Yoga Paddle Board Review: The 11 Best Yoga iSUPs (2022)

SUP yoga is one of the newest sub-disciplines that paddle boarding – the mega-trend of recent years – has spawned.

Paddleboarding requires good balance, which is quickly learned after a few tries.

A completely different level of balance is needed for certain yoga exercises.

And the combination of these two disciplines is the crowning achievement.

Paddle boards have evolved dramatically in recent years. To the point where even yoga can be done on the boards.

The appropriate paddle boards for yoga are built wide. Balance is the most important criteria when you are looking for boards for the new sport.

Stability and tilt resistance are the things that the perfect paddle boards should offer you.

Below, we’ll go over what’s important in yoga paddle boards and introduce our favorites among yoga stand up paddles.

Yoga Paddle Board Review: The 11 Best Paddle Boards Review

Checklist: What’s Important About Paddle Boards for Yoga

• Shape: As a rule, yoga paddle boards belong to the class of very wide allround boards with special features. However, there are also models with deviating shape (e.g. rectangular silhouette). However, good gliding properties are not the focus of these variants.
• Large usable surface: The surface of fitness and yoga SUPs should be generously sized, so you have enough space for your workout and the yoga asanas (figures).
• Width: Tilt stability is the most important feature of a yoga paddle boards. For this reason, suitable specimens fall out decidedly wide.
• Volume and load capacity: Solid buoyancy values are also very important in terms of basic stability and load capacity. Accordingly, you should go for a board with a lot of volume. However, most models achieve a high volume anyway due to the extended width and the thickness of about 15 cm.
• Stiffness: Both for SUP tours and for SUP yoga, the board should be as stiff as possible. Indications of good stiffness are, for example, a double-layer structure, reinforced rails and the use of dropstitch technology.
• Large deckpad: So that you can always take a non-slip position on the board, many models have a very large and sometimes very soft deckpad, which ideally even covers the entire surface.
• Carrying handle(s): The carrying straps are placed on the side of some yoga boards, so that they are not in the way during training. Partly for this reason, the central carrying loop is also dispensed with completely. However, you should note that the boards without strap can be carried only with difficulty alone!
• D-rings: In SUP yoga and SUP fitness, the annoying leash (safety line) is often dispensed with. But if you also want to use your board for paddling, you should not do without the leash. At least one free D-ring should then be available. There are also models with additional D-rings to attach a kayak seat, a riser and to be able to connect the board to a training platform (“hub”).
• Scope of delivery: A good deal of yoga paddle boards come with a complete accessory package. Other models, however, lack a leash and a paddle in the scope of delivery.
• Price: The price range for the Yoga SUPs is large. In addition to the scope of delivery, the models also differ in terms of material construction and quality. Read best the respective board review carefully, there we describe the advantages and disadvantages of each model in detail.

Yoga Paddle Board – Guide

SUP yoga is derived from paddle boarding, but it requires different equipment. It is important that you choose a special yoga paddle board.

The typical board is wider therefore sturdier than a normal paddle board. When choosing, of course, your experience and how you still want to use the board plays a big role.

There are very specially shaped paddle boards that are made just for this one purpose.

But I have also presented you wide built allrounder boards, which are also great for SUP yoga, but are also well built for longer tours and smaller waves.

Only for paddle boarding races you definitely need other models, otherwise these allrounder boards are always a good choice.

For indoor yoga classes, floating yoga mats are also suitable.

Why Should You Do Yoga on the Paddle Board Too?

Yoga is an incredibly healthy activity that has a huge impact on your physical fitness, mental state, and actually your whole life.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a yoga newbie or have been practicing for decades, the meditative exercises are good for your health.

Combining paddle boarding with yoga seems difficult and strange at first. Much of the peace and relaxation seems to be lost when you trade in the yoga mat and solid ground underfoot for a swaying paddle board.

As bumpy as the first few attempts will be, the reward comes quickly and feels great.

The basic idea gives many a headache. Standing on the water is a completely new experience. The paddle boards are also not air mattresses, but offer a safe stand.

I love the freedom that comes with paddle boarding and especially SUP yoga. In the middle of a lake it is also really good to switch off.

You can do your yoga exercises there in peace, away from everything else.

It is also exciting to feel how much noise is compensated by the lake water. With the sound of the waves of the water, you have more of the meditative state while doing yoga.

SUP Yoga is not only a real experience for your mind but also an excellent workout for your body. Paddle boarding is a really good fitness workout that challenges every muscle in your body.

The permanent balancing act of SUP yoga makes the sport the perfect full-body workout. The uneven ground constantly demands that your muscles either tense or relax quickly.

The deep muscles are challenged enormously with every wave. On the water you may not feel this directly. But in the evening you can be sure that you have achieved something.

The close connection with nature is also great. On the water you are very far away from stress, problems and other people, but all alone with one of the basic elements of human life.

A day on the water feels relaxing and refreshing. You’ll soon find yourself completely drifting off mentally at the sound of birdsong and gentle waves.

Which Paddle Board for Yoga Is Right for Me?

I looked at all the boards designed specifically for yoga and a few more to compile my best list.

All of these boards are extra thick and give you good stability. All the boards on the list of best paddle boards for yoga are really good choices.

If you’re looking for a paddle board for yoga yourself, you’ll encounter a lot of lingo and value.

If paddleboarding is new to you, this terminology is probably new. With all the values, references to other boards are often missing as well.

Understanding the specs in a product description will help you choose the perfect paddle board for yoga. For this reason, I have created a list of the most important feature for you.

Length

You don’t want to skimp on the length of the board. At a minimum, a good yoga board should measure 10 feet (305 cm).

Small boards are especially maneuverable, but they don’t offer enough room for your exercises. The lower buoyancy of short boards can also be a problem.

Ideal for yoga paddle boards are boards in the 10-foot to 12-foot range (305 cm to 366 cm). Boards that are even longer are often too athletically built and have the necessary width.

The ideal boards are a little more difficult to maneuver than the very short boards, but offer you enough space for your exercises and you can even move back and forth a bit on the board without losing your balance right away.

The length gives the board stability in the water.

Hull Type

There are two types of hulls. Displacers and gliders both work for paddle boards. Gliders offer more stability. The name says it all.

With this hull model, the paddle board glides across the water. For beginners, these boards are more suitable. In English we speak of “planing hulls”.

You can find this specification from time to time in the manufacturer’s descriptions of a paddle board.

The displacers are completely in the water with the underwater hull and displace this. The result is higher speeds.

If you want to use your yoga board for touring, are experienced with paddle boards and want more speed at the expense of stability, displacers are the right choice for you. In English, displacers are called “displacement hulls”.

Material

The material depends on your choice. Investing money in good, durable material with a high quality will pay off quickly. For inflatable boards, I advise reinforced PVC.

The material is absolutely tearproof and when the paddle board is inflated, it seems rock hard. The specs you’re looking for in the product description are double-layer or MSL technology.

On the top of the board, you should look for a non-slip and comfortable coatings. An EVA cover pad promises this grip.

Rarely, it is also specified exactly what kind of pattern it is. I like the diamond or also rhombus genanten tiles best. In my opinion, these give you the best grip.

Measurements

I have already described the optimal length of the board, the length and width have been neglected so far. The thickness is especially important in paddle boarding yoga.

Your board should be 6 inches (15 cm) thick in any case. This kind of boards came up only in the last years. Today, 15 cm is already almost the standard for all types of paddle boards.

Your paddle board can hardly be wide enough. Most yoga boards I’ve featured are wider than the average allrounder (with mostly ~ 78 cm in width).

Those few centimeters make all the difference. The board will be much more tilt resistant, and you’ll have the extra room to really stretch and move back and forth on the board.

Load Capacity

First, I should note that your board can carry you by itself. For this, it’s best to be generous with markdowns on the official manufacturer’s specifications.

With -10 up to -20% on this maximum carrying weight, you can already calculate, if the manufacturers make the specifications.

For your yoga paddle board, you also have to consider any additional weight. If you need an anchor to stay in place and not to drift, it will add to the total weight as well as your (wet) clothes, your provisions and all yoga and paddle board accessories that are still on board.

A SUP yoga board should tend to be able to carry more weight than a normal SUP. More buoyancy also means more stability in the water and you definitely want that when doing yoga.

Quality

When I talk about quality, I’m usually talking about price. While everyone wants to buy the super cheap paddle board with top quality, unfortunately such deals rarely exist.

In my experience, a little extra money at the time of purchase is already worth it. I would rather spend a little more money in the beginning and buy a decent board than risk hundreds of euros to be on the road with the board only a few summers.

Good quality always pays off in the long run. You don’t have to deal with repairs, warranty claims, replacements and the feeling of having chosen the wrong offer.

You’ll have more time on the water if you buy a good yoga paddle board right away.

Lately, more and more new manufacturers are entering the market. Almost weekly I hear about new brands for the first time. With these I always wait first, on testimonials from friends or until I myself have the chance to test the board.

You I also advise not to immediately go out and buy the first cheap board, but at least look at testimonials and reviews.

Features and Missing Features

The many accessories when buying a paddle board has a long tradition. With extensive sets, the manufacturers outdo themselves downright. A paddle is very often included.

From air pumps, backpacks about repair kits to coolers I have seen everything.

When buying a yoga paddle board, you can also make sure that a paddle is included. For luggage while riding, D-rings mounted on the board are handy.

A bungee cord is pulled through these D-rings, under which you can clamp a drybag, for example. An air pump always belongs to it anyway.

In my eyes essential for paddle boards is the lack of a feature. Many boards have a handle in the middle. In yoga, this ab disturbs immensely.

Most of the handles are made of fabric, so they don’t hurt, but they are uncomfortable when you lie on them. So ideally look for boards without a handle in the middle. In a pinch, of course, you can cut this off.

Transport

I love inflatable boards (inflatables) because they make transport and storage immensely easier. After the session, simply deflate, roll up the empty shell, and stow it in a backpack.

When buying some models in my list in such a suitable backpack included. Has your favorite model none, you will find in my backpack page certainly the right model.

Make sure that the backpack measures at least 5 to 10 cm more in height than your board in width. It is better to order a backpack that is too big. Otherwise, every time the unpacking and packing equal degenerates into a fight.

Start with SUP Yoga in 4 easy steps.

SUP yoga can be so simple.

Getting started is already the most important thing. In four easy steps, you can too:

1. Choose a suitable board.
2. Look at the weather report.
3. Try it out and grow from the challenge.
4. Make a course.

Step 1: Choose a Suitable Board

With my best list and the many detailed tips, this is no longer a problem. Nevertheless, briefly to the point. You’re looking for a board around 305 to 365 cm long, 15 cm thick and at least 80 cm wide.

It should be able to easily support your weight along with your gear, have an EVA deck pad, and ideally not have a central carrying handle that would interfere with your exercises.

The number one priority for paddle board yoga is tipping stability. To what extent you want to use the board for yoga or for normal touring is up to you, but also factors into the board choice.

Step 2: Check the Weather Forecast

The weather is very important when doing paddle board yoga. Always check the weather report before going on a tour. The fewer waves and wind at your spot the better for SUP yoga.

If you are planning longer paddling trips you should get even better information, you don’t want to be surprised by a thunderstorm halfway through your trip.

Step 3: Try it out and grow from the challenge

“No master has ever fallen from the sky.” and “Practice makes perfect.” are two of my mom’s favorite phrases. It sounds a little trite, but the bottom line is that without trying, you won’t get better at anything.

So let’s go! Get on the board and practice.

Tip: Orientate yourself to the center of gravity of the board. You can find the center of gravity at the handle in the middle of the board. Distribute your weight around this center, and you will become clear.

Step 4: Take a Class

Newcomers to paddle boarding and/or yoga should consider taking an appropriate class.

An experienced instructor in a beginner SUP board class will show you how the paddle stroke works, what the proper body position is, and how to maintain balance.

In paddle board yoga classes, more emphasis is placed on the exercises.

You can also jump right in with the SUP yoga class, because paddle boarding is quick to learn.

With a good sense of balance and still water, you will already be progressing within a few minutes and can join the course with some support from the instructor.

If you don’t have any experience with yoga, you should definitely attend an appropriate course. This way you will learn the correct execution and not risk unnecessary injury.

FAQ

Conclusion

Not only is yoga on the water a fun activity, but it also has positive effects. SUP yoga is an ideal workout for the whole body and incidentally for the soul.

It depends on what you want. Just completely switch off on the water and let your arms dangle into the water or a workout set that activates every muscle.

The paddle boards from my best list are all top suitable. They combine the wide and thick design that gives you stability on the board for your exercises.

Other boards tip quickly at the slightest weight shift, while these yoga boards sit firmly in the water.

The boards are inflatable, making them easy to transport and store. No matter which of the boards you end up choosing, you’re sure to have fun doing SUP yoga with it.