You could spend your sunny days on land – or you could kayak. Whether your dream paddle is a slow meander across glassy water or a multi-day trek exploring Britain’s network of canals, inflatable kayaks could be the boat for you. But regardless of whether you’re a novice or an expert, navigating the many available inflatable options is tougher than Class IV rapids. Another material used in higher-end boats is “drop-stitch”, a strengthened PVC that allows for much higher pressure inflation. These kayaks feel much more like hard-body boats, but are also much more expensive. What else do I need? Consider whether you want one or two seats, how much weight the kayak needs to carry, and how you’ll store and transport the boat. If you’ll be carrying the boat yourself, make sure it’s light enough to lift and folds up small enough to manage easily.

Then there's the length of the board: a longer board is great for fast paddling and long-distance touring, while a short board (around eight feet long) are ideal for surfing or children. A medium 10ft to 12ft board is a great all-rounder, and for SUP yoga. For the lower price, you'll need to be prepared to make a few concessions. In our review, we noted a few minor issues with the paddle – the interconnected sections twist slightly when pushing through the water, and it's a little on the heavy side – and there's a little sag underfoot that you won't find with pricier boards that can handle higher inflation pressures. Overall though, if you're looking to take to the waters without spending a fortune, the Portofino 10ft inflatable stand-up paddle board kit is well worth a look. Generously proportioned, super stable and available at a sensible price, the Two Bare Feet Entradia 10’ 10” is one of the best inflatable SUP boards for beginners and bigger paddlers, but it’s more than just that. It’s tons of fun even for more experienced paddlers, especially if conditions are lumpy or if you have small family members that want to get on board. The kit is really nicely put together too.Look out for the right paddle board for your weight (and the weight of your gear you're carrying) as you'll want to make sure your board sits properly on the water and not too low if you're too heavy for it. Some paddle boards are perfect for those who like to go on adventures with their dog ( like this one), or a few friends to paddle together ( like this large 10-person design). Inflatable paddle boards are easier to store once deflated too, and you can roll them up with ease to carry on your travels at home and abroad.

One final factor to consider is price. As with anything, you get what you pay for, and in our ranking, we've chosen beginner's paddle boards that range from the downright bargainous through to the spendy-but-tempting. Bear in mind that good quality, desirable beginner boards are always popular in the second-hand market, so buying well will pay dividends later in cash as well as enjoyment. How we test the best the best stand-up paddle boards for beginners Before buying a SUP board, you'll need to consider your skill level and the type of riding you plan on doing. You'll also want to think about the board's weight, capacity, price and size.

The best inflatable kayaks you can buy in 2023

Wider boards are more stable but slower in the water; longer boards are less manoeuvrable but more buoyant. The overall shape ranges from bulbous to slim and shark-like. The slimmer and sharkier the board, the more suitable it is for racing and surf-style activities, but these are fairly advanced operations, so choose based on stability rather than flashiness, to begin with. To start out, you'll be looking for either an all-rounder or a touring-style SUP if you plan to travel longer distances, but either should be relatively stable and tractable to learn the basics on. They're considered more durable than hard boards, which can require expensive repairs to dings and dents. Able to withstand class III and IV rapids, it features eight self-bailing ports, ample tie-down points and a front action camera mount to capture it all.