Best Inflatable Paddle Boards in Canada 2023: Quality, Portability, and Performance

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.