BEST DOG PADDLE BOARDS
- BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: Honu Byron 10’6
- BEST INEXPENSIVE: Goosehill Sailor 10’6
- BEST ALL-AROUND: BLACKFIN Model XL
- BEST STABILITY: BOTE HD Aero 11’6
- BEST ULTRA COMPACT: Huntington G4 Ultra Compact
DOG PADDLE BOARDS COMPARISON
| PRODUCT | PRICE RANGE | MAIN USE | DIMENSIONS | WEIGHT | CAPACITY | COMES WITH | REVIEW | SHOP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT Honu Byron 10’6 |
High | All-around | 10’6 x 32″ x 4.72″ | 16.9 lbs | 250 lbs | – Wheeled backpack – 2-action pump – Fin – Leash – Repair kit – No paddle |
Jump to Review |
Check Price on HonuBoards.com |
BEST INEXPENSIVE Goosehill Sailor 10’6 |
Low | All-around | 10’6 x 32″ x 6″ |
20.5 lbs | 440 lbs |
– Aluminum paddle – Backpack – 1-Chamber 2-Action Pump – Fin – Leash – Repair kit |
Jump to Review |
Check Price on Amazon.com |
BEST ALL-AROUND BLACKFIN Model XL |
High | All-around | 11’6”x34”x6” |
29 lbs | 485 lbs |
– Carbon paddle – 2-chamber 3-action pump – Leash – Roller backpack – 3 fins – Repair kit |
Jump to Review |
Check Price on iRockerSUP.com |
BEST STABILITY BOTE HD Aero 11’6 |
High | All-around | 11′6″ x 34″ x 6″ |
30 lbs |
315 lbs |
– Backpack – Paddle – Pump – Fin – Rac receivers – Paddle sheath – Repair kit |
Jump to Review |
Check Price on BoteBoard.com |
BEST ULTRA COMPACT Huntington G4 Ultra Compact |
Medium | All-around | 9’6 x 32” x 6” |
18.75 lbs | 250 lbs |
– Carbon fiber paddle – 2-chamber 3-stage pump – Backpack – Leash – 2 fins – Repair kit |
Jump to Review |
Check Price on NixySports.com |
Contents
REVIEWS OF MY BEST DOG PADDLE BOARDS
Honu Byron 10’6
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT
| WHAT I LIKE | WHAT I DON’T LIKE |
|---|---|
| – Lightweight – Stable – Manoeuvrable in the water – Stiff – High-performance similar to a hardboard SUP – Easy to get up to a decent cruising speed – Ideal for traveling | – The front cargo area could be larger – Does not come with plenty of action mounts, d-rings, rod holders – |
IDEAL CHOICE FOR:
- Paddlers who value performance above all else
- People looking for a hardboard-like experience on an iSUP
- Beginner to intermediate paddlers looking for a versatile board
- Paddlers under 220 lb seeking a lightweight SUP board
GREAT IN/FOR:
- Flat-water
- Light surf
- Chop
- Ocean
QUICK SPECS
- Price range: High
- Main use: All-around
- Dimensions: 10’6 x 32″ x 4.72″
- Weight: 16.9 lbs
- Weight capacity: 250 lbs
- Comes with: Wheeled backpack, 2-action pump, Fin, Leash, Repair kit, No paddle
TODAY’S PRICE
Honu Byron 10’6 Review
- GLIDE & SPEED
The Honu Byron 10’6 doesn’t take much effort to glide through the water.
Compared to heavy all-around paddle boards, it is effortless to paddle and easy to get up to decent cruising speed because it is amongst the lightest paddle boards.
- STABILITY
Despite the 4.72″ thickness, due to its stiff construction, the lower center of gravity, and the 32” width, this board feels very stable for paddlers under 220 lbs.
If you are a heavier beginner paddler, I recommend you the Honu Fairlight 10’9 to feel more stable.
- TRACKING
Even for beginners with short arms, The Honu Byron 10’6 still keeps a reasonably straight line on the water while paddling.
- MANEUVERABILITY
Maneuverability is where this board excels.
Using casual turning techniques, you can easily change direction because of the 4.72″ thickness that let you connect more to the water, and thanks to the kick pad, you can quickly turn it with the stepback technique even if you are a beginner.
- PORTABILITY
Portability is another feature that makes this board more liked by many paddlers.
Weighing just 17 lbs, it can be easily carried on the back or roll it like a suitcase.
- EASE OF INFLATION
Using the kit hand pump, the Honu Byron 10’6 can be inflated to 15 PSI in under 7 minutes.
- ACCESSORIES
The Honu Byron 10’6 does not include the paddle in the package. Fortunately, you can get it at a discount if you bundle it.
Starting with the backpack, it has shoulder and chest straps to fit your size, sturdy handles, and two handles, ones on the top and one on the side.
Another thing that I liked about this board backpack is the back ID pocket that is handy for traveling.
Last but not least, the integrated wheels make pulling the bag to and from the water easier even for kids if they want to help you.
The kit hand pump is a single-chamber which makes it lightweight and does not add much more weight, has a built-in pressure gauge to know when to stop inflating, and most importantly it works great.
The other accessories are the well-cushioned ankle leash that swivels fully and a single fin that installs without the need for any extra tools.
Goosehill Sailor 10’6
BEST INEXPENSIVE
| WHAT I LIKE | WHAT I DON’T LIKE |
|---|---|
| – Excellent price for a complete package – Easy to ride – Lightweight and very easy to carry – Glides smoothly – Tracks better than expected for a similarly-shaped SUP board – Ultra stable – Super comfortable while paddling, sitting, or kneeling – Take very little effort to paddle forward, turn and maneuver | – No extra D-rings or back bungees |
IDEAL CHOICE FOR:
- Beginners who need something to learn on
- Sharing between family members
- Paddlers who already have their own SUP board and they need an extra one for family or friends to use
GREAT IN/FOR:
- Calmer water
QUICK SPECS
- Price range: Low
- Main use: All-around
- Dimensions: 10’6 x 32″ x 6″
- Weight: 20.5 lbs
- Weight capacity: 440 lbs
- Comes with: Aluminum paddle, Backpack, 1-Chamber 2-Action Pump, Fin, Leash, Repair kit
TODAY’S PRICE
Goosehill Sailor 10’6 Review
- GLIDE & SPEED
The Goosehill Sailor 10’6 glides smoothly. On calmer water bodies, you can easily paddle with no trouble.
For speed, it is certainly not the fastest board because it is designed for every paddler with an all-around purpose.
- STABILITY
Due to the nose and tail which do not taper too sharply and its width of 32″ that keeps along most of the board length makes this board ultra stable.
- TRACKING
With the help of the touring fin, the Goosehill Sailor 10’6 tracks better than expected from a 32″ paddle board.
- MANEUVERABILITY
Because this board is so lightweight, you can maneuver this board with very little effort.
- PORTABILITY
Inflated or packed into its backpack, carrying this board is very easy.
- EASE OF INFLATION
Using the kit paddle, you can inflate the Goosehill Sailor 10’6 in about 6 minutes to 15 PSI.
- ACCESSORIES
The Goosehill Sailor 10’6 comes with everything needed to start having fun on the water.
Starting with the paddle you get, it is extremely durable because the shaft is made of aluminum and the handle is made of sturdy plastic. Also, it feels good to use and is easy to store. Unfortunately, it remains quite heavy.
For the backpack, it fits the board if it is folded really well and feels very comfortable and fairly supportive when carrying on the back. Unfortunately, it does not have built-in wheels.
The included hand pump is a single-chamber one that is easy to use with a pressure gauge to know the current air pressure inside the board.
BLACKFIN Model XL
BEST ALL-AROUNDER
| WHAT I LIKE | WHAT I DON’T LIKE |
|---|---|
| – Stable – Versatile – Glides and tracks well – Heavy duty – High weight capacity – Plenty of action mounts, straps, mounts, and d-rings | – The kit hand pump does not have the deflation feature |
IDEAL CHOICE FOR:
- Paddlers looking for a versatile paddle board
- Paddlers who often went with a child, pet, or a lot of gear
- Fishing enthusiasts who want to fish on a SUP
- Beginners looking for a very stable paddle board
- Heavy paddlers over 200 lbs
GREAT IN/FOR:
- Flatwater
- Rivers
- Ocean
- Small wave SUP surfing
QUICK SPECS
- Price Range: High
- Main use: All-Around
- Dimensions: 11’6”x34”x6”
- Weight: 29 lbs
- Weight capacity: 485 lbs
- Comes with: Carbon paddle, 2-chamber 3-action pump, Leash, Roller backpack, 3 fins, repair kit
TODAY’S PRICE
BLACKFIN Model XL Review
- GLIDE & SPEED
The BLACKFIN Model XL glides well.
Even though it is not designed primarily with speed in mind, it did surprisingly well.
You can also increase speed by creating an edge after shifting your weight to one side for less drag while remaining stable even if you are still a beginner.
- STABILITY
This board is excelling when it comes to stability and this is possible due to its width of 34″ and its construction quality.
The board high stability let you feel safe and stable with your dog on board whether you are a beginner or an advanced paddler.
- TRACKING
The BLACKFIN Model XL tracks very well for an all-around paddle board, especially if you are a taller paddler.
- MANEUVERABILITY
The board length of 11’6″ makes it resist basic turning. But if you often turn using the step-back technique, you will like it because this board does a good job.
- PORTABILITY
Carrying the package on the back will not be easy because the board alone weighs 29 lbs.
Fortunately, the kit backpack has super smooth built-in wheels that make rolling the pack easy and nearly effortless.
- EASE OF INFLATION
I don’t know the exact time needed to fully inflate this board, but since it comes with a dual-chamber triple-action hand pump, I can say that you can finish the task in around 8-9 minutes without leaving you out of breath.
- ACCESSORIES
The BLACKFIN Model XL comes with everything needed to start having fun on the water along with your dog.
Starting with the paddle, it is really a very nice one for a kit paddle. It has a durable blade and a carbon-fiber shaft. Unfortunately, the paddle shaft still has a little twist to it.
The hand pump does not leave you out of breath and is fairly effective when you compare it to other kit pumps. Unfortunately, it does not have the deflating feature that is useful when you want to pack the board inside the backpack.
The kit backpack has plenty of features to store and organize your stuff, nice padding on the straps and back, and built-in wheels to easily roll it like a suitcase.
BOTE HD Aero 11’6
BEST STABILITY
| WHAT I LIKE | WHAT I DON’T LIKE |
|---|---|
| – Construction quality – Really very stable in most water conditions – High weight capacity – Innovative paddle sheath – Better than expected speed – Very stiff – Comes packed with features and accessories for the price – The backpack is made with high-quality materials – Really look excellent | – Comes with no ankle leash – The kit paddle is more on the entry-level – Keeping a straight line on the water is harder for paddlers with short arms – Requires intermediate paddle techniques to maneuver it – The backpack has no wheels |
IDEAL CHOICE FOR:
- Beginners seeking to be stable in almost all conditions
- Up to intermediate paddlers looking for a durable iSUP
- Big paddlers looking or ones who often paddle with a dog, kid, or plenty of gear
GREAT IN/FOR:
- Flatwater
- Ocean
- SUP fishing
QUICK SPECS
- Price range: High
- Main use: All-around
- Dimensions: 11′6″ x 34″ x 6″
- Weight: 30 lbs
- Weight capacity: 315 lbs
- Comes with: Backpack, Paddle, Pump, Fin, Rac receivers, Paddle sheath, Repair kit
TODAY’S PRICE
BOTE HD Aero 11’6 Review
- GLIDE & SPEED
Due to its long waterline and construction quality, the BOTE HD Aero 11’6 is not the fastest in its category but it still glides very well in the water.
- STABILITY
Stability is where this board shines, it is really very stable in most water conditions, which makes it a best rated paddle board for paddlers with a dog on board.
- TRACKING
The BOTE HD Aero 11’6 does not excel when it comes to keeping a straight line, especially for paddlers with short arms because its 34” width makes it harder to execute perfectly vertical strokes.
- MANEUVERABILITY
If you do not use intermediate paddle techniques, this board will not follow where you want it to go and this is a result of its big size.
Fortunately, the step back turning technique is fairly easy due to how wide the tail is and how the deck pad is extended to the rear.
- PORTABILITY
Carrying this board inflated to and from the water is not that hard with the front, middle, and rear handles
When everything is packed inside the backpack, the portability becomes not easy because the board alone is not lightweight and the possibility to roll the bag as a suitcase is not possible since it has no wheels.
- EASE OF INFLATION
Inflating the BOTE HD Aero 11’6 using the kit single-chamber hand pump needs about 10 minutes and it takes a fair amount of work.
- ACCESSORIES
The BOTE HD Aero 11’6 comes packed with accessories for the price.
Starting with the kit paddle, it is very durable but still more on the entry-level side of SUP paddles because it is slightly heavy.
Same thing with the hand pump, it is just a single-chamber one but it still gets the job done sufficiently.
The backpack you get does not have built-in wheels to roll it as a suitcase but it is made with high quality materials and feels relatively comfortable on the back.
Huntington G4 Ultra Compact
BEST ULTRA COMPACT
| WHAT I LIKE | WHAT I DON’T LIKE |
|---|---|
| – Extremely lightweight – Extremely easy to store – Maneuverable – Tracks very well – Stable even for beginners – Impressive included kit | – – – |
IDEAL CHOICE FOR:
- Paddlers looking for a travel-friendly paddle board
- Paddlers under 200 lbs
- If you are seeking a paddle board with the best SUP accessories
GREAT IN/FOR:
- Flat water
- Calm ocean
- Small wave SUP surfing
QUICK SPECS
- Price range: Medium
- Main use: All-around
- Dimensions: 9’6 x 32” x 6”
- Weight: 18.75 lbs
- Weight capacity: 250 lbs
- Comes with: Carbon fiber paddle, 2-chamber 3-stage pump, Backpack, Leash, 2 fins, Repair kit
TODAY’S PRICE
Huntington G4 Ultra-Compact Review
- GLIDE & SPEED
Due to how lightweight the Huntington G4 Ultra Compact is, it is easy to get up to speed but its top speed remains not the best due to its wider and shorter shape.
- STABILITY
This board is very stable. So if you are a larger paddler or you have a dog on board, you will have no problem maintaining your balance.
- TRACKING
Due to the two large fins at the bottom of this board, it keeps a straight line on the board much better than anticipated.
- MANEUVERABILITY
The Huntington G4 Ultra Compact is extremely maneuverable and this due to how extremely lightweight it is.
This board is agile enough to dodge most obstacles or others around you, all this while remains stable enough.
Using advanced techniques is the same as using beginner ones, this board is always easy to turn.
- PORTABILITY
This board takes portability to an entirely new level.
Due to how compact and lightweight it is, you can easily carry it on your back to hike or tavel with it.
- EASE OF INFLATION
I dont know the exact time to fully inflate this board using the kit hand pump but since it is a dual-chamber triple-action one it will be definilty easier for even smaller or lighter paddlers if you compare it to simple hand pumps.
- ACCESSORIES
The Huntington G4 Ultra Compact comes with everything needed to start having fun on the water with your dog.
Starting with the paddle, it is a Carbon fiber hybrid one that can fits small bags because it breaks down to four pieces instead one three.
The other things that I liked about it is its quality and firm connection.
For the hand pump, it is able to fully inflate the board even if you are a smaller or lighter person because it uses two chambers and has triple settings.
The backpack volume is much smaller to fit inside small cars trunks and is easy to carry. It comes also with a waist belt for added stability and transfer the weight from your back to your lower body.
The other little accessories your get includes an ankle leash, fins, and a repair kit.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST DOG PADDLE BOARD
STABILITY
To be stable on the water with your dog, it is better to choose a SUP board that is least 10″ long and 32′ wide.
CAPACITY
When you are choosing your best dog paddle board, make sure that the board weight capacity can support your weight and the weight of your dog and anything else you will bring with you.
Another thing to consider is that if your total weight is close to the board weight capacity, it is better to get a bigger paddle board to get better performance.
FAQ
MY BEST DOG PADDLE BOARDS ARE…
– BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: Honu Byron 10’6
– BEST INEXPENSIVE: Goosehill Sailor 10’6
– BEST ALL-AROUND: BLACKFIN Model XL
– BEST STABILITY: BOTE HD Aero 11’6
– BEST ULTRA COMPACT: Huntington G4 Ultra Compact
MY BEST AFFORDABLE DOG PADDLE BOARD IS…
If you are ona budget and you want to paddle with your dog, I will recommend you the Goosehill Sailor 10’6.
For just around $370, you get an affordable paddle board that is easy to ride, lightweight, tracks better than expected, and ultra stable.
Updated on April 4, 2022 by Ben
[…] The Atoll 11′ is steady to stand on, its 11’ length and 32’’ width plus the grippy deck pad gives it good stability, even if you have a dog on your paddle board. […]