20 Best Hard Shell Paddle Board (2023 Updated)

Freight company called to schedule delivery when home which was nice. When they boards arrived the packaging was very beat up and the hole in one package showed damage to the paddle board. It was scuffed pretty badly but not completely through.

The second paddle board was not harmed but it’s packaging indicated a rough ride. We decided the damage would not effect its performance and we would keep it with the cosmetic defect. We took the paddle boards out and were absolutely thrilled with them.

The paddle boards are heavy and glide smoothly over our pond’s water. The fins snap in place for use and then snap back for storage. The cushion on the paddle board makes for stable footing and confident smooth paddling.

We are completely satisfied with the paddle boards but the shipping was not good!.

I’m relatively new to paddleboarding and this is the first hard/ solid board I’ve bought. I have a few inflatable boards that I really like, but I wanted this one thinking it will be simpler not to have to inflate/ deflate at the lake; and thinking I’d like a board that will perform for many years without the worry of having to patch it.

I did a lot of research and Isle boards are very highly rated, most of the reviews of this board are five stars. The board arrived in a damaged box (holes/ tears, a footprint on the word “fragile” on the box), but was very well packaged and the board was undamaged.

I wanted to take it out for a paddle before I reviewed it and now I have been to the lake with it twice. I love how light this board is. The board also tracks well in the water and rides smooth. The surface of the board is nice and soft, but shows damage and wear very easily.

After two trips out, the cover is already showing tears, dings, and damage. The board also sits really low in the water, the sides are completely submerged when I stand on it. I’m a 5’6″, 140 lb woman, and I don’t carry a lot of stuff on the board.

I’m not sure if this is typical of all solid boards, but it’s taking some getting used to since my inflatables sit light on top of the water. Because of the way it sits down in the water, it feels unstable and there’s not a lot of room to move around.

I would not try to do yoga on this board, for example, and I would not attempt to take a dog with me on the board. For convenience/ ease of transport, I would give this board very high marks. It’s relatively easy to maneuver in the water.

I’m rating it lower due to the sinking feeling I get standing and sitting on the board in the water, and to the poor quality of the cover. I don’t see this board lasting many years. A paddleboard is a big investment for me and at this price, I am disappointed in the overall quality.

We are newbies to the SUP life, but we’re inspired when my sister bought 2 of these boards so we got some for ourselves. With a small vehicle and one bedroom apartment, these are great. The bags fit in a closet to store and the trunk to transport.

Manually inflating them is not too bad for my husband, but it is quite a workout for me. So we got the electric pump so he doesn’t have to do both! It works great. He can inflate one manually in about the same time, but it couldn’t be simpler to set up and it helps us get on the water quicker.

It is a little louder than I expected, so if it’s a particularly serene lake, others around might not appreciate the electric pump as much. but it doesn’t take too long. The boards have been great. We would definitely purchase again.

If you are storing in the bag I would recommend waiting 30 min or so to deflate and put them away so the top part dries off completely. Otherwise it stays damp and could probably get a little funky in a dark, warm closet.

The boards did have a pretty strong plastic smell in the beginning, but either we are getting used to it or it’s fading. Just something to be aware of if you’re storing them inside or need to let them dry out in your living room like us.

Outside I didn’t notice it. We have run aground a couple of times on rocky bottom and gotten the fin somewhat stuck, but it seems very sturdy, with no visible damage. Great investment for active outdoor fun.

This was my first time purchasing an inflatable paddleboard. I had currently only owned a hard board which had always been my preference. I ordered the Isle board after seeing a really good deal for the inflatable Pioneer, plus Isle is a reputable company that has been around for a good while and knows what they are doing with paddle boards.

Yes, there are cheaper options out there, but when investing in something that you will be using for hopefully a good while and want it to last then you go with a company that knows their stuff and that you can trust.

The board is built very well with the paddler in mind. It is pretty rugged but has a calm and elegant look and feel to it. The package came with everything you could need: paddle, hand pump, fin, and a pack to carry it all in (even if it’s just to stow in the trunk of your car).

Quick and easy setup to inflate and deflate to put away when done. I really like that it floats very well and is comfy for the little ones to ride on with me. Going from a hard board to an inflatable is a little bit of an adjustment but worth the transition.

I’ll still use my hard board as well but the Pioneer inflatable is a great option to have whenever I feel the urge to paddle. Plus it’s always good knowing it was built well and I can trust how it was made.

Cheers!.

Context of review – I’m 6’4″, 190 lbs and use the board for fishing the grass flats in the Gulf of Mexico several times a week. I swapped out the main center fin that comes with it for 4 of the side-bite fins for shallower drafting.

I’ve previously had inflatable boards so comparing performance to that. Pros: – Performance – The hull cuts through chop and wind very nicely. It glides well and tracks straight. I think it would track straighter with the larger center fin, but I’m not willing to give up the drafting depth.

– Stability – Plenty stable. No concerns here. – Gatorshell – This stuff seems legit. It’s been very resilient to scuffs/bumps. – Accessories/Layout – I really like the two sand spear thru-hulls for anchoring in any direction in wind/current.

I made my own sand spears out of 3/4″ PVC super cheap and they fit into the velcro holders fine. The two sets of receivers for racks are nice too. Again, I just used PVC and made my own rod holder rack for ~$10.

– Transportation – The board is easy to carry with the center handle. I have a regular-bed Tacoma and am able to transport no problems (although I had to add some d-rings in the front of my bed for tieing down the nose of the board) Cons: EVA Foam – The Silver King board has this cross-hatch pattern cut into the rear deck foam.

After my 3rd trip out, I noticed that one of the diamond pieces of foam came off and another was peeling off. Several around the edge had also fallen off. See pics. Warranty – While overall, their support and warranty folks were very responsive and good to work with, I was very frustrated to have a brand new board with spots falling off my deck foam.

I filed a warranty complaint simply asking for some of the black foam to replace the piece that came off (probably $5 in materials). They were very generous and offered a $100 gift card to their store for my troubles, but didn’t have the replacement foam to fix it.

They suggested I track down their suppliers, find the right part, order it myself and then they may consider doing a partial refund. The board had been out 3 times and this was under warranty. Flat out – it should have been covered – no questions asked.

Paddle – The paddle is very nice, lightweight, has an awesome design on it and is very rigid. I’m putting it in the cons section for 2 reasons. First and foremost, this is BOTE’s flagship board meant to support big people.

The paddle is too short for someone who’s 6’4″ unless you extend it beyond the “STOP” point and risk breakage. Second, it’s a two-piece paddle. While the joint is very sturdy and doesn’t slip/spin like cheaper paddles, you’ve got this joint piece right about where your lower hand goes.

Net, if I’m going to spend $2000 for a paddle board and get this awesomely decorated paddle design to match my board, I’d like to have the option to get one that fits my height vs. buy a completely new paddle.

I was in the market for an inflatable kayak that would be sturdy enough to tour with while bringing my 60 pound pup (who loves to rock the bote), occasionally fish from, and occasionally pack with gear to camp tour.

I had not even considered a SUP, but I am so glad that we found this bote. The Great: The inflatable seat is comfortable for paddling; I was worried about the lack of foot pegs when paddling, but it wasn’t an issue at all with the shape of this seat.

The stability of this board cannot be understated. I frequently stand up to get to the front or back of the board and my pup jumps off and then climbs back on. When I’m out with my partner, I’m also fishing from this board.

I feel less likely to capsize in this than I have in other inflatable kayaks. I like that there is enough space to bring gear (coolers/ dry bags/ fishing gear/ lots of space). I also purchased the Apex pedal drive and rudder combo\– I feel like I get decent speed and steer control with the pedals and rudder.

This has also really helped me out in extreme currents or wind. I love the duality of this board. I wanted a kayak, but every once in a while, I go out SUPing with friends, and can do both with this.

Lastly, I specifically wanted an inflatable to come with me while traveling (generally van camping). While I wouldn’t call this super compact, it’s really cool that I can fit this deflated board and accessories in a car trunk.

The inflatable & pedal drive was a game changer for me, and a huge reason I purchased this board. The Bad: This is heavy and bulky when fully inflated (~45 pounds, wide, and nearly 12. 5 ft long without accessories) From a dock, two people are needed to lift and place this into the water (this isn’t as much of an issue when you slide into the water from the shore).

Even when using as a standard SUP (no accessories), to get this from my car to the shore, I need to use a cart. I am 5’3” and cannot grab the middle handle of the board because my arm is not long enough to hold this under my arm and reach the center grab handle (e.

g. how you picture carrying a paddle-board). Even though this is an inflatable, it takes up a lot of space (it’s bigger and sturdier than other inflatables). This is OK for me, but is important for some folks to know.

The provided seat is not great for pedaling. Because your hips and knees are virtually in alignment while you are pedaling with the pedal drive, your core is engaged (more so than riding a bike). Thus I push on the seat back more when pedaling than when paddling and the adjustable seat straps slide (to looser position).

I end up in a nearly laying-back (flat) position when pedaling. I plan to purchase an aftermarket kayak seat to rectify this. The pedal drive cannot be used in shallow water. When pedaling over rocks or branches (like through the mangrove branches), the pedal drive will catch.

It is not flexible and doesn’t bend out of the way. The only way to get through shallow waters is to pull the pedal drive up and out of the water, which also leads to another con. The propeller (which sits in the water and is attached to the pedals) is extremely difficult to remove while sitting on the board in the water.

I’ve had to get into the water and push up from underneath to push this up out of the water onto the bote. To remedy this, I’ve started using a fabric strap that lays under the port cover, so that when I need to take the propeller out, I can pull up on the strap from my seat on the board.

Overall, for my general use I am extremely pleased with this inflatable SUP. It checks all of the boxes that I wanted to use this for and then some; and all of the cons are things that I’ve been able to modify/ work with.

Received item in safe condition. Packaging was excellent. First impressions loved the colors (moss/sun) I’ve actually gotten several compliments on it. The decking material I was not sure about but more about that later.

Second impression was the quality control. There was a large stain in the middle of the decking (looks like someone might have spilled glue or something and tried to whip it off. The back a small gouge into the decking, that looked replaced but was still noticeable.

Bummed about those two things but not enough for the hassle of shipping back and receiving another. Now on the water, THIS THING IS A DREAM. Took it on the river handled light rapids with a breeze, super rigid, super stable, handling is excellent for the size I was able to paddle around multiple large boulders without a problem in fast water.

The decking material grew on me as it wicks water away and soaks up a little which gives it a cool look. Very soft not sure how it will hold up time will tell. I would like to see metal tie down points instead of plastic.

Overall I definitely recommend this board but the those two blemishes were a bummer.

This was our first inflatable upgrade from prior Isle hard deck boards. Blown away ( pun intended ) with the quality, ease of use, stability, rigidity, comfort, tracking, and modularity. As this was our first inflatable, it definitely will not be our last.

D ring placement, storage options, fin placement, valve build quality etc. all extremely impressive. Add to this the price point for the package and there is no greater value in the inflatable SUP segment.

Just buy two or more…. stop searching elsewhere! Only downside in my opinion is that there are presently not enough “masculine” color schemes or patterns as in Atoll or Blackfin competitors and this may be a current miss by Isle but otherwise far and beyond the leaders and the only company in the segment that my family supports based on value, quality, and customer support.

I absolutely love the size & design of this board – it’s big enough for my dog or tandem riding, but also perfect for a little solo joy ride on the water! I’ve taken it out 6 times since I received it a little under a month ago.

I’m really crazy about cleaning and packing up my board properly after every use to increase its longevity. However, after less than a month of use I’ve noticed some ripping fabric on the middle handle and some fabric splitting underneath that same handle, and have noticed how easily the board stains (top & bottom).

The removal fin can sometimes be difficult to attach, and I’ve lost it in the water once already (thankfully I was able to locate it and not lose it for good, but it is something I’m now worried about each time I unpack and setup to go on the water).

Overall, I really love this board, but I’m not yet quite sure how well this board will hold up over time.

I did a lot of research and settled on the Rackham Aero 11 No Quarter limited edition. Bought it specifically to fish in the Florida Keys. It’s marketed as THE Cadillac of fishing SUPs. For the most part it is Overall I’m happy with my purchase.

A few minor complaints: first, it’s horrible in windy conditions. It’s heavy and has a very bulky profile to make it stable so it’s almost un-usable in moderate wind. It feels like you’re paddling a box not a board.

Second the recessed floor, while conceptually a great idea, doesn’t work well in anything but perfect conditions. When water gets over the side (and it will get over the side) it just sits there and doesn’t drain well making the board even heavier and clunkier.

The sandspear is great, but it doesn’t float which is mindboggling. When fishing in mangroves things get knocked around and I had to swim for it. Would have been nice to make it float After spending over $1500 for the board and accessories my expectations were set pretty high.

Overall it didn’t disappoint, but it also left some things to be desired: I love all the accessories, I love the amount of space it has. I love the look and the absolutely high quality build materials.

I love it. Would I buy this model again? Not sure. I might go with the HD or Flood to avoid the water pooling issue and hope for some more steamlined paddling. Bote is a great company, great customer service and it really is a quality product.

I wish I had the chance to compare this to the other models to see which I like better. I would buy a Bote again, just if you’re considering a Rackham, know the limitations.

Kayaking is one of my favorite things to to in summer. Too bad is about to be over. I adore Pelican sporting goods. These kayaks are confortable, lightweight easy to carry and very portable. Colors are a little for kids or beginners but nothing you can not chance by switching to another model.

Had to get this one for someone else as well. They loved it so did I.

We bought two of these less than a week ago and already are loving them! There were several reasons why we chose paddle boards, one being just for fun. (We’ve kayaked in the past, so have some paddling experience.

) We’ve watched a ton of videos to learn tips and tricks about SUPing, which helped, but the best part was getting out there and trying it. It’s sure good for laughs, and some muscles complained the first time out, but it’s worth it.

Being able to sit with legs out, cross-legged, kneeling or (haha) standing (we’ll get there!) is so helpful to get comfortable. Even just laying down and relaxing is great. We made some carry handles (for the front and back ends) with para-cord and pieces of doweling so we could each have 20lbs to a side and carry them together.

Much easier than all 40lbs on your own (awkwardly) if going for any (long) distance to the water. It’s not a lot of weight until carrying something that long/wide. (It does have handles on each side, and a pocket handle in the middle to carry it on your own for short distances.

) BEST water “play” purchase ever! Extra nice that they fit in the back window of the vehicle and we don’t have to use the roof racks. Highly recommended!.

I bought this board for my mom for Christmas. She has never paddleboarded before and she loves it! It has a nice wide platform to stand on and doesn’t tip easy. It also has a nice grip to the standing surface.

Everyone in my family has tried it and didn’t have any issues with it. Weight ranged from 125lbs to 250lbs. These people giving it one star ONLY because it is heavy is ridiculous. Yes it does take two people to carry, but it is a well built sturdy board.

I had an inflatable paddleboard that popped. I like the construction of this plastic one so much better. Its wider so it is much more stable. I can comfortably take my dog on with me without always feeling where going to fall off from his movements.

The carry handle in the middle makes it easier to carry even though it does weigh a little more than typical boards. The fins fold up for storage without having to take them all the way off so theres no risk of misplacing then which is also a nice feature.

The freight shipping was also quick and very reasonably priced compared to other retailers. Lifetime makes really good quality outdoor toys. I would definitely recommend this paddle board.

I received the Glider as a Christmas present this past December. It was an amazing surprise in the middle of the pandemic! I am an experienced paddler who rented for a few seasons and then purchased a used inflatable that had been serving me quite well for several more seasons.

My family surprised me with this beautiful board knowing that I was ready to move up to a solid board. I couldn’t wait to try my new board out, so I took it out on the reservoir near my northern NJ home as soon as possible, which was in March.

Boy, was it cold! I saw immediately what people were saying about the board sitting low in the water (especially compared to my inflatable). My feet were wet and freezing within a few minutes. I put the board away and gave it another try in May, when the water was much warmer.

I’m super happy with the length, weight, pop-up handle, and beautiful appearance of the Glider. The colors are so pretty! I have the green board. It’s definitely more wiggly than my inflatable, meaning that my legs get more of a workout.

It took me a few outings to get really comfortable with the movement of the board under foot, but now I’m totally comfortable and happy with my Glider. It came with a paddle, which I used about 10 times before it started slipping, meaning that the top, adjustable section slips down into the handle and won’t stay put.

Luckily I have another paddle that I’m able to use.

IšverstiShow in original languageI ordered in July and got it a month later. False advertising on the shipping wait. Don’t know if it was due to Lifetime or the frieght company used. It took 3 weeks to get it straighten out and they ended up reordering it and sending it with a different freight company.

Then, I got it with 5 days. Was only able to use it a couple of times before the end of summer. Bummer. Hoping it will store well in the garage for the winter and be ready to use in June. The board seemed well built and a lot lighter to carry than I thought it would be.

My husband thought the fin came dislodged once, but couldn’t be sure. Not sure if it wasn’t locked in place. I can see how it could come loose. Will cross my fingers it doesn’t become a problem. The paddle that came with it got water in it and wasn’t sure how it got in.

Note: I am new to paddle boarding. I bought this as it was the only non inflatable board at the time. It is a decent board, a bit difficult to balance standing up. It DEFINTELY sags in the middle as other reviews suggest.

I weigh 170 and I felt the dip in the middle. It glides well in the water and steers easily. I was hoping to take my dog out on it; however, it is not stable enough for that. For the price, it is a decent board and we’ll have fun with it regardless.

I bought this paddleboard after returning an inflatable one that had a tear in it (from Amazon not dicks). I decided on the hard shell to make sure tears in an inflatable wouldn’t be an issue again. I took my new board down the river and it handled great.

Very easy to navigate and very sturdy. I carried it by hand and it was a little heavy since we had a bit of a walk from the parking lot to the river. I’m going to get the carrying straps next time. I would definitely recommend this board and can’t wait to take it put again.

Used for 1 hour and ended up returning it. As other reviews say, the platform bubbles out and steering is poor. Tends to turn a 45 degree angle with 1 or 2 paddle strokes, which is certainly less than optimal.

Also, I am 170 pounds and felt the board buckle under me a few times when the weight limit is supposedly 230 pounds.