Water dogs can’t get enough of the water, so why not take them on an adventure by letting them join you while you paddle board? Paddle boarding with canines can be incredibly fun for both pups and humans, but it does add some extra considerations to the process. This is particularly true when it comes to choosing a paddle board that will work for yourself and your dog.
You’ll find plenty of options when you need water dog adventure gear, but which paddle board is the best? We’re here to tell you which paddle boards are most likely to work out well for you and your pup with quick reviews of the top ten paddle boards for dogs, as well as a buyers’ guide that gives you the lowdown on what you should consider when determining which paddle board to purchase. Keep reading for all you need to know!
A Quick Look at Our Favorites of 2024
Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall | Roc Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Boards |
|
CHECK PRICE | |
Best Value | Niphean Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board |
|
CHECK PRICE | |
Premium Choice | GILI Komodo Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board |
|
CHECK PRICE | |
Atoll Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board ISUP |
|
CHECK PRICE | ||
MyBoat Extra Wide Inflatable Paddle Board |
|
CHECK PRICE |
The 10 Best Paddle Boards for Dogs
1. Roc Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Boards – Best Overall
Size: | 10 ft 6 in |
Weight: | 18 lbs |
Weight capacity: | 350 lbs |
Skill level: | All |
We found the Roc Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board to be the best overall paddle board for dogs. The 2024 version of this paddle board is made with material that is supposedly 200% stronger and more durable than other paddle boards on the market, so it can easily withstand the wear and tear of canine nails. The board is designed to be extra wide, which gives your pup more room to hang and allows for this board to be better used by paddle boarders of all skill levels. Plus, the Roc paddle board comes with eight accessories, including a paddle and dry bag, so it’s more bang for your buck. Many who used this board said its features rivaled boards that were much pricier; they also enjoyed how stable it was when a person and pup were on it.
There weren’t many negative comments about the Roc paddle board, but there does seem to be an issue with the valve getting stuck during inflation, which results in the air immediately leaking out, so you have to re-inflate it. There were also a few complaints about the anti-slip material coming off the paddle board, even without heavy use of the board.
- Material used is supposedly 200% stronger than competitors
- Extra wide
- Extremely stable
- Valve may get stuck while inflating paddle board
- Anti-slip material may come off
2. Niphean Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board – Best Value
Size: | 10 ft 6 in |
Weight: | 19 lbs |
Weight capacity: | 300 lbs |
Skill level: | All |
When you want the best paddle board for dogs for the money, you want to check out the Niphean Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board. Not only is it one of the least expensive paddle boards around, but they also occasionally offer coupons for money off (at least through Amazon). Niphean also provides customers with a one-year warranty and a 30-day return guarantee, so if the product doesn’t meet your standards or breaks down, you won’t be out of the money you spent. The board is long and wide enough to seat your furry friend and is designed for extra stability. It also has 11 D-rings, which means you can attach a host of extras from another paddle board to a cooler.
Many dog parents were huge fans of this board’s ability to hold a lot of weight and its stability, but there were a couple of minor complaints. One such complaint was about dog feet marking up the foam part of the board, though most agreed that wasn’t a huge deal. Other complaints included the pressure gauge not working and the fins on the board being a bit flimsy.
- Best value
- One-year warranty
- Tons of D-rings on board
- Dogs’ feet easily mark up foam
- Pressure gauge doesn’t always work
- Fins are a little flimsy
3. GILI Komodo Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board – Premium Choice
Size: | 10 ft 6 in |
Weight: | 21 lbs |
Weight capacity: | 340 lbs |
Skill level: | All |
If you’re looking for a premium paddle board for yourself and your pup, we recommend the GILI Komodo Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board. Made from military-grade PVC, this board is one of the strongest paddle boards available. Advertised as one of the most stable boards around, this paddle board can hold a ton of weight. It can carry tons of extra stuff while you’re on the water, too, due to the dual bungees and extra D-rings it contains. Plus, the board has a diamond rear tail end that provides more grip for tailspins.
This was another board that had no major complaints. One person had their pump break, and another had a faulty fin, but that was pretty much it, and customer service proved helpful in both cases.
- Loads of carrying space
- Strong and stable
- Diamond rear tail end
- Single complaint of pump breaking
- Occasional faulty fin
4. Atoll Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board ISUP
Size: | 11 ft |
Weight: | 19 lbs |
Weight capacity: | 400 lbs |
Skill level: | All |
This paddle board by Atoll promises only the most stable of rides due to its PVC-reinforced drop-stitch technology, which guarantees sturdiness even for those just beginning their paddle board journey. With an extra layer of PVC to offer more rigidity and a few extra inches of room, the Atoll paddle board makes it easier for your pup to ride when you hit the water. Plus, this board has 15 D-rings, UV-resistant protective coating, and a 2-year warranty, all of which add to the appeal. The Atoll board also includes superior tracking, so your board stays straighter while on the water.
This board received a few complaints about the high-pressure valve, including mentions of the valve handle breaking and the valve seal not sealing properly. There were also a couple of complaints about the repair kit that comes with the board not actually being useful.
- Stable and sturdy
- Offers extra room
- Better tracking so the board will stay straight on the water
- Issues with high-pressure valve
- Repair kit that comes with board doesn’t appear to be helpful
5. MyBoat Extra Wide Inflatable Paddle Board
Size: | 11 ft 6 in |
Weight: | 33 lbs |
Weight capacity: | 430 lbs |
Skill level: | All |
The MyBoat paddle board has extra width to help make the board more stable on the water, while the wider anti-slip deck makes standing up easier. This board also holds a ton of weight, so if you have more than one canine pal you want to take paddle boarding, this might be a great board for you. With 14 D-rings, there’s plenty of storage to be found, and as a bonus, this paddle board has a camera mount so you can take action shots on your ride. This board seems to be exceptionally good for beginners, and pet parents raved about how well it held up to interactions with dogs.
The biggest complaint people had about the MyBoat paddle board was that the accessories that come with it aren’t that great, so you may end up needing to get different ones. There were also a handful of complaints about fins breaking off the second they brushed against anything.
- Extra width for more stability
- Good board for beginners
- Holds up to interactions with dogs
- Accessories that come with it aren’t great
- Fins seem to easily break off
6. SereneLife Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board
Size: | 10 ft 6 in |
Weight: | 9 lbs |
Weight capacity: | 300 lbs |
Skill level: | All |
When you want a paddle board that’s soft but still sturdy, look no further than this paddle board by SereneLife. This board is high on comfort while still maintaining stability via reinforced PVC and drop stitching. The anti-slip deck is soft enough to cushion falls, so you can worry less about injury if you or your dog get knocked down. With triple bottom panel fins, steering this paddle board is a breeze, and at just under 14 pounds, this is incredibly easy to transport. People found their pups could balance quite well on this board, too.
However, some people didn’t like the fact that the removable fin needed to be screwed in, and many people were unable to fit the paddle board back into the bag after using it. A few people also had their paddles break on them rather quickly.
- Soft, but sturdy
- Triple bottom fins
- Dogs seem to balance well on board
- Removable fin has to be screwed in
- Board doesn’t fit back in bag after use
- Some paddles broke quickly
7. iROCKER Nautical Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board
Size: | 10 ft 6 in |
Weight: | 20 lbs |
Weight capacity: | 240 lbs |
Skill level: | All |
This versatile paddle board gives you the standard speed and stability but provides extra maneuverability, so you and your dog have an easier time getting around. It only takes minutes to inflate, and many users said it was fantastic for beginners. This iRocker paddle board has 17 D-rings and a back cargo hold, so you can pack up all you’ll need on your journey. Plus, this paddle board is incredibly affordable. Dog parents loved the stability of this board and said their dogs’ nails did very little damage to it.
Some people had issues with the fins not fitting correctly, though, and there were reports of the valve on the board breaking. It also seems as if the iRocker customer service isn’t great, as there were several complaints from people who received little to no help from them.
- Extra maneuverability
- Takes little time to inflate
- Dog nails did very little damage
- Seems to have issues with fins fitting properly
- Valve may break easily
- Customer service isn’t wonderful
8. Mousa Extra Wide Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board
Size: | 11 ft 6 in |
Weight: | 20 lbs |
Weight capacity: | 330 lbs |
Skill level: | All |
This Mousa paddle board has been improved to offer 30% more durability and resistance, so it’s stronger than ever. The military-grade materials, drop stitching, and double PVC rail layers used to create this board also ensure it holds up to wear and tear. The anti-slip deck has diamond grooves and is incredibly soft on feet while still providing enough traction to prevent falls. Dog owners said their dogs’ nails didn’t damage the board; they also said the ability to balance on this board wasn’t hindered by having a dog with them (although extra wiggly pups may be a different story!).
That doesn’t mean there weren’t any complaints, though. Some had trouble attaching the fin, while others had problems finding replacement parts when needed. There were complaints about customer service with this paddle board, too, as people said they were incredibly unhelpful.
- Provides extra resistance and durability
- Anti-slip deck is soft but still offers traction
- Dogs’ nails didn’t damage board
- Some had issues with the fin
- People couldn’t find replacement parts
- Customer service isn’t great
9. Drift Aero Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board
Size: | 10 ft 8 in |
Weight: | 19 lbs |
Weight capacity: | 250 lbs |
Skill level: | All |
The Drift Aero paddle board has an expansive deck that gives you and your pup more room to navigate and offers more stability while on the water. It isn’t the widest deck you’ll find on a paddle board, but it does provide plenty of space. And despite the deck being made of foam, this paddle board held up to not only dog nails but cat nails, too! People loved how lightweight this board is, as it made carting it around with canines so much easier.
There were some issues with inflation, as it seems to take quite a bit of time to fully inflate this paddle board, and several people complained about the gauge not working on the air pump. There were also a few issues with pieces of the Aero peeling off, such as the foam top.
- Wide deck provides plenty of space for dogs
- Holds up well against dog nails
- Super lightweight
- Take a while to inflate fully
- Gauge on the pump doesn’t always work
- Some had issues with pieces of the board peeling away
10. GILI Air Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board
Size: | 11 ft 6 in |
Weight: | 19 lbs |
Weight capacity: | 295 lbs |
Skill level: | All |
This GILI product feels like a hard board rather than an inflatable one when it’s inflated, but it has the weight of an inflatable board, so it’s much easier to carry around. Reinforced PVC with cross stitching helps to prevent damage (including from dog nails), while the overly large traction pad shaped like a diamond is a perfect place to park your pup while paddle boarding. This board comes with a host of accessories, a 60-day return policy, and a 2-year warranty.
There were several complaints regarding the fins of this board, though, such as the fins not locking or even breaking off. People also had issues with the air pump that comes with the board, such as the pressure gauge not working or the pump breaking. Finally, there were a few reports of the paddle board leaking air, but those were rare.
- Feels like a hard board, but with half the weight
- Overly large traction pad for dogs
- Holds up well against dog nails
- Problems were had with fins
- People had issues with the air pump
- A few had trouble with the board leaking air
Buyer’s Guide: Getting the Best Paddle Board for You & Your Dog
If you’re looking for a paddle board you can use with your canine companion, you’ll need to consider several factors before purchasing a board. Here’s what to look at when deciding on the perfect paddle board for your dog and yourself!
Dog Size
The size of your dog is vastly important to finding the best board to take them out on. Smaller breeds, like toy or miniature ones, will fit on pretty much any paddle board out there. But when you have medium breeds and larger, the size of your pup will need to be taken into consideration. Your dog needs to be able to physically fit on a board, so the paddle board has to be long enough and wide enough to accommodate you both. Not only that, but you also need to add your dog’s weight to your own weight and check the weight capacity of the paddle board you’re considering to make sure it can hold the combined weight.
Paddle Board Size
Once you’ve considered your dog’s size, plus your own, it’s time to find a paddle board that fits you both. If you have a larger pup, you’ll want a wider board (32 to 34 inches should work for most) and a longer length (10 to 12 feet). Getting a wider and longer board ensures that you have the needed space and that weight is distributed evenly, offering more stability and comfort as you and your dog ride.
Stability
A stable paddle board is vital, whether you’re paddle boarding alone or with your dog, but having a canine on board means you need extra stability. Unless your canine pal is trained not to move an inch while on the paddle board, they’ll be shifting around and might even jump in the water, which could lead to a wipeout for you. This is where a wider and longer paddle board helps immensely, as it improves the stability of your ride.
Durability
Of course, the durability of a paddle board is also essential in determining which board is right for your dog. Dogs will use their nails on paddle boards to help them grip and gain better balance, which can easily cause damage to lesser-quality boards. They’re likely to use their nails to help them get out of the water back onto the board, as well, which means they could end up scratching or tearing seams. It can be difficult to tell how durable a paddle board is, but purchasing a board from a company you know is reliable can help, as can reading reviews from other dog parents.
Deck Pad Space
Your dog will be sitting or standing on the deck pad space while you paddle board, so the deck pad space needs to be large enough to accommodate them so they don’t have to walk on the slippery portion of the paddle board. This space should ideally be free of accessories, too, like camera mounts or D-rings.
Warranty
Look for paddle boards that come with a warranty and return policy, especially if you’re a beginner paddleboarder. This way, you know you have some time to return the board if something happens to it or you realize paddle boarding isn’t for you. A warranty also ensures that if something happens to your board in the next couple of years, you can get a replacement or replacement parts without shelling out any more money.
Extra Safety
Don’t forget to factor in the extra safety items you’ll need to get for your pup! A paddle board won’t come with these things, so they’ll be separate purchases. The most important item your dog will need is a personal flotation device, so if they fall off the board and panic, they’ll still float. A dry bag to carry food, water, and other items for your pet is smart, too, as is putting doggie sunscreen on your dog. Your water dog needs their very own adventure gear for your trip!
Reviews
Reading reviews from other dog parents who have used the paddle board you’re thinking of getting is one of the best ways to decide whether the board is right for you and your dog. People who have used the paddle board already will offer up a more honest experience of what using the board is like.
Conclusion
Here’s a quick look back at our top three paddle boards for dogs reviews!
When you want the best overall paddle board for dogs, consider the Roc Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board, as it’s incredibly durable and stable. For those who want the best paddle board for dogs for the money, look at the Niphean Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board for its affordability and its warranty. Finally, if it’s a premium paddle board you’re after, the GILI Komodo Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board is stable and has a lot of carrying space.
Featured Image Credit: Reshetnikov_art, Shutterstock
Contents
- The 10 Best Paddle Boards for Dogs
- 1. Roc Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Boards – Best Overall
- 2. Niphean Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board – Best Value
- 3. GILI Komodo Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board – Premium Choice
- 4. Atoll Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board ISUP
- 5. MyBoat Extra Wide Inflatable Paddle Board
- 6. SereneLife Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board
- 7. iROCKER Nautical Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board
- 8. Mousa Extra Wide Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board
- 9. Drift Aero Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board
- 10. GILI Air Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board
- Buyer’s Guide: Getting the Best Paddle Board for You & Your Dog
- Conclusion