To pack an inflatable paddle board, rinse and dry it, take the fin off, open the valve to let the air out, then roll (or fold) it from the nose toward the tail, pushing the last air out through the valve. Close the valve, strap the roll, and slide it into its backpack with the fin box on top.
Quick answer
- Rinse off sand and salt, then dry the board.
- Remove the fin and leash.
- Open the valve and push the pin down so air rushes out.
- Roll or fold from the nose toward the tail (valve end), pressing out the air.
- Release the valve pin to the up position so dirt can’t get in, then close the cap.
- Strap the roll and put it in the bag fin-box up, with the pump, paddle and fin alongside.
What you need
- Your board’s bag (most inflatables come with a backpack or wheeled bag)
- The compression strap that came with it, or a spare strap
- A towel
- Your pump (useful if it has a deflate mode)
Step-by-step: deflating and rolling
1. Rinse and dry the board
Hose or rinse off sand, grit and salt water. Sand trapped in the roll scratches the deck pad and the PVC. Then dry the board, including under the deck pad edges and bungees. Packing it wet for a few hours is fine for the drive home, but don’t leave it in the bag damp or it can get moldy. If you can’t dry it at the beach, unroll it at home to dry.
2. Take off the fin and leash
Remove the center fin and any detachable side fins. Pack them in the bag’s pocket so they can’t snap or bend. Unclip the leash and anything attached to the bungees.
3. Open the valve
Most boards use a Halkey-Roberts-style valve. Unscrew the cap, then push the center pin down and twist it so it locks open. You’ll hear a rush of air. On a board with a second inner chamber, open that valve too. Starboard notes this applies to their double-chamber boards.
Keep your face and fingers away from the valve while the first blast of air comes out.
4. Speed it up with the pump (optional)
Many pumps have a deflate mode: you attach the hose to the outlet side and pump air out. Starboard suggests this to get the last air out faster. It’s not essential, since rolling pushes most of the air out.
5. Roll or fold from the nose to the tail
Start at the nose (the end away from the valve) and roll or fold the board toward the tail. This pushes the remaining air toward the open valve. iROCKER says rolling from the nose to the valve also avoids sharp creases that can weaken the PVC layers.
- Roll firmly but not crushingly tight. Push down as you go to squeeze out air.
- Deck pad on the inside. Most brands roll with the deck pad inside to protect it.
- Some brands fold rather than roll. Starboard, for example, folds in sections from nose to tail. Use whichever method your board’s manual shows, so the roll fits the bag it was designed for.
6. Close the valve
Release the pin so it pops back to the up (closed) position, then screw the cap on. This keeps dust and sand out of the valve and stops the board sucking air back in as it relaxes.
7. Strap it and bag it
Wrap the compression strap around the roll and tighten it. Starboard suggests placing the board in the bag with the fin box on top, so it isn’t crushed under the rest of the roll.
Then add the pump, paddle sections, fin and leash in their pockets. Do up the zippers, then tighten the bag’s own compression straps if it has them, so the zipper isn’t taking the strain.
Carrying and storing the packed board
A packed inflatable is the easiest way to carry a board a long way. Wear the backpack with both straps and the hip belt done up, or use the wheels if your bag has them. Our guide to how to carry a paddle board covers other options.
For storage between trips, keep the bag somewhere cool and dry, away from direct heat and freezing temperatures. If you won’t use the board for a few months, unroll it now and then so it isn’t in the same tight roll all season. Some paddlers prefer to leave the board partly inflated instead. See is it OK to leave an inflatable SUP inflated and how to store a paddle board.
Flying with an inflatable paddle board
An inflatable board in its bag usually goes as checked luggage. A few tips:
- Check the weight. Most airlines allow 50 lb for a standard checked bag, according to BOTE. Its Breeze Aero 11’6” package weighs about 28 lb packed, which leaves room for a few extras. Heavier fishing or expedition boards may push you into overweight fees, so weigh the packed bag at home.
- Check the size and sports equipment rules. Airlines set their own size limits and some treat paddle boards as sports equipment with separate fees. Look up your airline’s rules before you book.
- Protect the pump. Tower and other brands point out that the pump is the part most likely to break in baggage handling. Wrap it in a towel or pack it in your suitcase.
- Use the spare space. BOTE suggests filling the bag with soft gear like your life jacket and clothes, as long as you stay under the weight limit.
- Batteries and gas cartridges. If you’re bringing a battery-powered electric pump or an inflatable life jacket with a CO2 cylinder, check airline and TSA rules first. They have their own limits.
- Smaller planes. Floatplanes and small charters often have tighter weight limits. Ask ahead.
Inflatable or hard board for travel?
This is where inflatables shine. A rolled board fits in a car trunk, an apartment closet or an airplane hold, and you don’t need roof racks. The trade-offs are a little less stiffness and glide than a hard board, and the time it takes to pump up. Our guide are inflatable paddle boards worth it weighs it up.
FAQ
Should I roll an inflatable paddle board toward the valve?
Yes. Roll from the nose toward the tail where the valve is, so the remaining air has somewhere to escape. Rolling toward a closed valve traps air and makes a fat, awkward roll.
Can I pack my paddle board wet?
For a short drive home, yes. Don’t leave it rolled up wet for long, as trapped moisture can cause mold and smells. Unroll it and let it dry fully as soon as you can.
Why won’t my board fit back in the bag?
Usually there’s still air in it, or it’s been rolled in a different direction from the original. Open the valve again, roll more firmly from the nose, and follow the folding pattern from your board’s manual.
Is it bad to roll an inflatable paddle board?
No. They’re designed to be rolled. Avoid very tight rolls when the board is cold (PVC gets stiffer), and don’t leave it packed in a hot car or the same tight roll for months on end.
