Ready to find your perfect paddle board?
Choosing the right stand up paddle board (SUP) isn’t just about looks as tempting as it. it’s about matching your skills, goals and lifestyle with a board that’ll make every outing a blast. This guide will help you understand how to choose the best SUP for your needs.
Whether you’re dreaming of peaceful lake paddles, long-distance touring adventures, or chasing waves, this expert buyer’s guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
Let’s make sure your next SUP is the one you’ll love for years to come.
Quick SUP Board Comparison
Here is a brief overview of common paddle board types and the skill levels they are best matched with.
With so many options available, knowing how to choose the best SUP ensures you make an informed decision.
| Rider Type | Best SUP Type | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | All-around Inflatable | Stable, durable, easy to carry |
| Intermediate | Touring Board | Faster, longer rides |
| Advanced | Race Board | Narrow, high performance |
Why Choosing the Right SUP Board Matters
A stand up paddle board isn’t just a toy, it’s your foundation for adventure, fitness, relaxation and exploration. Understanding how to choose the best SUP boosts your confidence, lets you progress faster and makes your time on the water safer and more fun.
Choose incorrectly and you’ll end up frustrated (or worse, out of pocket).
An analogy I like to use, choosing the wrong board is a bit like buying high heels for a muddy hike. Sure, they might look fabulous, but five minutes in, you’ll be miserable, wobbling and wondering why on earth did I wear these.
80% of paddle board returns are due to buying the wrong size or type!
Types of Stand Up Paddle Boards
If you thought all SUP boards were created equal, well hold onto your paddle, because there’s a lot more to it.
🏄♂️ All-Round SUPs
If you’re just starting out, all-around boards are like your favourite pair of comfy trainers, reliable, forgiving and perfect for almost every adventure.
- Best for: Beginners and casual paddlers
- Features: Wide, stable, versatile
- Great for: Lakes, calm rivers, gentle surf
Look for: - A width of around 32–34 inches (think stability!)
- Rounded nose and tail for versatility
🌊 Touring SUPs
Feeling a little more adventurous? Touring boards are built for distance.
Their pointed noses (called displacement hulls, if you want to get fancy) cut through water like a knife through cake. Due to their size they can usually carry more weight than a typical All Round SUP ideal for carrying extra gear on those long wild adventures.
- Best for: Intermediate paddlers, long distances
- Features: Pointed nose, faster glide, less drag
- Great for: Exploring lakes, rivers and coastlines
Look for: - Longer lengths (11’–14′)
- Slightly narrower widths for better speed
⚡ Race SUPs
Warning: Not for the faint-hearted (or faint-balance!).
Race boards are built for one thing, speed. They’re long, sleek and make you feel like a total boss if you can stay upright.
- Best for: Experienced paddlers, SUP Racers
- Features: Narrow, sleek, speed-focused
- Great for: Competitive events, serious fitness
Look for: - Extra narrow width (26–30 inches)
- Lightweight construction
🧘 Yoga/Fitness SUPs
Yes, SUP Yoga is 100% a thing and it’s amazing.
Specialist yoga boards are wider, softer and designed to turn your downward dog into a floating masterpiece.
- Best for: SUP Yoga, stability workouts
- Features: Extra wide, soft deck pad
- Great for: Calm water fitness sessions
Look for: - Extra-wide decks (34+ inches)
- Full-length deck pads (for cushioned poses!)
Inflatable vs Hard SUPs: Which One Should You Choose?
| Inflatable SUP | Hard (Epoxy) SUP |
|---|---|
| Easy to store & transport | Higher performance |
| Safer for kids | Faster glide, better tracking |
| Great for travel & beginners | Preferred by racers & surfers |
Most first timers (and even many pros) love inflatable SUPs for their practicality and ruggedness.
Unless you’re racing competitively, an inflatable will likely be your best bet! Good quality Inflatable boards are tough, stable and won’t give you a heart attack if you accidentally bounce them off a rock.
How to Choose the Right Size SUP Board
Getting the right size is critical to your enjoyment. Here’s a cheat sheet:
- Length:
- Under 10′ = Playful, great for surf
- 10’–11’6″ = Best all-round size
- Over 11’6″ = Typical Touring and racing
- Width:
- 30″–34″ = Good stability for beginners
- Narrower = Faster, but harder to balance
- Thickness:
- 5″–6″ is standard for inflatables
- Thicker boards float heavier riders better but you can feel disconnected from the water
The most crucial element in size is getting the right board for your size and weight. As a very simple rule of thumb when calculating required board volume for a beginner you can take your weight in kg multiply it by 2 which will give you the required volume in litres.
Don’t forget though to add on extra for anything you might be planning to take out on the water with you. Here is a very rough guide for beginners on the side of caution assuming a dry bag with extra clothing and drink etc.
| Rider Weight | Suggested Board Volume |
|---|---|
| Under 60kg | 160–180L |
| 60–80kg | 180–210L |
| 80–100kg | 210–240L |
| Over 100kg | 240L+ |
This is a very rough guide and we strongly recommend going by the manufactures guidelines for their boards. If a manufacture does not give you this information in our opinion steer well clear.
Here is a typical board specification you will find at SUP Funk available for all Jobe boards we sell and located under the product information tab. The information is clear and gives you help on deciding if the board is a good fit for you.
Budget Considerations
Here’s one of my golden rules within reason: Buy cheap, buy twice.
- Entry-Level: £250–£400
- Mid-Range: £400–£800 (most buyers here!)
- Premium: £800+
⚡ Pro Tip: It’s cheaper (and way more fun) to buy the right board once, than two wrong ones. If you are unsure paddle boarding is right for you then just hire one. This way you can have great fun testing out the sport and it will help you making an informed purchase if you do decide to buy your own.
I am not going to brand shame here but please check specifications and fully understand what you are buying before purchasing. All boards are not created equal and use different materials and manufacturing techniques making some much more robust than others. If you are purchasing an inflatable SUP you want to make sure it is durable, robust, fit for purpose and safe.
Paddle boards accessories are also just as important as the board itself so you will want a good board with good kit such as a decent leash, paddle, a pump that can actually inflate your paddle board to the correct pressure and a decent storage bag to store and look after your new purchase. We always recommend first time buyers to buy a paddle board package which will have everything you need to get you on the water.
Finally don’t forget to factor in purchasing a buoyancy aid which is a must! Never head out on the water without one and if you don’t have one then hire one.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I’ll be honest, I made some of these mistakes when I first started SUPing while on holiday and making an impulse buy.
Learn from my (hilarious and slightly soggy) errors:
- Buying based on looks only 🚫
- Ignoring rider weight recommendations 🚫
- Choosing a race board as a beginner 🚫
- Going too cheap and regretting it 🚫
We brought our very first boards while on holiday in Greece which were not cheap by any means and were made by a well known reputable Italian manufacturer. After just 2 outings my husband was out in the sea where he could hear a hissing noise and basically it was leaking. After having to swim back to shore towing a deflating SUP which was a sight to be seen the shop we brought it from blamed it on grains of sand which punctured the material when it was rolled up.
If, which I highly doubt was the cause of the puncture then it doesn’t bold well for the durability of the SUP and this wasn’t the only issue. Shortly after we started to have trouble with the other one we purchased. Once back in the UK after my husband did his research and brought a replacement let’s just say when you put them side by side you can see the difference in quality.
This was very quickly evident once out on the water and shortly after I ended up replacing my SUP with the same as my husband’s. That was the start of my love for this fantastic sport but we lost over £800 with the first boards.
The motto of the story is quite simply do your research, don’t impulse buy and if you can hire one you’re thinking of buying and try it out first.
There are many great broad manufacturers out there but the boards we brought to replace the impulse buys were Jobe and we have not looked back since. We still use Jobe boards today and why we now sell and recommend them.
Tried, tested, trusted and we love them.
You can read why we chose Jobe here Jobe Watersports: SUP Funk Becomes Official Dealer
SUP Funk Top Recommendations
If you are looking to purchase a new Inflatable Paddle Board we highly recommend looking into the Jobe SUP range which caters for most from beginner up to a seasoned pro.
Jobe Aero Lite Series
Jobe have just released their new Aero Lite Series range which is where innovation meets durability with fantastic affordable packages and a range of boards to cover anyone new to Paddle Boarding with affordable All-Round and Touring boards in the collection at a reasonable price range £260 – £350 here at SUP Funk.
Jobe Premium Aero Range
If you have a little more of a budget then we would suggest looking at the Jobe Premium Aero Range. The boards in this range cover all skill levels and have board types for whatever inflatable paddle board adventures you want to do.
Within this range you will find SUP Funks favourite two model of boards and what we believe to be the best in class.
The truly awesome 10’6″ Yarra All-Round Paddle Board and 11’6″ Duna Touring Paddle Board both packages come with great accessories to get you out on the water.
The Jobe premium line is made up 6 different board types from the compact 8’6″ Sava to the 10’2″ Mohaka which even has an optional SUP Sail. Price range £260 – £1270 here at SUP Funk.
Jobe Elite Series
When it come to the ultimate SUP package and best on the market then you will be hard pushed to find better than the paddle boards in the Jobe Elite Series. Quite simply they are awesome and the boards we personally use and have done for a couple of years now.
Jobe threw everything but the kitchen sink at these packages with unique board features comprising of Carbon Paddles to large SUP bag with straps for easy transportation which also doubles as a huge dry bag.
The list is exhaustive and you can check out all of the Jobe Elite Series features here Jobe Elite Series Paddle Boards.
Within the elite range series of boards you will find the Jobe Elite Yarra Paddle Board and the Jobe Elite Duna Paddle Board versions. The elite series line up is completed by the Jobe Elite E-Duna Paddle Board, yes thats right an electric version that will propel you through the water like a boss.
Not only are Jobe Elite Series phenomenal boards, feature rich with accessories but also have the looks to match. I can not tell you how many times people have commented on how good they look but in truth all of the Jobe boards look great!
Although these packages are not cheap, when compared to anything else on the market especially if you add up the cost of all the top end items you get in these package then it is fantastic value. Price for the Elite Yarra and Duna here at SUP Funk is around £1000.
I have missed one very very important thing that you get with all Jobe boards purchased from SUP Funk.
5 Years Manufacturers Warranty!
This gives you peace of mind for years to come and is a testament to how good these Jobe Paddle Boards are and why we feel they are best in class on the market today. Put simply you can’t go wrong with a Jobe SUP.
⭐ Best Beginner SUP:
Jobe Aero Nera 10’6″ Package — Light, Stable, forgiving, affordable.
Shop Now ➡️
⭐ Best Touring SUP:
Jobe Aero Duna 11’6″ Package — Smooth gliding, perfect for adventure paddlers.
Shop Now ➡️
⭐ Best Inflatable All-Rounder:
Jobe Aero Yarra 10’6″ — Family-friendly, robust, and fun everywhere!
Shop Now ➡️
FAQs
What size paddle board do I need?
Most adults do best on a board 10’–11’6″ long and 32″–34″ wide. Adjust slightly based on your height, weight, and intended use.
Is an inflatable paddle board durable?
Absolutely! Quality inflatables use durable PVC that can handle knocks, scrapes and drops. If you want extra stiffness and durability look for features such as carbon rails which is a feature of all Jobe Elite Series Boards.
How much should I spend on my first board?
Plan to spend £300–£700 for a solid, reliable inflatable SUP that will last.
Can I use one SUP board for different water types?
Yes, an all-around SUP works great for lakes, rivers and even gentle coastal waves.
How heavy are inflatable paddle boards?
This totally depends on the construct, manufacturing technique and build quality. What you are looking for is good strong durable PVC with heat bonded technology which fuses the layers of the board together giving a durable air tight seal and light in construction. Typical weight for All-Round Boards 8-10kg with Touring boards slightly heavier at 8.5-10.5kg.
How compact are inflatable paddle boards for storage?
This is where Inflatable Paddle Boards excel being compact for storage and transportation. They can easily fit in the boot of most cars or a large roof box with a typical packed size of around 90x50x30mm depending on board type.
Conclusion
Choosing the right SUP board is the difference between wobbly frustration and awesome adventures.
With a little guidance (and a little help from SUP Funk 😉), you’re only one good decision away from years of unforgettable memories on the water.
✅ Ready to start your SUP journey?
Explore SUP Funk’s Full Range of Boards ➡️
