iSUP

Best Inflatable River SUP Boards

Chris King
By
Best Inflatable River SUP Boards

Buying the best inflatable SUP for rivers requires a few immediate considerations. For one thing, people are going to need to make sure that these SUP boards are going to be very rigid and very good at maintaining themselves even when under a lot of pressure and when facing harsh terrains.

The best inflatable sup for rivers needs to be built to withstand all of that. People need to focus on some of the characteristics that will truly improve performance, because they’re going to need to have a great performance in that instance.

Rivers have a tendency to change in terms of their depth, the movement of the water, and nearly everything else.

Stand up paddling (“SUP”) is simply standing on a stable paddle board and your main equipment is a long lightweight paddle to enable you to propel the board and to steer it.

The paddle also gives riders a better reach, longer strokes and better control ability.

SUP is a sport that is enjoyed by people of all ages and sizes. It is a great cardio workout and a great low-impact fun workout. Once mastered stand up paddling sports enables riders to spin around, paddle on open waters, fish and paddle on rivers, as well as other flat water surfaces. You can also surf and whitewater ride with paddle boards on small to medium waves, but you will need a leash attached to your board, or relax and do sup yoga.

Given these proponents of a SUP, can you get the same results with inflatable standup paddle boards (“ISUP”)? The answer is yes, plus you get a lot more features. The math involved in a good inflatable river SUP is L x W x T = volume (length by width by thickness). Stability in a paddle board is essential so that when you are standing on a board on a river water surface, you are nearly motionless, based on your body weight. Inflatable paddle boards are available in varied widths, thicknesses, lengths and construction materials.

In order to enjoy paddle boarding you must know the type of water surface you will paddle on. A wide paddle board means stability, while a narrow board means speed. Thickness in a paddle board stands for weight and how much a board can support. Length plays a vital factor on water surfaces. A long board is faster and cruises straighter. A shorter paddle board enables riders to turn quicker, easier maneuverability and is faster, which is great for surfing or whitewater riding.

Best Inflatable River SUP

Naturally, the appeal of inflatable river SUPs is its transport ability to be inflated and deflated quickly and easily. Nearly every water-sport manufacturer is producing ISUPs, as well as researching how to make them more comparable to their carbon/wood cousins. New technology has made ISUPs more inflatable to extremely high pressures due to advanced dropstitch technology and innovative multi-chamber or multi-layered skins. New inflatable river SUPs are making the board lighter, stronger and stiffer at lower pressure ratings. This means that paddle boarders can enjoy full rigidity without going to the full 25 psi.

The other half of the inflatable river standup paddle boarding sport are the paddles. Paddles are designed with a shaft, blade and handle. The paddles are generally made out of fiberglass, aluminum, carbon, plastic, inflatable, wood or a combination of these. There are very durable inflatable paddles which are made for white water river runners, or paddle boarders. Paddle board paddle blades are available in a variety of shapes and features – banana peel shape, diamond shape or oars.

The paddle’s purpose is to giver riders paddling strength for all types of water surfaces. The length of an SUP’s paddle is also important. Paddle boards are available from 9 feet up to 14 feet in length and they are sized to accommodate the rider’s weight and skill level. For a better length, choose a paddle that’s 6″ to 8″ taller than the board paddler.

Buying the best inflatable SUP for rivers requires a few immediate considerations. For one thing, people are going to need to make sure that these SUP boards are going to be very rigid and very good at maintaining themselves even when under a lot of pressure and when facing harsh terrains. Rivers have a tendency to change in terms of their depth, the movement of the water, and nearly everything else.

Choosing the Best Inflatable SUP for Rivers

The best inflatable SUP for rivers also needs to be particularly easy to navigate. Obviously, this is an important characteristic for all of these SUP boards. However, it is a particularly important characteristic for the SUP boards that people will use on the river. The ease of paddling becomes even more important in a situation in which the paddling is going to be potentially difficult and SUP users are going to have to pull off some potentially challenging moves.

They need to have equipment that is not going to present some immediate difficulties for them. Some SUP boards can handle more water conditions than others, and it is important to choose the SUP boards that will allow people to really take on aquatic conditions that will shift radically.

The material for the best inflatable SUP for rivers is going to matter as well. People have to make sure that they are able to choose SUP boards that are durable enough, since most of these boards are going to have to face tough conditions when they are in the water. Lots of materials will work well enough in this instance, of course. However, it is specifically important to prioritize boards that make a point of being more durable than many of the other SUP boards on the market.

Safety is one of the most important parts of any single SUP board, and this is particular true when it comes to the best inflatable SUP for rivers. Some SUP boards will prioritize safety more than others, and the ones that prioritize safety need to be the ones that people choose for this purpose. If people are able to choose the best inflatable SUP for rivers, their experience on the water is going to be that much better and that much safer.

Best River iSUP Boards

Tower AdventurerTower Adventurer 2
Tower AdventurerTower Adventurer 2
Length9'10"10'4"
Width32"32"
Thickness6"6"
Weight24 pounds25 pounds
Max Weight300 pounds350 pounds
PSI10-11 PSI10-11 PSI
Deflated Dimensions12" x 33"12" x 33"
Buy on AmazonBuy on Amazon

Below I have rebounded up a summary and details about each board that are great for river use and paddle boarding.

Sea Eagle Longboard

This is a SUP board that is made with very strong and durable material, which should make all the difference for the people who are trying to get across treacherous rivers.

Manoeuvring with the Sea Eagle Longboard should also be relatively easy for most people, since this is a board that was designed to be easy to use on many levels and it’s a stable enough board for many body types. The Sea Eagle Longboard can handle a lot of different aquatic conditions, so it should be capable of taking on the unsteady flow of a river.

Sea Eagle Inflatable Longboard Stand-up Paddle Board SUP Package
  • Crafted from the highest quality material
  • Perfect for outdoor and even indoor use

Red Paddle Co 10’6″ Ride

The Red Paddle Co 10’6″ Ride is legitimately easy to paddle, which is an important characteristic for an inflatable SUP board that people are going to use on the river. TheRed Paddle Co 10’6″ Ride fits a wide range of different body types, which certainly helps. It can be inflated to a level of 25 PSI if necessary, providing people with a sufficiently taut experience.

The small attached fins should make it that much easier to navigate using the Red Paddle Co 10’6″ Ride, even compared to the performance that people would be able to expect otherwise. The deck pad for this board is comfortable enough that people will have an easy time using the Red Paddle Co 10’6″ Ride.

RED Paddle - Ride Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board 2016, 10'6"
  • The Red Paddle Co Ten Six is the single most popular inflatable SUP board in the world. Heralded as a classic in all four corners of the world. Designed to match the requirements of the all round rider, it will float and glide easily on flat water, while still riding smoothly and predictably in surf.
  • While some inflatable boards flex uncontrollably in the surf we know how to build just the right amount of curve into the plan shape to create a stiff board. The 10'6_ is 120mm/4.72_ thick. This increases stiffness while not affecting the ride and performance of this iconic board. The Ten Six holds firm and allows you to pick your line across even the smallest of waves.

Starboard Astro Whopper

Maneuvering around with the Starboard Astro Whopper is easy, which should make it that much better for people who are trying to get across untrustworthy rivers. This is a board that is going to maintain itself for a long period of time, and that is going to be easy enough for people to use in navigation.

The Starboard Astro Whopper is very light as well, so people are going to have an easy time getting the product to the river in the first place, and it should be just as easy for them to enjoy the Starboard Astro Whopper when they’re actually on the water.

Starboard 10' Astro Whopper Zen inflatable SUP
  • The Starboard 10' Whopper is the worlds most popular shape which is simply fun for the whole family.
  • 2015 rails are 70% stiffer and stronger than the 2014 Astro rails.

Sea Eagle Needlenose

The Sea Eagle Needlenose is well-named. Its front has a shape that will allow people to more or less slice through the water. As such, theSea Eagle Needlenose is better able to handle the shifting nature of river water much more effectively than many of the other products of its type on the marketplace. Few SUP boards are going to track quite as well as theSea Eagle Needlenose.

The Sea Eagle Needlenose is very thick, and so it should be durable enough to handle the shifting nature of river water. However, it is also light and thin enough to be easy to navigate and easy to move around on the water, which should give the Sea Eagle Needlenose the right number of characteristics for SUP riding on the rivers.

Sea Eagle NN116 NeedleNose Inflatable SUP Start Up Package
  • Patented NeedleNose design, razor sharp wave and water piercing bow / Straight-line hull design with NO UPTURN increasing performance, speed and efficiency / Material: 1000 Denier Reinforced Drop Stitch
  • Exterior: 11'6" x 30" x 6" / Board Thickness: 6" / Weight: 23 lbs.

Naish One

Larger riders will be able to get more use out of the Naish One, especially compared to many of the other boards on the market today. The Naish One is equipped with a very large fin, which is going to make it very good at tracking and which allows the Naish One to be able to move through the water very effectively

Few SUP boards are quite as safe as this one. Paddling with the Naish One is fun, especially compared with paddling on the water with a lot of other SUP boards. People should have an easy time when it comes to using theNaish One on the river, and this is a SUP board that should prepare people for a wide range of different aquatic conditions everywhere.

Naish ONE Inflatable Stand Up Paddleboard, 12-Feet x 6-Inch
  • The Naish ONE is the perfect recreational touring and race board for all paddlers
  • The Naish ONE features a high quality construction for outstanding durability that is safe for boats, cars, pools, decks, pets and people

If you need any help or advice picking the right river SUP board to buy then do leave a comment below.

Badfish MCIT Inflatable SUP

Badfish MCIT Inflatable SUP
  • multi-chamber inflatable technology
  • width: 9 feet to 11 feet across• thickness: [deck] 4 in, [rail height] (9ft) 5 in, (10ft 6in, 11ft 6in) 5.75 in• fins: 2 + 1 (removeable center, rubber side bites)
  • length: 9 ft., 10 ft 6 in. and 11 ft. 6 in.

The strength of this Badfish SUPs stitch design and PVC polyester design stability, allows riders to perform well in surf, whitewater, river and flat water environments. It has a large deck pad that is comfortable beneath your feet and is cool beneath your knees when you kneel.

The deck is rigid for stability with rails that help to lower the center of gravity. Badfish is only a few years old, but it has garnered the manufacturing and quality respect of surfers, kayakers and SUP officionados everywhere.

ISLE Airtech® 10′ Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board

ISLE Airtech® 10' All Around Inflatable SUP
  • Removable travel fin
  • Weight: 17.5 lbs
  • Dimensions: 10 feet x 31 inches x 6 inches
  • Rider Weights: up to 240 pounds

The ISLE Airtech is great for river runs, small waves and various types of flat water surfaces. It is made in layers, from high-density military grade PVC material, making it nearly impervious to damage. It is very lightweight, as well fast and easy on turns.

ISLE 10'6" Pioneer | Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board | 6” Thick iSUP and Bundle Accessory Pack | Durable and Lightweight | Stable Wide Stance | Up to 240 lbs Capacity (Blue - 2017, 10'6)
  • MOST POPULAR iSUP: The Pioneer is ISLE's most versatile board for all-around fun. The trim and stylish design fits riders of all sizes who are looking for a versatile board shape for both flat water (lakes, ponds, etc), river runs, small surf performance, and everything in between. With room for cargo, pets, and kids!
  • LIGHTWEIGHT, DURABLE DESIGN: Run it over with your vehicle, throw it off the roof or ram it into rocks or a pier; Constructed with military-grade PVC making this board rigid enough for all paddle board activities and durable enough to last. This wide stance inflatable paddle board is six inches thick helping you stay balanced while you're paddle boarding.

It features a stylish design and a versatile board shape for various water surfaces. As one of the best inflatable river SUPs, the ISLE Airtech has designed a stiffer and better durable without any extra weight.

Red Paddle Company RACE Stand Up Paddle board

Red Paddle Co 10’6″ Ride ISUP Review

Features the MSL fusion composite and airtight coating construction process for a lighter and stiffer board.

RED Paddle - Sport Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board 2016, 11'0"
  • The 11' Sport fits perfectly between the Ride and 12'6" Shapes. Faster to paddle than the Rides and quicker to inflate than the 12'6" boards.The Sport is the perfect fast cruiser for those paddlers looking for a board that can get them around the bay or up the river with speed and glide but can still pick up a small wave.
  • 120mm/4.72" thick and with RSS make this a super rigid board. The 30" width makes it a stable board for all paddlers.
  • Titan Pump is a revolutionary dual chamber inflatable paddle board pump that will inflate your board in half the time with half the effort, and still pump to 25PSI easily.
  • Length – 12’6″; Width – 28″; Thickness – 5.9″
  • Front cargo net for carrying gear with stainless d-rings
  • Integrated tail handle and rear D-ring for leash
  • Built using Tec Air specification, with new valves, improved seals, cap and stronger threads

The Red Paddle Company RACE Stand Up Paddle Board is one of the best inflatable river SUP. It features a long and narrow inflatable board, which means that it glides through the water rapidly. It is designed with a newly patented stiffening system, its rocker line is best for a faster ride, it has a double nose fin for tracking and a center fin for the right grip and less drag.

Earth River SUP 12’6″x32″ Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board

Earth River SUP
  • Dimensions: 12’6″ – Length; 32″-Width; 5″-Thickness
  • Weight: 24 pounds
  • Rider Weight: high volume board for a 300 pound paddleboarder

The Earth River  is the latest innovation. It is waterproof and is made of the highest grade 1000 denier military grade drop stitch. It features a double layered PVC shell and heavy duty reinforcement banding. It is a wide ISUP that is great on various water surfaces and it can travel large distances. It features great maneuverability with its submerged tail pivot turns. It is designed with high grade stainless steel D-Rings at the nose, tail and forward deck for leashes, cargo and towing.

About the author: Chris loves the outdoors and has developed a love of gadgets and inflatable toys, from kayaking and paddle boarding to relaxing in his hot tub at home. The founder of WhichInflatable and has been the editor for 7 years.

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