Red Paddle Co Sport + compared & reviewed / Light, stiff and easy to paddle
Compared by us on Mar 11, 2024
Category: Flatwater / All-round Race Touring & Exploring Equipment & Reviews Featured Level: Intermediate
Products we compared
Red Paddle Co Sport + 12’6″ 2024
RRP: £1049 , €1343 , $1699
Is this the best 12'6 x 4.7" thick board on the market?... It could well be!
Pros: Lightweight 9.75kg, Stable outline shape, Good bungee set up for light touring, ATB transformer bag offers great transportation options, Titan II pump, Rss battens provide extra rigidity, Tail runner, Option to buy board only , 4.7" thickness ideal for those lighter paddlers, Very good environmental consideration
Cons: Possibly not as robust as the Red Paddle Co standard MSL boards
Consider buying if... you're a lighter-mid weight paddler wanting to paddle that bit faster and further
Red Paddle Co Sport + 14′ 2024
RRP: £1099 , €1403 , $1749
It's fast like a race board, but still easy to use like a Red Sport
Pros: Lightweight 10.75kg, Stable outline shape, Good bungee set up for light touring, ATB transformer bag offers great transportation options, Titan II pump, Rss battens provide extra rigidity, Tail runner, Option to buy board only , Very good environmental consideration
Cons: Possibly not as robust as the Red Paddle Co standard MSL boards
Consider buying if... you're wanting a lightweight and stable 14' iSUP for some light touring or to have a go at racing and paddling fast.
What we say
In this video we talk you through the 2 new Touring/fast paddling boards from Red Paddle Co, the 12’6 and 14’ Sport +, explaining the main features, who they’re best suited for and where they fit in the current Red Paddle Co range.
Made from MSL 800 the Sport + boards are lighter than the standard MSL Red Paddle Co boards and previous Sport board range, and more robust than the super lightweight Compact boards. Having done a deflection test at 22PSI, with and without RSS battens you can see the RSS battens do make a difference, helping you and your board perform at its best. These boards are easily stiff enough to use without the RSS battens if you wish, but on the water you’ll certainly notice a difference (possibly more than our deflection test indicates) especially in choppier conditions or if you’re a heavier paddler.
Available as board only or as a full package with a choice of paddle, there are plenty of options to suit you. And with many of the board and package components now being either replaceable or recyclable, it’s clear Red Paddle Co are committed to reducing their environmental impact which is great to see.
The 2 new sizes 12’6 x 30 x 4.7 and 14 x 28 x 5.8 in the Sport + range offer not only lighter riders a good alternative but also those paddlers wanting to paddle a bit faster or further, a good board choice without having to get a specific expedition or race board.
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Reuben Thanks for the review. For now I will stick with my 11.3 sport. I find it to be very stable in the chop. It is probably slower and heavier than the 12.6 sport plus but heavier could be good in rough water maybe. Did you ever do a deflection test on the 11.3 Sport ? I dont think you reviewed the 11.3 sport have you ? Maybe you could consider a comparison review between the 12.6 plus and 11.3 sport. I think about taking the 11.3 on an overnighter but I still have some couch potato disease in my… Read more »
Hey Cam, thanks for your rider feedback. No we need to try and get hold of one and do some riding/testing with an older sports.
I imagine that there are a lot of people who own the sport 11 and the Sport 11.3. They are probably asking themselves if they should up grade to the Sport 12.6 plus. Also I wonder if it is a wise marketing choice to add the 14 foot Sport with the other Sports. It is a different thickness and maybe it should be with its thick brothers like the voyagers. Maybe someone who owns the 13.2 voyager would really like the 14 plus sport.. That would be a good video, 13.2 Voyager vs 14 Sport plus with its single fin… Read more »
You mention they’re lighter in weight several times (much needed, the old Red boards were heavy), but then don’t give their weight… Nice looking design but for a 14’ board there’s a definite lack of handles, which are so handy in challenges like the Trent100 and the Great Glen.
Hey Jen thanks for your feedback about the boards. Regards weights of the boards, its at 1:34sec on the screen on the video. Thanks Reuben