Whether you are replacing a lost or broken paddle, looking for a lighter one for long-distance paddling, or wanting an extra boost of speed to catch more waves, picking the right SUP paddle can make all the difference. So which SUP Paddle is The Best? Well, you aren’t going to like my answer – because there isn’t a single Best paddle, but rather a whole range of varying qualities that can make a paddle a best fit for you.
We’ve tested over 30 different paddles across a variety of price ranges, materials, sizes, and more. We’ve measured, bent, weighed, and actually paddled with them all to help you decide what paddle is best for you.
Diving Deep with SUP Paddles
Before we get started with our paddle comparisons, it may be helpful to better understand the parts of a SUP paddle and the different materials, shapes, and sizes available. We’ve written an in-depth guide to understanding and Choosing SUP paddles. This guide will help you better understand our testing and assessments below.
Paddles We Did and Did Not Test
We split our paddle testing into two categories. The first is what we call “kit” paddles. You’ll find these paddles in the various iSUP kits from different brands. While there are many kit paddles that we like to use, we wanted to focus on the second set of paddles we tested – what we call “stand-alone” paddles. These paddles are typically sold separately (or sometimes as an add-on option to a paddleboard kit) and offer performance upgrades from a kit paddle. There are hundreds and hundreds of different paddles available. What we did not test are ultra-high-end paddles designed for elite athletes. These paddles are extremely expensive (often $500+). While they perform excellently, the gains made by using these elite-tier paddles are often only realized by elite paddlers with the most advanced paddling techniques.
Paddle Reviews
Below are in-depth reviews of our favorite stand-alone paddles. In addition to our measurements (weight, flex, blade size, and more), we’ve personally tested each paddle on the water. We won’t pretend to review a paddle based only on its specifications. As we can test more paddles, we’ll add them to our testing data and update this page.
Best SUP Paddles Comparison Chart
| section-hd | Top-Rated Stand-Alone SUP Paddles |
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| PADDLE | BLADE SIZE / PADDLE LENGTH | WEIGHT | MATERIALS | PRICE | |
| Nixy Pro Carbon Fiber | Nixy Pro Carbon Fiber
| Blade: 86-94 sq in Length: 68”-86” | 21.6-25.9 oz | 3k or 12k Carbon Fiber | Read ReviewCheck Best Price |
| Honu Evolution | Honu Evolution
| Blade: 86 sq in Length: 67”-88” | 21.5-22.6 oz | 12K Carbon Fiber + Bamboo (optional) | Read ReviewCheck Best Price |
| Hydrus Tough Blade | Hydrus Tough Blade
| Blade: 96 sq in Length: 65”-85” | 26.4 oz | Carbon Fiber + Fiberglass + Armalight | Read ReviewCheck Best Price |
| Starboard Enduro Carbon | Starboard Enduro Carbon
| Blade: 76-95 sq in Length: 60”-84” | 23.0 oz | Carbon Fiber | Read ReviewCheck Best Price |
| Starboard Tufskin | Starboard Tufskin
| Blade: 84 sq in Length: 62”-84” | 28.8 oz | Carbon Fiber + ABS Plastic | Read ReviewCheck Best Price |
| Thurso Carbon Elite Paddle/Blade | Thurso Carbon Elite Paddle/Blade
| Blade: 85 sq in Length: 69”-86” | 350 lbs | 5 years, 30-day money back | Read ReviewCheck Best Price |
| Gili Full Carbon Fiber | Gili Full Carbon Fiber
| Blade: 93 sq in Length: 68”-88” | 25.6 oz | Carbon Fiber | Read ReviewCheck Best Price |
| Atoll Full Carbon Fiber | Atoll Full Carbon Fiber | Blade: 85 sq in Length: 68”-88” | 22.8 oz | Carbon Fiber | Read ReviewCheck Best Price |
Nixy Pro 3K & 12K (black/color/bamboo)
- Pieces: 3 Pieces
- Weight: 21.6-25.9 oz
- Length: 68” – 86”
- Blade: 86, 88, or 94 sq in; 16.5”-18” x 7.25”-8”; 9° angle
- Materials: 3K or 12K Carbon Fiber
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Price:
The Nixy Pro carbon fiber paddle lineup has a lot of great things going for it, including a very wide variety of sizes and constructions. All the Nixy pro paddles come in a 3-piece construction and are made completely of carbon fiber with a narrow ABS plastic blade edge to protect the paddle blade from dings and dents. There are two different construction choices (3K or 12K carbon fiber) and three different blade size choices, but the choices don’t stop there. Nixy also makes their 3K Pro paddles in standard black, bamboo veneer, and five other color choices. Their 12k Pro paddles are available in standard black or Bamboo Veneer. It can be confusing to look at all the choices available, so here’s a helpful graphic.
The 86 square-inch blade (in either black or bamboo option) also uses a slim shaft. Regular shaft diameters are 1.125” (28.5mm), while the slim shaft is just over 1” (26mm). This is a great option for paddlers with smaller hands and for kids. I feel the difference, and while the slim shaft isn’t as ideal for me, it is still usable. While the regular diameter 3K carbon fiber shafts have a moderate flex of around 80mm, the slim shaft is softer with a 100mm flex while under load. The 12K carbon fiber shafts are noticeably stiffer on the water and have a measured 63mm flex. This difference isn’t surprising because 12K carbon fiber fabric is made specifically to be stiffer and lighter than 3K carbon fiber.
The blades are also made from the same 3K or 12K carbon fiber and have an embedded ABS plastic edge guard to help prevent dings and cracks. The lower ferrule has a small amount of play you can feel when shaking the paddle by hand, but it’s not while in use. The clamping collar is easy to use and adjust if it becomes loose (even with just your fingers). The handle section is made of molded carbon fiber and has an indexing groove to keep the handle aligned with the blade. A length scale printed on the front of the handle section makes adjustments easy and repeatable. The standard black and bamboo color options have more of a matte finish, while the other color choices have a high-gloss finish.
The 3K carbon fiber paddles provide a great mix of comfort and power transfer on the water. There’s just enough flex in the paddle shaft to keep a comfortable feeling on the water without losing any power, even when sprinting. The 12K carbon fiber paddles offer a slightly lighter weight and noticeably stiffer feel. This stiffness is great for moving faster on the water but can become more tiring over longer distances.
Overall, the Nixy Pro series carbon fiber paddles offer fantastic paddling performance at an incredible price. They are also the only paddle in this performance category offered in so many different color options.
Honu Evolution
- Pieces: 3 Pieces
- Weight: 21.5-22.6 oz
- Length: 67-87”
- Blade: 86, 94 sq in; 16.5” x 7”, 17” x 8”; 8.75° angle
- Materials: 12K Carbon Fiber, Bamboo (optional)
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Price:
The Honu Evolution carbon fiber paddle uses 12K carbon fiber with an optional bamboo veneer and is now available in two sizes. The 12K Carbon fiber weave for the shaft and paddle blade reduces weight while increasing overall stiffness. For 2023, Honu updated their paddle construction with a hexagonal ferrule. Rather than a round carbon fiber tube, the hexagonal inserts eliminate any play at the connection between the blade and shaft without additional clamps.
The Carbon fiber blade is available in either the standard 86 square inch (medium size) or 94 square inch (large size). Both have a solid PVC core and multiple 12K carbon fiber layers for a light, rigid, and durable construction. Both sizes are available in a “raw” carbon fiber finish, and the 86 square inch size is also available with a bamboo finish painted teal, red, or black tip.
On the water, the Honu Evolution paddle is lightweight and well-balanced. The double dihedral shape on the blade face catches the water easily and holds in the water firmly while eliminating any flutter from a potentially misplaced stroke. The blade is more rectangular, with higher shoulders for a more even feel as you push the blade into the water (rather than a heavy catch with just the tip of a teardrop-shaped blade). This shape lets you paddle more easily at higher cadences. The 86-square-inch blade is great for most paddlers, and the 94-square-inch blade is ideal for larger paddlers or those who need quick bursts of power for catching waves.
Hydrus Tough Blade Carbon Fiber Paddle
- Pieces: 1 or 3-Piece
- Weight: 26.4 oz (3-Piece)
- Length: 65” – 85”
- Blade: 96 sq in; 17.75” x 7.375”; 8° angle
- Materials: Carbon Fiber, Fiberglass, “Armalight”
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Price:
Use code “BOARDER” at checkout to take 12% off the Hydrus Tough Blade Paddle
The Hydrus Tough Blade carbon fiber paddle is built to tackle even the toughest whitewater paddling. The high-aspect (rectangular) paddle blade has a large surface area (96 square inches) for maximum hold and power when making quick turns and quick acceleration. The blade uses Hydrus Board Tech’s proprietary Armalight material. The actual makeup of this material is a closely guarded secret, but it appears to be a blend of composite materials with some sort of resin coating. The blade is extremely stiff and has a slight dihedral along the spine of the blade to help eliminate paddle flutter.
The shaft is carbon fiber with a moderately stiff 90mm flex. The adjustable handle section is fiberglass with a molded fiberglass palm grip and molded finger grooves. The handle uses a standard clamping collar and has an indexing groove to keep the grip properly aligned with the blade. There are markings on the handle to indicate length, but no length measurements. When put together, the Hydrus Tough Blade paddle pieces fit together well with only a tiny amount of play at the bottom ferrule, but isn’t noticed while in use.
The Hydrus Tough Blade paddle puts out a lot of power on the water thanks to its stiff construction and large blade. It allows for quick acceleration and turning. The finger grooves in the handle fit my hand well, and they “disappear” from notice after the first few strokes. The Hydrus Tough Blade paddle is fantastic for various conditions, especially for larger paddlers, river paddlers, and those who like the feel of a stiff paddle in the water. Smaller paddlers (under 140 lbs) may find the blade too large to use for long periods.
Starboard Enduro Carbon
- Pieces: 1, 2 or 3 Pieces
- Weight: 23.0 oz (3-piece, Medium)
- Length: 60-84”
- Blade: 85 sq in; 16.0” x 7.9”; 13° angle (Medium)
- Materials: Carbon Fiber
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Price:
Starboard technically only has three paddle models, but they have dozens of variations of those three models.
The Enduro is Starboard’s all-water blade shape. It’s designed for everything from casual cruising to distance paddling to surfing. It does all of these things well, though it doesn’t specialize highly anywhere, making it a great option for paddlers who want a single paddle that works in multiple environments.
Starboard’s Carbon construction is their mid-price build that balances strength, weight, and cost. At just under $250 MSRP, the three-piece Carbon Enduro is a worthwhile upgrade at a very reasonable price. Jumping to Starboard’s PrePreg Carbon construction will save you a couple of ounces, but costs over twice as much!
The Enduro handles well in the water with a strong catch (great for quick acceleration to catch a wave) and good propulsion at a lower cadence for all-day paddling. The blade has a 13° rake angle, and the face is mostly flat with a slight dihedral. This flatter face, combined with the wider teardrop shape, makes the Enduro more prone to wandering side-to-side in the water if the start of your stroke isn’t perfectly aligned. But when it catches, it holds very well for excellent power transfer.
The Carbon construction uses a foam core blade and filament-wound shaft for extreme stiffness. Because of this, if you do plan to use the Enduro for long-distance trips, you may want to consider sizing down if you are near the paddler size recommendations between the different blade sizes (XS, S, M, L). We tested the S35 (medium-stiff) shaft with a Medium blade – the most common option for the Enduro paddle. You can also find it with the S40 “Medium-Flex” or S30 “Stiff”) shaft and with other blade sizes to match your size and desired comfort/power balance.
Starboard Tufskin
- Pieces: 2 or 3 Pieces
- Weight: 28.8 oz (3-piece)
- Length: 62-84”
- Blade: 84 sq in; 16.5” x 7.25”; 10° angle
- Materials: Carbon Fiber, ABS Plastic
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Price:
The Starboard Tufskin paddle is the poster child for trickle-down technology. While at first glance, you may wonder why a paddle with an ABS plastic blade is on this list, there’s a very good reason.
The Tufskin paddle features the same 84 square inch surface area, double-dihedral/power pocket on the face, and 10° rake angle as the Starboard Lima – one of the most-winning racing paddles in the world. Rather than making the Tufskin with ultralight – and ultra-delicate – prepreg carbon fiber, the Tufskin’s ABS-plastic blade gives it incredible durability. This makes it great for shallow-water paddling and as a paddle for kids (Starboard even makes a youth version) without sacrificing performance. It also helps keep the Tufskin affordable, with an MSRP of under $200.
The Tufskin paddle also has some more advanced features like the diagonally-cut, double-press ferrule attachment to firmly attach the blade, a filament-wound shaft for extra stiffness and weight savings, and an indexing groove to perfectly align the handle with the blade.
The S35 filament-wound shaft keeps the Tufskin very rigid when under load, allowing you to easily transfer power into speed on the water. The handle section is also made with carbon fiber, and the Super Handle grip is a cross between a palm grip and a T-grip for extra control. I have found the grip shape to press into the sides of my palm more than a true palm grip. Paddlers with wider hands may feel this more.
The Starboard Tufskin paddle is the ultimate combination of performance and durability. The catch is easy and holds well thanks to the concave shape on the blade face, and the narrower shape allows you to paddle at a very high stroke rate for quick acceleration. You don’t have to baby your paddle with the ABS plastic blade.
Thurso Carbon Elite Paddle/Blade
- Pieces: 3 Pieces
- Weight: 25.7 oz
- Length: 69” – 86”
- Blade: 85 sq in; 17” x 7.5”; 10° angle
- Materials: Carbon Fiber
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Price:
Thurso Surf treats their paddles a little bit differently. The “kit” Carbon Hybrid paddle uses a carbon fiber shaft with a fiber-reinforced nylon blade. The Carbon Elite paddle uses the same carbon fiber shaft but with a fully carbon fiber blade. This makes the two blades interchangeable and allows current Thurso Surf paddle owners to save money by upgrading only their blades. You can also purchase a complete paddle with just the Carbon Elite blade.
The paddle shaft and handle sections are made from carbon fiber composite material. It has a medium-stiff flex profile (72mm when loaded). The grip is a T-Grip style made with a plastic core wrapped in a rubberized coating for increased grip. T-Grips allow you to grip the paddle more securely by wrapping more of your hand around the grip. They also give precise feedback about the orientation of your paddle blade in the water compared to the more rounded palm-grip designs.
The Carbon Elite paddle blade is attached to the shaft with a spring button and a compression clamp around the ferrule for an extra tight hold. There’s no noticeable play at the paddle blade connection, even when shaking the paddle vigorously. The shaft’s main section is reversible, so it doesn’t matter which end you use for the blade or the handle, and it is compatible with a second blade to create a fixed-length kayak paddle.
The 85 square-inch blade is medium-sized (and slightly smaller than the 87 square-inch nylon paddle blade) with a medium-aspect shape. It’s neither fully rectangular nor fully teardrop shaped. Because of this shape it’s great for a wide variety of uses. It can produce power quickly with short, fast strokes, but still stays efficient to use for slower, longer strokes for those long-distance days on the water.
The rigid blade, semi-rigid paddle shaft, and a medium-sized blade also work well for various paddler sizes. Another big difference between the nylon blade of the kit paddle and the Carbon Elite blade is the double-dihedral shape on the power face of the blade. This shape helps direct water flow around the paddle for a clean, flutter-free stroke, even if the blade isn’t set squarely in the water. It also has the advantage of creating a pocket to help lock the blade in the water and give it the power output of a larger blade but in a smaller package.
Overall, the Thurso Surf Carbon Elite paddle is a fantastic upgrade to the standard Thurso kit paddle with a very affordable price tag. It offers great performance for a wide range of conditions and paddlers.
Gili Full Carbon
- Pieces: 3 Pieces
- Weight: 25.6 oz
- Length: 68” – 88”
- Blade: 93 sq in; 16” x 8”; 10° angle
- Materials: Carbon Fiber
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Price:
You can purchase the Gili Full Carbon SUP paddle by itself or at a steep discount when bundled with some Gili Sports iSUPs.
Made with 100% carbon fiber and weighing just 25.6 oz, the Full Carbon paddle is Gili’s lightest and stiffest paddle. It is over a half-pound lighter than Gili’s Carbon/Nylon hybrid paddle and is far more balanced in your hands. In our flex test, the carbon fiber shaft had a medium flex profile of just 90mm. This provides good power transfer without causing fatigue on longer paddle trips.
The blade has a wide, low-aspect (or teardrop) shape. Teardrop-shaped blades are great for lower-cadence paddling or for quickly accelerating with a few fast strokes. The lower ferrule uses a spring clip and a collar-clamp to keep the blade solidly attached to the paddle shaft without any play.
On the water, the Gili Full Carbon Paddle has a balanced swing and clean entry and exit from the water. The large blade and medium-stiff shaft generate lots of power with each stroke. While this can be tiring over long distances (especially for smaller paddlers), it’s great for quick acceleration over short distances and larger paddlers with a slower cadence over longer distances.
Atoll Carbon Fiber Paddle
- Pieces: 3 Pieces
- Weight: 22.8 oz
- Length: 68” – 88”
- Blade: 85 sq in; 16.0” x 7.9”; 10° angle
- Materials: Carbon Fiber
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Price:
The Atoll Carbon Fiber Paddle is one of the most budget-friendly ways to upgrade your paddle to a lighter, more rigid, three-piece carbon paddle.
Atoll’s carbon fiber paddle upgrade is the same size and shape as their stock kit paddle, but with three major changes: a full carbon fiber blade, a full carbon fiber shaft, and a handle shape.
By changing the shaft from a fiberglass/carbon fiber mix and the blade from a fiber-reinforced nylon to a full carbon fiber layup, Atoll shaved nearly 6 ounces of weight and stiffened the paddle significantly. This lighter weight makes it less tiring to use for a long day on the water, and the more rigid build makes energy transfer more efficient for a more powerful stroke.
The handle is also made entirely of carbon fiber, but the shape differs from the Carbon Fiber version to the stock version. The stock Atoll paddle has a standard palm grip with a flat side for your palm and a deep pocket for your fingers. The Atoll Carbon Fiber paddle is symmetrical, with a deep pocket on each side. While the upside to this shape is that you can align the blade with either side of the handle, the downside is that the grip is now much wider and no longer fits snugly against your palm. This is a noticeable change, and I found it less comfortable than the standard palm grip. The smaller your hands, the more you will feel this difference.
With an MSRP of just $130, the Atoll Carbon Fiber paddle is a wonderful replacement or upgrade paddle option for those shopping on a budget.
Best Stand Up Paddleboard Paddles FAQ
What makes a better paddle, Carbon Fiber or Fiberglass?
Each material has its advantages and disadvantages. Composite materials (like carbon fiber or fiberglass) are universally “better” for SUP paddles than aluminum. They are lighter, more durable, and can be tuned to offer exact performance characteristics. Carbon Fiber is not inherently better than Fiberglass. Which versions of those materials, how they are made, and how they are put together make a big difference.
Should I get a Teardrop shape or Rectangular shape paddle blade?
Teardrop shape (low aspect) paddle blades are made to be used at a slower cadence (or for only a few quick strokes). The tip of the blade carries most of the surface area, so even if the entire blade is not in the water, it still has a good hold. Rectangular blades are made for faster paddling cadences and for more efficient paddling over long distances. Adjusting the depth of the paddle blade in the water has a greater impact on the amount of force the paddle produces.
What Length SUP Paddle do I need?
Length is determined by what kind of paddling you do, your size, body mechanics, and much more. There is no exact size recommendation based on height, but there are a few good starting points based on your type of activity. Recreational paddlers typically find a paddle 8-10” longer than their height feels comfortable. If the paddle blade isn’t getting all the way in the water, or your back is hurting, lengthen it. If the paddle blade is going too deep (past the throat) or your shoulders are hurting, then shorten the paddle. Surfers, Racers, and Whitewater paddlers favor shorter paddles (0-6”) as their stance is normally lower to the water's surface.
Should I get a 1 piece, 2 piece, or 3+ piece SUP Paddle?
Single-piece paddles will generally be lighter and stiffer than multi-piece paddles, but that will depend on the exact materials and construction. There are high-end 3-piece travel paddles that are lighter and stiffer than some lower or mid-tier single-piece paddles. The biggest downside to a single-piece paddle is the set length. You have to pick a length, and that’s it. While you can sometimes shorten them again, it's almost impossible to lengthen them. Most recreational and intermediate paddlers can get most of the benefits of a single-piece paddle but with adjustability by using a two-piece paddle. However, this requires more space to transport and store than 3+ piece paddles.
Best SUP Paddles Final Thoughts
With so many options, choosing a SUP paddle can be difficult. The paddles in our list are all easy recommendations for us to make – we like them all! The important thing is to match the blade size and shape to your size and intended use. Racing with a surfing paddle is no fun, and surfing with an undersized-paddle will mean missing more waves.
