In this SUPboarder PRO head to head test we put 8 "Performance Touring" boards up against each other. Performance Touring ( approx. 14' x 28) are becoming more popular with intermediate and advanced paddlers as you want to paddle further and faster. In this test we share what we discovered about this category of boards and talk through the pros and cons of each, helping you decide which is right for you.
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Ben Williams
4 months ago
I’ve never understood the logic of the d ring under the nose of a board, yet so many have this so must be a reason. On top of the nose would seem more useful in a variety of situations but certainly redundant when a handle is there. For me the Quroc looks really interesting as a multi day board but how does the new bungy layout compare to the previous style layout like the starboard for securing a load?
Yes, the D ring thing is strange and needs some more thinking or explanation from brands. The Quroc bungee system was good. We will be publishing more videos on this board soon, but the initial thoughts were that this system worked well and the team really liked the removable clips for ease of putting large bags on. Stay tuned for a full SUPboarder review of this board coming soon.
The D ring is for towing, if you tow from the top of a craft it pulls the nose down into the water increasing drag. Strong points for towing on boats are always low down so the bow is pulled upwards which lifts the bow out and provides a nicer tow.
Hey Ben thanks for the comment. We find when we do towing from our boats or other SUPs (maybe to get to a testing locations with lots of boards) the top handle always works fine. If there’s no towing eye underneath. What you are saying is very true about the better angle of tow when underneath. But the majority of paddlers we have spoken to just don’t use it. But I guess its there if you need it.
Giorgio Borgonovo
4 months ago
Hi guys, thank you for another interesting test! I do like the idea of clearly explain to whom each single board is better suited for based on each board own characteristics, but I would still have appreciated having the traditional “scoring per characteristic”, like gliding, tracking, rigidity, stability, personal overall preference and such. Hope you would be able to add the info to this test data in the near future, in case you have collected such data during the test, or at least that you re-introduce those data into future tests. Cheers, Giorgio
Thank you Reuben and team, plus the guest reviewers. That was a super interesting and very comprehensive review. I really liked how clearly you explained everything for multiple boards in different scenarios – the format worked very well.
Glad you brought up the D-ring topic as I also find it peculiar that they’re often placed where they’ll create unecessary drag. I sometimes put tape over mine to minimise that, but it can get worn or knocked off easily.
Hey Charlie, Good to hear you liked the test and the way it was put together. The D ring on noses is a funny one, depending on where there’re placed can makes a big difference on the board. Let’s see if Starboard change theres into the future?
Danila
3 months ago
Hi. If possible, please add information about the volume of the board to the size table. In the review you repeatedly pointed out that Shark is the widest and longest SUP, but if you look at the volume, it is only 3 liters larger than Starboard, which doesn’t seem to be a significant difference.
Hi Danila, volume data has been added to the table. We actually can’t get hold of some of the data as you will see. Volume is not a particularly good metric when comparing boards(particularly inflatables)as they all have plenty of volume to hold any paddler, its more about their shape and construction quality that effects the stability. The data does highlight that the Red is the highest volume, which is something we felt would be the case and we comment on in the video as it is high volume in its nose.
Dragan
2 months ago
Gladiator 14×28 vs Bluefin Nitro 14×28??
Can someone suggest what would be the winner between those two taking in consideration same price level.. From my experience, Bluefin paddles are awful, so would definitely neet to upgrade soon, but overall quality is very good. Never had experience with Gladiator.
Hey Dragan. The Bluefins have got better with their quality but the Gladiator is the better again. The shape of the Gladiator is just more refined and works well. Any help? Reuben
Hey Reuben. I’ve tried those romblike shape boards, although seems unstable, they are not, untill stepback turn.. Exept for long touring trips I use it occasinaly with small child of 25kg approx. I’m 190, 95kg, do you think board will be capable to carry both with good glide? Tnx
Hi, like pointed nose and tail instead of square tail.. example are Gladiator 14×28 or Itiwit race or touring vs Bluefin Nitro, if you can see the shape difference..
Yeah got you. Like you say when paddling in normal paddling stance they are pretty stable , especially the longer boards, like 14. But the wider tails will offer more stability overall, and will make a big difference in choppy or moving waters.
Samuel Pitt
1 month ago
Great review! Any experiences with Gong boards that fit into this category?
Hey Samuel, unfortunately we haven’t had any experience with the longer Gongs. We have use some other Gongs in the past and they have always been well designed and thought about. Maybe only observation in the past is some of the fittings like fins et cetera have not been as good quality as rival brands. But this was a couple years ago now. They generally hit a good price point.
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I’ve never understood the logic of the d ring under the nose of a board, yet so many have this so must be a reason. On top of the nose would seem more useful in a variety of situations but certainly redundant when a handle is there. For me the Quroc looks really interesting as a multi day board but how does the new bungy layout compare to the previous style layout like the starboard for securing a load?
Yes, the D ring thing is strange and needs some more thinking or explanation from brands.
The Quroc bungee system was good. We will be publishing more videos on this board soon, but the initial thoughts were that this system worked well and the team really liked the removable clips for ease of putting large bags on. Stay tuned for a full SUPboarder review of this board coming soon.
The D ring is for towing, if you tow from the top of a craft it pulls the nose down into the water increasing drag. Strong points for towing on boats are always low down so the bow is pulled upwards which lifts the bow out and provides a nicer tow.
Hey Ben thanks for the comment. We find when we do towing from our boats or other SUPs (maybe to get to a testing locations with lots of boards) the top handle always works fine. If there’s no towing eye underneath. What you are saying is very true about the better angle of tow when underneath. But the majority of paddlers we have spoken to just don’t use it. But I guess its there if you need it.
Hi guys, thank you for another interesting test!
I do like the idea of clearly explain to whom each single board is better suited for based on each board own characteristics, but I would still have appreciated having the traditional “scoring per characteristic”, like gliding, tracking, rigidity, stability, personal overall preference and such.
Hope you would be able to add the info to this test data in the near future, in case you have collected such data during the test, or at least that you re-introduce those data into future tests.
Cheers,
Giorgio
Hi Giorgio – thanks for the comment and feedback – we will gather the data we have and publish it soon – will let you know when it there.
We have added some Ratings for Glide / Speed, Stability and Tracking to the test post now above
Thank you Will, much appreciated!
Cheers,
Giorgio
Thank you Reuben and team, plus the guest reviewers. That was a super interesting and very comprehensive review. I really liked how clearly you explained everything for multiple boards in different scenarios – the format worked very well.
Glad you brought up the D-ring topic as I also find it peculiar that they’re often placed where they’ll create unecessary drag. I sometimes put tape over mine to minimise that, but it can get worn or knocked off easily.
Hey Charlie, Good to hear you liked the test and the way it was put together. The D ring on noses is a funny one, depending on where there’re placed can makes a big difference on the board. Let’s see if Starboard change theres into the future?
Hi.
If possible, please add information about the volume of the board to the size table. In the review you repeatedly pointed out that Shark is the widest and longest SUP, but if you look at the volume, it is only 3 liters larger than Starboard, which doesn’t seem to be a significant difference.
Hi Danila, volume data has been added to the table. We actually can’t get hold of some of the data as you will see. Volume is not a particularly good metric when comparing boards(particularly inflatables)as they all have plenty of volume to hold any paddler, its more about their shape and construction quality that effects the stability. The data does highlight that the Red is the highest volume, which is something we felt would be the case and we comment on in the video as it is high volume in its nose.
Gladiator 14×28 vs Bluefin Nitro 14×28??
Can someone suggest what would be the winner between those two taking in consideration same price level..
From my experience, Bluefin paddles are awful, so would definitely neet to upgrade soon, but overall quality is very good. Never had experience with Gladiator.
Hey Dragan. The Bluefins have got better with their quality but the Gladiator is the better again. The shape of the Gladiator is just more refined and works well. Any help? Reuben
Hey Reuben.
I’ve tried those romblike shape boards, although seems unstable, they are not, untill stepback turn..
Exept for long touring trips I use it occasinaly with small child of 25kg approx.
I’m 190, 95kg, do you think board will be capable to carry both with good glide?
Tnx
Hey Dragan, what do you mean by romblike shape boards?
Hi, like pointed nose and tail instead of square tail.. example are Gladiator 14×28 or Itiwit race or touring vs Bluefin Nitro, if you can see the shape difference..
Yeah got you. Like you say when paddling in normal paddling stance they are pretty stable , especially the longer boards, like 14. But the wider tails will offer more stability overall, and will make a big difference in choppy or moving waters.
Great review!
Any experiences with Gong boards that fit into this category?
Hey Samuel, unfortunately we haven’t had any experience with the longer Gongs. We have use some other Gongs in the past and they have always been well designed and thought about. Maybe only observation in the past is some of the fittings like fins et cetera have not been as good quality as rival brands. But this was a couple years ago now. They generally hit a good price point.