The best paddle board paddle if money is no object is a light carbon paddle like the Aqua Bound Malta Carbon, which OutdoorGearLab’s testers rated their top SUP paddle. For most recreational paddlers, the Werner Vibe is the sweet spot, and if you just need something better than the aluminum paddle that came with your board, the Abahub Carbon is a cheap upgrade.
We haven’t tested these paddles hands-on. We chose them using OutdoorGearLab’s SUP paddle tests, the makers’ specs, owner ratings and whether you can buy them right now. Three of the six paddles from the 2021 version of this page (the Blue Wave, Red Paddle Carbon 100 and SUP Supply listings) were unavailable when we checked, so we’ve replaced them.
Our picks at a glance
- Best overall: Aqua Bound Malta Carbon 2-Piece, about 18 oz and adjustable.
- Best mid-price: Werner Vibe Adjustable, a well-designed fiberglass paddle for under $200.
- Best budget carbon: Abahub 3-Piece Carbon, a carbon shaft and travel bag for under $50.
- Best budget fiberglass: WOOWAVE 3-Piece Fiberglass, a light, cheap fiberglass paddle.
- Best budget aluminum: Abahub 3-Piece Aluminum, a tough, cheap spare.
- Best kayak-convertible: YVLEEN 4-Piece, a SUP paddle that converts to a kayak paddle.
Why upgrade at all? The paddle that comes with most inflatable packages is a heavy aluminum one. You lift your paddle thousands of times on a long session, so cutting weight from 35 oz to under 20 oz makes a real difference to your shoulders. Stiffer shafts and better blades also put more of each stroke into moving the board.
Light, stiff and adjustable
Aqua Bound Malta Carbon 2-Piece
The Malta Carbon is Aqua Bound’s top adjustable SUP paddle: a two-piece paddle with a carbon shaft and carbon blade, weighing about 18 oz (510 g). The shaft has a 10° bend, and each size adjusts over 10 inches. Aqua Bound sells three ranges: 64–74”, 70–80” and 76–86”. The blade edge has Lam-Lok protection to resist chips.
OutdoorGearLab gave it their Editors’ Choice, noting it was light, easy to adjust and comfortable, and that it performed as well as one-piece paddles in their tests. The main downside is price.
Who it suits: regular paddlers, tourers and anyone who wants the lightest adjustable paddle they can buy.
| Spec | Malta Carbon 2-Piece |
|---|---|
| Weight | About 18 oz |
| Shaft / blade | Carbon / carbon |
| Pieces | 2 |
| Length ranges | 64–74”, 70–80”, 76–86” |
| Shaft bend | 10° |
| Price | Around $400 at the time of writing |
Pros
- Very light
- Tester-rated as the best SUP paddle overall
- Adjustable without feeling like a compromise
Cons
- Expensive
- Two-piece is longer to pack than three-piece paddles
- Pick the right length range when you buy
Verdict
The one to buy if you paddle a lot and want the best.
A lot of paddle for the money
Werner Vibe Adjustable
Werner is one of the most respected paddle makers in the US, and the Vibe brings its blade design down to a recreational price. It has a fiberglass shaft, an injection-moulded, fiberglass-reinforced nylon blade with a dihedral (a ridge down the power face that helps the blade track smoothly), and a 10° blade offset. The LeverLock adjusts from 68” to 84”, which Werner says fits paddlers from 4’10” to 6’2”.
OutdoorGearLab named it a Best Buy and said its curved blade gave some of the best performance they tested. It’s heavier than carbon paddles at about 30.5 oz.
Who it suits: recreational paddlers ready to upgrade from an aluminum paddle, and families sharing one paddle.
| Spec | Werner Vibe |
|---|---|
| Weight | About 30.5 oz |
| Shaft / blade | Fiberglass / reinforced nylon |
| Pieces | 2 |
| Length | 68–84” (LeverLock) |
| Blade area | 100 sq in |
| Price | Around $186 at the time of writing |
Pros
- Werner blade design at a mid-range price
- Easy, secure length adjustment
- Durable blade
Cons
- Heavier than carbon paddles
- Costs much more than budget paddles
Verdict
Our pick for most recreational paddlers who want a paddle that will last.
A cheap way to get a carbon shaft
Abahub 3-Piece Carbon
This Abahub paddle pairs a carbon composite shaft with a fiberglass-and-polypropylene blade of 91 sq in. It weighs about 30 oz (850 g), floats, and adjusts from 67” to 86”. It comes with a padded travel bag with a shoulder strap.
It holds 4.4 stars from about 280 Amazon ratings at the time of writing. Abahub reminds owners to check and tighten the clamp screws before use.
Who it suits: paddlers on a budget who want something lighter than an aluminum paddle, and travellers.
| Spec | Abahub Carbon |
|---|---|
| Weight | About 30 oz |
| Shaft / blade | Carbon composite / fiberglass + PP |
| Pieces | 3 |
| Length | 67–86” |
| Blade area | 91 sq in |
| Extras | Travel bag |
| Price | Around $48 at the time of writing |
Pros
- Carbon shaft for under $50
- Travel bag included
- Wide adjustment range
Cons
- Not much lighter than the Werner Vibe
- Clamps need checking before you paddle
Verdict
The cheapest worthwhile upgrade from a stock paddle.
Light and cheap
WOOWAVE 3-Piece Fiberglass
WOOWAVE’s paddle has a fiberglass shaft and nylon composite blade, adjusts from 68.9” to 87.4”, and splits into three pieces. WOOWAVE quotes 2.08 lb (about 33 oz), it floats when assembled, and takes under 20 seconds to set up, according to the maker.
It has 4.6 stars from about 60 Amazon ratings at the time of writing.
Who it suits: beginners and casual paddlers who want a better-feeling shaft than aluminum for very little money.
| Spec | WOOWAVE |
|---|---|
| Weight | About 2.1 lb (maker’s claim) |
| Shaft / blade | Fiberglass / nylon composite |
| Pieces | 3 |
| Length | 68.9–87.4” |
| Floats | Yes |
| Price | Around $30 at the time of writing |
Pros
- Very cheap
- Fiberglass shaft flexes more kindly than aluminum
- Long maximum length for tall paddlers
Cons
- Fewer reviews than Abahub
- Budget blade and clamp
Verdict
A good cheap paddle, especially for taller paddlers.
A tough, cheap spare
Abahub 3-Piece Aluminum
OutdoorGearLab tested this budget aluminum paddle and found it durable. It has a 1.3mm aircraft-grade aluminum shaft, a 102 sq in fiberglass-reinforced polypropylene blade, an anti-twist clamp with a locking pin, and adjusts from 68” to 84”. It weighs about 35 oz and breaks down to 34.5”.
With nearly 1,800 Amazon ratings at 4.6 stars at the time of writing, it’s a proven cheap paddle.
Who it suits: beginners, kids, rental fleets, and anyone who needs a spare for a guest.
| Spec | Abahub Aluminum |
|---|---|
| Weight | About 35 oz |
| Shaft / blade | Aluminum / fiberglass-reinforced PP |
| Pieces | 3 |
| Length | 68–84” |
| Blade area | 102 sq in |
| Price | Around $41 at the time of writing |
Pros
- Hard to break
- Anti-twist locking clamp
- Large, stable blade
Cons
- Heavy
- Aluminum shaft flexes more than carbon
Verdict
The budget paddle to keep in the car for friends.
A SUP paddle that becomes a kayak paddle
YVLEEN 4-Piece Convertible
The YVLEEN kit comes with a T-handle, two shaft sections and two blades. Use one blade and the handle as a SUP paddle, or swap the handle for the second blade and it becomes a double-bladed kayak paddle, handy if you sit down on your board or use it as a kayak. It’s aluminum with PP-and-fiberglass blades, floats, and uses stainless-steel adjustment screws.
It has about 1,900 Amazon ratings at 4.3 stars at the time of writing. At about 1.5 kg (3.3 lb) it’s the heaviest paddle here.
Who it suits: paddlers with kids or anyone who switches between standing and sitting. See can you sit on a paddle board.
| Spec | YVLEEN 4-Piece |
|---|---|
| Weight | About 3.3 lb |
| Shaft / blade | Aluminum / PP + fiberglass |
| Pieces | 4 (2 blades, shaft, T-handle) |
| Converts to | Kayak paddle |
| Floats | Yes |
| Price | Around $34 at the time of writing |
Pros
- SUP and kayak paddle in one
- Cheap
- Lots of owner reviews
Cons
- Heaviest paddle here
- More joints to work loose
Verdict
Great for families and seated paddling, but not a performance paddle.
