Choosing a paddleboard brand can feel like a minefield — especially when every board claims to be “the best”. The truth is simpler: the right brand depends on how you paddle, where you paddle, and what you want the board to help you do.
This hub is designed to make that decision easy. Below you’ll find a clear breakdown of the paddleboard brands we stock at The SUP Company, what each brand is known for, who they suit best, and where to start.
And if you want the fastest route to the right answer: demo boards back-to-back at our SUP Test Centre at Woodmill. It removes guesswork instantly.
Book a SUP Test Centre session at Woodmill →
Quick selector: match your paddling style to a brand
- I want the best inflatable SUP money can buy: Red Paddle Co
- I want elite race or premium performance (hard or inflatable): Starboard
- I want a performance race board with refined hull feel: Infinity
- I paddle open water and want calm confidence in chop: SIC Maui
- I want a modern premium inflatable SUP with all-round, touring or crossover appeal: Duotone Inflatable Paddleboards
- I want the best value for family/leisure SUP packages: Jobe
- I want durability and practical boards built to last: Tahe
- I want a respected all-round performance brand across categories: Fanatic
Start here: the 8 SUP brands we stock (and who they’re best for)
1) Red Paddle Co — Premium inflatable SUPs (UK innovators)
Best for: paddlers who want the stiffest, most refined inflatable feel, excellent durability and long-term ownership.
- Ideal use: leisure, touring, fitness, racing (iSUP)
- Why people choose Red: stiffness, build quality, glide and premium packages
2) Starboard — Elite performance + sustainability leadership
Best for: paddlers who want a proven race pedigree, premium constructions and options across composite and inflatable.
- Ideal use: racing (All Star), multi-discipline (Generation), touring, inflatable performance
- Why people choose Starboard: benchmark shapes, strong R&D, Airline technology in racing iSUPs
3) Infinity — Performance race DNA (shape-driven speed)
Best for: high-intent paddlers chasing speed and efficiency with refined hull feel.
- Ideal use: racing, fast fitness paddling, performance touring
- Why people choose Infinity: glide, acceleration and predictable handling in real water
4) SIC Maui — Open-water confidence (Hawaiian heritage)
Best for: paddlers who deal with chop, swell or tidal flow and want calm, confidence-inspiring handling.
- Ideal use: open-water touring, downwind-style paddling, distance, durable inflatables
- Why people choose SIC: ocean-proven shapes that behave when conditions change
5) Duotone Inflatable Paddleboards — Modern premium inflatables with crossover appeal
Best for: paddlers who want lightweight, travel-friendly inflatable boards with options covering all-round paddling, touring and crossover use.
- Ideal use: all-round paddling, touring, travel, crossover SUP / windsurf use
- Why people choose Duotone: clean modern shapes, premium construction and versatile range breadth
Shop Duotone Inflatable Paddleboards →
6) Jobe — Value-led packages for leisure and families
Best for: first-time paddlers who want an easy setup, stable board, and a complete package at a sensible price.
- Ideal use: leisure, family paddling, holidays, casual rivers/lakes
- Why people choose Jobe: simplicity, stability and value
7) Tahe — Durable boards built to last (BIC heritage)
Best for: paddlers who value durability, stability and practicality — especially families, clubs and shared-use boards.
- Ideal use: leisure, touring, regular use, club environments
- Why people choose Tahe: tough constructions and dependable shapes
8) Fanatic — All-round performance across categories
Best for: paddlers who want a respected brand with strong all-round and touring shapes, plus performance options as skills progress.
- Ideal use: all-round, touring, performance progression, racing options
- Why people choose Fanatic: refined shapes and strong range breadth
Our best advice: demo first (it changes everything)
If you’re stuck between two brands or two sizes, a demo session is the quickest way to get the right answer. At our SUP Test Centre at Woodmill, Southampton you can try different board styles back-to-back on sheltered water and feel the differences immediately — stability, glide, tracking and speed.
Test Centre key info: one-hour slots, try multiple boards, £25 per person refundable against a paddleboard purchase.
Book your SUP Test Centre session →
Want deeper help? Watch our board reviews on YouTube
We publish real-world paddleboard reviews and comparisons on our YouTube channel — especially useful if you want to understand how different shapes behave before you come down for a demo.
Watch The SUP Company on YouTube →
FAQs
I’m a total beginner — which brand should I start with?
Most beginners do best with stable all-round boards and complete packages. Jobe is excellent value for first-timers, while Red Paddle Co is the premium inflatable choice if you want top-end performance and long-term ownership.
I want to do touring and distance paddling — what should I look at?
Look for longer shapes with better tracking and glide. Red Paddle Co Voyager, Starboard Touring, and SIC Maui touring-oriented boards are strong starting points depending on whether you want inflatable or composite.
I’m interested in racing — who should I be looking at?
Starboard and Infinity are the performance leaders for race-focused buyers. Red Paddle Co also have race-capable inflatables if you want portability.
How do I choose between inflatable and hard boards?
If portability, storage and travel matter, inflatable is usually the answer. If you paddle frequently and want maximum feel and efficiency, hard boards can be a major step up. Demoing at Woodmill makes the difference clear very quickly.
Can you help me choose the right board and size?
Yes — tell us your height, weight, where you paddle, and what you want to do (leisure, touring, fitness, racing). We’ll recommend a short list and can line up demos where possible.