Versatility is the name of the game.
Surftech Aleka 11'2″ ($1,349)
Surftechs Aleka takes home our Gear of the Year award for one deceptively simple reason: in nearly all conditions, it shone. Designed for SUPers focused on fitness, its lightweight, its durable, and it held its own on distance outings, through choppy short trips, and in small waves off the Northern California coast. The Aleka was shaped by legendary board designer Joe Bark and built with Surftechs combination of interior foam and exterior fiberglass and bamboo layers. With a 29-inch waist, its not as stable as some river-focused boards or the multi-person designs we tested, but it achieved a near perfect balance of steadiness, glide, and responsiveness. It doesnt hurt that its poppy and fun to paddle. In surf at the mouth of the Eel River on Californias wild north coast, the Aleka accelerated quickly and caught waves with ease. Rocker in the nose helped avoid pearling in steep shore break, and the board was quick to maneuver. Its on the lighter side (23.5 pounds) for a rigid 11-footer, and that adds to the nimble feeling. Though the deck pad doesnt reach the nose (sorry, no hanging ten), theres enough coverage for the necessary footwork. Surftech uses bio-based epoxy and algae-based foam in the pad, and the smooth texture is comfy on bare feet. Overall, the build and aesthetic remind us that SUP design is very much about the little things.
Red Voyager Tandem 15' MSL ($1,999)
Best group vessel
Multi-person paddling is fun! The Tandemdubbed the station wagon of SUPs by testersis a 15-foot inflatable that easily carries two or three people plus a pile of gear. Cruising the waters of Lake Tahoe with a few testers on board, the Tandems 34-inch width was surprisingly quick to paddle, and its eight-inch deck height kept gear above water in chop. Inflating the board required an efficient eight minutes, and testers appreciated the gear tie-downs at the nose and near the middle of the board. Its like road-tripping, but on the water, said one.
Jimmy Styks Strider 126 ($749)
Best inflatable
Blow-up SUPs are becoming more popular by the minute, and the Strider is a standout in the category. Its light at 22 pounds and has five inches of rocker. Testers said the stiff Strider had no trouble popping over waves without sacrificing tracking in calm water, and its medium 30-inch width helped it glide well. We also liked the easy-to-install fin, a standard feature on Strider boards for 2018, which locks in place without tools. The Strider is less expensive than some similar boards we testedan impressive feat, given the solid construction and high-quality materials.