How to Choose a Backpacking Paddleboard
Some of the best water out there isn't roadside. It's tucked behind a ridgeline, past a trailhead, or down a canyon you've never explored. That remote alpine lake you've seen in photos? It's out there, and with the right board, you could paddle it.
Welcome to the world of hikeable SUP: where paddleboarding meets backcountry adventure. If you've ever dreamed of shouldering your board like a pack and hiking into places most paddlers can never reach, this guide is for you.
Why Hikeable SUP?
Traditional paddleboards are incredible, but they have one obvious limitation: you've got to be able to get them to the water. For most paddlers that means a roof rack, a boat launch, and a parking lot. Not exactly backcountry wilderness vibes.
Hikeable inflatable SUPs - sometimes called backpacking paddleboards - flip that script entirely. They pack down into a compact backpack, weigh as little as 15 lbs, and can be carried on your back like a hiking pack. Think of all the spots that suddenly become possible: mountain lakes, jungle rivers, hidden sea caves, remote coastlines you've only ever seen on maps.
Paddle More, Worry Less - that's the whole philosophy. You bring the curiosity; the right board handles the rest.
"Whether it's your neighborhood lake or a secret surf spot, every paddle is a chance to explore."
What to Look for in a Backpacking Paddleboard
Not all inflatable SUPs are built for hiking the trail. Here are the key things to consider when you're shopping for a board that can go the extra distance - on land and on water.
1. Weight
This is the big one. When you're hiking miles into the backcountry, every ounce matters. Look for a board in the 14–17 lb range when fully packed. Anything heavier and you'll definitely feel it before you even hit the water!
Pro tip: don't just check the board weight - weigh the whole package or system. That includes the paddle, pump, fins, leash, and the bag itself. The total pack weight is what you're actually carrying up that trail, and don’t forget to factor in some snacks and a bottle of water!
2. Pack Size
A genuinely hikeable SUP should deflate and roll down small enough to fit inside a proper backpack carry system. Look for boards that pack into a 40-liter (or smaller) dry bag with shoulder straps and a waist harness. If it doesn't fit on your back comfortably, it's not a backcountry board - it's just an inflatable.
3. Carry System
Speaking of which: how the board carries matters just as much as how small it packs. A quality backpacking SUP comes with a purpose-built carry system - ideally a dry bag backpack with padded shoulder straps, a hip harness for weight distribution, and external pockets for your pump, fins, and snacks. Having a system that functional too, like a dry bag backpack can make all the difference.
If you're trekking 5 miles uphill, your board's carry system is doing a lot of work. Choose wisely.
4. Durability
Remote water means no paddling back to the gear shop if something goes wrong. Your board needs to handle rocky shores, submerged logs, and whatever else the backcountry can throw at it. Look for boards built with woven drop stitch technology - it creates a firm, rigid surface under pressure and holds up against the kind of conditions you'll encounter off the beaten path.
5. Board Performance
You're putting in the work to get there - the board should reward you once you're on the water. Look for a displacement hull design, which cuts through the water more efficiently than a planing hull, giving you better glide with less effort. A 10’-11’ board in the 29”-32" width range strikes the right balance between stability and speed for backcountry paddling.
6. Paddle Design
Your paddle is part of the system too. In a hikeable SUP kit, you want a paddle that breaks down into multiple pieces and ideally has a flexible or rollable blade - so it can pack down just as efficiently as the board itself. A hard-blade paddle that sticks out of your pack is a trail hazard and a storage headache.
Meet the Gold Standard: The Solo SUP™ Backcountry
If you're serious about hikeable SUP, there's one board that we built specifically for that mission: the Solo SUP™ iSUP.
This is the first paddleboard ever designed from the ground up purely for backcountry adventure - and it shows in every detail.
It Was Made for This
The Solo SUP™ was born from the minds of dirtbag hippies with a deep love for surfing, paddleboarding, and getting way off the map. It's designed for digital nomads, weekend warriors, and anyone who refuses to let a trailhead be the end of the adventure.
The Numbers
- Weight: 14.8 lbs - one of the lightest packable SUPs on the market
- Length: 10'10" | Width: 30" | Volume: 240L
- Max rider weight: 215 lbs
- Hull type: Displacement - built for efficient, smooth gliding
- Construction: Ultra-light woven drop stitch technology
The Carry System is Brilliant
The Solo SUP packs into a custom 40-liter dry bag backpack made from lightweight, eco-friendly TPU. It's not an afterthought - this is a real backcountry carry system with detachable shoulder straps, a waist harness for weight distribution, and mesh side pockets for quick access to your snacks, sunscreen, or a dry pair of fresh socks. The whole kit - board, paddle, pump, fins, and leash - fits inside.
When deflated, the board takes up roughly half the space of a typical inflatable SUP. That means more room in your pack for the gear that makes a trip great.
The Solo Paddle™ - A Backcountry Breakthrough
The Solo SUP comes paired with the Solo Paddle™, and it deserves its own spotlight. This five-piece fiberglass paddle features a fully rollable soft blade - a patent-pending design that's a total game-changer for packability. It weighs just 25 oz and adjusts from 167-193 cm, and it can even convert into a pack raft canoe paddle. Roll it up, stuff it in your pack, and forget it's there until you need it.
No more wrestling a hard-blade paddle onto your pack or strapping it awkwardly to the outside of your bag. The Solo Paddle™ just disappears into your kit.
On the Water
The 30" width and displacement hull give you a stable, efficient ride which is perfectly dialed for the kinds of water you'll find in the backcountry: alpine lakes, calm bays, rivers with gentle current. Twin 6" quick snap-in fins make setup a breeze (no tools, no fuss), and front and rear 5mm bungee tie-downs mean you can lash a dry bag, camping gear, or your lunch to the board without missing a beat.
"The Solo SUP™ Backcountry opens up a world of exploration beyond the usual spots."
Who's the Solo SUP Right For?
Adventure Seekers
If you're drawn to places most paddlers never go like remote rivers, hidden lakes, coastal zones only accessible by trail, this board was made for you. Pack it in, inflate it, paddle out. Repeat.
Travelers
Checking in as luggage? Yes, please. The Solo SUP deflates down small enough to fly with, meaning your paddleboarding adventures don't stop at the departure gate. Road trip, backpacking trip, island-hopping trip - whatever it is, your board can come along.
Weekend Warriors
You've got two days and a trail in mind. The Solo SUP is fast to set up, fast to break down, and everything packs into one bag. Perfect for seizing the weekend and finding your flow.
Casual Paddlers Who Want Options
You don't need to be going full expedition to appreciate a board this portable. The Solo SUP is equally at home on your local lake as it is on a mountain adventure. It's just an incredibly versatile board that happens to go anywhere.
Hikeable SUP Packing Tips
Once you've got the right board, here's how to set yourself up for a great trip:
Pack Smart, Pack Light
Your paddleboard kit takes up the bulk of the pack, so everything else needs to pull its weight. Go with a compact pump (the Nano Pump included with the Solo SUP is ideal), a leash that rolls small, and a minimal fin setup. Leave the heavy stuff in the car at the trailhead.
Use Your Bungees
The front and rear bungee tie-downs on the Solo SUP are there for a reason. Strap a dry bag to the nose, clip your water bottle to the back. When you're paddling somewhere remote, having your gear on-board means you're self-sufficient out on the water.
Know Your Water
A hikeable board opens doors to remote water, which means you're often paddling somewhere without a lifeguard, cell service, or a paddle shop just around the corner. Check the conditions before you go, always wear your leash, and let someone know your plans and target return time. Adventure responsibly.
Inflate at the Water's Edge
Don't inflate at the trailhead and carry a fully inflated board down the trail - you already knew that, but it's worth saying. Hike in with your pack, inflate when you arrive, and enjoy the payoff of getting there.
The Bottom Line
The backcountry is calling, and a hikeable SUP is your ticket in. Whether you're dreaming of a remote alpine paddle, a week on a trail with water at every turn, or just the freedom to explore wherever your feet take you, having the right board makes it all possible.
The Solo SUP™ from Pau Hana is the real deal: purpose-built for this kind of adventure, obsessively light, brilliantly packable, and genuinely fun to paddle once you get there. It's not just a board - it's a whole new way to explore.
So grab your pack, hit the trail, and Share the Stoke. The water's waiting.
— Pau Hana Surf Supply | Paddle More, Worry Less
