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In this guide, we will be going through the Best Paddle Boards for Lakes specifically. We believe lakes are some of the best places to learn paddle boarding on calm days due to the calmer conditions in a more controlled environment. The main elements you need to keep an eye on are wind as well as currents which are more prominent in bigger bodies of water.
All of the paddle boards below have been tested by us in lakes or calm water conditions that mimic the behavior of lakes. You can see these in our included pictures. Maybe you will even recognize a spot or two!
We tallied up the best scores based on our rating systems and ordered/ labeled them to give you the best understanding of which SUP will be best suited for YOU!
To see how we tested all of our paddle boards in lake conditions scroll over to how we tested section.
Below are 6 paddle boards that have stood out to us for different reasons. We have labeled each so that you can get an idea of what each board’s stand-out points are.
(Top Pick)
Nixy Newport G4
Dimensions: 10’6 X 33” X 6”
Weight: 21 Lbs
Max Capacity: 300 Lbs
Material: Dual Layer Fusion Laminated Drop Stitch
Best For: 80% of Paddlers who want a great All Around SUP.
These boards have been tested in all kinds of different lakes and conditions and have been used multiple times for all kinds of different uses. From paddling to a waterside music festival in Kaslo B.C. to some cold water paddling in a tiny lake in the middle of Salt Spring Island. Let’s get into the list!
The Nixy Newport is our top pick for the best lake paddle board in our latest tests because its size and dimensions will work for at least 80% of paddlers.
The Newport G4 has been tested in a few different lakes including Bunsen, Sassmat, Alouette, and Cultus all within the lower mainland of British Columbia. We have paddled during windy to calm conditions and found the board to be a great blend of all stability, speed, maneuverability, and tracking. This board has seen it all and got consistently high scores throughout our ratings and tests. It also has the best accessories for a SUP in its price range. More on those below.
On-Water Performance
When testing the on-water performance of the Nixy Newport I found the board did an exceptional job and finding the right balance between manoeuvrability and tracking. Much of this is thanks to its fin set-up. The 2 +1 fin set up with the 5” side fins help the board track very well in the water for a board of its length and width. I was more than able to keep up with a friend who paddled the slightly thinner and longer original iRocker All Around 11 board.
I found the speed to be more than reasonable at a 4.4 mph average pace over a 10 minute test period. While not the fastest SUP on the list it is one of the quicker 10’6” paddle boards we have tested.
One of the things I liked about this board is the removable side fins. This allows you to play with the board set up to customize how it handles. If you want better maneuverability, take off the side fins. If you want better tracking put them on!
Stability Performance
For its size and dimensions, the Newport is a fairly stable board that most paddlers can get used to in a few goes. It’s 33” width helps to a degree, however, I do notice that the Newport has more play from side to side compared to some other boards.
This is because the Newport G4 has a more aggressively tapered nose and tail. Giving it more of that side-to-side play. After a few paddle sessions, you get used to the Newport’s more playful behavior.
Board Features
I feel like Nixy has some of the best-designed onboard features and the absolute best accessories for a paddle board of its mid-price point. The Newport is made of a dual fusion layer (2 layers of PVC heat pressed to each other). This allows the board to be lighter weight saving on the more manual gluing process.
Onboard there are 5 rows of deck webbing including a smaller area in the front and a larger area in the back. I like this set-up as you can put items you don’t mind getting wet towards the back. Things like backpacks, speakers etc is what I usually place there.
As mentioned Nixy comes with some great accessories. The bag that comes with all of their boards is some of the best in the business. It comes with wheels that allow you to drag it to the shoreline like a suitcase or oversized hockey bag. The front pockets give you a generous amount of space to add odds and ends you need to bring with you on your paddling adventure.
The paddle is also one of the lightest that I have tested. And out of all the paddles I have tested with paddle boards this one is my favorite. This is due to the paddles grip handle, the feel of the carbon hybrid shaft and the light weight design which is about .4 lbs lighter than most other carbon hybrid paddles.
The iRocker All Around 11 Ultra is a solid pick for those who want a board that’s portable and transportation-friendly. Its dimensions when in the backpack are 10″ x 16″ x 21″ (25cm x 41cm x 53.3cm) and the total package weighs 33 lbs. Infact It’s so portable that I was able to bring the board in with a van full of cabin gear on our yearly “boys cabin trip”. I can fit 2 Ultra paddle boards (All Around 11 Ultra andBlackfin Ultra CX) boards in the trunk of my Hyundai Elantra no problem.
On-Water Performance
The All Around 11 Ultra board has a 2-center fin setup which is rather unique among inflatable paddle boards. In my testing, I found these 2 center fins gave the board better maneuverability when it came to reverse sweep strokes. However, I did find in my testing against the original All Around 11 paddle board that the board’s tracking ability was sacrificed a bit.
I found the speed of the All Around 11 Ultra to be good, especially when accelerating. The 11 Ultra is about 5 lbs lighter than the original iRocker All Around 11 board which helps you exert less effort when first accelerating. I did find, however, that because of this boards lighter weight it did sometimes get bullied by wind and currents. Something to think about if you are paddling big lakes.
Stability Performance
I found the iRocker All Around 11 Ultra to have ample stability but it’s brother, the original All Around 11 did have better primary stability (ability to stand upright without feeling swaying). I did find the 11 Ultra to feel more twitchy which may take a few paddling sessions to get used to for the newer paddler. You can see the video below for a full All Around 11 vs All Around 11 Ultra comparison.
If you are a new paddler and eyeing this package I would go out in calmer days as the learning curve will be smaller. While 11’ boards are typically recommended for medium to taller-built folks I do think that this board would be ideal for some smaller paddlers around the 5’7” – 5’10” build. I say this because the board is already more maneuverable and lighter weight than most 11’ boards making it easier to handle for the smaller paddler.
Board Features
Let’s talk about packaging and how the All Around 11 Ultra is designed. The package comes in a bag that is smaller lengthwise than the vast majority of SUP bags out there.
However because the board will have an extra fold in half, the package does have a bit of a larger circumference to it. But when all is said and done it’s easier to fit 2 Ultra packages in my trunk as opposed to 2 regular Inflatable SUPs side by side in the trunk of my Elantra.
One of the things that helped give this package a high accessories score, is the fact that it comes with an electric pump! To which I say “Finally!”. The package is very well designed in that the electric pump and fins come in a pouch that is placed above the folded board. Everything has its compartment and place which allows this package to be so compact.
In terms of the board itself it offers 4 free D rings that you can attach a kayak seat or cooler on, 3 action mounts which you can mount things like rod holders, speakers, and handy dandy cup holders.
The board also offers 5 rows of bungee deck rigging which allows you to store bags, soft coolers, sandals, dry bags and speakers.
Another thing to note is that the handle is off-set which means it is placed on the left deck padding of the board. While I found it didn’t get in the way of my feet when standing, it did get in the way of my knee when I was kneeling on the board. This offset handle can be good news for shorter paddlers who have trouble reaching the middle of the board for the handle when they are carrying it.
The Gili Meno 11’6” made its debut at Golden Ears Provincial Park on Alouette Lake. And I was blown away by the stability that the board offered! It was almost like standing on an inflatable dock. Even when waves came in I felt very stable and not once felt the need to counterbalance. The Meno 11’6” also has a great accessories package and the board is very well designed to hold a good amount of cargo onboard. In fact, on more than one occasion we have had the board loaded up with 2 adult passengers at over 300 lbs weight.
On Water Performance
The Meno 11’6” was surprisingly nimble for an 11’6” long 35” board. It was able to track for 9 strokes on one side before having to correct the course! In comparison most all-around paddle boards do this in an average of 5.8 strokes per side. This is thanks to it using the board touring fin and 2 attachable side fins to help maintain coarse.
Because of this tracking ability, the board was also able to paddle at a decent pace and even maintain an average pace with skinner paddle boards like the Nixy Monterey. As this is the longest board on the list its maneuverability will be compromised as it did 5 paddle strokes for a reverse sweep stroke compared to the average score of 4.2 for all-around boards. But this number can be helped by taking off the side fins or using the speed fin that is included which is a few inches shorter than the touring fin.
Stability Performance
The Meno 11’6” has the best stability of the bunch in this group thanks to the board’s 35” width and 11’6” length. Me and Zia have tested this board in a variety of different conditions and it excelled in most lake conditions. From windy days on Okanagan Lake to calm days on Kootenay Lake this board performed well in a variety of different conditions.
It’s also a great board where you can practice walking the length of the board and gaining some new skill sets such as pivot turns. Having said that we do wish that this board had an uplifted tail and more diamond-grooved deck padding to help with this. But we also realize few people who get this type of board are interested in this kind of thing.
Board Features
One of the things we noticed was that this board can take on a good amount of weight. Making it an excellent overnight camping SUP due to 6 rows of bungee deck webbing.
It can also house various accessories that you can add to it such as racks, rod holders, action cameras, and much more. This is also a pretty great fishing SUP thanks to the added stability that the width provides as well as the add-ons which can transform this into a great fish stalker.
This board also gives you a very good accessory package including having 3 different center fins included! The bag is also spacious, has a good amount of pockets, and is spacious enough in the main compartment to have a less-than-perfect folded SUP back inside.
The Meno 11’6” comes with a carbon hybrid paddle, one of the better SUP paddles out there. However, if you want to step your game up or are paddling long distances I’d highly recommend a full carbon paddle. These are game changers as even just the small weight difference will make a huge difference in how far you paddle and you not getting tired out as much.
The Atoll 11 was tested in rather high-stakes conditions. It was tested in the middle of March in a small lake on Salt Spring Island in rather chilly conditions. I didn’t know what to expect but the first thing that struck me when I stood up on it was “Wow, this thing is sturdy!”.
While the Atoll does not have all the other fancy upgraded accessories or onboard features that the other boards have, it is a great quality board that is offered at a great price. It is also one of the more durable SUPs out there. Both from my experience and other people’s experience. hint take a search on Reddit.
On Water Performance
The Atoll 11 offered solid on-water performance in a variety of different metrics. The board had really good tracking for a SUP that features side bite fins (those glued-on plastic fins).
We think a lot of this comes down to the board’s narrow but sturdy build along with the center fin being adjustable in the US fin box. It did an average of 7 strokes a side before having to change sides paddling.
The Atoll 11 also has better-than-expected maneuverability thanks to the aforementioned fin setup. If you pull the fin back on the fin box you can have even greater maneuverability with this SUP. Although we haven’t tested all the fin slotting positions just yet.
Stability Performance
The Atoll 11’s stability was a lot better than I originally expected. When I looked at the board’s stats before trying it out I was not expecting much. But upon standing on it for the first time I was super impressed. The board had fantastic primary stability and I never once felt that I was in danger of falling in, despite being in a small lake towards the tail end of winter!
I often lend this board to my friend and he was also shocked at how stable the board felt. I lent this board to him for him to practice his yoga poses on. It’s a massive upgrade from the no-name brand I gave him a few summers ago where he had to be more conscious of where to stand on the board and what poses to do.
With the Atoll 11, he can do more difficult yoga poses more freely.
Board Features
The board features is where there is not as much to write home about compared to the other boards that made the top of the list. And it’s also a reason why Atoll got a bit of a deducted score out of this. But having said that it is a fantastic board for the paddler who DON’T want all the doohickies and do-dads sticking out of the board.
What the board does have is an ample amount of D rings surrounding the board (8 free D rings!). This gives you the option to have some do-it-yourself strapping with bungee cords to hold bigger items like tents, bigger dry bags, or camping gear. Like the Meno 11’6” this is would be a solid pick as an excursion or camping board at almost half the price point!
The Accessories that come with the Atoll like the pump and paddle are fairly basic but the backpack that comes with the board is more than respectable with ample paddling on the back and ample room to put your rolled-up board inside. There is also a smaller front pocket that you can put smaller items in.
The BOTE HD Aero can be utilized as a fantastic fish stalker thanks to some clever accessories that you can add to this SUP. It’s also ideal to be paddled in calmer conditions due to the board’s wider size. But having said that, it is a very stable board that allows you to participate in a variety of different kinds of fishing activities thanks to its 11’ and 34” length and width dimensions.
On Water Performance
The BOTE HD Aero is the more sluggish option in this list due to to dimensions and the weight of the board. Unfortunately this also pinholes it to a specific customer base. Medium to larger paddler who is interested in fishing or just having a stable SUP. In terms of tracking and speed the HD Aero is average to below average in these metrics due to the weight and shape of the board.
The HD Aero’s maneuverability scores also scored close to our all-around paddle board averages with 4 paddle strokes for a reverse Sweep stroke compared to the 4.2 score average. Its reverse side paddles were also slightly below average at 13 to do a 360 compared to the 13.3 average scores.
One thing I found was the fact that this board is tougher to manage against currents, wind, and tides compared to others on this list. So I would keep this SUP for those calmer lake days.
Stability Performance
The thing that stands out the most about the HD Aero is its stability. We found this SUP super stable in our tests along the calmer parts of the Nikomekl River. While I did not personally fish off this board, from the ones I’ve tested so far this would be my pick as the designated fishing SUP. The boards 34” width and 11’ length give you a stable platform to do most types of fishing in calm water environments.
While I do find this SUP super stable I would not recommend it for Offshore fishing or excursions due to it being a bit sluggish to paddle.
Board Features
The BOTE HD Aero has some rather unique innovations on it that make it stand out as a fishing paddle board. First off all HD Aero packages come with a paddle sheath which is a slot installed to the front of your board where you can slide your paddle in and it holds it for you. This is a great accessory for those who want all hands on deck fishing or grabbing tackle.
The HD Aero, much like the Gili Meno also offers slots for BOTE fishing racks which should make fisherman’s ears perk. BOTE offers a wide variety of fishing racks that you can install onto this board from bucket racks to light-up racks to your standard fishing rack that can hold 4 fishing rods. BOTE also has a patented Magnepod onboard to which you can stash your Magnepod drink onboard. It uses magnets to keep your drink cup in place.
In terms of accessories, I found that this package is very bulky and overall pretty heavy to carry. Even for a 6’1 fellow who does a few workouts a week. While the bag has an innovative design I was not a fan of the bag’s heavy-duty vinyl materials. It makes the bag look unique but I found it’s harder to get out of crowded spots due to the siding sticking to other items.
The board also comes with your standard pump, paddle, and slide-in fin which I feel for the price of this SUP should at least be US fin box spec. The fin is rather unique though as it is 9” long just like most dolphin fins but they decided to stick a hybrid racing fin on there to increase the area of contact with the water.
Where do you see these boards? The answer is EVERYWHERE! Chances are if you are on a busy lake there will be at least a few people with different versions of the Body Glove Performer. Is it the best? No, but it does present a good affordable option for those who just want to plop a board in the water and have some fun.
Its pointed nose also helps displace waves you may encounter better as opposed to riding over them as many more rounded SUPs do. This helps keep the board more steady as the wave breaks around the nose.
On Water Performance
The Body Glove Performer has decent on-water performance metrics for a board of its price range. However, it does fall short of a lot of the above picks when it comes to tracking.
The 2023 model I tested in Okanagan lake has a slide-in racing hybrid fin semi-similar to the BOTE HD Aero. When testing this compared to other boards like the Gili Meno 11’6” that has a 2+1 removable fin setup, I found the Performer was more zig zaggy and fishtailed more. It fell below the 5.8 Average of Tracking strokes at 4 strokes per side before you had to switch sides paddling.
Having said that this greatly helps the boards maneuverability which makes this a good pick when you are paddling along a more jagged shoreline. It did 4 reverse sweep strokes for a 360 when our average for all-around SUPs was 4.2. I did find that the speed of this SUP was compromised due to you having to change side paddling more often though.
Stability Performance
The Body Glove Performer 11 offers a good level of stability. To explain this further I’d like to bring my friend’s dad into this story. He originally bought the Performer 11 to try stand-up paddle boarding. And he was more than able to stand thanks to the boards 11’ length and 34” width.
However, the board is a bit more bouncy which means that each little wave you encounter puts that little bit of extra pressure on your feet. You do that for an hour and you can see how this builds up. We got him to try the Gili Meno 11’6” and because the Meno is made of much more sturdy materials it did not absorb as much of the waves which meant that my friend’s dad could stand longer on the Meno 11’6” compared to the Performer 11. But having said that he’s still very happy with the Performer 11 because of the price he paid for it and it does the job that he wants it to do. Which is paddle out for an hour or 2 on the water.
Board Features
The Body Glover Performer 11 does come with a couple of rather unique features that I did appreciate they included in their SUP. For one the handle doubles as a can/ bottle holder which I thought solves a lot of the problems that stand-up paddle boarders have when they bring their drinks on the water. This is a smart solution to keep bottles or cans secure instead of loosely under some bungees.
The Performer 11 also offers ample onboard storage with a total of 5 bungees with 3 in the front and 2 in the back. They can store various items like backpacks dry bags or speakers which are some things I usually bring along. The board also has a plastic protection piece on the nose to protect it from scraping onto the shoreline which I also thought was a handy innovation.
One of the things that I appreciate about the 2023 and onwards Performer 11 packages is the fact that they come with an electric pump, like the All Around 11 Ultra. However, the bag that comes with the package is just okay, not the best, not the worst.
Body Glove has also taken a different look at its fin philosophy. Before the 2023 model, the Performer 11 featured 3 permanent fins that were not detachable. This made folding the SUP a bit of a pain so it’s good that they listened to their customers and now include a removable racing hybrid center fin.
The board is not as sturdy as the above picks due to lesser quality materials put into the board
The tracking is below average on this board despite being 11’
The warranty policy is not clearly stated on the Body Glove website
How We Tested The Best Paddle Boards For Lakes
All of the below picks have been tested in a variety of different lake conditions in different lakes around southern British Columbia with the exception of the BOTE Aero HD which was tested in a local tidal river south of Vancouver.
Our main quantifiable metrics are the tracking and maneuverability tests.
The tracking tests are simple, we see how many strokes we can do per side before we have to switch sides to correct the course. Of course, these will never be 100% accurate as I don’t believe anything can be truly 100% accurate when there are outside elements that can cause disturbances. All of our tests have been done in calm water conditions to get the most accurate readings possible.
The maneuverability tests are based on how many strokes you can do to do a reverse sweep stroke (the average is currently 4.2) and how many reverse side paddles to do a 360 (our average of tested all around SUPs is 13.3). You can jump to each of our individual reviews to see them in full under the Tracking and Manueverability Sections.
We use a variety of considerations when choosing the best paddle boards. This is what the scoring looks like below.
On-Water Performance – __/ 10 (Average of Below Scores)
Stability __/ 10
Tracking __/ 10
Speed __/ 10
Maneuverability __/ 10
SUP Construction – __/ 10
Board Features – __/ 10 (Average of Below Scores)
Deck Pad __/ 10
D Rings __/ 10
Deck Bungees __/ 10
Handles __/ 10
Accessories – __/ 10 (Average of Below Scores)
Backpack __/ 10
Paddle __/ 10
Pump __/ 10
Fins __/ 10
Set-Up/ Take Down – __/ 10
This chart is not averaged out as we feel this further complicates things. If there’s a specific area you value with paddle boards we make it easily identifiable for you to choose based on the above criteria.
How We Chose the Best Paddle Boards for Lakes
Below are our Rated criteria that allow you to jump to each section for our paddle board testing. While not all of these criteria relate to lakes specifically, it does give you a good idea of what packages hold the most value.
Below are our categories of how we rated the Best Paddle Boards.
On-Water Performance Scores
Below are some of the On-Water Performance scores we have rated each of the following boards. If you want to learn more about the tracking scores check out the individual reviews.
Board
Stability Rating
Tracking Rating
Speed Rating
Maneuverability Rating
Total On-Water Rating
Nixy Newport G4 10’6”
8
8.5
8
9
8.4
Atoll 11
9
8
8
8
8.25
Irocker All Around Ultra 11
8
8
8.5
8
8.1
Gili Meno 11’6”
9.5
8
8
7
8.1
BOTE HD Aero 11’6”
9.5
8
7
8
8.1
Body Glove Performer 11
8
7
7.5
8.5
7.75
As you can see by our ratings #1 rated Nixy Newport G4 has what I felt to be the most balanced On-Water Performance rating with high points going to its maneuverability due to the board’s 10’6” length. Which is a great all-around size for about 80-85% of paddlers.
However, if stability is the name of the game for you then I would highly recommend the Gili Meno 11’6” and the BOTE Aero HD SUPs. They are 35” and 34” wide respectively with a longer 11’6” length which gives you more volume in the water this helping you have a more stable platform. For the budget paddlers the Body Glove Performer is 34” wide although it lacks the same firmness as the Meno 11’6” and HD Aero.
In terms of tracking the Nixy Newport took the cake in terms of rating it within its 10’6” size category. The truth is that 11’and over boards typically track better due to their longer length. Especially if they have detachable side fins that are 4.5” or longer. This was an area where the Body Glove Performer lagged.
Speed is a tricky metric to measure as there can be a lot of factors out of your control that can affect how fast your SUP goes. I go by the feel and the weight of the board. The lighter boards typically offer better acceleration. The quickest was the iRocker All Around 11 Ultra due to the board being supremely lightweight at 21.4 lbs. The slowest was the heavier BOTE HD Aero which is designed to be more of a cruiser/ fishing vessel.
SUP Construction Score
This along with On-Water Performance remains one of the most important factors to look for when you are looking at an inflatable paddle board. There are a lot of generic terms like “military grade” and “fusion laminate” that get thrown around an awful lot. So it’s tough to figure out what to look for. We have a full article explaining these differences in our What Are Paddle Boards Made of piece.
Paddle Board
Construction Rating
Nixy Newport G4 10’6”
9
iRocker All Around 11 Ultra
9
Gili Meno 11’6”
9
Atoll 11
9
BOTE HD Aero
9
Body Glove Performer 11
7
As you can see the way a board is constructed is a very important piece of where we rate our inflatable paddle boards. This also gives you a very clear indicator of what money gets you when you buy a mid-higher tier paddle board like the top 5 picks vs the Body Glove Performer which is not made to the same degree in terms of materials put into the board.
We like boards that are made of a dual-layer fusion material with stronger strands of drop stitching incorporated. Other details such as carbon side rails or extra layering on the sides of the board help the board keep more rigidity and give you that valuable extra layer of protection.
Based upon paddling performance, the Body Glove Performer had more bounce to it which is an indicator that the materials are less stiff or strong compared to the top picks. This is also an important thing to consider from a longevity point of view.
Another good indicator of good construction is a good and clearly labeled warranty policy! We look for a warranty policy of at least 2 years that stands behind manufacturing defects made by the manufacturer.
Board Features Scores
What does the board have on it that helps make your life easier as a paddler? All of the picks have the capability of loading up a decent amount of gear with some standing out more than others.
Truthfully these scores are not make or break scores for those who just want to hang out on the water for an hour or so. They do get more important when you want to bring more gear with you or have more versatility with your paddle board.
Board
Deck Pad Rating
D-Ring Placement Rating
Deck Bungee Placement Rating
Action Mount Rating
Handles Rating
Total Features Rating
Irocker All Around Ultra 11
9
8.5
8.5
7.5
9
8.6
BOTE HD Aero 11’6”
8.5
9
8.5
8
8.5
8.5
Nixy Newport G4 10’6”
8.5
8
8
9
8.5
8.4
Gili Meno 11’6”
8
8
8.5
8.5
8.5
8.3
Atoll 11
8.5
9
7.5
7
_
8
Body Glove Performer 11
8
6.5
8
7
9
7.7
The iRocker All Around 11 Ultra comes out on top of this category overall thanks to constantly high ratings across the categories. Especially when it came to the deck pad’s fold-in-half design and the amount of handles that were available in the SUP.
We also found that despite being last, the Body Glove Performer 11 did feature some handy accessories, especially for a SUP of its price range with the handle bottle holder and the nose covering to protect the PVC when going to shore.
Accessories Scores
Accessories may just sound like bonus add-ons that come with the paddle board. But if you’ve used a few different boards for different purposes you realize more and more how accessories can make your life easier or more difficult. The accessories that can make or break your adventures are the backpack, paddle, pump, and fins.
Board
Backpack Rating
Paddle Rating
Pump Rating
Fins Rating
Total Accessories Rating
Nixy Newport G4 10’6”
9
9
9
9.5
9.1
Irocker All Around Ultra 11
9.5
7.5
9
8.5
8.6
Gili Meno 11’6”
8.5
8.5
8
9
8.5
Body Glove Performer 11
7
7.5
8
7.5
7.75
BOTE HD Aero 11’6”
7.5
8
7.5
7.5
7.6
Atoll 11
7
7
7
8
7.25
In terms of accessories, Nixy takes the cake with having the most thought-out accessories available. Nixy takes extra care in including a backpack that’s both comfortable and has enough space plus more to keep everything organized. The bag even has fin pockets inside!
The paddle is also probably my favorite that comes with an inflatable SUP package. It’s a carbon hybrid paddle that weighs just 1.57 lbs compared to most other carbon hybrid paddles that come in at the 1.8 and over pound range.
iRocker also has a very well-thought-out and organized bundle including a revolutionary bag and pouch that properly stores all of the contents in a perfectly compact package.
Unfortunately, the paddle reduced the score due to it being a 5 piece paddle and therefore having more play, specifically when doing harder strokes. However, the addition of the electric pump both with the iRocker and the Body Glove bumped up the respective scores.
We personally much prefer electric pumps over the manual styles as they are just so much more convenient. Especially when you go paddling multiple times a week. The workout should be paddling! Not the effort wasted beforehand pumping up the board!
Set Up/ Take Down Ratings
Another thing to consider is how easily can you set up and take down your SUP. Not all paddle boards are made the same in this sense as some have different folding patterns or have to be squeezed into smaller bags. The folding process also is to be considered in this.
Paddle Board
Set-Up/ Take Down Rating
Nixy Newport G4 10’6”
9
iRocker All Around 11 Ultra
9
Gili Meno 11’6”
8
Atoll 11
8
BOTE HD Aero
8
Body Glove Performer 11
7.5
The winners of this category were the Nixy Newport which comes with a backpack that can fit a less than perfect fold.
I also really liked the fact the valve is actually on the nose of the board instead of on the tail. I always like to start folding the fin slots up first as they set the precedent for future folds. Meaning you can take the air out while going through the folding process. I also found the board to roll up fairly nicely compared to a few others like the HD Aero and Meno 11’6”.
Smaller boards will tend to be looked upon a bit more favorably because they fit back into their bags more easily. The longer the board the better the fold has to be!
The iRocker scored some good points here as well thanks to its compact packaging. Although I have to stress that folding the board in half lengthwise can be a bit of a pain! I’d recommend using the included iRocker pump and using the deflate valve to suck as much air out of the board as possible to make folding up this board easier.
The boards with the lower scores I found to be a bit more difficult to put back into their bag. Again what helps with this is deflating the board using an electric or manual pump.
So What Are the Best Lake Paddle Boards?
The board that impressed us on the various lakes in southern B.C. is the Nixy Newport due to the board having solid on-water performance metrics. The Newport also had a well-thought-out and constructed package. Other noteworthy packages were the iRocker All Around 11 Ultra for its compact size and well-thought-out packaging as well as the super stable Gili Meno 11’6” SUP which can hold a large weight capacity and house a variety of different items onboard.
What are your go-to lake paddle boards? Tell us on our Facebook page!
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Hey, My name is Derek Lenze and I'm the owner of Inflatable SUP Authority. I've had over 20 years experience with watersports and over 10 years of various paddle boarding experience. My new-found passion is bringing my stand up paddle boaring knowledge in an explainable and actionable way all the while giving you my unbiased takes.
