A first inflatable paddle board is usually bought blind: shops show nice photos but do not tell you how much the board weighs, how much it carries or what you actually get in the box. This article lists specific models we keep in stock in Lithuania, with length, weight, load capacity and live prices. VAKA Sport sells only inflatable paddle boards, so every option below fits in a backpack and can be stored in an apartment.
If you are still deciding between a paddle board and a kayak, start with our paddle board and kayak comparison. If you want to understand the differences in construction, read our guide to choosing an inflatable paddle board.
What a beginner really needs
Four things matter in your first season, and none of them is the brand.
- Width. From 76 cm wide a board is already stable. Boards narrower than 70 cm are faster, but harder to stand up on the first time.
- Weight. You will have to carry the board from the car to the water. You feel the difference between 8 kg and 14 kg after just a hundred metres.
- Load capacity. Choose a board whose recommended load capacity is at least 25 kg more than your weight with gear.
- What's in the set. A paddle, pump, backpack, fin and safety leash should be in the box. All the boards in this article are sold as complete sets.
How to choose the length for your weight
A practical rule that works for most first time buyers:
- up to 70 kg: 285 cm or 305 cm, light and manoeuvrable;
- 70 to 90 kg: 305 cm or 320 cm, the best compromise;
- 90 to 110 kg: 330 cm and longer, wider than 80 cm;
- over 110 kg, or paddling with a child, a dog or a backpack: 350 cm and longer touring boards.
A longer board tracks straighter and glides more easily, a shorter one turns faster and weighs less. For a beginner tracking matters more than turning, so it is more important to avoid a board that is too short than one that is too long.
Best boards for your first season under 200 EUR
Amber BSB 9.4: the lightest start, also for children
A 285 cm long, 9 kg board with a working pressure of 15 PSI. Recommended load capacity 110 kg, maximum 160 kg. It is the cheapest way to find out whether paddling is for you at all. Suits teenagers, lighter adults and anyone for whom a light backpack matters most.
Amber ACE 10.0 V2: the most versatile first buy
305 cm, 9 kg, recommended load capacity 110 kg. If you do not know what you want, take this one. The length is enough for a calm lake or river, the weight lets you carry it alone, and the price is the lowest point below which compromises in materials begin. There is also a version with a kayak seat, if you want to paddle sitting down as well.
Amber COLT 10.6 V2: the most stable in the budget class
320 cm, 10 kg, recommended load capacity 120 kg. The extra 15 cm of length and greater volume are noticeable straight away: the board tracks more calmly and reacts less to the wake of a passing motorboat. A good choice for a heavier paddler or anyone planning to paddle with a child on the nose.
JBAY.ZONE Kame K260: the lightest 330 cm board on the list
330 cm long, 76 cm wide, 15 cm thick and only 7.9 kg. Volume 270 l, maximum load capacity 145 kg, working pressure 15 PSI. The board is made in Italy with a heat welded rail (TRT), and the set includes a paddle, a double action pump, a backpack, a fin and a leash. If carrying is your main concern, this is the best ratio on the list.
Amber FACTOR 11.5 V2: high load capacity on a budget
350 cm, 12 kg, recommended load capacity 130 kg, maximum 250 kg. This is a board for people who weigh more than 100 kg or who regularly paddle with a child. The length gives calm stability, while the price stays within first purchase range.
From 200 to 350 EUR: when you know you will paddle often
Amber PRIME 12.6 V2 and FOX 12.4: long boards for longer routes
PRIME 12.6 V2 is 381 cm long and weighs 11 kg, FOX 12.4 is 376 cm and weighs 12 kg. Both have a recommended load capacity of 130 kg and a maximum of 250 kg. The FOX is listed as a touring board in the catalogue, and you can feel it on the water: it holds its speed better over longer distances. If you plan to paddle the Nemunas or cross the Kaunas Lagoon rather than circle near the shore, these two are the right choice.
JBAY.ZONE Kame KX260: a paddle board and kayak in one
The same 330 cm, 76 cm, 7.9 kg board as the K260, but the set includes a kayak seat. When you get tired or the wind picks up, you sit down and keep paddling. For beginners this really extends the first outing, as you do not have to stand the whole time.
JBAY.ZONE Delta D2 and D3: reinforced construction
The Delta D2 is 320 cm long, 81 cm wide, weighs 8 kg, has a volume of 305 l and a load capacity of 145 kg. Delta D3 is 350 cm, 81 cm, 9 kg, with a volume of 338 l and a load capacity of 160 kg. Both are made from reinforced single layer Drop-Stitch PVC (SLR), and the set includes a paddle with a fibreglass shaft adjustable from 165 to 210 cm and a pump with a pressure gauge. The 81 cm width is the number that makes these boards feel calmer than narrower ones to beginners.
Amber Bee 10.6 PRO: double layer and 22 PSI
The Amber Bee 10.6 PRO weighs 12 kg, has a double layer Drop-Stitch body and holds up to 22 PSI, which is the main difference from cheaper models: the board flexes less underfoot when a heavier person stands on it.
How much do inflatable paddle boards cost today
The prices of all the inflatable paddle boards in our stock currently range from 139 to 1 399 EUR. For a beginner the bottom third is really enough. More expensive boards give you stiffness, a better paddle and durability, but not stability, and stability is exactly what you need in your first year.
Starting prices by brand: Amber from 139 EUR, JBAY.ZONE from 199 EUR, WildSup from 799 EUR. A wider brand comparison is in in a separate article.
What else you will need in your first season
The set includes everything you need to get on the water. Two more things are worth having. First, a buoyancy aid: it does not get in the way of paddling and is the only thing that helps when you fall in far from shore. How to choose the right class is described in life jacket comparison. Second, a dry bag for your phone and documents, which you will find among our SUP accessories.
Before your first outing, these will help: paddling technique basics and list of places in Lithuania.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an inflatable paddle board weigh with the full set?
The board itself weighs from 7.9 kg (JBAY.ZONE Kame K260) to 12 kg (Amber FACTOR 11.5 V2, Bee 10.6 PRO). The backpack with pump and paddle adds roughly 4 to 6 kg, so the total weight you carry is 12 to 18 kg.
How long does it take to inflate?
With the double action hand pump included in the set, inflating to 15 PSI takes 7 to 12 minutes, depending on the board's volume and your pace. For models that hold 20 PSI or more, the last two PSI take the most effort.
Do you need to buy a paddle and pump separately?
No. All the boards in this article are sold as complete sets: board, paddle, pump, backpack, fin, repair kit and safety leash. It is only worth buying a paddle separately if you want a lighter fibreglass or carbon option.
What width board suits a beginner?
From 76 cm. JBAY.ZONE Kame models are 76 cm, the Delta series 81 cm, the Tidal King Barcelona 82 cm. A wider board forgives more balance mistakes, and you will not notice the difference in speed in your first year anyway.
Where can you see a paddle board before buying?
We do not have a physical shop, but you can view a specific model at our warehouse by arranging it in advance by phone. The terms are set out on the page Where to see the gear in person. The differences between types of sellers in Lithuania are explained in the article Where to buy a SUP board in Lithuania.
Read also: How to choose an inflatable paddle board, Which inflatable paddle board to choose for your weight, Amber SUP board model comparison, JBAY.ZONE paddle boards.
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