Made of a single dropstitch layer, the Portofino is strengthened by a toughened external shell and internal rails. While they’ve traditionally been seen as limited for recreational use, the increasingly fast designs of inflatable SUPs mean they’re even being used in races, highlighting how high performance they’ve become. Inflatable boards are excellent for those with limited storage space, for the same reason they are also easier to transport, and tend to be on the more affordable side. With a slightly longer length, playful tail shape, and sturdy deck (helpful for both balance and towing gear), this all-around board continues to top our list.

It's also ideal for beginners because the grip on the top of the board is really high quality and makes staying on the board really easy.

A paddle has a handle at one end, connected to the shaft, and then a blade (which goes in the water) at the other end. If you want to banish the wobble factor that plagues many beginners, the larger size of the previously mentioned waterwalker is the most stable platform that we paddled. Surprisingly, inflatable boards are actually more durable than solid ones – due to quality boards being made of super-duper strong materials, they won't dent or scratch in the same way solid boards might. The included three-piece aluminum paddle isn’t the lightest or most durable, and it became very hot after some time in the sun. To address those challenges, inflatable paddle board makers add extra materials and support rods to strengthen single-layer dropstitch, giving a tougher, more stable board without adding the extra weight of a second level of dropstitch.

Many beginner paddle board sets come with everything you need to get started: a pump, a paddle, a bag, a fin and a leash for safety. It offered good maneuverability and a comfortable soft EVA deck pad — one of the best we’ve felt on an inflatable SUP. Meanwhile, earth-conscious yogis will appreciate Bluefin’s added touch of planting a tree for every purchase, the cherry on top of their mission to use recycled materials in manufacturing processes.The better the quality and the material of the paddle board cooler is, the longer its contents can be insulated and the longer your drink will stay cold or hot. Fatalities have occurred due to leashes getting lodged in underwater debris when a SUPer falls off in fast-moving river water. At 32" wide, this versatile all-rounder is perfect for learning to paddle – and then improving your skills in a full range of water conditions.

If it’s not up to scratch you could soon find it falling apart, not only looking poor but also not fit for purpose. They have a more agile approach to gliding through the water and, for those interested in SUP surfing, they are better at catching waves. This is unquestionably a beginner’s board for calm water, but if you’re looking for a small, lightweight iSUP to get started with, the Itiwit could be the one for you. Are you going on a longer trip and maybe even combine your paddle board adventure with camping, then a bigger paddle board cooler is very recommended.

A wide and stable board isn’t going to be the speed demon that more experienced paddlers are looking for, but the user group the board is aimed at will benefit from stability. It's also 34 inches wide, which is very wide - to give that some context, the Thurso Waterwalker board that we've tried is only 32 inches wide, and we feel that the Thurso Waterwalker is very wide, so this paddle board from Decathlon really is quite sizeable. The GUL Cross Inflatable SUP is just under 11 foot long at 10ft 7 inches, making it perfect for cruising. And while the All-Around board was made to be lighter, it doesn’t sacrifice durability — it’s still made with drop-stitch construction. Paddleboarding is a fun activity that is great for all ages, but the one downside is that it can be quite expensive.