In this SUPboarder PRO head to head test we put 14 Improver All-round iSUPs priced between £399 and £1149 up against each other. Improver all-round iSUPs are a new trend in beginner inflatable boards, slightly longer than traditional all-round boards but having the same width (31/32"). This style board offers beginner and improver paddlers more glide with suitable stability and makes a great great option as a first time board purchase particularly for those paddlers looking to get into touring over SUP surfing OR those who have rented all-round boards previously. Our head to head comparison by 8 SUPboarder testers will help you decide what board is right for YOU!
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Leo Jay
2 years ago
Hey friends! Thx for the 3 isup board tests, I just finished watching them and they are pretty amazing! In this Video, I would love in the end more scenes of the testers paddling these boards, like at the race test. And I love the deflection tests and your opinions to the boards 🙂 So now I am thinking about buying a new iSup and can’t decide, the Stx “Race” 14×30″ , the Gladiator Elite 14x30T and the Fanatic Enduro 13×30. The Setup doesn’t matter, just the Board is important to me, because I already have a Paddle. my weight… Read more »
Hi Leo Thanks for your comments. We will make sure we will get some more footage and I will talk to the team about what you have suggested for future improvements. Regarding your board choice. Because of your body weight and what you want to do with it I think looking at a 14′ board would be better giving you the ultimate glide. Therefore it’s really between the ST-X and the gladiator. The STX is a fun board to use and quick to but I feel like the elite would be the best board being a little bit wider in… Read more »
Hey! Thanks for your response. I’m a bit late, but I appreciate your tip. For me, I love the look of the fanatic, but its off the table. Heavy, expensive and not the fastest. So i will decide between the Stx and gladiator in14′, both look very good. The stability wouldn’t be the problem I guess, but I like to have a fast board, but not a race board yet. because of the nose rocker and your test & tip, the gladiator is maybe the best overall. the shape of the stx seems to slow you a bit more down,… Read more »
hi Neil, if you are still seeing the intro video which is only a minute long it means you are not logged in to pro. If you have a pro account please try refreshing the page and logging in again or logging in a brand-new browser. Let me know if you are still having problems sorry for the delay on getting back to you we have all had a week off last week. A break from all these tests 🙂 all the best let me know Reuben
sc2071
2 years ago
Starboard needs to release a Generation Airline. 11’6, 12’6, 14 lengths and 28, 30, 32 widths. Include carbon stringers and/oir double chambers for stiffness. My wallet is ready!
Hi – just subscribed to Pro & am looking to get my own board in the near future. Prior to this video I’d flagged up the Gladiator Pro & Fanatic Ray Air
Why do you suggest a max weight of 85kg for the Gladiator Pro, and 70-110kg for the Fanatic? I’m 175cm and currently 83kg, likely to put on a bit more muscle for other hobbies in future. The Gladiator scored better in Deflection (even though it’s thinner), and the same in Stability so trying to understand where this recommendation comes from?
Hey Sam, Good question. Many paddlers who are 85,90kg prefer 6″ thick boards especially if they’re wanting to carry anything on the board at all because that will obviously put the overall weight on the board. But at the same time there are many paddlers who weighs 85-88 kg who would choose a 5 inch thick board like the gladiator pro. And so this is definitely general guidance. The question I have for you is have you paddled a five or 6 inch thick board in the past, and what sort of conditions are you going to be paddling? ie… Read more »
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Hey friends! Thx for the 3 isup board tests, I just finished watching them and they are pretty amazing! In this Video, I would love in the end more scenes of the testers paddling these boards, like at the race test. And I love the deflection tests and your opinions to the boards 🙂 So now I am thinking about buying a new iSup and can’t decide, the Stx “Race” 14×30″ , the Gladiator Elite 14x30T and the Fanatic Enduro 13×30. The Setup doesn’t matter, just the Board is important to me, because I already have a Paddle. my weight… Read more »
Hi Leo Thanks for your comments. We will make sure we will get some more footage and I will talk to the team about what you have suggested for future improvements. Regarding your board choice. Because of your body weight and what you want to do with it I think looking at a 14′ board would be better giving you the ultimate glide. Therefore it’s really between the ST-X and the gladiator. The STX is a fun board to use and quick to but I feel like the elite would be the best board being a little bit wider in… Read more »
Hey! Thanks for your response. I’m a bit late, but I appreciate your tip. For me, I love the look of the fanatic, but its off the table. Heavy, expensive and not the fastest. So i will decide between the Stx and gladiator in14′, both look very good. The stability wouldn’t be the problem I guess, but I like to have a fast board, but not a race board yet. because of the nose rocker and your test & tip, the gladiator is maybe the best overall. the shape of the stx seems to slow you a bit more down,… Read more »
Thanks one Leo. Both boards will work well but like you have said the Gladiator is probably the one.
All I got was a one minute intro?
hi Neil, if you are still seeing the intro video which is only a minute long it means you are not logged in to pro.
If you have a pro account please try refreshing the page and logging in again or logging in a brand-new browser.
Let me know if you are still having problems sorry for the delay on getting back to you we have all had a week off last week.
A break from all these tests 🙂 all the best let me know Reuben
Starboard needs to release a Generation Airline. 11’6, 12’6, 14 lengths and 28, 30, 32 widths. Include carbon stringers and/oir double chambers for stiffness. My wallet is ready!
Bingo . Great comment
Hi – just subscribed to Pro & am looking to get my own board in the near future. Prior to this video I’d flagged up the Gladiator Pro & Fanatic Ray Air
Why do you suggest a max weight of 85kg for the Gladiator Pro, and 70-110kg for the Fanatic? I’m 175cm and currently 83kg, likely to put on a bit more muscle for other hobbies in future. The Gladiator scored better in Deflection (even though it’s thinner), and the same in Stability so trying to understand where this recommendation comes from?
Hey Sam, Good question. Many paddlers who are 85,90kg prefer 6″ thick boards especially if they’re wanting to carry anything on the board at all because that will obviously put the overall weight on the board. But at the same time there are many paddlers who weighs 85-88 kg who would choose a 5 inch thick board like the gladiator pro. And so this is definitely general guidance. The question I have for you is have you paddled a five or 6 inch thick board in the past, and what sort of conditions are you going to be paddling? ie… Read more »