Inflatable SUPs VS Fiberglass SUPs

By Barbara McGregor


If you are looking to learn the sport of paddleboarding, you have most likely looked into purchasing equipment. Having your own equipment can be pricey to buy, but will end up costing less over time because you can avoid high equipment rental fees.

There are several various paddleboard types you can buy, including inflatable. Inflatable boards provide several benefits, however, there are a few drawbacks also. These kinds of boards are made with a certain person in mind who will value the advantages and not care about the downsides. Let's have a look at how they are different.

Ease in Transporting Them

Inflatable SUPs can be deflated and carried in a medium sized bag. This means that people don't have to load a large board on the top of their cars. They can additionally be carried on planes without requiring a large charge typically charged for oversized baggage.

Due to the fact that they can be packed into a smaller, more compact size, these boards can be easily secured in a car, transported on one's back and stowed without using up much area. Typical fiberglass boards do not provide these benefits. Nevertheless, individuals who have a board rack on their car, sufficient storage area and no need to lock their boards while carrying them, this may not be an issue.

Effort Required to Pump up the Board

Inflatable SUPs generally need a manual hand pump to be pumped up. This can take between 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 women, it can be a workout. Traditional boards obviously do not require this added work, and some people like the convenience of not needing to continually inflate and deflate their gear.

Ability to Maneuver Them

The firmness of inflatable boards varies. In general, the cheaper boards have a lower psi inflation, and as a result are less firm. This means that they can bounce more in rough water or surf. For novices, this can feel more unsteady. For individuals paddling on lakes or various other flat water places, they may not be able to notice a difference and for that reason not care.

Conventional boards can provide a more easy trip and increased maneuverability. Paddlers desiring a fast board that is simpler to turn and move (ie those who want to race or do regular exercises) are more likely to opt for a hard board instead of the inflatable type, which are more designed to the recreational paddler or somebody thinking about yoga paddleboarding.

From my experience and research, inflatable paddleboards do not leak air very often. Even so, a lot of models come with a patch kit just in case. These boards appear and feel like a hard board to individuals not familiar with the various styles of boards, and most first-time buyers are thrilled at how they perform.

When shopping, it is a good idea to compare the attributes of different equipment along with prices, so you can get a board that you like.




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