I am looking at purchasing my first paddle board. My biggest issue with the inflatable is that they are made of PVC and UV degradation. Usual life span of pvc is about 2 years. It would suck to sink 1k on a product for it to only last 2 years.
Material quality and care will have a significant impact on lifespan of an inflatable board, but it should last you a very long time. We definitely recommend paying attention to PVC thickness and seam reinforcement when shopping. We do recommend storing out of the elements when not in use, which will also dramatically increase life span of an inflatable board.
I have inflatables and rigid ones, there is no color, the rigid ones are much better, faster, more stable, they are less affected by the wind, they are easier to handle.
You seem very pro-inflatable. I can't stand inflatables. Besides obvious storage advantages, they never track as well because they are lighter and more susceptible to force inputs. They are never as stable because they ALWAYS have a higher center of gravity. Inflatables will also never be as durable as the seams degrade, especially in hot climates. I've never dropped my hard board because I'm careful with my investment. Granted, I've never tried your brand of inflatable, but for my money a hard board is far superior if you have the storage space.
Thanks for watching the video! We think there are pros and cons to both and love paddling our Loon solid boards. As mentioned in the video, there are certainly some performance advantages to solid boards. But just like anything, not all inflatable paddle boards (along with solid boards) are equal from a quality and performance perspective. Length, width, and overall bard design will greatly impact speed and stability. Material thickness, seam reinforcement and additional features, such as inclusion of pressure relief valves, will impact durability and lifespan. Ultimately it comes down to lifestyle and how you intend to use your board. Glad you've enjoyed your solid board and happy to hear you take good care of it!
