One of our testers was able to strap his camera in a Pelican case to the 45-degree angled handles, which most SUPs dont have a nice feature for the gear you want easily accessible, close to your feet. Weight capacity is something often misunderstood. Perhaps in calm waters this wouldnt be an issue but we say stick to their recommendation of sub 350 lbs on the board. The pump however has to go in the bag with the board, which is fine given how much space you have in the main compartment. Minnesota-based Paddle North makes especially gorgeous, wood-grain-style inflatable boards. The Paddle North Portager, comes with two separate fins. If you are a paddler who isnt looking to bring pets or kids, or do step-back turns, then the shorter deck pad honestly wont make much of a difference to you and you will probably really like what Paddle North has done here. Its overall shape lends itself to being relatively fast through the water at both low and high efforts. As always, happy paddling and we look forward to seeing you on the water! The Portager is nice and stable for most riders 250 lbs and under. As mentioned, the Portager did well in our speed tests. Its durable. All you need is an oversized backpack and some space in your trunk. Pair a 17.6-pound board with a packable, five-piece carbon shaft paddle and youve got one of the lightest SUP kits around. The bungee cords and their tie downs felt sturdy and well made as well. This review will focus on Paddle Norths The Portager model. It is their main selling inflatable SUP with the other being a party barge style multi person float. With fiber, distance is not an issue. SUPBoardGuide.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. If you weigh at or over 180-200 pounds or if you want to paddle with a dog, child, or partner consider a longer length and larger board. Ideally we would like to see it go all the way to the valves at the rear of the board. Five D-rings on the boards nose and one D-ring on the tail provide multiple tie-down points. But there are plenty of lengths, shapes, and sizes outside that range. Theres no way to possibly rank all of the paddleboards on the market one after another especially when board models change so frequently over the years. Theres no need to buy any SUP gear separately. For durability and rigidity, the Adventure features a high-density thread core create with diagonal drop-stitch. Even better, almost all inflatables (all the ones weve listed) come in a package: SUP, paddle, backpack, fin, pump. Performance wise, Paddle Norths the Portager, did very well. Its a fun board to paddle, too, especially on overnight trips when you want to cover some ground (er, water). You can read more about this below, but there are a few areas we think Paddle North could improve on with the board. Its made for hauling gear, having a good time, and staying sturdy even in the face of blowing gusts or wiggling canines on board. Other features we really liked on this board: its ease of carry and the paddle. The Adventure isnt our choice board for multiday or whitewater trips that require a ton of gear, because of the location and proximity of the noses four metal D-rings (theyre set back, which places bulky gear a bit too close to the paddler). The ROC SUP kit comes with everything you need to get started a 10-foot-long paddleboard, a collapsible paddle, a pump, leash, and carry bag. This is a middle-of-the-pack, not-too-heavy, and well-balanced board that measures a full 34 inches across. Recent updates on theMSL 106 include the brands flat bungee system on the bow, as well as an updated sidewall and material construction. Some of our favorite pieces are: In summary we really liked how The Portager performed in our tests. Measuring 106, this board has drop-stitch construction, an EVA-textured-grip deckpad, and the brands proprietary flexible, molded fins. To match their local waters, a lot of Paddle Norths boards are geared toward river touring. Most other manufacturers have gone to some sort of dual chamber design with 2 or even 3 stages to the pumping mechanism. The accessories leave some room for improvement with their included pump and paddle, but the board itself is very well built and sturdy. The first is a 12 long touring fin that really does a great job of keeping the board in line. (Note: this board has a 10.8 width with 6-inch sidewalls.). It is beginner-friendly (and expert-friendly), and it will last for years if you treat it well. We also looked at the variety of boards and paddles each brand has on the market. Needless to say, we were impressed. Another top consideration to look at when purchasing a board is what comes with it. This board is a little bit longer than the average all around SUP, and about average when it comes to its 33 width. In conclusion, Paddle North needs to upgrade this to either a carbon/fiberglass or full carbon piece. So what is included is them striking a nice balance between size and longevity. There is no best brand. And the HD Aeros also clocks in at a great price point for its size. You should treat any inflatable board with care. Two 140-pound adults can comfortably fit on an 11 board (the fit and weight limit will vary by brand). Contrary to newbie beliefs, inflatable boards are very durable, can pack down small, are convenient and easy to use and store, and are usually more budget-friendly. In terms of quality, especially with an inflatable SUP, it will be well worth it in the long run. Theyre easy to travel with, are fairly easy to care for and maintain, and come in at a great price. Ultra instead included a 12V electric pump for faster setup. Like, your kid can jump up and down on it in excitement and the board will be A-OK. This bag is all business and no frills. Theres room to strap a cooler, a dry bag, even a kayak seat. Please use this form to request a quote for service for your home or business. Products They are a great option for all experience levels, have a variety of uses (flatwater and whitewater), and dont require special racks or extra storage. There was even room for additional gear so long as it was bungeed down fairly evenly front and rear. With the NRS STAR Phase, youre getting a well-built, high-quality, and affordable board from a reputable brand. Support us! It has extremely clean lines with no visible defects and everything just feels well made. For an 11-foot board, we liked this boards carry feel in hand and its light weight (confirmed weight of 23 pounds). We are proud to feature special A/V installation, sourcing, maintenance and service coverage for Barrow, Bartow, Cherokee, Clarke, Clayton, Coweta, Dawson, Dekalb, Forsyth, Gwinnett, Henry, Oconee, Paulding, Pickens Rockdale, and Walton counties, and the greater Metropolitan Atlanta Area. The Monarch ($899) is a streamlined, easy-to-charge SUP that conquers flatwater, yet remains stable when whitewater rapids or large boat wake take course. And, at 21 pounds, its amazingly light. The deck pad is covered in a layer dubbed Honey Fomb, which looks like honeycomb and feels like a therapeutic, thick yoga mat. We also think the tailored shape of the nose and its 116 length helps with that as well. The All Around Ultra Series 10 isnt just light but is also 50% smaller, packed down in a redesigned carry bag. Like kayaks, there are even tandem-specific models out there (ranging from 12 to 15 feet in length). There are a few common practices you should know once you invest in an inflatable SUP. The new bungee system works great, and is being implemented on all future SUPs. The board is built with a simple yet durable PVC-coated drop-stitch. The most common size boards are 106 or 11. Of the paddleboards weve tested and reviewed, wed mark the 116 BOTE HD Aero as the most stable on our list. Take a look at this board if you want something super packable and light for paddling at home or traveling around. If you are looking for a basic, budget-friendly, or kid-friendly board, give the Hudson a look. Services | We love answering questions! It has a single exterior pocket for the accessories. The lack of grab handles and deckpad would make this a bad choice for kids and pets as neither would have anything to secure themselves too. Carrying the SUP and paddle all in one go leaves your other hand free for carrying a dry bag or cooler. Its a single chamber dual stage pump that was standard up until the last few years. Another thumbs up to Paddle North. 1316 Lakewood Ave SE, Suite L-1 Large or small, we have services that can help your organization stay connected. If we could make one recommendation, it would be to extend this pad both forwards and to the rear as far as the bungee placement allows. We wonder if that extra rocker had some hand in this. We are happy to answer your questions too so please comment below. Weve even been able to cruise the lakeshore with our 70-pound Labrador riding shotgun. The counter argument to this recommendation is that the included pump is lightweight and easy to backpack with. An added bonus we dont see very often: the Pioneer has two loops along the right side of the board for strapping and carrying your paddle. And four cushioned handles provide ease of transport to and from the rig. The Pioneer was also super balanced in flatwater (both mild and windy conditions). Research, plan, and pick a reputable brand. We paddle year round (it helps that we are just about 2 hours outside of Las Vegas), and we bring in a wide range of paddlers with the goal of providing our readers with the best, most in-depth, and accurate stand up paddle board reviews. In testing, this board performed really well. This wasnt always the case, but many boards are now sold with a paddle, fin, and travel bag included in the package. It also has wheels which make it even easier to transport longer distances, and like we said the handle is nice and thick which is good for longer rolling journeys. For a beginner board, and one of this brands first paddleboards, the Itiwit is an awesome contender. Its just a lot easier for the consumer. Are you completely new to SUPing? The weight capacity is also affected by the size and shape of the board as well. As noted in the intro, the inflatable SUP market has skyrocketed over the past 4 to 6 years. We really like the inclusion of various fin sizes for different conditions. Paddlers of all experiences will have a good time on this board. Any board that is 34-36 inches across is a good choice. Other cables have limitations on how far they can carry bandwidth. In our tests, the Portager did great with light paddlers all the way up to 250 lbs (ish). It doesnt matter which one you buy. The company itself seems wonderful in its inclusion of challenges for their community. Aside from that the rest of the board is fairly simple and well constructed. There are plenty of D-rings and extra on-deck bungee storage for strapping down gear. It was right in line with the 11 Atoll, which we think is a good comparison board given they are both light-weight boards that lean more toward the touring side of things as all arounds. Do you want to go lightweight? We really like brands that support the local community, wherever it may be. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. As youd expect, taking a shot in the dark and buying a board online from a general retailer is not the way to go. Its fast through the water and fairly maneuverable in low speed (low movement) kinds of turns. Best for touring in flatwater or milder rivers, this inflatable touring board ($1,249) has a unique shape with a squared-off tail, 10 anchor points, and a single 9-inch fin. It has a three-layer seam-joining system to provide as much durability (for an inflatable) as possible. The STAR Phase boards also come in three lengths: 102, 106, and 108. Plus, Pau Hana makes all its boardsin California. It has a pretty progressive rocker profile and swallowtail shape at the tail for better performance in moving waters. Check Price at DecathlonCheck Price at Walmart. Read our full review. If you have any questions or comments please leave us a comment below. Other than that, size is purely preference. Thats like saying Specialized makes the best mountain bikes. Below youll find our list of the best standup paddleboards of 2022. No sooner had we tested out the Breeze did BOTE come out with a new model: the Aero HD ($1,149), which turned out to be review-worthy as well. This could be just what you need. And while the bungee tiedown area is on the smaller side, there are plenty of other rigging points on the board. The Portager is a fairly simple board with a clean wood grain aesthetic. Whether you need a budget pick or overall winner, we've got you covered. If you know you want to invest in the sport or, say, are going to be paddling in lots of extreme (cold or whitewater) conditions, youll want to spend extra time researching a boards construction (Welded seams? Check Price at AmazonCheck Price at Backcountry. At 116 x 33, and with a pretty wide tail, the Portager is a great combination of all-around SUP and touring SUP making it a great board for beginners to intermediate paddlers who are looking for a more touring-oriented inflatable SUP. It also has a sturdy webbed carry handle and four D-rings on the nose for securing gear. Theres only one removable fin, which keeps the accessories simple. As always: buy the electric pump. The Pioneer, pumped up to its recommended PSI, felt super stable. All for just $300. On a few day trips to SUP some high-altitude lakes, with conditions varying from glassy to choppy waves, we noticed this SUP managed all the conditions well. This board has two carry handles, one in the center and one at the nose. We really think Paddle North did a great job in terms of the construction of The Portager. This is also extremely useful if the board is kept inflated all the time and left in the sun. Visually the board looks great. Good news, though, you can grab a paddle sold separately for 40-50 bucks. Both by the buying public and manufacturers. Even at this weight, an additional 50lbs of gear is manageable if spread out evenly. We generally find that longer boards perform better for most situations, and for an all around/touring SUP, we think they did a great job with the shape. June 16, 2022|By Mary Murphy & Morgan Tilton. Its a middle-of-the-pack-sized board with great versatility and a great price tag. The Portager did well for itself in the bend test, coming in on par with other light-weight, dual fusion PVC SUPs. This still puts the Decathlon Itiwit board at a really accessible price. It can hold up to 240 pounds, is wide enough to provide balance and stability, and weighs in at 21 pounds. Pro tip: Lots of paddle brands offer interchangeable fins, as well as seat, strap, mount, and gear accessories for their boards. Its a standard to narrower board width, giving it great glide in calm waters. Even better, if you learn on an inflatable SUP, youll have great balance for when you decide to tackle ocean or whitewater paddling or upgrade to an epoxy board. In this kit you get: The kit is pretty standard giving you everything you need to get on the water (besides a life jacket). Its clear that they love being on the water and in nature and their designs reflect that. In our opinion, The Portager is a solid all around board that performs very well on the water. Copyright document.write((new Date()).getFullYear()); Uptime AuthorityAll rights reserved. The following two tabs change content below. Any shift or change in stance causes the paddler to move off the traction pad (which covers maybe of the whole deck) and onto the good looking, but fairly slippery surface of the board. In terms of features, we love that this board has grab handles on the bow and rear. See why all of our clients are repeat clients with our exceptional service, attention to detail, and workmanship. And with a 4.8-star rating and more than 5,000 reviews, its obvious were not the only ones who think this is a great deal. The board looks, and feels, a bit more streamlined than its predecessors. For an 116 board as stable as this one, 30 pounds is a fine weight. At 33 pounds, this board is on the heavier end. From helping large businesses network and coordinate connectivity across multiple offices, to minimizing downtime for small companies that are needing a competitive edge, we can do that! This means that you dont have to fiddle with installing or repairs. Our team of experts is bringing you best camping gear reviews and buying guides. Paddle North is an interesting company focusing on a variety of on water activities. Why? At 19 pounds, its also a great option if you are looking for a lightweight SUP. Bottom line, we do not write simple spec reviews found on other sites. Weve used similar models of Reds MSL board ($1,299) with the alternate removable iFin technology, which does require installation, small screws, and a quick reading of the instructions. Its not the lightest but is very light and is easy to carry, portage, and travel with.