that the board sits in isn’t what you would typically expect, i.e. a zippered backpack. Instead the bag the board fits in is actually a drybag! This is a really nice touch and really supports the design intent of taking this board out in the wild on an adventure. The paddle also has it's nice unique little bag that keeps the paddle sections neatly organized when it's not put together. Another touch of thoughtfulness that didn't go unnoticed here. Even the pump is unique in that it is more compact in size than the industry standard, helping to keep the overall package nice and lightweight for your adventuring. And, we’d be remiss to mention that this package comes with everything you need. Board, bag, paddle, pump, leash, repair kit, accessory bag and fins. That’s a lot of value for the price of this package. The branding throughout everything, the thoughtfulness and uniqueness of the package and materials - it really stands out as a different type of paddle board. Well-deserving of the Supconnect A-Grade.

See our full review HERE.

 

Price: $1,249	Build: Inflatable	Weight: 16.5 lbs
Use: Touring	Skill: Intermediate	Sizes: 10'10"

 

 

BLACKFIN MODEL X

If a very stable, all around inflatable that can also be used for SUP fishing is something you’re looking for, the Blackfin Model X is a must-see. The Model X is a really affordable option and great for both beginners and experienced paddlers alike. This board comes a la carte, meaning it only comes with the board, fins and repair kit. So, if you have all the other necessities like a paddle, pump and leash, this might be a good option when all you’re looking for is the board itself. However, if you need a complete package, those other items are all add ons. The starting price for the Model X is at $749.99 which puts it in the mid-tier market in terms of affordability.

See our full review HERE.

Price: $749	Build: Inflatable	Weight: 26.15 lbs
Use: All Around	Skill: Beginner	Sizes: 10'6"

 

 

BODY GLOVE PERFORMER

The new 2023 Performer from Body Glove has a fresh look once again but the differences aesthetically from last year to this year are pretty subtle. The biggest difference is in the deckpad, paddle and bag. The rail of the board also uses a lighter, brighter blue. Design-wise, there’s a big update in the fin system. Before, the board had 3 built-in fins. This year though, the board has one removable center fin which is a great update and allows the board to pack down smaller and lightens up the overall weight. Another difference from last year is what’s included in the package is slightly different. The 2023 package includes their new Connect System which allows you to connect multiple boards together which is quite cool. Not included this year is the manual pump, only the electric one. This also makes the overall package a smaller one which is nice. Once again, the branding and package as a whole was next level. Another small but powerful detail is the way the board is packaged. The board uses paper instead of plastic for the packaging and has small ties for smaller items. They also plant a tree for every board sold. Love that!!

See our full review HERE.

 

Price: $999	Build: Inflatable	Weight: 23.3 lbs
Use: All Around	Skill: Beginner	Sizes: 11'

 

 

AQUA MARINA HYPER

Aside from the bold colors used in the design, the double chamber on the Hyper immediately grabbed our attention. This double chamber is a huge value add. Not only does it add an additional layer of safety by adding up to 48 liters of safety floatation but it also helps the rigidity of the board. Win-win. Another noticeable feature is the hydrodynamic rail edges (REC Edge™) incorporated here. One of the trade offs of having an inflatable is that you lose the ability to really shape the board for performance in the water and one of the features that you lose is the ability to have an edge on the rails, which helps the board normally get a, what's called a bite or a hold, like an edge and track in the water. But with these rail edges, this is an attempt to add a bit of an edge to the tail of the board to help the water flow better, like you would see on a composite board. Very thoughtful touch!! The board features a number of bells and whistles that are great additions. The bungees on both the nose and tail of the board are great for storing gear but they’re also unique in that they’re flat instead of the cord shape which is a nice touch. The board was really manageable when carrying to the water and is at an average weight for an inflatable of this size. Wasn’t lightweight but not overly heavy either. On the water, the board felt very stable despite it being narrower than the standard 32”+ that typically make a board stable. The dual chamber very likely has helped on that front, not to mention the added safety that it brings. Overall, this board would be a good transition board from all around to touring as it's still pretty stable and good for a more novice paddler. Even though this board doesn’t come as a complete package (paddle not included) what it does feature was really impressive and deserving of Supconnect’s A-Grade.

See our full review HERE.

Price: $869	Build: Inflatable	Weight: 27.5 lbs
Use: Touring	Skill: Beginner	Sizes: 11'6", 12'6"

 

 

ISLE SWITCH

Graphically, the Switch features a very simple colorway and isn’t very flashy. Where the flash comes in is with all the features and add on’s that are included in the package. First, the board has a bungee on both the nose and tail of the board. It also has straps on the nose and tail in addition to its center handle which makes the board easy to carry if you have a second person assisting you to the water. Then, you have a paddle holder on the rail of the board which is a really nice feature, especially if you’re using it for SUP Yoga, fishing or kayaking when you want to set aside the paddle for a little bit. Another interesting feature is the use of the ‘ISLE Link’ system. Essentially, this system replaces what many other boards use: D rings, for attachment points. Instead, the ISLE Link system is a series of attached fabric loop holes on both sides of the deck near the rails that you can use as anchor systems to attach accessories to your SUP. This allows you to really customize the placement and gives you a lot more control. Nice touch for sure. By just looking at it you can see that the Switch is a really stable board. Putting the board on the water confirmed that assumption and it was very easy to hop on and go for both the SUP use and the kayak use. The board was also really lightweight and easy to carry but it didn’t seem to compromise at all in terms of durability. For everything you get with the package and the package as a whole and at its pricepoint of less than $1,000 the Switch definitely deserves an ‘A’. They did a very good job with this board.

See our full review HERE.

Price: $995	Build: Inflatable	Weight: 21.11 lbs
Use: All Around	Skill: Beginner	Sizes: 11'6"

 

JOBE YARRA ELITE

Right out of the gates this package piqued our interests. Just the packaging alone was gorgeous with great visuals of the board and graphics showing exactly what you get in the box. After opening the box and getting the gear all set up it was clear that this is one of the most complete packages that we've ever seen that all items included are really good quality. Let’s start off with the included accessories. What really stands out the most is the bag that it comes in. The bag is not just your typical zip up backpack bag but rather it is a very well-built dry bag for the board and it even has an additional dry bag for accessories! This is a nice feature that really does make a difference in the long run. Next, it comes with not one, but two fins, one more for recreational paddling and another for distance/touring. This is a really nice and thoughtful detail that helps the board adapt to different conditions and paddling types. The package also comes with a really nice 3-piece carbon paddle so you can easily stow away. And what’s more - you also get a Padded Quick Release Waist Belt included which is a great safety feature. On the water, it was really stable and had a nice glide. We preferred the touring fin over the standard fin as it gave it a little more edge. Overall, the Yarra Elite from Jobe is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a high-quality SUP package that is suitable for all ages and skill levels. This board is meant to last and it is a great value with everything that you get included and is well deserving of our A-grade rating.

See our full review HERE.

Price: $1,099.99	Build: Inflatable	Weight: 23.2 lbs
Use: All Around	Skill: Beginner	Sizes: 10'6"

 

 

  

To look through the 200+ boards reviewed click HERE.

 

Photo Gallery

A Look at Imagery from our SUP Reviews

 

 

 

More Resources

• Best Standup Paddleboards 2023
• Best Inflatable Paddleboards 2022
• Best Paddle Boards 2022
• Best Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Boards 2020

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