What Kind Of ISUP Hand Air Pump Should I Buy?
While most inflatable paddle boards, kayaks, and boats come with a hand air pump they often are only single action or just plain old cheap.
They can take quite a while to fill your inflatable with air and that’s the last thing you want to be doing when next to a beautiful body of water on a hot summer day.
See Also: Best SUP or ISUP Paddles for Stand-Up Paddle Boarding
Although they can be on the spendy side, purchasing a dual-action hand pump can shorten the time it takes to inflate whatever it is you are going to use. Basically, less work and more play.
And if you really want to inflate your stand up paddle board, kayak, or raft with hardly any work you can buy a heavy-duty electric pump with high-pressure capacity to inflate up to 20 psi.
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Best High Pressure Electric Pump Reviews & Info
Solstice By Swimline SUP High Pressure Pump
The Solstice dual action hand pump with pressure gauge for inflatable paddle boards, kayaks, or rafts is one of the few pump options out there but it’s a good one.
Built with high-quality materials this hand pump doesn’t have problems with back leaks and will inflate an ISUP twice as fast as a single action hand pump.
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The max PSI is 20 and there are two air hoses included with purchase. One hose has the standard H3 ISUP valve and the other has a nozzle for low-pressure inflatables like tubes and air mattresses.
The pressure gauge is located on the top in between the handles and is easy to read when pumping.
The Solstice By Swimline SUP High Pressure Pump is the perfect replacement for any single action high-pressure hand pump.
It takes less time and effort to inflate an ISUP, kayak, or raft so you have more time to play and the second air hose is a nice addition.
PROS
- High-Quality Materials
- Dual Action
- Second Air Hose Included
Advanced Elements Double Action Pump
The Thurso is a dual-action air pump and it has some cool features. You can switch from dual to single-action making pumping up the board easier when you get to a higher pressure.
Its max pressure is slightly higher than the other options, at 29 psi. It has inflation as well as deflation options so you can pull all the air out of whatever you may be deflating.
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This air pump is lighter than the triple action pump, so if you are hiking in your board, boat, or kayak to a far location you may want to take this pump with you instead of a larger one.
This pump has a built-in pressure gauge and comes with an air hose with a Halkey-Roberts adapter that fits most paddle boards, kayaks, and boats.
PROS
- Deflation Chamber
- Single and Dual Action Switch
- Lightweight
- High Psi Gauge
Seamax SUP Hand Pump
The Seamax ISUP hand pump is only a single action hand pump. It won’t be as fast as the dual action ones but it’s a good replacement if the pump your paddle board came with breaks or is lost.
The max capacity is 27 psi which is much higher than what the other pumps on this list can handle. If you have a high pressure inflatable over 20 psi this is another good option.
There is a built in sand filter that helps keep dirt from going into the main chamber and the air hose is 4.5 feet long.
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Included with the hand pump are adapters for 3 different kinds of nozzles including the main kind used in paddle boards.
It’s nothing too fancy but the Seamax SUP Hand Pump is a good back up pump to have in case your original ISUP hand pump breaks.
PROS
- 3 Adapters
- Lightweight
South Bay Board Co. Inflatable Paddleboard Pump
A recent upgrade from the dual action paddleboard hand pumps is the new triple action ones that are slowly taking over the market.
A triple action SUP air pump is like a dual action but instead of having just one air chamber, there are two.
That means you can inflate a paddle board or kayak twice as fast as with a dual action hand pump.
See Also: Best Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Boards ISUP For Fishing
The South Bay Board Co. triple action ISUP hand pump has a max psi of 20 which is plenty for most inflatables including paddle boards and kayaks.
There is a built in pressure gauge and it comes ready for any Halkey Roberts ISUP valve that fits any standard board.
The South Bay Board Co. Inflatable Paddleboard Pump is one of the best and fastest hand pumps you can buy for an inflatable paddle board.
It’s definitely a more premium option but if you paddle board a lot and are tired of spending 30 minutes inflating your ISUP this is a faster and higher quality choice.
PROS
- Super Fast Inflation
- Triple Action
- Built In Pressure Gauge
- Will Fit Any Standard H3 ISUP Valve
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My Choice For Best SUP High Pressure Pump
Fastest & Best Overall – South Bay Board Co. Inflatable Paddleboard Pump
Triple action ISUP hand pumps normally are only sold with premium ISUP board kits and they are a huge upgrade from any single or even dual action hand pump.
They are twice as fast as dual action pumps and three times as fast as single action ones.
The South Bay Board Co. makes some amazing paddle board products and the triple action hand pump by them is no exception.
If you use your ISUP a lot and want to cut the time it takes to inflate by hand in half this the best option.
Best Dual Action ISUP Hand Pump – Solstice By Swimline SUP High Pressure Pump
The Solstice is one of the best replacement high pressure hand pumps you can get.
It has good quality parts and will pump up a paddle board faster than a single action hand pump.
It comes with a low-pressure inflatable hose and can be used for more than just a paddle board.
All-in-all it’s one of the best hand pumps for inflatable paddle boards.
What To Look For In An ISUP Hand Pump
Air Valve Type
Most inflatables use the Halkey-Roberts (HR or H3) valve, therefore most pumps are sold with an HR adapter.
If your inflatable does not have an HR valve you may need to buy an additional adapter.
Location
Some people prefer electric pumps over hand pumps because it’s much less work, but you’re not always going to be around a power source or have the ability to haul an electric pump around with you.
That is the beauty of the hand pump, you can use it no matter where you are, and if you buy one like the triple-action pump, it may even be faster than an electric pump.
Weight
Inflatables are so portable, that’s why so many people prefer them over traditional solid vessels.
You can hike to beaches or mountain lakes with your inflatable and have an amazing experience that was unheard of before.
If you are going to be taking a lot of gear with you choosing a lighter more portable pump could be something to consider.
Have any questions or tips on inflating ISUP’s, boats, or kayaks? Leave a comment below.