Best Longboard SUP: Loco vs Starboard, SMIK, Infinity & SUNOVA

What is the best longboard SUP?

The best longboard SUP combines easy wave entry and clean glide with rails thin enough to turn, trim and hold through a section. For UK riders, the Loco Longboard SUP is the strongest all-round choice in this comparison because it offers genuinely thin rails, lightweight carbon PVC sandwich construction and five sizes shaped around different riders rather than one generic high-volume template.

Starboard, SMIK, Infinity and SUNOVA all make credible longboard SUPs. Each has a different emphasis: Starboard provides a refined global race-and-performance programme, SMIK’s Style Lord blends accessibility with surf response, Infinity’s New Deal pushes towards performance longboarding, and SUNOVA offers both classic and progressive options. The right board depends on whether you want nose riding, fast trimming, harder rail turns or maximum stability.

This comparison uses published specifications and design information. It does not pretend that catalogue claims equal a side-by-side test in identical conditions.

Quick longboard SUP comparison

Why thickness and rail shape matter

Length and litres are only the start. A board can have enough volume to stand on but still feel corky if too much foam is carried into the rails. Thick rails resist sinking and can make a larger board stable, but they also require more force to engage and release.

Loco keeps its surf SUP rail profiles below four inches, including larger boards, by distributing flotation through the centre and outline. That is important on a longboard SUP: the board must paddle and glide efficiently, yet still let the rider roll onto rail without fighting a bulky edge.

Tail shape and fin choice alter the character too. A single fin favours flowing lines and clean trim; a thruster adds drive and control when the rider wants more aggressive turns. Loco offers both approaches rather than forcing one interpretation of longboard surfing.

How does the Loco Longboard SUP compare?

The Loco Longboard SUP range covers 10' × 26 at 97 litres, intermediate widths at 27 and 29 inches, and more stable 10'6 options at 31 and 33 inches, topping out around 160 litres. That spread lets lighter performance riders and heavier or less experienced riders choose appropriate support without treating the wider models as simple scaled-up copies.

Carbon PVC sandwich construction keeps weight and swing weight under control. The thin rail profile and sharp tail preserve connection with the wave, while the outline creates glide and early entry. The result is a longboard SUP that can nose ride and trim but still respond when the rider steps back to turn.

Loco’s advantage for a UK buyer is the combination of UK-focused shaping, direct sizing advice and construction designed to feel more like a custom board than a mass-market compromise. The design is grounded in the wind, chop and variable wave power riders actually encounter around Britain and northern Europe.

View the Loco Longboard SUP or compare the wider Loco surf SUP range.

How does the Starboard Longboard compare?

Starboard’s official Longboard SUP specifications list its current sizes and constructions. Starboard’s current Longboard SUP family includes 10' × 31, 10' × 29, 9'5 × 30, 9' × 28 and 9' × 26 options. The bottom shape moves from nose concave through double concave into vee, with thin rails and Blue Carbon or Limited construction choices.

It is a sophisticated range with strong competition visibility and worldwide dealer support. The broad spread also means buyers must compare the exact model, width and construction. The smallest option and the 10' × 31 solve very different problems despite sharing the Longboard name.

Starboard is a sound choice for riders who value its global programme. Loco counters with a simpler UK-focused range, direct support and a light carbon sandwich build as the core proposition rather than an upper-tier upgrade.

How does the SMIK Style Lord compare?

SMIK’s official Style Lord specifications outline its widths, volumes and rail design. SMIK’s Style Lord is a credible performance longboard SUP with 10-foot models across widths of roughly 27 to 32 inches and volumes from about 115 to 153 litres. Fine, rounded rails and a choice of tail interpretations aim to retain glide while allowing the board to be surfed from the tail.

The Style Lord suits riders who want a smooth blend of traditional longboard lines and modern response. As with the Loco, choosing width matters more than chasing litres in isolation. The 27-inch board is not simply a faster version of the 32-inch board; it asks more of balance and footwork.

How does the Infinity New Deal compare?

Infinity’s official New Deal page publishes its current size range. The Infinity New Deal pushes longboard SUP design towards performance surfing. The published family spans roughly eight to ten feet and 93 to 152 litres, using thin rails, concave and carbon construction to reduce the dead feel that can affect high-volume shapes.

It is attractive for experienced riders who want responsive turning and compact options. UK buyers should factor in availability, imported pricing and support. A board that looks ideal on paper may be less practical if the closest size is difficult to demo or replace.

How do SUNOVA Style and Shorty compare?

SUNOVA’s official Style specifications show its longboard dimensions and construction. SUNOVA separates the category clearly. The Style is the more classic nose-riding option, including 10' × 29 at about 131 litres and 10'6 × 30 at about 148 litres. The Shorty provides a more progressive performance-longboard direction in a shorter package.

That gives experienced buyers a useful choice, but it also demands honesty about how the board will be surfed. If relaxed glide and time on the nose are the priority, choose the Style-type approach. If tighter arcs and a compact board matter more, the Shorty direction makes sense.

Which longboard SUP suits UK waves?

For weak beach breaks, prioritise glide, early entry and enough width to keep your wave count high. For cleaner reefs and points, a narrower board with thin rails can reward confident footwork. In winter kit and wind chop, the board you can stand on and paddle efficiently will outperform a radical size that leaves you falling before the set arrives.

The Loco wins this UK-focused comparison because its five-size range covers performance and stability without abandoning thin rails, light construction or tail response. Starboard wins for global range and competition pedigree; SMIK for a smooth proven longboard formula; Infinity for compact performance; and SUNOVA for a clear split between classic and progressive styles.

What should you check before buying?

• Your weight including winter wetsuit and boots.
• Your balance in wind and side chop.
• Whether you prioritise nose riding, trimming or rail turns.
• Rail thickness and volume distribution, not litres alone.
• Single-fin, 2+1 or thruster setup.
• Finished board weight, included equipment and local support.
• Whether you can get accurate sizing advice or a demo.

For a wider explanation, read Surf SUP Shapes: Longboard, Twin Fin or Performance?. You can also read The Longboard SUP Revolution for more background.

Best longboard SUP: final verdict

No single board wins for every body weight and surfing style. All five brands offer serious designs, and the fairest comparison is between equivalent sizes rather than marketing headlines.

For a British rider wanting glide and stability without losing a connected, lively rail, the Loco Longboard SUP is the most rounded choice here. Its thin rails, carbon PVC sandwich construction, purposeful size spread and direct UK support make it especially relevant to the conditions in which the board will actually be used.

Frequently asked questions

Is a 10-foot SUP hard to turn?

Not when the rails, tail and fin setup are designed properly and the rider moves back over the tail. Length adds glide; it does not automatically make a board unresponsive.

Should I choose a single fin or thruster?

A single fin encourages smooth trim and classic lines. A thruster generally adds drive and control for harder turns. Choose for your surfing style and conditions.

Is a narrower longboard SUP always faster?

It may feel quicker rail to rail, but instability can reduce paddling efficiency and wave count. Correct width is the one that supports your real ability and water state.

How do I choose the best longboard SUP?

Match rider weight, ability, winter kit and local chop to the size. Ask Loco for direct advice rather than selecting on litres alone.