December 02, 2021 13 min read

Best Paddle Board Bags

Blue and Green Rolling Inflatable SUP Bag

Now you’ve got a SUP, let the adventure begin! Soon your paddle board will be the most important thing in your life, so it’s essential to make sure it stays safe while you’re traveling and storing it. That’s where paddle board bags come in.

Whether you’ve got an epoxy stand up paddle board or an inflatable paddle board, a SUP bag can provide that extra level of protection to ensure you won’t get dings or tears. Over time you will come to realize the importance of a paddle board bag.

We've sourced the twelve best paddle board bags that are up for the job from a padded shoulder strap to a fin slot pocket. So keep planning that paddle board trip you've always dreamed of. With the best SUP bag by your side, nothing can stop your adventure!

GILI's Top 3 Picks

Best Overall
Gray gili rolling inflatable SUP backpack
GILI Rolling Inflatable SUP Backpack

Features & Specs:

  • Dimensions: 36 inches x 14 inches x 12 inches
  • Materials: Heavy duty nylon
  • Heavy duty wheels
  • Built in padded shoulder and waist straps
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Best Budget
Black protective day bag
Adventure Wild Board Sock Cover

Features & Specs:

  • Dimensions: Up to 14’
  • Materials: sport performance stretch fabric
  • Lightweight and minimalistic 
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Best Day Bag
Isle 10'6 silver and blue SUP day bag
ISLE 10'6" SUP Day Bag

Features & Specs:

  • Dimensions: 10’6” in length
  • Materials: 5mm of water-resistant, closed-cell foam padding
  • Thoughtful and ergonomic design
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Bag Size SUP Capacity Reason to Buy Price
GILI Rolling Inflatable SUP BackpackGray gili rolling inflatable SUP backpack 36" x 14" x 12" 14 feet Best Overall SUP Bag $145
GILI Inflatable SUP BackpackBlue gili inflatable SUP backpack 36" x 14" x 12" 14 feet Fantastic Quality $95
Retrospec SUP Board BagRetrospec rucksack isup board bag 35" x 16" x 7" 12 feet Good Budget Option $29
Tower iSUP BackpackTower iSUP backpack interior fin pocket 36" x 14" x 12" 14 feet Great Ventilation $74
ISLE SUP Board BagISLE isup travel backpack for inflatable paddle boards 36" x 14" x 12" 14 feet Comfortable Backpack $75
South Bay Board Co. ISUP BackpackSouth bay board Co premium inflatable paddle board backpack 43" x 28" x 10" 12 feet Fantastic Wheels $149
SUP USA Premium Paddleboard BagSUP USA paddle board day bag 11'6" x 32" x 4 3/4" 11 feet 6 Inches Simple and Effective $189
ISLE 10'6" SUP Day BagIsle 10'6 silver and blue SUP day bag 10'6" 10 feet 6 Inches Thoughtful Design $195
Abahub Premium SUP Travel BagAbahub Premium Foam Padded SUP Cover Case 12'2" x 32" x 6" 12 feet Extra Large Hard Board Bag $289
Pelican Boats SUP Board BagPelican boats deluxe travel carry bag 11'9" 11 feet 8 Inches Lightweight and Cheap Option $94
Curve’s SUP Board BagCurve SUP bag stand up paddle board day bag 12'6" x 33" 12 feet 6 Inches Full Access Board Bag $185
Adventure Wild Board Sock CoverBlack protective day bag 14' x 28" 14 feet Simple and Minimalist $79

Best Inflatable Board Bags

Inflatable paddle board bags are organized as a storage solution and are fantastic for taking your SUP for the journey. These bags are generally compact and versatile, emphasizing the key benefit of owning an inflatable paddle board.

GILI Rolling Inflatable SUP Backpack

The Rolling Inflatable SUP Backpack from GILI Sports not only looks great but is also super practical. Carry all your SUP gear comfortably, either as a backpack or a rolling case. With separate compartments and a large fin pocket, you can keep all of your equipment together.

Gray gili rolling inflatable SUP backpack

Where to buy:

Features & Specs:

  • Dimensions: 36 inches x 14 inches x 12 inches
  • Materials: Heavy duty nylon
  • Heavy duty wheels
  • Built in padded shoulder and waist straps

What we love:

  • Heavy duty wheels can cover almost any terrain
  • Separate pockets and compartments to carry fins, paddle, leash, and all other SUP equipment
  • Looks super stylish and classy

What we don't love:

  • Nothing! This is a fantastic inflatable paddle board bag

The GILI Rolling Inflatable SUP Bag is our top pick overall. This bag is superb for iSUP storage and transportation. The price is extremely reasonable for the high quality that GILI products are known for.

All GILI inflatable paddle boards fit in this SUP bag.

GILI Inflatable SUP Backpack

The standard GILI Inflatable SUP Backpack is a fantastic bag with plenty of space to carry the board, paddle, leash, fins, and pump. With padded shoulder and waist straps, carrying your iSUP has never been easier!

Blue gili inflatable SUP backpack

Where to buy:

Features & Specs:

  • Dimensions: 36” x 14“ x 12”
  • Materials: Heavy duty nylon
  • Padded waist and shoulder strap

What we love:

  • Choice of three colors 
  • Assortment of pockets for all your SUP equipment
  • Adjustable straps for a comfortable fit

What we don't love:

  • Nothing! This is a great iSUP bag!

This Inflatable SUP Backpack from GILI is a great option for anyone with an inflatable paddle board. It’s a decent size and made from durable materials meaning it will last for years.

All GILI inflatable paddle boards fit in this SUP bag.

Retrospec SUP Board Bag

The Retrospec SUP Board Bag is a spacious design that can fit most iSUP’s that are no wider than 33”. The mesh netting sides and top allow for air to pass through, letting your board continue to dry after each session.

Retrospec rucksack isup board bag

Where to buy:

Features & Specs:

  • Dimensions: 35" x 16" x 7"
  • Materials: Durable nylon
  • Adjustable sides and shoulder straps

What we love:

  • Mesh sides for ventilation
  • Spacious enough to also fit a PFD inside with the board
  • Cheap price tag

What we don't love:

  • Some reviews suggest the seams aren’t as durable as the nylon body

If you are in need of a cheap iSUP bag, then Retrospec’s SUP Board Bag is a good option to consider. While you won’t get the same high quality as other bags, it still offers a great amount of space for all your gear.

Tower iSUP Board Backpack

Tower’s iSUP Board Backpack is a functional and extremely spacious bag designed for inflatable paddle boards. This bag is a great solution for inflatable paddle board owners, allowing you to take your board anywhere with all the additional gear inside.

Tower iSUP backpack interior fin pocket

Where to buy:

Features & Specs:

  • Dimension: 36” x 14” x 12”
  • Materials: Nylon and mesh side panels
  • Padded shoulder straps

What we love:

  • Excellent ventilation for allowing wet gear to dry off
  • Can fit boards up to 14 feet long
  • Exterior bungee cord to cinch in the sides and carry a towel

What we don't love:

  • Not suitable for airlines due to the mesh sides

As long as you’re traveling by car, Tower’s iSUP bag is a good option. The spacious interior and fold over closure means you can comfortably fit a 14 foot inflatable board inside.

ISLE SUP Board Bag

The ISLE SUP Board Bag is spacious enough to carry your deflated paddle board and gear, including paddle, pump, fins, leash and more. The comfortable backpack straps are perfect for a long walk from the parking lot to where you’re going to paddle.

ISLE isup travel backpack for inflatable paddle boards

Where to buy:

Features & Specs:

  • Dimensions: 36”x 14” x 12”
  • Materials: Heavy duty nylon
  • Backpack style shoulder straps 

What we love:

  • Retro color style
  • Comfortable backpack style
  • Side and top carry handles

What we don't love:

  • The compression straps on the front don't have clips that fasten/unfasten for securing bulky items like you PFD or SUP pump

This inflatable paddle board bag from ISLE is built to last. Not only does it get the job done well, but it also looks great while doing it!

South Bay Board Co. ISUP Backpack

South Bay Board Co.’s ISUP Backpack is extra large and super tough. This bag is constructed using heavy duty fabric and materials to ensure every aspect of the bag can keep up with your adventure. The inline wheels make carting your iSUP around a breeze!

South bay board Co premium inflatable paddle board backpack

Where to buy:

Features & Specs:

  • Dimensions: 43” x 28” x 10”
  • Materials: heavy duty fabric and vented sides
  • Large roller wheels

What we love:

  • Extra large size to carry the biggest of stand up paddle boards
  • Big inline wheels and plenty of carry handles
  • Super comfy shoulder, chest, and waist straps

What we don't love:

  • Lacks an external fin pocket

For premium inflatable board bag options, this is one of the best SUP bags on the market. If you need a big bag, then this is your best choice.

Best Epoxy Board Bags

Haven’t converted to the inflatables yet? Don’t worry, you can still protect your hard paddle boards and make life easier for traveling with these top paddle board bags.

SUP USA Premium Paddleboard Bag

The SUP USA Premium Paddleboard Bag is an excellent choice for epoxy boards. The padding throughout the bag will give you peace of mind while transporting your SUP. You just need to make sure your SUP is the correct size for the bag.

SUP USA paddle board day bag

Where to buy:

Features & Specs:

  • Dimensions: 11'6" x 32" x 4 3/4"
  • Materials: Heavy duty nylon
  • Full padded layer across entire bag and reinforced nose

What we love:

  • Heavy duty zippers
  • Center fin slot
  • Padding throughout to provide extra protection

What we don't love:

  • Zipper quality is not equal to the heavy duty nylon

To avoid added strain to the zip, don’t be tempted to put your wet towel or other SUP gear in the bag. This will stretch the seams and cause damage to the bag.

ISLE 10'6" SUP Day Bag

The ISLE 10’6” SUP Day Bag is a fantastically designed travel day bag for epoxy paddle boards. Some key and simple features make this such a good product; such as a fin slot, internal pouch for the leash, and an external paddle holder.

Isle 10'6 silver and blue SUP day bag

Where to buy:

Features & Specs:

  • Dimensions: 10’6” in length
  • Materials: 5mm of water-resistant, closed-cell foam padding
  • Thoughtful and ergonomic design

What we love:

  • Combined paddle holder and central carry handle
  • Heat protective material to protect from sun damage
  • Included shoulder strap 

What we don't love:

  • Would be nice to have the zip run 3/4 of the length of the bag to make it easier to put the board in

If your epoxy SUP is 10’6” in length, then there is no better day bag to protect it than this SUP bag from ISLE.

Abahub Premium SUP Travel Bag

Have you got a bigger epoxy board? Look no further! Abahub’s Premium SUP Travel Bag comes in various sizes, with the largest able to carry a 12 foot paddle board.

Abahub Premium Foam Padded SUP Cover Case

Where to buy:

Features & Specs:

  • Dimensions: 12'2” x 33’‘ x 6''
  • Materials: premium quality 190g/m2 water-resistant PE shell with 600D reinforcement, 1/3" (8mm) foam core, 130g/m2 PE lining
  • Reinforced nose and tail protection

What we love:

  • Premium materials and manufacturing for a top quality finish
  • Adjustable straps to get the perfect fit
  • Comfortable carry handles and shoulder strap

What we don't love:

  • Very expensive

As long as your budget is not an issue, this Premium SUP Travel Bag from Abahub is a great option. Make sure you find the right size to fit your paddle board.

Pelican Boats SUP Board Bag

The SUP Board Bag from Pelican Boats is a budget friendly lightweight bag designed for helping to carry large epoxy paddle boards. Just be warned, this bag is not designed for full protection to go on vehicle roof bars, it’s main purpose is to assist in transporting the board.

Pelican boats deluxe travel carry bag

Where to buy:

Features & Specs:

  • Dimensions: 11’9” x 36”
  • Materials: heavy duty polypropylene tarpaulin bag
  • Integrated paddle holder 

What we love:

  • Low price for a lightweight day bag
  • Comfortable shoulder strap to help carry the board
  • Fin slot so you don’t have to remove the central fin

What we don't love:

  • Not durable to handle major travel

This board bag from Pelican Boats is perfect for anyone who lives relatively close to their waterbody and just needs a little help carrying their board down.

Curve SUP Board Bag

Curve’s SUP Board Bag means business. This bag will protect your fiberglass stand up paddle board from all unwanted dings with the heavyweight padding. Getting your SUP in and out could not be easier with the zipper running the full length of the bag.

Curve SUP bag stand up paddle board day bag

Where to buy:

Features & Specs:

  • Dimensions: 12’6” x 33"
  • Materials: heavy duty 600D water-resistant polycanvas 
  • 10mm heavyweight carry bag

What we love:

  • Zipper runs the full length of the board, so you have complete access to get your SUP in and out easily
  • Extra carry handles to allow two person carrying
  • Air vents to enable cool air circulation

What we don't love:

  • Just missing a handle in the center to help carrying solo

All in all, this is a fantastic epoxy stand up paddle board bag from Curve. You know your gear is kept safe with the fantastic materials used.

Adventure Wild Board Sock Cover

Last but not least, Adventure Wild’s Board Sock Cover isn’t really a bag, but still deserves mention. The stretchy material provides a custom fit, protects from basic dings, and provides a barrier against UV damage. And what’s more, a simple sock cover keeps your house/garage clean from unwanted sand or wax coming off your paddle board.

Black protective day bag

Where to buy:

Features & Specs:

  • Dimensions: Up to 14’
  • Materials: sport performance stretch fabric
  • Lightweight and minimalistic 

What we love:

  • Reinforced nose area for extra protection
  • Drawstring closure
  • Inner storage pocket for small accessories

What we don't love:

  • Sizes apparently run small, so maybe order the next size up to what you think you need

If you are limited on storage space, then maybe a simple and lightweight board sock is a good compromise!

Why Use a SUP Board Bag?

Woman with a paddle board bag

SUP board bags are an important, and often overlooked piece of equipment for paddle boarding. The best paddle boarders do all they can to protect their SUP.

There are three main reasons why you should use a SUP board bag:

  1. Transportation
  2. Storage
  3. Sun protection

Transporting a SUP with a bag

Not all of us are lucky enough to live directly on a beach or lake. So we may need to load our gear into the car to reach our favorite paddling destinations. Some may even choose to fly with their beloved SUP in tow.

Regardless of whether you’re strapping it onto the roof bars, deflating it into the trunk, or checking it in with the airline, your stand up paddle board needs protection from accidental bumps, knocks, and scrapes.

Storing a SUP with a bag

The padding that comes with a SUP bag will give you extra peace of mind when putting an epoxy board on a rack or tucked away in the garage. Whatever your SUP storage solution, bags are an extra line of defence.

You can prevent unnecessary damage and scratches, meaning your SUP is always ready to hit the water!

Protecting a SUP from the sun with a bag

Direct UV exposure is extremely damaging to both hard stand up paddle boards and iSUPs. Not only are colors bleached, but materials are broken down and made weaker. Seams of the inflatable begin to degrade along with an increased risk of a puncture.

A board sock is a great solution for this added protection. And a SUP bag is an easy way to ensure your board doesn’t sit out in direct sunlight.

Key Features To Consider When Buying A SUP Board Bag

Man with a Blue gili sup backpack

When you’re buying a SUP board bag, make sure you consider a few features so you get the best option for you.

Storage and transportation 

Knowing your storage situation and how you plan to transport your SUP is the first step. If you live on a lake and only need to carry your board a few hundred yards, then chances are you don’t need a SUP bag at all!

Some bags are bulkier than others, so if you’re limited on space you may need to consider a slightly more lightweight bag.

Is the SUP going to be lashed onto roof bars? If yes, then you will definitely need a thicker bag to make sure the bars don’t damage your fiberglass.

How far are you going to be traveling? Some bags feature wheels, which can be super handy if you’re traveling via airports to new and exotic destinations.

Padding

Lightweight or heavy duty? The more padding the bag has, then the higher the protection level. However, they will also be heavier and more difficult to handle solo.

Size

SUP bags come in all different shapes and sizes. Most manufacturers state the size of the board that can fit inside. If in doubt, grab a tape measure and double check it’s going to fit!

Pockets and fin space

We love a bag that can keep everything together for you. It’s just a thoughtful design. Ideally, you want to have a fin pocket, a leash pocket, a paddle holder, and perhaps a couple more smaller mesh pockets for keys or other small items.

Top Tips For Stand Up Paddle Board Bag Storage and Transport

Silver Abahub Day Bag

After a while, using a SUP bag will become second nature to you. Whether you have an epoxy stand up paddle board or an iSUP, you should always try to dry your equipment thoroughly before putting it in the bag. This will stop any mold growing, and keep your gear lasting longer.

Never throw your stand up paddle board, even when it’s in a bag. Yes, the bag gives protection, but they don’t have super powers so you still need to be careful.

And finally, don’t overload the SUP board bag. These bags do have a weight capacity, designed for a paddle board. While some can also handle fins, leashes, and paddles, a wet towel and other gear could be too much for the seams.

FAQ’S

🏆 Do I need a SUP bag?

A SUP bag should always be used to protect your paddle board during transit. A good quality bag will protect your paddle board from any stones chipping the fiberglass, bumps in the road causing compression dings against the roof bars, or accidental snatches on an inflatable.

The best paddle board bags also allow you to keep all your gear together with pockets and other compartments. You’ll never forget your fins again!


👍 How big is a SUP bag?

SUP bags come in different sizes to match the size of your paddle board. Manufacturers provide the sizing in feet and inches (for hard board types) so you can find the right size for you. Inflatable paddle board bags are smaller and more compact because the iSUPs can be deflated.

To get the correct iSUP bag for your board, you need to make sure the height of the bag is a couple of inches bigger than the width of your paddle board. Generally, these paddle board bags can be seen as large backpacks and the average adult will be able to carry them solo on their shoulders.


🏝️ Can you transport an inflatable SUP inflated?

Inflatable paddle boards can be transported inflated, and this can be a good solution for anyone changing their paddling spot throughout the day. It’s up to you to determine whether keeping your board inflated is going to save you time overall.

When strapping onto your vehicle’s roof bars, just be cautious of any sharp edges that could damage the PVC. Some people wrap additional padding, or just a towel, over the bars to make sure the iSUP is fully protected.


❓ How do you pack an inflatable SUP?

When packing an inflatable SUP, you first need to make sure that it’s completely dry. Any moisture can lead to mold and damage to the materials. You then need to deflate the board by releasing the valves; slowly push out the air and then use a dual action pump to take out the remaining air. Then, starting at the end of the board away from the valves (typically the nose), you need to roll the board keeping it tight and together. You can then fit this into your SUP bag, cinching in compression straps for a secure pack.


📦 Will a SUP fit in my car?

If you have an iSUP, then fitting it in your car is simple – deflate it! Inflatable paddle boards can pack down to the size of a large backpack, meaning they can fit in the smallest of spaces! But if you’ve got an epoxy hard board, this can be more of a challenge, it really depends on how big your car is.

If you have an urban economical hatchback, then chances are your SUP will not fit inside your car. You’ll need to install roof bars for it to go on top.

If you have a truck, with a large flat back extending into the cab, then you may be able to fit your SUP inside. You’ll need to fold down the rear seats, and maybe even the front passenger seat, to then fit it in safely. You must make sure that it’s not affecting your view while driving. This is where a paddle board bag is needed to make sure your vehicle interior doesn’t get covered in wax and sand.

Abi Leach
Abi Leach

Surfer, paddle boarder, and ocean lover. She loves traveling and discovering new destinations all across the world. When she's not writing, she's exploring the outdoors and enjoying fresh air.


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