Hard Vs Inflatable SUPs

Almost daily I am asked about the difference between hard and inflatable paddle boards. Both technologies have advantages for different circumstances with some overlap in the middle. If you’re considering purchasing a new board, here is a guide to help you make your decision.

INFLATABLE SUPs

PVC, Drop Stitch & Carbon

Advancements in technology over the past decade have shifted perception of inflatable water craft from simple toys to serious performance vessels. The primary mechanism that allowed for this transformation was the use of PVC coating combined with a drop-stitch core. Seen pictured below, drop-stitching is a series of fibers that form a web, allowing boards to hold their shape. By adding multiple layers of PVC, combined with various gluing and sealing techniques, an inflatable board can start to compete with hard boards in the key area of interest: rigidity.

As I will explain later, rigidity is the secret sauce that separates inflatables and hard sups. Until recently, a stiff board was the only acceptable solution (twss). Throw carbon fiber into the mix and we start to see inflatables handling like higher-performing boards. Some manufacturers will run a strip of carbon fiber down the length of a board further stiffening the ride. When you add up the other benefits, there’s a compelling case for iSUPs.

Storage & Portability

Perhaps the clearest advantage of iSUPs is their ability to compress and pack down so you can toss it in a closet when not in use, throw it in your car for a road trip, or check it in for a flight. The typical iSUP weighs around 20-25lbs and packs down to the size of a large backpack. In fact, most manufacturers will include padded backpack so you can take your SUP on a hike to a remote lake. For people who live in urban environments with very little storage, iSUPs are a life (and space) saver.

Durability & Flexibility

If you’ve ever fallen on a surf board or paddle board, you’ll appreciate the forgiveness of PVC and air. Hitting the deck won’t leave welts or bruises with an inflatable. Yet, when it comes to your board hitting things much harder, inflatables also win for their durability. A hard board is easily dinged by rocks and reefs, whereas iSUP will likely bounce right off without a scrape. Check out the video below from one of our favorite boards, Atoll. Certainly there’s always the risk of a puncture, but the PVC is typically so solid that it would take a series stabbing to get through. Frankly, the only real concerns with an inflatable are the seams. Cheaply made iSUPs may not use quality materials and techniques, and run the risk of the seams splitting and leaking. This is why we recommend sticking with local, quality brands with great warranties.

Stability

It may surprise you that inflatables can compete with hard boards for stability. This comes with the advances in drop stitch and PVC, allowing for a solid platform, but shape the rocker (nose) and tail to cut through water. Of course, stability is going to depend on the width of your chosen board and the strength of your core, but most experts would argue that iSUPs are great for learning to paddle board and developing that core. Because you sit higher off the water (most boards are 5-6” thick), your feet stay dry and you can focus on learning good paddle technique.

HARD SUPs

Considering all of the above, it’s important to understand that, while iSUPs are amazing technology and have revolutionized the industry, there is still a lot of room for hard paddle boards. There are simply some conditions that require you have a more rigid board. Rigidity is the key to a hard board. Being able to slice through the water provides advantages for a number of use cases.

Speed & PerformanceIf you are interested in a higher-performing SUP for your daily workout or even getting into racing, hard boards offer better glide, and momentum, while cutting through the water at a faster pace. Most serious paddlers have a quiver of hard boards of various shapes and sizes (including displacement hulls to really move through water). As I mentioned above, some iSUP manufacturers are closing the gap, but hard boards still win here.

Surfing

While you might be able to take a thinner, shorter SUP into some gentle waves, any serious SUP surfer is still using hard boards. The rigidity is necessary to do cut backs, and the glide will travel across the face of the wave more smoothly.

Wind & Chop

Here’s where we find the best use for hard boards on the Bay. Some days are just blown out and choppy, forcing us to recommend avoiding inflatable boards. Because they are thicker and lighter, they can get blown around by a good gust of wind combined with the right toss from a choppy whitecap. The buoyancy of an iSUP, while an advantage on flat water, can make a rougher ride when the sea churns. Hard boards will keep you lower to the water and won’t get blown around.

Less Fuss

You’ve all seen people sweating and pumping their inflatable SUPs on a sunny day in Crane Cove Park. Or maybe you’ve heard the roar of the electric pumps as people ready for a session from their cars. Hard boards can just pop off the roof rack and hit the water. iSUPs need some love and attention. It’s a trade-off for the convenience.

Also, if you do happen to have an incident with either board, hard boards can be repaired fairly easily. Once you push an inflatable to its breaking point (which is admittedly hard to do), patch kits, glue, and repairs are not so simple.

CONCLUSION

If you’re reading this, it’s likely you’re a candidate for an iSUP. Most of the time, people want to just cover their bases before making a purchase because they don’t want to choose the wrong board. But typically, if you’re in the market for a hard board, you already know that you need it. If you’re serious about stand up paddle boarding, go out in all-weather conditions, surf, race, or want high performance, you’ll want a hard SUP. For the rest of us, who seek a fun activity on the weekends, or even regular paddles for fitness around the central waterfront, but also want to take our board on trips to Tahoe or Iceland, or have spacial limitations, an iSUP is the best choice.

And when you decide that you want an iSUP, the next real question is carbon rails or not? If you’re willing to spend a little more money, the carbon gives a more rigid platform so you can consider somewhat higher performance conditions. We suggest stopping by the shop and talking about your intended use. I am happy to give personal attention to each customer to help them find the right board.

And, of course, we’d love to help you get the right fit for your next board. Check out our board shop for the current models we offer, or stop by the shop to have a chat.