Best Paddle Boards 2022
This review is for the best paddle boards you can get for 2022. The focus is on inflatable paddle boards rather than hard boards.
The review also specifically looks at the best paddle boards depending on why you may be choosing it, for example, for touring, general use, children, fishing, multi-person, low price etc.
But why may an inflatable board be the best choice over a hard board? One of the main reasons is that they are relatively lightweight, easy to handle and store, maintain and paddle in the water. As such, even beginner-level paddlers will enjoy SUPing with one of these.
But if you want to know more check out the difference between an iSUP and a Hard Board.
But now let’s look at the best paddle boards for 2022!
The Top 10 Best iSUPs
1. iRocker Cruiser 10’6″
Stable & Versatile!
The iRocker Cruiser 10’6″ is top of the best paddle boards 2022 as it offers you a near-perfect blend of stability and versatility with its hybrid nose and broad tail.
It’s about 10’6″ long, 33″ wide, and 6″ thick. Still, this iSUP weighs only 25 lbs or 11.3 kg.
As such, this craft is broad and stable enough for beginner-level paddlers to learn the ropes of paddling safely. Also, its lightweight nature makes it easy to transport and carry around.
In addition, iRocker has constructed this board to feature a tri-fin system. The large central fin and the two smaller side fins are all removable to boot!
This way, you’ll be able to use the board comfortably in both shallow and deep water. Furthermore, it sports several D-rings surrounding the EVA deck pad. So, you can add a seat and turn the board into a kayak with minimal effort.
On top of all these advantages, this craft is buoyant enough to support 400 lbs or 181.3 kg. Thus, with this SUP board, you’ll be able to bring all your paddling gear, supplies, and even your pet when you go for a paddling session.
Nevertheless, if you’re a seasoned paddler who wishes to battle the waves and go on long-distance expeditions, this board may not meet your requirements. But, it offers a lot for beginner or intermediate level paddlers, and it boasts a reasonable price tag!
Verdict:
The overall best inflatable paddleboard for 2022.
2. Bluefin Cruise Junior 8′ SUP
Safe & Easy-to-handle!
Advanced technology and top-notch construction materials make the Bluefin Cruise Junior 8′ SUP safe for the junior paddlers. Plus, it’s lightweight and even has a kick pad that’ll let the smaller rider propel and maneuver this board without much effort.
This watercraft is approximately 8′ long, 29″ wide, and 5.1″ thick. In contrast, the board itself weighs about 22 lbs or 10kg.
In essence, this board is small enough for the junior paddleboarder to paddle comfortably, and due to its compact, light build, children will be able to carry it around easily.
Moreover, it comes with a complete package. There’s a lightweight adjustable fiberglass paddle and even a padded seat that’ll let you convert the board into a kayak in mere seconds!
Granted, it has a limited carrying capacity of 265 lbs or 120 kg. But, it’ll perform better if the rider weighs less than 70 kg.
All in all, this stable all-arounder SUP board will offer a smooth ride to the kid paddlers.
Verdict:
The best paddle board 2022 for kids and lightweight paddlers.
3. Aquaplanet Pace
Manueverable & Stable, and a good price!
The Aquaplanet Pace has a hybrid pointed nose and a strategical shape. This combination ensures that the board offers excellent maneuverability and stability.
It’s about 10′ 6″ long, 31″ wide, and 6″ thick. Also, it weighs 28 lbs or 13 kg.
So, while it isn’t the most lightweight board, its dimensions and shape make it efficient for paddling in inland waters.
Moreover, the surface of the board sports a quick-dry comfort deck pad. With it, you’re less likely to injure yourself if you fall on the board. Additionally, it has enough D-rings to attach a kayak seat and SUP safety leash.
Plus, this SUP comes with a complete package, and being currently on sale (as of Feb ’22) at under £350, it won’t break the bank.
Verdict:
An excellent SUP board for beginner-level paddlers with an affordable price tag.
4. Tower Xplorer
Bouyant & Durable!
Unlike the standard iSUP boards, the Tower Xplorer is a fair bit thicker and sturdier. Therefore, it can support more weight and survive longer in harsh weather.
This board is about 14′ long, 32″ wide, and 8″ inches thick. Also, it weighs around 42 lbs or 19 kg due to its larger size.
As such, it can be somewhat challenging to carry this board around. But, once deflated, it becomes easy to transport.
Moreover, its pointy nose and efficient design make it ideal for cutting through the water with minimal effort. In addition, it’s buoyant enough to support more than 500 lbs or 226.7 kg. On it, you’ll be able to bring the essential gear and supplies for the long-distance paddling trips.
Nonetheless, you’ll need to know the paddling basics well if you wish to use this board to its fullest extent. After all, a touring board like this can be hard to maneuver in rough weather.
Verdict:
The ideal paddleboard for touring.
5. ISLE Megalodon
Ultra-stable & Family-friendly!
With its massive size, the ISLE Megalodon is in the best paddle boards 2022 as it is very stable on the water, and it has enough space and buoyancy to support multiple people.
It’s about 15′ in length, 56″ in width, and 8″ in thickness. This giant paddleboard weighs 50 lbs or 22.6 kg.
Therefore, the craft is pretty heavy. But, it has multiple carrying handles so that several paddlers can carry it together. Moreover, it’s spacious enough for five people to enjoy paddleboarding without facing too much trouble.
However, it’s slow on the water and not suitable for long-distance SUPing trips. Also, you’ll need a powerful SUP pump to inflate this craft efficiently.
Verdict:
The best paddle boards 2022 for multi-person, family paddle boarding expeditions.
6. Red Paddle Co 14’0 Elite MSL
Fast & Rigid!
When it comes to speed, the Red Paddle Co’s Elite MSL is hard to beat in the water with other racing paddleboards in a similar price range. Plus, it combines the RSS and the FFC (forward flex control) technology to offer outstanding rigidity.
This board is approximately 14′ in length, 25″ in width, and 5.9″ in thickness. It weighs about 22.6 lbs or 10.3 kg.
Moreover, the board is perfect for expert, intermediate-level paddlers who wish to participate in competitive races with these dimensions.
However, it’s a bit too narrow and difficult to control for beginners.
Verdict:
The best watercraft for paddleboard racing.
7. Red Paddle Co 22’0″ Dragon MSL
Multi-Person & Fast!
Unlike the Elite MSL, the Dragon MSL is more prominent, but it’s just as fast as its smaller counterpart. In other words, this is the upgraded MSL fit for team racing that can effortlessly carry four paddlers.
The board is nearly 22′ long, 34″ wide, and 8″ thick. It weighs about 75 lbs or 34 kg.
Thus, this board is wider than the Elite, but it does require much more skilled paddlers to maneuver and paddle it efficiently. After all, on this craft, you’ll need all eight arms to work together and in synch!
Still, it boasts an extra-large deck pad, profiled nose, and a glass fiber race fin that makes racing much more exciting.
Verdict:
The ideal iSUP board for team racing.
8. Sea Eagle FishSUP 126
Stealthy & Angler-friendly!
The Sea Eagle FishSUP 126 has a tapered build with a swallowtail making it incredibly stealthy in the water. Plus, it even has the removable transom that’ll let you add a motor to your craft and extend your range of fishing like never before!
This paddleboard is about 12.5′ long, 40″ wide, and 5.9″ thick. It weighs around 44 lbs or 20 kg.
Still, what makes this craft special is its angler-friendly nature. It has a seat, a motor mount, space for a cooler, paddle, and a fish ruler. Additionally, it’s buoyant enough to support two paddlers along with their paddling and fishing gear.
Nevertheless, it takes about 10 minutes to set the board up before you can head out into the deep waters.
Verdict:
The best paddle board 2022 for SUP fishing.
9. Thurso Surf 10’8″ Tranquility Yoga SUP
Stable & Comfortable!
The combination of an expansive deck and an extended EVA foam deck pad makes the Thurso Surf Tranquility Yoga SUP board both stable and comfortable.
This SUP board is about 10’8″ long, 34″ wide, and 6″ thick. Moreover, it weighs around 29 lbs or 13 kg.
At first glance, the board offers elegant graphics with a lotus theme suitable for yoga. But, once it’s on the water, its stable nature becomes more evident. Also, it has a large deck pad that is grippy yet comfortable.
Thus, you’ll be able to practice even the advanced yoga poses on this board without too much hassle.
On the other hand, its size and shape make this SUP board slow on the water. As such, it may not be the best craft for long-distance paddling.
Verdict:
A fantastic inflatable paddleboard for SUP yoga and relaxing paddling sessions.
10. Serenelife Thunder Wave SUP
Affordable & Efficient!
Serenelife’s Thunder Wave is a lightweight all-arounder SUP board that is versatile and easy to paddle. Furthermore, it has a reasonable price tag!
This craft is approximately 10′ in length, 30″ in width, and 6″ in thickness. It weighs about 19.6 lbs or 8.8 kg.
As such, the board is well balanced and light enough for most paddlers to carry it around with little hassle. Moreover, it has a package that includes nearly everything you’ll need to start paddling.
In a nutshell, this SUP board won’t break your bank, but it’ll still offer you plenty of opportunities to enjoy paddleboarding.
Verdict:
An excellent inexpensive iSUP board.
Tips & Tricks for picking up the best SUP for 2022
There are several factors to consider when picking an inflatable paddle board. You’ll need to check the craft’s durability, stability, maneuverability, speed, versatility, and so much more!
But, with a few tips and tricks, this search can become quicker and more manageable. So, let’s take a look,
- One of the quickest ways to determine an inflatable paddleboard’s durability is to check its maximum PSI level. The more PSI, a board, can support, the sturdier it should be.
- In addition, you can check out how many core and outer layers it has to get a better understanding of the SUP board’s durability.
- Afterward, if you’re a beginner, you’ll want a stable board. For this, you can pick up an iSUP that has an expansive deck, cutaway tail. Also, a craft that offers excellent buoyancy and carrying capacity is usually more stable on the water.
- Or, if you’re planning to paddle the ocean and fave the waves, you may want to get a board with a pointy nose and tri-fin setup. The nose will cut through the water more efficiently, while the side fins will help you maneuver on the wave face.
- In contrast, the watercraft with an all-arounder or hybrid nose will provide you with more versatility. This board is ideal for recreational or relaxing paddling sessions.
Aside from these, it’s always a good idea to rent the board from a SUP rental service and try it out in the water before you make your decision.
Best Paddle Boards 2022 – The Bottom Line
Whether you’re a beginner-level paddler learning the ropes or a seasoned paddler looking to get that adrenaline rush, these best paddle boards 2022 are sure to meet your needs.
But, to take your paddle boarding experience to the next level, you’ll need to pick a suitable iSUP board. After all, a poor-quality board or an unsuitable craft will ruin your weekend pretty quickly!
So, take your time and make your choice carefully. Once you’ve found your ideal board, you’ll be free to paddle the waters to your heart’s content.
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