Look out for the right paddle board for your weight (and the weight of your gear you're carrying) as you'll want to make sure your board sits properly on the water and not too low if you're too heavy for it. Some paddle boards are perfect for those who like to go on adventures with their dog ( like this one), or a few friends to paddle together ( like this large 10-person design). They're considered more durable than hard boards, which can require expensive repairs to dings and dents. Whether you plan on stand up paddle boarding in the Lake District, the River Cam, Strangford Lough, around Barafundle Bay or another superb SUP spot in Britain, below are the best inflatable stand up paddle boards you can buy online in the UK right now. How do you choose the right inflatable paddle board for you?

That's why we've rounded up the best inflatable paddle boards for you to buy this year. Paddle boards aren't only for the summer, either. Taking to the calm water on autumn and winter days can be ideal for stand up paddle boarding adventures - especially when you have a wetsuit to keep the cooler weather at bay. Why choose an inflatable stand up paddle board over a solid one?

The best inflatable kayaks for 2023 are:

It's stable, beginner-friendly and comes with everything you need to get on the water, and its neat cargo system means that it's easy to take all your stuff with you too. The only real downside (apart from the steep price) is that while it's a delight in the water, it's a lot less fun to manoeuvre on dry land; however, Red has done all it can to make this as painless as possible. If tandem paddling feels like your thing, this is definitely the way to do it. Wider boards are more stable but slower in the water; longer boards are less manoeuvrable but more buoyant. The overall shape ranges from bulbous to slim and shark-like. The slimmer and sharkier the board, the more suitable it is for racing and surf-style activities, but these are fairly advanced operations, so choose based on stability rather than flashiness, to begin with. To start out, you'll be looking for either an all-rounder or a touring-style SUP if you plan to travel longer distances, but either should be relatively stable and tractable to learn the basics on. Another material used in higher-end boats is “drop-stitch”, a strengthened PVC that allows for much higher pressure inflation. These kayaks feel much more like hard-body boats, but are also much more expensive. What else do I need? One final factor to consider is price. As with anything, you get what you pay for, and in our ranking, we've chosen beginner's paddle boards that range from the downright bargainous through to the spendy-but-tempting. Bear in mind that good quality, desirable beginner boards are always popular in the second-hand market, so buying well will pay dividends later in cash as well as enjoyment. How we test the best the best stand-up paddle boards for beginners

They also hurt less if you fall on them and while hard boards are known for offering better performance and speed, an inflatable board has numerous advantages - including cost.Of course, there are downsides to choosing an inflatable paddle board over a solid one. They're lighter than solid boards so they're slower in windy conditions.

Consider whether you want one or two seats, how much weight the kayak needs to carry, and how you’ll store and transport the boat. If you’ll be carrying the boat yourself, make sure it’s light enough to lift and folds up small enough to manage easily. You could spend your sunny days on land – or you could kayak. Whether your dream paddle is a slow meander across glassy water or a multi-day trek exploring Britain’s network of canals, inflatable kayaks could be the boat for you. But regardless of whether you’re a novice or an expert, navigating the many available inflatable options is tougher than Class IV rapids. Construction is a key consideration, but usually an easily resolved one. The days of stand-up paddle boards being mainly solid fibreglass or expanded foam have long gone. If you have a campervan or live next to the water, then a solid construction will make sense, as these are almost indestructible and perform much better in the water. But if that's not the case (which it won't be for most), then you'll want one of the new breeds of inflatable SUPs.

FAQ

There are trade-offs: you’ll not be winning any races in a budget inflatable, but their flexibility and portability make inflatables the ideal kayak for city-dwellers, those without a car, or anyone looking to explore local waterways at their own pace. Lower-end inflatables may look more like beach toys for children, but the designs have improved massively over the last several years and the performance can be surprisingly good – so long as you don’t mind pumping them full of air first. As our appreciation for outdoor adventures continues to grow, with lakes and mountain holidays and camping trips with the family as appealing as ever, we can't think of a better time to invest in a stand-up paddle board to get exploring. But those without the luxury of a garage or car may find the portability of an inflatable a necessary trade-off. Inflatable kayaks take up very little space when deflated, are light to carry, can be easily transported, and can rival many standard models for robustness. They can be an incredibly practical option. The Portofino 10ft inflatable stand-up paddle board kit is an eminently affordable, robust, easy-to-use board that works very well on calmer waters. A broad nose and wide, flat tail add stability, making the Portofino even more beginner-friendly, and a drop-stitched core gives it a uniform shape that helps it move efficiently over the water. As you'd expect, the bundle includes everything you need to get started SUPing, and you can even add a kayak conversion kit (sold separately) to make it more versatile.

Inflatable paddle boards are easier to store once deflated too, and you can roll them up with ease to carry on your travels at home and abroad. Generously proportioned, super stable and available at a sensible price, the Two Bare Feet Entradia 10’ 10” is one of the best inflatable SUP boards for beginners and bigger paddlers, but it’s more than just that. It’s tons of fun even for more experienced paddlers, especially if conditions are lumpy or if you have small family members that want to get on board. The kit is really nicely put together too. Bottom chamber in bridge construction for comfortable seat, high stability and insulation against coldPaddling on the surface of the water isn't all they're good for either. SUP yoga and Pilates are other ways to use a stand up paddle board, while some convert to inflatable kayaks so you can experience a more comfortable, seated adventure. The outdoor water sport sees a rider stand on a large, floating SUP board and use their paddle to move across the water. Excellent for all ages and great for working on your balance and core strength, stand up paddle boarding is now more accessible than ever. The overall build quality is excellent and there’s plenty of protection from the elements thanks to a large cover that zips over most of the opening. It certainly feels like it could handle the gnarliest of adventures with ease.