This is a very special criterion; one in which can sway people away from a product before they ever give it a chance. Not too many factors can own this claim and, of course, this is alluding to the price. If everyone made the same amount of money, the price would never be an issue. Unfortunately, the world is a bit more complex than that and some people need to remain on a budget. But, even if you are on a budget, you should be able to find a quality model that will be ideal for you.

As you recently learned, however, SUP boards can be extremely steep when it comes to price. Some models can creep up into the four-figure range, but you also can find some under $500. Either way, if you want to buy a brand-new paddle board, you must enter in with the mindset that you are willing to spend a good deal of money. The key is to compare the prices of different models against one another to conclude which one is the most reasonable for you. Even though a particular SUP board may still cost a couple of hundred dollars, it could still be significantly cheaper than other models.

However, even for the extra expensive versions, these boards truly are worth every single penny you spend for them. The pure enjoyment you will find yourself having with your family will compensate for the potential dip in your savings account.

At the end of the day, the price may be your deciding factor. But, the paddle board itself is what you are investing your hard-earned cash into. So, one with a quality design is an absolute necessity. As you noticed throughout the list, a majority of the SUP boards were cheaper. This is not a coincidence and there is a reason why they appeared time and time again. Outside of any other design choice, strictly being inflatable can be a huge advantage. Specifically, because of its ability to be deflated for easier transport, stable-nature when fully inflated, and soft surface if you accidentally fall.

But, manufacturers who choose to make their boards must also add protection and additional features to complete the design. For starters, any models constructed from military-grade PVC, or wrapped in an additional layer of PVC, are a great choice. This is thanks, in large part, to PVC’s durability, abrasion resistance, lightweight nature, and safeness (being non-toxic). In fact, products that are constructed from PVC are so durable that frequent fixes and replacements are not necessary. In addition, board’s that include resistance against corrosion (which PVC will mostly cover) and anti-skid pads for secure footing are good to look for.

Now, these boards clearly hold a great advantage over the rest of the competition. But, they are not perfect; which means other models do have some advantages, as well. Perhaps the biggest is you do not have to waste excess energy blowing air into them. However, solid SUP boards also tend to have greater speed and agility.

No matter if you choose air-filled or solid, another great design feature to look out for is if there is any way to hold attached cargo or items. This is typically achieved with either various D-rings or a bungee system. With them attached, you can bring along coolers, life jackets (if you want smaller children on it), or other accessories.

Now, it is time to look at some specifications and why they should be important in your buying process. If you are ignorant when it comes to understanding why the weight, length, width, and thickness are important than you may be wasting your time altogether. First off, let us analyze the weight capacity that each board will hold. Each manufacturer’s weight capacity for their SUP board will fluctuate as compared to the rest. Thus, you can’t automatically assume that it will properly hold you (or other members of your family and friends that may ride it) without risking damage or sinking.

Thankfully, most designer’s will make it very clear what their board is capable of holding at one time. Most of the SUP boards on this list range from 225 to 350 pounds; which will accommodate most individuals. But, if you are a little bit on the heavy-side (or know people that will use it are) you will want to pay extra attention to the weight capacity. If it is right on the dot, you may want to look for one with a higher limit because it is a good idea to adapt for a little bit of leeway.

Secondly, you need to determine how important each measurement is to you. In general, SUP boards are measured length by width by the thickness and each is very important. The good news is most manufacturers will build their board with similar dimensions. But, in the situation where they are a little different, the length and width determine how much space and maneuverability you will have while standing on the surface. The thickness, on the other hand, plays a part in determining the stiffness of the board (with the thicker it being, the stiffer).

Typically, when you talk about extra accessories for a product they are only used as an extra incentive to purchase it. For SUP boards, especially those that need to be inflated, they are a little more valuable and often times required. This is because if you received a plain SUP board with nothing extra included, you would need a pump (if it needs to be inflated) and a paddle for navigating (as it does not operate as a traditional surfboard). As for the other accessories often included, while not necessities, they greatly enhance performance and convenience.

For starters, the included pump and paddle are two very important accessories that are typically included with SUP boards. Obviously, if the board is solid then you will not need concern yourself with this. But, when they are, they are quite massive in size and need a lot of air to fully inflate. For some of the entries on this list, the included pump was below-average. If this happens to be the case for a model you are considering, you should not let this alone sway your decision. As you could simply invest in a superior hand-pump. However, it is still convenient when one (even if it is nearly-incompetent) is included.

Now, for the paddle. The makeup of the paddle itself is important, whether aluminum-alloy, fiberglass, or other, but you should truly prioritize models that are adjustable. Each person who operates the board will likely need the paddle at a different height setting. It is a simple concept, but an extremely important one. For the rest of the pack, which typically consists of an ankle safety leash, repair kit, removable fins, and a valve wrench, they are worth mentioning as well.

With an ankle safety leash, you can attach your ankle to the surface of the board. In the instance where you fall into the water, this will prevent the board from fleeing away. An included repair kit will allow you to manually fix any scuffs or damages that appear. Use discretion, as if you put a basketball-sized hole in the board the kit will most likely be rendered useless. But, it is convenient for simple fixes to prevent it from being unusable.

Then, there is the removable fin/fins that come with the board. Adding fins on a SUP board will allow you to improve the directional stability of the board. They can provide lateral lift and allow an easier time for you to control the direction. Lastly, it is nice when you receive an included valve wrench in instances where the compartment used to store air is difficult to open.