The accessories that matter most for an inflatable paddle board are a life jacket you’ll actually wear and a leash, because they’re the ones that keep you safe. After that, the biggest upgrade is an electric pump, followed by a deck cooler and a dry bag for your phone and keys.
We haven’t tested these accessories hands-on. We picked them from manufacturer specs, independent reviews where they exist, owner ratings, and whether you can buy them right now. More than half of our 2021 picks are no longer sold or available, so we’ve replaced them and added the leash and dry bag we’d left out.
Our picks at a glance
- Life jacket: Onyx MoveVent Dynamic, a comfortable foam paddling vest.
- Leash: BOTE 10 ft Coiled Leash, stays on the deck instead of dragging.
- Electric pump: OutdoorMaster Shark 3, battery-powered and fast.
- Deck cooler: Thurso Surf SUP Cooler Deck Bag, clips to your D-rings.
- Dry bag: Earth Pak Original Dry Bag, cheap and tough.
- Paddle keeper: YYST Paddle Keeper clips, hold your paddle on the deck.
- Seat: Leader Accessories Kayak Seat, turns your SUP into a sit-on-top.
- Camera mount: GoPro Surfboard Mounts, the official stick-on mount.
Already included? Most inflatable SUP packages come with a paddle, a hand pump, a fin, a leash and a backpack. Before you buy, check what you have. The included leash and pump are often the first things worth upgrading.
A life jacket made for paddling
Onyx MoveVent Dynamic Paddle Sports Vest
In the US, a paddle board counts as a vessel outside swimming and surfing areas, so you need a US Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person. A paddling-cut foam vest like the MoveVent Dynamic is the simplest way to comply, and the comfortable fit means you’ll actually wear it.
It’s US Coast Guard and Transport Canada approved, with a nylon ripstop shell, soft foam flotation, mesh in the lower back, padded shoulder adjustments, reflective trim and zippered pockets.
Who it suits: every paddler, especially beginners and anyone paddling in cold water or wind.
| Spec | Onyx MoveVent Dynamic |
|---|---|
| Type | Foam paddling vest |
| Approval | US Coast Guard and Transport Canada |
| Shell | 200D nylon ripstop and nylon oxford |
| Features | Mesh lower back, zippered pockets, reflective trim |
| Price | Around $62 at the time of writing |
Pros
- Works the moment you hit the water, no inflation needed
- Comfortable cut for paddling
- Pockets for keys and a whistle
Cons
- Warmer and bulkier than an inflatable belt pack
Verdict
The safest default. Prefer something minimal? See our best PFD for SUP roundup for inflatable belt packs.
Keeps you and the board together
BOTE 10 ft Coiled Leash
A leash is the other non-negotiable. If you fall off, an inflatable board can blow away faster than you can swim. A coiled leash stays on the deck instead of dragging in the water, which suits flatwater paddling. (In rivers and fast current, use a quick-release waist leash instead.)
BOTE’s 10 ft coiled leash has a padded hook-and-loop ankle cuff and a key pocket, and BOTE says it fits any paddle board or surfboard.
Who it suits: flatwater and coastal paddlers whose stock leash is worn, too short, or missing.
| Spec | BOTE Coiled Leash |
|---|---|
| Length | 10 ft, coiled |
| Cuff | Padded ankle cuff |
| Extras | Key pocket |
| Price | Around $45 at the time of writing |
Pros
- Coil stays out of the water
- Padded cuff
- Handy key pocket
Cons
- Pricier than generic leashes
- Not for whitewater or strong current (use quick-release)
Verdict
A comfortable upgrade over the thin leash that comes with many board packages.
The upgrade you’ll notice every time
OutdoorMaster Shark 3 Electric Pump
Getting an inflatable to 15 PSI by hand is real work. The Shark 3 is a rechargeable electric pump with a 74Wh battery: OutdoorMaster says it inflates a 10’6” board to 15 PSI in under 4 minutes, deflates it in under a minute and a half, and does about four boards per charge. It also runs off a car’s 12V socket.
We cover it, and cheaper 12V options, in more detail in our best SUP pumps guide.
Who it suits: anyone who paddles often, or inflates boards for the whole family.
| Spec | Shark 3 |
|---|---|
| Power | 74Wh battery or 12V car socket |
| Max pressure | 20 PSI |
| Claimed time, 10’6” board to 15 PSI | Under 4 min |
| Boards per charge | About 4 |
| Charging | USB-C |
| Price | Around $170 at the time of writing |
Pros
- Fast, with auto-off at your set PSI
- Works away from the car
- Deflate mode
Cons
- Expensive
- Loud
Verdict
The accessory that makes you paddle more often, because setup stops being a chore.
Cold drinks on the front deck
Thurso Surf SUP Cooler Deck Bag
Thurso’s 20-can deck cooler is a soft, insulated bag with a PVC shell and a water-resistant zipper. It clips to your board’s D-rings with S-hooks and sits low under the front bungees, so it doesn’t make the board tippy.
Who it suits: anyone who spends more than an hour or two on the water.
| Spec | Thurso deck cooler |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Up to 20 cans |
| Size | 16 × 12 × 6 in |
| Attachment | S-hooks to D-rings, fits under bungees |
| Price | Around $50 at the time of writing |
Pros
- Made for SUP decks
- Low profile
- Shoulder strap for carrying
Cons
- Soft coolers don’t hold ice as long as hard ones
Verdict
Our favorite deck cooler. See more options in our best paddle board cooler roundup.
Keeps your phone, keys and snacks dry
Earth Pak Original Dry Bag
A roll-top dry bag clipped under the bungees keeps the things you can’t get wet safe from splashes and a quick dunk. Earth Pak’s bag is 500D PVC with a shoulder strap and D-rings, and the 10L size is about right for a SUP deck.
Who it suits: every paddler who carries a phone or car keys.
| Spec | Earth Pak Original |
|---|---|
| Material | 500D PVC |
| Sizes | 5L, 10L, 20L |
| Closure | Roll-top |
| Price | Around $16–18 at the time of writing |
Pros
- Cheap and tough
- Tens of thousands of owner ratings
Cons
- Roll-tops aren’t made for long submersion
Verdict
The easy default. Compare other bags in our best dry bags for paddle boarding.
Somewhere to put your paddle
YYST Paddle Keeper Clips
When you stop to swim, fish or take photos, your paddle needs somewhere to go. These stainless steel clips hook onto a D-ring or bungee and wrap around the paddle shaft to hold it on the deck. You get four, enough to hold one paddle at two points with a spare pair. No drilling or glue, and they fit any shaft size.
Who it suits: anyone who’s ever watched a paddle drift away.
| Spec | YYST Paddle Keeper |
|---|---|
| Pieces | 4 (two hold one paddle) |
| Material | Stainless steel wire |
| Mount | Clips to D-rings or bungees |
| Price | Around $8 at the time of writing |
Pros
- Very cheap
- No installation
- Lots of positive reviews
Cons
- D-ring patches not included, so you need existing D-rings or bungees
Verdict
A tiny purchase that solves an annoying problem.
Sit down when your legs need a break
Leader Accessories Kayak Seat
A clip-on seat turns a wide paddle board into a sit-on-top kayak for a while, which is great for kids, tired legs and fishing. This one has a molded EVA foam cushion, a high padded back, four adjustable straps with hooks that clip to D-rings, and a detachable storage bag on the back.
You need four D-rings in the right places on your board for the straps. Pair it with a kayak paddle or a SUP paddle that converts to one.
Who it suits: families, anglers and anyone who wants the option to sit.
| Spec | Leader Accessories Seat |
|---|---|
| Cushion | Molded EVA foam, 210D polyester cover |
| Back | High, padded |
| Attachment | 4 adjustable straps with hooks |
| Extras | Detachable rear storage bag |
| Price | Around $50 at the time of writing |
Pros
- Comfortable high back
- Removable storage bag
- Very popular, with thousands of ratings
Cons
- Needs four D-rings in the right spots
- Sitting on a narrow board is less stable than you’d think
Verdict
A comfortable way to make your board more versatile.
The official way to stick a camera on your board
GoPro Surfboard Mounts
GoPro’s surfboard mount kit includes two surfboard mounts, two adhesive anchors and two camera tethers, so a camera that pops off doesn’t sink. GoPro says it suits surfboards, kayaks, SUPs and boat decks, but not soft-tops. It’s the newer version of the mount we listed in 2021.
On an inflatable, stick it to a smooth, clean area of PVC rather than the deck pad, and check your board maker’s advice about adhesives first.
Who it suits: anyone who wants to film their paddles.
| Spec | GoPro Surfboard Mounts |
|---|---|
| Includes | 2 surfboard mounts, 2 adhesive anchors, 2 tethers |
| Fits | GoPro cameras |
| Not for | Soft-top boards |
| Price | Around $23 at the time of writing |
Pros
- Official GoPro hardware
- Tethers included
- Two mounts for different angles
Cons
- Adhesive mounts are hard to move once stuck
- Not for soft-tops
Verdict
The simplest camera mount.
