Although some inflatable paddle board owners prefer to keep their board(s) inflated for quicker “set-up” time to get out on the water, inflatable boards generally come included with a bag (and for good reason).
Easy Transport
Sure, inflatable paddle boards are fairly lightweight, even when inflated but let’s be real, walking around with a board between 9’-12’ long can get a little clunky and awkward to maneuver, especially if you’re having to transport for a distance. Trust me, trying to carry an inflatable paddle board that big on a windy day is not the easiest. Exhibit A:
Being able to roll your deflated board up into a portable bag makes it much easier to transport your board to and from the water. Not only is the bag portable but it is built essentially like a large back-pack providing an additional convenience factor. Not only can your bag easily and conveniently transport your board, it is typically big enough to also carry an adjustable travel paddle, a manual pump as well as some other gear and smaller, personal items such as fins, snorkeling gear, keys, wallet, etc. As an added bonus, they double as a dry bag as they are 100% waterproof to ensure your gear is kept dry and safe from the elements-we’ll get into this more shortly when we talk about the protection provided by your board bag.
Storage
While solid paddle boards are typically stored on a rack or even leaning against a wall due to their bulkiness and inability to deflate, inflatable boards are more versatile and CAN be deflated thus making them more convenient to store and taking up less space. When storing your inflatable paddle board in its bag, you will want to make sure that your board (and bag) is completely dry and free from any sand, dirt and other grimy things that could damage your board or cause mildew build-up.
You’ll also want to be sure to remove any attachments after you’ve deflated your board and before you tuck it safely away-this helps ensure your board fits properly in the bag. As mentioned above, not only does your bag act as storage for your inflatable paddle board, it can also store a variety of other items as well.
Protection
Aside from taking up less space, your inflatable board bag acts as a badass (and lightweight) shelter for your iSUP. Storing your inflatable paddle board in its own bag will help keep your board protected from a wide variety of different things.
Extra padding
Whether you are keeping your board bag inside, in a garage or in a storage shed, your board bag provides additional padding and protection from things that could otherwise fall on your inflatable board and damage it. If you plan on transporting your board in its bag on a roof rack, the added padding will also keep your board protected from any bumps in the road along the way.
Prevents scratches and puncturing
Regardless of where you are storing your inflatable paddle board, you’ll want to try and keep it away from any kind of sharp or other items that could scratch or puncture your inflatable board. Despite our best efforts, there’s always the possibility something could unexpectedly fall onto your board and cause damage. Storing your inflatable board in a board bag brings that added value and protection of preventing your board from anything that could cause cosmetic damage or lead to your boards ultimate demise.
Keeps board clean and dry
You should always make sure that you’ve cleaned and dried your inflatable paddle board properly before storing it away in its bag. Once you’ve done that, the rest is easy-no need to worry or stress about your board building up dust, stains, or even worse, mildew- your mind can be kept at ease in between adventures knowing that your inflatable board bag is keeping your board perfectly clean and dry.
Protects from too much sun exposure and other harsh elements
Regardless of whether or not you end up using a bag to store your inflatable board, I recommend you avoid storing your inflatable board outside where there is consistent exposure to the sun and other harsh elements. That being said, you will obviously be transporting your board to and from the water one way or another and having a bag helps provide added protection when doing so, especially if you are transporting your board on a roof rack.
When transporting your board on a roof rack, not only is it exposed to the sun and weather, it is also exposed to flying debris. Having your board protected in a bag will help ensure you aren’t having to use your patch kit out on the water and will also help keep your board looking good in general.
Even if you aren’t transporting your board on a roof rack, your inflatable board is still likely to be exposed to some sort of elements along your journey to the water. Transporting your inflatable board in its bag will help keep your board from turning into the Titanic once you get out on the water and even if your inflatable board doesn’t come with its own bag, there are many options available for you to purchase separately.
So, do yourself and your inflatable board a favor and give your board the gift of protection by storing and transporting it in an inflatable board bag. You’ll not only pro-long the life of your board, you’ll keep your board looking legendary.
Watch the bag and board in action here:
If you’re interested in more articles I’ve written on inflatable boards, check out the Paddle Boarding section of this website. Enjoy your adventures!