Picture this: it’s a perfect summer day with a clear blue sky and full sun streaming down to send sparkling reflections across the water. You pump up your paddle board, hop on, and paddle into the translucent water, letting the cool droplets swish as you sweep through it. As you revel in the warmth, soaking up the sunlight and filling depleted vitamin D reservoirs, all is well in the world.
But let’s rewind. First, you need to choose a paddle board. Once you have one, commence the memorable summer day that will offer a much-needed reset. But how do you choose a paddle board? What do you look for? How do you know which ones are best?
This guide dives into the glistening pool of paddle boards available to Canadians to help you select the best option for your needs. Without further ado, let’s get started!
Best Inflatable Paddle Boards for Canadians in 2023
- Best Overall: Aqua Plus 6-inch Inflatable Board
- Best for On the Go: FunWater Inflatable Paddle Board
- Best for Newbies: FBSport Premium Inflatable Paddle Board
- Best Multi-Functional: FunWater Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board
- Best for Multiple Riders: Skatinger Extra Wide Inflatable Paddle Board
Why Did We Choose These Inflatable Paddle Boards in Canada?
Each paddle board on this list earned its place for a reason. As we paddled through options to sift out the best of the best, we evaluated key metrics of each option, including sizing, capacity, features, and accessories. And after hours of research and careful consideration, we present you with this list.
Every model shines in its own right, surging beyond competitors with a few key features. Here’s a quick overview of why each paddle board earned its place on our list.
The Aqua Plus 6-inch Inflatable Board is an exceptional choice for Canadians seeking a well-rounded option. It offers a solid blend of value, size, and comfort to promote a pleasant paddle-boarding experience. These features earn it a spot as our best overall pick.
In the second place, we have the FunWater Inflatable Paddle Board, our pick for Canadians who are always on the go. This board comes with everything you need and nothing you don’t, eliminating the need to pack unnecessary items. It even comes with a convenient carrying case for easy transportation.
Featuring a longer length, standard width, and solid thickness, the FBSport Premium Inflatable Paddle Board offers ample deck space for newbies. The extra space provides solid durability and stability, helping to build the confidence of wobbly beginners.
If you love kayaking, the FunWater Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board is an awesome option to combine the best of paddle boarding with kayaking. The board comes with a removable kayak seat, providing the opportunity to sit back and relax as you soak up the sun. It’s perfect for fishing, as there’s plenty of room to relax, a backrest, and a camera mount to prove you caught that massive bass.
The Skatinger Extra Wide Inflatable Paddle Board is our top pick for multiple riders. This board offers a weight capacity of 420 pounds, making it perfect for multiple riders or heavier individuals. It’s wider and longer than most boards, which provides better balance and stability for more than one rider.
Best Overall
Aqua Plus 6-Inch Inflatable Board
The Aqua Plus paddleboard offers an impressive array of features in one package. This board provides solid stability and an equally remarkable weight capacity via a six-inch thickness. It can hold up to 330 pounds, making it an excellent choice for those who enjoy riding with their dogs or children.
The board is 33 inches wide and features a diamond-grooved surface for ultimate comfort, grip, and stability. A rounded planing hull offers better maneuverability. It measures 10 feet 6 inches long, providing ample room for multiple riders to sit or stand comfortably. Bungee cords and stainless steel D-rings on the front deck allow you to conveniently store your belongings while you ride.
It has numerous accessories to complete your paddle-boarding journey, from a waterproof case to protect your phone to a shoulder-carrying strap for easier transportation. It even comes with a carrying bag to make it even easier to carry it with you from Point A to Point B.
Key Features
- Multiple accessories. Complete with a protective waterproof phone case, an ankle strap, a shoulder strap, and a backpack, this paddle board comes with everything you need to start paddleboarding.
- Grippy surface. The diamond groove texture of this board offers superior traction, even when wet, to ensure you don’t slip and slide while riding on this board.
- Warranty. This board comes with a one-year warranty covering materials to protect your purchase.
- Several colour options. With eight colour combinations to choose from, there’s something to accommodate various aesthetic tastes.
Our Expert’s Take
“This board is an excellent, well-rounded choice for beginners.”
Best for On The Go
FunWater Inflatable Paddle Board
The FunWater paddle board is an excellent choice for Canadians on the go. This board comes with everything you need and nothing you don’t. It features three removable fins for easy storage and effortless maneuvering, an ankle leash, a protective phone case, a manual pump, and a pressure valve. The entire setup fits into a convenient carrying backpack, making it easy to pack it all up and take it with you on hikes.
The pump makes it easy to fill the board within 5-10 minutes, and the inflation pressure valve makes it simple to check the pressure to determine how much more air you need to add. Elastic cords at the front of the board make it easy to fix items to it as you go, and a small port at the corner of the elastics allows you to mount a camera for easy recording.
This board features a rounded hull for superior maneuverability, making it a great choice for leisurely paddling.
As icing on the cake, the brand offers dependable customer service. Each board comes with a 30-day no-hassle return policy, a 60-day warranty for the paddle board, and a 1-year warranty for all accessories.
Key Features
- Removable fins. Removable fins make it much easier to pack up this paddle board and get going after your day out on the water.
- Shoulder strap. A convenient should strap snaps into rings on the board and allows you to transport the board from one spot to another easily.
- Inflation pressure valve. This valve offers a quick reading to help you determine when to stop inflating the board.
- Warranty coverage. With a year of coverage on parts, a 30-day no-hassle return policy, and a 60-day warranty on the board, this kit comes with solid coverage.
Our Expert’s Take
“Removeable fins and a convenient carrying bag make this board perfect for on the go.”
Best for Newbies
FBSport Premium Inflatable Paddle Board
The FBSport Premium paddle board is an excellent option for newbies. At 11 feet long, 33 inches wide, and 6 inches thick, this board offers solid stability and plenty of deck space to make beginners more comfortable. It also features a rounded hull, making it more manageable in the water.
Its size makes it slower in the water, which is ideal for beginners who don’t feel the urge to zip through the water at higher speeds. This makes it an excellent choice for kids and adults who are just learning and want something that will provide a slower, sturdy experience.
The kit comes with all the essentials plus a few extras. Aside from the board, there’s an ankle cuff leash, pump, carrying strap, three fins, and a travel bag that holds it all. The fins on the bottom of the board are fixed, save for the larger fin, which you can remove for storage and transportation.
Key Features
- Comfort handle. A handle placed near the center of the board offers a bit of reassurance to newbies still learning to balance.
- Anti-slip surface. The anti-slip deck features textured material to prevent slipping and sliding, even when the board is wet, ensuring you have plenty of traction to continue on your journey across the water.
- Multiple layers. This board features a high-density PVC drawing material, a double sidewall, base cloth, reinforced PVC fabric, and a non-slip deck pad to ensure long-lasting durability.
- Triple fins. Three fins mounted on the board offer better maneuverability, making it easier for kids, teens, and adults to move around.
Our Expert’s Take
“With its large deck and slower maneuverability, we think this board is a great choice for kids and beginners.”
Best Multi-Functional
FunWater Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board
FunWater’s inflatable paddle boards make another appearance on this list with the stand-up ultra-light model. This board features an array of additions for all sorts of fun in the sun. The removable kayak seat transforms this paddle board into a kayak with a few simple snaps, allowing you to have a backrest while fishing, exploring, or lounging in the sun.
Remove the kayak seat and stand up on the board for an exhilarating ride as you glide across the water. Secure yourself to the board with a convenient ankle leash to ensure your board doesn’t zip away if you fall off or take a swim.
The smaller footprint of this board makes it faster in the water and easier to maneuver, so it’s an excellent choice for those with a need for speed. It even features a camera base at the front of the board to capture your adventures.
It also comes with removable fins, an adjustable paddle, a waterproof phone pouch, and a travel bag to store and carry everything with you.
Key Features
- Kayak seat. The seat clips into place on the board and offers back support while you fish, soak up the sun, or paddle around.
- Removable fins. The fins come off the board for easy transportation and snap back into place when you’re ready to go.
- Adjustable paddle. The paddle is easily adjustable, allowing you to shorten or lengthen it based on whether you’re sitting or standing.
- Narrower design. This board’s narrower, shorter design makes it easier to maneuver in the water and a bit faster than its wider, lengthier comrades.
Our Expert’s Take
“This board is a great multi-purpose option. The kayak seat makes this a two-in-one board.”
Best for Multiple Riders
Skatinger Extra Wide Inflatable Paddle Board
The Skatinger paddle board is an exceptional choice for Canadians who want a multiple-rider board. This board can hold up to 420 pounds or two riders, making it an excellent choice for those who like taking their children, pets, or friends on the board with them.
It features a massive deck, 11 feet long and 34 inches wide, leaving plenty of space for all sorts of activities. Find your peace in a calming yoga session atop your paddle board, soak up the sunshine, or improve your confidence and balance. There’s plenty of room for it all.
This board features a two-action fast pump for quick inflation and deflation, allowing you to get going to pack it up in mere minutes. It comes with numerous accessories, including a five-litre dry bag, a waterproof phone pouch, an adjustable paddle, a shoulder strap, a central fin, and an ankle leash. Each of the accessories fits in the included backpack for easy transportation.
Key Features
- Floating paddle. The adjustable paddle is customizable based on your height or preferences and floats, ensuring it won’t sink if you accidentally drop it.
- Quick inflation. The dual-action pump lets you quickly inflate your paddle board in mere minutes, ensuring you don’t waste precious time pumping it up.
- Non-slip surface. An EVA pad on the board’s surface offers cushioning and plenty of grip while you move around on the board.
- Quick fin installation. The fin attaches to the board without tools. All it takes is a few steps to slide it into place and hand-tighten the screw bolt into place.
Our Expert’s Take
“If you’re not confident on a paddle board quite yet, the wider, longer deck of this board is for you.”
Why Trust Us?
Paddle boarding is an exciting activity, but choosing a paddle board can be less exciting and a little more daunting. There are dozens of choices available to Canadians on the hunt for a board, complicating the selection process, especially if you don’t know what to look for.
We understand how tricky it can be to find the best option to match your needs. So, to help consumers like you choose the perfect choice to get you out on the water as soon as possible, we did the hard part for you by carefully researching over a dozen options.
Our quest to find the best of the best is based on our research. Our experts evaluate and analyze each product to ensure that it meets your standards. As we combed through options for the best inflatable paddle boards in Canada, we kept a few key aspects in mind, including the following:
- Sizing: Paddle boards come in varying lengths, widths, and thicknesses, each best suited to different scenarios. We looked for options that accommodate varying preferences, including a few selections on our list to match those needs.
- Ease of use: The best paddle boards are easy to use, featuring various accessories to simplify use. We looked for good-quality pumps and valves for quick inflation, foldability for storage, and backpacks for convenient transportation.
- Capacity: The capacity of a paddleboard is an essential consideration, as it determines who can ride on the board safely. We searched for options to accommodate varying needs, from single riders to multiple riders.
- Material: Quality inflatable paddle boards are often made with durable PVC layers to promote long-lasting reliability. Each option on our list employs layers of PVC to ensure you’ll get the most out of your investment.
- Warranty: The best paddle boards come with some sort of warranty. This ensures you’ll have something to fall back on if the board has an issue prematurely.
Why Choose An Inflatable Paddle Board in Canada?
Inflatable paddle boards are an excellent choice for Canadians, especially those who live in more extreme climates. The climates across most of Canada only offer a short window of perfect paddle-boarding weather before relapsing into cooler temperatures.
Since you only get a brief window of beautiful warm weather, an inflatable paddleboard is an excellent choice. They collapse into a relatively small bag when not in use, ensuring they won’t consume precious space in your home or garage during the off-season.
Plus, they’re easier to transport than a hardboard, as you can pack them into the back of your car to travel to warmer climates for a bit of paddle-boarding therapy. Of course, you could always go with a rigid hardboard, but we think the inflatable options are excellent choices for those with short windows to ride.
Factors to Look for in an Inflatable Paddle Board in Canada
Selecting the best paddle board to meet your needs can be daunting, especially with the abundance of options. Here are a few tips to ensure you find an option that matches your needs:
Weight Capacity
The capacity of a paddleboard is one of the most important considerations. It determines how many riders it can handle and its total weight capacity. Generally, it’s best to select a paddleboard that offers some leeway in weight capacity. You’ll want a bit of wiggle room, so to speak, to ensure your board can handle the activities you want to do.
For example, if you like to take your dogs or children on the board with you, ensure you add their weight to yours and use that as the total capacity. We recommend choosing a slightly larger board with a higher capacity than you need. While you don’t need to select a majorly oversized board, extra wiggle room will leave the option of taking additional riders available.
However, it’s important to remember that boards with higher weight capacities are usually heavier and more durable, making them slower and harder to maneuver. Conversely, boards with lower weight capacities will be lighter and thinner, making them faster and easier to maneuver. Of course, the trade-off is that fewer riders can ride on it.
Pump Type
Inflatable paddle boards typically come with a specific pump, as you need to inflate them every time you want to use them (unless you leave them inflated). Most paddle board kits come with a single- or dual-chamber pump. The former is lightweight and easy to use, while the latter offers quicker inflation capabilities and multiple options.
Both options are manageable, offering relatively fast pumping types. However, if you really want to speed things up or save your arms for paddling, an electric pump is your best bet. These pumps usually plug into a car or travel battery, allowing you to siphon power from there to power the pump. They inflate your paddle board in mere minutes, allowing you to get out on the water even faster.
Electric pumps also usually offer deflating assistance, ensuring you don’t have to spend time squeezing the air out of the board for transportation. This helps wiggle the board back into the bag it came out of, avoiding the hassle of finagling an oversized, partially deflated board into the small transportation bag.
If you paddleboard regularly or enjoy taking hikes to alpine lakes to paddleboard, a paddleboard backpack might be an excellent option for you. Some models feature a specific slot for electric pumps, which can be a convenient addition to your pack without having to find space in the already-full pack.
Length and Width
The length is an important consideration when purchasing a paddleboard. The longer the board, the easier time you’ll have with tracking and gliding. Conversely, the shorter the board, the easier it is to maneuver.
Additionally, pay attention to the width. Wider paddle boards offer better stability, whereas narrower boards offer less stability and faster speeds.
Generally, it’s best to choose a board that matches how you want to use it. For example, if you want to go racing, choose a board designed for racing, as these boards are usually narrower and longer, making gliding quickly through the water easier. Conversely, if you want to practice yoga on your paddle board, opt for a wider board with plenty of room to get your zen on.
Or, if you want something that can manage just about any sport or activity, choose an all-around board. This is usually the best option for beginners who are still deciding which activities they want to do on their boards.
Thickness
The thickness of your board is another aspect to consider. It’s a bit trickier than length, width, or capacity, as each option has its merits. Most paddleboards come in 5- or 6-inch thicknesses.
If we compare two identical boards, save for the thickness, a 5-inch board will offer better stability and performance. However, they can’t hold as much weight as their thicker comrades, so they might not be a good choice for everyone.
Conversely, 6-inch boards are a bit clunkier than their 5-inch counterparts but can handle more weight. You may want to try a couple of thicknesses to select the option that best suits your needs.
Hull Type
There are two main types of hulls on inflatable paddle boards: planing and displacement. Planing hulls are flat, wide, and rounded, so they don’t slice through the water as well as displacement hulls. Paddle boards with planing hulls are easy to maneuver as they ride atop the water.
Because of their features, paddle boards with planing hulls are an excellent choice for leisurely activities, including paddling and yoga.
On the other hand, we have displacement hulls. These hulls feature a tapered hull that narrows to a point. The shape mimics that of a kayak or canoe, allowing these paddle boards to slice through the water, effortlessly gliding through as it pushes water to the sides. This creates a faster, smoother ride, making them an outstanding choice for fitness paddling or racing activities.
However, it’s important to remember that displacement hulls sit differently than planing hulls, so they aren’t as easy to maneuver.
Paddle Type
Pay attention to the type of paddle the board comes with. You’ll want a durable paddle that won’t snap or break, leaving you stranded out on the water. Most paddles are made of aluminum, fibreglass, carbon fibre, or a carbon fibre blend.
The best option is a full carbon fibre paddle, as these paddles are lightweight but durable. They’re stiff and solid, yet won’t weigh you down. Carbon fibre blend paddles are the second best option, offering many of the same benefits at a slightly lower price.
Fibreglass paddles are another solid option offering a lightweight frame and decent durability at an even better price. These are a great choice for Canadians who want a blend of value and durability.
Lastly, you have aluminum paddles. These paddles are the cheapest option available but tend to be the heaviest. While they’re heftier than their carbon fibre and fibreglass counterparts, they offer solid performance at an unbeatable price. If you’re new to paddle boarding, this is a good option. However, you may want to upgrade eventually if you frequently paddleboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Inflatable paddle boards can last several years in Canada, as the on-season is fairly short for most regions. You can expect about three years with frequent use for single-layer paddle boards. If you don’t use your paddle board often, you can expect a lengthier lifespan of three to five years.
While you can keep your paddle board inflated in Canada, it’s usually easier to store when deflated. Of course, you might choose to keep it inflated during the on-season, but that’s entirely up to you. Avoid keeping it stored in a hot place while inflated, as this can raise complications for the air pressure within the board, potentially causing it to rupture.
If you decide to keep it inflated during the off-season, remember to store it in a dry place where it won’t be exposed to the elements.
When shopping for paddle boards in Canada, you might come across the word “SUP.” This simply means “stand up,” so there’s no difference between an SUP and a paddle board. If it says “iSUP,” it means “inflatable stand-up.”