14 best inflatable stand-up paddleboards for fun on the water

A good all-rounder from a UK manufacturer, this SUP hits the sweet spot when it comes to stability, without it feeling unwieldy to paddle around. This is mainly due to a wider nose and tapered tail, which adds lots of control when moving forward.

There’s also a lot of volume up front, so, if you’re loading up the cargo area, the board’s performance won’t be adversely affected. This means it’s a great board for taking your four-legged companion with you, as dogs invariably end up at the front, either readying themselves to jump in or just generally looking confused.

The slightly thinner width makes this SUP quick through the water if you’re adept with the paddle, whereas, if you’re paddling technique is a work in progress, the board’s slimmer depth and lower centre of gravity in the water will provide plenty of control, while boosting confidence.

The materials used and the construction of the board itself makes it one of the most durable we tested, which is good news, as the package comes with a river fin and sea fin.

This board will certainly turn a few heads as you walk down the beach, with its wood-effect deck. It’s also nice and wide, which makes it a good option for paddlers who are gaining confidence and looking for a replacement for their first board.

The SUP is available in two lengths (10ft and 11ft). We trialled the 11ft, which suited our tester’s height and was very stable through the water.

The rubber offers plenty of foot friction, so you don’t feel like you’re going to slip around as you put more effort into your stroke, and the comfortable leash works with your movements on the board.

A mid-board handle is ergonomically placed to help you get it to the water’s edge, and there are lots of extras for a beginners’ board in this price range. These include a GoPro mount and D-rings, which can increase the storage on the board, if you’re heading off on a multi-day adventure, or even secure a seat if you want to convert it to kayak mode.

We really liked the shape of this 10ft 6in board, and we liked it even more when we got it out on the water, as it’s very quick.

This is a good option for the more confident riders out there, as it’s adaptable to seas, rivers and lakes. Plus, its shape, design and weight enable you to try out manoeuvres such as the step-back turn, where you shift your body to the back of the board and lift up the nose, so you turn more easily out of tight spots.

Quick inflation and the addition of Velcro straps for securing your paddle when you’re not using it are also very welcome, as is the inclusion of an electric air pump in the package, which takes all the effort out of getting the waterwalker ready to use.

The allwater from Quroc is perfect if you’re looking for a more advanced board, as its shaping is such that it improves paddling without making any compromise on stability.

The extra length you get with this 12ft 6in ride makes it the perfect point-and-shoot board for touring. Just find your heading and it’ll track superbly, no matter how hard you’re paddling.

As the name suggests, it’s built to be adventurous, and the increased volume means it can cope brilliantly with choppy sections of the sea and stays stable in the wind – it even performs against a turning tide. All it takes is a little extra effort on the paddle and you can get to any target quickly.

Yoga mats are yesterday’s news. Yoga paddleboards (YSUPs), however, offer the chance to take your practice to the next level.

Obviously, stability becomes even more important for aqua asanas, and this board offers up 333l of volume and a deck that’s 34in wide and 10ft 8in long, so your downward dog won’t turn into a drowned rat. The blunt-nose shape keeps the board steady, and, when maximally inflated, it offers a good hard surface on which to practise.

Red has conceptualised the board well for yoga, too, moving the carry handles to the side of the board, so they don’t get in the way of your flow, and by including Velcro straps to stow your paddle while you’re in warrior pose.

Whether you’re a surfer keen to try out paddleboarding or a paddleboarder keen to try out surfing, the allwave is well-equipped to give you the best possible chance of doing both.

With plenty of volume, the allwave sits quite low in the water, boosting stability and therefore confidence when taking on the waves. There’s a new swallow-tail design, too, which allows for some easy turning, even in some quite messy waters.

With five sizes to choose from, ranging from 7ft 9in (which we had on test) all the way up to 9ft 2in, you can match the length to your height, weight and competence.

This Devon-based manufacturer is always innovating and it’s come up with a great way for kids to make the most of their time on the water. The brand’s three-in-one board can switch between SUP, windsurfing or surfing modes, thanks to detachable handles and fins.

It was the performance of the snapper as an SUP that we were most interested in, and our pint-sized paddler had an absolute blast on the board. It strikes a good balance between width, volume and narrowness, so it’s easy for smaller ones to get their paddle in the water and make progress.

Its 27in width offers stability while keeping the fun factor and responsiveness for quicker turns and playing in the waves. A robust core also means the board can take plenty of punishment.

We took the pro out in some pretty choppy conditions and it performed brilliantly, thanks to its narrow nose, which is shaped and curved to be able to tame rough water, whether you’re in the sea or on a river.

The deck is comfortable, grippy, and well-suited to take the aches and pains out of a day’s paddling. The double-walled construction means the pro is rugged enough to ride out meetings with rock and river banks. Five padded handles make the board easy to port around, and there’s a cargo bungee at the front of the board to store a dry bag.

Well accessorised with a GoPro mount and seat-friendly D-rings, this is a board for adventurous paddlers who are keen to document their journey.

If you want to banish the wobble factor that plagues many beginners, the larger size of the previously mentioned waterwalker is the most stable platform we paddled.

Even though it shares the same name, this 132 board has very unique paddling characteristics, and its 31in width and squared-off tail minimises side-to-side movement and is a real confidence booster, even when you’re picking up speed.

The 132 is really well made and you won’t have to worry about damage if you get too close to jagged rocks while you’re adventuring, either. The inclusion of an electric pump and one of the most compact and comfortable backpacks on test only add to the board’s appeal.

Another, shorter version of the waterwalker, this 10ft SUP impressed us with its all-around performance. Keeping the design of its more-elongated siblings, with its squared off tail, the 10ft version keeps any confidence-sapping, side-to-side movement to a minimum, which is great when you’re picking up speed.

The design also really highlights the board’s hybrid capabilities, just add the nicely padded Thurso surf kayak seat (?59.99, Amazon.co.uk), using the D-rings, and the board turns into an excellent hybrid paddler. Like the other waterwalkers in the series, this one is well-crafted and robust, with a nice textured deck pad if you’re off touring.

Included are three comfortable handles, bungee cargo areas at the nose and tail, and a handy paddle holder, if you want to take a break and chill out for a bit.

This is a great board, at a great price, from the Newcastle manufacturer, offering taller paddlers lots of stability.

Particularly suited for calmer waters, at just under 32in wide, it’s a quick board and offers good stability, while enabling you to progress your paddling skills and boost confidence. The foam deck pad offers lots of traction and will help keep you on your feet but it’s comfortable if you’re out for hours on end.

We inflated and deflated in around five minutes; there’s a three-bungee strap cargo area (with drinks holder), so plenty of room for extras; and the padded grab handle and light weight makes it a very portable board.

Red has added to its extremely popular “ride” series of boards, with this easy paddler that’s well suited to younger, lighter boarders.

The brand has kept the rounded nose that’s characteristic of the series, so the board feels stable when you’re on it, despite its lower volume, but its slimmer width means it’s quick (the faster you go, the more stability will improve).

This is why it’s an excellent kids’ board or a good board to try SUP surfing, as it’s got bags of manoeuvrability and makes nice tight turns, the grip and comfortable deck pad also adds to its suitability for surfing and newbie riders.

As we’ve come to expect from Red, the construction is top notch and the board will be able to take plenty of punishment, without you having to worry about repairs. Nice and quick to inflate – great for impatient younger paddlers – the board has three carry handles, cargo straps and a safety leash, which is important for rookie riders and surfers alike.

This board is proving to be very popular in the UK, thanks to its suitability for those just getting into SUPing. However, this means it can be tricky to get your hands (and feet) on one.

It’s a great board with a 34in-wide deck, which makes it super stable, with much less movement side to side when paddling.

The board is solidly constructed, too, so you won’t have to worry about damage if you get up close and personal with jagged rocks or riverbanks while you’re learning. What’s more, it’s very competitively priced for a starter board.

Due to its popularity, this board is currently out of stock, but you can register with Two Bare Feet to be the first to know when the SUP is available again.