In this SUPboarder PRO head to head test we put 9 x 14' ( x 27" +/- 1") inflatable race SUPS priced between £699 and £1399 up against each other. With many of us wanting to race or do some fast touring a race inflatable board is a transportable and low cost alternative to a composite board and something many will be looking to add to their quiver! Carried out by our team of 8 testers, it's packed full of race iSUP information to help you understand which board will be right for YOU!
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Steve Main
2 years ago
I currently have a Fanatic Blitz 25.5 but looking to add a race isup. Getting a demo is problematic so is there a rule of thumb re isup width relative to a hardboard from a stability perspective? Basically i’m dithering between a 26” and 28” RS Air, i’m 100kg and find the Blitz unstable enough for my current balance skills, particularly when the water has a bit of chop.
Hi Steve, are you looking to have a board that is more stable than your current composite board at 25.5 wide? Or are you trying to get on the fastest inflatable paddleboard for your weight? The 26 would obviously offer you the most speed. Also what kind of conditions are you going to be paddling it in? If always on flat water than stability of the board wouldn’t be so much of a problem but if you were taking it out in open chop /swell I think the 28 would be a better move.
I’m aiming for a board that isn’t less stable…..if that makes sense. I’m probably not going to race the isup, just use it as a training tool to avoid the hardboard getting constantly dinged when going through locks etc. My primary paddling is on a locked river, some in the Thames where there can be what us inland dwellers call a reasonable amount of chop and then on holidays where I’d use it in the sea. I’ve just put a Blackproject Ray fin on the Blitz to help with stability. But at the same time I want to avoid training… Read more »
Hey Steve. I’m feeling that the 26 would be the best choice. But if you do race train on a 28 wide board yes it will give you a little bit more stability but at the same time it will allow you to feel like you’re paddling slower and having to put more put effort in. Then when you jump on your blitz you’ll have more power to put into the stroke. Does that make sense? But I guess you will still get this feeling with a 26 white board as well?!
Great, thanks, appreciate the input and I think I’d settled on the 26 in my head. It will be interesting to see the pace difference between the hard board and the isup.
gonna through a spanner in the works here 🙂 first off how tall are you? I understand why you want a training board, but as you say you struggle in chop on your Blitz, i would say keep training on that, really practice moving on the board, let all the boats hit you with side chop until your board is just part of you, yes it may get the odd ding here and there, but you can have it fixed up for a lot less than a training board and you’ll be even better in the races too. 🙂 As… Read more »
Thanks Jonny. I’m 6ft 3. I agree with your point on just using the hard board but to be totally honest i ‘need’ an isup to add convenience, getting out for a training session on the Thames before/after work, as well as where i have to park. Hardboards are amazing but they’re also a pain in the backside! You and Olivier have sent me back towards the 28, hunting out a demo sounds like the best way forward. I meant to pick your brains on this at the Shac race a couple of weeks back given your knowledge on isup… Read more »
Olivier Decroly
2 years ago
I have Starboard Airline 28″ and is quite stable for my 95 kg. I use it mainly for training. Selecting fins depending on conditions will increase stability. My race Board is All Star 24,5″ and is as stable as my Airline 28″, if not more. I have tried Airline 26″ but feel more confortable on 28″, especially when choppy or open water. Of course, narrow will make you faster but I favor stability as during race, even on flat, it can be very turbulent (start, security boat or jet-ski,…)
Just to add. I prefer a stable board for training, especially for the cold winter. Training is more about refining technique, fitness, endurance,… The board used for the races can be a bit more tippy to go faster. You can increase your balance skills in the mean time with a balance board (eg Indo Board,…)
Was there a sense of which boards stood out as better in choppy open water conditions due to nose shape, rocker, and/or stiffness? I also noticed that you appear to have tested the All Star downwind version, which supposedly has more rocker up front (I may not be using that term correctly here). Did anyone notice this as a benefit in choppy water?
Hi Ed The simple answer is – The Shark It was the stand out for me in the chop and flat water, both on the test and then at the two GB sup races in Falmouth, the way it cuts through the waves is just beautiful. However if you really want a board for those conditions i would always try and go Hardboard, the isups can do it, and they do a decent job, but they will always float on top of the water rather than actually connecting with it. Anyway .. Most of the others were about the same,… Read more »
This is such great information. Sounds like the nose cone really helps. The shark nose looks very similar to the Fit Ocean Force race board, which also has a carbon nose cone. I don’t think Fit Ocean sells to the US, however, which is where I live. I would really like to get a composite board, but I’m struggling with how to find a reasonable place to store it. I don’t have a garage and having it sit along a wall in the house is not something my spouse seems to be keen on. I’m also hesitant to store it… Read more »
Hi, have you considered the Decathlon 14×27 with the solid cone? I struggle to find any info about it on the web/youtube but the demo piece in the shop looked interesting due to its cone. The Shark was my favourite to go for but the real length over 14 feet stopped me to buy. Regards, Karel
YEs, we were really keen to get this one in the test as looks like an innovative product – we worked hard on several occasions over the past year to get ITIWIT to engage in the test, but with now luck. Lets hope they engage in future tests 🙂
Joe Del Barrio
2 years ago
I’m pretty interested in the SUP racing category of boards. I’ve been paddling an Isle 10’6” Pioneer all around board since last June. I paddle mostly up and down my local river. It’s one of my favorite ways of staying in shape and I usually go about 4.5 to 7 miles a session. Conditions are usually flat but can get a bit choppy with the wind or with boat wakes. Any recommendations for a first race board and would be appreciated. Thanks all!
Hey Joe, thanks for your question, a few questions before I get back with what board is best. what weight are you? And what width and thickness is you board now? And are you super stable on that board? Thanks Reuben
Hey Joe, Ok so first of all you have to decide whether you want to have a 12’6 or 14 ‘ board. 14’ is the most popular class that is going to get you paddling the fastest. Regarding your board width you’re going to be able to easily get on to a 28 wide board but in time be very happy on a 26 wide board. the width really all depends on how competitive and how fast you really want to be? If you want to get into competing in racing then at your weight a 26 would be the… Read more »
Thanks Ruben. I’m more interested in the 14’ board than a 12’6”. Some of the local shops carry Starboard and Red Paddle Co. boards but don’t regularly stock 14’ boards or have any way to test out the boards as well. I’m more likely going to have to order online. I’m also mainly going to use the board for long distance fitness padding on my local river and wanted to make sure it was fast, efficient, and stable, but not so stable that I’m not having to work on improving my balance and overall SUP skill if I’ve said it… Read more »
Hi Joseph. Got it and it all makes sense. Straight away the Starboard Airline race iSUPs are very nice boards. As you can see in the test they do very well. I feel that you could use the 14×28 now without a problem but like I said before a 14×26 would be the board for you to really progress with and paddle as fast as possible. The Hala I have seen but have not ridden unfortunately. They look like well made and stiff boards. I would leave the Red Voyager, not the fastest board to paddle. If you go down… Read more »
Hey Doug. Make sure you are signed into SUPboarder Pro, the logo will change at the top of the screen if you are signed in. If you are still struggling try doing the same thing in a new search browser. You computers cache does effect it to. Let me me know if this help. Thanks Reuben
Jason McCartney
1 year ago
Thanks for putting together this review. I actually tried to purchase a Naish Maliko inflatable after watching this, but there were none to be had anywhere. Ended up with a Starboard Allstar Airline 14×26, and have no regrets. I was leaning towards the Naish because I thought dealing with the cable/nose cone of the Starboard would be a PITA, but it really isn’t a big deal. And it’s such a nice and fast board!
Hey Jason The starboard is a great board and yeah the cable issue isn’t really a big deal when its all setup after the first few uses. Glad you are a happy paddler.
Rick Anderson
1 year ago
Is the review not available anymore? Even with pro subscription the page just goes to the youtube preview.
Hi, I’ve really enjoyed watching this review so thanks! I just wondered, if you had to choose between the Naish and the loco which one would you go for?
Hey Kate both the boards are obviously great but I would edge towards the Naish, just feel it has a better construction and really a better overall look. But I guess it might come down in price point in the end for you, either boards would work well.
Thank you for your thoughts. I originally thought I wanted a fast tourer but I definitely want to go more towards a race board, would you recommend the SIC over both the loco and Naish? I’m not hugely experienced in racing or using a sup narrower than 30 but this is what I want to work towards!
Hi, of course it comes down to a few factors, the conditions you’re most likely to be paddling in? Your overall ability at paddling in those conditions? And how happy you are at paddling board you are right now in certain conditions? 27 wide boards become very comfortable for most paddlers. If you are lighter than 60 kg then maybe you should look towards a narrow board. Because after paddling the board for awhile there’s no doubt you will find your legs for it and it will become much easier even jumping down from much wider boards. Out of all… Read more »
Greg Norman
9 months ago
I just received my SIC RS Airglide today in 14×26. I got it for paddling while on the Big Island of Hawaii for our upcoming vacation, there are no decent rental boards options. The RS is a beautiful inflatable, I had to repack it into a Red paddle bag, the SIC bag is too short to safely carry my 3 piece paddle, the pump is also pretty bad, I am bringing the Red Titan pump, the only thing I will use the SIC pump for is for touring and bringing a smaller emergency pump. I am bringing both a 8.3… Read more »
Hi Greg. Thanks so much for your words and feedback. We are so happy we helped you. I will pass your words onto the team also. Not great news about the paddle in the bag, But I guess we never tried that! And the pump compared to a red is bad. Happy paddling ,thanks again Reuben
Danila
2 months ago
Hi guys! Studying the table with your riders’ scores, I noticed that Jodie, as the lightest paddler, gave a rather low score to the Shark board in the tracking category. Am I correct in understanding that this may be due to the fact that under Jodie’s weight the nose of the board was not fully submerged in the water and therefore did not perform as well as under heavier riders? My weight is about 55 kg (between Jodie and Donna), trying to figure out if this Shark model in the 14×27 size is right for me or does it make… Read more »
Hey Danila, Thnaks for the question. Before I jump in and get back on this, Im going to foward the question on to Donna to get her feedback first. But not having the nose in the water doesnt help lighters paddlers for sure.
Hey Danila, I just got this comment back from Donna…. —————— There’s a chance Jodie rated the tracking lower as the fin on the Shark board is not very good as a race fin. I’ve used the 14×27 shark with a carbon fin and it tracks and paddles really well in all conditions. As a lighter rider all you may need to do is move forward one step. The 12’6×27 might be ok however I’ve not paddled this board before, you would loose some tracking and speed over a 14ft board. Another one to consider would be the 14×25 if… Read more »
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I currently have a Fanatic Blitz 25.5 but looking to add a race isup. Getting a demo is problematic so is there a rule of thumb re isup width relative to a hardboard from a stability perspective? Basically i’m dithering between a 26” and 28” RS Air, i’m 100kg and find the Blitz unstable enough for my current balance skills, particularly when the water has a bit of chop.
Hi Steve, are you looking to have a board that is more stable than your current composite board at 25.5 wide?
Or are you trying to get on the fastest inflatable paddleboard for your weight?
The 26 would obviously offer you the most speed.
Also what kind of conditions are you going to be paddling it in? If always on flat water than stability of the board wouldn’t be so much of a problem but if you were taking it out in open chop /swell I think the 28 would be a better move.
I’m aiming for a board that isn’t less stable…..if that makes sense. I’m probably not going to race the isup, just use it as a training tool to avoid the hardboard getting constantly dinged when going through locks etc. My primary paddling is on a locked river, some in the Thames where there can be what us inland dwellers call a reasonable amount of chop and then on holidays where I’d use it in the sea. I’ve just put a Blackproject Ray fin on the Blitz to help with stability. But at the same time I want to avoid training… Read more »
Hey Steve. I’m feeling that the 26 would be the best choice.
But if you do race train on a 28 wide board yes it will give you a little bit more stability but at the same time it will allow you to feel like you’re paddling slower and having to put more put effort in. Then when you jump on your blitz you’ll have more power to put into the stroke.
Does that make sense?
But I guess you will still get this feeling with a 26 white board as well?!
Great, thanks, appreciate the input and I think I’d settled on the 26 in my head. It will be interesting to see the pace difference between the hard board and the isup.
Ok Steve sounds like a good move. Remember to lets us know what you think of it.
gonna through a spanner in the works here 🙂 first off how tall are you? I understand why you want a training board, but as you say you struggle in chop on your Blitz, i would say keep training on that, really practice moving on the board, let all the boats hit you with side chop until your board is just part of you, yes it may get the odd ding here and there, but you can have it fixed up for a lot less than a training board and you’ll be even better in the races too. 🙂 As… Read more »
Thanks Jonny. I’m 6ft 3. I agree with your point on just using the hard board but to be totally honest i ‘need’ an isup to add convenience, getting out for a training session on the Thames before/after work, as well as where i have to park. Hardboards are amazing but they’re also a pain in the backside! You and Olivier have sent me back towards the 28, hunting out a demo sounds like the best way forward. I meant to pick your brains on this at the Shac race a couple of weeks back given your knowledge on isup… Read more »
I have Starboard Airline 28″ and is quite stable for my 95 kg. I use it mainly for training. Selecting fins depending on conditions will increase stability. My race Board is All Star 24,5″ and is as stable as my Airline 28″, if not more. I have tried Airline 26″ but feel more confortable on 28″, especially when choppy or open water. Of course, narrow will make you faster but I favor stability as during race, even on flat, it can be very turbulent (start, security boat or jet-ski,…)
Great feedback Olivier . You have a nice selection of boards. Happy racing 🙂
Just to add. I prefer a stable board for training, especially for the cold winter. Training is more about refining technique, fitness, endurance,… The board used for the races can be a bit more tippy to go faster. You can increase your balance skills in the mean time with a balance board (eg Indo Board,…)
Thanks Olivier, appreciate the feedback
Was there a sense of which boards stood out as better in choppy open water conditions due to nose shape, rocker, and/or stiffness? I also noticed that you appear to have tested the All Star downwind version, which supposedly has more rocker up front (I may not be using that term correctly here). Did anyone notice this as a benefit in choppy water?
Hey Edgold. Good question, Im going to get our tester Jonny to get back to you about this one.
Hi Ed The simple answer is – The Shark It was the stand out for me in the chop and flat water, both on the test and then at the two GB sup races in Falmouth, the way it cuts through the waves is just beautiful. However if you really want a board for those conditions i would always try and go Hardboard, the isups can do it, and they do a decent job, but they will always float on top of the water rather than actually connecting with it. Anyway .. Most of the others were about the same,… Read more »
This is such great information. Sounds like the nose cone really helps. The shark nose looks very similar to the Fit Ocean Force race board, which also has a carbon nose cone. I don’t think Fit Ocean sells to the US, however, which is where I live. I would really like to get a composite board, but I’m struggling with how to find a reasonable place to store it. I don’t have a garage and having it sit along a wall in the house is not something my spouse seems to be keen on. I’m also hesitant to store it… Read more »
Hi, have you considered the Decathlon 14×27 with the solid cone? I struggle to find any info about it on the web/youtube but the demo piece in the shop looked interesting due to its cone. The Shark was my favourite to go for but the real length over 14 feet stopped me to buy. Regards, Karel
YEs, we were really keen to get this one in the test as looks like an innovative product – we worked hard on several occasions over the past year to get ITIWIT to engage in the test, but with now luck. Lets hope they engage in future tests 🙂
I’m pretty interested in the SUP racing category of boards. I’ve been paddling an Isle 10’6” Pioneer all around board since last June. I paddle mostly up and down my local river. It’s one of my favorite ways of staying in shape and I usually go about 4.5 to 7 miles a session. Conditions are usually flat but can get a bit choppy with the wind or with boat wakes. Any recommendations for a first race board and would be appreciated. Thanks all!
Hey Joe, thanks for your question, a few questions before I get back with what board is best.
what weight are you?
And what width and thickness is you board now?
And are you super stable on that board?
Thanks Reuben
Hi Ruben,
I’m 171 lbs/77 kg, 5’9” tall. My current board is 34” wide, 6” thick, and yes, I’m pretty stable on it.
Hey Joe, Ok so first of all you have to decide whether you want to have a 12’6 or 14 ‘ board. 14’ is the most popular class that is going to get you paddling the fastest. Regarding your board width you’re going to be able to easily get on to a 28 wide board but in time be very happy on a 26 wide board. the width really all depends on how competitive and how fast you really want to be? If you want to get into competing in racing then at your weight a 26 would be the… Read more »
Thanks Ruben. I’m more interested in the 14’ board than a 12’6”. Some of the local shops carry Starboard and Red Paddle Co. boards but don’t regularly stock 14’ boards or have any way to test out the boards as well. I’m more likely going to have to order online. I’m also mainly going to use the board for long distance fitness padding on my local river and wanted to make sure it was fast, efficient, and stable, but not so stable that I’m not having to work on improving my balance and overall SUP skill if I’ve said it… Read more »
Hi Joseph. Got it and it all makes sense. Straight away the Starboard Airline race iSUPs are very nice boards. As you can see in the test they do very well. I feel that you could use the 14×28 now without a problem but like I said before a 14×26 would be the board for you to really progress with and paddle as fast as possible. The Hala I have seen but have not ridden unfortunately. They look like well made and stiff boards. I would leave the Red Voyager, not the fastest board to paddle. If you go down… Read more »
Thanks Ruben. That helps a lot. Much appreciated.
I am trying to find the link to the actual review – I can only get the trailer.
Any help out there?
Thanks
Hey Doug. Make sure you are signed into SUPboarder Pro, the logo will change at the top of the screen if you are signed in. If you are still struggling try doing the same thing in a new search browser. You computers cache does effect it to. Let me me know if this help. Thanks Reuben
Thanks for putting together this review. I actually tried to purchase a Naish Maliko inflatable after watching this, but there were none to be had anywhere. Ended up with a Starboard Allstar Airline 14×26, and have no regrets. I was leaning towards the Naish because I thought dealing with the cable/nose cone of the Starboard would be a PITA, but it really isn’t a big deal. And it’s such a nice and fast board!
Hey Jason The starboard is a great board and yeah the cable issue isn’t really a big deal when its all setup after the first few uses. Glad you are a happy paddler.
Is the review not available anymore? Even with pro subscription the page just goes to the youtube preview.
Hi Rick – this is likely a browser cache issue – try clearing your browser cache so the full video loads. Will – SUPboarder
Oop’s! Thank you 🙂
Hi, I’ve really enjoyed watching this review so thanks! I just wondered, if you had to choose between the Naish and the loco which one would you go for?
Hey Kate both the boards are obviously great but I would edge towards the Naish, just feel it has a better construction and really a better overall look. But I guess it might come down in price point in the end for you, either boards would work well.
Thank you for your thoughts. I originally thought I wanted a fast tourer but I definitely want to go more towards a race board, would you recommend the SIC over both the loco and Naish? I’m not hugely experienced in racing or using a sup narrower than 30 but this is what I want to work towards!
Hi, of course it comes down to a few factors, the conditions you’re most likely to be paddling in? Your overall ability at paddling in those conditions? And how happy you are at paddling board you are right now in certain conditions? 27 wide boards become very comfortable for most paddlers. If you are lighter than 60 kg then maybe you should look towards a narrow board. Because after paddling the board for awhile there’s no doubt you will find your legs for it and it will become much easier even jumping down from much wider boards. Out of all… Read more »
I just received my SIC RS Airglide today in 14×26. I got it for paddling while on the Big Island of Hawaii for our upcoming vacation, there are no decent rental boards options. The RS is a beautiful inflatable, I had to repack it into a Red paddle bag, the SIC bag is too short to safely carry my 3 piece paddle, the pump is also pretty bad, I am bringing the Red Titan pump, the only thing I will use the SIC pump for is for touring and bringing a smaller emergency pump. I am bringing both a 8.3… Read more »
Hi Greg. Thanks so much for your words and feedback. We are so happy we helped you. I will pass your words onto the team also.
Not great news about the paddle in the bag, But I guess we never tried that! And the pump compared to a red is bad. Happy paddling ,thanks again Reuben
Hi guys! Studying the table with your riders’ scores, I noticed that Jodie, as the lightest paddler, gave a rather low score to the Shark board in the tracking category. Am I correct in understanding that this may be due to the fact that under Jodie’s weight the nose of the board was not fully submerged in the water and therefore did not perform as well as under heavier riders? My weight is about 55 kg (between Jodie and Donna), trying to figure out if this Shark model in the 14×27 size is right for me or does it make… Read more »
Hey Danila, Thnaks for the question. Before I jump in and get back on this, Im going to foward the question on to Donna to get her feedback first. But not having the nose in the water doesnt help lighters paddlers for sure.
Hey Danila, I just got this comment back from Donna…. —————— There’s a chance Jodie rated the tracking lower as the fin on the Shark board is not very good as a race fin. I’ve used the 14×27 shark with a carbon fin and it tracks and paddles really well in all conditions. As a lighter rider all you may need to do is move forward one step. The 12’6×27 might be ok however I’ve not paddled this board before, you would loose some tracking and speed over a 14ft board. Another one to consider would be the 14×25 if… Read more »