6 Best Carbon Fiber SUP Paddles – upgrade your SUP to be lighter

SUP CARBON FIBER PADDLE COMPARISON

 

BEST CARBON FIBER SUP PADDLE REVIEWS

NIXY 3-Piece 100% Carbon Fiber Adjustable

Best Affordable Carbon Fiber SUP Paddle

PROS: – Super lightweight – Reasonable price for what it is – Durable – Performs great – No wiggle at all – Carbon shaft and carbon paddle – Doesn’t spin with the anti-twist groove – Easy to travel with – Gentle on your joints and muscles – Feel warmer in hands in cold weather – Includes a padded bag – Available in other blade sizes, for paddlers different weights – Ideal for paddlers between 140 and 190 lbs

CONS: – None

Werner Trance 95 2-Piece (1-Piece)

Best High-Performance Carbon Paddle

PROS: – Incredibly lightweight – High performance – Effortless adjustment – Completely carbon fiber – Transfer your energy efficiently – Slice through the water with little effort – Enjoyable for long lake SUP paddling sessions

CONS: – High price tag – Locking system requires to tighten with a screwdriver

Aqua-Bound Malta Carbon 2-Piece

The Lightest Carbon SUP Paddle

PROS: – High performance – Incredibly lightweight – Easy and very comfortable to hold – Extremely rigid – Easy adjustment – Almost no flex – Verry efficient and powerful strokes – Comfortable handle – Secure locking mechanism

CONS: – Can be pricey for some – Large blade can make it a bit more fatiguing to paddle withx

Thurso Surf Carbon Elite 3-Piece

Best Convertible SUP Kayak Carbon Paddle

PROS: – Strong and lightweight – Very slight flex when paddling hard – Durable – Comfortable handle – Easy to assemble and adjust – Convertable to a kayak paddle with the separately-sold blade – Double-locking system

CONS: – The handle may be a little bit fat for paddlers with small hands – No paddle bag included

Connelly Skis Carbon 1-Piece

Best Fixed-Length Carbon Paddle

PROS: – Incredibly lightweight – Durable – Easy to handle – built for speed and maneuverability – Efficient energy transfer

CONS: – A little expensive – Does not include a bag – Cut it for your desired length can be stressful

Starboard Enduro UD Carbon 2-Piece

Best All-Around Carbon SUP Paddle

PROS: – Lightest and most versatile shaft – Zane Schweitzer and Sean Poynter’s shaft choice for wave riding – Precise and powerful paddle strokes – Quick and easy adjustments – Powerful catch due to the wide area on the blade tip – Great for getting a quick start – Consistent quality and flex carbon shaft – Trash picker feature to pick up plastic and other trash floating in the water –Best for All-Around SUP paddling

CONS: – None

HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR BEST CARBON SUP PADDLE

CARBON FIBER SUP PADDLE ANATOMY

BLADE SIZE

Smaller carbon fiber paddle blades are ideal to cover long distances like in SUP touring because they are less stressful on your body due to their fewer drag.

Bigger SUP paddle blades are idea to cover short distances like in SUP surfing.

	– Bigger blades	– Smaller blades
Ideal for:	Heavy and strong paddlers	Small and lighter paddlers

MATERIALS

– BLADE CORE

Aside from the carbon fiber SUP paddles outer layer, PVC or Polyurethane are what manufacturers use to make the blage core. Both of these matrials makes lightweight SUP paddles.

– SHAFT

In carbon fiber SUP paddles, I still believe that you generally do get what you pay for, because some paddles marketed as full carbon fiber are in reality fiberglass with and outside layer of carbon fiber.

Because it hard for you as consumer to know the reality of the materials inside, unless the brands disclose a little bit of these details, all you are left with is to follow the price and hope for the best or ask the company for more details.

SHAFT FLEX AND SIZE

Carbon fiber paddle board paddles that have a soft flex are more gentle on your muscles and joints but they dont transfer all of your energy to the water.

Stiff paddles with little to no flex provide powerfull strokes and they respond better, but they are more stressful on your body.

	– Strong shafts	– Thinner shafts
Ideal for:	Heavy and strong paddlers	Small and lighter paddlers

SHAFT SHAPE

• Round shafts: These have more flex, making them comfortable but they dont transfer well your energy to the water.
• Ovel shafts: These shafts are more stiff, making them more respomsive but stressful on your muscles and joints.

BLADE PROTECTION

SUP paddle blades with ABS plastic are reinforced against blade chipping.

Usefull Ressources

• My Best Beginner Stand Up Paddle Boards
• My Best Fishing Paddle Boards
• My Best Kids SUP Paddle
• My Best SUP Paddle

 

Updated on December 22, 2022 by Ben