MY BEST PADDLE BOARD 400 lb CAPACITY
- 400 lb – BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: Atoll 11′
- 400 lb – BEST FOR BEGINNERS: Glide Retro 10’6
- 435 lb – TOP-RATED ALL-AROUNDER: iRocker All-Around 11′
- 485 lb – BEST FOR TOURING/FISHING: BLACKFIN Model V
- 485 lb – BEST STABILITY: GILI Meno 11’6
COMPARISON OF MY 400+ lb CAPACITY PADDLE BOARDS
| PRODUCT | PRICE RANGE | MAIN USE | DIMENSIONS | WEIGHT | CAPACITY | COMES WITH | REVIEW | SHOP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT Atoll 11′ |
Medium | All-around |
11’x32’’x6” |
21 lbs |
400 lbs |
– Backpack – Adjustable paddle – Dual-action pump – Fin – Ankle leash – Repair kit |
Jump to Review |
Check Price on AtollBoards.com |
BEST FOR BEGINNERS Glide Retro 10’6 |
High | All-around |
10’6″x33.5″x6” |
23 lbs |
400 lbs |
– Wheeled backpack – Pump – Paddle – Fin – Leash – Repair Kit – Kayak sea – Carry strap |
Jump to Review |
Check Price on GlideSUP.com |
TOP-RATED ALL-AROUNDER iRocker All-Around 11′ |
Medium | All-around |
10’x32”x6” |
24 lbs |
435 lbs |
– Carbon paddle – 2-chamber 3-action pump – Leash – Roller backpack – 3 fins – Repair kit |
Jump to Review |
Check Price on iRockerSUP.com |
BEST FOR TOURING/FISHING BLACKFIN Model V |
High | Touring | 12’6x32”x6” |
30 lbs |
485 lbs |
– Carbon shaft paddle – Roller backpack – 2-chamber 3-action pump – Leash – 3 fins – Repair kit |
Jump to Review |
Check Price on iRockerSUP.com |
BEST STABILITY GILI Meno 11’6 |
High | All-around |
11’6x35″x6″ | 24 lbs | 485 lbs | – Carbon Fiber paddle – Wheeled backpack – 2-chamber 3-stage pump – Leash – 5 fins – Repair kit |
Jump to Review |
Check Price on GiliSports.com |
Contents
REVIEWS OF MY PADDLE BOARDS WITH 400+ lb CAPACITY
Atoll 11′
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT
| WHAT I LIKE | WHAT I DON’T LIKE |
|---|---|
| – Solid all-around performance – Lightweight – Good stability for how lightweight it is – Maintain a straight line without too much effort – Smooth glide – Comfortable and very grippy deck pad | – No rear bungee system – No front handle |
IDEAL CHOICE FOR:
- Heavier paddlers or ones who often bring a kid or a dog with them
- Beginners looking for a stable and easy to handle paddle board
- Paddlers who want to have a fun and relaxing paddling experience
GREAT IN/FOR:
- Flatwater
- Choppier water
- Ocean
- Slow rivers
QUICK SPECS
- Price range: Medium
- Main use: All-around
- Dimensions: 11’x32’’x6”
- Weight: 21 lbs
- Weight capacity: 400 lbs
- Comes with: Backpack, Adjustable paddle, Dual-action pump, Fin, Ankle leash, Repair kit
TODAY’S PRICE
Atoll 11′ Review
- GLIDE & SPEED
If you are looking for a fun and relaxing paddling experience, you will love the Atoll 11′. This board has a smooth glide and once it gets going, it can maintain its momentum.
- STABILITY
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.
- TRACKING
With this board, even if you are still new to this, you can maintain a straight line on the water without too much effort.
- MANEUVERABILITY
Because it is a lightweight paddle board, despite being 11′ long, it is still able to maneuver and easily perform step-back turns.
- PORTABILITY
Due to how lightweight the Atoll 11′ is, it is easy to carry on your back for a short walk or to and from the water using the center carry handle.
Unfortunately, it does not come with a front grab handle, so sharing the load with a friend is not easy.
- EASE OF INFLATION
Inflating this board using the kit hand pump takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
- ACCESSORIES
The Atoll 11′ includes everything you need to start having fun on the water.
Starting with the kit paddle, it has a fiberglass shaft and a nylon blade that makes it able to easily outperforms most other kit paddles in this lineup. Its weight of 29 oz makes it good for beginners and intermediate paddlers.
The hand pump you get is lightweight and compact but since the board is large, I would love to see a dual-chamber triple-action one instead of this.
The backpack has well-padded shoulder straps and a waist belt and enough room to accommodate everything inside.
Glide Retro 10’6
BEST FOR BEGINNERS
| WHAT I LIKE | WHAT I DON’T LIKE |
|---|---|
| – High stability – Very durable iSUP – Lightweight – Feels smooth through the water – A little faster than expected – Fun colors – Deck pad covers the board’s full length – Fairly comfortable to move around on – Comes with a kayak conversion seat and a carry strap – The kit paddle feels sturdy in the hands – Comes with a very sturdy wheeled backpack | – Limited storage area – No rear bungee system – The extra width makes it harder to execute perfectly vertical strokes – Deck pad can get slippery due to no grooves – No extra blade when you are on the kayak mode – The kit hand pump is just a single-chamber one |
IDEAL CHOICE FOR:
- Beginners seeking extra stability on the water
- Paddlers looking for a SUP board with a high weight capacity
- Fitness people looking to practice moves on the water
GREAT IN/FOR:
- Flatwater
- Small waves
- Light ocean
- Onboard fitness
QUICK SPECS
- Price range: High
- Main use: All-around
- Dimensions: 10’6″x33.5″x6”
- Weight: 23 lbs
- Weight capacity: 400 lbs
- Comes with: Wheeled backpack, Pump, Paddle, Fin, Leash, Repair Kit, Kayak seat, Carry strap
TODAY’S PRICE
Glide Retro 10’6 Review
- GLIDE & SPEED
This SUP board is not the fastest because it’s an all-around SUP board but it’s a little faster than we expected and it feels smooth through the water.
- STABILITY
I can say that the Glide Retro 10’6 is amongst my best stable paddle boards. It is ideal to have fun on the water.
- TRACKING
Tracking on the Glide Retro 10’6 is not the best and this is due to its width which makes it difficult to execute perfectly vertical strokes.
- MANEUVERABILITY
Due to its length, which is a bit shorter than others all around, it is efficient at turning and easy to execute the step-back spin on.
- PORTABILITY
Glide Retro 10’6 is a lightweight paddle board that is easy to transport using the kit carry strap and carry handles.
Packed in its backpack with the accessories is also easy due to the bag’s comfortable straps or durable wheels.
- EASE OF INFLATION
Using the kit hand pump, inflating this inflatable paddleboard to 15 PSI takes around 5 to 10 minutes.
- ACCESSORIES
The Glide Retro 10’6 comes with everything needed to start having fun on the water.
Starting with the paddle, it is not the lightest because it combines fiberglass and plastic but it feels sturdy in the hands.
For the kit hand pump, it is a single-chamber one that is light and does not take up much space in the bag but a dual-chamber triple-action hand pump would be more efficient.
The bag you get with this board is very sturdy and has a big exterior pocket to store your hand pump and the other little gear.
The other thing I liked about it is that even though the paddleboard is lightweight, you still have wheels at the bottom to roll it with a single hand like a suitcase.
iRocker All-Around 11′
TOP-RATED ALL-AROUNDER
| WHAT I LIKE | WHAT I DON’T LIKE |
|---|---|
| – Feels solid – High weight capacity – Durable construction – Steady in boat waves – Fairly easy to maintain a straight line – Glides nicely through the water – Lightweight, but not too much – Plenty of useful features and cargo space – Comes with a lightweight carbon paddle – Stiff when fully inflated – Priced pretty fair – Great maneuverability | – Just move the rear action mounts more to the sides – The bag’s solid bottom hurt the hip when walking |
IDEAL CHOICE FOR:
- Taller and heavier paddlers
- Paddlers looking for a top-rated all-around paddle board
- Beginners and intermediate paddlers looking for a stable SUP board
- Paddlers seeking a SUP board that can be loaded with all kinds of accessories
GREAT IN/FOR:
- Flatwater
- Ocean
- Small wave SUP surfing
QUICK SPECS
- Price range: Medium
- Main use: All-around
- Dimensions: 10’x32”x6”
- Weight: 24 lbs
- Weight capacity: 435 lbs
- Comes with: Carbon paddle, 2-chamber 3-action pump, Leash, Roller backpack, 3 fins, Repair kit
TODAY’S PRICE
iRocker All-Around 11′ Review
- GLIDE & SPEED
In terms of glide, the iRocker All-Around 11′ performs above expectations for an all-around SUP board because it glides nicely on the water.
Compared to its other siblings from the same brand, it is faster than the iRocker All-Around 10′ and Cruiser but slightly slower than the Sport due to its wider width and extra weight.
- STABILITY
Stability is where this paddleboard excels, it is fantastic for beginners, whether small or big.
- TRACKING
The iRocker All-Around 11′ does a great job at keeping straight.
Compared to its other sibling, even though they have the same width, it is better than the iRocker All-Around 10’ due to the extra foot in length.
- MANEUVERABILITY
Because this board is lighter and have a 16’ tail, it is a great board for maneuvering around using simple turning technique or with advanced ones like the step-back.
- PORTABILITY
Transporting this SUP board once it’s inflated is easy and quick with the help of the three carrying handles but when it’s packed in the kit backpack, it becomes not the same because it is a little bit on the heavier side.
Fortunately, the backpack has built-in wheels to roll it like a suitcase, which is very helpful is some occasions.
- EASE OF INFLATION
Inflating the iRocker All-Around 11′ using the kit hand pump takes about 5 to 10 minutes depending on your size and fitness level.
- ACCESSORIES
The iRocker All-Around 11′ comes with everything needed (except the SUP life vest) to start having fun on the water.
Starting with the paddle, it is a carbon fiber shaft, nylon blade paddle that is good for a kit one compared to paddle boards in the same price range.
The two things to be aware of are that the simple pin lock mechanism twists a little bit and the colors tend to scrape off the paddle.
The kit hand pump is a great dual-chamber triple-action one that can inflate the board in about 5 to 10 minutes depending on you.
The backpack you get has built-in wheels that make transporting as a suitcase possible and they are placed in the front to not hurt your waist while walking.
You also get 3 detachable fins, an ankle leash, and a repair kit.
BLACKFIN Model V
BEST FOR TOURING/FISHING
| WHAT I LIKE | WHAT I DON’T LIKE |
|---|---|
| – A fast 32” wide SUP – Extremely stable – Heavy-duty construction – Great job of tracking straight – Comes with a fairly good paddle – Plenty of features like d-rings and mounts – Fairly effective hand pump – Wheeled SUP backpack | – Rear action mounts would be better moved more to the sides – Not the most maneuverable |
IDEAL CHOICE FOR:
- Paddlers looking for a SUP board with an extremely high weight capacity
- Intermediate and advanced paddlers looking for an exceptional fishing paddle board
- Adventurers looking for a faster touring paddle board
- Paddlers who often paddle with a dog or a kid on board
GREAT IN/FOR:
- Paddling around with friends
- Flatwater
- Ocean
- Fishing
QUICK SPECS
- Price Range: High
- Main use: Touring
- Dimensions: 12’6 x 32” x 6”
- Weight: 30 lbs
- Weight capacity: 485 lbs
- Comes with: Carbon shaft paddle, Roller backpack, 2-chamber 3-action pump, Leash, 3 fins, Repair kit
TODAY’S PRICE
BLACKFIN Model V Review
- GLIDE & SPEED
The BLACKFIN Model V is fairly efficient at gliding through the water due to its long waterline.
Compared to other SUP boards, it is the fastest one in the Blackfin lineup but a little bit slower than the Red Paddle Co 12’6 Sport.
- STABILITY
BLACKFIN Model V is very well in terms of stability and this is due to the construction quality and the carbon fiber reinforced rails that make it solid.
- TRACKING
Due to the fin setup and its long waterline, this board does a great job at keeping a straight line.
- MANEUVERABILITY
The BLACKFIN Model V is more difficult to turn and it is expected from its long waterline but it does perform above average with advanced turn techniques.
- PORTABILITY
Transporting this board inflated is easy using the three convenient and comfortable carry handles.
Transporting the package on the back is not easy, especially for long distances because the board alone weighs 30 lbs but the bag has built-in wheels that let you roll it with one hand like a suitcase.
- EASE OF INFLATION
I don’t know how many minutes you need to fully inflate this board using the kit hand pump but since you get a dual-chamber triple-action one I guess that it would take between 7 to 15 minutes depending on your size and fitness.
- ACCESSORIES
The BLACKFIN Model V packages include everything (except the life vest) you will need to start having fun on the water.
Starting with the paddle, it has a durable nylon blade and a lightweight carbon-fiber paddle shaft which makes it fairly good for a kit paddle. Unfortunately, it twists so slightly.
The hand pump you get is a dual-chamber triple-action one that is fairly effective and does not leave you out of breath if compared to other kit hand pumps.
For the kit bag, what I love about it is the built-in wheels that let you roll it for easy transport. It comes with many pouches, compartments, and a bungee system to store your belongings organized.
You also get an ankle leash, repair kit, and 3 fins.
GILI Meno 11’6
BEST STABILITY
| WHAT I LIKE | WHAT I DON’T LIKE |
|---|---|
| – high weight capacity – Very stable – Lightweight and fast when you consider its size – Durable – Includes different size fins – Plenty of accessories and great features – The company donates towards helping the ocean with every purchase – 2 sets of bungee tie-downs | – The small d-rings make removing the bungee cord harder – – |
IDEAL CHOICE FOR:
- Beginners seeking a very stable and easy to paddle SUP board
- Paddlers who often paddle with a kid or a pet
- Anglers who want to SUP fishing
- Paddlers looking for a SUP board with a high weight capacity but is still lightweight
- Big paddlers who look to feel stable on the water
GREAT IN/FOR:
- Flatwater
- Ocean bays
- SUP fishing
QUICK SPECS
- Price range: High
- Main use: All-around
- Dimensions: 11’6x35″x6″
- Weight: 24 lbs
- Weight capacity: 485 lbs
- Comes with: Carbon Fiber paddle, Wheeled backpack, 2-chamber 3-stage pump, Leash, 5 fins, Repair kit
TODAY’S PRICE
GILI Meno 11’6 Review
- GLIDE & SPEED
If you put in the effort, the GILI Meno 11’6 goes surprisingly fast through the water due to its long waterline and how lightweight it is.
What I also like is that it maintains its speed.
Compared to other SUP boards, it is faster than the BOTE HD but slightly slower than the Blackfin XL.
- STABILITY
Due to the construction quality, the high weight capacity, and how stiff this board is, despite being lightweight, it feels quite stable on the water even if you are a larger paddler.
- TRACKING
When you combine between9” distance/race fin and the side fins, the GILI Meno 11’6 tracks very well even in choppy water or if you paddle heavy.
- MANEUVERABILITY
This board is surprisingly maneuverable using the beginner and intermediate paddling moves.
- PORTABILITY
Carrying the GILI Meno 11’6 inflated to the water is easy and comfortable using the center carry handle because it is lightweight.
- EASE OF INFLATION
Inflating this inflatable paddle board using the kit hand pump takes about 7 minutes.
- ACCESSORIES
The GILI Meno 11’6 package includes more than you need to get to the water or what the other brands include in a standard kit.
Starting with the paddle, it uses a carbon shaft with a plastic handle that is attached really well.
For the hand pump, you get a dual-chamber triple-action one that works fairly well and has fairly comfortable grips.
The backpack has more than enough room, wheels that make transport easier, and well-padded handles and straps.
You also get a repair kit, ankle leash, and 5 fins (3 centers and 2 for the sides).
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BET PADDLE BOARDS WITH 400+ lb CAPACITY
SOLID OR INFLATABLE
- Solid paddle boards are known to travel faster, smoother, and with less effort compared to inflatable paddle boards. Also, they feel stable in the water but they take up a lot of space to store and are harder to transport.
- Inflatable paddle boards are good if you live in a small apartment where you have limited storage space, or you do not like having to transport them on the roof of your car. They are also affordable, hikeable, and able to handle bumps up against rocks and logs.
VOLUME
The higher your SUP board volume is the more weight it can support.
If your total weight is near up more than the weight capacity of a board, I recommend you get a bigger paddler board to get better performance.
LENGTH
Since you are after a paddle board with 400+ lb weight capacity, I recommend at least 10’ in the board length.
WIDTH
The board width plays a huge role in its stability. The wider the board the more stable it is. But too wide boards make executing perfectly vertical strokes harder, which results in poor tracking.
FAQ
MY BEST PADDLE BOARD 400 lb CAPACITY ARE…
– 400 lb – BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: Atoll 11′
– 400 lb – BEST FOR BEGINNERS: Glide Retro 10’6
– 435 lb – TOP-RATED ALL-AROUNDER: iRocker All-Around 11′
– 485 lb – BEST FOR TOURING/FISHING: BLACKFIN Model V
– 485 lb – BEST STABILITY: GILI Meno 11’6
MY BEST AFFORDABLE PADDLEBOARD WITH A 400+ lb CAPACITY IS…
If you are looking for a high-weight capacity paddle board because you are a larger paddler or you often go with a dog, child, or plenty of gear but you are on a budget, I will recommend you the Glide Retro 10’6.
For just about $699, you get an inflatable paddle board that is very durable, lightweight, smooth on the water, a little faster than expected, and highly stable on the water, in a package that includes everything needed plus a kayak seat and a carry strap.
Updated on April 6, 2022 by Ben