SUPs have grown immensely in popularity these past few years. And it’s obvious why. It is an excellent seaside activity that everyone can enjoy. But with the increase in popularity, there is also a price increase. This had many asking what is the most expensive stand-up paddle board?
The most expensive SUP In the world sold for $27,500 on auction in 2022 at a fundraiser. But the most expensive SUP commercially sold is the Rackham 14’ Verge Camo Paddle Board by BOTE, which retails for $2,349. It is followed by the Great Bear 14’ Tourer SUP by Boardworks, which is $2,200.
Considering how many people are into stand-up paddle boarding these days, it’s only fair for you to wonder what the most expensive SUP is. Well, stick around. We’ll discuss the most expensive one and what criteria you should consider when shopping for your next SUP.
What Is The World’s Most Expensive Stand-Up Paddle Board?
Before we discuss the most expensive paddle boards commercially sold, I’d like to briefly mention the world’s most expensive SUP (Stand Up Paddle Board) to date. This is a Jimmy Lewis Stand Up Paddle Board, which was sold for $27,500 in Florida at the beginning of 2022.
However, there’s nothing special about this SUP that warrants its price tag. Instead, the board was part of an auction at a fundraiser for the Everglades Foundation. So, the materials and history of this Jimmy Lewis SUP had no influence on its price.
While we applaud the generous donor for his sturdy donation to the foundation, it’s safe to say that he greatly overspent on the board itself. Fortunately, this also means that regular SUPs aren’t that expensive, which is why so many people have the means to purchase them and enjoy the sport.
But this story doesn’t inform you of what you can expect to pay for a high-end stand-up paddle board when buying it at a store. So, let’s consider the price of high-end paddle boards to give you a better idea of what they are actually worth.
What Is The Most Expensive High-End Sup?
The most expensive high-end paddle boards are made from the best materials to provide you with the most maneuverable, strongest, and most durable paddle boards with the lightest weight. I’ll discuss the criteria for choosing a good paddle board in the following section.
But what is the most expensive high-end paddle board on the market today?
Rackham 14’ Verge Camo Paddle Board
This stand-up paddle board is by BOTE boards and retails for $2,350. It is made with BOTE’s custom Gatorshell, which is six times tougher than a traditional epoxy paddle board.
While this is the most expensive stand-up paddle board currently on the market, other high-end paddle boards are also worth mentioning. These include:
⦁ Most Expensive Epoxy SUP – Great Bear 14’ Tourer SUP
This paddle board is manufactured by Boardworks and is made from an EPS core coated with fiberglass and bamboo veneers. It retails for $2,200.
⦁ Most Expensive Wooden SUP – Voyager 2.0
The Voyager 2.0 is the most expensive wooden stand-up paddle board on the market and retails for $1,695. It is manufactured by ISLE and is intended for long-distance touring.
⦁ Most Expensive Inflatable SUP – Carbon Hoss Inflatable SUP
This is the most expensive inflatable stand-up paddle board, retailing for $1500. It is produced by Hala Gear and features Hala Gear’s woven drop stitch and patented Carbon Stinger technology.
⦁ Most Expensive Poly Carbonate SUP – Blackfin Hardboard SX
The Blackfin hardboard model XS is made from a patented BlackRock Construction core with a Poly Carbonate ABS shell. This paddle board is manufactured by iRocker and retails for $1,300.
Why are these paddle boards so expensive, you may wonder?
That’s because paddle boards use the newest technology for manufacturing and materials. So while other sports, like kayaking and surfing, have an extensive history, and there are various techniques for producing them, paddle boards are much newer by comparison.
They were created with the technology currently at our disposal. They were made using only the best (most suited) materials and technology. This means they have a higher price, as even the most basic paddle boards use some of this technology.
What Are The Criteria For Choosing A Good SUP?
When shopping for a stand-up paddle board, you must know what to look for. As all the companies will claim to have the best boards, I find it helpful to know what “the best” means when shopping for an item.
- The Type Of Stand Up Paddle Board
There are three primary types of SUPs: inflatable SUPs, Foam SUPs, and Solid SUPs. Inflatable SUPs are the most beginner friendly since they are lightweight and usually much broader than other types.
Inflatable stand-up paddle boards consist of an inflatable core covered in PVC plastic. It has the same texture as a pool floaty. Like the floaty, you can inflate and deflate the SUP as needed.
The next type of paddle board is the solid foam board. Solid SUPs can be made of many materials. Entry-level SUPs are often made of foam or layers of foam and fiberglass molded around a foam core. These SUPs are more maneuverable than inflatables, but they still aren’t the best available.
The final type of board is the Solid paddle board. These SUPs are considered to be the best. They are made from a wood or foam core surrounded by layers of epoxy resin and high-quality foam or carbon fiber. These are the most sturdy and maneuverable SUPs on the market.
- The Size Of The Stand Up Paddle Board
When it comes to SUPs, one size does not fit all. The size of the SUP you need depends on your size and weight. For example, a 150lbs paddler requires a 31 to 32 inches wide SUP that is at least 5 inches thick. On the contrary, a paddler who weighs 220lbs requires a 32-34 inch wide, 6-inch-thick board.
Of course, bigger boards are also more expensive. But you shouldn’t skimp on the size simply because you want a cheaper board. You will have a harder time getting up on the board and maneuvering it if it is too light.
- How Streamline Is The Stand-Up Paddle Board?
Another consideration when buying a SUP is how streamlined it is. To use a paddle board correctly, you will need it to be maneuverable. Inflatable SUPs have barely any technology that makes them easier to maneuver, while solid SUPs come with fins and a more streamlined design.
Depending on how advanced of a paddler you are, you may deem some other factors more important than the streamlining and maneuverability of the SUP. Still, for most intermediate stand-up paddle boarders, this is an important factor to consider when looking for a new board.
The more streamlining technology a SUP has, the more expensive it is. This means that the affordability of your paddle board depends significantly on which of the above criteria you value most.
What Does A Cheap Stand-Up Paddle Board Cost?
Before discussing what high-end paddle boards cost, I would like to discuss what you can get a cheap one for if you’re really looking for one. You can find an inflatable stand-up paddle board on Amazon for under $150.
And while this paddle board should keep you upright on the water, chances are it won’t be the best quality. You won’t have a lot of maneuverability, and these paddle boards aren’t as streamlined or lightweight as higher-end paddle board brands.
But you can also get a better entry-level paddle board for around $500. And you’ll see in the following section that most high-end paddle board brands also have inflatables that you can buy for this price.
What Are High-End Stand-Up Paddle Board Brands?
What Are High-End Stand-Up Paddle Board Brands?
High-end SUPs are those SUPs with the most advanced technology. They often promise the best performance, which means they come with the highest price tags. Most high-end SUPs are solid, meaning they cannot be deflated for transportation.
High-end stand-up paddle boards are often made of a foam or hollow wood core, surrounded by foam and a fiberglass/epoxy mixture. They might also have a carbon fiber outer shell. You can also find custom-made hollow wooden SUPs, but they aren’t as readily available as those made from other materials.
Which paddle board brands are considered high-end? There are several high-end paddle board brands, but I would like to focus on the top five, according to independent reviews.
- BOTE SUPs
- Broadworks SUPs
- Hala Gear SUPs
- ISLE SUPs
- iRocker SUPs
Each brand has high-end paddle boards used by professionals and enthusiasts worldwide. Most of them offer paddle boards made from various materials, including PVC plastic (for inflatables), foam, and fiberglass.
Some brands also have carbon fiber paddle boards for sale, which is generally considered to be the best material for a stand-up paddle board on the market.
But how much will you pay for a paddle board created by one of these high-end brands? Let’s consider these brands and the average price of a stand-up paddle board at each of them.
BOTE SUPs
BOTE board was founded in 2008 by co-founders Corey and Magda after they started paddle boarding and realized that they could create better boards than those on the market then. BOTE stand-up paddle board was founded with user-friendliness and efficiency in mind.
And since its start in 2008, the company has grown exponentially, and you can now find these paddle boards worldwide. BOTE SUPs are used by beginners and professionals alike, and there are many styles of paddle boards, including inflatable SUPs, fishing SUPs, and solid paddle boards.
Because BOTE SUPs cater to all paddlers, you can find boards at various prices. The cheapest paddle boards start at around $400, while their most expensive SUP is $2,350. With this steep price, BOTE SUPs are certainly considered a high-end SUP brand.
Boardworks SUPs
Boardworks is a part of the Confluence Outdoor company, which has been specializing in watersports equipment for more than 40 years. Boardworks has been around since the 1990s and has a longstanding reputation as an excellent paddle board manufacturer.
They have paddle boards for nearly every occasion and sport. Their boards are also made using various materials to ensure you have the best experience paddle boarding, regardless of your preferences. The most affordable SUPs at Boardworks are inflatables, starting at $600. Their most expensive paddle boards are priced at $2,200.
This means you can find a paddle board at Boardworks regardless of your budget. And because they are an older company, you are assured that you are getting a high-quality paddle board.
Hala Gear SUPs
Hala Gear is also a newer SUP producer, founded in 2011 by Peter Hall. The company started in Colorado but now provides high-quality SUPs worldwide. Hala Gear produces paddle boards for all occasions, from surfing to paddling in rapid-filled rivers.
Their collection isn’t as big as some of the other brands, but this means that they get to focus more on the paddle boards they offer, ensuring each board is perfect. Their most affordable paddle boards are inflatable and start at around $1000. On the contrary, their carbon fiber inflatable boards are the most expensive and cost $1500.
As you can see, there isn’t such a big price difference between their entry-level and most expensive paddle board. However, each board is made with quality, durability, and maneuverability in mind, which means that you can buy and board and feel assured that it will last for many years.
ISLE SUPs
ISLE SUPs is located in San Diego and ships to almost all the North American states. This company was founded by two surfers in 2004, and their aim is to create high-quality paddle boards for all skill levels and budgets.
They also focus on creating environmentally friendly paddle boards that don’t harm the ocean or the earth. Although ISLE is a high-end paddle board brand, their boards aren’t typically as expensive as those at BOTE.
You can purchase an entry-level inflatable paddle board for around $500. In contrast, their higher-end solid paddle boards cost $1500 at most. But this doesn’t mean that ISLE paddle boards are inferior. In fact, they have a huge international market, and many professionals and novice paddlers use their boards exclusively.
iRocker SUPs
iRocker is a newer paddle board company that started in Florida in 2013. However, while it is less established than the other paddle board companies, it has a large, international following. iRocker SUPs are renowned for their high-quality paddle boards with maneuverability in mind.
iRocker SUPs have a wide selection of SUPs, ranging from inflatables to high-end solid paddle boards. Their inflatable SUPs start at $450, and their high-end SUPs come at around $1,300. But, again, while their SUPs aren’t as expensive as those you can find at BOTE or some of the other high-end paddle board shops, it doesn’t mean that their boards are made from inferior materials.
Most people who have tried an iRocker SUP have had nothing but wonderful things to say about them. It is, therefore, safe to assume that their paddle boards, while more affordable, are made of exceptional quality and are guaranteed to bring you plenty of fun-filled hours on the water.
Conclusion
The world’s most expensive stand-up paddle board was sold for $27,500 at a fundraising auction in 2022. While this is a hefty price, the board has little to do with its price tag. The most expensive high-end paddle board on the market is the Rackham 14’ Verge Camo Paddle Board by BOTE which costs $2,349.