Inflatable SUP boards are built from multi-layer laminated marine PVC, not Hypalon. This article explains the material choice, the differences, and where Hypalon is used in Afarer products.
Specifications verified: 2026-08-01
If you have researched inflatable boats, you have seen Hypalon (chlorosulfonated polyethylene, CSM) presented as a premium material. On inflatable SUP boards the situation is different: Afarer boards are built from multi-layer laminated marine PVC, and this article explains why.
Why SUP boards use PVC, not Hypalon
The demands on a SUP board differ from the demands on an inflatable boat tube. A board must hold a flat, rigid deck underfoot at high pressure, keep its shape over thousands of inflation cycles, and resist UV, saltwater and abrasion over years of use — while staying light enough to carry.
Multi-layer PVC laminates with a drop-stitch core meet all of these requirements. The fabric is fusion-welded layer to layer, and the boards are rated for 12–15 PSI working pressure. Marine-grade PVC also keeps its mechanical properties in the −30 °C to +70 °C range SUP users actually encounter, from winter storage to tropical shipping.
Hypalon's advantages — exceptional chemical and UV resistance — matter most where fabrics are constantly exposed to fuel, oil and industrial solvents, which is why it is used on professional and commercial inflatable boat tubes rather than paddle boards.
Where Hypalon appears in the Afarer range
Hypalon remains the specified material on the Afarer RIB models (RIB 330, RIB 450 Patrol), which are designed for professional marine use and sold through afarer.com. SUP boards and kayaks in the SUPsfactory line use marine PVC exclusively, and every PVC batch is independently tested in our PVC Fabric Lab before production.
The test data
Material selection is validated in-house, not taken from supplier data sheets. PVC fabric is tested for tensile strength, UV retention, abrasion and low-temperature flexibility before a batch is released. Our marine PVC retains over 80% of tensile strength after 2,000 hours of xenon-arc UV exposure — the standard that matters for boards that live on lake decks, roof racks and rental fleet beaches.
Choosing material for your spec
Whether you know or not, the material choice is a spec decision at the start of the project. Walk the <a href="/factory">factory</a> to see both production lines, compare the two fabrics in our <a href="/research/pvc-vs-hypalon">full research guide</a>, or open an <a href="/oem-manufacturing">OEM/ODM project</a> and let our engineers spec the fabric to your market.
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