Updated January 12, 2021
For a leisurely day of cruising or a real workout, it’s hard to beat paddle boarding. To suit your style and experience the right paddle is almost as important as the board itself.
In order to sort through the marketplace and help you make the right selection, a range of top paddles are reviewed in way of introduction. First is a comparison table, followed by key features, photos, and videos with a buying guide to lay all the factors out for you.
If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know in the comments section at the bottom.
For other related information, please check out these popular reviews:
SUP Boards Yoga SUP Roof Racks Fishing SUPs SUP Life Vests SUP Boards Surfing Inflatable Stand Up Paddleboards Stand Up Paddleboards
Best SUP Paddles Review
- BPS Adjustable 2-Piece Alloy SUP Paddle
- Super Paddles 3-Piece Elite 12K Carbon Fiber SUP Paddle
- BPS Adjustable 2-Piece Carbon Fiber SUP Paddle
- iGK Pure Carbon Fiber 3-Piece SUP Paddle
- Own the Wave Adjustable 2-Piece Adjustable Alloy SUP Paddle
- Abahub 3-Piece Adjustable Carbon Fiber SUP Paddle
- ISLE Surf 2-Piece SUP Paddle
- Stage Switchblade Double-Bladed SUP Paddle
- Aqua Bound 2-Piece SUP Paddle
- Boardworks Kraken 2-Piece SUP Paddle
Best SUP Paddles Comparison Table
| Picture | Paddle | Shaft/Blade Materials | Weight | Length | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  | BPS Adjustable 2-Piece Alloy SUP Paddle | Aluminum/Nylon | 2.1 pounds | 70.86 - 83.85 inches | $ |
  | Super Paddles 3-Piece Elite 12K Carbon Fiber SUP Paddle | Carbon/Carbon | 1.5 pounds | 72 - 86 inches | $$$$ |
  | BPS Adjustable 2-Piece Carbon Fiber SUP Paddle | Carbon/Nylon | 1.7 pounds | 69.29 - 84.64 inches | $$ |
  | iGK Pure Carbon Fiber 3-Piece SUP Paddle | Carbon/Carbon | 1.5 pounds | 72 - 86 inches | $$$ |
  | Own the Wave Adjustable 2-Piece Adjustable Alloy SUP Paddle | Aluminum/Nylon | 2.15 pounds | 71 - 83 inches | $ |
  | Abahub 3-Piece Adjustable Carbon Fiber SUP Paddle | Carbon/Composite | 1.875 pounds | 67 - 86 inches | $ |
  | ISLE Surf 2-Piece SUP Paddle | Carbon/Carbon | 1.5 pounds | 67 - 84 inches | $$ |
  | Stage Switchblade Double-Bladed SUP Paddle | Carbon/Carbon | 2.5 pounds | 118 - 156 inches | $$$$ |
  | Aqua Bound 2-Piece SUP Paddle | Carbon/Fiberglass | 1.25 pounds | 64 - 74 inches 70 - 80 inches 76 - 86 inches | $$$$ |
  | Boardworks Kraken 2-Piece SUP Paddle | Carbon/Fiberglass | 1.375 pounds | 64 - 74 inches 70 - 80 inches 76 - 86 inches | $$$ |
| Picture | Paddle | Shaft/Blade Materials | Weight | Length | Price |
BPS Adjustable 2-Piece Alloy SUP Paddle
Low-Priced, Reliable, Durable Aluminum and Nylon Construction, Ergonomic Grip, One-Year Guarantee
- 2-piece locking adjustable paddle
- Length: 70.86 to 83.85 inches
- Weight: 2.1 pounds
- Grip: Ergonomic T-shape handle
- Shaft Material: aluminum
- Blade Material: nylon composite
- Flotation: yes
- Blade Offset: yes
- Currently comes in 4 color combinations
- Blade cover available
- 12-month “next level” guarantee (BPS is renowned for good service)
Super Paddles 3-Piece Elite 12K Carbon Fiber SUP Paddle
Lightweight & Durable 12K Carbon Fiber Shaft & Blade, 3-Piece Portability with a Storage Bag, Expensive, One-Year Guarantee
- 3-piece adjustable paddle with anti-twist channel system for secure fastening
- 20 seconds to assemble or take apart
- Suits paddlers from 5 feet tall on up
- Length: 72 to 86 inches
- Weight: 1.5 pounds
- Grip: palm grip
- Shaft Material: 12K carbon fiber
- Blade Material: 12K carbon fiber
- Flotation: yes
- Blade Offset: 5 degrees
- 3-compartment paddle bag included
- 12-month complete replacement guarantee
BPS Adjustable 2-Piece Carbon Fiber SUP Paddle
Lightweight & Durable Carbon Fiber Shaft, 2-Piece Adjustable with Paddle Bag, One-Year Guarantee, Moderate Price
- 2-piece adjustable paddle with a secure adjustment mechanism
- Length: 70.86 to 83.85 inches
- Weight: 1.7 pounds
- Grip: palm grip
- Shaft Material: carbon fiber (also available in fiberglass)
- Blade Material: nylon
- Floatation: yes
- Blade Offset: yes
- Full paddle bag included
- 12-month guarantee (BPS is renowned for good service)
iGK Pure Carbon Fiber 3-Piece SUP Paddle
Lightweight, Durable Carbon Fiber Shaft & Blade, 3-Piece Adjustable, Ergonomic Grip, Quality Paddle Bag
- 3-piece adjustable paddle
- Suitable for paddlers from 5 feet tall on up
- 30 seconds to setup
- Double concave dihedral blade
- Length: 72 to 86 inches
- Weight: 1.5 pounds
- Grip: ergonomic hybrid
- Shaft Material: carbon fiber
- Blade Material: carbon fiber
- Floatation: yes
- Blade Offset: yes
- 3-compartment nylon paddle bag with closed-cell foam padding included
Own the Wave Adjustable 2-Piece Adjustable Alloy SUP Paddle
Low-priced, Aluminum Shaft, Nylon Composite Blade, 2-Piece Adjustable, Ergonomic Palm Grip
- 2-piece adjustable paddle
- Suitable for paddlers 4 and a half feet tall on up
- Seconds to assemble
- Dual concave blade face with a dihedral shape
- Length: 71 to 83 inches
- Weight: 2.15 pounds
- Grip: ergonomic palm grip
- Shaft Material: aluminum
- Blade Material: nylon composite
- Floatation: yes (foam inserts in the handle)
- Blade Offset: yes
- Currently available in 4 colors
- Also comes in a 3-piece model
- 12-month guarantee
Abahub 3-Piece Adjustable Carbon Fiber SUP Paddle
Low-Priced, Lightweight, Carbon Fiber Shaft, Nylon Composite Blade, 3-Piece Adjustable, Premium Travel Bag, Oval Ergonomic Grip, “No Question Asked” Warranty
- 3-piece adjustable paddle
- Easy pin-button adjustment and locking mechanism
- Suitable for paddlers 5 feet tall on up
- Concave dihedral medium-sized blade
- Length: 67 to 86 inches
- Weight: 1.875 pounds
- Grip: oval ergonomic grip
- Shaft Material: carbon fiber composite
- Blade Material: fiberglass/polypropylene composite (also available in carbon fiber)
- Flotation: yes
- Blade Offset: 10 degrees
- Comes with a premium travel bag
- “No Question Asked” manufacturer’s warranty
Low-Priced for Carbon Fiber Shaft & Blade, Lightweight, Durable, 2-Piece Adjustable, 30-Day Guarantee, 1-Year Warranty
- 2-piece adjustable paddle
- Assembles in 5 seconds with an easy to use locking system
- Length: 67 to 84 inches
- Weight: 1.5 pounds
- Grip: palm grip
- Shaft Material: carbon fiber
- Blade Material: carbon fiber (also available in nylon)
- Flotation: yes
- Blade Offset: yes
- 30-day guarantee with a 1-year warranty on materials
View More From ISLE Surf and SUP
Stage Switchblade Double-Bladed SUP Paddle
Innovative, Double-Bladed, Kayak-Like Paddle, Durable Carbon Fiber Shaft & Blades, Not Cheap
- Multiple-piece adjustable double-bladed paddle
- 2 cam-lock adjusters
- Feathering is possible
- Suitable for paddlers from 5’2” to 6’3”
- Length: 118 to 156 inches
- Weight: 2.5 pounds
- Grip: NA
- Shaft Material: carbon fiber (other materials available)
- Blade Material: carbon fiber (other materials available)
- Flotation: yes
- Blade Offset: yes
High-Performance, Ultra-Lightweight & Durable, Carbon Fiber Shaft & Handle, Sturdy & Trim Fiberglass Blade, 2-Piece Adjustable, Fairly Expensive
- 2-piece adjustable paddle
- Length: 3 available (64 to 74 inches, 70 – 80 inches, 76 to 86 inches)
- Weight: 1.25 pounds
- Grip: contoured palm grip (100% carbon grip)
- Shaft Material: carbon fiber
- Blade Material: compression-molded fiberglass
- Flotation: yes
- Blade Offset: 10 degrees
- Currently available in 4 colors
Boardworks Kraken 2-Piece SUP Paddle
Lightweight & Durable, Carbon Fiber Shaft & Handle, Fiberglass Blade with Reinforced Edge, 2-Piece Adjustable, Stylish Print Blade, a Bit Expensive
- 2-piece adjustable paddle
- Length: 70 – 80 inches
- Weight: 1.375 pounds
- Grip: palm grip (carbon)
- Shaft Material: carbon fiber
- Blade Material: fiberglass
- Reinforced blade edge
- Flotation: yes
- Blade Offset: yes
- Bamboo print blade
Best SUP Paddles in 2020 Buying Guide
To find a paddle that works well for your style of paddling and physical characteristics, the most important factors are the length of the paddle, materials used in construction, and the features of the blade.
Length – Generally, the right length for an SUP paddle is 8 to 12 inches longer than your height. If it is too long it can be harder to pull up out of the water. Paddles that are too short require more effort and exertion to paddle. Other factors to consider are the width and length of the SUP hull and water conditions. An adjustable paddle will allow you to change length to match the specific conditions at hand.
Materials – Shafts and blades can be fabricated from several materials and combinations thereof including plastic, aluminum, nylon, fiberglass, and carbon fiber. Wood is even still used in some paddles. Carbon fiber is durable, the lightest in weight, and the most expensive. Fiberglass is durable and reasonably lightweight and comes in at number 2 in expense. Nylon, aluminum, and plastic all have their strengths and weaknesses but all are often heavier and less durable.
Blade – The blade’s size, shape, and offset influence a paddle’s performance.
- Blade Size – Several factors affect the most appropriate size for a blade. Blades with a larger area take more strength and often match up best with larger paddlers. Larger blades are more powerful but smaller blades more efficient. Inexperienced paddlers are often more comfortable with smaller blades.
- Blade Shape – Differences in blade shape can produce somewhat subtle differences in performance that will become more evident as a paddler gains skill and experience. Tear-drop and rectangular shapes are commonly used. Tear-drop blades tend to require more power and rectangular ones have less surface area contacting the water for a gentler more leisurely style.
- The shape across the blade is also a consideration. If the blade is flat it may have a tendency to wobble or flutter if the paddle doesn’t have the strength built-in. To combat this effect, some paddle blades have a dihedral shape kind of like brackets on a typewriter, like this {. This allows the blade to embrace the water while maintaining its shape without the flutter.
- Blade Offset – This refers to the angle of the blade as it protrudes from the end of the shaft. The angle can range from zero to around 12 degrees. For SUP racing the offset may reach the top of the range at 12 degrees. For all-around use, you will often see 5 to 10 degrees.
Here is an article outlining the components and features of an SUP paddle: The SUP Paddle
Weight – The lighter the paddle, the less the effort required for effective paddling. For longer periods on the water, a lighter model can make a major difference. Carbon fiber materials in both the shaft and blade are a major influence.
Grips – This is the part at the top of the paddle that you grab onto. Two shapes are most often used, T-shaped or a palm grip often called an oval grip. Many consider the oval grip more comfortable.
For other related information, please check out these popular reviews:
SUP Boards Yoga SUP Roof Racks Fishing SUPs SUP Life Vests SUP Boards Surfing Inflatable Stand Up Paddleboards Stand Up Paddleboards
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