Let\u2019s get into the details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How Are Inflatable Paddle Boards Different from Traditional Paddle Boards?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The main difference between a hard (i.e. \u2018traditional\u2019) board and an inflatable board<\/a> is, unsurprisingly, the construction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Hard paddle boards are built using solid materials like wood, plastic, and fiberglass. They are neither inflatable nor collapsible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Inflatable paddle boards, on the other hand, have a drop stitch core and layer(s) of PVC on top of that. You inflate them before use and they\u2019ll take the shape of a SUP. Once you\u2019re done you can deflate and roll them up for storage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is an important question because when it comes to water safety, you can\u2019t be too cautious. Besides, there have been cases of inflatable SUPs popping so it\u2019s actually a good question. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But you have nothing to worry about. Inflatable boards are safe and don\u2019t pop easily<\/a>. The materials used to make a quality inflatable paddle board are military-grade. Your SUP can take a beating and handle any kind of condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Try to avoid cheap no-name inflatable boards as those may have poorly done seams that can pop easily. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I would confidently vouch for inflatable stand up paddle boards any day, and here\u2019s why. <\/p>\n\n\n\n iSUPs are tougher than solid paddle boards and they handle impact better. The military-strength material used to make iSUPs doesn\u2019t puncture easily. Your inflatable will also most likely bounce off an obstacle instead of getting damaged. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can drop your inflatable on concrete or bump into a rock while paddling a river and it won\u2019t get ruined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can\u2019t say the same about a traditional paddle board. They dent more easily. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you take good care of an inflatable <\/a> board it can last a lifetime, especially if it\u2019s high quality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The price of SUP boards ranges from $200 to about $3000. Those on the cheaper side are mostly inflatable. It is easy to find a quality and durable iSUP for less than $500 and one with premium features for about $700. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most reputable inflatable companies even make an entry-level board that is still well-made but cheaper than their other boards. You don\u2019t need to break the bank to get a great iSUP that will last.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This isn\u2019t the case with traditional paddle boards. A good hard paddle board will cost you at least $1000. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Inflatable SUP boards can be deflated, rolled up, and packed into a bag that you can easily carry around. They will also fit in smaller spaces like under the bed, in your closet, or into a corner somewhere\u2013perfect if you have limited storage space. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These boards tend to be lighter and even smaller paddlers can carry them too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Hard boards are a little heavier and you can\u2019t roll them up. Carrying a hard SUP board, especially a long racing board or large fishing SUP, is not a fun task. And don\u2019t forget that you have to buy a roof rack for transporting it with your car too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You also need big storage space\u2013so if you have a small apartment a solid board may not even be an option for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Another reason why I believe that inflatable boards are worth the money is because of how versatile they are. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s so much you can do with a good all-around inflatable stand up paddle board. You can try basic paddling, SUP fitness, short SUP tours with your kids or doggo, or even a little whitewater paddle boarding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re considering an inflatable paddle board, here are the downsides you should be aware of. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The difference in performance between inflatable SUPs and solid boards continues to get smaller. However, hard stand up paddle boards are still the clear winners as far as performance is concerned. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re looking for a high-performance racing or surfing paddle board, an epoxy SUP is your best option. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I don\u2019t know a single paddle boarder who enjoys the process of inflating and deflating a board, especially with a hand pump. It takes time and effort that you\u2019d rather use for paddle boarding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the best things about traditional paddle boards is that they are always ready to go. You don\u2019t have to worry about inflating or traveling around with a pump. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You have seen that inflatable SUP boards can be ridiculously cheap or seriously expensive. What is a good amount to spend on an iSUP<\/a> and still ensure that you get a good inflatable paddle board?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, there\u2019s no clear answer because there are several factors involved. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But here is an easy way to figure that out. What are you looking for?<\/p>\n\n\n Are you on a tight budget and only want a basic inflatable SUP board for casual paddling? If the answer is yes then you can set aside $350 to $500. That can get you a quality but cheap inflatable paddle board, like the Gili Air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n TIP: Read our Gili Air Review<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mid-range inflatable SUP boards come with better features like multiple action mounts for gear and better quality accessories. This is where the more popular inflatable paddle boards fall. They generally cost $600 to $900. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re looking for a higher-quality board that\u2019s versatile, this is the amount you should expect to spend. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, if you need a premium quality board, designed mainly for a specific SUP activity like fishing, you might have to get an expensive inflatable paddle board, costing $1000+. This could be a Red Paddle Co board meant for racing or a Bote fishing SUP with all the bells and whistles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are so many cheap paddle boards on the market and, honestly, some of them are pretty good<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you decide to get a cheaper board, I\u2019d advise you to be careful because it\u2019s very easy to end up with a low-quality paddle board with equally low-quality accessories. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ll soon find yourself having to get a new paddle board after a few months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, most inflatable paddle boards in the sub $400 category can disappoint you. They feature poor quality construction and low-quality materials so they might not last long. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But in that category, you can also find some good boards. Always try to go with an entry-level SUP from a reputable company like iRocker, Bluefin SUP Boards, and Gili. They usually have a cheaper alternative for beginners, but the boards are still made using high-quality materials. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s also important to buy a board with a reasonable warranty period if you\u2019re buying cheap\u2013like one year. This way, you\u2019ll be covered in case the paddle board is defective. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So, are inflatable paddle boards worth the money? Yes, they are!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Inflatable stand up paddle boards feature drop stitch construction with PVC layers, making them extremely durable. They handle impact better than epoxy boards because they don\u2019t dent as easily. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Contrary to what some people may think, iSUPs don\u2019t pop easily. They are not like cheap inflatable pool toys. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Lastly, inflatable boards are versatile and easy to transport and store. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019ve been thinking about getting an inflatable board, go for it! They\u2019re reliable and amazing. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Inflatable paddle boards took the world of SUP by storm and they continue to gain popularity. While these boards are affordable and durable, there are still doubts about their reliability. Nobody wants to spend a lot of money on a paddle board, only for it to come apart after a few months (or pop when … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3290,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_stopmodifiedupdate":false,"_modified_date":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.paddleboardtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3286"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.paddleboardtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.paddleboardtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.paddleboardtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.paddleboardtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3286"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.paddleboardtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3286\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4558,"href":"https:\/\/www.paddleboardtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3286\/revisions\/4558"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.paddleboardtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3290"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.paddleboardtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3286"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.paddleboardtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3286"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.paddleboardtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3286"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Do Inflatable Paddle Boards Pop Easily: Are They Safe?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.paddleboardtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/are-infl-paddle-boards-worth-the-money.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhy Inflatable Paddle Boards Are Worth the Money<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Inflatable SUP Boards Are More Durable<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
iSUPs Are More Affordable<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
They Are Easy to Store and to Carry Around<\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.paddleboardtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/atoll-backpack.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nInflatable Boards Are Great for All Kinds of SUP Activities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What About the Downsides? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
iSUPs Don\u2019t Make the Best Performance Boards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Inflation Takes Time and Effort<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How Much Should I Spend on an Inflatable Paddle Board?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"irocker-cruiser-sup-boards\"](\"https:\/\/www.paddleboardtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/irocker-cruiser-sup-boards.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nAre Cheap Inflatable Paddle Boards Any Good? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n