Stand up paddle boarding makes for a great whole-body but low-impact workout, is great fun, caters to the adventurers out there, and is pretty easy to get into. It’s no wonder that the sport has become so popular in recent years.
When you try stand up paddle boarding for the first time, you’re likely to be working with a rental SUP or one provided by a SUP touring company or SUP yoga class, and that’s great. Once you get a taste of the freedom that stand up paddle boarding offers, though, you’re likely hooked for life — and that means you’ll want to get your very own paddle board.
There’s no question that any serious hobby or sport is going to cost you some money as you acquire the right gear, but just how much do you need to invest to get started with stand up paddle boarding? What would a decent stand up paddle board cost you?
As a savvy modern consumer who’s interested in getting a paddle board, you’ll have hopped on your phone and looked around at price ranges. You’ll know that it’s possible to get a budget inflatable paddle board for as little as $200, and that basic rigid paddle boards are on the market $700 or even less.
You may not have the budget to invest in a high-end stand up paddle board, or you may be looking for a cheap paddle board because you’re simply not sure whether you even like paddle boarding yet (especially true if you’ve actually never tried SUPing before!).
You’re cool with not getting a top of the range model designed for semi-pros, but you do want a fully functional and reliable stand up paddle board that will last? In that case, you’re here to find out if the cheap paddle boards you’ve seen online are any good.
The “too long; didn’t read” version of the answer is simple — it depends. On what?
On the precise budget paddle board you go for, as well as what you’re hoping to do with it. As long as you’re a smart shopper, though, cheap paddle boards can definitely be good. Keep reading to find out how to make sure the budget paddle board you buy falls into that category.
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Inflatable vs Rigid Stand Up Paddle Boards
The price you can expect to pay for a new paddle board will be influenced by the type of paddle board you go for, and that starts with the basic distinction between rigid (also sometimes called solid) and inflatable stand up paddle boards.
Inflatable stand up paddle boards have traditionally been considered the budget option. It remains true that cheap inflatable paddle boards are cheaper than cheap rigid paddle boards, though high-end inflatable SUPs that can rival rigid SUPs in every way possible have also appeared on the market in more recent years.
On top of that, though, inflatable SUPs offer unique functional advantages. They’re easier to transport, which is great if you’re planning to go SUP touring or to take your paddle board on vacation. Inflatable SUPs are also famous for being more maneuverable, which offers the paddle boarder more control — especially on wild waters.
Rigid paddle boards remain the better choice for people who are hoping to go SUPing further away from the shoreline, and for whom speed is a higher priority than flexibility.
Each choice has something going for it, so don’t just decide to go with an inflatable SUP simply because these paddle boards are usually cheaper. Choose whether you’d like a rigid or inflatable paddle board first, and then budget from there.
Excellent Reasons to Buy a Cheap Paddle Board
There are plenty of great reasons to consider buying a more affordable paddle board that go well beyond “I only have 300 bucks to spend on a new paddle board” — which, of course, is a great reason as well. Let’s take a look.
You Don’t Always Get What You Pay For
The idea that “you get what you pay for” — and that more expensive products necessarily have a higher quality — is a persistent one. Indeed, research shows that consumers often take a high price tag as a mark of quality, offering manufacturers an added incentive to keep prices high.
Here’s the thing. More expensive doesn’t always mean better.
Cheap paddle boards may just be a great deal, or they could be quality paddle boards with fewer features, some of which you may not even need or want. If you spot an great paddle board that just so happens to also be rather affordable, that’s a wonderful reason to buy that SUP.
You’re New to Paddle Boarding
Some people are committed to always buying the best of anything — we all have that friend who’s just decided to try Italian cooking for the first time, only to invest in the most expensive possible pasta maker, or that relative who simply must have the latest phone the minute it comes out. You have plenty of reasons not to go out and buy the most expensive paddle board money can buy after you’ve tried SUPing a few times, though.
We love stand up paddle boarding, and we love that you’re excited about it, but you may just feel different in a couple of months. If you’re the kind of person who darts from one hobby to the next, and you’re just dabbling in stand up paddle boarding for now, choosing a cheap board makes sense.
What’s more, novices are more likely to damage their boards as they experiment with different SUP sports, or to overlook a key aspect of board maintenance (like deflating and cleaning your inflatable SUP after each use).
Investing in an affordable paddle board for now, and upgrading later if you truly fall in love with the sport, is a great idea.
Cheap Paddle Boards Come in Handy
Are you an avid paddle boarder? You may not want to use your premium racing paddle board for a casual afternoon of SUP fishing with your friends.
Do you like to introduce new friends and relatives to stand up paddle boarding, or do your kids want to invite a classmate along for your fun afternoon on the water?
Having an extra budget SUP on hand makes it all possible. Are you going on vacation, and do you not want to spend all your off-time making sure your high-end paddle board doesn’t get stolen? Try a cheap paddle board as a convenient backup.
What to Look Out for When Buying a Cheap Paddle Board
So, you’re looking for a cheap paddle board, but you also want it to be as good as possible? You can — and here’s how.
Buy Your Paddle Board From a Reputable Company
Don’t go to Wallmart or — even worse — Ali Express to find a cheap stand up paddle board. Get to know the big players in this market, and buy your budget paddle board from a reputable SUP manufacturer.
Bluefin, iRocker, Redpaddleco, Ititwit, and Gili Sports are all great options, and the good news is that every great paddle board manufacturer knows that not everyone can, or wants to, invest in a high-end paddle board.
Seek out basic boards from well-known and much-loved SUP manufacturers, and you’re much more likely to get a great product that simply has fewer features.
You may have to sacrifice bungee storage areas and D rings, but you know that the board is made with premium-quality materials and that the construction is top notch.
Let the Warranty Period Guide You
The warranty period basically screams “we, as the manufacturer, are confident that your paddle board won’t break before this date is up”. Cheap paddle boards that don’t come with a warranty at all should be seen as a giant red flag, while short warranty periods are likely to mean that a paddle board won’t last very long.
If your basic budget paddle board happens to come with a five year warranty, you can be fairly confident that you’re looking at a solid paddle board that you will be able to enjoy even after the warranty runs out.
Try Before You Buy (If You Can)
Is there a paddle board rental near you? Do they offer cheaper paddle boards there? If the answer is yes, trying a few budget paddle boards out before you commit to a specific product is a great idea.
Once you’ve tested a few and gotten a feel for each board, you may be able to find that same paddle board for sale, or you could go with a similar SUP from the same manufacturer.
Read the Customer Reviews
Some people seem to see writing unfairly bad reviews as a sport, but even so, customer reviews can be helpful as you figure out which affordable paddle boards are a great deal, and which are just cheap. Watch out for folks who complain that their paddle board was defective when it arrived, or who offer detailed feedback on the cons of the product.
Check the Weight Limit
Cheaper paddle boards are often lightweight, and best suited for lighter paddle boarders. Make sure to check the upper weight limit the manufacturer recommends for the paddle board that you are considering buying before you commit — you may just find that it’s not the right board for you, after all.
Consider a Second-Hand Stand Up Paddle Board
Seasoned paddle boarders will be able to assess the condition a used paddle board is in in no time, and buying a second-hand paddle board may be a great way to save some money if they’re hoping for a bargain.
New paddle boarders can still find a good deal by opting for a used paddle board, but should probably limit themselves to buying from friends and relatives to make sure they don’t end up with a punctured or worn board.
The fact that paddle boarding has become so popular comes with the perk that plenty of people who turned out not to have enough time to use their paddle boards have bought them at some point, so buying a very gently used paddle board is a very real possibility for those who live in the right area.
Why You May Want to Opt for a Higher-End Paddle Board
High-end paddle boards are not just versatile and durable, but they also tend to come with more — and better — accessories. Some accessories are just nice to have, but others make a big difference in your overall paddle boarding experience.
Those include the pump, in the case of an inflatable SUP, and the paddles. Cheap boards often ship with aluminum paddles, for instance, but carbon paddles will help you maneuver through the water much more quickly and efficiently.
When you buy a budget paddle board that ships with lower-quality accessories, you will undoubtedly feel the need to upgrade later, whether by purchasing new accessories separately or buying an entirely new paddle board.
In this case, it makes sense to invest a little more, so that you’re truly happy with the stand up paddle board you’re bringing home, rather than settling for a paddle board you don’t love just to save a little money.
Generally speaking, the more time you spend paddle boarding, and the more serious you are about the sport, the more you should be willing to spend on your new board.
A Final Word: Are Cheap Paddle Boards Worth Buying?
It is entirely possible to buy a very decent inflatable paddle board for less than $350. Budget-conscious shoppers who are determined to get the best affordable SUP that money can buy simply need to:
- Make sure that they buy their paddle boards from a reputable SUP manufacturer.
- Check the warranty period for the SUP they’re thinking about buying.
- Make sure the paddle board they are thinking about buying has the features they need, or they won’t be getting the best value for money.
Do all this, and you can walk away with a great paddle board that will last you a very long time, and that will make you smile every time you take it out onto the water.
