Hard Vs Inflatable Paddle Boards: Which is Better?
Paddleboarding is becoming an increasingly popular way to enjoy the summer sun! Whether you live near a beach, river or lake, spending time sailing across the water can be both exciting and relaxing.
If you’re new to the sport, you may have noticed a lot of people using inflatable stand-up paddleboards (SUPs). These have become increasingly popular over the last five to ten years as their quality has increased.
Nowadays, the difference between choosing an inflatable or solid-body SUP isn’t about quality, as both options can offer great products. Instead, it comes down to various personal factors, from storage to performance and beyond.
Here are some of the key considerations you’ll want to make before deciding whether a hard or inflatable SUP is right for you.
Bear in mind that this guide considers the average hard SUP against the average inflatable one. For both styles, there is a range of products available, including high-end models which will perform better in certain areas.
Storage and Portability: Inflatable SUP
Arguably the most popular reason to buy an inflatable SUP is its portability. There are more advantages to choosing an inflatable but this is number one for most beginners.
As the name suggests, inflatable SUPs can be deflated between uses. Most inflatable SUPs, when deflated, reduce to roughly the size of a large backpack, making them incredibly easy to store and carry to and from the water.
If you’ve got a large space, such as a garage, and a vehicle onto which you can strap a board, then storage and portability might not be an issue.
Ease of Use: Hard SUP
Many people think that an inflatable SUP is the same as a beginner’s SUP, but that’s not necessarily the case. In fact, beginners will often find a hard SUP much easier thanks to the differences in shape.
Inflatable SUPs tend to be rounder and narrower than their hard counterparts, with the air evenly spreading throughout the board. Hard SUP boards will have a more varied distribution of volume, including standing areas that are much thinner compared to inflatables.
The result of these shape differences is that hard SUPs tend to give you a wider standing zone that is closer to the water, making it easier to stand on your paddleboard.
When it comes to ease of use, it’s also worth mentioning the preparation time for inflatable SUPs. Pumping an inflatable SUP takes time and effort, which can sometimes put beginners off from going on lazy days. Choosing a hard SUP because you don’t want to deal with inflating and deflating every time is a legitimate reason!
Performance: Hard SUP
As you might have guessed, the more precise shape available with hard SUP boards also means an improvement in performance when you want to take your SUP to the next level.
Generally speaking, a hard SUP board will outperform a similar inflatable SUP in all areas of performance, from control to speed and catching waves. Inflatable SUPs can still deliver a good level of performance, particularly for beginners, but you may eventually find yourself wanting more.
Durability: Inflatable SUP
While you may not think it at first, an inflatable is actually a better choice for people who are unsure about riding their SUP into rough terrain.
Both inflatable and hard-bodied SUPS are built with heavy-duty materials designed to withstand most bumps, so for the average user, this might not be a consideration. However, because inflatables are filled with air, they’re naturally better equipped to ride bumps and scrapes.
As an example, while a hard SUP might scrape against the beach rocks, causing lasting damage that will need repairing, an inflatable SUP can ride them like a road tyre with little lasting impact.
Of course, durability ultimately comes down to how well you treat the board. Inflatable SUPs are protected from punctures but are not immune if mistreated, and punctures can spell the end for an inflatable. Likewise, hard boards will get damaged easily if regularly ridden over rocky terrain.
Price: Inflatable
As we mentioned at the start, there are many options for both high-end inflatable and hard SUPs. However, the average inflatable SUP will usually be less than the average hard-bodied SUP.
Similar to purchasing things like surfboards or wetsuits, you have to make a personal decision here regarding cost against longevity. If spending a little bit more means buying a board that is good quality and you’re excited to use regularly, that can be a better decision than buying a basic entry-level SUP that isn’t enjoyable and doesn’t get as much use.
Hard or Inflatable SUP: Which is Best for Me?
There are advantages to both hard and inflatable paddle boards, both for beginners and more advanced users, so which style to choose comes down to preference.
Hard boards are great for beginners as they are easier to use and control on the water. Plus, they offer natural progression with better top-speed potential. On the other hand, hard SUPs can be difficult to store and carry around due to their size and tend to cost more.
Inflatable SUPs are loved due to their easy storage and cheaper price compared to hard boards, while they can also survive small bangs and scrapes with no damage. However, they can be harder to use for beginners and won’t perform as well on the water as their hard-bodied counterparts.
No matter which style you choose, rest assured that all the stand-up paddleboards available at Wetsuit Centre will serve you well on the water.
