Best Non-Inflatable Standup Paddle Boards 2019

After personally paddling, weighing, and thoroughly testing 150+ boards, our expert staff has selected the best non-inflatable stand up paddle board 2019 models. These are designated by the "A" grade and organized by categories (inflatable, all-around, touring, etc). The Supconnect team traveled across 3 states and spent 8 months individually assessing each one of the inflatable SUP boards below, counting a total of 23 metrics per board and consistently applying them across all products. The end result: simply the most comprehensive, consumer-friendly, value-added review platform in the standup paddle world. Click through each one of the reviews and find a consistent, in-depth assessment of each product listed.

Quick Answer:

The Best Non-Inflatable SUPs 2019

• Surftech Aleka
• Surftech Generator
• SIC Maui Okeanos
• Surftech Promenade
• SIC Maui RS

 A Comparison

The Best Non-Inflatable Paddle Boards 2019

Picture	Board	Weight	Price	Use	Skill	Build	Width
	Surftech Aleka	24.4 lbs	$1,469	All Around	Beginner	Non-Inflatable	30 inches
	Surftech Generator	25.14 lbs	$1,349	All Around	Beginner	Non-Inflatable	32 inches
	SIC Maui Okeanos	31 lbs	$1,499	Touring	Intermediate	Non-Inflatable	27-29 inches
	Surftech Promenade	34.7 lbs	$999	Touring	Beginner	Non-Inflatable	31.5 inches
	SIC Maui RS	23.4 lbs	$2,499	Race	Advanced	Non-Inflatable	20-28 inches

Non-Inflatable Paddle Boards 101

3 Things to Consider to Find the Best Non-Inflatable SUP

1. BUILD

Non-inflatable paddle boards come in various constructions, with most of them falling into three broad categories, plastic, epoxy, and carbon, each with its own pro’s and con’s.

Plastic: SUP boards made of plastic tend to be highly durable and affordable, but lacking in performance and in looks. Nearly all plastic stand up paddle boards can take quite a beating and withstand lots of abuse, whether it’s exposure to weather or misuse by owner. And most of them price under $1,000 (USD). On the down side, they normally are quite heavier than their counterparts, weighing 30+ lbs (13.60+ kg). Some of the higher-price point plastic boards can be lighter but much like almost all plastic paddle boards their looks are quite bland, with simple color schemes and graphics.

Epoxy: Paddle boards generally have three main components, a foam core, resin, and fiberglass. The most widely used resin is epoxy, which now has proven to work quite effectively with multiple foam cores and tends to yield the lightest-weight boards. Epoxy boards can have countless layers and variations of foam core and fiberglass, so the fact that a paddle board is made of epoxy, it does not necessarily make it a more premium board. There are plenty of subpar epoxy boards in the market, which are very heavy (35+ lbs) without the benefit of increased durability. But as a rule of thumb, an epoxy paddle board weighing 25-30+ lbs (11-33 to 13.60+ kg) will likely perform better than plastic but still not quite as well as carbon sup boards.

Carbon/Wood/Other: Carbon paddle boards tend to be the highest-performing boards in the market. They are lightweight and more easily display the desired flex patterns. Their main objective, though, is not durability. In fact, carbon sup boards should be treated quite carefully, as delicate and premium gear. The goal of a carbon board is performance: better glide in the case of race and maneuverability in the case of surf, for instance. By adding carbon, there is less use of resin and fiberglass, typically making the sup board more light-weight. Carbon, however, tends to be the most expensive sup board in the market. Alternatives to carbon, which also reduce weight and boost performance, are wood inlays, like bamboo and others. These composite constructions normally deliver the highest quality boards but also with the higher price-tags.

2. USE

The beauty of stand up paddle boarding (SUP) is that there are so many ways and situations where you can participate. Here at Supconnect we break down the different uses of a paddle board into 7 categories: All Around, Touring, Yoga, Fishing, Race, Surf and River. Each category has their own specific purpose and thus, a different shape/design is necessary for each. There are boards that fit into multiple SUP disciplines and can be used in a variety of ways. A brief breakdown of each category is as follows:

• All Around: For multiple purposes but primarily for recreation
• Touring: For cruising paddles beyond the shoreline and for expedition paddling
• Yoga: For optimal stability as a floating yoga mat
• Fishing: For stability to cast the line, with plenty of accessories
• Race: For speed, coming with lightweight build
• Surf: For maneuverability and wave handling
• River: For rapids, river eddies and river wave riding

3. ADD ON'S

Add-on’s are accessories for a paddle board that add to your experience on/off the water. The quality of the bag/backpack and the air pump tend to be directly related to the board’s price points. Aside from your paddle, bags and pumps are the most important add-on’s to your board and can drastically improve your overall experience with the board, such as helping you more easily carry the board and/or pump it up more quickly. Other popular add on’s include bungee cords, a minimalist way to haul things; Connexsup, which allows for all sorts of attachments, even fishing rods; and FCS II/Connect, for easy fin instal. Other add on’s could be upgraded handles like the Liftsup & EZgrab and paddle holders for when you aren’t using your paddle.

Best Non-Inflatable Paddle Board Reviews

SURFTECH ALEKA

If you’re looking for a board that is designed for women that is a stable, all around board to paddle short to mid-range distances then the Surftech Aleka is something to consider. This standup paddle board (SUP) retails starting at $1,499 and is offered in two different sizes: 10’4” and 11’2”. The Aleka uses Surftech’s Tuflite V-tech construction which makes the board strong and durable. At 29 and 30 inches wide the board is pretty stable and easy to carry, weighing just over 22 lbs. The Aleka is a hybrid all around / touring shape so it can be used in a wide variety of conditions whether you’re looking to go for a quick paddle around the shoreline, catch a few waves, or go on a mid-range paddle the Aleka was designed to do it all.

See our full review HERE.

SURFTECH GENERATOR

The Generator is a beginner, non-inflatable board, offered at a pretty affordable price but has a premium look. The board is very stable, lightweight and has some gorgeous looks, coming with an exceptionally beautiful play on color and graphics. The bamboo construction combined with either green or blue accent colors (depending on which size you get), make the board really stand out. The board is best suited for short-range paddling around the beach and dock and is a great board that the entire family can enjoy. Its premium look and lightweight feel alone warrant Supconnect’s “A” grade.

See our full review HERE.

SIC MAUI OKEANOS

If you’re looking for a non-inflatable touring board that looks and feels good under your feet, check out the Okeanos from SIC Maui. Starting at $1,499, the Okeanos sits in the mid-tier price point and is a solid board for its price. The board is 29 in. wide and is best for intermediate-level paddlers looking for mid-range to long-distance paddling. The board is offered in four sizes (11’, 12’6” x 27”, 12’6” x 29”, 14’) and has two different color variations to choose from.

See our full review HERE.

SURFTECH PROMENADE

The Surftech Promenade is almost a category of its own. This board has the durability of most rental boards in the marketplace, but is actually fairly lightweight for how much volume it packs. The bottomline is, if you’re looking for a price point board with incredible durability that can handle cruising, touring, going the distance, and maybe even racing, and is also incredibly stable, this is it. It’s a rental board that is proving to be more of a touring board, capable of going long distances. The Surftech Promenade is truly a beater that can go the distance.

See our full review HERE.

SIC MAUI RS

If you’re on the market for a premium race paddle board look no further. The RS by SIC Maui is short for ‘Rocket Ship’ and the name suits the board perfectly. This race board is fast and lightweight and is offered in multiple length and width combos, for both adult and youth paddlers. The RS is best for intermediate and advanced racers looking for a board that excels on flatwater but can also handle some chop. Starting at $2,499, the RS sits in the high price point tier but is a premium choice that is worth every penny.

See our full review HERE.

To look through the 150+ boards reviewed for 2019 click HERE.

Photo Gallery

A Look at Imagery from our SUP Reviews

More Resources

• Best Paddle Boards 2019
• Best All Around Paddle Boards 2019
• Best Inflatable Paddle Boards 2019
• Best Beginner Paddle Boards 2019
• Best Standup Paddle Boards 2018
• Best Beginner Paddle Boards 2018
• Best All Around Paddle Boards 2018

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