Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Boards have always been known for their easy storage and transportation thanks to their ability to deflate and low weight. In recent years, several brands have fully embraced the idea of portability by creating some seriously compact iSUPs that travel even easier than “regular” iSUPs. With the advancement of materials and construction, these compact iSUPs are small enough to go anywhere with you (literally anywhere, even as carry-on luggage!) without sacrificing their performance characteristics.
We’ve tested and compared the top compact iSUPs available today and compiled this list of our favorites. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, so we categorize them based on what they are best for rather than ranking them against each other. Keep reading to see which compact travel iSUP is right for you!
Best Compact & Travel iSUPs Comparison Chart
| section-hd | Top Compact & Travel iSUPs |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOARD | DIMENSIONS | CAPACITY | WARRANTY | PRICE | |
| iRocker All Around 11’ Ultra | iRocker All Around 11’ Ultra
| 11'0" x 31" x 6" 21.6 pounds | 290 lbs | 3 years, 45-day return period | Read ReviewCheck Price |
| Isle Switch Compact Hybrid | Isle Switch Compact Hybrid
| 10’6” x 34" x 6" 18.6 pounds | 220 lbs | 5 years, 60-day return period | Read ReviewCheck Price |
| Blackfin XL Ultra | Blackfin XL Ultra
| 11'6" x 34" x 6" 23 pounds | 360 lbs | 3 years, 45-day return period | Read ReviewCheck Price |
| Red Paddle Co. Compact 12’ | Red Paddle Co. Compact 12’
| 12’0” x 32" x 4.7" 22.4 pounds | 265 lbs | 5 years, 30-day return period | Read ReviewCheck Best Price |
| Kokopelli Chasm-Lite | Kokopelli Chasm-Lite
| 10’0" x 30" x 6" 12.9 pounds | 250 lbs | Lifetime, 30-day return period | Read Review Check Price |
| iRocker Cruiser Ultra | iRocker Cruiser Ultra | 10'6" x 32" x 6" 21 pounds | 300 lbs | 3-years, 60-day return period | Read ReviewCheck Price |
iRocker All-Around 11’ Ultra: Best All-Around Compact iSUP
11’0” x 31” x 6” | 21.6 lbs
Bag Size: 21”x16”x10” | Kit Weight: 33.3 lbs
Read Full Review Here
The iRocker All-Around 11’ Ultra iSUP earns our pick for the Best All-Around Compact iSUP because it balances size, weight, stability, performance, and versatility in a highly affordable package.
iRocker uses woven drop stitching and a dual-layer lightweight PVC tarpaulin to keep the weight just under 22 lbs for this 11’ long, 31” wide iSUP. Those same advanced materials also make it incredibly stiff for its weight. When you combine that with the twin 9” fins you get a sleek, easy to transport, and high-performing paddleboard. It has many additional features like dual cargo areas, dual passenger handles, kayak seat compatibility, and multiple threaded accessory mounts. Just to top things off, it comes standard with iRocker’s excellent electric pump.
Bottom Line:The iRocker All-Around 11’ Ultra is a true all-around iSUP with great performance and value in a small package.
Isle Switch Compact Hybrid iSUP/Kayak: Most Versatile Compact Kit
10’6” x 34” x 6” | 18.6 lbs
Bag Size: TBD | Kit Weight: 33.6lbs
Read Full Review Here
The Isle Switch Compact is probably the most compact product on our list, considering that the full hybrid kayak kit and board fit into this relatively small backpack.
Isle has leaned hard into making paddle boards that not only double as kayaks but also work well as kayaks and include a full kayak conversion kit. The Isle Switch Compact uses Isle’s high-quality AirTech fusion PVC shell, woven drop stitch core, and heat-welded seams to create an extremely durable and lightweight full-size cruiser iSUP.
The Isle Link system lets you easily attach the included inflatable Cloud Kayak Seat and foot brace to convert the kayak into a sit-on-top kayak quickly. The Isle Remix carbon fiber paddle also includes a second blade for seated paddling.
All of this fits easily – and I do mean easily – into the included backpack. Isle also makes a PVC-Free version of the Switch Compact as part of their efforts to move toward more sustainable and environmentally-friendly products.
Bottom Line:The Isle Switch Compact is not only an ultralight compact iSUP, but is ready to convert to an inflatable kayak at a moment’s notice.
Blackfin XL Ultra: Best Compact SUP for Fishing and Larger Paddlers
11’6” x 34” x 6” | 23 lbs
Bag Size: TBD | Kit Weight: 33 lbs
Read Full Review Here
The Blackfin XL Ultra is the exact same size and shape as the top-rated Blackfin Model XL Fishing iSUP, so it’s no surprise that this lightweight and easily transported version is also our favorite compact for fishing!
In addition to the large size (11’6 x 34”), the Blackfin XL Ultra has a full set of fishing features and mounts. There are two Scotty-style mounts for a tackle rack, seven threaded accessory mounts, two sand-spear anchor loops, and 16 total D-rings.
The XL Ultra also has the highest weight capacity and largest overall size of any board on our list, making it a great option for taller and heavier paddlers looking for a high-quality compact iSUP.
Bottom Line:The Blackfin XL Ultra is the best compact fishing iSUP available, and a great choice for larger paddlers.
Red Paddle Co. Compact 12’ : Best Touring Compact iSUP
12’0” x 32” x 4.7” | 22.4 lbs
Bag Size: 22” x 16.5 x 12.5” | Kit Weight: 34 lbs
Read Full Review Here
Red Paddle Co. is known for their innovative designs, excellent construction quality, and high performance on the water. The Red Paddle Co. Compact 12’ takes advantage of all these to be the Best Compact iSUP for Touring.
There’s so much to say about the Red Paddle Co. Compact 12’ that I can’t fit it all here. The Compact 12’ is the longest board on our list and is the only one designed for long-distance, multi-day trips. The MSL Fusion construction with full-length stringers is lightweight and stiff, and the 4.7” thickness lowers your center of gravity for improved stability. The twin click-fins are easy to use (and customize with other fins as desired), and the included Titan II is one of the best hand pumps for speed, efficiency, and durability.
Bottom Line: If you need a compact travel iSUP and plan to get away from it all for a few days at a time, the Red Paddle Co. Compact 12’ is the ticket.
Kokopelli Chasm-Lite: Most Compact and Best for Hiking
10’0” x 30” x 6” | 12.9 lbs
Bag Size: 22” x 14” x 10.5” | Kit Weight: 20.2 lbs
Read Full Review Here
Think of a compact iSUP. Now, think smaller and lighter. Now you have the Kokopelli Chasm-Lite. The Chasm-Lite is the lightest, most compact iSUP available today and is the best choice for hiking to those picturesque mountain lakes.
The Kokopelli Chasm-Lite draws from a long pedigree of high-performance packrafts and blends it with modern lightweight drop stitch materials to create the near-impossibly light (12.9 lbs) iSUP. The Chasm-Lite is the smallest board on our list at 10’ long and 31” wide, but it is still surprisingly stable.
The included drybag backpack not only easily packs the board, 4-piece paddle, mini pump, and other accessories but also has plenty of room for water, lunch, jacket, and all your other day-hiking needs. The Chasm-Lite kit is so small that it can be carried on many airlines as carry-on luggage.
Bottom Line: The Kokopelli Chasm-Lite is the smallest, most packable iSUP around, and it is the obvious choice for hikers chasing the blue lines.
iRocker Cruiser Ultra: Best Compact iSUP for Beginners
10’6” x 32” x 6” | 21 lbs
Bag Size: 21” x 16” x 10” | Kit Weight: 32.7 lbs
Read Full Review Here
The iRocker Cruiser Ultra focuses on stability and maneuverability while remaining extremely versatile and affordable, making it our pick for the Best Compact iSUP for Beginners.
The Cruiser Ultra is wider than the other iRocker Ultra SUPs, and its wider, square tail makes it extra stable on the water. At 10’6” long and 32” wide, it’s a great size for nearly all paddlers without being too long or wide for shorter paddlers while still being large enough for taller paddlers (truly, I find this size to be the “Swiss Army Knife” of board sizes). The Cruiser Ultra has multiple cargo areas, passenger handles, threaded accessory mounts, and kayak seat compatibility. It also comes standard with an electric pump to make inflation a breeze.
Bottom Line: The iRocker Cruiser Ultra offers everything a beginner paddleboarder needs in a small package at a great value.
Compact and Travel Inflatable Stand UP Paddle Board FAQs
What is a Compact iSUP?
Compact iSUPs aren’t measured by their inflated size but rather by the overall size and weight of the kit when deflated and packed into its transportation bag. They typically fold in half along the centerline before folding, allowing them to fit into a backpack-style bag that is around half the size of a traditional iSUP bag. Compact iSUPs are also made with higher-end, lighter-weight materials to help reduce the weight of the board. Accessories are also modified to best fit in these smaller bags.
What to look for when choosing a Compact iSUP?
Choosing a Compact iSUP starts just like selecting a “regular” iSUP. You want to match the size, shape, and features to your size and style of paddling. Once you know what size and features you need, you can select a Compact iSUP based on its weight and packed size to meet your travel needs. Compact iSUPs are quite easy to fit into cars and other ground transportation. However, most compact iSUPs still need to be checked luggage on flights.
What accessories work with Compact iSUPs?
Compact iSUPs will work with accessories that work with “regular” iSUPs. All of the compact boards on this list have a standard Halkey-Roberts valve (fits most hand and electric pumps), threaded mounts use a standard M8 bolt, and the fin boxes are the same as the “regular” size iSUPs available from the same brands. These compact paddleboards do include compact paddles. Rather than shrinking the paddle, it is made of 4 or 5 sections (instead of the regular 3 sections) so it can pack easily into the smaller bags.
Recommended Gear for Compact Inflatable Stand Up Paddleboards
While the compact iSUPs on our list come as kits with almost everything you need to be on the water, a few extra things can make your paddling safer and more comfortable.
- PFD – A PFD (Personal Flotation Device), sometimes called a life jacket or buoyancy aid, is a critical piece of safety equipment while on your SUP and may be required by local law. There are thousands of options for PFDs, and it is important to choose one that fits you well and is designed for paddling. For Compact iSUPs, I like to use an inflatable belt-pack PFDinflatable belt-pack PFD that is lightweight and small enough to pack with your board.
- Dry Bag – Not everything we bring on our SUPs should get wet. Soggy sandwiches and waterlogged phones can ruin a good day out on the water. A small dry bag to fit your phone, keys, and other small personal items is an easy addition to your compact iSUP. See ourBest SUP Dry Bag reviews here.
Final Thoughts – Best Compact iSUPs
Just like any “regular” iSUP, the Best Compact SUP will depend on your exact needs, and just like any “regular” iSUP, compact SUPs will vary greatly depending on size, shape, material, construction, etc. While this list isn’t exhaustive of all compact iSUPs available, we think it represents the best quality, best performing compact inflatable stand up paddleboards from the best brands around. So now the only question is – where will you take your Compact iSUP first?
