Most stable paddle boards

One of the biggest criteria that new paddlers look for is “What are the most stable paddle boards that I can stand on?”. After all what’s a stand-up paddle board without the “stand-up” part missing? 

People who look for stable paddle boards are not just always beginners though. Stable SUPs can be an essential craft to have if you are doing SUP Activities such as Fishing or yoga as well as paddling in wavier conditions. 

Below are the most stable paddle boards that I have tested to date. I will tell you what specifically they are good for and who should be using them. We also added a section of criteria on how to look for stable paddle boards and what factors to look for. 

Let’s get onto some stable paddle boards!

Most Stable Paddle Boards that We have Tested

We have both purchased and received free of charge, a good amount of paddle boards over the past few years. After some testing, there are paddle boards that stand out from others from a stability standpoint. 

Below are the boards that have the highest stability rating. We bold the rating here and explain why the boards are placed where they are. 

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1. Gili Meno 11’6” (Stability Pick)

• Dimensions: 11’6″ x 34″ x 6″
• Weight: 24 Lbs
• Max Capacity: 485 Lbs
• Materials Used: Dual Layer Fusion Material

Total Rating 8.33/ 10 (Averages of Below Scores)

• On-Water Performance – 8.1
  • Stability 9.5
  • Tracking 8
  • Speed 8
  • Maneuverability 7
• SUP Construction – 9
• Board Features  – 8.3
  • Deck Pad 8
  • D Rings 8
  • Deck Bungees 8.5
  • Action Mounts 8.5
  • Handles 8.5
• Accessories – 8.5
  • Backpack 8.5
  • Paddle 8.5
  • Pump 8
  • Fins 9
• Set-Up/ Take Down – 8

The Gili Meno 11’6” Was rated as our top stability pick. And it was not just by us. We had a lot of friends and family test it out and they all were able to stand easily on the first go! 

The Gili Meno 11’6” is a great pick for those bigger/ taller paddlers who want to seek good stability and not get a mini heart attack when they see a wave from boats coming at them. We found that the Meno 11’6” was able to make even the most shaky legged padder confident when boats passed by. 

One of my favorite things about this board was the fact that the on-water performance was relatively unaffected by the board’s wider width. The Meno 11’6”  still tracked very well and offered good gliding speed for a wider SUP. Thanks in part to Meno’s more pointed tail which decreased drag in the water. 

One of my favorite things about this package is that it comes with 3 center fins and 2 side fins which allows you to tweak the handling of this board to match the conditions. Going in a shallow river? Swap to the river fin. Going in a deep lake? Grab the touring fin! Recreational paddling for an hour? Grab the dolphin fin!

This board is also a very underrated fishing vessel. This extra stability gives you the confidence to cast without worrying about making jerky counter-movements that could make you tip into the water.  The Meno 11’6” offers 2 Scotty mounts and various action mounts that you can use to mount rod holders and fishing racks. 

This board also has 6 rows of graciously spaced bungee deck webbing with 3 rows in the front and 3 in the rear giving you lots of room to store bags, coolers, and tackle boxes. 

Want to bring a big hard cooler for those refreshing beverages? The Meno 11’6” has got you covered with 2 free D rings in the back specifically for this purpose!

You can see the Full Review on the Gili Meno 11’6″ board here.

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2. Tower Xtreme Paddle Board (Recreational Pick)

• Dimensions: 10’4″ x 34″ x 8″
• Weight: 29 Lbs
• Max Capacity: 550 Lbs
• Materials Used: Dual Layer PVC

Total Rating 7.63/ 10 (Averages of Below Scores)

• On-Water Performance – 8.1
  • Stability 9.5
  • Tracking 7
  • Speed 7
  • Maneuverability 9
• SUP Construction – 8
• Board Features – 7.4
  • Deck Pad 8
  • D Rings 7
  • Deck Bungees 7
  • Handles 7.5
• Accessories – 7.2
  • Paddle 7.5
  • Pump 7
  • Fins 7
• Set-Up/ Take Down – 7.5

Tower is one of the original innovators of the 6” thick paddle boards which changed the industry. They once again disrupted the industry by making an 8” paddle board which gives the board a lot of extra rigidity. 

This extra rigidity keeps the board firm even when heavier loads are on it thanks to a 1.4 mm thick PVC tarpaulin layer held together by drop stitch and extra tape layers on the rails of the boards. 

We recently put this board to the test by putting a bigger paddler who let’s just say doesn’t have his water legs under him yet. He was able to stand on the board with no problem and was even able to confidently tackle the waves he encountered that day just outside Deep Cove.

One of the downsides of this board compared to the Gili Meno 11’6” is that the Meno 11’6” offers more onboard options compared to the Xtreme SUP. The Xtreme offers 2 rows of bungee deck webbing onboard, this is okay for some larger things, but I found it difficult to store my water bottle as the webbing was not snug enough.

Another thing to note is that the Tower Xtreme does not feature a bag. This means the board takes up less storage room but makes carrying the board a bit more difficult. Not to mention having to buy another bag to keep the board properly stored. 

You can see the Full Review on the Tower Xtreme board here.

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3. BOTE HD Aero (Fishing Pick)

• Dimensions: 11’6″ x 34″ x 6:
• Weight: 30 Lbs
• Max Capacity: 315 Lbs
• Materials Used: Aero Bote Technology

Total Rating 8.25/ 10 (Averages of Below Scores)

• On-Water Performance – 8.1
  • Stability 9.5
  • Tracking  8
  • Speed 7
  • Maneuverability 8
• SUP Construction – 9
• Board Features  – 8.5
  • Deck Pad 8.5
  • D Rings 9
  • Deck Bungees 8.5
  • Action Mounts: 8
  • Handles 8.5
• Accessories – 7.6
  • Backpack 7.5
  • Paddle 8
  • Pump 7.5
  • Fins 7.5
• Set-Up/ Take Down – 8

The BOTE HD Aero is a fantastic fishing pick due to its on-board capabilities. With a 34” width it’s also a very stable SUP. When I was paddling on the Nikomekl river I found the board to be very steady. Going from knees to standing was almost effortless with little kickback. 

Be advised that this is a big board and it’s also heavier than most on this list due to the board being 30 lbs.This is due to the BOTE HD Aero’s heavier materials. 

It is made of Aero BOTE technology which is one of the higher-grade materials from the BOTE lineup. It features 2 layers of Fusion layer composite PVC and composite drop stitch to keep the board rigid.  

As we teased the BOTE HD Aero comes with some onboard capabilities that can make a fisherman’s life easy-breezy. The board comes with slide-in rack mounts to accompany any of BOTE’s many fishing racks, 5 rows of bungee deck webbing where bigger items go in the front and smaller ones go in the rear. There is also the Patented Magnepod which is a magnetic plate that can hold other BOTE Magnepod items safely. 

One of the more impressive innovations is the paddle sheath that comes with the BOTE HD Aero. You simply install it onto the board and BOOM you have a place to store your paddle while you are making that cast. It’s also handy to keep you stable in case you misstep. 

You can see the Full Review on the Bote HD Aero 11’6″ board here.

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4. Sea Gods Diatom Ten6 CX (Grippy Pick)

• Dimensions: 10’6″ x 34″ x 6″
• Weight: 20 Lbs
• Max Capacity: 350 Lbs
• Materials Used: Cross Weave Drop Stitch

Total Rating 8.7/ 10 (Averages of Below Scores)

• On-Water Performance – 8.5
  • Stability 9
  • Tracking 8
  • Speed 8
  • Maneuverability 9
• SUP Construction – 9.5
• Board Features – 8.2
  • Deck Pad 9.5
  • D Rings 8
  • Deck Bungees 8.5
  • Action Mounts: 7
  • Handles 8
• Accessories – 8.6
  • Backpack 8.5
  • Paddle 8.5
  • Pump 8.5
  • Fins 9
• Set-Up/ Take Down – 8.5

One of the best-constructed boards on the list, the Sea Gods Diatom Ten6 is a fantastic yoga/ hybrid recreational pick. It’s also a fantastic starter board for beginners to learn the art of stand-up paddle boarding. 

I managed to paddle this board on a relatively wavey day when Sea Gods hosted their paddle clinic. And even paddling through some coastal waves to the Pier in White Rock the board felt supremely stable. I could not have said that about many all-around boards I have tried in the past. 

One of the things I loved about the Diatom Ten6 when I tested it was the grippy deckpad. When standing on the board I never felt that the wet deck pad decreased grip from my feet. It also is custom spliced meaning that each color of the deck pad is a seperate piece to avoid fading. 

This board is fantastic for learning how to pivot turn. I felt more comfortable honing in on this skill on this board compared to many others. Especially when you are moving from the middle of the board to the tail to stomp the tail in the water for those tighter turns.

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5. Atoll 11 (Durability Pick)

• Dimensions: 11′ x 32″ x 6″
• Weight: 21 Lbs
• Max Capacity: 315 (tested to 550) Lbs
• Materials Used: Dual Layer PVC

Total Score 8.2/10 (Average of Below)

• On-Water Performance: 8.5
  • Stability: 9
  • Tracking: 8
  • Speed: 8
  • Maneuverability: 8
• SUP Construction: 9
• Board Features: 8
  • Deck Pad: 8.5
  • D Rings: 9
  • Deck Bungees: 7.5
  • Handles: 7
• Accessories: 7.5
  • Backpack: 7
  • Paddle: 7
  • Pump: 7
  • Fins: 8
• Set-Up/ Take Down: 8

If there was a sleeper pick on this list I’d say it’s the Atoll 11. Despite the board’s 32” width the board felt just as stable as a SUP that’s 34” wide! Which is quite a remarkable feat of board design! This makes the Atoll 11 one of the faster picks on our list while maintaining a very impressive amount of stability and loaded capacity weight rating.

I tested this board in near-freezing waters in an isolated lake at Salt Spring Island where you could say the stakes were a bit higher. From kneeling to standing I was shocked at how easy the transition was compared to other 32” wide paddle boards. 

I never felt unsettled or in danger of bailing into the freezing lake. Which is something i was very appreciative of when I was trying out the board!

I have a friend who has been on a few inflatable paddle boards as well and he thought this was by far the most stable board he’s tried. He frequently requests that I bring it when we go paddling together. 

The Atoll 11 is also a great do-it-yourselfer board. It has an astonishing 8 D free D rings which allow you to rig almost everything including the Christmas tree onto the board! 

I was also appreciative of the clutter-free deck pad that this board featured. This is useful when you want to add bigger items onto the board or want to move around on the board trying to avoid stepping on various D rings and action mounts etc. 

You can see the Full Review on the Atoll 11 board here.

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6. Nixy Monterey (Touring Pick)

• Dimensions: 11’6″ x 34″ x 6″
• Weight: 25 Lbs
• Max Capacity: 400 Lbs
• Materials Used: Dual Layer Fusion

Total Score: 8.8 (Average of Below Numbers)

• On-Water Performance – 8.4
  • Stability 9
  • Tracking 8.5
  • Speed 8
  • Maneuverability 8
• SUP Construction – 9.5
• Board Features – 9.2
  • Deck Pad 9.5
  • D Rings 9
  • Deck Bungees 9
  • Action Mounts: 10
  • Handles 8.5
• Accessories – 9.1
  • Backpack 9
  • Paddle 9
  • Pump 9
  • Fins 9.5
• Set-Up/ Take Down – 8

The Monterey is a great pick for those who want to travel long distances all the while still having a stable board. The Monterey is 34” wide but is distinctly more narrow than our top pick the Gili Meno 11’6”.

This gives it an advantage from a pure tracking and speed point of view but I did find that the Monterey is less stable compared to the Meno 11’6”. 

I was originally super impressed with this SUP but as time has passed and I have tested more boards in the 11’6” range it has been dropped out of favor recently. 

One of the things that I like and dislike about this board at the same time is the dual inflation chambers in this board. The thing that I like about it is the fact that it keeps the board more rigid and is consistently one of the most rigid boards in many bend tests. 

What I dislike about the chamber is that it protrudes out enough for you to feel it on your feet. And while the “safety chamber” can be seen as a plus you are adding more failure points to the middle of the board by adding in that extra chamber. 

I did appreciate the amount of deck webbing and action mounts the Monterey featured onboard. This is handy for rigging and for those who want to transform this board into a fishing companion. 

You can see the Full Review on the Nixy Monterey G4 board here.

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7. Gili Komodo (Yoga Pick)

• Dimensions: 10’6″ x 33″ x 6″
• Weight: 21 Lbs
• Max Capacity: 340 Lbs
• Materials Used: Dual-layer fusion laminated PVC

Total Score: 8.1 (Average of Below Numbers)

• On-Water Performance – 8.5
  • Stability 8.5
  • Tracking 8.5
  • Speed 7.5
  • Maneuverability 8.5
• SUP Construction – 8
• Board Features – 8
  • Deck Pad 9
  • D Rings 8
  • Deck Bungees 8
  • Action Mounts: 7.5
  • Handles 7.5
• Accessories – 8
  • Backpack 8
  • Paddle 7.5
  • Pump 7
  • Fins 8.5
• Set-Up/ Take Down – 8

For those who want a board designed specifically for SUP Yoga the Komodo is a fantastic pick. And it performs well recreationally! 

For starters, the board has a wider shape compared to many on the list with the tail being fatter and the nose having a more broad point to it. While I found the Gili Meno 11’6” to be more stable overall for a taller paddler like me. 

I felt that the Komodo would be an ideal pick for SUP Yogi’s that are around 5’10 and under. 

Perhaps the Komodo’s best feature is its expansive deckpad which goes across almost the entire surface of the board. You can remove the bungees easily with its easy clip and end your practice in a full Savasana in the middle of the lake. 

I found the Komodo to have a good accessory package as well with a well-made backpack and a good paddle included in the package. 

You can see the Full Review on the Gili Komodo 10’6″ board here.

(Psst: The Komodo 11 is out now for bigger/ taller SUP Yogi’s) 

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8. Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8” (Kayak Hybrid Pick)

• Dimensions: 10’8″ x 32 x 6″
• Weight: 24 Lbs
• Max Capacity: 330 Lbs
• Materials Used: Dual Chamber Monocoque Structural Laminate Technology

Total Score 8.4 (Averages of Below Scores)

• On-Water Performance – 8.25
  • Stability: 8.5
  • Tracking: 8.5
  • Speed: 8
  • Maneuverability: 8 
• SUP Construction – 9.5
• Board Features  – 8.6
  • Deck Pad: 9
  • D Rings: 8
  • Deck Bungees: 8
  • Action Mounts: 8
  • Handles: 9.5
• Accessories – 8.1
  • Backpack: 8
  • Paddle: 8
  • Pump: 8
  • Fins: 8.5
• Set-Up/ Take Down – 7.5

The Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8” is the pick that offers the most value from an included accessories point of view. The Cruise Carbon 10’8” offers a bag, leash, paddle, fins, and a kayak conversion kit that consists of a kayak blade that you can insert into the paddle and a seat. 

This addition that comes with the kit allows you to sit down and paddle in a more efficient manner where your back is supported fully. 

The stability of the board is the biggest difference between this and the regular Cruise Paddle Board line. Going from kneeling to standing was relatively straightforward even for a guy like me who is 6’1 and 185 lbs (when I’m not eating chocolates). 

I liked the Cruise Carbons on-board set-up as the deck pad was very grippy thanks to its crocodile texture. Grippy deck pads give you more confidence to get up standing and moving around the deck pad confidently!

The Cruise Carbon also offers 4 rows of bungee deck storage in the front and back to store a waterproof bag or backpack and smaller odds and ends like sandals and speakers. 

One of the things I was not a bit fan of was the paddle. It’s not terrible but I was not a fan of the fact that the screw kept coming off for the latch. I still have no idea why it’s like that but this seemed to be a problem persistent with both Cruise models. 

I also was not a big fan of the paddle not having any measurement notches on it. This means you have to constantly adjust to your height using the arm out or shaka method. 

You can see the Full Review on the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8″ board here.

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Factors to Look for When Choosing a Stable SUP

A lot of the time people will just tell you to look at the width of the board. And while width plays a big part there are other factors you should look for when determining what will be the most stable paddle board for YOU. 

Below are some of the most important factors we look at when looking for a stability-focused SUP. 

You and Your Experience Level

Ultimately the biggest thing that will make or break how secure you feel on a SUP will be your experience level and size/weight. If you have never been on a paddle board before, you will want to get a board that is bigger overall to support the lack of experience you possess if that’s the only thing that’s important to you. 

What you also need to keep in mind is what your future goals will be when stand-up paddle boarding. Are you just looking for a recreational board to go out on the water for a bit for you and the family? Or can you see yourself getting more into the sport and going for something longer/ narrower to go on longer expeditions with? 

If it’s the latter you may want to sacrifice some stability for speed. But if you have a specific activity in mind like yoga or fishing. Or you just want a board to stand on recreationally then a stability-focused SUP should be what you look for. 

We have more information on what exactly to look for in our Paddle Board Buying Guide here. 

Paddle Board Width

A paddle board’s width is usually measured from the middle of the board as that’s the widest area. But the measured width is not the end all be all of how stable a SUP will be. 

You want a SUP width that is 32” and above depending on the dimensions of the board. When looking for a stability-focused SUP I usually look between 33” – 36” inches width. A wider width can often be correlated to a more stable platform to stand on.

But a wider width also means more drag when you are paddling because of its wider surface area over the water. 

So if speed and paddling pace matters to you then you may want to sacrifice this and start with a 32” or 33” wide Paddle Board. You may struggle a bit in the beginning but with enough practice, you will get your water legs under you. 

Paddle Board Shape

“This is probably one of the most overlooked areas of choosing a paddle board but it is super important. A paddle board could have a width of 34” but if it tapers aggressively to the nose and tail the board will not be as stable as you might want it to be. 

To get a stable paddle board shape you want a board with a rounder shape that gently tapers to the nose and tail. A good thing to look at when looking at the paddle board shape is the tail of the board. How wide is it? If the tail only slightly tapers to the back then this is a good indication that the board will have more stability to it.“

– Editors Notes

Looking at the nose of the paddle board can be deceiving these days as many all-around ISUPs now have a more pointed nose than in previous years. So look at how aggressively tapered the nose is. The more pointy the nose is the more hydrodynamic it will be. But some stability will be sacrificed as a result. 

Paddle Board Length

The longer the board is the bigger the surface area of contact with the water. Which usually means more stability for you!

Longer boards will provide a degree of stability but how stable the board will be will be determined by the board’s shape and center width which we talked about above. 

Paddle boards with a longer length, while overall more stable. Will be harder to maneuver for smaller paddlers which is also something to keep in mind. However, you can combat this with proper paddling techniques. 

Most stability-focused SUPs will be between 10’6” and 11’6” in length. As soon as you go longer you go into the touring or multi-person SUP territory which are more challenging to handle.

Paddle Board Construction and it’s Thickness

You will hear a lot of conflicting advice in this sector about paddle board thickness. Some SUP companies will claim that the thicker a paddle board is the more stable the board will be. Other companies will tell you that thinner, boards will be best. 

The truth in this lies in the construction of the board. A thinner paddle board will need to have higher quality materials involved to keep the rigidity of the board compared to a thicker SUP. 

Look for constructions such as dual-layer fusion and thicker strands of drop-stitch materials for keep the full rigidity of the board. 

Stay well away from boards that are single-layer PVC as they have more bounce to them. The bounciness reduces the stability of the board and makes the board sag in the water, therefore reducing the overall effectiveness of the board’s glide in the water. 

Having tested a wide variety of paddle boards with different thicknesses, I will say this. The thicker the inflatable SUP is the higher you are from the water which in itself can feel unfamiliar to newbies or folks used to hard boards or surfboards. 

The lower you are to the water the more stable you will feel, but consequently, the materials of the paddle board must be stronger and more well-made to reduce the effect of weight on the thinner surface. 

Fin Set-Ups

Little things like fin set-ups can also increase the stability of your paddle board. The bigger the surface area of the fin, the better the board will track and the more stable the board will feel when paddling.

I like my paddle boards to have 3 detachable fins as these help the board track and feel more planted into the water. Look for boards that have a 9” center fin and 5” side fins that help with this. I found boards that have the 2” “side bite fins” do little in the way of usefulness to any degree.  We have an article on fin set-ups here.

FAQ’s

Below are some FAQ’s on stability and inflatable paddle boards. 

How Do You Make a Paddle Board Feel Stable?

The area with the most stability is standing in the middle of the board with your feet on each side of the handle at about shoulder width. Standing on the widest part of the board will make you feel the most stable. 

Why Are Some Paddle Boards More Stable Than Others? 

The stability of the paddle board will depend on the width, board shape and length. The longer and wider the paddle board is, the more stable the SUP should be. 

In terms of paddle board shape the wider the paddle board is throughout the board’s length the more stable it will be in the water. Rounder paddle boards tend to be more stable as there is more surface area planted onto the water when you are standing on it. 

Why Am I Wobbly on a Paddle Board?

The most common reason why you are wobbly on a paddle board is because you are new to paddle boarding and you are not used to the movements yet! As you gain experience your body will get more used to the movements you encounter. 

Another possible reason could be that you bought a paddle board that is too small for you and you are having more trouble balancing on it because of the fact. See our What size paddle board is good for me section.

How Do You Not Fall When Paddle Boarding?

The trick is to fall so that you know your board’s limits! Just make sure the water is deep enough and is a safe temperature before trying anything you are not used it. 

If you do not want to fall off of your paddle board be sure to stand directly in the middle of the SUP and look at the horizon as you are paddling.

Are Solid Paddle Boards More Stable Than Inflatable Paddle Boards? 

A lot of this will depend on the dimensions of the paddle board. But as a whole, hard boards usually feel more stable because they sit in the water as opposed to on top. 

When a paddle board sits on top of the water its movement is greatly influenced by outside elements like wind and waves. When the paddle board is sitting in the water the board is not influenced as much. 

So What Are the Most Stable Paddle Boards?

The most stable paddle board according to our rating scores and on-water tests is the Gili Meno 11’6” Inflatable SUP. It offered the best stability due to the board’s 11’6” length, it’s 35” width along with its 485 maximum capacity rating that was tested to carry 2 full-sized adults. 

We also found the Tower Xtreme and Sea Gods Diatom Ten6 CX to be very stable boards for solo paddlers who want a stable craft to paddle through our on-water tests. 

What are some of the most stable paddle boards you’ve paddled? Let us know on our Facebook page!