Why we recommend an inflatable paddle board with seat
An inflatable paddle board with seat is the best option for new paddlers in our experience. That an paddlers who like to go out exploring for multiple hours at a time. Of paddlers who would like to have a more relaxing paddling experience.
Read to the end to learn about our favorite paddle boards with seats.
Our knowledge and expertise in the arena of top-rated paddle boards with seats are rooted in years of immersive experiences. Why are we confident about this? Our extended family and friends have been companions in numerous paddle boarding adventures spanning across various lakes, rivers, and hidden ocean coves.
For the last five years, Julie and John’s preference has been to use an inflatable paddle board with seat, particularly for their all-day long escapades. Remaining standing for an extended period of time can be challenging, especially when afternoon winds make their presence felt. A seat lends much-needed comfort while battling headwinds – something that can turn into your worst enemy while standing!
Now picture this: the breeze in your hair, sunshine warming your skin, and your muscles working as you stand tall on your paddle board. Swap this scenario with the blissful alternative of lounging comfortably, soaking up the serene surroundings while your body unwinds. That's where paddle boards with seats work their transformative magic, giving you the option to stand or sit as per your mood and the need of the hour.
When you opt for an inflatable paddle board with seat, what you get is the luxury to enjoy the water's tranquility in a relaxed state. It feels akin to having your comfy lounger right there amidst the waves, amplifying the overall calming effect of your paddle adventure. Moreover, you can pause and rest without making frequent trips to the shoreline, or even squeeze in a delightful picnic as you gently sway with the waves.
5 most common characteristics of paddlers who prefer paddling comfortably seated (at least at times)
We have found that the 5 most common characteristics of paddlers who will prefer a seated paddling experience are:
- Adventurous: They love exploring and trying out new outdoor activities. They are drawn to water sports and are keen on experiencing different ways to enjoy the water, whether it's a calm lake, a flowing river, or the open ocean.
- Comfort-conscious: They value comfort, especially during prolonged activity. This indicates they might be planning long paddleboarding sessions and want the flexibility to sit without needing to head to the shore.
- Practical and Convenience-focused: They opt for an inflatable paddle board because it’s easier to transport and store than a traditional hard board. This trait signals they probably travel frequently or have limited storage space.
- Fitness enthusiast: They understand that paddle boarding is a full-body workout and they have a keen interest in maintaining physical health and wellness.
- Nature lover: They appreciate the great outdoors and use paddle boarding as a way to connect with nature, seeking tranquility and peace on the water.
These individuals tend to blend their recreational activities with opportunities for fitness and overall wellness, all while interacting deeply with nature. If the above describes you, then read on as we cover the 10 most important features to look for in an inflatable paddle board with seat.
The 10 most important things to consider when purchasing an inflatable paddle board with seat
#1 - Material and Construction
The durability of an inflatable paddle board is often determined by the type and quality of materials used. Look for heavy-duty PVC material and double-layer construction for the best durability.
#2 - Inflation and Deflation Time
Consider how long it takes to inflate and deflate the board. Quick inflation and deflation will save you time and effort.
In general, larger boards take longer to inflate. However, because you will be sitting down, you only need to inflate your paddle board to 5psi, NOT the 12-15 psi required if you plan to be standing and need the extra rigidity.
Typically, it takes between 5-10 minutes to manually pump up a board to this PSI (about 100 pumps in our experience).
Alternatively, you can also use an electric pump. There are two kinds of electric pumps, the ones that plug into the DC plug on your car (aka cigarette adapter) and the ones that have a rechargeable battery.
#3 - Stability and Maneuverability
This often depends on the board's dimensions and shape. Wider and longer boards typically offer greater stability – a crucial factor, especially for beginners. Our favorite boards for beginners are 32-35 inches wide for the best stability yet still being very maneuverable.
#4 - Maximum Weight Capacity
Make sure the board can support your weight as well as the weight and size of the items you will typically want to bring paddle boarding with you.
For example, if you are a 250 pound man and want to fish off your board and bring along a cooler and a tackle box as well as other equipment, then you will want a wider and longer board that has the room and capacity for you and your things.
If you are less than 100 pounds and plan to paddle board with just yourself, a lunch bag, and a couple bottles of water then almost any paddle board will work. If the board is unable to hold your weight properly, it may lower the board's performance and stability.
- Read more about the best paddle boards for fishing
- Read more about the best paddle boards for two people
#5 - Paddle Board Seat
Consider the quality, comfort, and adjustability of the seat. A longer journey would require a more comfortable seat and multiple users may require an adjustable seat.
There are two types of seats we prefer:
- Folding Beach/Stadium Chair
- Kayak Seat
There are pros and cons for using each. When you purchase an inflatable paddle board with seat, you may decide to upgrade your seat after you have had time to learn your seated paddling preferences as well as develop strong opinions regarding the type of paddling adventures you want to have. For example, you may not have the inclination or confidence to tour large lakes or paddle several miles from a parking area to where the stream that feeds the reservoir originates.
However, after you build up your confidence, these types of longer adventures will be fun.
The inflatable paddle board with seat we recommend below is the one we have found that meets the needs of most people right from the start. It doesn’t mean you can’t upgrade the seat in the future. You can always do that since different people prefer different seats. We believe that based on our the feedback we have received, you will have the best experience for the longest period of time and are going to be least likely to feel like you need to upgrade the seat.
#6 - Portability
One of the main advantages of inflatable paddle boards is their portability. Look for boards that come with a carrying case or bag for convenient transport and storage. We only recommend boards that come with good carrying cases. However over time, you may prefer to purchase a backpack or rolling case depending on where you typically paddle. Additionally, you may prefer to purchase a wheeled trolley if you prefer to inflate your paddleboard at your vehicle and then wheel your paddle board(s) with all your stuff down to the water’s edge.
#7 - Design
Certain design aspects can enhance paddle boarding experience. Features like a non-slip deck pad, bungee cords for storage, or D-rings for attaching gear might prove beneficial. Since we like to paddle board with our dogs, a soft on the joints non-slip deck pad that is also durable is important to us. If you prefer using a kayak seat over a folding stadium seat, then you will want a paddle board with d-rings for attaching the kayak seat to.
#8 - Price
Consider your budget and then compare it with the board's features and quality. An expensive paddle board does not always mean it's the best one for you. We believe in inflatable paddle boards that are the best value for your money. We have 4 kids, their friends and a variety of other family members that all go paddling with us at times. Therefore we have had plenty of experience accessing value as kids an dogs are great strength and durability testers…
#9 - Warranty
Ideally, the paddle board should come with a warranty for at least one year. This protects you in case there are any manufacturing defects or damages.
#10 - User Reviews
Don't forget to check out user reviews to get firsthand experiences and feedback from individuals who have used the board. It can provide you with valuable information about the product's practical performance.
Now that you know what you should be looking for, lets talk about our favorite inflatable paddle board with seat!
Our favorite inflatable paddle board with seat
Whether you want to paddle sitting down all the time or like to stand up routinely, the Isle Switch paddle board is hands down the best made and most stable board out there.
They call it a hybrid kayak and paddle board. At 11 feet 6 inches long it has plenty of room for one person with gear, one person with a dog or even two people. At 35.5 inches wide, it is super stable while also fun to paddle. It will hold a total of 425 pounds and weighs only 19 pounds!
Do you have a medium to large sized dog? Then this board is definitely for you!
They have been able to make this board so ultra lightweight because they crafted it using Air-Tech Fusion Lite construction which means the fabric of the board has a tighter weave, making it ultra durable and 25% lighter than the standard inflatable construction. It is the lightest combo sit down + stand up paddle board of its size.
Another key feature is how comfortable this board is to use due to the full coverage “nose to tail” traction pad. This pad has a soft brushed and grippy surface which is perfect for standing, kneeling, or opening the entire deck for yoga, pets, kids and lounging. When in use as a kayak the seat and ergonomic footrest included add steady support and premium comfort.
The Switch comes equipped with a series of rugged webbing loops that run the length of the paddle board allowing you to attach gear anywhere you want to! We have found this to be a dream when it comes to using this board with two people as well as solo, solo with the dog, solo with the dog and cooler, etc. It is hands down the most flexible board on the market and it will provide you years of use even as you evolve how you like to paddle board over time!
All of the Isle gear and accessories come with stainless steel "G" clips which make attaching and detaching things a snap, but you can also easily use your own carabiners and other accessories with clips.
The Isle Switch comes with one of their "Cloud Kayak Seats". This inflatable seat is super comfortable and provides excellent back support. The inflatable base means that you are not sitting in the puddle of water that can accumulate on the deck of the board due to water dripping off the paddle … or your dog dripping everywhere after jumping into the water. The seat has the same inflation set-up as the paddle board itself meaning you can use the same pump for the seat as you use to inflate your paddle board.
We only have one of these boards, but another great feature is you can easily attach two or more of these kayaks together which is super cool if you are paddling in a group and want to eat lunch together or if you are doing yoga.
The Isle Switch is not the least expensive paddle board of its size, but we think it provides outstanding value for what you pay. Plus, it is so versatile, you may buy it so that you can paddle seated today, but you may find yourself fishing on it next year, using it for camping and doing yoga with your favorite group of friends the year after that.
Our favorite budget inflatable paddle board with seat
If you are on a budget yet still want an awesome inflatable paddle board with seat, the iTAOSTAR Inflatable Paddle Board with Kayak Seat is the best we have found for the money.
Branded as a true SUP + Kayak, it comes with many accessories. Sure, there are some compromises but unless you want to invest over a thousand dollars on a paddle board this will meet or exceed your needs. There are two versions to choose from. The Journey version has an inflated seat back, inflatable foot rest and comes with accessories for fishing. The Cat/Dog version comes with a rigid seat back, foam foot rest and your choice of the dog or cat color scheme and labeling. All come with a camera mount to attach your GoPro to in the front of the boat.
iTAOSTAR Cat Paddle Board with SeatThe iTaostar Dog or Cat is 11-feet tall and a generous 34-inches wide and has a weight capacity of 400 pounds. We love it because it is an excellent board and it also costs significantly less than the higher end paddle boards with many of the same features.
This brightly colored board is easy for other boats to see when you are on the water. It is both fun and comes with much more than a paddle and a pump. Included in this package are:
- Very comfortable reclining inflatable kayak seat with a storage pouch on the back
- A foam footrest
- Velcro holders for the paddle on the side of the board so you don't have to worry about it sliding off the board when you relax and have lunch or are having a nap
- Bungees at the front and back of the board
- Lots of d-rings
- A convertible paddle for stand-up or sit-down use
- A shoulder strap that makes the board easy for one person to carry
- Four robust handles for attaching things to and for team carrying
- A 10-liter dry bag and waterproof phone case
- 3 removable fins so that you can use the smaller ones for running shallow rivers and all three in deep water situations.
- A double action inflation pump
- A repair kit with a valve wrench
- A bag that easily holds everything
Beginners will feel very comfortable on this board because it is nice and stable and the seat is very comfortable. More advanced people will enjoy this board because it handles well in the water and the three fins ensure nice straight tracking for longer treks. The dog and cat versions are exactly the same except for the differences in colors and graphics. We were a bit skeptical about the inflatable kayak seat, but both the seat and backrest are very comfortable. The back is nice and high, providing lots of support. The footrest is very comfortable, but we hardly use it since we are perfectly comfortable without it.
The iTaostar Journey is 11'6" tall and a generous 34" wide and has a weight capacity of 430 pounds. We love it because it is an excellent board and it also costs significantly less than the higher end paddle boards with many of the same features.
We really appreciate the attention to detail and the wide range of high-end accessories. This board comes with more than a paddle and a pump. Some of the bells and whistles we like are:
- Very comfortable reclining inflatable kayak seat with a bungee cup holder at the base, and a pocket at the back (7”x9”).
- Inflatable footrest
- Velcro holders for the paddle on the side of the board so you don't have to worry about it sliding off the board when you relax and have lunch or are having a nap
- Bungees at the front and back of the board
- Lots of D rings
- Extra Velcro straps (2)
- Double-sided or single sided convertible paddle.
- A shoulder strap that makes the board easy for one person to carry
- Five robust handles for carrying the board and attaching things to
- A 10-liter dry bag and waterproof phone case
- 3 removable fins so that you can use the smaller ones for running shallow rivers and all three in deep water situations.
- A fishing pole holder that attaches to either of the pole holder bases near the back of the board
- A dual phase inflation pump
- Everything fits easily in the provided bag.
We also think the board is quite colourful and has a fun print (it's on the bottom so it doesn't get enjoyed nearly enough). We were a bit skeptical about the inflatable kayak seat, but both the seat and backrest are very comfortable. The back is nice and high, providing lots of support. We really like the strap for adjusting the backrest because it allows you to make the seat as upright or reclined as you like. Since John loves to be fairly reclined and Julie's mom likes to be more upright it is easy to make everyone happy. Both our son and daughter really liked using the kayak feature and it is incredibly stable. My son goes out on the lake and pulls 180 turns with ease and speed! There are lots of bungees on the front and some on the back which are nice for holding a small cooler, a drybag, sunscreen, food and other essentials while we are out on the water. The dry pack it comes with is a good size too. The leash is a great length and it does not ever feel like it is restricting movement.
Then, there are the handles. So many handles! but they are comfortable and a good size so it doesn't feel like its too much for your hand or too small that is digs into your finger grip. Handles on the front, back, middle, and sides. Easy for team carrying and a shoulder strap for the solo carry if you like!
We love attaching carabiners with stuff to the handles and they are great for strapping down a big cooler if you are going out to an island to hang out for the day with friends. Or fishing!
Last thoughts for finding the best inflatable paddle board with seat
If you really have your heart set on using a folding chair or you want to upgrade the seat that comes with your paddle board in the future, we recommend simply buying one separately and using it your iTAOSTAR paddle board.
Learn more about the best seats for paddle boarding.
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