BEST INFLATABLE PADLLE BOARD FOR BEGINNERS
- Lightest Inflatable Paddle Board: Honu Byron 10’6
- Low-cost Inflatable SUP: Roc Explorer 10′
- Best for Large Beginners: Glide O2 Retro 10’6
- Best for Maneuverability: iRocker All-Around 10′
- Best for Beginners under 200 lbs: Nautical 10’6
- Best-Value Quality SUP: Gili Air 10’6
- Best Kids All-Around: Thurso Surf Prodigy Junior 7′6
BEGINNERS INFLATABLE PADLLE BOARD COMPARISON
PRODUCT | USE | DIMENSIONS | WEIGHT | CAPACITY | COMES WITH | JUMP TO | RETURN | SHOP |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lightest Inflatable Paddle Board![]() Honu Byron 10’6 |
All-Around | 10’6″x32″x4.72″ | 6.9 lbs | 250 lbs | – Wheeled-backpack – Hand pump – Fins – Leash – Repair kit – No paddle |
WHAT I LIKE WHAT I DON’T LIKE |
30 Days for a Full Refund (Learn More) |
Check Price on HonuBoards.com |
Low-cost Inflatable SUP![]() Roc Explorer 10′ |
All-Around | 10’x32″x6″ | 17.5 lbs | 300 lbs | – Backpack – Adjustable paddle – Safety leash – Hand pump – Fin – Waterproof bag |
WHAT I LIKE WHAT I DON’T LIKE |
30 Days for a Full Refund (Learn More) |
Check Price on Amazon.com |
Best for Large Beginners![]() Glide O2 Retro 10’6 |
All-Around | 10’6″x33.5″x6” | 23 lbs | 400 lbs | – Wheeled backpack – Pump – Paddle – Fin – Leash – Repair Kit – Kayak seat – Carry strap |
WHAT I LIKE WHAT I DON’T LIKE |
30 days with a 20% restocking fee (Learn More) |
Check Price on GlideSUP.com |
Best for Maneuverability![]() iRocker All-Around 10′ |
All-Around | 10′x32″x6″ | 24 lbs | 370 lbs | – Wheeled bag – Full-carbon paddle – Dual-chamber triple-action Pump – Fins – Ankle leash – Repair kit |
WHAT I LIKE WHAT I DON’T LIKE |
60 Days for a Full Refund (Learn More) |
Check Price on iRockerSUP.com |
Best for Beginners under 200 lbs![]() Nautical 10’6 |
All-Around | 10’6″x32″x6″ | 20 lbs | 240 lbs | – Backpack – Fiberglass paddle – 2-stage pump – Safety leash – Repair kit |
WHAT I LIKE WHAT I DON’T LIKE |
60 Days for a Full Refund (Learn More) |
Check Price on iRockerSUP.com |
Best-Value Quality SUP![]() Gili Air 10’6 |
All-Around | 10’6x31″x6″ | 19 lbs | 280 lbs | – Backpack – Paddle – Hand pump – Ankle leash – Fins – Repair kit |
WHAT I LIKE WHAT I DON’T LIKE |
60 Days with a 20% restocking fee (Learn More) |
Check Price on GiliSports.com |
Best Kids All-Around![]() Thurso Surf Prodigy Junior 7′6 |
All-Around | 7′6′′x30′′x4′′ | 19 lbs | 80 lbs | – Quality suitcase-style bag – Carbon Hybrid Paddle – Fin set – Leash – No pump – No repair kit |
WHAT I LIKE WHAT I DON’T LIKE |
30 Days for a Full Refund (Learn More) |
Check Price on ThursoSurf.com |
BEST INFLATABLE PADLLE BOARD REVIEWS
Honu Byron 10’6
Lightest Inflatable Paddle Board

WHAT I LIKE | WHAT I DON’T LIKE |
---|---|
– Ultra-lightweight, making it incredibly easy to carry and transport, even for a smaller person – Durable and strong – Responsive and quick to maneuver – Faster to inflate – Stay stable even in waves and chop – Doesn’t take much effort to paddle and glide – Easier to pull the bag to and from your car. – Keep your feet closer to the water – Donation toward protecting the ocean with every sale – 2 years of free repairs on top of the warranty | – The package does not include a paddle. I recommend you bundle it with Element Jnr for a 20% discount on the paddle. – |
QUICK SPECS
- Use: All-Around
- Dimensions: 10’6″x32″x4.72″
- Weight: 16.9 lbs
- Weight capacity: 250 lbs
- Comes with: Wheeled-backpack, Hand pump, Fin, Leash, Repair kit, No paddle
- Return: 30 Days for a Full Refund (Learn More)
TODAY’S PRICE
Roc Explorer 10′
Low-cost Inflatable SUP

WHAT I LIKE | WHAT I DON’T LIKE |
---|---|
– Affordable price – Maneuvrable – Lightweight – Easy to inflate and carry down to the lake – Easier on your feet/knees for long trips – Super easy deflating and storing – A floating paddle that fits long arms – Included everything you will need – Can support two adults – Good grip | – White zones dirty quick but remains easy to clean – Included pump does not work both ways – Multiple buyers experienced bad customer experiences – Many received defective or used products |
QUICK SPECS
- Use: All-Around
- Dimensions: 10’x32″x6″
- Weight: 17.5 lbs
- Weight capacity: 300 lbs
- Comes with: Backpack, Adjustable Paddle, Safety Leash, Hand Pump, Fin, Waterproof Bag
- Return: 30 Days for a Full Refund (Learn More)
TODAY’S PRICE
Glide O2 Retro 10’6
Best for Large Beginners

WHAT I LIKE | WHAT I DON’T LIKE |
---|---|
– Maneuvrable – Stable – Super durable and stiff – Glides well and tracks nicely – Fairly comfortable to move around on – Paddle feels sturdy in the hands – Wheeled backpack is very sturdy – Excellent customer service – Pump is light and doesn’t take up much space in the bag | – Limited gear storage – Paddle is not the lightest – Included pump is not powerful |
QUICK SPECS
- Use: All-Around
- Dimensions: 10’6″x33.5″x6”
- Weight: 23 lbs
- Weight capacity: 400 lbs
- Comes with: Wheeled backpack, Pump, Paddle, Fin, Leash, Repair Kit, Kayak seat, Carry strap
- Return: 30 days with a 20% restocking fee (Learn More)
TODAY’S PRICE
iRocker All-Around 10′
Best for Maneuverability

WHAT I LIKE | WHAT I DON’T LIKE |
---|---|
– Stable enough for fishing and fitness – Maneuverable – Glides nicely – Fun to paddle – Tracks well – Can handle a bit of choppy water and slightly windy conditions – Inflating, deflating, and setting it up is extremely easy – Incredibly easy to store and transport – Child safety handles are removable – generous cargo space | – Not the fastest board – White pad is a little hard to keep clean – One owner received a product with unperfect glue work – One user got air leaking seams after just one use |
QUICK SPECS
- Use: All
- Dimensions: 10′x32″x6″
- Weight: 24 lbs
- Weight capacity: 370 lbs
- Comes with: wheeled bag, Full-carbon paddle, Dual-chamber triple-action Pump, Fins, Ankle leash, Repair kit
- Return: 60 Days for a Full Refund (Learn More)
TODAY’S PRICE
Nautical 10’6
Best for Beginners under 200 lbs

WHAT I LIKE | WHAT I DON’T LIKE |
---|---|
– More features than expected – Looks good – Good weight capacity – Surprising speed for its cost – Tracks fairly well – Pasturdy feeling paddle – Good customer service | – Listed weight capacity is a little bit of an overstatement – Hand pump is as basic as you can get |
QUICK SPECS
- Use: All-Around
- Dimensions: 10’6″x32″x6″
- Weight: 20 lbs
- Weight capacity: 240 lbs
- Comes with: Backpack, Fiberglass paddle, 2-stage pump, Safety leash, Repair kit.
- Return: 60 Days for a Full Refund (Learn More)
TODAY’S PRICE
Gili Air 10’6
Best-Value Quality SUP

WHAT I LIKE | WHAT I DON’T LIKE |
---|---|
– Fairly priced – Glides well – Lightweight – Very sturdy – Looks cool – Stable – Dog friendly – So many rings to hook accessories to and bungees to hold everything on – Great customer service | – One owner received a broken hand pump – Customer service was not at the top with some buyers |
QUICK SPECS
- Use: All-around
- Dimensions: 10’6x31″x6″
- Weight: 19 lbs
- Weight capacity: 280 lbs
- Comes with: Backpack, Paddle, Hand pump, Ankle leash, Fins, Repair kit
- Return: 60 Days with a 20% restocking fee (Learn More)
TODAY’S PRICE
Thurso Surf Prodigy Junior 7′6
Best Kids All-Around

WHAT I LIKE | WHAT I DON’T LIKE |
---|---|
– Extremely well built – Very stable – Much maneuverable – Quick draining and comfortable deck pad – Made using lightweight and durable material – Easy to set up fins – Free space in the bag to put other stuff | – Does not come with a pump – Not lightweight compared to similarly-shaped SUPs – Doesn’t track straight, you can help him when touring by attaching it to your board with a rope. – The bag is not adequate to be carried on your kids back |
QUICK SPECS
- Use: All-around
- Dimensions: 7′6′′x30′′x4′′
- Weight: 19 lbs
- Weight capacity: 80 lbs
- Comes with: Quality suitcase-style bag, Carbon Hybrid Paddle, Fin set, Leash, No pump, No repair kit
- Return: 30 Days for a Full Refund (Learn More)
TODAY’S PRICE
BEGINNER INFLATABLE PADDLE BOARD BUYING GUIDE?
WHAT MAKES A GOOD BEGINNER PADDLE BOARD?
- STABLE
I recommend you an inflatable board with a length between 10-12 ft and a width between 32” and 34” in order to stay stable while learning paddleboarding basics.
- VERSATILE
Since you are still beginning, all-around paddleboards are ideal since you are not sure of any type of paddleboarding your want to specialize in.
- AFFORDABLE
Because it’s difficult for beginners to notice the little difference between a high-end board and an average one, I recommend you to invest in affordable paddle board boards between $300 and $500 to get the best value for what you pay.
NOSE ROCKER
For beginners, I recommend you get an inflatable board with a nose rocker in order to stay afloat in rough waters.
HULL
A wide and rounded type hulls are the best for beginners since they make the board easily maneuverable and less tippy.
WEIGHT CAPACITY
Calculate the weight of your body and everything you will bring with you on your board in order to have an idea of what you should get.
If your total weight is close to the weight capacity of your board, get one with a bigger capacity in order to get the best performance.
FINS
Small fins make the board more maneuverable while larger fins make the board tracks well.
Always get a board with a removable center fin in order to have board performance adjustability and ease of storing.
ACCESSORIES
- PADDLE
What I recommend in terms of paddleboard paddles is the ability to float, how much lighter it is, how comfortable the grip is in your hand, and how durable the used material and its design.
- LEASH
Always have and use the ankle leash in order to have a floating body near you if things go south.
The ankle leash also helps you not lose your board if you fall from it.
The majority of paddleboard packages include a leash.
Get one that is coiled to not get it in your way while paddling
- LIFE JACKET
Life jackets are what help your stay afloat and visible to people around you or others trying to save you.
Unfortunately, most paddleboard packages do not include the life jacket to my knowledge. This is why it remains an additional investment that you should do on your own.
- D-RINGS AND BUNGEE STRAPS
D-rings let you have a storing area using bungee straps.
If an inflatable SUP board that you liked did not have d-rings or enough ones, you can always still get ones and glue them where you want them to be.
- CAR ROOF RACK
Car roof racks let you transport your inflatable board without deflating it.
BEST PADDLE BOARD BRANDS
Instead of ”the best brand” I believe more in the best product, but these are still some reputable brands that I can recommend listed by foundation year:
- BIC :1945
- NRS :1972
- ISLE :2004
- BOTE :2009
- Tower :2010
- iRocker :2016
- Thurso Surf :2016
BEGINNER PADDLE BOARD TIPS
- FALL AWAY FROM YOUR BOARD IN WATER.
- ALWAYS WEAR YOUR ANKLE LEASH TO KEEP YOUR BOARD NEAR YOU.
- KEEP SOME DISTANCE AWAY FROM OTHERS WHILE PADDLING
- IF WIND IS IN YOUR FAVOR PADDLE STANDING UP. IF NOT, PADDLE WHILE SITTING DOWN.
- YOUR YOUR WHOLE BODY TO PULL THE PADDLE AND NOT JUST YOUR ARMS.
FAQ
MY BEST INFLATABLE PADDLE BOARD FOR BEGINNERS IS …
It’s hard to look past Best for Glide O2 Retro 10’6.
For just $599, you get a maneuvrable, stable and super durable, and stiff SUP that glides well and tracks nicely from a brand with excellent customer service in case you needed some help.
CAN I TRUST AFFORDABLE BOARDS FROM AMAZON?
If price is your first concern I can recommend you Roc Explorer 10′ from Amazon.
For just around $299, you get a board that can do the job right in a package that includes also a dry bag that most reputable brands do not offer.
Updated on January 18, 2022 by Ben
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