Paddleboards are more expensive than kayaks, because more expensive materials are used to manufacture paddleboards.
Many people are surprised when hearing how much a paddleboard costs. From the point of an outsider, a paddleboard and a kayak look almost the same in terms of complexity.
But most epoxy paddleboards and even high-quality inflatable paddleboards are more expensive than kayaks.
However, there are some great affordable paddleboards as well.
Table of Contents
How Much Does a Kayak Cost?
A typical recreational kayak costs around £350. Very affordable kayaks start at £250, and the most expensive ones around £800.
When it comes to specialized kayaks like fishing, whitewater or touring kayaks, you can easily end up spending £1,000 and more.
How Much Does a Paddleboard Cost?
There is a difference between epoxy paddleboards and inflatable paddleboards.
Epoxy Paddleboard
An average epoxy paddleboard costs around £600, but there are also more expensive models that cost up to £2,000.
The price range varies depending on the thickness of the board, materials used and other factors.
Inflatable Paddleboard
A high-quality inflatable paddleboard costs around £500, but there are also many more affordable options that cost less than £200.
However, we recommend spending more money on an inflatable paddleboard, because these are much more durable than the cheapest ones.
4 Reasons Why Paddleboards Are So Expensive
There are some reasons why paddleboards are so surprisingly expensive.
- Manufacturing and shipping costs: Some people compare inflatable paddleboards with a swimming pool mattress. However, this does not make sense at all. The manufacturing process for a good paddleboard is much more complex than let’s say the manufacturing process for a swimming pool mattress. Also, shipping inflatable paddleboards is way more expensive than most people assume. Shipping a 33.5 inches x 14 inches x 14 inches (85 cm x 35 cm x 35 cm) weighing up to 20 kilograms (including the gear) from the place of manufacturing (often China) into the country and then to the buyer is very expensive.
- High distribution costs for high-ticket boards of popular brands: The traditional model includes four parties involved in selling a paddleboard: the manufacturer, the brand, the distributor and the individual shop or online store. This means that everyone takes their percentage of what is charged – so prices for boards are getting jacked up. We prefer the ‘direct to consumer’ model as it cuts out the middleman and lowers the prices.
- Paddleboards are large: Many people make the comparison of paddleboards with surfboards. However, paddleboards are much larger than surfboards. With a length of 5 to 9 feet, surfboards are much shorter, also slimmer and built more narrow. This means that much more labor and material is needed to manufacture a paddleboard, making the production process time-consuming and expensive, too.
- Paddleboards come with lots of gear: Most beginner paddleboards come with many accessory products. Starter sets usually include an ankle leash, a paddle, a universal backpack and possibly additional equipment like waterproof phone cases or kayak seats. Buying those one-by-one at the beginning is very expensive. Buying an all-inclusive package saves money in the long run.
Final Verdict
A paddleboard is not a cheap item. However, buying for first board is an investment for the future. A good paddleboard can last for many years if properly maintained.
Some paddleboards are more expensive than others, but there is always a lower-priced option available. You do not have to pay 1,000 pounds for a good board, but make sure you buy a decent one to start with.
For our blog, we’ve reviewed 50+ paddleboards, and many of those are very affordable.
