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Many people who have tried paddle boarding have fallen in love with it immediately, and if you are one of them, now is the time to think about bringing the game on a higher level. Owning a paddleboard is a must for every beginner since once you are able to adjust your preferences, you can easily achieve what you are seeking for, with the right amount of support provided by the best touring paddle board.
When looking to get into racing, either competitively or for sport, we recommend you go for the best touring standup paddle boards. These stand up paddle boards are the ones that will help you to reach maximum speed and maintain it throughout the race. These touring paddle boards can help you get to hard to reach places that larger boats can’t go, or just push your fitness routine to the limit.
The best inflatable SUP will have many of the same characteristics as a racing one, but with lots of storage. That’s why we’ve evaluated the best options, and made a list with 10 of the best touring SUP boards available on the market. If you read the reviews carefully enough you will be able to find the best match for you.
EDITORS CHOICE
ISLE Surf
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Rugged and durable
- 6-point front expandable system
- Extra traction for maximum comfort
Length: 10’6″
Width: 31″
Full Dimensions: 10’6″ x 31″ x 6
BEST VALUE
Peak 11
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Versatility
- Extremely light for extra stability
- Strong and thick PVC body
Size: 11ft (L) x 32in (W) x 6in (T)
Weight: 19.5lbs
Capacity: 350lbs
ISLE 12’6″ Discovery
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Unique touring-style design
- Diamond-groove EVA deck pad
- Great for multiple water activities
Product Dimensions: 151.2 x 31 x 6 inches ; 20.5 pounds
Shipping Weight: 42 pounds
Bluefin SUP
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- All-inclusive SUP package
- Can be transformed in a kayak
- Exo surface laminate technology
- Easy to carry
Item Weight: 37.5 pounds
Shipping Weight: 42.3 pounds
ISLE Airtech 10’6″
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Lots of storage
- Accessories
- Durable
Weight Capacity: 325 pounds
Board Weight: 28 pounds
Length: 11 feet
Materials: High-density PVC
Fins: Triple fin system
Accessories: Paddle, pump, leash, carry bag, sticker pack, travel fin, manual
ANCHEER 10’
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- PVC plus drop stitch inner construction
- Great touring iSUP board design
- Non-Slippy surface
Product Dimensions: 132 x 32 x 6 inches
ANCHEER 10’
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Drop-stitch construction for durability
- Excellent for all skill levels
- Easy-to-carry
Product Dimensions: 120 x 30 x 6 inches
BIC Sport Sup AIR
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Great for beginners
- Diamond-grip EVA for more traction to the pad
- Extra stability
Weight Capacity: 200 pounds
Board Weight: 22 pounds
Length: 10 feet 6 inches
Z-Ray 12’6″
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Air Pump for rapid inflation and high PSI
- EVA kick pad for maneuverability
- Removable fin for speed and control
Product Dimensions: 150 x 30 x 6 inches ; 26 pounds
Shipping Weight: 37.4 pounds
How To Choose A Paddleboard For Racing / Touring – Buying Guide
You love paddleboarding but want to be able to take it on some longer paddles, with the best stand up paddle boards included. You should be able to safely pack an overnight bag and make sure that all the equipment for this sport is included in your bag for a multi-day camping trip, and once choosing the right paddle boarding, you will have no troubles packing the board with the other parts of your equipment. These touring paddle boards are much easier to carry than the average canoe, and they are a great option to use for touring purposes.
Things to consider
When choosing the best paddleboard to serve you well over the years, there are a few details that you should pay your attention to.
Storage
When touring with your paddleboard, buying one with enough storage space is key. You want to be able to roll your paddleboard into a compact bundle. There is no need for racks to store your board, just put it in your garage or closet to store. Being able to roll it will also allow you to throw it into the trunk of your car for transportation as well.
Shape
Touring paddle boards, like racing boards, carry a pointed nose displacement hull design. This helps them cut the water and glide with the least resistance creating an aerodynamic look that cuts through the water with ease. These are much thinner and longer than regular paddle boards which make them not a good option for beginners.
Thickness
Your boards’ thickness is a largely unthought about but incredibly important feature when buying your inflatable touring SUP. It also ensures that the board rides rigid and doesn’t flex when in choppy water. When packing your board, we always recommend you use dry bags as there is a high chance your stuff will get some water splashed onto it.
Paddle
A paddle has to be comfortable for the rider. This means one paddle does not fit all. Most packages come with a three-piece foldable paddle that is easy to store and transport. We suggest trying a few out to see which type works best for you when choosing the racing to stand up paddle boards.
Racing Paddle Boards
Whether you race competitively or do it more for sport, the design of your paddleboard will drastically change from your average sup. The best standup paddle boards for racing will have a sleek, lightweight design, and minimal fin resistance.
Board Shape
These best iSUP boards are going to be longer and thinner than a regular paddleboard. This allows them to cut through the water with minimal drag. Their pointed nose, a displacement hull design, slices the water better than the blunt nose found on regular boards that carry a planing hull design.
You might also like: NIXY Manhattan Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board
Fins
Even though a tri-fin system is usually found on regular boards, a single fin system works best for racing. Having only one fin creates less drag (which will slow you down) and is key to increase and maintain your speed.
Race sup boards are quickly becoming all the rage so we have done the research for you and listed our top three boards here.
Things to consider
When buying a board for racing, you want a board that is able to soar through the water at top speeds. There are key features that you should look for to ensure your board can do just that.
Shape
When using your paddleboard for racing, the shape of your board is one of the most important features. SUP racing requires a narrow and pointed shape to help you glide through the water with the least resistance. This is most commonly seen in the displacement hull design. The pointed nose design makes the board more aerodynamic allowing it to cut the water and push it to the sides leaving you soaring through the water at top speeds.
Fins
The fins on your board cause resistance in the water, but they also provide direction. These come in a single or tri-fin system but the single fin system is most commonly seen in racing boards. These provide the least resistance while still keep you pointed in the right direction getting you through the water both quickly and efficiently.
Paddle
The type of paddle you use will greatly affect your speed. This is the main factor to determine how you cut the water and how much force you can get behind you. Having a lower quality plastic design won’t allow you to achieve the top speeds that a lighter and stronger design will. Higher-end touring paddle boards do not come with a paddle. We suggest you choose one that works best for your style of paddling.
FAQs
Q: What Is Paddleboard Racing?
Stand up paddle racing is an adrenaline sport and one that has been taken up by more enthusiasts than any other form of paddling. It is a rigorous workout in a camaraderie setting and a fun way to share time together on the water.
Paddleboarding participants are propelled by a swimming motion using their arms while lying, kneeling, or standing on a paddleboard or surfboard in the ocean. A derivative of paddleboarding is stand up paddleboarding also called stand up paddle surfing. Paddleboarding is usually performed in the open ocean, with the participant paddling and surfing unbroken swells to cross between islands or journey from one coastal area to another. Champion paddlers can stroke for hours and a 20-mile (32 km) race is only a warm-up for well-trained paddlers.
Related Review: SurfboardQ: What Is Paddleboard Touring?
Paddleboard touring is for the adventurer who wants to go the extra mile and tour. Paddleboarding is a relaxing activity for anyone. You need a board and a paddle, and you can hit the water wherever you are. By paddling through the water with the paddle, you can move through the water on your board. Paddleboard touring takes it a step further. Instead of a relaxing jaunt in the water, you take a long relaxing jaunt in the water. Touring with a paddleboard is exactly the same as touring with a kayak or canoe. The aim is to take in the world around you as you move through the water.
When you are touring, you are out on the water for a long time, so you want to find a board that is steady enough to keep you on your feet for long periods of time, and big enough to carry your extra gear. Paddleboard touring is a relaxing adventure. It is a great way to get back to nature and see your surroundings in a different way. While paddleboard racing is all about getting from A to B as quickly as possible, paddleboard touring is all about getting from A to B at your own pace, and without even knowing where B is.
Globo Surf Overview
Whether you are going on long-distance paddles or race competitively it is important that you get the best paddleboard. These, while often expensive, will carry features that will last you a long time. While many may think that touring and racing boards have the same characteristics, there are different priorities that should be placed based on how you intend to use your board.
Both carry a displacement hull design to help you soar through the water quickly with fewer strokes but the features will vary. Lightweight design and fins are important in racing while storage and paddleboard thickness is a priority for touring.
Single Products Paddle Board Reviews:
- Bay Sports 2019 11’6 Tour Paddleboard Review
- Peak 11 Expedition Inflatable Paddle Board Review
- Tower IRace 12’6” Paddleboard Review
- Ten Toes Weekender 10′ Paddleboard Review
- IRocker Cruiser Paddleboard Review
- Hala Playa Paddleboard Review
- BIC Sport ACE-TEC Paddleboard Review
- Gili 11′ / 12′ Adventure Inflatable SUP Board Review
- Tower Xplorer 14′ Inflatable SUP Review
- ISLE Airtech 12’6 Touring Inflatable SUP Review