Paddle Boarding Essentials: The Gear We Can’t SUP Without

The Isle Explorer 3.0 is one of our favorite boards for hitting the water. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia

---

---

Stand up paddling is a sport for the masses. It’s relatively easy to learn, it’s accessible, and it can be done by a wide range of ages and ability levels. While the only gear you actually need to stand up paddle is a board and a paddle, having some additional equipment can greatly enhance the experience.

We’ve spent hours upon hours on the water, testing boards and soaking up the views. Through our testing, we’ve found some gear that we truly love. Here, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite gear for SUP, so you can make the most of your time on the water.

Related: Best Stand Up Paddle Boards | Best Inflatable Paddle Boards | More Paddle Gear Reviews

Equipment

ISLE Explorer iSUP

First and foremost, the first piece of gear you need to paddle is a board. There are tons of boards out there, including both inflatable and hard top stand up paddleboards, that vary drastically in price. For our Best Stand Up Paddle Boards and Best Inflatable Paddle Boards reviews, we tested lots of boards, and through it all, the ISLE Explorer 3.0 has been our top pick inflatable SUP for a couple of years running.

Measuring 11′ 6″ x 32″ x 6″, the Explorer sports an all-around shape and works well for yoga, fishing, surfing, or just general cruising. The pointed nose helps it cut through the water efficiently, and the EVA traction pad feels good underfoot. The iSUP package comes complete with the board, fin, paddle, pump, leash, and carry bag, so you have everything you need to hit the water.

Inflatable boards are a great choice for stand up paddle boarding as they pack down into a carry-on-sized backpack (meaning you don’t need to invest in a set of surf racks to transport the board), and are very durable. However, if you prefer the performance of a solid stand-up paddle board, we’d probably point you towards the Surftech Lido, or another one of the hard boards in our Best Stand Up Paddle Boards review.

Vamo Explorer 2-Piece Paddle

The quality of your paddle can make or break your session. Some paddles are heavy and squirrely, while others are lightweight and feel comfortable in your hand. Investing in a quality paddle is well worth it for an all-around better experience.

Although there are some better paddles out there, we feel that the Vamo Explorer Carbon-Fiberglass paddle is a great option for all paddlers. It bridges the gap between quality and affordability and is fully adjustable, so it will work for every member of your family. At 20.8 oz, it’s relatively lightweight, and the blend of carbon and fiberglass ensures that it’s reliably durable.

If you’re interested in exploring other paddle options, our review of the Best SUP Paddles has some great choices, ranging from $35 to $325.

HOTO Air Pump Master

Inflatable stand up paddleboards are incredible. They’re affordable, they’re easy to travel with and transport, and they take up minimal space when they’re packed away. The only downside? Inflating them.

Most iSUPs come with a hand pump, and while they get the job done, they take a lot of work. Once you upgrade to an electric pump, you’ll never look back. Electric pumps are a game-changer. You simply plug them in, and they fully inflate your board while you get suited up and ready to go.

There are lots of electric pumps out there, but we’re big fans of the HOTO Air Pump Master. It’s easy to use and efficient, so it quickly inflates your board. It comes with lots of different attachments so you can use it for all kinds of things like inflating your tires, sports balls, air mattresses, etc.

Onyx M-16 Inflatable PFD Belt

As with any sport, safety should be a priority when stand up paddling. Paddling with a PFD, or personal flotation device, is always a good idea, just in case you find yourself separated from your board or in a dangerous situation. In fact, many harbors and lakes require you to wear a PFD while paddling.

Life jackets can be big and cumbersome to paddle in, so a belt-style PFD is our preference. The Onyx PFD Belt is incredibly lightweight and low profile; you hardly even notice it’s there. Like the name suggests, you simply wear it around your waist like a belt.

If you wish to inflate it, you simply pull the manual pull cord, and it inflates on its own, providing up to 17 pounds of buoyancy. If you need a little extra buoyancy, you can use the oral inflation tube to achieve up to 26.5 pounds of buoyancy. If you’re someone who enjoys paddling with your pup on board, it’s always a good idea to suit them up with a PFD as well. We also love the Onyx Pet Life Vest for furry friends – it’s incredibly affordable and comes in four different sizes, so it’s easy to find the perfect fit.

Apparel

Patagonia Hi-Loft Nano Puff

Most people associate stand up paddling with swimsuits and summer, but it can be a year-round sport. If you dress for it. When the temperatures drop, we like to bundle up in a cozy puffer jacket for our paddles.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a better puffer than the new Hi-Loft Nano Puff Insulated Hoody from Patagonia. The Nano Puff is windproof, water-resistant, and seriously insulated, making it a great pick for chilly paddles. Featuring synthetic insulation, it keeps you warm even if it gets a little damp. And, if you find you’re overdressed, the Nano Puff is easy to stuff into a backpack until you need it.

Free Fly Lightweight Hoodie

If you’re paddling somewhere sunny, a sun shirt is an essential piece of paddling gear. It will help keep your skin protected from harmful UV rays and can add a tiny bit of warmth on chilly days.

A sun shirt we love is the Free Fly Lightweight Hoody. As the name suggests, it’s lightweight and breathable as well as quick-drying and moisture-wicking. It also has UPF 2o protection paired with a hood and finger holes for maximum coverage. If the Lightweight Hoody doesn’t suit your style, take a look at some of our other favorites in The Best Sun Shirts of 2025.

CHECK Men's PRICE ON REI CHECK Women's PRICE ON REI

Melin A-Game Hydro Hat

We spend a lot of time outside, so anytime we’re out in the water, we do our best to protect ourselves from the sun. In addition to lathering on some SPF, whenever we gear up to go paddling, a hat is always an item we’re packing.

There are so many hats to choose from, but a brand that we keep coming back to is Melin. The quality of their hats sits head and shoulders above the rest, and they fare well in the water. For paddling, we love the A-Game Hydro. It’s breathable, sweat and water-repellent, and it’s designed to float.

If Melin isn’t your style, we have tested lots of other tried and true options. The Best Surf Hats (That Will Stay Put) has lots of styles we love, and they work just as well for paddling as they do for surfing.

Costa Polarized Sunglasses

When you’re on the water, sunglasses are a must. Scratch that, polarized sunglasses are essential. Not only do they protect your eyes from the sun, but polarized shades work to reduce glare by reflecting off the water’s surface. Additionally, they allow you to see through the water more easily so you can spot marine life and any underwater hazards.

There are tons of sunglasses to choose from, but we love the Costa Victoria sunglasses for women and the Costa Pescador sunglasses for men. A part of Costa’s Untangled collection, both are made from recycled fishing nets, helping to reduce ocean waste and protect marine life. They’re also stylish and comfortable, making them perfect for paddling. For more options, check out our guide to The Best Beach Sunglasses.

Shop Pescador Shop Victoria

Fun Extras

Nocqua Spectrum P2 Lighting System

Although we typically paddle during the day, there’s something special to be said about paddling after hours. The crowds have calmed, the waters have stilled, and everything is quiet. It’s magical.

If you paddle at night, you’ll want some sort of lighting system – both for your safety and for the chance to spot unique marine life. We’re big fans of the Nocqua Spectrum P2 Lighting System. The lights strap onto the bottom of your SUP or kayak, and you can use classic white light or cycle through different colors. The rechargeable lights last 3.5-6 hours, providing ample time to paddle.

When using your lighting system, be sure and keep your eyes peeled as you’re bound to spot some exciting marine life as they are attracted to the light. We’ve been lucky enough to see a variety of fish and rays while paddling with our lighting system!

YETI Panga Waterproof Backpack

While it can be nice to “paddle naked” from time to time (aka free from any extra gear or equipment), it’s also nice to pack some items on occasion. Having a dry bag or backpack is a game-changer when paddling, as it allows you to bring your phone, a jacket, or really anything you might desire during your time on the water without fear of it getting wet and ruined.

We’re big fans of the YETI Panga Waterproof Pack. It’s spacious, insanely durable, 100% waterproof, and has lots of attachment points for extra gear. A backpack is ideal for paddling because you have the option to wear it while you paddle or store it on your board. We also love the Hopper Flip Soft Cooler for storing drinks and snacks, whether while on the water or stashed away in the car for a post paddle refreshment.

If the Panga isn’t for you, our guide to The Best Surf Backpacks has some other great options that work well for both surfing and paddling.

Garmin Descent G2 Watch

Tracking your workouts can become a bit of an obsession. Even if you’re just paddling for fun, it’s cool to know how far you paddled, your pace, etc.

If you’re looking to track your paddles, Garmin is the way to go. And the Garmin Descent G2 watch is an awesome option. It’ll give you more statistics than you ever wanted to know, and it has a compatible app where you can keep track of everything.

Aside from paddling, the Descent G2 works for essentially any fitness activity, gives health snapshots, VO2 max readings, wrist-based heart rate, daily suggested workouts, and it’s even Surfline Sessions compatible for all you surfers out there. Additionally, the Descent G2 was built for diving, so it’s a full dive computer as well, making it an awesome all-around smartwatch.

Related: Best Stand Up Paddle Boards | Best Inflatable Paddle Boards | The Best SUP Paddles | The Best Lifejackets for Paddleboarding | More Paddle Gear Reviews

Editor’s Note: For the most recent gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.