Trent Hickman knows a thing or two about stand-up paddleboarding. He’s raced and toured on SUPs all over the world and owns Park City SUP, responsible for the beachy vibe at the Deer Valley snowmaking ponds where he offers instruction, demos, sales, kids camps, and SUP fitness classes. Considering Hickman’s wealth of SUP savvy, we asked him to help us address a question that every aspiring paddler eventually asks him- or herself: hard shell or inflatable?
Hard Shell
Pros
- Slice the water better, allowing the paddler to travel about 20 to 25 percent faster
Require less energy to move around on flat water
Hold their line better on the face of a wave
Just throw in the water and go—no pumping necessary
Cons
Large space requirements for both storage and transport
The epoxy shell can become damaged, causing the board to waterlog
Increased possibility of injuries in falls due to the harder deck or if you catch an edge (called a rail on a SUP) when going down
More expensive, ranging in price from $1,000 for an entry-level touring board to $4,800 for a carbon fiber SUP, not including the paddle
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Inflatable
Pros
A more durable choice for families with kids and dogs and for river SUPing
Most inflatable SUPs come with a storage bag with backpack straps, making them convenient to store and transport
A good-quality inflatable SUP—with pump, paddle, fin, leash, and storage sack—begins at about $500
Cons
Not as reactive or as efficient as a hardboard
Requires inflating and deflating every time you use it
Has parts, like the valve where the pump is inserted, that are susceptible to damage
Published in the 10 Great Summer Adventures issue of Park City Magazine.
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