What thickness iSUP is best? Pros and cons

What thickness iSUP is best?… It’s a good question and one we get asked a lot at SUPboarder. But it’s not that simple and not just a case of saying ‘that one’. There are pros and cons to all iSUP (inflatable SUP) thicknesses. In this video we will be looking at the main differences between two of the most common iSUP board thicknesses… a 4 3/4″ (120mm) and 6” (150mm) iSUP. Deciding which one you go for is then up to you!

Pros and cons of a thicker iSUP 6″ (150mm)

+ Pros of a thicker iSUP

• Stiffer at 15 psi
• Great for heavier riders / taking a larger weight (person and bags)
• A drier ride, as it’s higher out of the water

– Cons of a thicker iSUP

• Takes longer to pump up to 15 psi (as needs more air!)
• Bulkier when stored and when carrying
• Not so good in surf (where a thinner rail is more ideal)
• Can make you feel detached from paddling as higher off the water
• A bit wasted on a lighter rider

Pros and cons of a thinner iSUP 4-4.3/4″ (100-120mm)

 + Pros of a thinner iSUP

• Quicker to pump up to 15 psi
• Better performance based SUP due to thinner rail shape
• Smaller and so easier to store and carry
• Better for light/mid weight riders

– Cons of a thinner iSUP

• Not as stiff at 15 psi as a thicker board
• Takes more effort to pump up over 15 psi to achieve same stiffness
• Not as good for heavier riders or carrying bags etc..

Something to remember is…

“Anyone can make a thick iSUP stiff. But only the leading brands can make a thin iSUP stiff.”

To sum up, there are pros and cons of both thicker and thinner iSUPs. But it’s important to remember that as well as considering board thickness its important to consider other factors such as quality, materials used, respectable brands, price, who is going to be using the board and what are they going to be using it for, when deciding which iSUP.

To watch the full SUPboarder review on the RRD AirSUP V2 which featured in this video click here and for more information about the RRD boards visit the RRD website here.

If you want to compare the iSUP’s on the market check out the SUPboarder equipment guide here.