Differences Between Inflatable SUPs and Regular Boards

By Diana Matthews


If you are looking to get into paddleboarding, you have most likely looked into purchasing gear. Having your own equipment can be expensive to buy, but will end up costing less in the long run because you can prevent high equipment rental costs.

There are a variety of different paddleboard types you can buy, one of which is inflatable. Boards that are inflated have numerous perks, but there are a couple of disadvantages. These kinds of boards are designed with a particular individual in mind who will appreciate the benefits and not care about the downsides. Let's look at how they are different.

Portability

Inflatable SUPs can be deflated and carried in a compact bag. This means that sports enthusiasts don't need to load a large board on the top of their cars. They can additionally be carried on planes without requiring a substantial fee typically charged for large luggage.

Due to the fact that they can be rolled up into a smaller, more compact size, these boards can be easily secured in a car, carried on one's back and stored without taking up much area. Typical fiberglass boards do not offer these benefits. Individuals who have a gear rack on their SUV, sufficient storage area and no need to secure their boards while transporting them, this may not cause a problem.

Work Needed to Inflate the Board

Inflatable SUPs usually need a manual hand pump to be pumped up. This can take from 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the power of the person doing the inflating. Pumping air into a paddleboard takes work, and for some petite ladies, it can be a workout. Regular boards of course do not require this additional work, and some people choose the benefit of not needing to constantly inflate and deflate their equipment.

Maneuverability

The firmness of inflatable boards varies. In general, the less expensive boards have a lower psi inflation, and as a result are less firm. This means that they can bounce more in choppy water or waves. For beginners, this can feel more unsteady. For people paddling on lakes or other flat water locations, they may not be able to notice a distinction and as a result not care.

Traditional boards can offer a more easy trip and greater maneuverability. Paddlers desiring a fast board that is much easier to turn and move (ie those who wish to race or do regular workouts) are more likely to choose a hard board instead of the inflatable kind, which are more tailored to the recreational paddler or somebody thinking about yoga paddleboard classes.

From my experience and research, inflatable SUPs do not leak air very often. Even so, most models come with a patch kit just in case. These boards look and feel like a hard board to individuals not knowledgeable about the different types of boards, and most novice purchasers are more than satisfied at how they carry out.

When shopping, it is a good idea to compare the features of different items along with prices, so you can get an SUP that you enjoy.




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