How To Choose The Right SUP For You
When you search ‘buying a stand-up paddleboard’ your feed is likely to be filled with hundreds of variations of boards. Different colours, sizes, brands… but how do you choose the right SUP for you? Here’s a little post on some key things to consider when buying a stand-up paddleboard. Remember there is no ‘best’ option for all. Choosing a paddleboard is such a unique thing, so make sure you take some time to think about it before you invest.
Inflatable vs Hard Board: Which SUP is Right for You?
One of the most common questions I get asked is: “Which is better; an inflatable or a hard board?”
The truth is, neither is “better.” Both have their strengths, and the right choice depends on your lifestyle and how you plan to paddle. Here are some things to think about:
Getting to the water: Are you driving or walking? Do you have roof racks? Would a lighter board be easier for you to carry?
Storage: Do you have space for a 10ft board in your garage, or do you need something that packs away neatly and will need to be carried into a lift to get to your unit?
Travel: Do you dream of taking your SUP on holidays with you? Roadtrips? Plane trips? It’s all possible!
Style of paddling: Are you sticking to flatwater, or do you want to surf waves too? (or ‘attempt’ to surf perhaps?)
Who’s using it: Is the board just for you, or will kids, friends, or even your dog be jumping on too?
Once you answer these questions, the “best” option becomes clearer:
✅ Go inflatable if…
Storage space is tight. We have so many paddlers in our community who live in units and therefore inflatables are the answer to store them in small garages or take them upstairs in the lift!
You don’t have roof racks. An inflatable packs down nice and small so you can keep it in the boat of your car or carry it on your back on public transport.
You want to travel with your SUP (this is my favourite perk of inflatables!).
You’ll be sharing with family, kids, or pets and need something durable and less likely to get dinged. Inflatables are way more durable when it comes to kids and others using your board.
✅ Go hard board if…
You’ve got roof racks and storage space. Save yourself the inflating time and effort if you can easily get the board to/from the water AND store it easily.
The board is mostly for you, and you’ll look after it. Hard boards are often a little more fragile (especially if you purchase the lighter, more female-friendly ones), so if this is your special board you know it will be looked after.
You’re curious about SUP surfing or already love the traditional surfboard feel. I’m not going to lie, while you can surf inflatables, hard boards are definitely where it’s at when it comes to surfing.
Weight and portability aren’t big concerns.
At the end of the day, the “best” board is the one that fits your lifestyle, so you’ll actually use it.
Next comes the style/shape of a board!
Boards come in many different shapes and sizes, and below are the most common styles you’ll see when searching for the right paddleboard for you. It’s important to consider the shape and style of your board because not all boards are built the same and the shape/size could seriously have an impact on whether you’re having a great time… or not!
🌊 All-Rounders
The name says it all, these boards are the “do-it-all” of SUP. Stable, versatile, and perfect for beginners, they work just as well on calm flatwater as they do catching small waves. If you want one board that can handle pretty much anything, this is your go-to. They are the most common board you’ll find in the market. Typically around 10’0 - 10’8 in length and 30-34 inches in width.
🚤 Touring Boards
Longer and narrower, touring boards are designed for efficiency, you’ll often be able to identify touring boards alongside all-rounders as they will have a pointier nose. They track straight, glide smoothly, and make long-distance paddling feel easier. Perfect if you want to explore, cover some distance, or even carry gear on a SUP adventure. Touring boards are often over 11ft in length, and can vary in width depending on the desired load.
⚡️ Performance & Racing Boards
Built for speed! These sleek, narrow boards cut through the water with minimal resistance. They’re all about glide and efficiency and often made of light materials like carbon fibre. We could right a whole blog in itself on performance and racing boards, but let’s leave it there for now.
🏄 Surf SUPs
Shaped for waves, surf SUPs often have more rocker (the lift in the nose and tail), making them easier to handle when dropping into waves. Some are shorter and sportier for experienced riders, while others have more tapered tails for sharper turns (honestly, I could do a whole blog post just on SUP tail shapes!)
🧘 Yoga SUPs
Wide, flat, and ultra-stable, these are designed to be your floating yoga mat. You’ll usually notice a large, soft deck pad that gives you plenty of space (and comfort) for those big stretches and poses. A yoga SUP is often recognisable because the soft deck pad stretches all the way up to the nose of the paddeboard and there may not be tie-down straps on the front of the board. Yoga SUPs are typically around 10’6 and 33-34 inches wide making them super stable.
🎣 Fishing SUPs
Yes, SUP fishing is a thing! These boards look a lot like yoga SUPs but with added features like tie-down points and mounts for rods, coolers, or tackle. Stability is key here so you can cast a line without toppling in. However be warned, fishing SUPs are often HEAVIER boards, so while some may look attractive due to all the additional features, if you’re not a keen fisher-person, perhaps consider something a little lighter.
💨 Windsurf SUPs
Some all-rounders have the ability to attach a windsurf sail, while dedicated windsurf SUPs might include a daggerboard for extra control. Once again like surf SUPs and racing boards there is a lot of detail that could be explored in these specialist wind-surf SUP but we’ll keep it simple for today’s blog post as the chances are, if you’re new to SUP, this won’t be what you’re looking for.
I’m new to SUP, what board should I start with?
I usually recommend all new paddlers start with an all-rounder board (I teach all new paddlers on the 10’6 Ride or 10’8 Ride from Red Paddle Co - you can buy one HERE with a 10% She SUPs discount!). They’re super stable but also incredibly versatile, enabling you to try out different conditions, paddle long distances, play with your friends and family and fall in love with paddleboarding! As you progress, you’ll naturally start to discover which side of SUP you love most, and that’s when your next board can start to reflect your preferred style of paddling. For example, I fell in love with long-distance paddling after a year or two of paddling, so my second board was an 11’0 Touring board from Red Paddle Co (as seen in the photo below - and it’s still going strong 7 years later! Check it out HERE) however some people love their all-rounders so much that they stay with them forever!!
This one looks good… but how do I know?
I’m always amazed at how some retailers manage to sell average boards simply through clever marketing - like slapping a celebrity’s name on it (who, let’s be honest, probably doesn’t even paddle!). So, how do you cut through the smoke and mirrors and make sure you’re actually investing in a quality board? Here are a few things to look out for:
✅ Green Flags – Signs of a Quality SUP Brand
Offers a clear warranty and stands behind their boards.
Provides honest, no-pressure advice (even if it takes you weeks to decide).
Transparent about construction and design - happy to explain materials, factories, or share behind-the-scenes info.
Has a genuine background in SUP or watersports, built by people who actually paddle. If they have a helpline/chat that you can use to talk to an actual person OR an actual instagram account dedicated to their boards, it’s likely to be safer to trust them!
❌ Red Flags – Signs to Be Cautious
Relies on celebrity endorsements or flashy marketing instead of substance.
Pushy sales tactics or pressure to “buy now”
Says “all SUPs come from the same factory” - a sure sign this is a mass produced board in China that won’t last the test of time. The quality boards often have their own factories.
A supermarket or generic retailer selling SUPs as a trend item rather than a passion-driven product.
What’s the difference between a $300 stand-up paddleboard and a $1000+ paddleboard?
In SUP, you really do get what you pay for.
With inflatables, going cheap usually means sacrificing stability. Lower-quality materials and poor construction can cause the board to bend and flex under your feet (hello, banana!), making it much harder to stand, balance, and paddle with confidence.
With hard boards, the compromise is usually weight. Cheaper boards are often made with heavier materials, which can leave you lugging around something that feels as heavy as a small car.
Across the board, lower prices often mean corners are cut- whether in materials, quality control, or design. That’s not to say you have to invest a lot in a board to get started, I think buying something “cheap and cheerful” to splash around on occasionally or simply to get you on the water asap is great. However for the best experience and board longevity, a bit more investment is always worth it!
Can I buy a board second hand?
Yes! Buying a second-hand board can be a fantastic idea - especially if it’s your first board and you’re not ready to commit to a big investment just yet. You’ll often find some great deals, and it’s a smart way to test out what type of paddling you enjoy before upgrading later. Facebook Marketplace is often the best way to find second hand boards in your local area. Here are a few things to consider when looking at second hand boards:
🔎 Condition: Look for obvious damage such as cracks, deep scratches, or soft spots in the board. For inflatables, check for patches or repairs, and make sure it holds air properly. If someone has made a personal repair on their board anywhere near the seam or involving a patch, I would warn you that this will be an ongoing weak spot in the board so I’d probably choose another board just for peace of mind.
🔎 Storage history: Ask how the board has been stored. Sun and heat damage can shorten a board’s lifespan.
🔎 Accessories: Does it come with the paddle, leash, pump, or fins? Check it has all of the parts including a bag - pretty much all inflatables come with a board bag. All of these accessories should come included, not sold seperately.
🔎 Price: Compare the asking price to the new version of the same board. If it’s close to retail price, you may be better off buying new with a warranty. There are MANY people on Facebook Marketplace who try to sell Anaconda or Aldi boards which may be $299 retail price for $300 second hand! Watch out for this! You’ll know it’s an Anaconda board if it’s called ‘Aqua Marina’. Premium board brands such as Red Paddle Co, Fanatic, Starboard have proven that they can stand the test of time, so don’t fear getting an older version of these boards for a good price (e.g. $400-500 for a board that normally retails $1000+).
👉 Tip: If you’re unsure, ask an experienced paddler (or send me the details - I love checking out boards! Email: hello@shesups.com.au for advice!)
Why do you recommend Red Paddle Co for inflatable boards?
Way before I started She SUPs I bought my first paddleboard and it was a 10’6 Ride inflatable paddleboard from Red Paddle Co. I’d done a lot of research, asked friends and decided that I trusted the brand. Fast forward 7 years and I can confidently say, these boards stand the test of time and Red look after their customers. I’ve travelled with my Red boards around the world, packed them onto planes, trains, vans and in the car. I’ve seen them be repaired, I’ve seen the incredible Red warranty team help endless amounts of customers in the most generous ways (they have a 5 year warranty). I’ve also seen how much a poorly made board can negatively impact a paddlers first experience and can leave them wobbling and lacking confidence, but then put them on a super stable Red and they’re paddling with ease!! The time, energy and money Red spends on their design and construction stands miles ahead of the rest of the paddleboarding industry, which is why I continue to buy them for She SUPs and recommend them to anyone who will listen. The only downside of Red? They are pricey compared to the cheapies on the market. However their resale value remains high year round because of this, and I have seen these boards last 10+ years so I truly believe the investment is worth it. Plus, I’ve worked with Red now for so many years that I’ve got all She SUPs paddlers (and friends of She SUPs) a 10% discount to make things easier! Just click HERE to access the discount via our ‘She SUPs Edit’ online store.
What hard boards do you recommend?
As mentioned previously, it pays to invest with all boards, but especially with hard boards to protect yourself from having a super heavy board which is hard to carry! I love the ECS EVO range of hard boards as they are great quality boards featuring an ultra-lite high density EPS foam centre keeping them lightweight around 10kg. Equally the NSP Cocoflax range have a great reputation for being lightweight and easy to move - especially for female paddlers.
Final words of advice
Try before you buy… if you can! When I first started She SUPs in 2019 there were A LOT more SUP shops than there are today. Unfortunately there are many that are closing these days, however if you can try a few styles of SUPs via paddles with She SUPs, with friends or family you’ll soon get a feel for what’s right for you. Many stores offer demo days or demo boards that you can take away and try before you buy so it’s always worth asking a shop or brand if they offer this service. I hope this very brief summary has helped you in your decision making. Feel free to reach out for more specific info about boards and brands.
Happy paddling!
Vikki x
Founder of She SUPs