Choosing Between a Fiberglass and an Inflatable SUP

By Nicole Larson


If you are looking to start the sport of paddleboarding, you have probably checked out buying equipment. Having your very own equipment can be pricey to buy, but will end up costing less in the long run because you can avoid high equipment rental costs.

There are several various paddleboard styles you can buy, one of which is inflatable. Inflatable boards offer a number of advantages, however, there are a few downsides as well. These kinds of boards are designed with a specific person in mind who will value the advantages and not care about the downsides. Let's look at their differences.

Portability

Inflatable SUPs can be deflated and transported in a medium sized bag. This means that people do not have to load a large board on the top of their vehicles. They can also be transported on planes without requiring a significant fee normally charged for large travel luggage.

Because they can be packed into a smaller, more compact size, these boards can be easily secured in a vehicle, carried on one's back and stored without taking up much space. Conventional fiberglass boards do not offer these benefits. Individuals who have a roof rack on their car, ample storage space and no need to lock their boards while carrying them, this may not cause an issue.

Effort Required to Pump up the Board

Inflatable boards normally require a manual hand pump to be pumped up. This can take between 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the strength of the person doing the inflating. Pumping air into a paddleboard takes effort, and for some small women, it can be a workout. Hard boards obviously do not require this additional work, and some people prefer the convenience of not having to continually inflate and deflate their gear.

Maneuverability

The firmness of inflatable boards varies. In general, the cheaper boards have a lower psi inflation, and as a result are less firm. This means that they can bounce more in rough water or surf. For novices, this can feel more unsteady. For individuals paddling on lakes or other flat water places, they might not be able to tell a distinction and for that reason not care.

Standard boards can offer a more easy trip and increased maneuverability. Paddlers wanting a fast board that is simpler to turn and move around (ie those who want to race or do a significant amount of exercises) are more likely to choose a fiberglass board instead of the inflatable kind, which are more designed towards the leisure paddler or someone thinking about yoga paddleboard classes.

From my experience and research, inflatable SUPs do not leak air very often. That said, many models include a patch kit just in case. These boards look and feel like a hard board to people not familiar with the different types of boards, and the majority of first-time purchasers are more than satisfied at their performance.

When shopping, it is a good idea to compare the attributes of different items in addition to costs, so you can get a board that you will be happy with.




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