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Why Hike Or Travel With An Inflatable Paddle Board (ISUP)?
Before lightweight inflatable paddle boards came along, secluded lakes with no roads leading to them were difficult to get to and enjoy fully. Now it’s possible to hike or walk long distances with a board in your backpack and get to unexplored areas.
Being out on a clear mountain lake and exploring every inch of it is something not many people get to do. It does take more work, but it’s usually worth it.
A rule of thumb for backpackers is to never carry more than 20% of your body weight in a backpack. Because of this, I have chosen boards that do not weigh more than 20 lbs.
This allows a little extra weight for the pump, paddle, and other gear without risking going over 20% body weight for most people.
If you are a bigger person or an experienced backpacker, then you can take a heavier board, but it’s important to know your limits. Carry what you are comfortable with so it will be an enjoyable experience the entire time.
See Also: 10 Things To Know Before Buying An Inflatable Paddle Board
When picking a lightweight inflatable paddle board, you want something that can still handle your body weight and be manageable on the water.
There are children’s paddle boards that weigh less but are short, narrow, and not suitable for adult paddlers.
The boards on today’s review are at least 10 feet long and have weight limits of over 200 lbs, making them solid choices for serious paddle boarders.
Best Overall
Widest
High Weight Capacity
Note: Scroll left/right to view all products in the table.
Best Hiking Inflatable Paddle Boards Reviews & Info
Roc ISUP
The Roc ISUP is a very popular inflatable paddle board, with good reason.
The board only weighs 17.5 lbs but is still made with a triple-layer of PVC. This is one of the most durable lightweight paddle boards you can buy.
It is 10 feet long, 32 inches wide and 6 inches thick. The weight capacity is an incredible 275 lbs.
The inflatable paddle board style is all-around which is what you want for hiking and traveling because you never know what kind of water you’re going to run into.
The fin set up is a long removable center fin and 2 non-removable stabilizer (side bite) fins for more stability and help with keeping the board straight when paddling.
See Also: Best Waterproof Dry Bag For Kayaking, Camping, Paddling
There’s a 6 D-link bungee system on the nose and a D-link on the tail.
Along with the inflatable paddle board, you get an aluminum paddle that floats, a single-action hand pump, a coil ankle leash, a waterproof bag, and a backpack.
The Roc ISUP is incredible because of how many layers it has while still being so light. It’s more rigid than single-layered inflatable paddle boards and better for tall or heavy people.
The only slight drawback is the quality of the backpack. It works great to store your board but it can be a little flimsy for hiking.
It does have a waist strap so if you decide it’s good enough, go for it. If you want another option frame backpacks for camping work really great.
A lot of times they can expand to large sizes and fit a paddle board and all the accessories.
PROS
- Very lightweight
- Extremely Durable
- High Weight Capacity
CONS
- Included pump is a single-action
- The backpack is not very sturdy
SereneLife Thunder Wave ISUP
The SereneLife Thunder Wave is 10 feet long, 30 inches wide, and 6 inches thick.
The weight capacity is 275 lbs and the board weighs 19.6 lbs. It’s another inflatable paddle board that is almost 20 lbs, it’s slightly heavy but not too heavy.
When it comes to stability shape is important. The Thunder Wave is 30 inches wide almost the entire length of the board.
So even though it’s not as wide as other boards the fact that it’s wide over most of the board help make it very stable. The nose is a hybrid all-around/touring board.
See Also: Best Hand Pump for Inflatables (Boat, Kayak, and ISUP)
There is a 4 D-link bungee system on the nose, 4 D-links on the sides, and one on the tail. The board is seat compatible and there is an optional seat you can buy separately to turn the board into a kayak.
There are 3 fins. A removable center fin and two non-removable stabilizer (side bite) fins. The 2+1 fin structure helps the board glide straight through the water, it’s especially helpful on choppy water like the ocean and when you want to paddle fast.
Included with the inflatable paddle board is a single-action hand pump with a pressure gauge, a coil ankle leash, an aluminum paddle, a repair kit, and a storage bag/backpack.
The backpack isn’t the best for hiking long distances because it doesn’t have waist straps. Using a camping frame pack works really well as an alternative because they are normally large enough to fit an ISUP and they are made for packing heavy gear.
SereneLife makes budget ISUPs that are durable, have almost everything a high-end paddle board has, and have a great design.
It’s a little heavier than some of the other inflatable paddle boards on the list but it’s still a good choice for hikers and travelers because of the multi-use design.
PROS
- High weight capacity
- Budget-Friendly
CONS
- Included Backpack not good for hiking
- single-action pump
FunWater ISUP
The FunWater ISUP is another affordable paddle board, but it’s super light weighing only 17.6 lbs.
It’s an interesting design, it’s 10 feet 6 inches long and 6 inches thick, and the overall width is 33 inches.
It sounds like it’s really wide but it’s actually pretty narrow and that’s how it can be so light.
It starts out narrow at the tail, slowly gets wide until about 2/3 the way up then it starts to get narrow again and finishes with a pointy nose.
It’s like a really wide touring inflatable paddle board. This will be awesome for people who have some experience with paddle boarding or balance activities.
If balancing is not your thing or you are really tall this might be a tough board to stay standing on.
That being said I think anyone can learn to balance on any kind of paddle board but I thought I’d point it out so you know what you are getting into.
The weight capacity is very high at 300 lbs. There is a 6 D-link bungee system on the nose and a D-link on the tail.
See Also: Best Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Boards ISUP For Fishing
There are 3 removable fins that are the perfect set-up for this shape of ISUP. You’re going to be able to get going pretty fast with ease.
It’s made with dual-layered PVC, so durability won’t be an issue.
Included with the inflatable paddle board are an aluminum paddle, a single-action hand pump, a coil ankle leash, a waterproof phone bag, and a storage bag/backpack.
Much like the other budget-friendly boards on this list the backpack is a little flimsy and doesn’t have a waist strap so you may need to use a camping frame pack to hike around with it.
The included bag should be fine for travel by plane though.
The FunWater is a unique board for how short it is. It’s going to be excellent for speed paddling and touring and especially good for smaller people.
You get a lot of bang for your buck and it’s so lightweight you almost have to bring it with you everywhere you go.
PROS
- Ultra-Light
- Durable
- Touring Board Design
CONS
- For more advanced riders
- Flimsy Backpack
Cooyes ISUP
The Cooyes is the perfect lightweight inflatable paddleboard for taking on the river or using on a secluded mountain lake.
It’s 10 feet 6 inches long, 32 inches wide, and 6 inches thick.
The total weight capacity is 330 lbs.
This is a great little ISUP for taking on hikes, especially if you are two small people or if you have a dog you want to bring out onto the water. It has a fairly high weight capacity and the board only weighs 19.5 lbs.
There’s a 6 D-link storage system on the nose and a large footpad everywhere else on the deck.
There are no other D-links on the body which means the Cooyes is not seat compatible.
See Also: Best Inflatable Paddleboards (ISUP) For Surfing
If you plan on taking this ISUP to the ocean or even on a fast river the Cooyes has a built in kickpad on the tail that will help you pop over waves or rapids.
The style is a wide cruiser which means it cuts smoothly through water but it’s also wide enough for even beginner paddle boarders.
The fit set up is the standard 3. Two side bite fins and one long removable center fin.
Included with the ISUP is a paddle, a storage backpack, a hand pump with built-in pressure gauge, a coil ankle leash, a waterproof phone bag, and a repair kit.
The Cooyes ISUP is a fantastic option for the adventure who wants to do it all. It will perform on calm water, rivers, and even the ocean. This is the one ISUP that does it all.
PROS
- Kickpad For Waves
- High Weight Capacity
- Wide For Stability
CONS
- Standard Backpack
- Single Action Hand Pump
- Limited D-Links On Deck
Gruper Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board
The Gruper ISUP is a pretty basic option that’s lightweight and perfect for small mountain lakes and calm rivers.
It measures 10 feet 6 inches long, 30 inches wide, and 6 inches thick.
The max weight capacity is 320 lbs.
Gruper states that this ISUP is made with 3 layers of PVC which means this is one sturdy paddle board.
Even with all the PVC layers the board still only weighs 17.2 lbs which is very light even for this review.
The lightweight could be due to the reduced width. You only get 30 inches with the Gruper and although that’s still plenty of width for even a beginner paddleboarder it may be harder for some to balance on.
See Also: Best Inflatable Yoga Paddle Boards For Everyday Use
The deck is very simple. There’s a 6 D-link bungee storage system on the nose and one D-link on the tail.
The EVA foam pad covers most of the body and there’s a carry handle in the center.
There are no other D-links on the body which means this ISUP is not seat compatible.
Like most of the ISUP’s in this review, there is a 3 fin set up with two side bite fins and a long removable center fin.
Included with the ISUP is a dual action hand pump with built-in pressure gauge, a paddle, a mesh backpack/storage bag, a repair kit, and a coil ankle leash.
The Gruper Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board is very basic but surprisingly good quality. Three layers of PVC is uncommon with this level of paddle board and so is including a dual action hand pump.
If you want a decent board you can paddle around on anywhere the Gruper ISUP is a fantastic option.
PROS
- Lightweight
- Triple Layered PVC
- Dual Action Hand Pump
- High Weight Capacity
CONS
- Limited D-Links On Deck
- Standard Backpack
My Recommendation For Best Hiking & Travel ISUP
Best Overall – Roc ISUP
The Roc ISUP is one of the most popular paddle boards out there and for good reason. It’s made very well, it’s lightweight, and it’s designed for any kind of water.
It’s even seat compatible.
For hiking, it’s perfect because the board weighs only 17.5 lbs.
It uses triple layered PVC which is very uncommon and perfect for mountain lakes that can be full of sharp rocks and fallen trees. You want an ISUP that is durable and super dependable on uncertain waters.
This is not only a fantastic choice for hikers and travelers. It’s also great for the standard paddleboarder who wants one board that can do it all.
Because of the light board weight, included accessories, and great build of the ROC it’s my top choice in this review.
What To Look For In An ISUP For Hiking & Travel
The Backpack
Almost every ISUP comes with a sort of storage bag that usually doubles as a backpack. Because you will be hiking or traveling it’s important to get a board that has a good quality backpack.
The distance you will hike makes a difference as well. If you are planning on 3 miles or more you are going to need a bag with waist straps to displace some of that weight onto your hips.
And if you want to go far, you probably need a specialized backpacking pack with a frame that you can put your board in.
Weight vs. Body Size
You should never carry more than 20% of your body weight in a backpack.
For example, if you weigh 195 lbs, which is the average weight of a man in America, you can carry up to 39 lbs.
If you weigh 166 lbs, which is the average weight of a woman in America, you can carry up to 33 lbs.
Distance
Three miles might not sound far if you are used to walking on a road, but a mountain trail makes things very different. The incline can be steep at times as well as the decline.
Make sure you know what kind of path you will be taking and the obstacles that might be along the way.
Never bring a paddle board that is too heavy on a long, challenging trail. ISUPs folds up into a rectangle and can change your center of gravity making you off balance.
Remember to do what you are comfortable with and be kind to your back and feet.
Total Gear Weight
I talk a lot about how much the board itself weighs but you are always going to need a paddle and a pump.
Make sure you consider everything you are bringing to figure out if you need to make any changes to stay below the weight that is comfortable for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About ISUP’s For Hiking & Travel
Can I bring my inflatable stand up paddle board as a carry-on on a plane?
Most of the time you can. Some paddle boards are smaller and weigh less than others.
Light paddle boards like the ones on this list should be able to be taken on a plane as a carry-on.
What other options do I have if I don’t want to bring a bulky life jacket or vest on a hike?
There are slimmer personal floatation devices out there that hardly weigh anything.
Here’s a review of some of the best ones out there.
Are small hiking/travel ISUPs good for other ISUP activities?
Yes, they are.
If you made sure to get one that was the proper size for your body type then you should have no problem using your hiking paddle board doing other things.
Have any tips about traveling or hiking with an ISUP? Leave a comment below. Also, feel free to ask any questions or check out our FAQ page.