The best Paddleboard Camping Gear you shouldn't go without

Paddling and camping are two of summer’s true joys. The solitude, the sun, the water—what more could you want? With the advent of stand up paddleboarding the opportunity for this kind of adventure has gotten that much easier. There’s no need for an expensive and heavy canoe, simply pack up your gear into a few dry bags and toss them onto your SUP and away you go. Keeping things minimal is not a requirement either as you can carry a surprising amount of food, gear and even a few luxury items for a single or multi-day outing. I’ve been paddleboard camping for a few years now and thanks to the proper gear it’s gotten even easier. So I thought I’d share with you some of my favourite items that I just can’t go with out.

Body Glove Performer 11 Inflatable SUP
Obviously, you’re going to need a paddleboard if you want to go paddleboard camping and while they aren’t cheap you can find a good inflatable for under $1000 such as the Body Glove Performer 11 Inflatable SUP. It comes with a pump, carrying case and paddle so you’re ready to hit the water right away. With ideal dimensions for lake and river paddling, you’re not limited to where you can paddle and being able to check it as baggage on airlines means that you can literally go anywhere.

Bounce Super Cruiser SUP
If you’ve got a little more money under your couch cushions then you may want to consider a solid rather than an inflatable paddleboard. The Bounce Super Cruiser SUP will glide faster on open water than an inflatable and its rigidity can take on wavy conditions with confidence. It’s not as easy to travel with as an inflatable but its light weight means you can handle it with ease while still being able to load it up with the gear you need.

Ortlieb Waterproof Dry Bags
The next essential piece of gear you’ll need is some dry bag since accidents do happen and you may just dump in the water and you’ll want your gear to stay dry. The ORTLIEB Big-Zip and ORTLIEB Duffle can carry 140L and 110L respectively and unlike traditional waterproof bags, these two have full-length zippers so getting at your gear is quick and easy. The built in backpack harnesses also let you shoulder their weight so you can carry your gear and your board all at once.

Sierra Designs Flash 3FL Tent
You’re also going to need a good tent to provide shelter in case of inclement weather and there is none better than the award winning Sierra Designs Flash 3FL Tent. We gave this tent our Gear of the Year Award and for good reason—It’s spacious, light, compact and the design is pretty innovative. It not only works well on backpacking trips but it’s my go-to-tent for paddleboarding adventures as well. With adequate room for three and a livable interior you can easily spend hours on end inside the Flash 3FL Tent should it start to storm or you just need reprieve from the beating sun.

Yeti Hopper Two 30 Cooler
In summer you need to be able to keep your food cool, but a huge cooler is a bit of overkill for paddleboard camping so the Yeti Hopper Two 30 Cooler is ideal. This soft cooler will keep your food cold longer and it’s also pretty durable. The design fits well on the front of your SUP and if you do dump in the water, it’s not a big deal, the Yeti Hopper Two 30 Cooler is also 100% waterproof.

Helinox Chair One
While you can easily just sit in the sand, on a rock or log, having a chair is a pretty cush way to go. The Helinox Chair One is made with DAC aluminum poles so it’s light and compact enough to take along on a paddling trip. The Chair One is so comfy that once you try one you won’t want to go with out.

While this gear list is not an exhaustive one, it covers some of the must-have’s that will make your trip a comfortable and memorable one. You’ll still need a good sleeping bag and sleeping mat along with all your personal gear and food but that’s about it. 

If you’ve never given paddleboard camping a try, consider it for your next adventure—rent or borrow a board before you buy and get out on the water and give it a try. You’ll be surprised as to how easy it really is.