If you’re looking to buy your first inflatable SUP board this year, need to replace the one you’ve got, or are just looking for a new toy to play with, look no further. We’ve put together a list of the top five inflatable Paddleboards of 2022 – tried and tested by us – to help you make an informed choice.
Ray Air Pocket
The Ray Air Pocket by Fanatic is an awesome, lightweight and compact board perfect for travellers and anyone who likes to hike to their paddling spots. Fanatic has put some real thought into the construction, cutting down on bulk wherever possible to create a board made of tough, light and ultra-flexible material that rolls up into a slim backpack half the size of standard SUP bags.
And that lightweight construction doesn’t just impact you when carrying it. This board is light on the water too, and super easy to manoeuvre. Its sleek shape and narrow nose glides smoothly through the water, while the generous volume and twin fins keep you tracking straight and stable.
Size: 11’6” x 31” x 6” Volume: 299L
Best Inflatable Paddleboard for touring, cruising, travelling, and hiking.
Aquatone Wave
The Aquatone Wave is a fun, colourful, all-around board that comes at a great price and is ideal for beginners. It has thick, wide dimensions and a high volume, making it extra stable on the water and very forgiving for newbies. This board also has Aquatone’s Stringer Tech, a 13cm-wide strip of reinforced PVC that runs down the centre, adding rigidity and helping the board handle well even in choppy conditions.
The rounded nose and single fin system give this board excellent glide and make it a popular choice for all-around paddlers and families. And it comes with D-ring attachments to add a kayak seat, giving you even more flexibility on the water.
Size: 10’6″ x 32″ x 6″ Volume: 300L
Best Inflatable Paddleboard for beginners, families, budget, and all-around paddling
Fly Air Premium
Fly Air Premium boards are built to last with quality construction and durable materials. Fanatic has thrown all their technical know-how at these boards and added a second layer of PVC to the core, adding an extra level of stability to the board without adding weight. The rounded nose, central fin and high volume of the Fly Air Premium give you excellent glide and classic all-around tracking, while smaller side fins mean this board handles small waves with style. An insert allows you to add a windsurf mast, while a choice of three lengths allows you to pick the board that’s perfect for you.
Size: 9’8” x 32 x 4.5 Volume: 213 L
10’4” x 33 x 5.5 284 L
10’8” x 34 x 5.5 306 L
Best Inflatable Paddleboard for all-around paddling, small waves, quality and durability.
Loco Motion Air
The Loco Motion Air range are beautiful SUPs perfect for when you want to fly through the water. These elegant boards are long, narrow and tapered, designed for cutting the water at speed. They have high rigidity, are super responsive, and can handle flat water, chop and small waves well. Constructed with high-end materials and thoughtful engineering, these boards have a reinforced drop stitch core, dual layer PVC, and carbon taped side rails. Plus, they come with a whopping five-year warranty.
The boards come in a range of sizes to suit your needs and include an option to insert a windsurf mast. And since this board is rarely purchased by beginners, there’s an option to buy the board on its own, so you won’t end up with extra kit you don’t need.
Size: 12’6 x 27” x 6″
14′ x 27″ x 6″
14′ x 29″ x 6″
Best Inflatable Paddleboard for: racing, touring, and experienced paddlers.
Ray Air Premium
The Ray Air Premium range is a top-of-the-range touring board that is perfect for experienced paddlers but forgiving enough for beginners. It has premium-grade rail reinforcement and double-layer lite technology, which Fanatic say improves durability and rigidity while reducing weight by up to 25%.
The tapered nose, high volume and fin placement give excellent tracking and stability and more glide per paddle for near-effortless cruising. A relatively new addition to the range is the 13’6 ” board with a width of 35″. This one is ideal for larger paddlers and people who like to head out on long tours and need to carry more equipment. There is also a mast insert for windsurfers.
Size: 11’6 x 31” x 6” Volume: 299L
12’6 x 32” x 6” 329L
13’6 x 35” x 6” 400L
Best Inflatable Paddleboard for touring, cruising, and carrying equipment
So there you have it.
Five of the top inflatable paddleboards of 2022. What do you think? If we missed your favourite board, drop us a message and let us know!
Last Updated on 1st February 2023 by Brighton Paddler