So, you have fallen in love with stand-up paddle boarding, it’s time to buy your first own board, and now you are wondering if a Costco paddle board is any good?
The obvious advantage of Costco Paddle Boards is the comparably low price. However, a more expensive board of higher quality usually lasts longer, which saves you money in the long run.
Whether or not the purchase is worth it, therefore, depends on the type of paddle board you are looking to buy, the brand, the materials used, and a couple of other factors.
Because so many beginner paddle boarders keep wondering whether or not they should buy a stand-up paddle board from Costco, we have done some in-depth research and put together a comprehensive guide that will help you make a decision.
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Table of Contents
Should I get a Paddle Board from Costco?
Costco has great inexpensive deals for occasional paddlers, complete beginners, and families with kids. Someone who is looking to practice the sport on a regular basis should consider spending more money on a high-quality board.
In order to answer the question of whether Costco paddle boards are worth it, we must first take a closer look at the different paddle boards the popular US wholesaler has to offer.
Products available can vary by store location and season and depend on whether you are looking to shop in-store or online (often, stand up paddle boards are only available in-store).
Costco Stand Up Paddle Boards Overview
We have chosen a variety of paddle boards available at the time of writing this article, which we have analyzed and compared based on several criteria such as materials used, reviews, included accessories, and price.
(Just so you know, this page contains affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on one of our links, at no extra cost to you we may earn a commission. For more info, read our affiliate disclaimer.Big Blue Guide is NOT affiliated with Costco.)
This Costco paddle board is great for beginners who don’t use it on a regular basis but rather want to have some fun during family holidays. It’s quite light, which makes it easy to carry (we do recommend getting a shoulder strap for it, though, as the carry handle is quite small). Moreover, the Wavestorm board is very stable and – this is the obvious highlight of the product – can be converted from a paddle board to a kayak.
However, customers have repeatedly reported issues with the excess adhesive on the top of the board that sticks to your feet. Another problem is that the paddles don’t float properly, which poses a huge risk. Also, a warranty of 30 days is much (!) less than the average in the industry.
So, while the price for the board is comparably low, you may end up spending much more for several accessories that need to be replaced due to bad quality.
Alternatives we recommend:
If you are looking to get a durable stand-up paddle board that you can occasionally convert into a kayak, consider getting a universal detachable paddle board seat. You can attach it to any high quality stand up paddle board.
Hyperlite is very popular in the wakeboarding world. However, the company offers a variety of water sports equipment, including stand-up paddle boards. The Elevation Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board is currently exclusively available at Costco.
Kind of SUP: iSUP
Price: under $400
Length: 10’2″
Width: 34″
Thickness: .6″
Max. Weight Capacity: 320 lb.
Materials/ Construction: Woven Drop-Stitch construction, dual-layer machined EVA deck pad
Features:
12V Electric Pump (inflates your board up to 20 PSI)
Hyperlite Elevation Stand Up Paddleboard Package Review
Pros:
one button push air pump (for inflating AND deflating)
wide and stable – great for beginners
super lightweight and easy to carry
lots of hooks to add accessories or tie down anchors etc.
Cons:
scratches easily
What we think about it:
The majority of paddle boarders who have tried this Costco paddle board have had a great time with it. The electric pump that comes with it is a bonus. Keep in mind that you need a car in order to power it (can’t just inflate it in the middle of nowhere without a power source around). Also, inflating the iSUP takes longer this way than with a manual pump.
Moreover, several buyers of this product mentioned issues with the fin – it either came off too easily or was difficult to put on.
All in all, this is a great inflatable stand-up paddle board for beginners who want to get rid of shaky legs and have a fun time on the water but don’t really care about speed.
Scott Burke Atlantic Composite Stand-Up Paddle Board
About Scott Burke:
Scott Burke produces paddle boards, surfboards, and bodyboards that are sold by large retailers, such as Costco, Academy Sports, and Big 5 Sporting Goods. This stand-up paddle board is exclusively available at select Costco locations.
Kind of SUP: Hardshell
Price: Under $700
Length: 10’6″
Width: 33″
Thickness: 4.75″
Max. Weight Capacity: 300 lb.
Materials/ Construction: EPS foam core wrapped in fiberglass (2 layers coated with epoxy resin)
Features:
universal camera mount
hybrid carbon fiber paddle
custom board bag
middle positioned carry handle for transport
Warranty:
Scott Burke Atlantic Composite Stand-Up Paddle Board Review
Pros:
very lightweight
camera mount
durable
Cons:
a bit more expensive than other Costco paddle boards (but still inexpensive in comparison with similar boards!)
What we think about it:
The advantage of this board is that it is comparably durable. The fiberglass construction makes it a steady board that will last you a long time.
In this case, getting a Costco paddle board is highly recommended, as you’d pay more for the same product in other shops.
Lifetime Products manufactures pretty much everything you can use outdoors, from chairs and tables to watersports equipment. The Utah-based company started out in 1986 and now sells its products in several stores in Utah as well as online (even internationally).
Kind of SUP: Hardshell
Price: Under $800 (for 2)
Length: 10′
Width:
Thickness: 7.5″
Max. Weight Capacity: 230 lb.
Materials/ Construction: EVA deck pad, hull material: High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
Included:
2 boards
paddles
2 carry straps
Warranty: 5-Year Limited
Lifetime Horizon 2-pack Paddle Board Review
Pros:
very sturdy
Cons:
comparably heavy and bulky
too thick for yoga
hard surface (falling may hurt)
reported damages at delivery
HEALTH WARNING (see below)
What we think about it:
These Costco paddle boards have been reported to come poorly packaged and even damaged. Also, they are quite bulky and much heavier than all other boards listed in this article, which makes it hard to transport them.
A very alarming fact is that Costco mentions the following warning in the product details: CA PROP. 65 WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Nickel, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
While the price is great for a 2-pack, you should think twice about getting this deal.
About Body Glove: Body Glove is known for the creation of the “first functional wetsuit” in California in 1953. Now, decades later, they offer a wide variety of watersports products, as well as active wear.
Kind of SUP: iSUP
Price: Under $400
Length: 10′
Width: 34″
Thickness: 5.4″
Max. Weight Capacity: 300 lb.
Materials/ Construction: PVC platform, triple layer stringer, and side rail
Features:
paddle
pump
leash
dry bag
repair kit
storage backpack
Warranty: 1-Year Limited
Body Glove Oasis iSUP Package Review
Pros:
very stable
great for fitness/ yoga
Cons:
paddle serves as a handle, which takes some getting used to (but is pretty common for yoga SUPs)
main fin doesn’t detach (but it comes with protection)
What we think about it:
This Costco paddle board is very durable and doesn’t puncture easily, no matter how rough the SUP session gets. A few paddlers have reported some issues with the inflation of the SUP board. However, the majority of stand up paddle boarders are very happy with this product, as it is lightweight, stable and durable.
comes with patented water bottle holder handle to secure a bottle
Cons:
fins are fixed
hose tends to come off during inflation
What we think about it:
The Body Glove performer stand up paddle board is quite popular among paddle boarders. While it doesn’t provide the best quality on the market, it is worth the (little) money for recreational paddle boarders of all skill levels.
Materials/ Construction: PVC top and bottom layer, drop stitch core
Features:
4 adjustable SUP paddles
2 high-pressure pumps
Oversize duffle bag
1 coil leash
repair kit
Warranty: 1-Year Limited
Body Glove Crusader SUP Review
Pros:
super stable
durable
handles on all sides
Cons:
not easy to maneuver
not easy to set up on your own
What we think about it:
Definitely a lot of fun for the whole family. If you have kids or want to have a great time on the water with your best friends, this is a great option.
Should be carried and set up with at least two paddlers, as it is quite heavy for just one person.
Some General Advice
We have made the experience that some Costco paddle boards are better than others. As a general guideline when it comes to cheap deals from wholesalers, you should always keep the following aspects in mind.
1: The stated maximum weight capacity of very cheap paddle boards is often not correct. Our experience has proven that there can be huge differences between the promise of the manufacturer and reality.
2: Often, the accessories are of extremely low quality. Costco paddle boards, as well as many other inexpensive offers often advertise an all-inclusive-package with paddles, pumps, bags etc. While that seems great at first glance, these added features are usually made of very cheap materials and break easily. Therefore, you end up paying twice.
3: Cheap paddle boards are not sustainable. That’s bad for the environment and bad for your wallet because you’ll end up having to buy a new one every (second) season.
To sum it up: Whether or not a Costco paddle board is worth it really depends on what you are looking for in a SUP session. One thing you should always remember is: You get what you pay for.
Do you have any questions or feedback? Or do you just want to say hi to a fellow paddle boarding enthusiast? Send me a message!
