The best inflatable SUP Paddles
The best Inflatable SUP Paddles are not always the most expensive.
However, it is clear that inflatable SUPs will never be able to compete with rigid boards in both race and wave conditions. The Allround and Touring Inflatable SUP market has evolved greatly in recent years, which has led to a big evolution in the technologies used. This has resulted in boards that can be rigid even with a low thickness at increasingly attractive prices.
If the notions of Allround and Touring seem abstract to you, the Backside team invites you to consult its article detailing the different profiles of Paddle existing on the market by type of use.
Here you will find a short explanation of the features of the best inflatable paddles on the market, reviewing the entry-level, mid-range and top-of-the-range
You will notice that the middle of the range is sometimes right next to the two extremes. It's not always clear whether a board is more or less well built and price is not always an accurate indicator. It's important to know what an inflatable SUP is and the technical differences that allow you to classify them in order to choose the right board.
The entry-level inflatable SUP Paddle
The so-called "supermarket paddle" probably has the largest share of the market. These poorly manufactured paddles are made from rather low quality materials. They can be found for less than 150 francs at the giant retailers. These are the types of SUP Paddle that are also found on the large online sales platforms.
The price is justified in particular by the accessories, such as the transport bag, the spoiler or the inflation valve and the pump. It is also due to theabsence of technologies such as double skin, double chamber. This type of board does not support overpressure. It will be necessary to scrupulously respect the instructions of the manufacturer and you are not safe from bad surprises. The pressure on this type of inflatable SUP paddle is between 12 and 15 psi maximum.
In short, they are often 12 cm thick and equipped with a mediocre pad. They are on average 30 inches wide, or about 76 cm, which means they are not very stable and do not glide well. The width and thickness of the pads make them more suitable for lighter people. We often see people who are too heavy on these unstable paddles and not rigid enough. Also, don't rely on the manufacturers' weight data, which is over-optimised.
If there is one brand in particular that should be chosen in the entry-level paddles category, it would undoubtedly be Aquatone, which is almost positioned in the mid-range SUP market at the most affordable prices.
The mid-range paddle
This is probably where the best deals are made! Mid-range SUPs are generally built with much more advanced materials and technology than entry-level paddles. They are often better manufactured and have more advanced valves and pumps.
This kind of boards can withstand overpressure (20% in general): they are inflated between 15 and 18 psi, depending on the brand. The finish, pad and gluing are also well done compared to supermarket SUPs. These SUPs justify their price because they are wider and offer better stability. This feature affects the price as it generates more drops in the basic material used.
We already find SUP Paddle with more advanced drop stitch, these are the internal filaments that compose the board and influence the rigidity and strength in particular.
The price is between 350 and 600 CHF. Often the price does not include the paddle or it has been added for free to the pack during a promotion for example. Some brands such as Aztron or Aquamarina offer their paddle in a pack with pump, paddle, leash, fins and carrying bags. In this segment all the big brands like AquaMarina, Fanatic, Star Boards, Aztron, or STX for example have at least one board to offer. The basic materials are pretty much the same. Newcomer on the inflatable SUP market, Decathlon is hitting hard this year with paddles with an acceptable quality/price ratio
Some brands such asAztron differentiate themselves with advanced technologies such as double chamber, a more developed drop stiching and a glued or welded second skin.
Our selection of mid-range SUP Paddle :
You can also check out our wide selection of SUP Paddle Boards
The high-end inflatable SUP
If you want to have one of the best inflatable SUPs that stands out from the crowd with great technical features and a high level of finish, this is the segment to go for. This is where the difference with the entry and mid-range SUPs lies.
They are often built with the highest level of technology available on the market. The valve and pump are obviously the best you can find. To justify a much higher price, it is thebrand image, the marketing behind it and the international after-sales servicethat must be considered.
In this segment, brands fight on quality and not on price. So we will always be looking at paddles costing more than 1000 CHF (about 900 euros) and without the paddle. This is often close to the price of already high-end rigid boards. Obviously all the big brands of the board sports industry are present: Fanatic, Star Boards, Bic and Red Paddle which is one of the precursors in the inflatable paddle. There are also atypical brands such asIndiana which produces excellent paddles in this range.
In summary, the mid-range SUP Paddles make the difference in terms of equipment, technology and board width. It is in this range that you get the most for your money!
However, if you are looking for excellence in terms of both innovation and equipment, you should look to the top of the range.