What hull type is best for you?
- Planing: Very maneuverable and rides on top of the water. Good for leisure paddling, surfing, SUP yoga and whitewater.
- Displacement: More efficient for longer distances at faster speeds. A bit less maneuverable than planing hulls.
- Hybrid: Combines aspects of planing and displacement hulls to cut through water easily with more stability.
Solid or inflatable SUP?
- Inflatable: More budget-friendly and well suited for limited storage space and travel. Stands up well to paddling whitewater and more comfortable for SUP yoga.
- Solid: Best performance on the water. Travel faster and smoother and are more stable with less effort. Available in a larger variety of sizes and finely tuned shapes. Require plenty of storage and a secure method of transporting if you have a car.
Sizing your board
- Volume, weight capacity and thickness: All contribute to stability. Factor in cargo and other passengers (including dogs) when figuring out weight capacity.
Length: Longer boards are generally faster than shorter boards but less maneuverable.
Width: Wider boards are more stable than narrow boards, but can be slower and more difficult to paddle.
Read full article: Paddle Board (SUP) Buying Guide
