About the board: The Freeride is a stable, non-inflatable board that is suited for intermediate-skilled paddlers. It has some really nice looks featuring beautiful Australian Pine and with pops of color. This paddle board is pretty easy to carry since it’s only 26.4 lbs and the glide feels fast. And although the width is a bit narrower at 29 inches, it does feel very stable when paddling. The board is best suited for mid-range paddling between 3 and 5 miles. A premium look and feel give the Freeride a well-deserved “A” grade. Read more HERE.

About the board: The Joyride Flow is a great non-inflatable all-around / yoga hybrid board suitable for paddlers with any skillset. The board is very stable due to its width of 33 inches and the graphics are gorgeous, featuring a wood deck and awesome artwork on the deckpad. The deck pad conveniently doubles as a yoga mat for times when you want to practice your yoga on the water and has bungee tie downs that are perfect for holding gear while you’re on the move. This paddle board is easy to carry due in part to the LiftSUP handle as the main holding point in the board. Because of the multi-purpose aspects of the board in part with premium features like the LiftSUP handle the Joyride Flow is awarded Supconnect’s “A” grade. Read more HERE.

Who is this for: If you’re looking for a stable, all-around inflatable board to paddle short distances then the Drive from Starboard is worth a look. This stand up paddle (SUP) board comes in the Deluxe construction which is highly durable for an inflatable. Because of the width being 30 inches the board is stable and it has 1.81 lbs per foot weighing only 19.1 lbs total. Its shape makes the Drive an all-around board that can be used by everyone and it’s designed primarily for recreation. Its construction and shape combined best fit this board for short-distance paddling, around the beach and dock. Retailing at $1,299, the board is among the popular mid-tier market in terms of affordability.

Who is this for: If you’re looking for a stable, inflatable, all-around board to paddle short distances then the BOTE Drift is worth a look. This stand up paddle (SUP) board comes in the Classic construction which is durable and has its ups and downs. Due to its width of 32 inches the board is very stable and has 2.01 lbs per foot, weighing 23.1 lbs total, making this board pretty lightweight for its size. Its shape makes the Drift an all-around board that can be used by everyone and was designed for recreation. Its construction and shape combined best fit this board for short distances, around the beach, dock and on rivers. Retailing at $1,250, the board is among the popular mid-tier price point in terms of affordability.

Who is this for: If you’re looking for a very stable, inflatable, all-around board to paddle short distances then the Naish Glide is worth a look. This stand up paddle (SUP) board comes in the Double Layer Stitch construction and rather durable and has its ups and downs. Due to its 34 inch width the board is very stable and has 2.43 lbs per foot, weighing 30.4 lbs total. Its shape makes the Glide an all-around board that can be used by anyone and is designed primarily for recreation. Its construction and shape combined best fit this board for short distance paddling, around the beach, dock and river. Retailing at $1,539, the board is in the high-tier price point but is among the best inflatables that the brand has to offer.

Who is this for: If you’re looking for a very stable, inflatable all-around board to paddle short distances then the Hala Hoss is worth a look. This stand up paddle (SUP) board is 35 inches wide, making it incredibly stable and it has 2.27 lbs per foot weighing 24.4 lbs total, which is pretty light. Its shape makes the Hoss an all-around board that can be used by everyone and is designed primarily for recreation. Everything combined, the board is best fit for short-distance paddling, around the beach, dock or on the river. Retailing at $1,399, the board is in the popular mid-tier market in terms of affordability.

Who is this for: If you’re looking for a stable, lightweight, inflatable, all-around board to paddle mid-range distance, and in the low price point of under $500 then the Magma from Aqua Marina is worth a look. This stand up paddle (SUP) board comes in the drop stitch construction which is somewhat fragile and has its ups and downs. With its 30 inch width the board is pretty stable, and has 1.57 lbs per foot weighing only 17 lbs. Its shape makes the Magma an all-around board that can be used by almost anyone and is designed primarily for recreation. Its construction and shape combined best fit this board for short to mid-range distance paddling (3-5 miles). Retailing at $499 the board is among the most affordable paddle boards (inflatable or not) that you can find.

Who is this for: If you’re looking for a very stable, inflatable, all-around paddle board to paddle short distances then the Red Paddle Co. Ride is worth a look. This stand up paddle (SUP) board comes in the MSL construction which is durable and has its ups and downs. Due to its width of 32 inches the board is very stable and its has 2.2 lbs per foot weighing a total 23.1 lbs. Its shape makes the Ride a classic all-around board that can be ridden by everyone and is designed primarily for recreational paddling. Its construction and shape combined best fit this board for short distance paddling, around the beach and dock. Retailing at $1,299, the board is in the popular mid-tier market in terms of affordability.

Who is this for: If you’re looking for an affordable, all-around, inflatable board that is very stable to paddle then Boardworks’ Shubu Sport is worth a look. This stand up paddle (SUP) board comes in the single chamber drop stitch technology which is meant to be durable. The board is very stable due to its 32 inch width and the board has 2.43 lbs per foot weighing a total of 25.5 lbs. Its shape makes the Shubu Sport an all-around board suited for paddlers of any skill level. Its construction and shape combined best fit this board for short-distance paddling, mainly around the beach and dock. Retailing at $899, the board sits in the lower-end of the popular mid-tier market in terms of affordability.

Who is this for: If you’re looking for a stable, inflatable, all-around board to paddle short to mid-range distances and in the low price point of under $500 then the Thrive from Aqua Marina is worth a look. This stand up paddle (SUP) board comes in drop stitch construction which is somewhat fragile and has its positives and negatives. With its 30 inches in width the board is stable, it has 1.75 lbs per foot, weight a total of 17.11 lbs which makes the board very lightweight but can also have an impact on the durability of the board with the construction not being as strong. Its shape makes the Thrive an all around board that can also be fun in the surf and is suited for intermediate paddlers. Its construction and shape combined best fit this board for short to mid-range distance paddling between 3 and 5 miles max. Retailing at $449, the board is among the most affordable ones you can find.

Who is this for: If you’re looking for a board that will be very durable for you to have for yourself, your kids, friends and family that can be beaten up, thrown around and still last for a long time, this is the board for you. The Baja 100 is a perfect board for flat water paddling and touring and can withstand up to 230lbs. The board is made out of a plastic-like construction called RamXs polyethylene and is very stable and very durable however, the board has 4.7 lbs per foot and weighs 47 lbs total, making the board very heavy.  As it's typically the case with low price point boards, the Baja 100 is relatively heavier when compared to boards in higher price point tiers. You’re going to want to look at the mid-to high price-point range boards for lighter and faster boards. Retailing for $399.99, the Baja 100 is among the most affordable boards you can find.

Who is this for: If you’re looking for a very stable, non-inflatable, all-around board to paddle short to mid-range distances then the BOTE Flood is worth a look. This stand up paddle (SUP) board comes in the innegra fiberglass co-mingle construction, which is very durable and has its ups and downs. The board has a 32 inch width on the widest point of its deck which makes the board very stable and easy to stand on. The Flood has 2.93 lbs per foot, weighing a total of 35.1 lbs which is moderately heavy. Its shape makes the Flood an all-around board that can also be suited for small days in the waves if you want to catch a couple. Its construction and shape combined best fit this board for anyone to paddle short to mid-range distances of 3-5 miles. Retailing at $1,499, the board sits in the popular mid-tier market in terms of affordability.