When it comes to Stand Up Paddle boarding, success is determined more by your balance and patience than whether you are strong or fit. Well, that and choosing the right conditions and most suitable board for you!
The first items you should cross out from your checklist include: your height (narrower boards for lighter and smaller paddlers and wider boards for vice versa), the location (where you’ll be doing most of your stand up paddling), and of course, your weight (bigger boards for big and heavy paddlers).
Best Inflatable SUP Boards for Big Riders
Paddle boarding is suitable for all ages, guys and girls, and all different types of people, you don’t need to be athletic or sporty to enjoy stand up paddle boarding. Whatever your size or weight it doesn’t matter as you can enjoy paddle boarding too. To get the best experience it is important to buy the right board, again this doesn’t matter on your paddle barding level as different boards all suit different people and also how they will use it.
Things to consider when buying a SUP for heavy riders:
- Board Length
- Thickness
- Max Load
There are some great boards on the market that cover all these and are ideal for heavier riders and have great stability on the water.
Best SUP For Big Guys
I have rounded up the best boards that are great for larger guys and girls. All these boards are a good length and have a good weight limit making them ideal.
Inflatable Boards for Heavy & Tall Riders
Below I have given details on the top boards that are certainly worth considering. These boards are great on all types of water, be it still, river or ocean. The length of the boards make them great for use in the sea or small waves.
iRace 12’6″ Inflatable SUP Package
Weight Capacity: Up to 400 lbs
There are very few SUP boards in the market that can offer speed and support a heavy rider at the same time. The 12’6″ long and 6″ thick iRace inflatable board just about makes the cut. Designed for racing and touring the seas, this SUP board comes with a towing ring on the nose, a roll up carrying strap, a hand hold strap, a fin box with a detachable center fin, a high end
Tower-branded diamond grooved deck pad, and a leash attachment ring at the tail. Its length is ideal for cutting through choppy water and paddling longer distances.
While its narrow profile is excellent for racers, it doesn’t exclude recreational paddlers from enjoying all its benefits. In fact, it is the perfect choice for anyone looking for a board that is slightly faster than the average rides, but more compact than an exceptional racer. It offers plenty of volume and stability for everyday use, as well as amazing rigidity since it is made from very rugged materials. When inflated, it forms a structure that is as rigid as a piece of plywood. This adds up to its durability and ability to support big guys and heavy riders.
ISLE Airtech 11′ Inflatable SUP
Weight Capacity: 275lbs
The ISLE Airtech is one of the most stable SUP boards in its class, especially because of the additional width. It comes with extra D-rings and bungees that allow the rider to strap down more items.
This makes it ideal for when you are looking to carry additional equipment, such as a cooler for adventurous paddlers. It also comes with tail carry handles and a reinforced nose that makes it easier to transport fully-loaded boards along shorelines and riverbanks.
The SUP board takes less than five minutes to inflate completely from the size of a regular sleeping bag. It is the ultimate paddle board for true outdoors-men with a thrill for adventure. The package includes a pump, paddle, and travel bag.
Aqua Marina Monster 12ft Inflatable SUP
Weight Capacity: Up to 352lbs
In a nutshell, the Monster is a 12’32” inflatable SUP board that does a great job keeping big guys and heavy riders floating on the waters. Of course, maintaining balance will also depend on accurate pumping and the weight of the user. Not to worry though, as the board is fortified with a double wall drop stitch PVC construction that not only makes it strong, but also ideal for advanced riders looking to paddle on a professional level.
The Monster has a really appealing body too. Its nose is marked by four small D-rings linked by a bungee cord, providing sufficient space for storing your findings and anything that can fit in there. There is another D-ring at the tail, which is bigger and meant to secure the board or facilitate toeing. Finally, the Aqua Marina Monster includes a single central removable fin at the back, unlike other similar products from the manufacturer.
iRocker Inflatable Paddle Board
Weight Capacity: Up to 385 lbs
iRocker is one of the leading manufacturers of quality boards in the industry. While their products are not so pocket friendly, they use only the highest quality military grade PVC for the inflatable paddle boards.
Like all iRocker boards, this 335cm paddle board boasts a 15.2 cm triple internal layer that makes it more stable than the ordinary 10.1cm boards on the market. It also features a non-slip EVA diamond groove deck traction pad that helps keep you on your feet while riding. Of course, you can store it in the closet or boot of your car when traveling as it is inflatable.
The package includes an iRocker carry backpack with adjustable shoulder straps to avoid getting your trunk wet, muddy, or sandy after your paddling adventures.
When fully inflated to 15 PSI, it becomes just as hard as a common board. The rigid nature makes it virtually indestructible, to the point where you can literally drive over it with your car or run it into the rocks without getting damaged. The other items in the package include repair kit, adjustable aluminum paddle, and dual action high-pressure hand pump.
California Board Company (CBC) Stand up Paddle Board
Weight Capacity: Up to 300lbs
For paddlers looking for speed and convenience, the CBC paddle board is the way to go. This custom made SUP board features three multi-layered laminated wood stringers adorned with waterproof resin, and comes with heat laminated high density durable deck, as well as molded-in nylon handle and leash plug.
The complete package includes instant padded roof racks, adjustable paddle with exclusive Blade Shield, and neoprene padded ankle strap. With an overall weight of 25 lbs, the SUP board can hold up to 300 lbs. It is great both for fitness and recreational purposes, and even offers a bangee at the nose for securing your gear during long trips.
Tower Paddle Boards Adventurer Inflatable 9’10” SUP
A good all rounder is the Tower Paddle Boards Adventurer Inflatable 9’10” SUP, it has a 350lbs weight limit and is a good length offering good stability on the water. This is one of the most popular boards on the market and is a great shortboard, at under 10′ it has one of the highest max weight loads there is for this type.
With this board you get an adjustable paddle and a pump for the SUP. This is another popular board and great for beginners, it is basic and does everything well however if performance is important then it is worth looking at other boards.
Tower Xplorer 14′ Inflatable SUP
For maximum stabilty and for maximum weight load the Tower Xplorer is the board for you, it is 14′ in length and has a max load of 700lbs. With a max load like this it makes it great for couples or parents and kids to all go out on the same board. With the size of this board it is even better that it is an inflatable SUP, this makes it easier to transport, carry and also store. As it is inflatable it can be stored in the trunk/boot of your car, you can carry it and it is also lighter once deflated.
This board is great for larger riders and paddle boarder that wish to go out on one board with other users, be it an other adult or kids, the size makes this possible while maintaining good stability and performance on the water. This is also one of the thickest inflatable paddle boards on the market at 8 inches, it has 3 find and is 32″ wide.
Red Paddle Co EXPLORER 12’6 x 32″
I’m a big fan of the Red Paddle Co boards and the Red Paddle Co EXPLORER 12’6 x 32″ is a stylish choice, while also ticking all the boxes for performance, stability and extras. Not only does it look good it comes with a great carry bag for it, a very well made hand pump as well as having good grip on the board and it comes with a free Waterproof Phone Case too.
At 12’6″ in length it is also 32″ wide and 6″ in thickness, with a max load of 330lbs this is a really good all rounder and certainly my choice. It is on the pricey end of the scale however it comes with lots of extras, is well made and I think it is one of the best looking inflatable stand up paddle boards out there.
iRocker 10′ iSUP
This board is 10 feet long and 6 inches in thickness. With a max weight load of 350lbs it comes with the board, a dual action high pressure hand pump, 1 adjustable aluminum paddle, and back pack carry bag once deflated. The iRocker is constructed with military grade materials, you can paddle it into the rocks or drive over it with your vehicle and it will withhold.
The iRocker has a 2 year manufacturers warranty giving piece of mind on the investment, but overall this is another good all round board.
Isle 11′ Explorer Inflatable SUP
New for 2016 the Isle 11′ Explorer Inflatable SUP is another great all round paddle board, it is a good length and has a max weight load of 275lbs. This is a popular board and provides good stability while also having good performance on the water too. With the board you also get a 3 piece Aluminum adjustable travel paddle, carry bag for the board once deflated, a high pressure pump, 1 removable travel fin as well as a repair kit.
Isle Tandem 15 ft Megalodon iSUP
If you want something huge then this 15 feet long paddle board by Isle is certainly that. Designed for multiple paddle boarder this really is a massive board. Although an inflatable SUP it still takes a max load of a whopping 1200 pounds.
This huge board features D rings and a bungee so that you can store a dry bag or flip flops. With the board being so large and for multiple paddlers, it comes with 4 paddles too.
How big of a paddle board do I need?
You want to find a paddle board that is good for your size, if you are new to paddle boarding you may want something bigger to help give stability on the water allowing you to become more confident. The larger the board the more stable it is, however typically less responsive in the water and a little slower. If you are not sure what to buy then it is better to start off with a larger board then downsize when you are more comfortable.
If you want any advice then drop a comment below and I can try and help.
The length and width of the boards is usually measured in feet (ft) and inches. Its flotation is generally determined by volume, which can be influenced by both the weight and skill level of the rider. Now that you are up to date with the basics, here are the best SUP boards for big guys and heavy riders.
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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