Solid vs. inflatable
There are two types of paddle boards you can buy, inflatable or rigid, aka solid. One is not better than the other – it will primarily depend on your current circumstances and what you want to get out of your board.
Rigid paddleboards tend to be better for the ocean because they are more durable and can probably withstand the impact of jagged rocks and coral reefs. They are also more stable when you hit choppy waters, boat wakes and waves. They are also usually heavier, more difficult to transport and more difficult to store.
Inflatable boards allow you to easily store it in small spaces like apartments, studios or the trunk of your car. They're also easier to get to the water, especially if you don't own a truck or vehicle with roof racks.
Functionality
There are specific types of paddle boards that you can buy that are ergonomically designed for specific activities. There are different lengths, widths and styles to maximize functionality.
- Tours: Touring boards are meant to cover long distances over flat water and allow you to cut through choppy waters with no problems. They tend to be long with a pointed nose to maximize speed, but are wider than a racing board to help you feel more balanced over longer periods of time.
- Racing: Racing boards are built for speed. They are usually long, lean and agile for excellent maneuverability. Expect to pay over $1,000 for a quality racing board.
- Yoga: Yoga boards are longer and wider than your average SUP, so you can feel more balanced while practicing your poses. The foot pad also tends to take up a lot of the board's surface, so you have a lot of room to move around.
- Fishing: Fishing boards are like yoga SUPs in that they are longer and wider for better balance. They also usually have a recessed deck that helps lower the center of gravity and improve balance. Not to mention, more D-rings to hang your fishing gear on.
- Multi-personality: Most paddleboards fit up to 250 to 300 pounds. Paddleboards designed for more than one person are quite large, wide and can sit up to 20 feet long.
- Free time: The average paddler wants to glide through the water and balance without falling. A paddle board can range from 10 to 11 feet and offers a nice combination of speed, stability and maneuverability.
Budget
You can find a wide range of prices with paddleboards, so you can enjoy the sport on almost any budget. Inflatable boards tend to be more affordable than hardtops, while performance and racing boards are among the most expensive you can buy. For a good paddle board, prices start around $300 and go up to $2,000 or more.
Storage
Once upon a time, I lived in a 750 square foot one bedroom apartment and bought a 10 foot paddle board. Did I have a detached garage? No. Did I have an abnormally large storage closet? No, I didn't have that either. Not realizing the sheer size of a paddleboard, I didn't consider storage. I had to buy wall brackets to hold my headboard above the bed, almost like a makeshift headboard. Before I knew it, my place felt like a beach house in the middle of Reno, Nevada.
Moral of the story is, make sure you have room to store a solid SUP before you buy one if that's the type you're inclined towards.