About the board: The Jimmy Styks Miler is a non-inflatable touring board designed for beginner to intermediate level paddlers. Priced at just over $1,000, the Miler sits in the popular mid-tier market in terms of affordability and has a few unique features that sets it apart from other boards in this category. The board is pretty heavy and hard to carry but is seemingly strong in its construction. The board was designed for paddling mid-range to long distances and should be used primarily for touring and exploring.Read more HERE.

Who is this for: If you’re looking for a stable, non-inflatable board to paddle long-range distances then the Verve from Boardworks is worth a look. This stand up paddle (SUP) board comes in the Carbon Vector Net construction which is meant to be lightweight and durable. The Verve has both positives and negatives to note. Due to its width of 28 inches the board is stable but is not intended for beginner paddlers. Its construction comes in at an average weight of 2.65 lbs per foot, weighing a total of 29.1 lbs. Its shape makes the Verve great for touring or race training that can be used by intermediate paddlers for both recreation and competitive paddling. Its construction and shape combined best fit this board for long-range distances from 3 to 10 miles plus. Retailing at $1,399, the board is among the popular mid-tier market in terms of affordability. Read more HERE

About the board: The Air Glide Flow from SIC Maui is an inflatable, all-around board, perfect for beginner paddlers and is at an affordable price point under $1,000. The board has a very clean look and takes a simplistic approach with graphics and colors. The packaging that the board comes in is stunning and has a very high-quality, premium feel to it. The board is lightweight thus making it easy to carry and has FCS II tool-less fin compatibility giving it a great value for its price. The high-quality packing and materials combined with the premium look and feel make the board merit the Supconnect “A” grade. Read more HERE.

About the board: The Shubu is a very stable, inflatable board that is great for beginners. The board takes the simple route in terms of looks, coming with a limited play on color and graphics however, it offers unique features having two side-bite fins and with the option of adding a third, FCS II center fin into the center fin box which is unusual for inflatables. It has reinforced rails and an arch bar in the center to help with rigidity and comes in a nice portable bag and has a repair kit in case of damage. The board has premium qualities for an affordable price, meriting it Supconnect’s “A” grade. Read more HERE.

About the board: The Touring Zen is an inflatable board great for paddlers of all skill levels. Primarily designed with touring in mind the board is great for paddling mid-range distances up to 3-5 miles max. It has some nice looks with a mix of bold colors, blues and greens that are very eye-catching. This paddle board is easy to carry being that it weighs slightly over 23 lbs and the glide feels fast which is very surprising since inflatables aren’t usually fast. The board comes with a tool-less FCS II fin which is a perk and also has an FCS adaptor on the deck of the board which is unusual to have on an inflatable. The board has premium features at an affordable price thus deserving Supconnect’s “A” grade. Read more HERE.

About the board: SIC Maui’s award-winning Bullet is a multi-purpose, non-inflatable board great for intermediate and advanced paddlers. The graphics are simple yet stunning and give the board a premium look. Because the board is 27 lbs it’s borderline-difficult to carry however the EZ grab handle makes carrying much easier because you’re able to fully grip the handle. The board is great for downwinders, touring and even racing, making it very versatile and fun. Premium looks and feel combined with a variety of conditions that it works in warrants the Bullet Supconnect’s “A” grade. Read more HERE.

About the board: The Expedition is a fast, non-inflatable board geared towards advanced paddlers who want to invest in a touring/expedition board. It has some gorgeous looks, coming with an exceptionally beautiful play on color and graphics, intended to be potent and yet with class. It’s relatively easy to carry and has a couple cool features incorporated: the GoPro mount located on the nose as well as bungee inserts on both the tail and nose. This paddle board is easy to carry and the glide feels fast, which is great for expeditions. With its superior graphics and smooth glide on the water this board warrants Supconnect’s “A” grade. Read more HERE.

About the board: The HD Lowrider is an awesome non-inflatable touring board that is fit for intermediate-level paddlers and can be used in a wide range of conditions. Its shape makes the HD a great touring board that could also be used in a race because of its race-board hull design. It looks has beautiful graphics and the deckpad design flows perfectly with the color of the board. Although the board is difficult to carry has a ton of cool accessories and additions that cater to touring and fishing. It has ConnexSUP inserts which allow for endless opportunities to hook up cool gadgets and tools, it has a paddle holder on the rail of the board, cooler tie downs, fishing post inserts more. With the premium look and countless add-ons the HD Lowrider is awarded with Supconnect’s “A” grade. Read more HERE.

About the board: The award-winning Lotus from Pau Hana is the ultimate SUP yoga paddle board that works for paddlers of all skill sets. The board is non-inflatable and is incredibly stable (as it should be since it’s geared for yoga). The Lotus has some beautiful looks, suited exactly in line for what someone who enjoys Yoga might like. The shape design is unique for boards in this category and has a squared nose and tail, which is very uncommon to see. It is pretty heavy and difficult to carry however, once you’re in the water you feel comfortable and stable while practicing yoga. The board also has multiple attachment points that can be used to hold you paddle or attach a number of your favorite accessories. The unique design and suitability for practicing yoga gives the Lotus a well-earned “A” grade. Read more HERE.