Ever been paddle boarding? It’s a super fun, chill summer activity that can get you out on the lake and into the sun this season. Great for getting an upper body workout or even for finding an adventurous place to do your morning yoga routine, paddle boards are simple, sleek, and easy to throw on the roof rack of your car.
Sold in their outdoor gear section as well as on their website, Costco carries many different varieties of paddle boards, with some available in store and even more available online.
Contents
What Kind Of Paddle Boards Does Costco Sell?
Here is a list of all the different varieties of paddle boards currently available through Costco. Supplies vary by location. You will also find the current listed prices for each board on this list.
Inflatable paddle boards:
- ULI Lila 10′ Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board ($799.99 – online)
- ULI Inventor 12’ Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board ($699.99 – online)
- Hyperlite Elevation 10’2″ Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board Package ($399.99 – online)
- Jimmy Styks 11′ Inflatable Stand Up Paddleboard ($399.99 – online)
- Body Glove Performer 11′ Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board Package ($399.99 – online)
- Body Glove Oasis 10′ Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board Package ($429.99 – online)
Non-inflatable paddle boards (hard shell):
- Atlantic 10’6″ Hard Shell SUP ($769.99 – online)
- Scott Burke SUP-10′ Pioneer Foam Paddle Board Package ($569.99 – online)
- Scott Burke 10’6″ Atlantic Composite Stand Up Paddle Board ($699.99 – online / $599.99 in store)
- Scott Burke 10’6″ Foam Hybrid Stand Up Paddle Board with Kayak Conversion Seat ($619.99)
- Lifetime 10′ Hardshell Horizon 2-pack Paddle Board ($749.99 – online)
2-person paddle boards:
- Body Glove Tandem 15′ Inflatable 2 Person Stand Up Paddle Board Package ($629.99 – online)
Paddle boards for kids:
- Body Glove Grommet Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board for Kids ($299.99 – online)
How Much Are Costco’s Paddle Boards?
Paddle boards at Costco vary quite a bit in price, ranging from $300 up to about $800. In the list above, you can see a price breakdown of each different paddle board currently available at Costco.
So, what determines whether a paddle board is on the lower versus higher end of the price spectrum? First of all, inflatable paddle boards trend slightly more affordable than the non-inflatable styles such as foam or composite boards.
Prices also vary by brand, with Body Glove boards being generally more affordable than brands like Scott Burke and ULI.
Overall, more expensive paddle boards are likely made with more durable materials, while cheaper boards are made with cheaper, less durable materials. In other words, the more you pay for your board, the longer it’s likely to last.
How To Inflate A Costco Paddle Board
Inflating your paddle board won’t be as complicated as it might sound, as your board will come with its own pump if you buy an inflatable board.
Pumps can vary in style, from hand pumps to electric pumps, but electric pumps are generally fastest and easiest to use, requiring less effort on your part.
Other pumps can be used as well, such as bike pumps and tire pumps; however, you will likely have to buy an adapter to get these other pumps to fit the valve of your board.
To inflate your paddle board, follow the instructions that come with your board closely and use the pump provided.
If you’re having trouble, you can also check out this video on how to inflate a standup paddle board.
Inflatable Vs. Hard Paddle Boards At Costco
Now, the real question is: should you buy an inflatable board or a hard-shell board? Both have benefits, and Costco stocks high-quality boards in both varieties.
Here, we will go over the pros and cons of each type to help you decide which board is best for you.
Inflatable Paddle Boards
- Pros
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- Easy to transport – By far the biggest benefit of an inflatable paddle board is the ease with which you can carry it around. No need for a roof rack on your car–simply pack this thing into a backpack and you’re good to go. Inflatable paddle boards can even come with you on backpacking trips when you’re headed out to alpine lakes, so there’s really no limit to where you can go with an inflatable board.
- Stability – One of the best things for a beginner paddle boarder is a board that won’t constantly be tipping over, and generally speaking, inflatable boards are known for being significantly more stable than similarly sized hard boards.
- More affordable – Generally speaking, inflatable paddle boards trend toward the lower end of the price spectrum, making them more accessible, especially for beginner paddle boarders.
- They’re more forgiving when you fall – Falling at some point is inevitable when you’re a paddle boarder, and falling on something soft is just less painful than falling on something hard.
- Durability – It might come as a surprise, but inflatable boards are actually known for being generally more durable than hard shell boards. Because the materials of inflatable boards have a bit of give, they aren’t prone to damage like hard-shell boards, which can easily incur problematic dents and dings that are expensive to repair.
- Cons
-
- Not as easy to maneuver – As you’ll see later on, hard-shell boards are the go-to for competitive paddle boarders who use them for surfing and racing. So, it’s no surprise that the inflatable boards just don’t perform as well when it comes to maneuverability. But if you’re not concerned with being fast and agile on the water, then it probably won’t be an issue for you.
- Flexibility – Wait, isn’t flexibility a good thing? Usually. But what we mean is that inflatable paddle boards can actually yield a little “give” or sinking in the middle of the board due to the fact that air shrinks and expands depending on temperature. So, even if you inflate your board all the way before you get out on the water, you might still notice that it’s not 100% firm as you’re paddling. For some people, this might get annoying.
Hard-Shell Paddle Boards
- Pros
-
- Speed, agility, and maneuverability – This is the one big pro of a hard board. For paddle boarders who want to race or use their board to surf, a hard-shell board is typically the way to go. Inflatable boards just don’t have the same grace necessary to maneuver choppy or wavy waters.
- Cons
-
- Prone to dings and dents – Like we mentioned before, hard-shell boards can incur damage that can be expensive to fix.
- Difficult to transport – If you have a roof rack on your car and you don’t plan on paddle boarding at any lakes deep in the woods, then this probably won’t cause you much grief. But it can’t really be denied that hard-shell boards just aren’t quite as portable.
- They’re expensive – Because they’re designed to appeal to more serious and competitive boarders, hard-shell paddle boards tend to be on the more expensive side.
How To Pick A Good Paddle Board At Costco
Choosing the perfect paddle board is a multi-step process, so there are still more factors to consider even after you’ve decided whether you want an inflatable or hard board.
Next, you’ll want to decide what size board to choose based on your weight and what you are personally wanting to do with your board. For example, if you’re interested in speed and maneuverability, then you’ll want a slightly differently shaped board then if you’re planning on using your board to do yoga.
Check out this article from Pumped SUP that offers some great guidelines for choosing the perfect paddle board size for you.
Here, you will find a key system that we made based on the advice offered from Pumped SUP.
| If your top priority in a paddle board is… | then you should choose a board that’s… |
| stability, | 10’-11’ and 33”-34” wide (the wider you go, the slower your board will be when paddling) |
| maneuverability, | under 10’ and 30”-32” wide (this is also a good option if you weigh less than 150 lbs) |
| speed and straight tracking, | over 12’ and 26”-32” wide or specifically marketed as a racing board (the narrower the board, the faster it will be, but you will also lose stability) |
| riding rapids, | at least 36” wide (these boards will be slow for regular paddling, but they’ll be stable enough to keep you afloat on choppy waters) |
| capacity, | 6” thick (standard paddle boards are generally 5” thick, but heavier paddlers might want to consider a slightly thicker board) |
Are Costco Paddle Boards Good?
Generally speaking, Costco is known for stocking high quality items, and paddle boards are definitely on that list. Offering a wide range of boards from entry-level boards to boards designed for more experienced paddlers, Costco sells paddle boards that are sure to satisfy anyone.
Here’s a great recommendation for the ULI Lila 10′ Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board, a board recommended for fitness, yoga, and beginners:
And here’s a great review for the Hyperlite Elevation 10’2″ Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board Package:
Unfortunately, this board also got a not-so-great review:
One of the most popular beginner inflatable paddle boards available at Costco is their Body Glove Performer 11′ Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board Package, which has over 1800 5-star reviews on Costco.com. Here’s just one as an example:
We were extra curious to see the reviews for the Scott Burke 10’6″ Atlantic Composite Stand Up Paddle Board which we saw in person at our local Costco, and we were happy to see it getting positive reviews online:
FAQs
Do Costco paddle boards go on sale?
Yes! Costco offers sales occasionally on their paddle boards.
When do Costco paddle boards go on sale?
This can happen at any time during the summer season, but is most likely to occur in May and June just before summer begins or in September when summer items are beginning to close out.
Are Costco paddle boards seasonal?
As far as we can tell, Costco sells paddle boards year round, though they are probably only available online during the colder months.
What is the longevity of Costco paddle boards?
This depends entirely on which board you purchase. Some boards will last longer than others, depending on the materials used to make them. That said, Costco sells some very high quality paddle boards that could theoretically last a lifetime depending on how well you care for them and how often you use them.
Are there 2-person paddle boards?
Yes! Costco sells a 2-person paddle board from Body Glove for $629.99, which you can check out here: Body Glove Tandem 15′ Inflatable 2 Person Stand Up Paddle Board Package.
Conclusion
With summer right around the corner, paddle boarding is definitely on the horizon for a lot of us outdoorsy people. And now is the perfect time to buy a quality paddle board at Costco to be ready for the season when it begins. Shop online to get access to the widest possible inventory through Costco.com, and use this handy guide as a tool for deciding which board to buy. Happy paddling!
