Quality vs. Cheap Paddle Boards (2024)

When searching for the best value in a stand up paddle boards, price isn't the only thing...

Epic paddle boarding experiences come from having premium SUP equipment that is suitable for the occasion, and not all equipment is created equal. It is a good idea to research all the different board types on our website before investing into a new stand up paddle board or a board upgrade, and then circle back to test drive them before you buy! Some of the items to think about in your research are innovative design shape, top quality construction, dimensions, weight, performance, durability, and cost.

In our research for the types of boards to carry and as avid SUP enthusiasts ourselves, we have tried out many paddle board brands, styles and types of SUPs. Our research has led us to realize that there isa substantial and noticeable difference with overall performance, glide, durability and weight betweenquality boards and cheap paddle boards. Besides, lugging around heavy, cheap paddle boards from the car to the water became quite tiresome since the materials used in cheap brands are much heavier. Heavy boards also cause extra drag in the water, which takes extra energy to make the board glide, making it harder to paddle. Additionally, cheap paddle boards have the reputation of rapidly wearing down after a season or two.

As a result, we choose to only deal exclusively in premium boards and gear, keeping in mind the following factors:

PADDLE BOARD DESIGN The SUP equipment we carry is designed by the top shapers in the industry, which provides you the top performance on the water. The paddle board brands we offer conduct the most extensive R&D where the shaper and their team riders work together to test multiple shape prototypes before coming up with their final master shape for production. They research, experiment and fine tune and refine. They explore and manipulate shape and design with extreme precision. The equipment is tried and tested and proven season after season.

STAND UP PADDLE BOARD CONSTRUCTION

Part of the research and fine-tuning process is spent on high-tech construction materials and production techniques. These private designers concentrate on research and development. It is important to them that the equipment is durable and strong with just the right amount of flex keeping the optimal weight for buoyancy and performance. These premium SUP boards are built to last, and to withstand impact and from cracking or peeling.

COST

Quality SUP boards are cost effective too. They have lasting value where cheap paddle boards may need to have continual costly repairs done, sucking more money out of your wallet, and keeping you off the water while you wait during the repair down-time! We all know it’s virtually always true that you get what you pay for. That being said, quality boards tend to have better overall resale value as well, especially when you consider the minimal price difference between quality versus cheap paddle boards. And SUP to You has the full range of price points covered while offering only premium brands! Real-Deal Value!

QUALITY

Most of the cheap paddle boards are traditionally mass produced by factories in China. So even though these boards may look good on the outside, the boards are not designed anything close to the premium branded boards, and don’t function as well either because they are merely knock off copies made to look like the professional shaped, premium construction boards. Quality control seems to be less than par with these knock-off paddle boards (often with manufacturer blemishes). And cheap paddle boards are known to wear down rapidly. We hear this from people quite often.

We want you to have a good experience on the water! And we can guarantee an overall better experience with our equipment, which is designed with things in mind like top construction with the best gliding abilities. Technical difficulties and faulty design can ruin a great paddle boarding adventure pretty fast. SUP to You is dedicated to catering to you and your ability to progress quickly in the sport, all while having a ton of fun. We believe in quality time on the water, on the best quality board, for the best quality experience!

Select the boards you want to Test Drive Before You Buy, and we'll meet you at the beach and bringSUP TO YOU!

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