You can find almost everything you need in Walmart, making this retailer one of the best one-stop-shops in the country. Its vast array or products allow you to maximize every grocery run, making it a convenient place to shop.
Their selection of sporting goods is impressive as well, sometimes even better than what specialty shops offer. Paddle boards are among the equipment you would find, but the question of whether they would fit your needs comes into play.
We have narrowed the selection down to their bestsellers currently available in their catalog. They are ranked according to their ability to be used for paddle boarders of all levels.
Table of Contents
Top 8 Best Walmart Paddle Boards Reviewed
- Blue Wave Sports Big Sur Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle board
- SerenieLife Thunder Wave Stand-Up Paddle Board
- SereneLife Free Flow Stand-Up Paddle Board
- Lifetime Amped Stand-Up Paddle Board
- Famistar Stand-Up Paddle board
- Dunnrite Stand-Up Paddle board
- Goplus Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle board
- Lifetime Hooligan Youth Stand-Up Paddle board
#1. Blue Wave Sports Big Sur Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle board
Specifications
- Dimensions (Length x Width x Height): 126 x 32 x 6 inches
- Maximum Weight Capacity: 265 lbs.
- Material: Multi-Layer, Drop-stitched Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
- Single-person stand-up or sit-in paddle board
- Inflatable
What sets the Blue Wave Sports Big Sur apart from the other paddle boards in this list is its capacity to sit down comfortably with the removable and adjustable polyester seat and footrest. This feature allows for a calmer paddling session, which is perfect for days where you want to unwind and relax.
The multi-layer drop-stitch construction assures you this paddle board’s endurance to impact, while the PVC component makes it water and corrosion-resistant. These features ensure you of your GoPro’s safety when mounted on its dedicated space on the paddle board.
Its three-fin system improves on your stability regardless of your position. The EVA pad on the top deck lets you stay in place as you paddle, optimizing this paddle board’s maneuverability. These features also allow beginners to find their footing during their first few attempts at the sport.
This paddle board includes a complete starter kit for the sport, showing its value for your money. You would not need to look anywhere else with the adjustable aluminum paddle with a high-quality blade, polyester seat, hand pump, and leash.
#2. SerenieLife Thunder Wave Stand-Up Paddle Board
Specifications
- Dimensions (Length x Width x Height): 120 x 30 x 6 inches
- Maximum Weight Capacity: 275 lbs.
- Material: Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
- Single-person stand-up paddle board
- Inflatable (comes with high-pressure hand pump)
SereneLife Thunder Wave is the perfect companion for your weekend getaways because of its complete yet compact package. It allows for more comfortable transport and assembly for longer paddling time. You will be getting a complete package as it comes with a high-pressure hand pump, repair kit, ankle safety leash, paddle, and storage bag.
The PVC material in this paddle board is both water and corrosion-resistant, assuring you its durability. It is also tough enough to withstand the constant beating, allowing you for longer paddling time.
This paddle board’s wideness makes it suitable for enthusiasts of all levels, improving on your balance. The top deck’s non-slip quality significantly improves your stability, making this board more forgiving for beginners.
Three fins are in the Thunder Wave’s bottom that makes maneuvering this paddle relatively easier. It also allows for a more consistent speed that makes for smoother gliding.
#3. SereneLife Free Flow Stand-Up Paddle Board
Specifications
- Dimensions (Length x Width x Height): 132 x 30 x 6 inches
- Maximum Weight Capacity: 275 lbs.
- Material: Drop-stitched Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
- Single-person stand-up paddle board
- Inflatable (comes with high-pressure hand pump)
SereneLife’s Free Flow Stand-up Paddle board, much like the Thunder Wave, is a perfect companion for recreational water sports. This paddle board is relatively more massive, making it usable for light surfing and fishing.
The added length in this paddle board makes it more versatile, and it also allows beginners to work on their balance. This feature, along with its width, helps with your overall stability. Its three-fin system on the rear’s bottom optimizes every paddle, allowing for better maneuverability and glide.
Its drop-stitched, reinforced PVC material makes it highly durable, making sure that you get your mone’s worth. In the event of getting punctured, though, the package includes a repair kit. A hand pump, oar, and ankle cuffs are also included in the bag, making it a practical choice. Storing would also be convenient since it is very lightweight.
#4. Lifetime Amped Stand-Up Paddle Board
Specifications
- Dimensions (Length x Width x Height): 132 x 32 x 7.75 inches
- Maximum Weight Capacity: 230 lbs.
- Material: High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
- Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA) Pad on the Top Deck
- Single-person stand-up paddle board
The abundance of speed the Lifetime Amped Stan-up Paddle board offers makes it perfect for the intermediate boarder. Its dimensions assure your stability, which helps you keep your stance regardless of your pace. This paddle board’s package comes with a leash attachment loop, a paddle, and a bungee cord storage deck on the front for your things.
Its High-Density Polyethylene construction promises of superb durability, assuring you that it would last a long time. This material is also UV-protected, promising its ability to endure varying weather conditions.
This paddle board’s EVA pad on top gives you a better grip on the paddle board, improving your balance. This feature allows you to focus on paddling than balancing for optimal maneuvering.
The paddle board’s retractable fins allow you to comfortably traverse varying water conditions, adding another layer of stability. This feature balances out the abundance of tracking offered by the paddle board.
#5. Famistar Stand-Up Paddle board
Specifications
- Dimensions (Length x Width x Height): 144 x 32 x 6 inches
- Maximum Weight Capacity: 400 lbs.
- Material: Military-grade Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
- Single-person stand-up paddle board
- Inflatable (comes with high-pressure hand pump)
The high weight capacity makes the Famistar Stan-up Paddle board makes it ideal for the heavier paddle boarder. Its dimensions also make it more forgiving to beginners who are finding their balance. This feature also makes this paddle board usable for yoga.
Its use of military-grade PVC assures you that it could support the rider even at max capacity and withstand the constant beating. The paddle board has a UV-protected coating that delays the effects of continuous sun exposure. An air valve securely seals this paddle board to help it stay inflated.
Famistar’s top deck has an EVA pad, which allows you to have a solid grip on the board. It has three removable fins on the bottom layer, which will enable you to adapt to varying weather conditions and maneuver better. These features significantly improve on this paddle board’s stability, assuring you of optimal movements only.
The carry bag this paddle board includes a high-pressure pump and pressure gauge, an adjustable paddle, fins, and a repair kit, making it a good companion for recreational paddling.
#6. Dunnrite Stand-Up Paddle board
Specifications
- Dimensions (Length x Width x Height): 132 x 32 x 6 inches
- Maximum Weight Capacity: 435 lbs.
- Material: Military-grade Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
- Single-person stand-up paddle board
- Inflatable (high-pressure pump included)
The impressive weight capacity in the Dunnrite Stand-up Paddle board makes it an excellent competitor to the Famistar Paddle board. Its increased weight capacity caters to a broader range of enthusiasts, which makes this a step ahead of the competition.
Its military-grade PVC boasts of its stiffness, which affirms this paddle board’s excellent durability. The paddle board would feel as sturdy as those made out of HDPE, assuring you of its ability to support its max weight capacity.
This paddle board disassembles in three pieces, allowing for more accessible storage on its heavy-duty storage backpack. The carbon fiber paddle included is adjustable, with a pump, coil leash, highly durable plastic fins, and a repair kit to complete the package.
While the price tag is quite steep, this paddle board is ultimately for the dedicated enthusiast who needs a heavy-duty companion for his adventures. The abundance of stability, speed, and optimal maneuverability justify the expense, though, as you are assured of a paddle board that could keep up with the pace.
#7. Goplus Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle board
Specifications
- Dimensions (Length x Width x Height): 120 x 30 x 6 inches
- Maximum Weight Capacity: 265 lbs.
- Material: Double Layer Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
- Single-person stand-up paddle board
- Inflatable (comes with high-pressure hand pump)
Goplus’ Inflatable Stand-up Paddle board is fit for smaller, more experienced paddlers. The weight capacity is quite limiting, so its best to keep this factor in mind before purchasing.
Regardless of the limitations, though, this paddle board gives you excellent traction because of its EVA pad on the top deck. You can grab onto the detachable bungee cord in front if you do slip or lose your stance. The drop-stitch construction strengthens this paddle board and, combined with the double layer PVC, ensures sufficient durability.
Its single-fin system at the bottom deck allows you for optimal speed and a stable enough glide, requiring you to have full control of your paddle. This feature also makes this suitable for light surfing.
The package comes as a complete kit that includes a high-pressure pump with a pressure gauge, an ankle leash, lightweight paddle, and carrying handles. These are all stored in a compact backpack that makes moving and transporting convenient for solo riders.
#8. Lifetime Hooligan Youth Stand-Up Paddle board
Specifications
- Dimensions (Length x Width x Height): 96 x 29.5 x 7 inches
- Maximum Weight Capacity: 130 lbs.
- Material: UV-Protected High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
- Single-person stand-up paddle board
- Retractable Fins
As the name suggests, the Lifetime Hooligan Youth Paddle board allows younger generations to experience the sport safely. The size of this paddle board is smaller than usual but provides kids with more than enough stability to let them work on their footing.
The retractable fins allow you to adjust the paddle board to varying water conditions ensuring that your kid would stay on the board. An EVA pad on the top deck would increase traction, securing his stance as he paddles.
This paddle board’s maximized width improves your kid’s stability and provides sufficient tracking regardless of the tide. A loop at the rear allows you to attach a leash to add another layer of security.
Its HDPE construction assures you that it could withstand copious amounts of impact, highly likely as your kid learns the sport. The same material is UV-protected, ensuring that the paddle board could endure the effects of varying weather conditions.
This paddle board is compact, which allows for more convenient and safer storage and transfers.
Our Favorite Walmart Paddle Board: Blue Wave Sports Big Sur Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle board
What makes the Blue Wave Sports Big Sur Paddle board stand out is its versatility, which ultimately makes us as users get our money’s worth. While other paddle boards in this list have something that lets them become a suitable choice, the added comfort from the seat option makes the Big Sur outshine the rest. This unique feature allows you to have full control of the kind of ride you want to have, something that none of the other options in this list offer.
The inclusion of a mount solely dedicated to accessories makes this a better choice since this paddle board allows you to position them securely. It will enable you to document your adventure while lessening your worries about losing your GoPro.
Having a complete starter pack adds to the Big Sur’s positive attributes combined with its relatively affordable price. You are assured of ample stability and optimal speed with every paddle, making this paddle board suitable for enthusiasts of all levels. The use of drop-stitch PVC material on its construction assures you of a long-lasting, heavy-duty adventure companion.
Walmart Paddle board Buying Guide
Knowing the appropriate type, shape, and volume would ultimately allow you to efficiently choose the perfect paddle board to go with you on your next adventure.
Solid vs. Inflatable Paddle boards
A stable paddle board would assure you of better durability but would require bigger storage space and specialized tools to transport it safely. Its durable built would have cut better through water, allow for optimal paddles and improved speed. Paddle boards under this category would be usable for competitions and tours.
On the other hand, inflatable paddl eboards allow more comfortable transportation and storage, but would usually use lower density materials. The quality of their materials makes them more stable, although you can’t expect much on their speed capacity. This type of paddle board would be more suitable for recreational use.
Planing vs. Displacement Hull
The shape or hull of the paddle board accounts for how it would move on varying water environments. As the name suggests, a planing hull is relatively flat, making it suitable for leisurely stand-up paddling, yoga, and surfing. Paddle boards of this type sit on top of the water, making them very stable and have optimized maneuverability. Beginners and recreational paddle boarders would appreciate this type.
A displacement hull’s pointed nose makes it more suitable for more challenging and competitive rides. Paddle boards that fall in this category prioritize speed, focusing on smooth slices through the water to optimize every paddle. This quality makes it more suitable for the advanced to professional paddleboarders.
Knowing the Appropriate Volume
The volume capacity of a paddleboard tells you how much it can hold to stay afloat. Multiplying the paddleboard’s length against the width and height would give you an idea of its volume. To get your ideal volume, you need to multiply your skill level, fitness, and age. The numerical values for your skill and fitness level are available in various online sources.
Getting a paddleboard with equal or higher volume than your ideal range is the best way to stay stable, allowing you to better maneuver.
Conclusion
While Walmart offers an impressive list for you to choose from, it is better to determine how different factors affect your overall paddleboarding experience. The sport itself may be easy, but maximizing your paddleboard’s capacity would ultimately lead to a better experience.
Choosing the right paddleboard requires focus, and while the checklist may get overwhelming, knowing what to look for would allow you to get your money’s worth. This list may help you narrow down the search, but the learning of how each element affects the paddleboard’s performance would allow for smarter choices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need a unique paddle for paddleboarding?
A: While paddleboards usually come with a free paddle, using an appropriate one would allow maximum comfort and better maneuverability. Aluminum paddles are highly durable but become heavier during longer or competitive sessions. These types of paddles are more suited for beginners since they can withstand the constant beating. Paddles made of carbon fiber are lightweight and would smoothly slice through the water, but are more fragile. They will extend comfortable paddling time but would require more training.
Q: What should I wear when paddleboarding?
A: During summer, your regular swimwear should be enough, but for added sun protection, it is best to layer a long-sleeved shirt. Wet suits would be more appropriate for colder days to allow better heat circulation. What would be non-negotiable is the use of lifejackets for less gifted swimmers for added safety. Your paddle boards have ankle leashes that keep you nearby even if you fall into the water, making it your default floatation device.
Q: How do different fit setups affect paddleboarding?
A: The fins improve on your stability and tracking. A single fin would allow you to glide smoothly, so it is best for flat waters. Thrusters offer ample security, making it a good setup for beginners who are still working on their balance. A 2+1 fin setup has a slightly longer and broader fin at the rear, making it ideal for surfing since it offers a compromise between singles and thrusters.
Related Resources
G’day, my name is Rach Taylor and I’m the proud Founder of Surf Hungry. I am a former Australian Olympic athlete and Australian representative surf sports athlete. I’ve worked in the surf industry and lived at many of Australia’s best surf spots, sparking a life-long love of the ocean and a passion for surf sports which also rubbed off on my two young sons! I am also lucky to spend a lot of ocean-time in my favorite second home, Indonesia. In addition to SurfHungry I have founded several other websites in my areas of passion, namely coffee and rock climbing, and am also a regular rowing content contributor.
