Boat & Sail

Builder · Entry · Redondo Beach, California

Body Glove

California heritage water-sports brand, 1953-founded. Inflatable SUPs sold through retail and licensed manufacturing.

Body Glove inflatable SUP
Founded
1953
Headquarters
Redondo Beach, California
Ownership
Body Glove International
Tier
Entry
Website
bodyglove.com

Body Glove is the California heritage water-sports brand, founded in 1953 by Bob and Bill Meistrell in Redondo Beach. The brand operates a licensed-manufacturing model on inflatable SUPs sold through retail.

The brand argument is heritage-brand recognition at entry-tier pricing. Body Glove SUPs are commodity-tier construction sold through big-box retail at low-cost-of-entry pricing.

Lineup

Current platforms.

Model breakdown

Each platform, what it does and where it falls short.

Body Glove Performer / Raptor / Cyclone

The volume lineup runs entry-tier all-around inflatable SUPs through licensed manufacturing.

Things we like

  • · Low entry pricing at big-box retail
  • · Heritage-brand recognition

Things we don't

  • · Construction tier entry-segment, multi-season durability runs below mid-tier brands
  • · Limited customer-service infrastructure

Buyer's guide

The Body Glove story and what to know on the used market.

Origin and ownership

Body Glove was founded in 1953 by Bob and Bill Meistrell in California. The brand built around wetsuits and water-sports apparel.

The SUP line operates through licensed manufacturing rather than direct production.

Design philosophy

Body Glove SUPs use entry-tier inflatable construction. The brand differentiates on heritage-brand recognition rather than novel construction or design.

Used-market notes and known issues

Entry-tier construction handles 12 to 15 PSI.

Multi-season durability runs below mid-tier brands.

Sold through big-box retail; warranty support runs through retailer rather than direct.

Limited accessory ecosystem.

Resale

Body Glove SUP resale runs softest in the inflatable SUP segment. Used inventory turns slowly.

Where Body Glove fits

Buyers cross-shop Body Glove against entry-tier inflatable SUPs at big-box retail. The argument is the lowest entry pricing.

FAQ

Frequently asked.

Is a Body Glove SUP a good buy?
For first-time buyers prioritizing low entry pricing, yes. Construction tier is entry-segment. Plan for multi-season durability that runs below mid-tier brands.
Where are Body Glove SUPs built?
Asian factories under licensed-manufacturing arrangements. Brand HQ in Redondo Beach, California.

Compare

Categories Body Glove fits.

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