How much does a SUP board cost? The short answer is, it varies.  Generally, paddle boards range in price from $250 - $5000. This answer won’t help you to make a purchase decision.  So, lets dive a little deeper and understand why there is such a variation in costs. 
Like almost all products with large price variations, you get what you pay for. More expensive paddle boards are constructed better, and use superior materials and manufacturing technology.  All of these things cost money which directly affects the sales price.

MATERIALS
Materials are the biggest factor that determines a paddle board’s cost.  This is why inflatable boards are much less expensive then rigid paddle boards.  Inflatables are built mainly from polypropylene and are filled with air.  Rigid paddle boards are built from more expensive materials.

Because most inflatables are built with the same basic material, I will focus on rigid boards in this section. Rigid boards can vary greatly in price depending on materials used.

As a general rule, the lighter a rigid board is, the more expensive it will be.  Paddle boards made from carbon fiber are extremely light and extremely expensive.  Plastic shelled boards are a lot cheaper, but they may weigh up to 300% more than a carbon fiber board of the same size. 

Composite boards made from several different materials will vary in price depending on the quality of materials used and manufacturing technology.
 
TECHNOLOGY                  
The technology used to manufacture a paddle board also contributes a large portion to a SUP board’s cost.

Inflatable paddle board costs vary depending on how the board is built.  More expensive inflatables will have more air channels, and internal structures to help increase stiffness.  The amount and type of stitching will also affect how much a SUP board costs.

Technology also plays a large role in the cost of rigid paddle boards. More expensive quality paddle boards will use sandwich construction and vacuum bagging techniques to make their boards stronger and lighter. Fin boxes and SUP handles may have high density inserts placed into the core.  When you look at a paddle board at the store or online, you can’t tell that these technologies have been used.  Visually, cheaper boards might look just as good. However, in the long run, they won’t perform as well.
 
CRAFTMANSHIP
Another aspect that is often overlooked when learning how much a SUP board coasts is the level of craftsmanship that went into its construction.

Inflatable paddle boards are simply sewn together like a piece of clothing.  It doesn’t take long to build an inflatable, which helps explain the lower prices.

Hard boards on the other hand take much more time to make.  For example, a Wappa paddle board takes 29-34 days to produce from start to finish.  After our cores are machine shaped, our shapers fine tune every core by hand to seek perfection. After that, we start hand building every layer.

Not all rigid paddle boards take as long as a Wappa to manufacture. Depending on the type of technology and materials used, some boards may take as little as 3-7 days for manufacture.  Simply put, the less craftmanship in a paddle board, the cheaper it is.

BOARD TYPE
Another factor that affects the cost of a SUP board is the type of board you’re buying.

You will always be able to purchase an inflatable paddle board for less money than a rigid one.  An unbranded inflatable can be purchased for as little as $250. However, there are a few inflatable brands that sell for as much as $1800 which is comparable in price to quality hard boards.

Board type affects a SUP boards cost another way; by size.  Touring boards are often 12’-14’ long.  This is 20-40% longer than the average All Around type of paddle board.  Increased size means increased production cost. Increased production costs mean a greater retail sales price. 

While you’re trying to figure out how much a SUP board costs, remember that you get what you pay for. Don’t expect a $250 inflatable to perform as well as a $1500 inflatable, and don’t expect it to perform anywhere close to a rigid board. Whether you get an inflatable or a rigid SUP, you need to spend some money.  Quality inflatable paddle boards are available starting at $1000.  Quality rigid paddle boards start at around $1200. You don’t buy a cheap car and expect it to perform like a Ferrari. Don’t expect different from your paddle board.

“What size of paddle board do I need?” This is a standard first-time buyer question.
Answering these questions will help find your answer.
 
HOW MUCH DO I WEIGH?
This is the first question to ask. Once a person’s weight is known some board sizes can be easily selected.
Board sizes are measured in two ways.  First, there are physical dimensions that include height, width and thickness. An example of this would be 10’6” x 32” x4.5”.  The second measurement is by the boards volume or displacement which is measured in Liters (L). An example of this would be 190L. While a board’s dimensions will give you an idea of proper size, its displacement actually provides more information.

The greater the volume/displacement a paddle board has, the more weight it can carry without sinking.  In regards to stability versus volume for beginner paddlers, a ratio of 1L Displacement/1lb of rider weight (D/W) is a good guideline.
Using this ratio, a novice paddler considering a 190L paddle board can weigh as much as 190 lbs and still feel very stable on the board.
Experienced riders will be able to enjoy a smaller D/W ratio.
Don’t get a board that has a D/W ratio of 2/1 or greater. While the board will be very stable, you will soon have too much board, and will be pushing needless mass through the water.
 
WHAT IS MY EXPERIENCE LEVEL?
As paddle boarders gain experience, their ability to maintain balance and handle adverse water conditions improves. An experienced paddler can maintain balance and control on a smaller board more easily then a less experienced paddler.

WHAT IS MY EXPERIENCE LEVEL?
As paddle boarders gain experience, their ability to maintain balance and handle adverse water conditions improves. An experienced paddler can maintain balance and control on a smaller board more easily then a less experienced paddler.
 
ANY OTHER USERS?
Will there be other members of the family using the paddle board? Apply the previous two questions to the other riders and take that into your consideration.

WHAT ARE MY GOALS/PLAN?
Paddle boards come in different sizes and shapes because they are designed to do different things. Part of picking the right size paddle board is knowing what you want to do with it.

You shouldn’t buy a 14’ long 300L racing board just because you’re 250 lbs and it fits your Displacement/Rider Weight ratio. Buy this board if you want to take up racing or going on long paddles.

For most people, an All-Around style paddle board is the ideal shape for your first paddle board.  This style is good at just about everything, but it isn’t a specialist at any one function. The 1/1 ratio works very well with All-Around styles.

Picking the correct paddle board shouldn’t be based on data from a chart or table.  You’re going to have this piece of equipment for years, so more consideration should be taken. To properly determine the size of paddle board you need, ask yourself the four questions, and pay attention to your weight and the board’s displacement/volume.  Consider your experience level and use a baseline displacement/rider weight ratio of roughly 1/1. Match the paddle board’s style to meet your goals and you will have a selection that you’ll be happy with for many years.

Happy shopping!