Whether you’re planning a coastal escape, a camping trip or a summer adventure abroad, the right gear can make all the difference. From exploring the water by inflatable kayak to carrying everything you need in your trusty travel backpack, choosing equipment that’s practical, reliable and suited to your plans is key. The same goes for picking the best paddle board.
Once a niche watersport, paddle boarding has become a familiar sight on British beaches. The rise in popularity of inflatable boards has made getting out on the water more affordable and accessible, with prices dropping and retailers ranging from specialist brands to supermarkets such as Aldi now selling their own versions.
But don’t just grab the cheapest board you can find. I’ve been testing the best paddle boards for 2026, and the right choice depends on your experience level. Beginners should look for wider, more stable boards with plenty of volume, while experienced paddlers may prefer longer, slimmer designs built for speed.
Whatever your experience level, a good SUP should tick a few essential boxes. It should be easy to inflate, deflate and carry, with a comfortable non-slip deck and enough storage space for your essentials.
If you want to know which SUP to buy, take a look at my tried and tested guide below to see which boards have me pumped this year.
Read more: Best fitness trackers, tested
The best stand-up paddle boards for 2026 are:
- Best overall – Quroc allwater 12ft 6in touring SUP package: £689, Qurocpaddleboards.co.uk
- Best budget buy – Wave tourer 2.0: £179.99, Wavesupboards.com
- Best for yoga – Red Paddle 10ft 8in activ MSL inflatable yoga paddle board package: £599.95, Amazon.co.uk
Read more: Best changing robes, tested
Quroc allwater 12ft 6in touring SUP package
Best: stand-up paddleboard overall
Why we love it
- Copes well with choppy conditions
The allwater from Quroc is perfect if you’re looking for a more advanced board, as its shaping is such that it improves paddling without making any compromise on stability.
The extra length you get with this 12ft 6in ride makes it the perfect point-and-shoot board for touring. Just find your heading and it’ll track superbly, no matter how hard you’re paddling.
As the name suggests, it’s built to be adventurous, and the increased volume means it can cope brilliantly with choppy sections of the sea and stays stable in the wind – it even performs against a turning tide. All it takes is a little extra effort on the paddle and you can get to any target quickly.
Key Specifications
Buy now £689, Qurocpaddleboards.co.uk
Wave tourer 2.0 paddle board
Best: budget stand-up paddleboard
Why we love it
- Lots of fun
- Great value
Take note
- Bit unstable in choppy water
This is a great board, at a great price, from the Newcastle manufacturer, offering taller paddlers lots of stability.
Particularly suited for calmer waters, at just under 32in wide, it’s a quick board and offers good stability, while enabling you to progress your paddling skills and boost confidence. The foam deck pad offers lots of traction and will help keep you on your feet but it’s comfortable if you’re out for hours on end.
We inflated and deflated in around five minutes; there’s a three-bungee strap cargo area (with drinks holder), so plenty of room for extras; and the padded grab handle and light weight makes it a very portable board.
The tourer 2.0 is now sold out, but the new 3.0 model is available to pre-order.
Key Specifications
Buy now £179.99, Wavesupboards.com
Red 10ft 2in ride MSL paddleboard
Best: stand-up paddleboard for beginners
Why we love it
- Feels stable
- Great for surfing
Take note
- No paddle included in the basic package
- Low volume
Red has added to its extremely popular “ride” series of boards, with this easy paddler that’s well suited to younger, lighter boarders.
The brand has kept the rounded nose that’s characteristic of the series, so the board feels stable when you’re on it, despite its lower volume, but its slimmer width means it’s quick (the faster you go, the more stability will improve).
This is why it’s an excellent kids’ board or a good board to try SUP surfing, as it’s got bags of manoeuvrability and makes nice tight turns, the grip and comfortable deck pad also adds to its suitability for surfing and newbie riders.
As we’ve come to expect from Red, the construction is top notch and the board will be able to take plenty of punishment, without you having to worry about repairs. Nice and quick to inflate – great for impatient younger paddlers – the board has three carry handles, cargo straps and a safety leash, which is important for rookie riders and surfers alike.
Key Specifications
Buy now £579.95, Redequipment.co.uk
Thurso surf waterwalker 126 all-around SUP
Best: fast stand-up paddleboard
Why we love it
- Very quick
- Adapts to lots of conditions
We really liked the shape of this 10ft 6in board, and we liked it even more when we got it out on the water, as it’s very quick.
This is a good option for the more confident riders out there, as it’s adaptable to seas, rivers and lakes. Plus, its shape, design and weight enable you to try out manoeuvres such as the step-back turn, where you shift your body to the back of the board and lift up the nose, so you turn more easily out of tight spots.
Quick inflation and the addition of Velcro straps for securing your paddle when you’re not using it are also very welcome, as is the inclusion of an electric air pump in the package, which takes all the effort out of getting the waterwalker ready to use.
Key Specifications
Buy now £599, Thursosurf.com
Red Paddle 10ft 8in activ MSL inflatable yoga paddle board package
Best: stand-up paddleboard for yoga
Why we love it
- Great stability
- Made with yoga in mind
Yoga mats are yesterday’s news. Yoga paddle boards (YSUPs), however, offer the chance to take your practice to the next level.
Obviously, stability becomes even more important for aqua asanas, and this board offers up 333l of volume and a deck that’s 34in wide and 10ft 8in long, so your downward dog won’t turn into a drowned rat. The blunt-nose shape keeps the board steady, and, when maximally inflated, it offers a good hard surface on which to practise.
Red has conceptualised the board well for yoga, too, moving the carry handles to the side of the board, so they don’t get in the way of your flow, and by including Velcro straps to stow your paddle while you’re in warrior pose.
Key Specifications
Buy now £599.95, Amazon.co.uk
Thurso Surf waterwalker 132 all-around SUP
Best: stable stand-up paddleboard
Why we love it
- Perfect for adventuring
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 we paddled.
Even though it shares the same name, this 132 board has very unique paddling characteristics, and its 31in width and squared-off tail minimises side-to-side movement and is a real confidence booster, even when you’re picking up speed.
The 132 is really well made and you won’t have to worry about damage if you get too close to jagged rocks while you’re adventuring, either. The inclusion of an electric pump and one of the most compact and comfortable backpacks on test only add to the board’s appeal.
Key Specifications
Buy now £649, Thursosurf.com
Thurso waterwalker 120
Best: short stand-up paddleboard
Why we love it
- Very versatile
- Nice detailing
Another, shorter version of the waterwalker, this 10ft SUP impressed us with its all-around performance. Keeping the design of its more-elongated siblings, with its squared off tail, the 10ft version keeps any confidence-sapping, side-to-side movement to a minimum, which is great when you’re picking up speed.
The design also really highlights the board’s hybrid capabilities, just add the nicely padded Thurso surf kayak seat (£59.99, Amazon.co.uk), using the D-rings, and the board turns into an excellent hybrid paddler. Like the other waterwalkers in the series, this one is well-crafted and robust, with a nice textured deck pad if you’re off touring.
Included are three comfortable handles, bungee cargo areas at the nose and tail, and a handy paddle holder, if you want to take a break and chill out for a bit.
Key Specifications
Buy now £349, Thursosurf.com
Fanatic allwave paddle board
Best: stand-up paddleboard for surfers
Why we love it
- Combines paddle boarding and surfing
Whether you’re a surfer keen to try out paddle boarding or a paddle boarder keen to try out surfing, the allwave is well-equipped to give you the best possible chance of doing both.
With plenty of volume, the allwave sits quite low in the water, boosting stability and therefore confidence when taking on the waves. There’s a new swallow-tail design, too, which allows for some easy turning, even in some quite messy waters.
With five sizes to choose from, ranging from 7ft 9in (which we had on test) all the way up to 9ft 2in, you can match the length to your height, weight and competence.
Key Specifications
Buy now £989.4, 2xs.co.uk
Your stand-up paddle board questions answered
Which is the best stand-up paddle board?
Looking for a board that will grow with you as you progress your paddling skills? The Quroc allwater 12ft 6in touring SUP package will boost your confidence, while still challenging you to progress your technique every time you go out. It comes with a great package and hardy construction.
If your budget doesn’t stretch quite that far, I also love the Wave tourer 2.0. It’s well-equipped to take you wherever you want to go, whether that’s exploring the coast from the water, going point to point, or just messing about with some friends. Now you can get your hands on the newer model, the tourer 3.0.
How I tested stand-up paddle board
I tested each of these paddle boards under the same conditions. The testing period followed three main criteria:
What type of paddle board should I buy?
The main decision when picking a paddle board is whether you want an inflatable one or a solid one. Inflatable boards are easier to transport and store, and tend to be on the more affordable side. Surprisingly, they are also more durable than solid ones – quality boards are made from super-duper strong materials, so they won't dent or scratch in the same way solid boards might. That being said, in terms of performance, solid boards usually have the edge. They have a more agile approach to gliding through the water and, for those interested in SUP surfing, they are better at catching waves.
What size paddle board do I need?
The general rule for SUPs is that the larger the board, the faster it is, whereas shorter boards are better for manoeuvrability. So, the size you should buy depends on your plans. Short boards (less than 10ft) are best for kids or those wanting to surf. Medium (10-12ft) is the most popular size, and best for general use as well as SUP yoga. Longboards (12-14ft) are ideal for taller users chasing fast-paced paddling or long-haul adventures.
What to wear when paddle boarding
First of all, I have to advise wearing safety gear before you hit the water. With waves and weather being so unpredictable, personal flotation devices of any kind can be vital. When it’s summer, your favourite swimsuits will do just fine, but in the winter (because SUP is a year-round all-weather sport) wetsuits, dry suits and some water shoes are good ideas. Rash vests are also a strong choice year-round to protect yourself from the environment. Of course, SPF is another must, no matter the month.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Jon Axworthy is an expert in outdoor apparel and activity testing. After reviewing everything from kayaks and mountain bikes to hiking rucksacks, he knows exactly what to look for when it comes to outdoor sports. Jon has been an expert tester for many years and is your go-to for all things adventure, fitness and the great outdoors.
For more outdoor gear we’ve tested the best tents for camping
