iSUP vs. Hardboard
Our comparison: Hardboard or inflatable SUP?
In our latitudes, Stand Up Paddling is a relatively new sport, but on many Pacific islands, "stand-up paddling" was already a means of transport for fishermen many years ago. Hawaiian surf instructors adopted this method of locomotion, and windsurfers were delighted with a water sport that was not dependent on wind conditions.
The first SUP boards were hardboards, which were not dissimilar to the longboards used by surfers. However, SUP hardboards are very bulky, so Stand Up Paddlers with hardboards were still considered exotic on lakes and waters a few years ago.
It was only when the first inflatable SUP boards came onto the market that more and more people became interested in this cool water sport. Inflatable SUP boards make it much easier to get started with stand-up paddling, as the boards can be folded up to a size that is easy to transport.
The differences between hardboards and inflatable SUP boards
- As already mentioned, the biggest disadvantage of hardboards is the biggest advantage of inflatable SUP boards. Hardboards are very bulky, difficult to transport and store. Also, you can't just quickly take hardboards with you on vacation.
- Inflatable SUP boards are much easier to transport because they can be rolled up to a comfortable pack size. Accordingly, the storage space required is smaller, and inflatable boards can be transported in any small car.
- Hardboards are somewhat more susceptible to damage than inflatable SUP boards. Brief contact with a stone or a paddle blade grazing the board during a paddle stroke can leave unsightly scratches or dents on the hardboard. The inflatable SUP board handles this easily! For this reason, only inflatable SUP boards are used for river SUP tours. Hardboards would be damaged too quickly in whitewater.
- However, the risk of injury is greater with hardboards, because if you fall, you hit hard material, which can be quite painful. Despite their rigidity, inflatable SUP boards are still "softer" than hardboards in the event of a fall. This advantage has proven particularly useful for our SUP yoga boards, which are much more comfortable for yoga exercises than hardboards.
- But hardboards naturally also have many advantages. SUP boards designed for larger waves are almost always hardboards. The shape and edges required for wave SUPing can currently only be implemented with hardboards. In addition, hardboards require less volume and can be built flatter than inflatable SUP boards.
Furthermore, hardboards do not need to be inflated – so you don't need to take an electric or manual pump with you for paddling. Race paddlers often swear by hardboards, but since it's very difficult to transport ultra-long raceboards from race to race, there are also more and more excellent inflatable raceboards.
Is an inflatable SUP or a hardboard suitable for SUP beginners?
For your first attempts with SUP, we definitely recommend an inflatable board. If you fall off the board, the risk of injury is lower, and beginners are also a little inexperienced in handling, so the paddle shaft may graze the side of the board and cause scratches when paddling. In addition, the lifespan of inflatable SUP boards is longer than that of hardboards, which have to be treated more like "raw" eggs.
Our Conclusion: Hardboard or Inflatable SUP
We are definitely of the opinion that the advantages of inflatable SUP boards outweigh the disadvantages in almost all disciplines. If you're not surfing 3-meter high Atlantic waves, an inflatable SUP will bring you a lot of joy for a very long time – whether at home on the lake or on holiday in the Mediterranean.
We would be happy to advise you on choosing the right SUP board for your needs. Contact us by email or send us a message!
