How to Choose a Stand Up Paddleboard

Two stand up paddleboarders speaking to one another while paddling in a wooded lake

Stand up paddle boards, or SUPs for short, are SUPer popular (sorry) among watersports enthusiasts. There's also no lack of features, sizes, and shapes that you'll want to consider when you're choosing one, so we're here to help you pick out the best SUP for your needs. As the name suggests, stand up paddle boards are meant to be paddled standing up with a large singular paddle. Different types of SUPs can be used in different settings, from calm lakes and streams to rough surf and whitewater. How do you decide which one is right for you? Here's a breakdown:

Hull types

There are three main types of hulls, or body shapes, to boards: planing , displacement , and hybrid .

An infographic illustrating the differences between the two main types of stand up paddle board hull shapes, which are listed below.

Planing Hulls

Planing hulls are what you see when you think of most surfboards, with a flat, wide nose at the front. This type of board sits higher on the water than a displacement-type board, allowing you to pivot more freely. This means the board will go with the flow (of water), but this increased maneuverability also means that it's harder to paddle in a straight line. Planing hulls have a lot of primary stability , meaning that the board feels initially stable when standing flat, but are less stable when put on edge. Overall, a stand up paddle board with a planing hull is best for:

  • SUP yoga
  • Surfing and whitewater

Displacement Hulls

Displacement hulls are meant to cut through the water, with a prominent V-shape at the front of the board. This shape allows for your board to track straighter—and go faster—for longer, though they are less maneuverable than boards with a planing hull. Displacement hull shapes have a lot of what is called secondary stability , which means that while they feel slightly tippy when standing flat, they can be pushed to each side well beyond what one would expect. Overall, a stand up paddle board with a displacement hull is best for:

  • SUP touring and racing
  • Fitness paddleboarding

Hybrid Hulls

Hybrid hulls are much more common now! If you want most of the tracking capabilities of a displacement hull, with most of the stability of a planing hull, this is the hull shape for you. Keep in mind that these boards will neither track as straight as a pure-displacement board, or provide as much primary stability as a pure-planing board.

Board Construction

Once you've decided which hull type is best for your needs, it's time to weigh the pros and cons of the materials the board itself is made of. Let's break it down into two main categories: Inflatable versus hardbody .

Inflatable SUPs

That's right, these inflate to a high enough pressure to paddle! They are compact (fit in a backpack), and are pretty solid. Inflatable SUPs are great for people who might not have the storage space for a hardbody board, and since they're less expensive, they're also great for folks just getting into SUPs. On the downside, they take awhile to inflate and deflate, and while they do get plenty stiff, they'll never be as stiff as a hardbody board and their performance suffers somewhat for that.

Pros of Inflatable SUPs

  • Occupy less storage space (hello city apartments)
  • Less expensive

Cons of Inflatable SUPs

  • They take a good amount of time to inflate and deflate. Think 15 minutes+ to inflate to size, and 10+ minutes to deflate and pack back up.
  • They aren't as stiff as a hardbody SUP, and so they move more with the water than with you.

Hardbody SUPs

"Hardbody" boards are made of fiberglass, carbon, or a variation of vacuum-sealed plastic. They do require room to store them, but their solid construction adds tracking performance and greater responsiveness, allowing you to paddle harder for longer. Vacuum-sealed plastic, also known as VFT (what Pau Hana uses to make many of their boards) is a similar material to what many entry-level kayaks are made of.

Pros of Hardbody:

  • Less expensive
  • Bomb proof (kids can use these and crash into things no problem)

The cons:

  • Heavier
  • Not quite as nimble

Carbon SUPs

Pure speed. Primarily used for those speed demons out on the water. These are the lightest available hardbody SUPs, and the effort it takes to paddle them is minimal.

Pros of Carbon:

  • Even lighter than fiberglass
  • Stiffer than fiberglass

Cons of Carbon:

  • Very pricey
  • Just as prone to damage as fiberglass, but more difficult to repair.

Stand-Up Paddle board Sizing

You've narrowed down your hull shape and material, now it's time to figure out what size of board you need! Each board should have a weight rating, which you can find on our product pages or individually on each brand's website. This will give you a loose frame of reference for what will 'fit' you. The other things to consider are your height and intended usage. If you are planning on going paddling on a narrow river, you may want to opt for a shorter (10'10" board). If you are planning on going on long paddles on lakes or reservoirs, you may look at a 12'6" board, though if you are short, take into consideration you may want to size down a bit. If you plan on racing, you'll need a 12'6" or a 14" displacement board (per regulation guidelines). As always, if you need help deciding, visit us in-store in Burlington, VT or Live Chat us at GearX.com for assistance from a knowledgeable sales associate to guide you through the process and happy paddling!