BEST STARTER PADDLE BOARDS
- BEST STABILITY: BOTE HD Aero 11’6
- BEST BUDGET: NAUTICAL 11’6
- BEST FOR CRUISING: GILI Komodo 10’6
- BEST FOR TRAVEL: NIXY Huntington G4 Ultra Compact
- BEST FOR LARGE PADDLERS: Blackfin Model XL
STARTER PADDLE BOARDS COMPARISON
| PRODUCT | PRICE RANGE | USE | DIMENSIONS | WEIGHT | CAPACITY | COMES WITH | REVIEW | SHOP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BEST STABILITY BOTE HD Aero |
High | All-around | 11′6x34″x6″ |
30 lbs |
315 lbs |
– Backpack – Paddle – Pump – Fin – Rac receivers – Paddle sheath – Repair kit |
Jump to Review |
Check Price on BoteBoard.com |
BEST BUDGET NAUTICAL 11’6 |
Medium | All-around |
11’6x32”x6” |
22 lbs | 265 lbs |
– Fiberglass paddle – 1-chamber 2-action pump – Wheeled backpack – Leash – 3 fins – Repair kit |
Jump to Review |
Check Price on iRockerSUP.com |
BEST FOR CRUISING GILI Komodo 10’6 |
Medium | All-around |
10’6x33″x6″ |
21 lbs |
340 lbs |
– Fiberglass-shaft paddle – Backpack – 2-Stage pump – Leash – 3 fins – Repair kit – Valve wrench |
Jump to Review |
Check Price on GiliSports.com |
BEST FOR TRAVEL NIXY Huntington G4 Ultra Compact |
Medium | All-around |
9’6x32”x6” |
18.75 lbs | 250 lbs |
– Carbon fiber paddle – 2-chamber 3-stage pump – Backpack – Leash – 2 fins – Repair kit |
Jump to Review |
Check Price on NixySports.com |
BEST FOR LARGE PADDLERS Blackfin Model XL |
High | All-around |
11’6x34”x6” |
29 lbs |
485 lbs |
– Carbon paddle – 2-chamber 3-action pump – Leash – Roller backpack – 3 fins – Repair kit |
Jump to Review |
Check Price on iRockerSUP.com |
STARTER PADDLE BOARDS REVIEWS
BOTE HD Aero 11’6
BEST STABILITY
| WHAT I LIKE | WHAT I DON’T LIKE |
|---|---|
| – Really look excellent – It really does perform well in the all-around category – Durable – Stable – High weight capacity – Comes packed with features and accessories for the price – The kit paddle is very durable | – – The paddle you get is slightly heavy – Comes with no leash |
IDEAL CHOICE FOR:
- Paddlers looking for a high-quality board with tons of available accessories
- Starter paddlers looking to be stable in almost all conditions
- Paddlers who often paddle with a kid, pet, or gear on board
- Larger paddlers worried about stability
- Those looking for a fishing paddle board that can be loaded with seemingly limitless accessories
GREAT IN/FOR:
- Flat water
- Ocean
- SUP fishing
QUICK SPECS
- Price range: High
- Use: All-around
- Dimensions: 11′6″ x 34″ x 6″
- Weight: 30 lbs
- Weight capacity: 315 lbs
- Comes with: Backpack, Paddle, Pump, Fin, Rac receivers, Paddle sheath, Repair kit
TODAY’S PRICE
NAUTICAL 11’6
BEST BUDGET
| WHAT I LIKE | WHAT I DON’T LIKE |
|---|---|
| – Affordable price – Great value performance-wise and dollar-wise – Very stable – Lightweight and maneuverable – Able to get up to a reasonable speed – Good weight capacity when you consider its price – Impressive accessories quality and quantity | – Due to its inexpensive price, I have nothing to complain about |
IDEAL CHOICE FOR:
- Starter paddlers looking for something very stable to get into the world of stand up paddleboarding
- Paddlers who want to paddle with a kid or pet on board without spending much
- Larger paddlers on a budget
- Those who seek a solid SUP board with plenty of included features and accessories
- Families looking for kids paddle board without breaking the bank
GREAT IN/FOR:
- Flatwater
- Very light ocean
- Paddling with friends
QUICK SPECS
- Price range: Medium
- Main use: All-around
- Dimensions: 11’6 x 32” x 6”
- Weight: 22 lbs
- Weight capacity: 265 lbs
- Comes with: Fiberglass paddle, 1-chamber 2-action pump, Wheeled backpack, Leash, 3 fins, Repair kit
TODAY’S PRICE
GILI Komodo 10’6
BEST FOR CRUISING
| WHAT I LIKE | WHAT I DON’T LIKE |
|---|---|
| – Lightweight – Fairly high weight capacity – Easy to maneuver with simple paddle techniques – Above-average stability – Comes with a fairly good kit of equipment – Tracks a little better than expected from a board of its size – Its features make it stand out in similarly shaped and priced iSUPs | – Removing the bungees is not easy with the D-rings small size – Included pump is just a single chamber one – The kit paddle has a little twist in the shaft while paddling |
IDEAL CHOICE FOR:
- Cruising for a few hours with friends
- Smaller paddlers looking for an easy to carry paddle board
- Hikers looking to paddle in remote destinations
- Starter paddlers looking for a stable SUP board yet not so big that it’s cumbersome to carry or transport
- Those who often paddle with a kid or pet onboard
- Fitness people who need a full deck pad SUP board to practice some moves on
GREAT IN/FOR:
- Small wave SUP surfing
- Flatwater
- Fitness moves
- Ocean
QUICK SPECS
- Price range: Medium
- Use: All-around
- Dimensions: 10’6 x 33″ x 6″
- Weight: 21 lbs
- Weight capacity: 340 lbs
- Comes with: Fiberglass-shaft paddle, Backpack, 2-Stage pump, Leash, 3 fins, Repair kit, Valve wrench
TODAY’S PRICE
NIXY Huntington G4 Ultra Compact
BEST FOR TRAVEL
| WHAT I LIKE | WHAT I DON’T LIKE |
|---|---|
| – Its ultra-compact size makes it easy to store or travel with – Extremely lightweight – Easy to get up to speed – Very stable – Extremely maneuverable – Solid construction – Tracks well in the water – Easy to carry bag – Comes with an amazing Carbon fiber hybrid four-piece paddle | – The dual-chamber hand pump may be bulky or heavy for traveling |
IDEAL CHOICE FOR:
- Starter paddlers under 200 lbs looking for a very stable paddleboard
- If you live in an apartment with very limited storage space
- Travelers looking for an easy to carry iSUP
- Paddlers looking for high-quality iSUP that includes best-rated accessories
- Heavier paddlers with limited things onboard
GREAT IN/FOR:
- Flatwater
- Small waves SUP surfing
- Paddling with friends
- Light ocean paddling
QUICK SPECS
- Price range: Medium
- Main use: All-around
- Dimensions: 9’6 x 32” x 6”
- Weight: 18.75 lbs
- Weight capacity: 250 lbs
- Comes with: Carbon fiber paddle, 2-chamber 3-stage pump, Backpack, Leash, 2 fins, Repair kit
TODAY’S PRICE
Blackfin Model XL
BEST FOR LARGE PADDLERS
| WHAT I LIKE | WHAT I DON’T LIKE |
|---|---|
| – Seriously stable – Reliable – High weight limit – Plenty of features like D-rings and mounts – Well-built board – Versatile | – The kit hand pump does not have the deflating feature – Rear action mounts could be better if placed on top of the side handles |
IDEAL CHOICE FOR:
- Starter paddlers looking for a stable and high-quality SUP board
- If you have experience and want a versatile board that can do really well in most situations
- Anglers looking to start SUP fishing
- Larger paddlers who need to bring a lot of gear with them
- Parents who often paddle with their kids or pets
GREAT IN/FOR:
- Flatwater
- Open ocean waters
- SUP fishing in the local lake
- Small waves surfing
QUICK SPECS
- Price Range: High
- Main use: All-Around
- Dimensions: 11’6”x34”x6”
- Weight: 29 lbs
- Weight capacity: 485 lbs
- Comes with: Carbon paddle, 2-chamber 3-action pump, Leash, Roller backpack, 3 fins, Repair kit
TODAY’S PRICE
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST STARTER PADDLE BOARD
HULL TYPE
The board’s hull shape plays a huge role in how the paddle board performs on the water.
SUP boards with a flat and wide hull are more stable and very maneuverable. On the other hand, SUP boards with a pointed nose are smooth and fast on the water.
VOLUME
The SUP board volume is expressed in liters, and the more your starter paddle board volume has the more weight it can support on it.
WEIGHT CAPACITY
When you are making your calculation to see if a board can support your total weight, do not forget to include the weight of everything you might have with you from time to time like your pet, gear, or an accessory that you will upgrade your board with.
FAQ
MY BEST STARTER PADDLE BOARDS ARE…
– BEST STABILITY: BOTE HD Aero 11’6
– BEST BUDGET: NAUTICAL 11’6
– BEST FOR CRUISING: GILI Komodo 10’6
– BEST FOR TRAVEL: NIXY Huntington G4 Ultra Compact
– BEST FOR LARGE PADDLERS: Blackfin Model XL
MY BEST AFFORDABLE STARTER PADDLE BOARD IS…
If you are looking for a SUP board to start paddle boarding but you are on a budget, I will recommend you the NAUTICAL 11’6.
For just around $399, you get a paddle board that is very stable, lightweight, maneuverable, able to get up to a reasonable speed, has good weight capacity for the price, and impressive accessories.
Updated on April 13, 2022 by Ben