If you are looking to learn the sport of paddleboarding, you have probably looked into purchasing gear. Having your own equipment can be costly to buy, but will end up costing less in the long run because you can prevent high board rental costs.
There are several different paddleboard designs you can get, including inflatable. Boards that are inflated have numerous advantages, but there are a few downsides. These types of boards are created with a certain individual in mind who will value the advantages and not mind the downsides. Let's take a look at how they vary.
Portability
Inflatable SUPs can be deflated and carried in a compact bag. This means that paddlers don't have to load a big board on the top of their vehicles. They can also be transported on airplanes without requiring a hefty charge normally charged for large baggage.
Since they can be packed into a smaller, more compact size, these boards can be conveniently secured in a car, carried on one's back and stowed without taking up much space. Standard fiberglass boards do not offer these benefits. People who have a board rack on their car, ample storage space and no need to lock their boards while transporting them, this may not cause a problem.
Time Required to Pump up the Board
Inflatable SUPs typically need a manual hand pump to be inflated. This can take from 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the power of the individual doing the inflating. Pumping air into a paddleboard takes effort, and for some small women, it can be a chore. Traditional boards naturally do not require this extra work, and some people like the benefit of not having to constantly pump up 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 therefore are less firm. This means that they tend to bounce more in rough water or surf. For newbies, this can feel more unstable. For people paddling on lakes or other flat water locations, they might not be able to notice a distinction and therefore not care.
Typical boards can provide a more smooth trip and increased maneuverability. Paddlers desiring a fast board that is much easier to turn and move (ie those who want to race or do a significant amount of workouts) are more likely to choose a hard board rather than the inflatable type, which are more tailored to the leisure paddler or someone thinking about yoga paddleboarding.
From my experience and research, inflatable SUPs do not leak air frequently. That said, the majority of models have a patch kit just in case. These boards look and feel like a fiberglass board to individuals not knowledgeable about the various types of boards, and many newbie purchasers are thrilled at their performance.
When shopping, it is wise to compare the attributes of different items as well as costs, so you can get a board that you will be happy with.
There are several different paddleboard designs you can get, including inflatable. Boards that are inflated have numerous advantages, but there are a few downsides. These types of boards are created with a certain individual in mind who will value the advantages and not mind the downsides. Let's take a look at how they vary.
Portability
Inflatable SUPs can be deflated and carried in a compact bag. This means that paddlers don't have to load a big board on the top of their vehicles. They can also be transported on airplanes without requiring a hefty charge normally charged for large baggage.
Since they can be packed into a smaller, more compact size, these boards can be conveniently secured in a car, carried on one's back and stowed without taking up much space. Standard fiberglass boards do not offer these benefits. People who have a board rack on their car, ample storage space and no need to lock their boards while transporting them, this may not cause a problem.
Time Required to Pump up the Board
Inflatable SUPs typically need a manual hand pump to be inflated. This can take from 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the power of the individual doing the inflating. Pumping air into a paddleboard takes effort, and for some small women, it can be a chore. Traditional boards naturally do not require this extra work, and some people like the benefit of not having to constantly pump up 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 therefore are less firm. This means that they tend to bounce more in rough water or surf. For newbies, this can feel more unstable. For people paddling on lakes or other flat water locations, they might not be able to notice a distinction and therefore not care.
Typical boards can provide a more smooth trip and increased maneuverability. Paddlers desiring a fast board that is much easier to turn and move (ie those who want to race or do a significant amount of workouts) are more likely to choose a hard board rather than the inflatable type, which are more tailored to the leisure paddler or someone thinking about yoga paddleboarding.
From my experience and research, inflatable SUPs do not leak air frequently. That said, the majority of models have a patch kit just in case. These boards look and feel like a fiberglass board to individuals not knowledgeable about the various types of boards, and many newbie purchasers are thrilled at their performance.
When shopping, it is wise to compare the attributes of different items as well as costs, so you can get a board that you will be happy with.
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This site is a good place to access additional information on inflatable paddleboards.
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Differences Between Inflatable SUPs and Regular Boards